Domeless Engines

Based upon the story by Rev. W. Awdry

Adapted by Rachel Ravens

Takes place between STLOE and F&W


When Duck was chosen to work the branch line, he was only too glad to help Toby and Thomas again - Julie was handling the yard work back at Knapford - but he was horrified when he heard what happened.

"Poor Percy!" he gasped. "No engine deserves to be pushed into the sea like that."

"Those trucks need a serious lesson," grunted Thomas.

"And they are getting one," soothed Toby. "Remember, they've been put on the 'disuse siding'."

"Right," sighed Thomas. "Sorry. I got a bit…"

"We understand, Thomas," Duck soothed. "Still, this is more than what the trucks usually do. This is getting dangerous."

"Maybe it wasn't just that spiteful brake van setting the trucks up," Toby suggested. "I'm not exactly sure what's going on here, even with all my experience with trucks."

Thomas and Duck both agreed with Toby, but the trio couldn't come to any definite conclusions.


A few days after Percy's accident, Duck was taking one of Percy's trains into Knapford station.

"Not bad timing," Duck said with a smile. "Okay, I'll just get refuelled for the…"

He then heard a whistle ring through the air.

"That's definitely not Percy…" Duck said to himself. "Who…"

A green tender engine pulled into view. He had four driving wheels, dark green paint and red lining, and a broad smile on his face. Duck gasped in wonder as people started taking the tender engine's photographs.

"That's… that's City of Truro!" he whispered under his breath. "Only one of the most famous engines among the Great Western Railway. What's he doing on our island?"

"That'd be the railway society's engine," said his driver. "I imagine Sir Topham Hatt wanted to invite them over."

"Y-yes," Duck stammered, still taken aback with what he had just seen. "Oh… wait until the others hear this news."

"Ah, there you are, Duck," said Sir Topham Hatt. "I was about to spread the word about the railway society myself. I see you've already seen them."

"That's true, sir," said Duck.

"I've adjusted all the time tables so that everyone can meet in the yards at five o'clock." Sir Topham Hatt explained, and quickly outlined Percy's rescheduled timetable.

"Thank you, sir," smiled the pannier tank engine. An occasion like this was exactly what the island needed after Percy's dip into the sea.


It wasn't long until everyone got the message and all the engines met in the yards. People came with cameras to photograph the engines.

"Well, this is quite splendid indeed," grinned James.

"I wish Percy could be here to see it," sighed Toby.

"Looking for me?" asked a voice. The others all glanced up in joy.

"Percy!" cried Thomas. "You're back just in time. Come join us."

The saddle tank engine raced over to the track between Thomas and Toby, and they got their photo taken together.

"I hope they got our good sides," chuckled Toby.


As well as photographs being taken, some enthusiasts wanted to ride in the engines' cabs.

"Just be careful," said Duck's driver. "Don't get too close to Duck's fire."

"Don't worry," said one of the enthusiasts. "I'll be very careful."

Duck gently puffed up to the station platform for a demonstration, and puffed back again.

"You're a smooth runner," complimented the enthusiast. "Are you a branch line engine?"

"Only when one of the other engines is unavailable or when the line is busy," Duck admitted.

"You should definitely consider running on them more often," smiled the enthusiast as she climbed down from the cab.


Later on, City of Truro had a chance to mingle with the Sudrian engines - both North Western and otherwise - and was heading for the turntable. Duck felt very shy, and backed right into the buffers at the back of the shed.

"Duck," said Percy. "Come on; why are you hiding back there for?"

"He wouldn't notice an engine like me," Duck whispered. "He's one of the most famous Great Western engines of all. I'm just a pannier tank engine from the back of beyond as far as he's concerned. I'm not even from Swindon works, so I'll be an embarrassment."

"Don't be silly," chuckled Toby. "Come on, he's just about here."

City of Truro finally got on the turntable, and gave a warm smile to the engines gathered at the sheds.

"I've never had a chance to see so many engines from various railways together like this," said Truro. "It's truly wonderful to see you all work together in harmony."

"We all may come from different railways over the years, City of Truro," said Thomas, "but at our core, we're all Sudrians."

"From the biggest tender engine, to the smallest tank engine," Henry went on, "all of us play our part to keep this railway going."

"Those are quite wise words, Thomas and Henry," smiled City of Truro, "but please, call me Truro."

"You know their names?" gasped James.

"Sir Topham Hatt told me all your names, James," said Truro. "You lot are really special." he then looked toward the berth that seemingly had no engine there. "Eh? Is someone back there?"

Duck held his breath, trying not to let himself be known.

"Oh, that's Duck," said Percy. "Er… we've never seen him like this before."

Darn it, Percy! Duck thought. He gave me away.

"Duck?" gasped Truro. "Oh, do come out little one. I promise, I won't bite."

Now with his presence given away, Duck had to slip out of the sheds, still feeling very, very shy.

"Why, I see you're one of us," Truro said warmly. "A Great Western Railway 5700 class."

"Er… yes," Duck said, quite surprised. "I did try to teach them our ways."

"All ship-shape…"

"... and Swindon fashion."

"That's right." Both Western engines choursed, grinning as they did so.

"Oh, I don't suppose you'd mind telling us about how you beat the South Western, would you?" asked Duck quietly.

"Of course I can," smiled Truro. Eagerly, he launched into the tale, telling the engines about his famous run from Plymouth to Bristol.

"So, you reached 100mph?!" gasped BoCo. "That's so fast. Most of us could never do it."

"And it would be dangerous if some of us tried," said Toby quietly.

"I also heard that Duck was something of a hero last year," said Truro. "Stopping some runaway trucks from hitting a passenger train. You are a credit to both the North Western and Great Western Railways in my eyes, Duck."

Duck blushed bright red with pride. "Oh… I just reacted… that's all."

"'n' 'twas his quick thinking that saved me tae," added Douglas. "If nae fur th' fact he heard Sur Topham Hatt's conversation thro' th' windae, ah wid hae bin a goner."

"He helped me stage yon signal box crash," Donald put in. "Keeping it a secret 'til efter Douggie 'n' Ah wur safe.

"Don't forget how he stepped in to help on the branch line when Thomas and I were unavailable," Percy went on.

"And he stood up for Donald and Douglas during that deputation," Toby put in.

"Well, Duck," said City of Truro proudly, "you really have been showing Sodor what Great Western Engines can do."

"I suppose I have," said Duck. "I guess I was wrong to be hiding from you."

"Never feel shy around me, Duck," said Truro. "You are one of us, no matter where you live, or where you were built."

Duck felt very warm inside, even though his fire wasn't burning as brightly as it was earlier.


Truro loved talking to the engines, though unfortunately, he didn't get a chance to see Gordon until after his evening train - Edward was very tired when he was done and went straight to sleep at Wellsworth. Gordon did not want to listen to City of Truro at all, and had trouble going to sleep when the others were still chatting away.

"Pah!" he grunted; the other engines were laughing at a story that Truro was telling. "Who cares? A lot of nonsense about nothing if you ask me. Trying to keep important engines awake. Stupid thing…"


Early the next morning, City of Truro had to go.

"Oh, I don't want you to leave yet," said Duck. "We were becoming great friends."

"And we still will be, Duck," smiled Truro. "Hey, who knows? One day, another Great Western engine may run on your rails. Maybe permanently."

"I hope so," said Duck with a small smile. "Thank you, Truro, and goodbye."

The celebrity buffered up to his train and happily puffed away to Duck's cheerful whistle.

"Huph, good riddance." grunted Gordon. "He was chattering all night, I couldn't get a wink of sleep because of him. Who is he, anyway?"

"Who is- Are you serious right now, Gordon?!" snapped Duck. "That's City of Truro! He's one of the most famous engines in the world!"

"As famous as me?" snorted Gordon. "Nonsense."

"He's famouser than you!" retorted Duck. "He was the first engine to go 100mph before you were drawn or thought of."

"That's a bit debatable, quackers," Gordon grunted. "My brother went 100mph and it was actually recorded. We don't know that for sure about this engine. Besides, I didn't like his looks. He's got no dome. Never trust domeless engines, they aren't respectable."

"Says the engine who praised BoCo a while ago for saving him." Duck argued. "And City of Truro was far more respectable than you are being at the moment!"

Gordon chose to ignore those statements. "I'd never boast," he went on, "but 100mph would be easy for me. Goodbye." The express engine hurried off to the platform, and Duck hurried off to find trucks he had to take to Edward's station.

"Oi!" cried Gordon. "Where are the express coaches, Duck?"

"Get them yourself if you're so proud about trying to go '100mph'," he argued.

"Ooh, the indignity," grunted Gordon. "I'll get you for this, Duck!"

Duck quickly arranged some trucks, still angry over what happened with Truro. "How dare Gordon be rude to Truro. He didn't even try to get to know him last night!"

"Hey," said a truck, "why don't we give Duck a bump for being so angry?"

"Are you nuts?!" exclaimed a second truck. "Sir Topham Hatt put trucks on the disuse siding for pushing Percy into the sea."

"We can't have a repeat of that," sighed a third truck.

"Fine!" said the first truck. "Let's just behave ourselves until things simmer down around here."


Meanwhile, at Wellsworth, City of Truro gave a cheerful whistle to Edward as he was shunting.

"You must be Edward," he said warmly. "Sorry I didn't get a chance to talk to you last night, but it's nice to see you this morning before I head home."

"Oh, thank you," said Edward, whistling back. "It was nice to see you too."

Duck, shortly after, came in with the trucks. They had kept their word and didn't play up on him the whole time.

"Hello, Edward," greeted Duck. "Did you see Truro at all? We missed you at Tidmouth last night."

"Oh, he whistled to me as he was passing by," said Edward. "He is a pleasant fellow. How did your talk in the sheds go last night?"

"It went wonderful," smiled Duck. "Truro is the finest engine in the world." Duck then explained about his talk with Truro, and then what Gordon had said. The very thought of Gordon's words made Duck's fire blaze with fury.

"Don't take any notice," said Edward soothingly. "Gordon thinks no engine should be famous but him. He's just jealous." he then glanced up when he heard Gordon whistling. "Oh, here he comes now."

The express engine's boiler seemed to have swollen as he raced along, swaying from side to side, wheels pounding the rails.

"He did it, I'll do it!" Gordon panted, "I'll show Duck. I'll show Truro. I'll show my brother!" He rocketed past and was gone.

"Gordon's trying to do a City of Truro." Edward chuckled to Duck.

"He'll knock himself to bits at this rate," grunted Duck. "I heard something rattle as he went by. Did you hear it too, Edward?"

"No," Edward admitted, "but I'll take your word for it. If so, Gordon better be careful."


As Gordon rattled through Henry's forest, the driver started to ease him off.

"Hey!" cried Gordon. "I was starting to hit my stride!"

"We aren't running a race, old boy," soothed the driver. "Steady."

"We are then," grunted Gordon. "I can hit 100mph, just like Scotsman. I'll prove it to him."

"I've never known him ride so roughly before," commented the driver to the fireman, who meanwhile was grabbing the brake handle.

"He'll give himself a hammering, and no mistake," his fireman agreed.

Suddenly, Gordon started to feel strange around the top of his boiler.

"Something feels loose," he said to himself, "I'd better slow down."


Unfortunately, this was too little too late. On the viaduct, the wind was blowing. It wasn't a soothing, gentle wind which warmed you as you went past, or a big strong wind that would knock over a tree. Instead, this was a teasing wind that would come out in big puffs and catch you off guard.

"I will not be knocked off this viaduct!" grunted Gordon and forged ahead.

That was not the wind's intention. Instead, it started to curl lovingly around Gordon's dome, and the wind tucked under it like a wind sock. It lifted the dome high into the air.

CLANG! it bounced onto a rock. SPLASH! It landed in the water below.

"Ooh!" shuddered Gordon as the cold wind whistled where his dome used to be. "That doesn't feel comfortable at all."

"That's done it," sighed the driver. "We'll have to go to the Steamworks for a new one as soon as we can arrange it."


Gordon groaned as he came into the station.

"Look!" cried one of the passengers. "Gordon has a big hole on his boiler."

"He's lost his dome." laughed another one. "Tried to do a City of Truro no doubt."

Gordon tried to wheesh them away, but the passengers kept coming back.

"Oh, leave me alone!" he cried, and he puffed away when he was uncoupled from the train.


When he went down to get some coal and water, the trucks were laughing too.

"Oh, look!" squeaked one of them. "The galloping sausage had a bit of him fall off."

"Does this mean we'll be calling him "Rusty Blue Scrap Iron" now?" asked another truck.

"No!" snapped a third truck. "That just sounds ridiculous. When is rust blue?"

"Er… good point," sighed the second truck.

"Stupid things!" grunted Gordon. "If only they could move away when an engine isn't pushing or pulling them."


When it was time for the return journey, Gordon looked down at the river below.

"Please, driver." Gordon begged. "Can we stop to find my dome?"

"We'll never find it now," sighed the driver. "It's to the Steamworks for a new one I'm afraid."

"Oh, the indignity." sighed Gordon. "I hope the shed is empty tonight."

But of course, it was not. Edward and BoCo were down at Wellsworth together, Thomas, Percy and Toby were down at Ffarquhar, the Midland quintet were down at Vicarstown, but Henry, James, Duck, Donald and Douglas were all gathered at Tidmouth. They all laughed when they saw what happened to Gordon.

"Never trust domeless engines," said a voice. "They aren't respectable."

Gordon wasn't sure, but he had a feeling that voice belonged to Duck.

The End


This was a mashup of the original story and the TV adaption Gordon and the Famous Visitor. I didn't understand why it was in Duck and Diesel's book. This had almost no connection to the plot. It was more about Gordon getting comeuppance rather than Duck's pride getting in the way. Plus, we never know what Diesel's lies were about Henry, and that could have very well been the fourth story instead. Or, have Diesel's story about being sent away be the third story and A Close Shave be the fourth one. At least Zack and I fixed that with Duck and Diesel's book.

I loved showing Duck's shyer side in this story, as that is a side of Duck we don't really get to see. It's also been confirmed that Duck was built in North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow, which might have contributed to his shyness to talk to Truro. It also might have contributed to his close friendship with Donald and Douglas, as we see in Never Be Alone. And as a reverse to the book, Truro mentions he knows about Duck saving James' passengers in A Close Shave. Of course, Thomas' role was whittled down, as that seemed very unnecessary.