Millie had broken down, so the Earl sent her to the Steamworks to be mended. Stephen went along too for a full inspection, just in case. The Fat Controller's engines were all busy, so three engines from the Mainland had come to help. Thomas saw the engines arrive and took them to be checked over.

When Thomas arrived at the Steamworks, Victor and Kevin were waiting for them and so was the Fat Controller and the Earl.

"Welcome to Sodor, Marcus, Kenneth and Tracy," said the Fat Controller. "I am Sir Topham Hatt, and I am in charge of the engines here."

"Oh, so you're our Controller's brother!" Marcus piped up.

"Marcus!" scolded Tracy.

"I mean, it's a pleasure to meet you, Sir."

"And I'm pleased to meet you three," said the Fat Controller.

Thomas was curious. "What do you mean by 'you're Controller's brother?'"

"These three engines come from their own railway on the Mainland," explained the Fat Controller. "Their Controller is my brother, Charles Nicholas Hatt."

"Oh," replied Thomas, "so that's why their painted like us."

"Quite so." The Fat Controller turned back to the three visitors. "Now, Marcus, Kenneth and Tracy, this is Sir Robert Norramby, the Earl of Sodor. You will be helping on his Estate while his engines are undergoing repairs."

"Yes, Sir," said the three engines together.

The workmen looked Marcus, Kenneth and Tracy all over. Then, they filled their boilers and tanks and lit their fires and soon, the engines all had a good head of steam.

"Now that you're all ready, we'll be on our way," said the Earl. He climbed aboard Marcus and the engines set off.

The three engines thought the Island of Sodor was so beautiful and when they reached Ulfstead Castle, their eyes were wide with wonder. "Wow!" puffed Kenneth, "it's beautiful."

"There's a lot more to see inside and around my Estate," said the Earl and sure enough, the engines were amazed by the high turrets, the large drawbridge, and the castle courtyard.

Stephen was there waiting for them. "Hello, Sir. Are these the engines you told me about?"

"The very same."

"Who are you?" asked Kenneth.

Stephen was surprised. "What?! I thought almost everyone knows who I am by now," he laughed.

Tracy was amazed. "I know who you are! You're Stephen, the Rocket!"

"So, you have heard of me."

The Earl walked up to his engine. "Now, you three, as Sir Topham Hatt said, I brought you here as one of my engines is being repaired. Stephen will be going for an inspection as well, but first, he will show you what to do."

"Indeed," said Stephen. "We have some visitors arriving soon, so I'll show you my touring route."

Stephen took the three engines around the Estate. They went around the grounds, through the castle and passed through the tunnel into the Dinosaur Park.

"Yikes!" cried Kenneth and he backed into Tracy.

"Don't worry," chuckled Stephen. "They're not real; they're only models. And watch out for the one with the big teeth; it moves and growls."

"Is it dangerous?" asked Kenneth nervously.

"Of course not."

Soon, the engines made their way to the sheds where the carriages were kept. "Have any of you pulled passengers before?" Stephen asked.

"Yes!" they all answered at once.

"Which of you would like to take the first train with me?"

"I'll go," puffed Marcus excitedly. "I love pulling passengers."

Marcus coupled in front while Stephen buffered up behind. Then, the engines puffed back to the station. Connor raced in with a whistle and a wheesh.

"Wow!" exclaimed Marcus, "I've never seen an engine like you before!"

"Hullo, I'm Connor. Who might you be?"

"I'm Marcus. My friends and I are helping out for a while."

"Ah, good for you," smiled Connor and he waited for the first passengers to board Marcus' train before turning himself around.

The Guard blew his whistle and waved his green flag. Marcus whistled and started quickly taking Stephen by surprise. "Woah! Easy there," he called.

Marcus picked up speed quickly as they raced into the castle. Marcus slowed to a stop to let some of the passengers off, but he stopped too quickly and bumped the carriages.

"Marcus, you have to be careful," said Stephen. "You must stop gently when carrying passengers and these carriages are old-fashioned, so you must take care."

Marcus was embarrassed. "Sorry, Stephen."

When the Guard was ready, Marcus pulled away quickly again, surprising Stephen once more. He puffed quickly through the castle and onto the grounds.

"Marcus, slow down!" Stephen called, but Marcus didn't listen.

The passengers felt quite shaken as they raced into the Dinosaur Park. "This is great," laughed Marcus.

But Stephen was anxious. "Marcus?" But the little engine didn't reply. Stephen whistled and applied his brakes, stopping the train.

"What's the matter?" asked Marcus.

"Marcus, you shouldn't go so fast. You'll give the passengers an uncomfortable ride and they won't be able to look at everything."

Marcus felt worse than before. "Sorry."

When the two engines arrived back at the station, Connor had already left. "Where's Connor?" asked Marcus.

"He left some time ago," said Kenneth. "He looked so fast and strong."

"I missed him?"

"Connor can't wait around here all day," said Stephen. "He has his own work to do." Marcus was disappointed. "Who would like to go next?"

"I will," said Tracy and she took Marcus' place up front.

"Now remember, you must puff slowly and carefully," said Stephen.

"Right," Tracy replied.

After the two engines had left, Kenneth spoke up. "So, how was you're first tour?"

"I don't think it went very well," said Marcus sadly and he explained what had happened.

"Oh my," murmured Kenneth. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"I hope I'm not in too much trouble."

Marcus was worried about what Stephen and Earl would say, but that's another story.