Chapter 108: Gordon Goes Foreign

Sodor is no stranger to visitors. People from all over the United Kingdom come to see the island and its many railways. Sometimes engines from the Other Railway would come pulling rail tours and other sorts of trains with permission from Sir Topham Hatt. The crews of these engines would stay the night at one of the many common houses, then leave the next day.

One night, at Knapford Common House, Gordon and Duck were alone with one of these visitors. They were talking about life on the mainland.

"Before my family came to live on Sodor," Gordon said impressively, "My grandfather drove this engine on the LNER. I loved to visit him at work whenever I had the chance. I'll never forget the name of the Big Station in London. Have you heard of it? It's called King's Cross."

"King's Cross?" snorted the visitor, "London is Euston. Everybody knows that."

"Are you both crazy?" Duck said indignantly, "London's Paddington, and I should know. I used to shunt there on the Great Western Railway."

"King's Cross."

"Euston."

"Paddington."

"KING's CROSS."

"EUSTON."

"PADDINGTON."

"KING'S CROSS!"

"EUSTON!"

"PADDINGTON!"

They argued until they went to sleep. They argued at breakfast. They even argued after the visitor had left.

"You poor misguided fools," Gordon sniffed, "London is King's Cross. I should know. I practically grew up in that station."

"You're the misguided one, Gordon. I'm telling you London is Paddington. I still have the whole layout memorized."

"Look, Duck, you may be Great Western, but that doesn't mean you know everything, as you are clearly demonstration. London is King's Cross."

"I may not know everything, but at least I have my common knowledge right. London's Paddington! Paddington, you hear?"

"King's Cross!"

"Paddington!"

"KING'S CROSS!"

"PADDINGTON!"

"Would you two keep it down?" James yawned from his bedroom, "Some of us had the graveyard shift last night and would like to catch up on sleep on their day off."

"Sorry, James."

"Sorry."

"Besides, at least you two can agree on one thing."

"Oh really? And what's that?"

"London's not Euston!"

James chortled at his own joke. Gordon and Duck didn't find it funny at all and didn't talk to each other for the rest of the day.

Gordon grumbled to himself that day as he pulled the Express. Later that day at Barrow-in-Furness, he saw London is the far distance.

"London is King's Cross. And one day, I'll prove it."

But that was easier said than done. At the end of the line, Gordon's engine is uncoupled from the train and an engine from The Other Railway would take it on to London. Gordon tried to go beyond the station, but something would always get in his way. One time it was a downed signal, and by the time it was repaired the replacement engine and its crew had arrived. Another time an urgent call from Sir Topham Hatt had came in requesting him back immediately. No matter what something impeded Gordon from going further.

"Oh, dear. I'll never get to London at this rate."

But his wish was granted sooner than he would think. One day he drove the express into the station as usual, but the engine supposed to take over for him had not arrived. He waited and waited, but still no sign of the engine. At last, the stationmaster came up to him.

"The engine for the express turned over as it was coming out of the yard. Nothing else can come in or out. Could you take the train to London?"

Gordon thought he was dreaming.

"YES! Erm, I mean of course, but I'll need permission from Sir Topham Hatt first."

After a quick telephone call, Sir Topham Hatt gave his consent.

"Show them what Sodor engine drivers can do, Gordon old chap."

"I intend to do so, Sir."

And before anyone could stop him, Gordon drove his engine over the points and backed down on to the train.

"Easy, Gordon," said the guard, "Don't get too excited, or you'll forget the coaches like Thomas did."

"Don't you worry, I won't make such a silly mistake. Now come on, get everyone on board and lets get the show on the road!"

Within five minutes the passengers were on board and everything was set. The guard blew his whistle and Gordon set off for London, barely able to contain his excitement.

London was a good distance away, and it would take all day to get there, but Gordon didn't mind.

"Never mind the distance. I love a good long run. Lets the engine stretch its wheels and lets me see interesting sights."

But all the same, he was glad when London came in sight.

The next morning, Sir Topham Hatt arrived at his office and looked at the letters on his desk. One had a London postmark.

"I wonder how Gordon's getting on. He should be back by supper."

Just then, the stationmaster burst in.

"Haven't you heard of knocking, Michael?"

"Sorry sir, but I thought you might like to read this morning's headline."

"The royal family isn't planning another trip, are they? Because I don't have the time to prepare."

"Not that I know of, sir, but look! Gordon's on the cover!"

Sir Topham Hatt took the paper and gaped.

"Good gracious, you're right! Headlines, too. 'Famous engine and its engineer arrive in London to cheering crowd.' Well, what do you know about that?"

That evening, Gordon and his engine arrived back at Knapford. Sir Topham Hatt came to see him.

"Hello, Gordon. Did you enjoy your trip?"

Gordon couldn't contain his enthusiasm.

"Like you wouldn't believe, sir. I signed so autographs until my arm ached, and had my picture taken from so many directions at once that I didn't know which way to look."

"Sounds like fun. But did you ever find out what the big station is called?"

At this, Gordon's smile turned into a sad frown.

"Yes sir, but it's all wrong. They've changed it. It's not King's Cross anymore. It's St. Pancras."

Sir Topham Hatt suppressed a knowing grin.

"Oh well, I'm sorry to hear that. But look on the bright sight: Duck was wrong too."

"I suppose so. Well, I'm off to get some dinner. Goodnight, Sir."

"Goodnight, Gordon."

And with that, Gordon drove sadly out of the station. Once he was sure that Gordon was out of ear range, Sir Topham Hatt burst into laughter. He decided not to tell Gordon or Duck both they and the visitor had all been right. London had many train stations, and those four were just a small percentage of that number. But he figured they all needed a lesson in humility.