"THE MAINLAND!?"
All the engines at the sheds whistled in shock, as Percy told them exactly what Blake said. It was a big shock for the early hours of the morning.
"She said he wanted to explore the Mainland and left over the Vicarstown Bridge." Percy explained, "Heading straight towards Barrow-in-Furness!"
"Oh well that is just PERFECT." Gordon huffed, rolling his eyes.
James agreed, "Of course Thomas would be the one to run off on his own. Now we'll have to do HIS work too." He huffed annoyingly.
"You two!" Emily huffed angrily, "Stop being so mean!"
"This IS Thomas we're talking about. He's a small engine for the Mainland..." Henry said anxiously, quieting his voice slowly.
"Are you sure he's gone to the Mainland Percy?" Edward asked for confirmation.
"Yes, Blake told me! She says he wanted to see the world..." Percy said. Edward sighed sadly.
"I should've known he would..." he sighed.
"What can we do about it..." Emily asked worriedly.
Henry agreed, "It's not like we can all leave the Island and go to the Mainland to get him back."
"That is a silly idea." Gordon huffed, "That's nothing but vulgar."
"Besides – who will do our jobs?" James added, huffing importantly, "Our passengers won't be able to see my splendid paintwork."
Percy looked down sadly and looked at Edward. Edward looked serious, then he knew what to do.
"That is EXACTLY what we will do." He huffed.
Everyone looked in shock at the blue engine, "We will go and find Thomas." He said again.
"B-But what about our own jobs?" Henry brought up, whimpering worriedly.
Gordon just let off steam angrily, "What about my Express!?"
"And my mail run!" Percy chirped.
Edward just looked at them all, "They can all wait. Thomas will need our help. And we need to go and find him. Finding him is much more important at the moment. We will not stop until we find him!" He called.
The engines all looked at each other, "But what will the Fat Controller say! Will he agree to it..." Emily asked.
"I will go and ask him. This IS urgent!" Edward puffed as he steamed out of his shed and rushed off to find the Fat Controller. The rest of the Steam Team just looked at each other, in worry...
Meanwhile, back on the Mainland, Thomas was enjoying himself! He chuffed up the rails towards York. He never felt so excited in his life! His axles fizzed and his boiler trembled from the excitement! His smile was bigger than his funnel!
He looked at the lush countryside, puffed over bridges, steamed past villages and towns, looked at waterfalls and rivers in awe. He couldn't even describe the wonder he was feeling.
Thomas has never felt so speechless and full of wonder in his life. When he stopped to take on water, he just spent ages admiring the scenery. He didn't even stop when his wheels started to ache – he just wanted to see more of the Mainland.
After a long journey, he arrived in the area of York. It was certainly different from home. The city was big, and there were so many complicated railway lines. Thomas just chuffed around, looking around at this new world.
Soon, after a lot of exploring, Thomas came down to a set of tracks leading to a building. He then noticed something, and braked to a stop.
Right in front of him, was a big engine. It was a beautiful scarlet colour, with big ebony wheels. She looked really beautiful.
She slowly looked up at Thomas and widened her eyes in shock. She looked at the tank engine in wonder. It was silent. Neither engine knew what to say first...
"Who are you?"
They both asked in unison. The big engine just smiled bashfully at the tank engine. Thomas looked up in awe.
"You first." She spoke. Her voice was calm, soothing. Thomas knew she could trust this engine.
"I-I'm Thomas." Thomas introduced himself, still nervous about the presence of this magnificent engine, "I'm from the Sodor Railway."
The engine listened in wonder, and gave a comforting smile, "I am known as the Duchess of Hamilton. Please, you may just call me Duchess." she spoke. Thomas just gave a big smile!
"I-I know you! You're a famous engine!" He peeped excitedly, "You look really splendid!"
Duchess just chuckled a bit, blushing bashfully, "Thank you very much Thomas." She spoke, "Welcome to the National Railway Museum of York."
Thomas just beamed, "The National Railway Museum!" He chuffed and laughed excitedly! "It's great to finally be here!"
"I didn't know we were expecting a visitor." Duchess spoke, her smile comforting the small tank engine, "I was just allowed here so I can have a rest and get some fresh air. They do a lovely job in this museum to preserve us engines."
"Preserve?" Thomas asked, remembering what his new friend Raymond said.
Duchess gave a small chuckle, "Yes, some of the more famous engines are usually here. There's Mallard, Green Arrow, and I think Evening Arrow is still here." She slowly chuffed back as Thomas followed her, excited about what he'll see!
Back on Sodor, Thomas' friends all waited at Vicarstown. Blake puffed in, looking at them worriedly.
"I am so sorry I didn't tell you...T-Thomas really wanted to see the Mainland...a-and he said he'd be back..." She tried to apologise, she felt very guilty.
"Don't worry Blake." Edward comforted, "We will head out and get him back."
Emily gave a reassuring smile, "He couldn't have gone that far."
"We'll just huff and puff, and get him home before daybreak!" Percy chirped.
"Can't believe I'm missing my express for THIS..." Gordon huffed to himself.
James just smiled, "At least there will be more people who get to see my splendid paintwork."
"Blake, maybe you should pull Thomas' train while we get him." Henry suggested, "At least his branch line will run smoothly."
Blake gave a small smile, but she wasn't sure.
Then, with a puff and a huff, the 6 engines started off, crossing the bridge onto the Mainland – on their way to rescue Thomas!