The engines heard the workman shout. "What was that?" Thomas asked.
"Maybe they found something," said Harvey.
"I hope it's not another ghost…or a monster," said Henry quietly.
Just then, the workmen ran out. "What is it?" said Thomas.
But the workmen were excited. "There's an engine in there!" one said. "He's stuck in the swamp!"
"There's only one thing for it," said the Foreman. "We'll have to get him out."
He quickly telephoned The Fat Controller. "An engine!?" he shouted. "We must attend to the matter immediately."
The Sodor Construction Company was on the scene at once and more workmen arrived with Butch the Breakdown Lorry and Bertie the Bus. They quickly set to work hacking and sawing the thick trees. The cranes lifted the trees away while Butch and Nelson removed the thick brush from the ground.
When the trees and bushes were clear, they were amazed.
There, sunk in the water and mud and tangled in weeds, was an engine. Thomas and Henry heard the strange sound again. Sure enough, it was the engine. He was trying to speak, but his voice was muffled by the mud and water.
"Don't worry," said Nelson. "We'll have you out of there in no time." But it took a lot longer than that.
Barriers were made to hold the water back. Once the water was drained, Kelly set to work with a special bucket to scoop the mud away. As he dug, workmen laid temporary rails and connected them to the main track.
Soon, the last of the mud fell away and the engine gasped. "Oh, thank you," he said. "I thought I was going to be stuck here forever."
"What is your name?" asked the Foreman.
"Simon, Sir."
Thomas gasped. "You're the Little Blue Engine that disappeared?!"
"How do you know about me?" Simon asked.
"You're legendary! Edward told me about you and how you never seen again."
"Edward? He's still here?!"
"Of course," said Thomas.
"But it's been years." Simon trailed off in amazement.
When the new rails were ready, strong cables were fastened to Simon, and Harvey, Thomas and Henry got ready to pull him out.
"One…two…three…HEAVE!" shouted the Foreman, and the three engines pulled as hard as they could.
It wasn't easy, but at last, Simon was pulled clear of the mud. "Oh, oh, I'm stiff," he groaned.
The workmen inspected his wheels. "Well, you can't go on the rails like that," said the Foreman. "This calls for Plan B."
The rails were quickly rearranged, and Nelson rolled into position with his low-loader. Simon was attached to Nelson's winch and the transport lorry gave his mightiest heave. Simon's wheels squeaked and groaned. It was very hard work loading such a worn engine, but finally, Simon was perched on the loader and the Foreman telephoned the Fat Controller once more.
It was a long, slow journey moving Simon by road, but they soon reached their destination. "What is this place?" Simon asked.
"Simon, welcome to the Sodor Steamworks," Nelson replied.
Thomas, Henry and Harvey were waiting for them and so were Victor, Kevin. The big crane lifted Simon off Nelson's loader and lowered him onto the rails. "It's so nice to have a firm foundation under my wheels again," the little engine sighed.
Then, Percy puffed in with the Fat Controller. "Thomas, you found the Little Blue Engine?! So, it wasn't a ghost or a monster that Henry heard last night?"
Simon smiled. "Have you all heard about me?"
"Indeed, we have," said the Fat Controller. "Welcome back to the North Western Railway, Simon."
"Thank you, Sir, but how do you all know who I am?"
"Edward told us," said Thomas. "He said you just disappeared a long time ago."
"Some say that an engine-eating monster from under the old shed chased you away," chuckled Victor.
Simon laughed. "A monster? That's silly. Who told you that?"
"My friend, Salty, heard it from some workmen," explained Thomas, "and James heard it from him."
"I'd like to know how that happened?"
"But if there was no monster," said Percy, "then what did happen that night?"
Simon smiled. "Even I only know so much," he said, "but I can tell you what I do know." And the Little Blue Engine began his tale.
...
"I was helping to build a new branch line up to Peel Godred. One foggy evening, the Stationmaster at Abby sent me to collect a maintenance coach that another engine had left behind. I was happy to help.
"When I reached the station and found the coach, the fog was so thick that I could barely see past my buffers. My Driver said it would be dangerous to travel back to Abby in such weather. Luckily, there was an old shed near the station and he said I would have to stay there for the night. I rolled in, the Fireman damped my fire, and they left.
"The station was in a lonely area, far away from everyone and everything, but it was very quiet, and I quickly fell asleep.
"Later that night, I awoke with a start. Lightning flashed and thunder crashed. The weather had gotten worse, but I dosed off again. For a moment, I thought I heard something, but I was sure the storm was making me hear things.
"Much later, I awoke once more. The storm was as bad as ever and it looked like the fog had gotten worse. Then, I noticed something strange…My boiler was warm. I was very drowsy, and I thought the storm was playing tricks on me again.
"Suddenly, I felt my wheels beginning to move. I opened my eyes and looked around. I was rolling out of the shed. Then, I thought I heard voices coming from my cab. I felt a lever in my cab being pushed. I sneezed loudly. My wheels slipped and smoke blew everywhere.
"'You clumsy buffoon,' someone said.
"I knew it wasn't my Driver or Fireman. 'Hey! what's going on?!' I shouted.
"'Oh great, he's awake, Jim,' another voice said.
"'It doesn't matter, Barry. As long as we get out of here, that's good enough.'
"I knew what was going on then…I was being stolen! I tried to stop, but I couldn't. I tried to whistle, but only my safety valve blew off. There was only one thing I could do. 'HEELP!' I cried. 'THIEVES!'
"'Silence, you trundling teapot,' said the first voice that I recognized as Jim. 'Anymore noise and you'll be scrap metal.'
"I didn't know what to do. I wondered if someone could hear me out there in the empty hills. The only reply I did get was another crash of thunder. I gathered speed, my lamp was out, and I had never seen such thick fog.
"Then, I remembered the end of the line. 'Stop!' I said, 'There's construction up ahead! The line isn't finished!'
"'I told you to be quiet,' said the thief, 'and I'm not falling for that.' Suddenly, I crashed through a track-marker. 'The end of the line!' he cried. 'Barry, the brakes!'
"But my brakes wouldn't come on. 'It's jammed!' said Barry.
"'Of all times!' groaned Jim.
"I could do nothing. My wheels left the rails and churned in the mud. Then, I crashed into some trees, and I thought I heard some more fall behind me. I wobbled along a little further and I fell into the swamp.
"'Of all the rotten luck,' Jim fumed.
"'What do we do now?' Barry asked.
"'We cover our trail and make a run for it.'
"They threw a bucket of swamp water into my firebox and jumped down.
"'Blwait!' I spluttered. 'Blwat ablout ble?' But they took no notice and disappeared into the fog.
"I was in a sticky situation and felt worse than before. The only thing I could do was wait for help.
"I awoke next morning and thought I heard the workmen. I tried to call out to them, but the storm had flooded the swamp and I couldn't speak. I was sure they were looking for me, even if they hadn't heard me. And there I sat waiting and waiting.
"The days past…then weeks…then months. I sank further into the swamp. The water and mud came higher, and the plants became thicker. I heard other engines pass the swamp, but I could never make enough noise to be heard."
...
Everyone was dismayed.
At last, Percy spoke. "So, no one ever came to help you?"
"No," replied Simon sadly. "Soon, I was sure everyone had forgotten about me, and I would never be found." He paused and smiled. "But after seeing so many friendly faces after so long, I know it was worth the wait."
"Quite right," said the Fat Controller, "and it's only fitting to have you restored and back at work after so long."
"Oh, thank you, Sir."
"A full restoration," said Thomas. "The last time you were here, it was only for a repaint."
"What?" Simon looked around. "Wait a minute. Are you saying this is…the Main Engine Works?"
"It was, a long time ago," said the Fat Controller. "Now, all steam engines, coaches and trucks are repaired here."
"Wow."
"Well, Kevin, let's get to work," said Victor.
"Yes. Right away, Boss!" replied Kevin excitedly. "Another famous engine in our Steamworks. This is…amazing!"
Victor chuckled. "Kevin, calm down."
"Don't worry, Simon," said the Fat Controller. "You will be well cared for here."
Simon looked around at everyone's faces and smiled. After so many years, he felt happy again.