Chapter 150: No More Steam?
Based on "Tenders for Henry/Tender Engines" and "Super Rescue".
Sir Topham Hatt had brought in two diesels on loan from British Railways, and his employees were not happy. While one of them was rather friendly, the
other was a complete snob, and annoyed his new housemates to no end.
"I say, dear Brian, that is time for us to take over this backwater railway. These out of date tea kettles ruin our image."
The steam engine drivers and Brian were horrified by his remark.
"Stanley, stop that nonsense! This is their railway, not ours."
"And darn right we do! We make sure our deliveries get made, even if our engine is falling to pieces! If your diesels so much as make a funny noise,
you do nothing but sit around for a fitter, never mind your passengers."
Stanley just sniffed at Duck's remarks.
"Please, nothing ever happens to me or my engine. 'Old Reliable' they call me. Mark my words, your days are numbered."
Everyone snorted and left, leaving only Gordon alone with the two.
"Sir Topham Hatt will not stand for your behavior. I suggest you shape up if you wish to stay."
"Sir Topham Hatt shall soon see the error of his ways, as have the controllers on the mainland. Every other region on the network has already abolished steam, and before long Sodor will follow. Mark. My. Words."
Gordon gaped speechlessly as Stanley left for his room. Brian turned to Gordon sympathetically.
"I'm sorry about Stanley, he's like this with everyone. I cant stand him either."
"Is...Is what he said true? Has steam been abolished on the mainland?"
Brian didn't respond. He quietly sat up and walked out, looking upset. This did nothing to quell Gordon's fears.
The next morning Gordon quietly drove his engine to the platform. Sir Topham Hatt stood on the platform and noticed Gordon's forlorn face.
"What's wrong, Gordon? Why the long face?"
"Sir...is what Stanley said true. Has steam been abolished on the mainland?"
Sir Topham Hatt's face fell.
"Yes. I'm afraid what Stanley said is true."
Gordon gaped in shock.
"B-bu-but what about my brothers on the mainland? All our adult lives we've worked the railways. Surely they..."
"Dismissed. All except for one."
Gordon was so sad he began to cry.
"Oh...I see. Well then...I best be going."
"Gordon wait!"
But Gordon was already out of the station. Sir Topham Hatt could only stare as the train disappeared into the distance.
"I wish there was something I could do to for him. If only we could...yes!"
An idea crept its way into his head.
"Yes, I'll ask his controller at once."
A week later, Gordon sulkily got ready for bed when the yard manager came up to him.
"Sir Topham Hatt has a message for you. He wants you to head to the yards at once."
"Oh, very well. I'll be there in a minute."
He arrived in the yards shortly. At first, there was nothing there. But it wasn't long before a tender began to back into its yard, followed by another tender. Gordon couldn't
believe his eyes.
"Is...is that...Scott?"
Gordon's brother leaned out the window, waving to his older brother. Gordon's shock turned into happiness, waving so hard that his arm my fall off.
"Oh, happy days!"
Scott backed his engine into a siding before jumping off the footplate as the two embraced tearfully.
"Gordon, I haven't seen you in ages! How are you, old sport?"
"Amazing! Look how big you've gotten. Oh, we have so much to catch up on."
And the two spent all night chatting up a storm. The next morning, rail enthusiasts and reporters came to take pictures of the famous engines and their drivers. After all of
of the people had left, the two continued to catch up.
"Tell me Scott, how is our dear Mother and Father?"
"In good health and doing well. Don't worry about our out of work siblings, either. Our parents are helping them find new work. They offered to let me stay as well, but I won't give up the opportunity to drive THE Flying Scottsman."
"Is that why it has two tenders, because its so famous?"
Scott's face fell.
"No. You won't believe this, Gordon, but on the mainland, they've hardly any coal or water. I swear you have to go up and down the whole network just to find a water tower.
"What? But every proper railway-"
"Precisely. You're lucky Sir Topham Hatt cares so much for steam engines."
Henry snorted into the break room in a fit of jealousy. Duck and Donald were there too.
"Oh dear, here we go."
"Ooch aye."
"Why does that show off Scott get to drive an engine with two tenders? Tenders are marks of distinction, so what makes his engine so special?"
"His engine is famous. It was the second to go over a hundred miles per hour."
"Aye. Besides, it needs two because The Other Railway hardly has any coal or water stations to refill at."
But Henry refused to see sense.
"I never boast, but I always put in enough work for two. My engine needs another tender."
This gave Duck an idea. He whispered something to Donald before turning back to Henry.
"Well Henry, I've got some tenders I'm not using. Would you like to have them."
Henry sniffed haughtily.
"You? You drive a tank engine, what need do you have for tenders?"
"Suit yourself. Would you like them, Donald?"
"Oh, I dinnae know. I would hate to deprive you of such marks of distinction."
This changed Henry's mood sharply.
"Wait, please don't, I am sorry. I would like your tenders. How many do you have?"
"Erm, six. Six tenders, and I can have them ready by tonight. We'll have a big unveiling tonight.
"Oh, thank you Duck. I am looking forward to it."
Duck and Donald sniggered quietly to themselves, but Henry paid them no mind.
That evening everyone showed up at the station for the grand unveiling. It wasn't long before henry showed up looking very cross. His engine was pulling six long, dirty tenders full of boiler sludge. Everyone laughed loudly at him, but Henry was very embarrassed.
The laughing continued into the night, with Stanley laughing the loudest.
"HA HA HA! Oh, to be fooled by a simple shunter. Oh this railway is even more hopeless than I thought."
Henry glared crossly, but Brian was sympathetic.
"Come on Stanley. Imagine if that was you?"
"Oh please, that would never happen. I'm-"
"Old Reliable, WE KNOW!"
The next day was no better for Henry. The regulator failed, and he was driving his engine home tender first feeling very sorry for himself. He shortly passed a signalbox,
where Stanley was sitting crossly with a stopped train.
"Oh brother, now Old Reliable will rub it in."
But he presently found that Stanley had his own problems to worry about. The signal man came out, looking very cross.
"Get rid of this eye sore! His engine has failed, and all he does is wail for a fitter! The limited is due, and I can't have his Spamcan of an engine blocking the line."
"Spamcan? Why I oughta-"
"SHUT IT, OR I"LL TAKE MY TIN OPENER TO YOU!"
This shut Stanley up quick as Henry pushed the train out of the way. Bear's engine roared through with a loud growl. Stanley groaned in despair.
But Brian was too busy to take notice of his friend's plight, as he was having troubles of his own. The farther he went, the train seemed to be getting heavier and heavier.
He forged on for half a mile before the ejector failed, bringing the train to a grinding hault.
Henry felt sorry for the two, but couldn't help but laugh.
"And here I was worried about them laughing at me! Still, pushing two diesels and their trains won't be easy, but I must forge on."
Just then, Brian came up to him.
"As long as you keep the brakes off, my engine can pull a little. That should help some, but itll still need a trip to the works after this."
"Don't you worry. We'll have you back on track in no time."
It wasn't easy going, even with Brian's help. But slowly but surely, the long cavalcade set off. Donald and Scott were waiting at the next station, and waved to Henry when he arrived.
Henry was too tired to respond, but had a triumphant smile on his face.
The passengers swarmed the platform, complaining loudly until Sir Topham Hatt came along.
"I understand your feelings, but this man here managed to rescue two trains while his own has failed. Now if that isn't determination I don't know what it is."
At this the passengers stopped being cross and started congratulating Henry for his bravery. Sir Topham Hatt, however, had some very choice words for Stanley.
"Your behavior has been unacceptable. Putting down others, holding up the line, and whatever else I don't know about. I shall be sending you and your engine back to The Other Railway, and I won't be inviting you back!"
Stanley suddenly became very interested in his shoes. Brian felt very sorry for himself, but was surprised to see Sir Topham Hatt smiling at him.
"The others have told me great things about your work ethic, and your behavior. Once your engine has been repaired I shall see about having you transferred to here. Would you like that?"
"Oh yes please, sir! Anything is better than putting up with pricks like him."
"Good, I shall make the arrangements."
With that Scott took the train on to its destination, while Donald took Stanley and his train home.
A week later, everyone was gathered at Knapford to see Scott off. Gordon hugged his brother goodbye.
"Take care, bro. Tell everyone back home that I'm alright."
"I will. You take care too, Gordon."
Before Scott left, Sir Topham Hatt stood up as tall as he could to make a speech.
"We on The North Western Region of British Railways have been honored to host such a famous engine and its driver here this past week. And Scott, please let everyone know
that no matter what may happen elsewhere in the world, Steam shall always have a place on Sodor."
"I will, Sir. Thank you, everyone!"
And with that he departed to a loud chorus of cheers and whistles. No matter what, Steam shall always live on on Sodor.
A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed this special 150th chapter. I decided to combine these stories to create something special for this milestone, and it was a lot of fun writing. See you guys next time!