Chapter 1

Arrival

The way to North-Western Railway was more complex than Fei or her trucks original thought. The journey took several days and took lots of climbing of hills and mountains, crossing rivers and streams and passing many stations along the way. The scenery was very different from her line, instead of gray mountains and snow there was green shrubbery and animals. Fei wondered if the North Western Railway had beautiful scenery as well. Another thing Fei noticed on her journey were the other engines. All of them were bigger, faster, and louder than anything Fei had ever experienced. Whenever Fei was in front of them they would not hesitate to blow their whistle until Fei moved into a siding to let them pass.

Over the days Fei became quite scared of the whistles and sometimes stopped in the middle of the line which created more problems. The other engines told her she was an old slow coach and needed to be scrapped for being so slow. Fei knew she wouldn't be but it slowly started to become the forethought of her mind.

"Don't pay them any mind Fei these mainland engines have something to prove," Dusty said when they were filling up on diesel. "There always trying to be as fast as possible and not think about other engines."

A part of Fei wanted to believe her, but the message way slowly starting to get engraved in Fei's mind that all bigger engines were bad. 'Maybe I'm wrong' Fei told herself but there is no evidence to contradict it.

Fei was on the final leg of the journey but had to stop for the night to rest. Fei arrived at a station called Barrow, and rested there for the night. She had asked the station master if she could spend the night there. After agreeing he told them they could spend the night with the other engines near the station or travel down the rails to the shunting yard. Fei decided she had quite enough of the other engines and made her way to the shunting yard to rest for the night.

Early the next day Fei continues her journey. By late afternoon Fei arrives at Vicarstown. The station is huge and busy with engines and people hustling and bustling about. Everyone seems to know what to do except Fei. Fei pulls into an empty line where she asks a guard where she is and how to get to Tidmouth from here. The guard was a nice man and told her where to go before blowing his whistle to send her on her way. Fei was scared and hesitated for a moment before going on her way.

"That man way nice wouldn't you agree ladies," said Beth.

"Yes, I will agree." Said Ellie "And we should arrive at Tidmouth before the sunsets if we can keep at this speed."

"Yes, and we will be working by tomorrow" Caira stated, "I don`t know about you but I do miss carrying loads heavy stone to places."

"Agreed," said Ellie "I miss working hard."

Fei found it funny how they all missed working hard along the line and how they can't wait to get to work. She had to agree but she did start to think of Liam and Grandpuff and all the fun they had together. Letting out a sigh Fei came to a junction and forgot the way she is supposed to go to reach the station.

"Okay, Ellie what way are we supposed to take." Fei asked. If anyone can remember directions it's her.

After a few seconds of silence, a little green tank engine with the number six painted on the side rolled up next to Fei.

"Hello," said the engine "My name is Percy what is yours."

Fei didn't want to be rude but the other engines in her journey gave her quite the disposition toward new engines.

"Her name is Fei." Said Dusty " Sorry she is quite shy of new engines. My name is dusty up in front there is Aria followed by Beth, Caira, me, Ellie, Gwyn and then Howard in the back. You wouldn't happen to know how to get to Tidmouth from here we are quite lost."

"Uh... sure," Percy said confused to why the trucks were so polite but decided not to question it. "I'm actually heading there right now, follow me."

The signal changed and the two engines made their way to Tidmouth. The station was oddly quiet, only a few passengers moving here and there. Fei made her way to an empty platform and parked herself waiting for instructions. Percy parked on the other track unloading his cars. Deciding to wait, while Fei took the time to take in the scenery of the station. It was mid-spring and the station was decorated with lovely flowers and shrubbery, a green overhead bridge for passengers to travel from one side of the station to the other. Beyond the station, there was a giant three-story building with a giant Tyrannosaurus-rex displayed in of it. 'Very Interesting' Fei thought this place is very different from home.

A few moments passed before Percy tried to engage in small talk. "Um Fei, I if you don't mind me asking why do your cars have the same paintwork as you" Percy inquired "normally coaches share a similar color scheme to their engines."

"Well back on my line there was me and my brother who worked the line so Mr. Pierce painted our cars to match so that we won't confuse my cars for his or vice versa." Said Fei. She knew her line was different but she didn't think it was that different.

Before Percy could ask another question a blue car pulled into the station. Out came a stout gentleman dressed in a black suit. The man was Sir Topham Hatt but Fei did not know this yet. He was followed by two gentlemen in blue suits. The man approached the two engines but kept his focus on Fei.

"Good afternoon Fei I'm very pleased to meet to you in person finally."Sir Topham Hatt said. Sir Topham had a stern voice that had a caring undertone. "I see you made it here quickly and right on time."

Fei was confused this man didn't think of her as slow or needing to be scrapped. Sir Topham circled around Fei looking over her carefully. After a few minutes of looking her over he began to speak again.

"Everything seems to be in order though you didn't bring the track I asked for." Sir Topham said.

"Sorry sir But I was not made aware I was to bring track with me. If you want me to I could go get it." Fei said panicking.

"That is quite alright I thought I put it in the letter but one of my other engines is making a trip to the mainland tonight so don't worry about it." Sir Topham said in a calming voice. The panic slowly faded out from Fei. Sir Topham turned his attention to her cars next. "I see you brought your cars with you."

"Yesss Sir I thought it would be ok to take them with me," Fei said wearily.

"That quite alright I was told how they behave and I'm quite impressed. Normally cars can be quite... troublesome." Sir Topham said.

"Not mine we all work together on the line you need to trust each other especially in very dangerous environments," Fei said.

"Yes yes well, you must be quite tired from your trip. Percy." Sir Topham Hatt said calling the little green engine who was not totally listening in on the conversation. "I need you to show Fei where to put her cars and how to get to Tidmouth sheds."

"Yes Sir," Percy said before pull up right next to Fei. "Come let's go." Percy blew his whistle startling Fei before pulling out in front of her.

The two engines said goodbye to Sir Topham Hatt before making their way to the shunting yard. The Shunting yard was massive, the biggest Fei had ever seen with engines moving to and fro. Another little tank engine with silver paintwork and the name Stanley painted on the side greeted the pair.

"Hello, you must be the new Engine Sir Topham was talking about. My! Even your trucks match your paintwork." The engine said. The engine seemed kind but wanted to know about her like an archeologist wants to understand a pair of dinosaur bones.

"You may want to slow down you are overwhelming her." Called Dusty out from behind Fei.

"Sorry, its just I have never seen an engine that had matching cars before. My name is Stanley and yours?" Stanley said waiting for a response.

"My name is Fei and my cars are as followed Aria followed by Beth, Caira, Dusty, Ellie, Gwyn and then Howard," Fei said.

"Well Let me show you where to park them for tonight." Stanley led them to a siding at the far end of yard out of the way. Then the said goodbye to the cars and Fei promising to brave at least for tonight. After saying goodbye to Stanley the duo made their way to the shed. The shed was massive with at least 12 berths and a huge turntable in front of it.

"All of the berths are going to be filled tonight but since we are small engines we can share one that's alright with you," Percy said meekly.

"Yes, that is fine which one is yours?" Fei asked.

"6th from the left" Percy stated.

Fei cautiously made her way to the turntable. Deciding to be brave she closed her eyes before the table turned. 'There was nothing to be afraid' of she told herself. The table turned slowly before stopping at in front of the breath. 'Nothing to be afraid' she thought. Then she slowly backed into the buffers before drifting off to sleep.

Percy watched as Fei made her way to the berth and feel right asleep waiting for the table to he heard a familiar chuffing sound. He looked to see Thomas moving this way. Knowing how loud his friend can be the move towards him to calm him down.

"Hey, Percy have you seen the new engine around I saw the cars in the yard and I assume they are here," Thomas said excitedly. Thomas was always ready to have a new friend.

"Yes, and you have to be quiet she is sleeping in my berth tonight since the sheds are full tonight so please be quiet," said Percy.

"Oh okay and congrats on the new girlfriend Percy," Thomas said winking at him.

Percy's face turned as red James` paint. "Number one she is not my girlfriend, number 2 we are both small engines and don't need a lot of room and number 3 the sheds are full tonight and you know it," Percy stated.

"Yeah sure," Thomas said.

Percy figure he couldn't argue with him make his way to the berth. And backed but in front of Fei before he himself went to sleep.