Chapter 191: Peace and Quiet

Goods work had expanded on Sodor in mass, and Henry, Donald and Douglas were kept busy running goods down the main line. Gordon had to help between Express trains, and he was not happy about it.

"Dirty trucks and dirty sidings! Bleah!"

Sir Topham Hatt understood that this was becoming an issue, and managed to find a new engine to help out with the extra work. He could swear that the mass sigh of relief could set a world record.

The new engine arrived the next week. Some of the engine drivers went to meet the new employee. Sir Topham Hatt stood next to the new engine driver. He was a tall, strongly built man with neatly groomed orange hair.

"This is Murdoch. He and this new engine will help with the heavy goods trains, meaning Gordon can go back to the Express full time."

Gordon tried to remain stoic, but once he was sure no one was looking he quietly celebrated. The other engine drivers, however, couldn't wait to get to know Murdoch.

"Welcome to Sodor, Murdoch!"

"You'll fit right in!"

"You'll love it!"

Murdoch sniffed, feeling slightly uncomfortable.

"You're a bit of a chatty lot, aren't you?"

Murdoch made a good first impression, with his engine easily handling the work, making Henry and the twins feel less stressed. He was, however, rather uncomfortable with all the noise he found, much rather preferring the peace and quiet of the country.

Murdoch stayed at the docks that night so he could get a head start on The Flying Kipper the next morning. Salty and Harvey were there, and wanted know all about him, much to his dismay.

"What's the longest train your engine has ever pulled?"

"20 trucks."

"Have you ever worked Marseille?"

"No."

"Have you ever crashed?"

"What's your favorite color?"

"Where did you work before here?"

"Have you ever been at sea?"

"ENOUGH! Please, I just want to get some sleep, I need to be up early tomorrow. I'd rather sleep outside than share a house with such chatterboxes."

Salty and Harvey felt hurt.

"Sorry, matey."

"We just wanted to talk."

"Well, I don't. GOODNIGHT!"

And with that, he slammed the bedroom door.

The next several weeks went on like this, with Murdoch keeping to himself and the other drivers leaving him to his own devices. They quickly learned that Murdoch wasn't a very social person.

One day, Murdoch was taking a heavy train through the open country. Murdoch happily took a breath of fresh air.

"Aaah, this is the life! No chatterboxes, no industrial noises, just peace and-"

"Baaaaaaaaaa!"

"Ba-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Out of nowhere a flock of sheep strayed onto the line, blocking the way. Murdoch braked the train to a stop just in time, but could get no farther. Murdoch could only sigh in despair.

"Oh, come on!"

Murdoch tried to shoo the sheep off the line, but to no avail. When he tried to get them to go one way, they went the other way. And when he tried to get them to go that way, they went the other way again! Murdoch was starting to get a headache, not helped by the constant noise the sheep made.

"Please, stop! I'd much rather deal with those chatterboxes than this!"

But Murdoch's luck would soon change, as around the corner came Toby with the Shepherd in tow.

"Someone call for a shepherd?"

"Sorry about that, I look away for one second and they scamper off on me."

Murdoch sighed in relief.

"Toby! Never thought I'd be happy to see you!"

"Thanks! I think."

Within no time, Toby and the shepherd had cleared the tracks, and Murdoch could go on his way, waving goodbye to Toby as he left.

That night, Murdoch stayed the night at the docks again, much to Harvey and Salty's dismay. Murdoch, however, had a smile on his face.

"I'm sorry I was rude before, I just wasn't used to being asked so many questions. I'd like to be your friend, if you'd like to be mine."

Salty and Harvey smiled.

"You know, this reminds me of an old story from my sailing days."

Murdoch and Harvey laughed, and the three spent the night sharing stories, and soon became good friends.