The class went on about steam whistles, and how railway signals work. Thomas felt like he was in Mr. Kieslowski's class again. The only thing is that this was a little more advanced than what he was learning in that subject. Thomas felt rather disconnected from everyone, who already seemed to have a grand understanding of what Edward was saying, as he was looking at the picture that showed the different types of signals.

"They're also called Semaphores in many other countries," Edward had told them. All of these traffic lights of the railway had different shapes; some had different colors. And even with Edward, and the textbook trying their best to explain it, Thomas still felt confused.

"Hey, is it hard to grasp this?" Thomas heard Duck whisper to him. He looked up and saw his friend looking at him. James and Oliver were focused on their work. Thomas nodded. All of this was new to him. "Edward rarely gives us homework, but as your mentor, as homework, I can take you around the Island as engines, for you to experience the signals as a hands-on experience. You up to that?" Duck asked, whispering.

Thomas smiled. "Yeah, I am," He said quietly back.

The day was over, and Thomas, Oliver, James, and Duck both left the class together.

"Hmm... You're hanging out with us today? You usually spend time with Henry and Gordon, don't you?" Oliver asked James. "Yeah? What, you're sick of them now?" Duck asked. "Eh, I just want a break from them all," he said. "Well, if you don't mind, Oliver, it'll just be you and James. Thomas and I are going around the Island so he can freshen up on signals,"

"Oh? Why I can't come?" Oliver asked. "Yeah, I can tag along too... Well, if you want that is," James said.

Duck shrugged. "Well, if you want,"

All of them walked over to the big station. Some of the students were there. There is an ice cream stand in there. Most of the kids after school would go there to get some. Also, some of the older teenagers, or adults, have simple jobs to do, to carry things all over the Island.

Thomas didn't know what Duck's plan was, so he just stood on the platform, waiting. He looked around. The station was not that crowded at the moment. As he was waiting for Duck, he felt someone slightly bump into him. "Sorry about that mate! I'm nearly late!" He said, slightly jogging. They looked really tall. Thomas looked behind him, at Duck who was coming near him. "Duck, who's that?" Thomas asked him, pointing at the guy, who was stepping off of the platform, began to head over to a group of connected cars. "The guy in that orange shirt? That's Murdoch. He's in Toby's class,"

Murdoch stood in front of the cars, with his back to them. He was a few feet away from them. Steam circled around them then-

WHEEESH

They turned into a very large orange tender engine, with black side-plates on the smoke stacks. "Woah! That's a rather big engine-!" Thomas said, gasping at it. Murdoch had many wheels.

"Yeah, out of all of us, he turns into one of the most powerful British locomotives. So, everyone usually asks him to help out the most. He's also been here the longest, so he knows his way around most of the Island," James informed him. "He's a Class 9F," Duck spoke.

"So... what's he doing?" Thomas asked. He saw the engine connect with the train, and he then pulled out. Steam was blowing everywhere, and black smoke was erupting from the funnel. "He's just delivering that somewhere. Where? I don't know," Oliver said.

"Come on, let's get on the rails," Duck said, as he jumped down from the platform. Thomas and the rest followed him. "Alright, Thomas, take the left track. Oliver, you stay behind him, and James, take the track next to us. I'll be at the front," Duck told them. Thomas did exactly so. He looked down at the rails below his feet. He closed his eyes, allowing his power to change him.

Then-

POOF!

He changed into the tank engine.

Duck and Oliver changed into their tank engines, as James changed into his tender engine. "Everyone ready?" Duck asked. "Yep!" Oliver smiled. "We're ready," James said.

Duck started to chugg off. "Keep up with me Thomas," Duck said. Thomas allowed steam to push into his piston valves and started to move off slowly. He felt the warm sunlight hit his face, and blue paint as he exited the overhead of the station. Steam hissed out of all of them. It was rather loud to have 4 steam engines chugging at one time.

"Thomas, stop right here. You too Oliver and James,"

Thomas slowed down. "Huh? What is it duck?"

"Look up-," said Duck.

Looking up, Thomas saw a massive amount of signals all stringed like Christmas lights above him. "Cinders and ashes, that's... a lot of signals," He said. He felt nervous. He somewhat forgot what the signals meant. There were signals with a red arm, but there were also some with a yellow arm. There was a light on the right side of it. Most were red, but some were green. "Uhhh...," Thomas said. "Take your time," Duck said.

"Remember, it's the one that's above your tracks,"

Thomas looked down at the rails, then up. The yellow one. He remembered that was a danger signal. But then the one with the red arm was red. "It's... red?"

"Yes," Duck said. "Which means...?"

"We can't move?"

"Precisely,"

"Oh! Is it because Murdoch is still on the line?"

"Exactly! Yes! Now you're getting it. We'll have to wait until it turns green, for us to proceed,"

They were on the mainline now, the signals overhead usually kept on switching from green to red, and the other ones to yellow, because the freight train, that was being hauled by Murdoch, was ahead of them. So, they all had to take it slow. "Where are we going by the way? Just... on an afternoon stroll?" James asked. "Well, maybe not, Duck did say he wanted to just make Thomas experience the signals," Oliver said. "Let's stop here for a moment," They heard Duck say. Then, he slowed down.

He wanted to show Thomas a certain signal.

"Thomas, you see that signal up ahead?" He asked.

Thomas rolled up next to him, then stopped. "Oh, yeah?"

"You see how there's an extra one off to the side? Well, that is for the branch line. As you can see, there is a set of tracks that branch off from the mainline. The signal is telling us it's ok to go,"

Thomas looked. He was getting a little used to the signals now. It was way easier to grasp them by being here and experiencing them firsthand.

"Ooh, are we going to go down the Ffarquhar branch with Thomas? I think he'd love it," Oliver asked. "Well, I do want Thomas to experience signals more," Duck said. "Especially on a busier line. No one is on the Ffarquhar branch line at the moment. He wouldn't get any knowledge at this,"

"Ohh come on Duck!" Oliver whined. "It's the weekend! Let us have some fun with our new friend!"

Duck sighed, with an eye roll. "Fine. Only because it's the weekend."

"Yay!" Oliver exclaimed. Duck puffed forward. "All of you, puff carefully after me,"

Thomas, Oliver, and James all chugged behind Duck onto the branchline.

Going into the depths of the branchline, you could see how the landscape just changes. Now it looked more like the countryside in England. "There's not really much to see here. Just grass, grass, and more grass," Duck said. "But... There is a calm breeze on this side of the Island, and it can make for some relaxing chugging,"

But Thomas didn't mind. You don't see places like this in Toronto. It's been just once he's seen a countryside like this. And he remembers it clearly, despite him being so young then.

He was about four years old. Still a train fan at that young age, he visited York, England's Railway Museum. His father wanted it to be a memorable trip, so instead of booking a regular train ticket on LNER's current overhead wired trains, his dad booked them to ride on a steam train.

England usually does tour trains from King's Cross. Most of which, are hauled by their old steam locomotives. This one started at King's Cross, and ended at York the day his dad planned to get to the Museum. It was a windy, and wet day, and when Thomas's dad showed him the engine that was pulling the train, he gasped in joy. Steam rose out of the funnel in the cold rain pouring down, steam blowing out from the steam cocks. With a sign next to the engine- "Travel along the LNER, with the engine that started it all," The Flying Scotsman.

Thomas was remembering all of that, as he was chugging with his new friends. He remembered the excitement didn't dare dip down when he stepped into the museum. Engines of all shapes and sizes and colors were on display. He remembered he saw the Engines that both Oliver and Duck are.

"Hey! Thomas! Look-,"

Thomas got his thoughts cut off when he heard Oliver calling out to him. "Huh? Oh, what is it?"

"See the station coming up? That's Dryaw, our school is just past the building," He said. "Oh? I didn't know there was another track line near it,"

"Trust me, Thomas, there are a lot of rail lines here," James said.

"Yep!" Duck said. "Probably a little too much," Oliver chuckled. "Just know that if you're ever really late to class, you can turn into your engine and chug down Ffarquhar branch to save a lot of time for yourself. That is if... the tracks are clear off course," Duck said.

After Dryaw station, there were a lot of stations. All of them looked like old English stations. They just had that look. But there was really nothing to them. And still, they looked barren.

Now, passing all of those, they came up to the end of the line. Ffarquhar.

Well, Thomas thought it was the end of the line.

"Oh? This is the last point?" Thomas asked. "Well, the end of the Branchline. Not the end of the tracks itself,"

"Ooh, are we going to show Thomas Ulfstead?" Oliver asked.

"U-Ulfstead? What's that?" Thomas asked. "Sure, why not. It's just up ahead,"

"I think he'll like it," said James.

Now Thomas was a little intrigued. He wanted to figure out what this place could be. Duck chugged down the line with Thomas and the rest behind him.

As they puffed for some more, Thomas saw something coming up in the distance. He blinked. "Is that..?"

"As castle? Oh yeah," Oliver giggled.

Thomas was very surprised. He was even more shocked when they arrived closer, only to see that there was a drawbridge, that had the train tracks roll right onto it. "Holy-?! What the?!" Thomas looked around. He saw Duck slow down, so he did too. Then, Duck changed back into a human. "Well, this is Ulfstead!" He said. Oliver and James turned back. "It looks nice doesn't it!" Oliver exclaimed.

Thomas looked around. He was too surprised to change. The lines went all over inside. Was this just built? Or were the train lines there all that time? The building was made from stone bricks. "What... is this place? Is the building ancient? Did... Kings and Queens rule here?"

"They did actually," James said. Oliver nodded. "Uh-huh! It was a King, King Godred! It's why the small town that's near here is called Peel Godred,"

Thomas blinked. "Then... What the hell happened? Why has all of this just disappeared? Poof? This place seemed like it had a lot of history, and... stories to tell. What had happened? How did it just separate itself from the other side?"

Duck, James, and Oliver just looked at each other. "Gee, if I could tell you I would," Oliver said. "I don't know. This was a place before the magical lady. Her magic just awoken it. Dare I say, she abused her power. Even if her intentions were good, she probably ended the lives who were once living here," Duck said.

Thomas sighed.

"You three, hello!" Said, someone. Thomas looked up and saw a man walking towards them on the platform. "Hello, Mr. Stephen!"

"Who's the new engine? Never seen you before, how're you?" The man kindly said to Thomas. "Mr. Stephen! You won't believe who it is!"

"Oh? Try me," He said.

"Just look at his color,"

Mr. Stephen looked at Thomas. "Hmm... Nice blue color. Shocking yellow one... tank engine-," He looked at Oliver. "Hmmm... Am I supposed to know him by any chance?"

"I'll say two words," James said. "Engine of blue,"

"That was three you dolt," Oliver said.

"Engine of blue-?" The man looked at Thomas. He looked like he was thinking of something, then, he slightly gasped. "The number of confidence... the engine of blue..." He blinked. He looked over at Oliver with a shocked expression. "The engine of the prophecy?"

Oliver nodded quickly, smiling.

"Oh my-... The engine of the prophecy! Oh, this is something! I didn't know they would actually be real!"

Mr. Stephen looked at Thomas. "What's your name?"

Thomas shyly looked down, "I-I am Thomas, sir," He said.

"Ahh, don't he shy Thomas. I know, you're probably viewed at as a celebrity,"

That was exactly how Thomas felt. He felt like Harry Potter, from that one book he read a year ago by the same name. Harry was apparently someone who cheated death, by just walking away with a scar on his head. Once he reached the school he was destined to go to, every single person, student, teacher, caretakers, knew about the 'boy who lived'

Now, Thomas feels probably the same way Harry felt in the story.

"Yeah, I think he's still getting used to it a little," James said.

But, Thomas wanted to know something. Who was Mr. Stephen? Could he also turn into an engine?

"Sir... are you also able to turn into a locomotive like us?" He asked.

Mr. Stephen smiled. "Was waiting for my chance to shine," He stepped down from the platform and onto the tracks. "Ohh, you're going to love this!" Oliver said with a smile.

"You will. Any real railfan would," Duck said.

The old man had steam circling him, then

WHEEESH

An engine appeared.

Thomas was surprised.

Short, wooden, painted yellow, and with a long funnel with a flower-like design at the top-

Thomas's eyes widen at what he was seeing.

"No... way-," Thomas said in disbelief. Oliver smiled big. The face on the engine smiled warmly.

Mr. Stephen, was the one and only, Stephenson's Rocket. The first steam locomotive to receive a high-speed title. The first land vehicle to ever hit a speed of 30 Mph.

"H-How!? How do you have the same name close to your engine?!" Thomas sputtered.

"It's just how the Lady works I guess. Porter is the same," Duck spoke.

"I know! I was pretty surprised!" Thomas said. He switched back to a human and walked to the side of Mr. Stephen. He could see the gold nameplate of Stephenson's Rocket, was drilled into the wood. "Cinders and ashes..." Thomas said getting another good look. He had always wanted to see The Rocket. When he went to the rail museum, they were supposed to have the Rocket on display, but for a very peculiar reason, it wasn't. So, Thomas didn't get to see it.

But now, that day was made up, and here it is. "Holy steam... My childhood is now complete," said Thomas.

Duck chuckled. "What do you mean?"

"I went to the York train museum when I was 4, they were supposed to have this engine to be shown off, but they didn't. Now... I'm seeing it. It's like that once part in that trip is now fixed,"

Duck smiled. "Yeah, Mr. Stephen is pretty much the popular one here,"

"Well, was. Thomas should be the one to take that spot now!" Mr. Stephen said.

It was now late afternoon. The sun was setting. Thomas, Duck, Oliver, and James, were both on some rail lines as engines, facing the sunset at the end of some buffers. All four of them looked at the sun dipping past behind the mountains. "Bloody hell, this is amazing," Thomas said. "I know... It really is, isn't it?" Duck said with a smile. "This Island is a very special, and pretty place," James said. "You can say that again," Oliver added.

As Thomas was watching the sun go down, he felt like he was forgetting something. "Uh... You ever have a feeling that you're forgetting something?" Thomas asked.

"All the damn time," Said James with a sigh. "You always forget something. You're soon going to forget yourself," Oliver said. "Ugh, shut up!" Snapped James. Oliver was trying to keep himself together while saying that, but James's outburst made him erupt in giggles. "But... No seriously, I really have that feeling right now," said Thomas. He thought hard. Why did he feel like this?

"I don't know. Did... You forgot something in class or something?"

"Oh? I know, was it that you wanted to ask Emily if you can ride in her cab?" Oliver asked. "Yeah, maybe it's that," James said. "I honestly forgot all about that," Thomas said. "Well, you can ask her anytime," Duck said. "It's not like she's leaving any time soon."

"I'm not sure... I still don't think she's why I feel like this- wait... OH, BLOODY SHITE!" Thomas wailed. "H-Huh? What is it?!" Duck gasped.

"Carter! I forgot I made it a plan to talk to him once I was done with class!"

"Oh! I'm sorry you didn't get to talk to him," Oliver said sadly.

Duck sighed. "Well, you can't talk to him now. It's getting late here. It's probably gone past midnight for him," Duck said. "At least you can talk to him tomorrow. It's Saturday,"

Thomas looked at him. "Y-Yeah."

Since it was getting really late now, they decided to head back to the dorm. The sun hadn't fully set. And it's why Duck wanted to get Thomas back to the dorm. Thomas isn't used to tracks, and to run at night with little to no light, wouldn't be ideal. It would be a challenge for Thomas.

But there was a problem.

Just like last time on the Brendam Branch, the same thing happened on the Ffarquhar branch. Thomas ran out of water.

"What the? How? I'm sure you have water. Didn't you fill up?"

"I did! I don't know..." Thomas said. They all stopped. "I'll check his cab," Duck said. Once he changed into a human, he walked over to Thomas, stepped up the steps, and walked into the footplate.

He looked at the Guages. "No, he's dead right, the water meter is lower than my chances with my crush,"

Oliver laughed at that. "Bloody hell, what the hell Duck?!" He laughed. "What but why?!" Thomas yelled.

"Thomas, I don't know. None of my crushes ever like me,"

"Duck! I meant the water!"

Oliver snorted.

"O-oh! I... have no idea," Duck said, his face a bit red.

Luckily, for Thomas, there was a water town next to him.

Thomas sighed, as he was chugging back to the dorm with his friends. This was getting annoying now. "Why does this happen? This is the second time!"

"The second time?" Duck asked. "Yes! I happened when I helped Mr. Edward yesterday,"

"Oh..." Oliver said. "I think I may know the reason, Thomas," Duck said, as he stopped. Thomas slowed down, then looked up at the tail light at the back of Duck. "Huh? You do?"

Duck turned into a human, then turned around, walking to the side of Thomas. Thomas was about to change too, but Duck told him not to.

"You said you're an E2 Class right?"

"Um... as much as I'm aware, why?"

"Well... those were a shitty class of engines," Duck told him. Thomas blinked. "Shitty class?! Whatever do you mean-?"

"Well, judging by how your water tank looks, it looks like you're based on the Mark. 2 versions of the E2. You're not really based on an effective or efficient engine, Thomas. The E2's had a lot of defects with them. Ever since I saw your engine, I knew what it was, and fear for all this to happen," said Duck sadly. This was all news to Thomas. He also felt a little heartbroken at it. "So... what you're saying is that I'm garbage?"

"What no! No, of course not! You're the complete opposite of garbage! I'm just saying that the E2's in reality wasn't that great in Brighton at all. They were probably one of the most flawed engines LBSC could cook up," Duck explained. "Maybe with little adjustments on your engine, might fix the water problem."

Thomas was a little confused about what Duck just said. "A-Adjustments? What do you mean by adjustments?"

"Basically, engine surgery,"

The blue engine's eyes widen. "WHAT?!"

"Don't worry Thomas, it's nothing harmful!" James said. "Seriously!" Oliver said. "Doing adjustments to our engine forms don't hurt us as humans in any way,"

"They really don't," Duck said. "Once, James got in a terrible crash and rolled down a hill and-,"

"Okkkkayyyy, he doesn't need to know about that," James said. Oliver giggled. Duck rolled his eyes. "They had to replace a few wheels on him, and guess what? His human form was intact. You just need a bigger tank or something,"

"Yeah!" Oliver said. "But... who'd be the one to... do this?"

"Well, we have a lot of workers here for stuff like this," Duck said.

"Oh... Okay," Thomas said.

"Hey, look. I didn't mean to hurt you. It's just the facts of the E2. Honestly whoever designed them should have been fired from London-Brighton-South-Coast. They had every chance to take a crack at fixing the Mark 2, and somehow screwed it up even more; bloody idiots I tell you," Duck said with a grunt.