Back at the National Railway Museum, Thomas was having the time of his life, exploring the museum and meeting the famous engines who live there. The Duchess of Hamilton was an excellent tour guide. He met all the engines, and they were all very kind and told him stories.
But soon, it was time for Thomas to leave. Duchess escorted him outside and down the rails.
"It must be lovely being preserved, you get visitors to see you all the time!" Thomas peeped excitedly. Duchess gave a small smile.
"I do, and I am grateful for the volunteers who help me. But..." Duchess gave a sad sigh, Thomas looked at her with concern, "I do miss my sisters...only two of my other sisters remain, and they are preserved elsewhere...and I do miss pulling trains..."
Thomas felt sorry for his new friend, he though preservation would've been a good hope for every engine.
"What are you doing here anyway, Thomas?" Duchess asked, "You can't simply be here to look at the Museum?"
"Uh..." Thomas stuttered...he didn't know whether to carry on with his lie, or to finally be truthful, "I...I need to...go somewhere."
Duchess looked at him in surprise, "Oh? Where is that?"
Thomas started to shake, his boiler fizzing in panic, "I-I...I can't remember. I needed to pick up a goods train." He carried on. Duchess looked at him but smiled, she saw no reason for the young tank engine to lie.
"Maybe it's at Crewe then. That's where a lot of the steam goods come from." Duchess recommended. Thomas gasped, he remembered Henry often commenting about Crewe when he was having his new shape done. Maybe that could be a place to explore!
"YES! That's it!" Thomas chimed! "Uh...how do I get there?"
Duchess chuckled, "Head on south, to a 20 minute route to reach Doncaster. Then once you're at Doncaster, go west, for a 1-2 hour journey to Crewe."
"Thanks Duchess!" Thomas chuffed, and started to steam down the line. But Duchess quickly caught up to him and blocked his tracks. "H-Hey! What are you doing!?"
Duchess pulled onto the other track as Thomas stopped, "You are not from around here, right? You're from Sodor."
"Yes, why?" Thomas asked. Duchess gave him a stern look.
"You must be careful here Thomas." Duchess spoke, cautiously, "This is a different railway. Diesel and electric trains are everywhere, and they must not be late. If you go by the mainlines, be sure to get out of the way of mainline trains, and keep eye on your water and coal intake. These journeys are long ones."
Thomas listened carefully, although he soon forgot as he was thinking about the scenes he would get to see on his journey, "I-I will Duchess! Bye!"
He chuffed off, leaving Duchess looking at him worriedly, "Please be careful Thomas! And Good luck..."
Thomas was soon puffing off into the distance, excited about what he's going to see, and headed on towards Doncaster.
Meanwhile, on the other side of York, the Steam Team started to enter York's railways. They were quickly confronted with many problems – thousands of rails, engines chugging two and forth, confusing signals, and big stations everywhere!
Percy was puffing down a line, unaware of a train just leaving its station.
"OH MY! LOOK OUT!" The engine cried out, unable to stop!
Percy shrieked in fear, knowing he won't stop in time!
"PERCY! Watch out!" Emily cried, pushing Percy into a siding! They moved just in time!
"S-Sorry!" Percy cried out, his boiler still shaking in fear.
Emily quickly soothed him, "Let's try and stick to the side tracks Percy. We'll find Thomas before you know it." They carried on slowly, keeping eye out for any oncoming trains.
Henry was being very careful, watching out for any trains coming in. Edward was puffing behind him, he then gasped at the sound of incoming chugging!
"HENRY! Quick! Onto that siding!" Edward cried, desperately pushing Henry to help him move! Henry cried as he moved faster, trying to avoid the train! They moved onto the siding just as the engine rushed by.
"WATCH OUT!" The train called as it continued into the station!
Henry's boiler felt like it was about to explode, "T-T-Thank you Edward..." he panted. Edward was panting in exhaustion, his wheels were aching.
After many near-misses, the engines quickly made it out of the city, and went down a quiet railway track – heading towards a building.
"Uh...who knows where we are?" James asked, out of the blue.
Gordon just sighed grumpily, "The National Railway Museum..."
"How do you know Gordon?" Emily asked.
Gordon just huffed angrily, "My brother use to be here, and some of my cousins...and many of the other greatest engines."
Emily was about to ask more, until they saw a large engine slowly puffing back. They made eye contact with her, and the engine gasped at the sight.
"...more visitors?" She asked.
The Steam Team looked at her in amazement, James quickly whistled up to her.
"You! I know you! Aren't you...the Duchess of Hamilton?!" He let of steam excitedly!
Emily gasped at the sight of the gorgeous engine, "You must be! You look exactly like her!"
Duchess blushed from embarrassment but smiled shyly, "Y-Yes...that IS me."
"Wow!" The engines all looked at her in amazement, all except Gordon who just huffed in annoyance.
"Your paintwork..." James puffed excitedly, "It's...so SPLENDID!"
Duchess laughed a bit, "Oh thank you young engine. Yours does too."
James blushed as his firebox sizzled in excitement, having been complimented by a celebrity!
"You look really pretty Duchess of Hamilton!" Percy peeped, Duchess just smiled.
"Please, just call me Duchess. Duchess of Hamilton is just my full name." Duchess said. The engines all looked at the grand engine. Gordon looked away, feeling somewhat jealous.
Duchess quickly looked at him and let of steam happily, "Aren't you the brother of Flying Scotsman?"
Gordon blushed, his face as red as James' paintwork, "H-How did you know!"
Duchess gave a small giggle, "When he is here, he talks non-stop about you. He always talks about how grand you are, and how well you pull your trains." Gordon just quickly looked away and quickly changed the subject.
"Uh, we're looking for a engine. His name is Thomas." He huffed.
"Do you know where he is? We heard he was here." Edward puffed.
Duchess gasped, "Thomas? He was just here a few minutes ago!" She cried, "He must be on his way to Doncaster by now!"
"Doncaster!?" Gordon gasped.
"We need to find him! He's lost!" Percy cried out. Duchess could see the engines are in distress, so she knew she had to help them.
"Doncaster is south of here, if you puff quickly, you'll most likely catch up with him before he goes onto Crewe-"
"Crewe!?" Henry gasped, "Why is he going there!?"
"I'm not sure why now...but once you reach Doncaster, if he isn't there, go west. Be sure to store up water and coal, it is a very long journey..."
"We'll make sure we will." Emily chimed.
"And be sure to stay together – these mainlines are very dangerous, and there are trains everywhere, so be sure you stay away from them. And try and keep away from the controllers, any unauthorised engines could end up in the scrapyard..." Duchess instructed, "Promise me, you will all stick together." She begged.
All the engines agreed as they puffed away. Duchess only watched then, "Good luck..."
Back on Sodor, Blake finished her route at Vicarstown station, and looked out at the bridge in fear. She felt so guilty for what has happened, despite Annie and Clarabel always supporting her and reassuring her.
"Don't worry Blake." Annie soothed.
"I am sure they've found him and their on their way home." Clarabel added. Blake wasn't so sure...
Toby just puffed in slowly, looking over at Blake anxiously, "Any sign of them?" He asked.
"No...I should have told someone..." Blake muttered quietly.
Toby felt sorry for the Gothic engine, "Don't worry Blake, this isn't your fault. Maybe their on their way back."
Blake was fond of the steam tram, but she was not too sure.