FAME ISN'T EVERYTHING
Written by Zack Wanzer, James Riddle and Rachel Ravens
Sir Topham Hatt sat in his office, looking very worried; Gordon had recently gotten into an accident that led to his valve gear being disintegrated, and now he was down one engine for the main line.
"What am I going to do with one less express engine?" he asked. "I don't want Henry, Rebecca and Bear to feel overworked."
He looked over the schedules for the coming month, and something caught his eye.
"I'll have to inform her owners about what just happened," he said, picking up the telephone. "I only hope that they'll understand."
A couple of days later, Sir Topham Hatt came to see the engines at Tidmouth sheds.
"I was hoping to keep this a surprise for a week longer," he said, "but due to Gordon being out of action, I may as well tell you now."
"Tell us what, sir?" asked Henry. He'd been temporarily reassigned to Tidmouth to share express duties with Rebecca.
"I've made arrangements for an engine from the other railway to come to Sodor for a visit," explained Sir Topham Hatt.
"Is it Tasha?" Emily hoped.
"Is Stepney coming back for a visit?" asked Thomas.
"Or is it another engine from overseas?" asked Nia.
"I'm afraid it's none of them," said Sir Topham Hatt. "All I shall say for right now is that it'll be a magical experience for many."
The engines were curious as to what Sir Topham Hatt meant by this cryptic announcement.
"Does he mean there's going to be a magic engine on Sodor?" asked Percy.
"That would be very exciting!" giggled Rebecca. "I've always wanted to see a magical engine."
"Everyone knows magic isn't real," snorted James.
"Then how do you explain why we're alive?" Rebecca retorted.
The red engine quickly went quiet when he couldn't come up with a good enough answer. Instead, he just puffed away to collect his train.
The next morning, Duck was at Knapford station with the slip coaches when he heard an unfamiliar whistle.
"Must be that visiting engine," he remarked.
His suspicions were proven correct when a large red tender engine pulled into the station with four red coaches behind her. She had a 4-6-0 wheel arrangement like Henry, only her wheels were black, an unusual crest on her tender, and nameplates that read "Hogwarts Castle". Duck was rather surprised by this last detail.
"That's strange," he remarked. "I thought Castles had their cylinders further back."
"Oh, that's not my actual name," said the visiting engine. "My real name is Olton Hall. I see you're a pannier tank engine. Duck, is it?"
"That would be me," confirmed Duck. "I take it you've heard of me?"
"City of Truro told me all about you Sudrians," explained Olton Hall. "It's quite the honor to come to your railway, Duck."
Just then, a little boy saw Olton Hall and became excited.
"Look!" he cried, pointing to the visiting engine. "It's the Hogwarts Express from the films!"
Before Duck could ask about what the little boy meant, Olton Hall suddenly found herself surrounded by excited passengers. Sir Topham Hatt came out of his office to see what the commotion was about.
"I had a feeling this would happen from what her owners said," groaned the controller. "Alright, break it up now! This is no place for idolization."
"I'm very sorry about this, sir," Olton Hall apologized, feeling a bit flustered. "This happens every time I visit a new railway, and I'm sure I'm not the only engine who's had to go through this once they've appeared on the big screen."
After several humorous attempts to shoo the passengers away, at last Olton Hall was given the all clear.
"Word travels fast on Sodor," said Duck worriedly. "I'd imagine this'll be a long visit for Olton Hall."
Olton Hall performed well as she pulled the express. The passengers loved the rides, and Henry and Rebecca were very thankful for her help. But despite the praises, she still felt flustered every time fans swarmed around her. That evening, Olton Hall was in the yards with some of the other engines. They were pleased to meet her, none more so than Duck and Oliver.
"For a moment there, going by your nameplates," remarked Oliver, "one would almost think you thought you were a Castle. Those were some of the finest ten-wheelers ever made."
"They were indeed, Oliver," agreed Olton Hall. "But for whatever reason, Hogwarts Hall wouldn't have had the same ring to it."
"Then why are you painted like that?" asked Duck.
"It's for a film series," explained Olton Hall. "It's about a young boy who goes to a school where many young children get to learn all about magic, and in between, he has to deal with a dark lord who wants to take over the wizarding world."
"Ooooh," murmured Philip.
"You must have been very lucky to be chosen as the engine for those films," insisted Emily.
"In theory, yes, Emily," said Olton Hall. "But it's a bit of a double-edged sword. I can't really get a moment's peace most days."
While Duck felt sorry for the visitor, James was jealous.
"I'd give anything to have excited fans flock around me whenever I arrive," he insisted. "A splendid engine like me is well deserving of such attention."
"Well, why don't you two swap for a while?" Duck suggested.
"Swap?" asked Olton Hall. "As in, do each other's jobs for a few days?"
"Sure," said Duck. "That way, you can enjoy some quiet work, and James can see how it feels to be in your wheels."
"Oh, that does sound nice," said Olton Hall. "Thank you, Duck. I would like that very much."
"This might just be your best idea yet," smirked James, causing many of the engines to groan.
"He won't let us hear the end of it…" muttered Murdoch.
"Does this happen a lot?" asked Rebecca.
"You've no idea," grunted Bear.
The next day, Olton Hall and James had gone to the Steamworks to be repainted. The visiting engine had her old nameplates put back on and her crest replaced with her old Great Western Railway lettering. James, meanwhile, had the unusual crest painted on his tender instead of his usual number five, which was painted on his cab, and he had the nameplates on his middle splashers as well as a headboard on his smokebox.
"This takes me back," Olton Hall said with a wistful smile. "Thank you, Victor and Kevin."
"It's our pleasure, Olton Hall," smiled Victor. "It's not every day we have a famous visitor coming to our humble Steamworks."
"Well, I'd just want to be seen as one of you for a while," Olton Hall admitted. "It'll be good to get back to some quiet work for a change."
Olton Hall was put onto James' first slow goods run of the day. To her relief, no one came near her except for her crew, the guard and one of the Knapford yard shunters, Stanley.
"Don't worry," assured the silver tank engine as he shunted the brake van into place. "You'll get a peaceful run today."
"Thank you," sighed Olton Hall. "I sometimes wish my life was always this peaceful."
The guard blew his whistle, and the scarlet engine puffed away. She was just leaving the yard when James pulled into the station, backing down on Olton Hall's coaches.
"Hey," said the small boy from yesterday. "Where's the Hogwarts Express engine?"
"I'm filling in for her today," insisted James. "I am the... er… Vicarstown Express!"
"Did you take trains filled with witches and wizards?" the boy asked.
"Are you kidding?" James chuckled. "On many trains that I've pulled, my coaches would be packed with many different mythical beings from elves to dwarves. Even the occasional troll."
James was merely making all this up, but the boy was very excited.
"Ooh, I'd better get my friends to hear more." He rushed off to find them and the children ushered their parents onto the train. Many of them were wearing long black robes and striped neckties; some of them were red and gold, others yellow and black, others blue and bronze, and others green and silver. Among them were Richard (blue and bronze), Charles (red and gold) and Little Emily (yellow and black), who were now twelve, nine and six years old respectively.
"Grandpa never told us James took trains with mythical beings," said Richard.
"Yeah," said Charles. "That would have been a good story to tell at Halloween."
"Hopefully they didn't scare anyone too much," said Little Emily. Helen raised an eyebrow at her children's comments.
"I wonder if their aunt Bridget's made something up…" she muttered.
"Wouldn't surprise me," agreed Stephen. "Although if it was true, I'd have heard about it by now."
Later, Olton Hall was at Vicarstown where she was meeting with Rosie and Amanda, a large saddle tank engine with six wheels.
"So, you really starred in a film?" asked Amanda.
"A film series," Olton Hall explained. "They're based on a rather popular series of books."
"Ooh, that does sound exciting," said Rosie. "Our friends on the Skarloey Railway were on television as well, something about a railway documentary for their centenary."
"I hope they got more peace than I did," chuckled Olton Hall. "Sometimes, being a celebrity can be really tiring."
"You know what would be really relaxing for you?" asked Amanda. "Taking a train down by the coast. Duck and Oliver's branch line, the Little Western, runs right by the beach."
"That does sound lovely," sighed Olton Hall. "But I've got to take this train back and pick up James' next passenger run."
"I can easily take the main line local," smiled Amanda. "It's just four small coaches. Besides, you can take my goods train up the Little Western after you take this slow goods back down to Tidmouth."
"Oh, thank you, Amanda!" cried Olton Hall as her guard's whistle blew. "This will be a wonderful run."
"Okay, ol' boy," said James' driver, uncoupling him from the coaches. "Let's get you filled up with coal and water before we continue on our way."
"And here Olton Hall said having so many admirers would be a problem," scoffed James. "This is the best life ever."
But as James was moving off, another little girl snuck off the platform to follow him - not Little Emily. The driver and fireman were too preoccupied to realize what had happened.
"This day is such a breeze," James sighed as he was getting refilled at the water tower.
"Excuse me," said the small voice.
"Huh?" James' eyes almost popped out. "Er, what are you doing here? Where are your parents?"
"Do you know what Hogwarts' house I'd fit into?" she asked. "My friends say I fit into Ravenclaw, but I think I'm in Hufflepuff."
James was unsure how to respond to that.
"Oh, and what about me?" asked another boy. "I'm sure my house is Slytherin, but one of my friends insisted I'm a Gryffindor."
"Well, I think it is Gryffindor for you," said a second little girl. "And what about you, James? Which house did you fit into?"
"Er, I… hadn't fully decided," lied James. "I myself prefer a shed instead of a house."
The children, which had seemed to have grown in numbers following the discussion between them and James, burst out laughing at that comment.
"You seem a bit put out, James," said Barry as they came to the coal hopper.
"These kids have been asking me question after question about this book series," explained James.
"Maybe it would help if you actually knew the series," chuckled Barry.
"You mean he doesn't?" gasped the little boy. "But he said he pulled trains with witches, wizards and such."
"Yes… to a Halloween party last year."
Hearing this made the children feel rather disappointed.
"I guess we'd better get back to our parents before they start running around," sighed the little girl who started this debate as the children walked off.
"Why did you have to tell them?" grunted James.
"Well, I did save you from embarrassment," Barry retorted as they headed back to their train. "You're welcome."
"Let's hope that's the least of my problems…" muttered James.
Meanwhile, Olton Hall was cruising down the Little Western, taking in the beautiful sights around her.
"Just listen to those seagulls," she hummed as she puffed along. "And the beach looks so inviting."
"It sure is," came a friendly voice, and Olton Hall saw Skiff the railboat. "You must be our visitor. Olton Hall, yes?"
"That's right," the visiting engine smiled. "Today, I'm wearing an invisibility cloak."
Skiff looked puzzled at that comment. "But you're not really wearing a cloak, and I can see you."
"No, not that type of cloak," laughed Olton Hall. "I didn't mean that literally. I meant that I'm not wearing my film livery so I don't find myself surrounded by filmgoers."
"Ohhh, I see," said Skiff. "Well, I'm glad you're getting some peace and quiet." He gave a chuckle. "One of the main line engines, Murdoch, can really relate to being bombarded with too many questions."
"Ah, I see," said Olton Hall. "I did notice he was Evening Star's brother. If I do see her in the future, I'll tell her that he said hello."
At Knapford station, James had pulled up alongside the platform, feeling rather exhausted.
"I just hope that that's the last of the fans of that book series that I come across today," he panted.
But the red engine was out of luck; a large purple bus, even taller than Bulgy or Brutus, had pulled up into the station roundabout, and even more fans of the books came to see James and take his picture. The poor red engine almost thought he would scream in despair!
"Not into the spirit of the series?" asked the purple bus, whose name was Ronald. "Come on, mate, liven up a bit."
"Let's just say that I've had a very long day," groaned James.
Later that evening, Duck, Oliver and Olton Hall were resting in the yards when they saw a very tired and cross James pull up alongside.
"Ah, hello there, James," greeted Olton Hall innocently. "Did you enjoy the spotlight?"
"Certainly not!" groaned James. "Those book series fans wouldn't leave me alone, no matter where I went! And please don't get me started on what went on at Knapford."
"Oh, that's a shame," said Olton Hall. "I had a lovely day myself. Meeting everyone on my way up the main line, having a great chat with Rosie and Amanda, oh, and Amanda even allowed me to take her goods train down the Little Western."
"We're glad to hear you had a splendid day," smiled Duck. "But as for James… Well, I think he's finally found out that there is such a thing as too much attention!"
The three Great Western engines had a good laugh about it, but James went redder than ever with fury and embarrassment.
"Oh, can't we please swap back to our regular liveries?!" he pleaded.
"Sorry, James, but you did agree to Duck's suggestion," said Olton Hall. "Don't worry; it's only a temporary thing. You'll be back to a regular working career sooner than you think."
"Sooner would be better than later," grunted James to himself. "What is it with this Great Western mentality between them…?"
It wasn't long before the few days were up, and James was painted back into his regular livery, although Olton Hall was still in her non-film livery.
"I'll probably be painted back for when the event takes place," she said. "Still, I'll enjoy the peace and quiet while I can."
"I'm more than happy to stick with goods trains after that," sighed James.
"Looks like you'll need an invisibility cloak when you're on coal runs then," chuckled Duck. "I mean, you're the same color as the 'Hogwarts Express' engine."
James simply rolled his eyes, and for a long time afterward, he said no more about being a famous engine - at least for the remainder of Olton Hall's stay.
When Gordon eventually came back, Olton Hall didn't go home for a couple of days, and he got a chance to meet her.
"So, you've been my 'replacement'," he joked. "Tell me, what have I missed since my time in the Steamworks?"
Olton Hall looked over to see James preparing to take some trucks to the Peel Godred branch line, but he couldn't make a fast enough getaway…
"Oh, where do I even begin?"
THE END
Author's Comments
Here's the final chapter of Duck the Great Western Engine, and it's a story that I've wanted to try out for a while; what if GWR No. 5972 Olton Hall, famous for appearing as the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films, were to visit Sodor? I'm not the first to ponder this idea, and I doubt I'll be the last either. While Duck is still a major player in driving the plot, I wondered what it'd be like if James swapped places with Olton Hall and saw the hard way what it was like dealing with the celebrity lifestyle. I'm glad we were able to do so, and bring this book to a humorous end. Mind you, Olton Hall will be sticking around for a while, so expect her to pop up in the next two books for The International Railway Series.
Meanwhile, you may have noticed that I've been re-editing some older stories. Well, because Rachel and I have made a lot of changes and upgrades to the Seventyverse, we had to update older stories in order to accommodate more recent changes like the inclusion of the Midland engines and the old coaches Hilary, Audrey and Mark being given names. It's a very long process at the moment, and right now, we're up to Duck and the Diesel Engine. These mini-specials do take a while to edit, even more so than the one-off stories like Quarrelsome Coaches. Once we've finished up with these re-edits, we'll begin work on the next book, Ivo Hugh the New Little Engine!
