Foreword:

Dear Lily,

I know you wanted me to write a book honoring the life of your grandfather, Burnett Stone, so I figured the best way to do it would be to share with the readers about the adventure that you, he, and the engines of Sodor had back in the early 1980's. Between you and me, I'm worried about the possibility of this story ruining the reputation of British Railways, but considering how long ago this happened, it probably won't make a huge difference. By the way, I was wondering if in return I could get a free ticket for a brake-van ride behind Tasha? I still haven't seen her run despite all the times I've visited Sodor, after all.

~ The Author

Thomas and the Secret Engine

The year was 1982, and the other railway was beginning a process called "Sectorisation". This was when they were sectioning regions in England, which included separate companies for both passenger and goods, the threat of branchlines closing and yes, even old engines being scrapped and replaced with new ones. But nobody on the Island of Sodor was worried, they had carried on like they always did ever since the end of steam on the other railway. No one even knew what was going on until one day when Thomas was late to the junction, much to Gordon's annoyance.

"5… 6… 7… 8…"

"Who do we appreciate?" Laughed Thomas, "Practicing your numbers, Gordon! That's a good engine!"

"I'm counting how many seconds late you are." Said Gordon, then his eyes went towards a sign on the platform. "What does that sign say?"

"'North Western Railway, really reliable, and right on time.'"

"And you weren't on time, were you little Thomas?"

"And you're being bossy, Gordon" Thomas was now a little cross, "The sign also says, 'Sorry for delays during repairs, we are making this a better railway. Signed, head of the railway, Sir Charles Topham Hatt.' Though hopefully this new 'Phineas Taylor Boomer' fella will help out in that."

"Who's… 'Phineas Taylor Boomer'?" Asked Gordon.

"You didn't hear?" Answered Thomas, "He's a chairman from the other railway, and is coming to look after us while the Fat Controller's on his much needed holiday."

"Hmmm… Hopefully he knows what he's doing." Said Gordon, thoughtfully.

But just as he said that, the two engines heard a huge rumble, and suddenly, a massive blue diesel came into view.

"GET OUT OF MY WAY!" the diesel bellowed as he passed, "You'll never make this a better railway, I will, it'll be better because of ME!"

"W-W-What was that?!" Gordon said, he was rather shaken up.

"That is a problem." Thomas said worriedly, "He's a diesel that came from the other railway earlier today to help out while Bear's in the works, but he frightens me. His number is D10, but he likes being called 'Diesel 10'. In his words, it's because he's '10 out of 10, for brutal strength'. With the way he's been acting, I think he hates steam engines…"

"Now I really hope that… 'PT' Whatever-it-was-Boomer knows what he's doing…" Quivered Gordon.

Phineas Taylor Boomer, as Thomas told Gordon, was one of the other railway's highest chairmen, and had volunteered to help take charge of the railway while the Fat Controller was away on a two week holiday. He also had a pretty snazzy looking motorbike, which he brought with him to the island.

"Hello!" Greeted James, "Are you… Phineas T-T-Tay-"

"Yes!" He interrupted, "But just call me Boomer, everyone I know in England does. You're James I presume."

"How'd you guess?"

"You're all famous engines, of course. Also, I was told by Topham that there's a lot of renovations going on around the railway?"

The engines were a bit perplexed.

"Well… I suppose you could say that," said Henry, "A bunch of stations are being repainted, these sheds are being expanded, and the timetables are being updated as well."

"Ah," Said Boomer, "Well in any case, don't worry about those coming to a halt. I've helped a lot in renovations and upgrades for the ol' BR!"

At that moment, Edward puffed in.

"Hey James, Henry, everyone! Sorry I'm late, I got held up at Wellsworth and-"

Edward froze when he locked eyes on Boomer, much to the surprise of anyone who noticed.

"Are you… Phineas Ta-"

"Boomer, you just missed our conversation, I prefer Boomer… You're Edward aren't you?"

"Yes… Yes I am"

Much to the other engines' shock, Edward seemed to give Boomer a big frown, which, to them, was quite out of character for him.

"Well…" Said Edward softly, "I hope you're here to help us."

"Of course I'm here to help you, Topham wouldn't have agreed to let me come otherwise!"

"You'd better be…" Edward said quietly to himself.

Boomer recomposed himself, "Ah yes! I also wanted to make sure to give you all your orders for the rest of the day. James, you're to take a slow goods to the end of the line-"

"M-ME?! Why me?!"

"That's what's on the waybill, James. Sorry, but these are orders from Topham, not me. Also, I think I should let you all know that while Bear is in the works, 'D10' will be here to substitute for his assignments, so please do your best to make him feel welcome."

Diesel 10 rolled in as Boomer was finishing that sentence. A few of the engines flinched in fear, particularly Oliver who felt like Diesel was staring into his soul for some reason.

"M-Mr. Boomer?" Asked Oliver, "Does it have to be him?"

"There was no other engine available, Oliver." Said Boomer, "As I said, please do your best to make him feel welcome while he's here. That'll be all from me for now."

Boomer then began heading to the main office to get to work. But none of the engines were sure if they wanted to make Diesel 10 feel welcome, they knew something was off about him. As soon as Diesel left the sheds to fetch his train, Oliver began to hyperventilate.

"Oliver!" Said Edward worried, "Oliver, speak to me old chap! Are you okay?"

"I-It's… It's that Diesel" Said Oliver, catching his breath. "I-I-I think I've met him before…"

"When?..." Asked Edward, but then it clicked. "Don't worry, old boy." He then said, comfortingly. "I'll see if I can have a talk with Boomer."

Edward then puffed away to find Boomer. He found him at the station, as he was just about to head into the office. Edward hoped that his words would make Boomer see sense.

"Mr. Boomer, sir… If you're going to be in charge of this railway while Topham is away, I want you to listen to me very carefully."

Boomer raised an eyebrow, "What would that be?"

"This railway is meant to be a time capsule… Don't mess with it, or there will be consequences. Even Doctor Beeching understood that."

Boomer just rolled his eyes at Edward, turned around, and slammed the door. Edward said no more, and wisely puffed away.

"Who does that old iron think he is?..." Grunted Boomer to himself.

"Hello!" Said a voice, which made Boomer jump. It was the stationmaster. "I assume you're Phineas… T-Taylor-"

"Boomer, call me Boomer." Greeted the old man, and they shook hands.

"I'm the stationmaster," They explained, "I just wanted to make sure to hand over some paperwork Charles had left me, mainly just timetables, waybills, listings, maintenance records, I think you get the gist."

"Got it…" Said Boomer as the stationmaster handed some of the files over to him.

"Here's also a list of employees as well should you need to contact any of them." Continued the stationmaster, "That should be it from me, any questions sir?"

"Nope," Grunted Boomer as he sat down, "I know the drill, I'm a BR chairman after all."

"Roger that, sir." Smiled the stationmaster, "I'd better get going then, but if you need anything else I'm happy to help. Bye for now."

"Later…" Sighed Boomer as the stationmaster walked out. He put his hands over his face and let out another sigh, then started browsing through the paperwork.

"Timetables… Well I already gave the engines their orders for the day so I'll just toss that aside… Maintenance… Put D3's inspection on hold, employee listings let's see… Mhmmm, mhmmm, mhmmm…"

Suddenly Boomer's eyes widened as he was browsing the employee listings. He recognized the name of one of them.

"Burnett… Stone?..."

To be continued...