Chapter 89: Gordon and the Famous Visitor

The yards were a buzz with excitement. The famous engine, City of Truro, had come to the Island of Sodor, and it brought many visitors with it. They took pictures of the engines, the crews, even the sheds. The driver of the famous engine was showing spectators how a steam engine operates. The yards had never been so packed!

"My cousin Mark is the driver for City of Truro," Duck told Thomas, "I don't get to see him often, being on railtours a lot, but I do keep in touch with him through letters and phone calls. Still, it is nice to talk to him face to face again."

"He seems like a great guy," Thomas said, "Do you think he'll stay the night here?"

"Oh, I doubt he will," Duck said, "I'm sure any hotel would love to have the driver of a famous engine stay here with them. Besides, he's probably much to famous to even be seen with us."

But Mark did stay with them, and everyone stayed up late into the night talking to him.

"It must be great being famous," said Thomas.

"Oh, it's alright," said Mark, "But it does get tiring signing autographs after a while. Besides, you guys should know what it's like. Everyone and their grandmother has read the railway series books written by The Thin Clergyman. In fact, I should be asking for your autographs."

Everybody laughed and grew to like Mark very much. All, that is, except for Gordon, who was trying to sleep.

Mark left the next morning, much to Gordon's pleasure.

"Good riddance," he snorted, "The man was nothing but a show off."

Duck cast a glance towards Thomas, who was trying not to laugh.

"He comes into our yard and flaunts about his fame, which he didn't earn I might add. What did his engine do that's so special?"

"It was the first engine to go 100 MPH. And he did earn it. It's a special honor to drive that engine, and he had to go through rigorous training to even be considered. He earned it."

"Okay, first, that has never been proven, so technically Flying Scotsman holds that record. Second, going 100 MPH isn't that special. Why I bet even my engine could do it. And Third, even if it was still something special, his engine doesn't deserve to be famous because it has no dome. Any wise engine driver knows that dome less engines aren't reliable."

And before Duck could continue to argue with him, Gordon left the yards to collect his express.

Later, Duck was helping Edward shunt at Wellsworth. They were taking a break at chatting.

"I'm sad that I didn't get to talk with your cousin last night," he told Duck, "But he seems like a nice guy. When he flew past my station he waved at me."

"Oh, he's very friendly. But Gordon seems to think otherwise."

"Ignore him. He's just jealous."

Just then, they hear a loud whistle.

"Good lord, what is that awful noise?"

"That sounds like Gordon, but it can't be him. He's not due for another five minutes."

It was Gordon. His engine came tearing through the station at a tremendous speed. He was red in the face, and very cross. In a cloud of steam, he was gone.

"Something tells me Gordon is going to get his just deserts, Duck."

"Oh, count on it, Edward."

Gordon pushed his engine to its limits, trying to get it to 100 MPH.

"If his engine can do it, so can mine," he snorted. But just then, he heard a rattling noise. The dome on his engine was loose.

"Bother," he snorted, "I'll have to slow down, otherwise it'll blow off in this wind."

But danger lay ahead. As he approached the viaduct, the wind picked up, and then it happened. One moment, the dome was on. The next, it flew off and plummeted into the ravine below. Gordon was embarrassed.

He hoped the Steamworks would have an extra dome but was soon to be disappointed.

"Sorry, Gordon, but we don't have anymore. We'll have to make some, and that could be a few days. Serves you right for being so stubborn."

"Can it, Victor. I don't want to hear it."

Things only got worse for Gordon. Since his engine was still in good working order, he was sent to work, and everyone from passengers to other engine drivers to some schoolboys laughed at him and his engine. He was glad when the day was over.

"I hope the dorm house is empty tonight," he thought to himself. But it wasn't.

"Look at this useless engine," Duck whispered to Henry that night, "It doesn't have a dome. Engines without domes aren't reliable."

Gordon pretended that he hadn't heard.