It took a long time to repair Simon. After so many years being stuck in the swamp, he was in a terrible mess. Machines bashed, banged and clattered, parts that were severely damaged or warn were replaced and any reusable ones were patched-up and repaired.

Across the whole island, it seemed no one could talk of anything other than the mysterious blue engine.

Some weeks later, the Fat Controller called Thomas, Edward, Henry, Gordon and James to the Steamworks. They all waited anxiously outside. Victor and Kevin were the first to come out. Victor looked pleased with himself, and Kevin was excited.

At last, there was a wheesh of steam and the sound of an engine puffing. A shape rolled out into the sunlight, and everyone stared in amazement.

There was Simon, fully restored and looking as good as new. His bright blue paint and red stripes gleamed, and his brass shown like gold. Then, as he rolled to a stop, he whistled long and loud for the first time in years. Everyone cheered and the other engines whistled back.

"How do you feel, Simon?" Thomas asked.

"I feel…incredible; better than I ever did before!"

"You look incredible too."

The Fat Controller stood proudly before Simon. "Ladies, gentlemen and engines, many years ago, an engine came to help on our railway. Many of you know him as the Little Blue Engine, but very few knew of his true name, Simon.

"One night, he mysteriously disappeared without a trace. No one could find out what happened to him, and everyone thought he was lost forever, but some weeks ago, by pure luck, a mysterious occurrence led to his rediscovery. Our dedicated team here at the Sodor Steamworks have outdone themselves once again and now, repaired and better than new, we hope this engine will prove himself to be Really Useful and a valuable friend to everyone on Sodor.

"Welcome back to the North Western Railway, Simon the Little Blue Engine."

Everyone cheered again and the engines whistled louder. Simon's face went as red as his stripes.

Thomas stayed behind with Simon as everyone else went back to work.

"Now, Thomas," said the Fat Controller, "I want you to help put Simon through his paces in the yard. You are to take him with you on your goods train to Tidmouth and then, show him to the Sheds."

"Yes, Sir." Thomas was excited to see Simon at work and Simon was happy to be working after so many years.

When they arrived at the sidings, Thomas watched as Simon puffed backwards and forwards as his crew examined him. "A fantastic piece of work," said his Driver. "Now, let's get to it."

It took a while for Simon to reacquaint himself, but when he did, he made easy work of rearranging the trucks for their train. Thomas was impressed. "Wow, Simon, you really know your stuff."

"It's like I never left," the old engine replied.

As they took on more water for their journey, Skarloey steamed in. "Simon, is that you?!"

"It's great to see you to, Skarloey."

"I could hardly believe it when I heard they found you."

"I thought I never would be found."

The three engines kept talking until it was time to go. Simon took the train with Thomas coupled in front. "Are you sure you want me in front?" asked Thomas.

"Yes. I've never been beyond Abby Station," said Simon. "You should know the route better than I do." The Guard blew his whistle and the two engines set off. "Oh yes," Simon puffed, "this is just what I need to stretch my wheels."

"Then let's not waste time," his Driver smiled.

Simon was enjoying their journey. His pistons pumped, his boiler bubbled, and the rails hummed under his wheels. "I thought I would never feel like this again," he puffed to himself, and Thomas felt happy for him.

Soon, they passed through Kellsthorpe Road. "Hmm, I don't remember Kellsthorpe looking like this," he said quietly.

As they continued their journey, Simon saw other sights he wasn't familiar with. "Where did this forest come from?…Was that station always there?…Oh my, surely this can't be Abby." Thomas tried to fill Simon in on what he saw. He was happy to help, but he was starting to feel concerned.

Then, as they clattered through a junction, Simon was confused when Thomas led them up the right track. "Why did we turn off the Main Line?" he asked.

"This is the Loop Line," said Thomas. "It will be faster to get to Tidmouth this way." Simon said nothing. He had never heard of line like that.

It wasn't long until they reached Tidmouth and brought their trucks into the yard. They shunted them into place and Thomas brought Simon to the Sheds. "Oh my," said Simon again, "these sheds are bigger than the ones at Crovan's Gate."

"They used to be the same size," Thomas explained, "but the roof was raised years ago and then, the sheds were rebuilt with an extra berth for my friend, Emily. I'll be back tonight after I finish my jobs and so will my friends."

"The engines who were with you outside the Main Works," Simon went on, "I recognized some of them."

"They all sleep here too," Thomas said. "Just wait here until tonight."

Simon puffed onto the turntable and backed into Shed and Thomas left for his next job. "I haven't seen such a big shed in years," Simon said to himself.

"I'm sure you'll get used to it," said his Driver. "This railway is your new home, after all."

With his firebox cooling, the Driver and Fireman left, and Simon was alone. As he waited for the other engines to arrive, he thought about everything he had seen and heard that day.

At last, evening came, and the engines started arriving one by one. Simon recognized some of them from the old days. Henry remembered seeing him at the other end of the line and Gordon once passed him at Abby Station. Toby and Emily were pleased to meet Simon too.

Edward was the last engine to return to the Sheds. "Edward, it's great to see you again," said Simon.

"Hello to you too, old friend," Edward smiled. "Now that we're all here, I think many of us would like to know what really happened the night you disappeared.

Simon told everyone his story about being trapped in the storm, being stolen and getting stuck in the swamp. "And that's all I know," he finished.

"No one did find you the next day or anything else out of the ordinary," said Edward. "The thieves must have put the track-marker back in place and the storm washed your trail away."

"Not to mention the fallen trees and some tracks being damaged," added Henry. "If any part of your trail was left, the workmen might have thought it was from the storm."

"And anyone who thought they saw a monster chasing you must have seen all your smoke," said Emily.

"After waiting so long, I soon lost hope," Simon sighed, "but it's so wonderful to see my old linemates again and meet new faces."

"And now, we have another famous engine here with us," chipped in Percy.

"I know Duke, Stepney and Hiro would like to meet you," said Thomas.

"I suppose it will be like that for a while," said Simon. Then he added, "Everything seems so different from when I last saw the railway."

"I'm sure you'll get used to it soon," said Edward kindly.

"I suppose I'll have to," Simon chuckled.

Later that night, all the engines were asleep…except Simon. He was still thinking about how much bigger and newer everything around him was and about all the new engines around him. "'You'll get used to it soon,'" he said to himself, remembering what Edward had said. "I hope I do."