Chapter 176: Riding The Polar Express
A week before Christmas, Sir Topham Hatt came to the common house with exciting news.
"Ladies and Gentleman, I am proud to announce a new function to our Island Christmas Party. Tell me, are any of you familiar with The Polar Express?"
Thomas's face spread into a massive grin.
"Know it? It's my favorite Christmas story! On Christmas Eve, a little boy hears the sounds of a Steam Engine right outside his window. Going outside, he boards a train to the North Pole. There, he is selected to be the one to receive the first gift of Christmas. He asks for a simple bell that was on the reigns of Santa's Reindeer. The next morning, he realizes that it is no ordinary bell. Its sound can only be heard by those who truly believe."
Everyone chuckled at how well he remembered the story, making Thomas blush.
"Well put, Thomas. Well, I thought it might be fun to recreate that story here. On Christmas Eve, I've arranged for a train to take Children to Vicarstown, where they will all receive a visit from Santa Claus and receive a bell of their own."
Percy gasped in excitement.
"Santa will be here? Really?"
Gordon huffed in annoyance.
"Don't be silly, little Percy. Santa isn't real."
Percy's face fell, while Thomas comforted his friend as Sir Topham Hatt continued.
"Maybe not, but I think I'll make a fine replacement. Now, as for who will take the train, I have decided on James and Henry to take it. The color of their engines do best fit the season after all."
Said engine driver's grinned with pride.
"We won't let you down, sir!"
"Good. The train leaves Knapford at 7 o'clock sharp. Dont be late."
"We won't sir."
"Good. Off you all go now."
James and Henry were pleased to be given such an important job, and boasted endlessly about it the whole week. The other engine drivers ignored them, but they didn't care.
At last, the night came and the children watched eagerly as the two drove the train into the station, James leading the way and Henry's train attached to the coaches. Once the children had settled into the coaches and the porters shut the doors, the guard blew his whistle and waved his green flag.
"All set, Henry?"
"Ready when you are, James."
Then with two short blasts of the whistles, the two drove off into the night. At first, they made great timing, picking up the rest of the children along the way. But snow soon began to fall, lightly at first but it turned into a great downfall before long. James and Henry weren't worried, though. James's snowplough paved their way with ease. But the more snow that fell, the harder it became to see.
"Henry, I can hardly see the line ahead of us!"
"Keep at it, James! The great thing about railway tracks is that as long as you stay straight, you'll always get where you're going."
And so the two surged on, determined to make it to Vicarstown no matter what.
Meanwhile in Vicarstown, everyone else watched the platform in anxious anticipation of their arrival.
"Oh, I hope James and Henry are alright," Percy sighed. "I know I wouldn't want to be outside in this weather."
"I'm sure they'll be fine," soothed Edward, "But they better hurry. I don't like the looks of those clouds."
James and Henry were halfway there, but you couldn't tell just from looking at them. The snow was now so thick that they could only scarcely make out the line ahead of them.
"I don't like this, Henry. We have no idea what's ahead. We should stop somewhere and wait for the snow to stop."
"Are you kidding? We have a schedule to keep. Besides, think about the children. They'd be horribly disappointed if we gave up now"
Realizing Henry was right, James kept going. Before long, they noticed a red glow hovering above. Although they couldn't see the source, it appeared to be signaling them.
"That must be Harold! The others must have sent him to find us!"
"We're saved!"
The light began to drift forward, cutting through the storm like a knife through butter.
"Follow that light, James!"
"With pleasure!"
And so, with a light to find their way, the two pushed forward. And before they knew it, the lights of Vicarstown shone in the distance as the light disappeared. The train pulled into the platform to a heroes welcome, the children pouring out to see Santa Claus waiting for them.
"Ho Ho Ho, have you all been good little boys and girls this year?"
"Yes, Santa!"
"Well then, lets see what Santa has in his bag of toys for you then."
Everyone enjoyed the party immensely, sipping Hot Cocoa and keeping warm. James and Henry saw Harold standing nearby and walked over to him.
"Howdy, fellas! You enjoying the party?"
"We sure are! Thanks for earlier, Harold."
Harold looked perplexed.
"Thanks? For what?"
"For guiding us here earlier. Without you, we never would have found our way."
"I don't know what you two are talking about. I've been here all evening."
James and Henry gasped in shock.
"What? But we saw a light that guided us here. Are you sure?"
"Positive. Besides, even if I wanted to fly I couldn't. Winds are too strong, and I would've gotten just as lost as you two. Oh well, glad you made it back safe and sound."
And with that he walked off, whistling to the tune of "Jingle Bells." James and Henry stared in shock.
"You don't think..."
"Of course not. It must have been someone else. After all, there's no such thing as..."
"Sorry I'm late! I don't fit into this as well as I used to."
Everyone turned to see Sir Topham Hatt staggering onto the scene dressed in a Santa costume. He was puzzled by their looks of shock.
"What seems to be the matter?"
"Sir, you were just here. You delivered Silver Bells to all of the children."
"How could I have been? I just got here. Took me nearly an hour just to get in this costume."
Everyone stared at each other in shock.
"Then that must mean..."
No one said a word. In the distance, they could hear the very feint sound of jingle bells, and they all looked up to see a feint red glow disappear into the night.
A/N: I hope you all liked this little Christmas Story. Next time I see you it'll be 2020, the 75th Anniversary of the franchise. And boy, do I have plans in store for it. Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!