Gordon and Henry arrived at Knapford station where Mr. Dry, Bertram Hatt and the board of directors were waiting. Marklin was close behind, trying to put on a brave face for the new engines' formal welcome.

"It's good to have you on Sodor," smiled Mr. Dry. "Welcome. My name is Mr. Dry, and what may your names be?"

"I'm Gordon, and this is Henry," the A0 smiled.

"It's been a bit of a long run down here," added Henry, "but it did give our wheels a good stretch."

"Wait just a minute there!" cried one of the directors. "We ordered for one of those Robinson atlantics! They're beautiful machines, you know, so what are you doing here then?!" It was clear that he was addressing Henry; Gordon's arrival was intentional.

"Calm down there, Mr. Regaby," said Mr. Dry. "We should be thankful to have a replacement engine at all. Isn't it better than nothing?"

"We've been given a white elephant, and yet all you can say is that it's better than nothing?!" snapped Mr. Regaby. Albert Regaby was the chairman of the railway board, and he disagreed on a lot of things with both Mr. Dry and Bertram Hatt. He was also known for being progressive and ambitious, as he was the one who had ordered for the likes of Maurice, Leslie and Phyllis to be withdrawn in favour of more reliable motive power. Unfortunately, contingency and compassion were not Albert Regaby's greatest strengths.

"You take that back at once!" snapped Gordon. "Henry was very excited to come down here and he wishes to prove himself like me."

"And we'll give you both a fair chance," said Mr. Dry meaningfully at Mr. Regaby. "An inspector will check you both over at the sheds before you start work."

"Of course, sir," said Henry thankfully.

The two big engines headed for the sheds, while Marklin gave a worried expression at Mr. Dry as Mr. Hatt walked off.

"You need to take Annie and Clarabel for the time being," he explained quietly. "I'll speak with you later."

"Take Annie and Clarabel?" Marklin repeated under her breath. "This doesn't sound good to me…"


Meanwhile, Gordon and Henry both came to Tidmouth sheds.

"Well, this place looks very spacious to me," smiled Henry as he headed onto the turntable. "It looks perfect for meetings."

"Indeed," agreed Gordon. "Maybe we can have a meeting about what to do with that rude chairman."

Both engines fell silent when they heard a soft sobbing noise.

"Oh my," gasped Henry. "Who's that little old engine in the shed?"

The little old engine, as Henry had put it, was Edward.

"O-oh no, not again…" trailed Edward in shock. "I just want to spend my last moments alone in peace."

Gordon and Henry exchanged a pained look.

"Wh-what do you mean?" gulped Gordon.

"I-I was only meant to stay until the viaduct's been repaired…" Edward said sadly. "I'm a shy steamer, you see. The chairman doesn't want me in service anymore, so the engine who's been loaned from the mainland is going to be my replacement."

"That horrible!" cried Henry. "We can't let that happen to you!"

"And indeed, that shall not happen," said a voice. It was Bertram Hatt, who had just arrived at the sheds.

"I-it's not, Mr. Hatt?" asked Edward in surprise. "B-but Glynn's siblings, they were all-"

"I know, Edward," said Mr. Hatt quietly. "We've suffered enough losses on the island as it is. I figured now would be the right time to act, with so much going on for the railway at the moment."

"What exactly is your plan, er… Mr. Hatt, was it?" asked Gordon.

"Edward is going to be rebuilt at Crovan's Gate," Mr. Hatt explained. "Marklin will be filling in for him until he gets back."

"Mr. Hatt," Edward exclaimed with a small smile, "you're really allowing this to happen?"

"I've had to pull some strings to allow this to happen," said Mr. Hatt, "but we'll cure you of your problems and for all."

"Thank you, Mr Hatt!" Edward exclaimed. "And you two, thanks for being there for me in my dark moments. Oh, er… I don't think I got either of your names."

"It's Henry."

"And I'm Gordon."

"Pleasure to meet the two of you," smiled Edward. "And I'm Edward, in case you didn't catch Mr. Hatt mentioning my name before. Welcome to the island."


While the two engines had their inspections done, Edward slipped carefully past the directors' office. They were so engrossed in conversation they didn't notice, but Marklin did see Edward passing by Maron when she, Annie and Clarabel had stopped.

"Hello, girls," he called, "I'm going to be rebuilt."

"Rebuilt?!" cried Marklin. "Oh, so that's why I'm taking over Edward's jobs for now."

"Don't let the board know about this," chuckled Edward. "They'd be furious if they found out."

"Wait until they see you once you're out of the Steamworks," grinned Annie.

"I don't think they'd recognize you," agreed Clarabel.


Back at the sheds, the inspectors had finished looking over the two big engines.

"You both seem to be in order," said one of them. "Henry, you're to take a slow goods to Vicarstown, and Gordon, you're to take the express."

"Yes, sir," the two engines said.


Albert had quickly arranged the trucks and coaches accordingly at the platform, and he then raced off to find Victoria and Helena.

"Do your best, you two," said Albert as he disappeared into the yards.

"We will," called Henry. "Thank you again, Albert!"

Gordon's guard blew the whistle first.

"Express coming through!" he called as he took off.

"Something tells me we're going to be hearing that a lot," chuckled Henry.


At the Steamworks, Bertram Hatt outlined his plans for Edward.

"So I think making your firebox bigger, giving you a more enclosed cab in case of bad weather, and maybe a new tender should do it," he explained.

"Thank you, Mr. Hatt," said Edward. "I really appreciate all you're doing."

"I won't give up on you, or any of the engines of the present and future, Edward," he said warmly.

It was a very long process, and Bertram Hatt had to work around the railway board's stubborn ideals to avoid his secret project failing before it had even got off the ground, as well as to keep anyone in the know from being removed from their position, and that included Mr. Dry, who approved of this rebuild. As Edward was being rebuilt, he was in a coma-like state thanks to some "Green Water" so he wouldn't feel modifications being made to him during this process. While all that was going on, Gordon and Henry were making themselves feel at home on the island.


"So your railway runs right to a lake?" Gordon was asking Skarloey at Crovan's Gate.

"More or less," the old narrow gauge engine smiled. "Although no tracks go around the lake. It would be nice if it did."

"And Skarloey's name means 'lake in the woods' in Sudric," explained Ruth. "There's also a station that bears his name."

"The same thing applies to Rheneas," added Skarloey. "His name means 'divided waterfall', and he has a station that bears his name too."

"That must be confusing whenever someone mentions the stations' names in conversation," chuckled Gordon.

Just then, Mr. Regaby stepped out of Gordon's express.

"Hmm, I've been hearing there's been some strange activity going on around here," he said quietly.

Skarloey and Gordon exchanged a worried look.

"Oh, that would be some mad teenagers who thought it would be a good idea to board me," Beatrice said quickly. "They thought it would be funny to push my emergency button when there wasn't one."

"Is it now?" asked Mr. Regaby. "I'll have to report this to Mr. Percival if that's the case."

"He already knows," said Lucy, playing along with Beatrice's idea. "In fact, he just dealt with them yesterday."

"Good," sighed Mr. Regaby, heading back into the middle coach.

"Trying to stick his nose into the Skarloey Railway's business," muttered Jemima. "Unbelievable."

"By the way," said Gordon, "how has Mr. Percival been doing with his recent promotion?"

"He's been wonderful," smiled Skarloey. "Just as good as our previous controller. Though Mr. Sam and Sir Handel Brown have both left in the last fortnight. I think they both are working on the mainland, but do plan to drop by here occasionally."

"Ah, I see," said Gordon. "Shame I didn't get the chance to meet them before they left. Perhaps I will when they next visit."

Just then, Skarloey's guard's whistle sounded out.

"Don't worry," whispered Skarloey. "Mr. Percival has the same views on this idea as Mr. Hatt, and he knows."

"That's good to hear," Gordon whispered back. Wouldn't it be nice, he thought to himself, if Mr. Hatt was in charge of the railway? He really understands engines.


Meanwhile, Henry had met up with Mildred at Kellstophe Road, both with goods trains in tow.

"The railway is just wonderful," smiled Henry. "You all have been very welcoming of Gordon and I."

"Of course, Henry," said Mildred.

"Well, the only ones who hasn't been welcoming is that chairman and a few of the directors," Henry said quietly. "I can't believe he'd call me such a horrible name."

"We've all got your back, Henry," smiled Mildred. "Don't worry about that."

"Thank you, Mildred," said Henry.

Moments before the guard's whistle could sound out, a passenger came onto the platform, looking quite puzzled.

"I thought I saw you go by on the express not long before," she commented.

"What? Oh, no, I'm not on the express run," said Henry. "That's Gordon. I'm Henry."

"That's right, mommy," said a little girl, rushing up to her. "See, Gordon has the letters LNER on his tender. Henry does not. And their green paint are different shades."

The mother was quite embarrassed over having her five year old daughter point out two flaws she overlooked. Mildred couldn't help but think of how adorable yet funny that was.

"Quite a smart little girl," chuckled Henry. "Though I do worry that me and Gordon being the same color can cause confusion for everyone."


Henry was right; because he and Gordon were both painted green, many people were confused as to how the same engine could be pulling one train, and then pulling another in a quick period of time. A few even believed that the railway had purchased a magic engine! It wasn't long before Mr. Dry decided to put this trouble right.

"As soon as I can arrange it," said Mr. Dry, "you two will be painted in different colors. Though I'm surprised your different shades of green and LNER logo didn't get people to see the difference."

"A five year old girl had to point that out to her mother at Kellstophe Road one day," Henry chuckled.

"You'd be surprised how often kids can pick up on things adults can overlook," Gordon remarked.

"Before I do that, I must ask," said Mr. Dry, "are there any colors you two want in particular?"

Both engines were quiet for a moment to collect their thoughts.

"Well, I think I'll try blue," said Gordon. "All my other siblings are green, so that might make a nice change."

"I might stick with my green paint," said Henry. "I was given it prior to my arrival, although I wouldn't mind a different shade."

"Very well, you two," smiled Mr. Dry. "I'll see to this as soon as possible. In addition, you'll have new numbers painted on your respective tenders."


The next day, Marklin was taking Edward's local train down the main line with Annie and Clarabel again.

"I wonder how everything's going with… with the Skarloey Railway," Marklin was saying as she coasted down the hill. Of course, that wasn't what she was going to say, for she had to be tactful.

"Well, we can ask Rheneas when we see him at Crovan's Gate," said Clarabel.

When the trio came into Maron station, they saw Mr. Dry.

"Hello, you three," he greeted warmly. "Right on the dot."

"Why, thank you, sir," smiled Marklin. "What brings you to Maron today?"

He dropped his voice to a whisper. "I just got a notification from the stationmaster. It's good news. Edward's due out of the works today."

"Did you two hear that?" whispered Marklin excitedly to Annie and Clarabel.

"Oh, that's wonderful news!" smiled Annie.

"Oh, we can't wait to tell the others," agreed Clarabel.

Mr. Dry was so happy with his news he was dashing over toward Annie to board her, but unfortunately didn't see that the platform was slippery from some rain the previous night.

"Sir, watch out!" cried Marklin. It was too late, and Mr. Dry slipped on his ankle.

"Mr. Dry!" the engine and coaches cried together.

The driver quickly went to raise the alarm and call for an ambulance.

"The rough roads won't be much good," said the fireman. "I suppose we'll have to go back the way we came to Wellsworth and double back with the rest of the passengers."

"I'd much rather have late passengers than a hurt passenger," Clarabel said reasonably. "Marklin, let's go back."

Just then, a whistle cut through the air.

"That can't be…" trailed Annie.

Sure enough, a shape was making its way down the line light engine. It was too small to be Gordon or Henry and too big to be any of the tank engines or Glynn.

"Edward!" cried Annie and Clarabel in joy.

"Welcome back, Edward," smiled Marklin. "You look wonderful."

"Thank you, Marklin," said Edward. In his cab was Bertram Hatt, who looked over at the platform with shock, and Edward too looked down.

"Alfred!" Bertam Hatt cried, climbing down from the cab. "What's happened?"

"My ankle," he said. "I can't walk, and it would take a while for an ambulance to get down here."

"We'll have to get you to Wellsworth as quickly as possible then," said Bertram Hatt. "Do you think you can help him out, Edward?"

"Of course, Mr. Hatt," said Edward. "Help him into my cab. I'll get him to Wellsworth."

Once Mr. Dry was safely on board, Edward blew his whistle and set off as quickly as he could.

"Good luck, Edward!" Marklin, Annie and Clarabel called.


It wasn't long before Edward got to Wellsworth, where Albert was shunting Victoria and Helena into a siding and was about to shunt some trucks.

"Edward, is that you, old friend?" gasped Albert when he saw the blue engine.

"Yes, it is," he said warmly. "It's good to see you too, Albert, and you as well Victoria and Helena."

"Welcome home," smiled Helena.

"What's going on?" asked Victoria. "You came here rather fast, albeit safely."

"Mr. Dry's had an accident at Maron," explained Edward. Bertram Hatt then brought Mr. Dry out of the blue engine's cab and onto the station platform. The controller gratefully sat down on a nearby bench.

"Thank you, Bertram and Edward," smiled Mr. Dry weakly. "You are both great friends indeed."

"Anytime," said Bertram Hatt warmly. "Just one question; who's going to look after the railway while you're recovering?"

Mr. Dry didn't say anything, but he smiled knowingly at Bertram Hatt.

"Well, it would be my honor."


That evening, the engines were gathered in the sheds, all giving excited smiles at Edward.

"Edward, you look fantastic," Henry smiled. "How do you feel?"

"Never better, Henry," Edward replied. "I feel like I'll be able to steam up properly in the mornings from now on."

"Now you'll show that railway board a thing or two," smiled Mildred.

"Won't they be surprised when they see you," agreed Glynn.

"Indeed they will be," chuckled a voice. The engines all glanced over to see Bertram Hatt walking towards them, much to the surprise of everyone sans Edward and Albert. Well, Marklin was partly surprised.

"What brings you down here this hour, Mr. Hatt?" asked Mildred.

"Mr. Dry's had an accident at Maron station, and so I'm the relief controller until he recovers," Bertram Hatt explained.

"Oh dear!" gasped Gordon. "How serious was it?"

"He sprained his ankle," Mr. Hatt went on. "But I'm sure he'll make a swift recovery. Now, I have a couple of announcements to make on behalf of Mr. Dry. First of all, welcome home, Edward. It's great to have you back."

"Thank you, Mr. Hatt," smiled Edward.

"Second," Mr. Hatt continued, "I'll send Gordon and Henry in for their repaints one at a time. With such a shortage of motive power, we can't send both of you at once."

"Understood, Mr. Hatt," Henry and Gordon chorused.

"Thirdly, after both Henry and Gordon have been repainted…" He had a bit of a saddened expression as he said the next part. "Your railway wants you back, Marklin."

"I understand, Mr. Hatt," said Marklin. "I'm glad to have lent a buffer here, but I do miss my friends back home. You have all made me feel very welcome."


The following day, when Henry went to get his repaint, Edward cheerfully went out to find Annie and Clarabel and brought them to the platform. He looked up at the clock; the train wasn't due out for another ten minutes.

"Well done, Edward," called Gordon from platform one. "That's one in the headlamp for the railway board, eh?"

"I'll say it is," chuckled Edward. "Oh, speak of the devil…"

Mr. Regaby stepped out of the office.

"Ah yes, Gordon is at platform one with the Wild Nor'Wester, and the local train is on platform two with Annie and Clarabel and Edward is pulling the-" He stopped when he realized what he had just said.

"And a good morning to you too," Edward said innocently.

"Amazing what a few modifications can do, eh, Albert?" laughed Bertram Hatt as he walked out of his office. Mr. Regaby said nothing to that.


Here's the penultimate chapter of North Western Origins, where Gordon and Henry are greeted by the railway board. However, one of them, Albert Regaby, isn't too pleased to see Henry. Gordon actively sticks up for Henry, and he and Henry also manage to find a lonely Edward in the shed, the final puzzle piece to Edward's Day Out, and it turns out Bertram Hatt had secretly organised for Edward to be rebuilt. This is the real reason why Marklin is being kept on the island for now. Gordon and Henry also make a good first impression on the passengers, if they do cause a bit of confusion by mistake. This is a nod to the Gordon/Henry confusion. We also see Bertram Hatt take control of the railway for the first time with Mr. Dry out of action.

Well, Bertram Hatt might have stepped up for now, but when will he take control permanently? And more importantly, where's the North Western's number five? Well, tune in next time for when A New Era Begins.