Finally, the big day arrived. Knapford Station was complete. On a fine yet frosty afternoon in January of 1917, Sir James Hatt stood on a podium, overlooking the five platforms before him. "Ladies and gentlemen of the press and of the public," he began, addressing the clients, passengers and enthusiasts across the various platforms. "Today is a special day. The Great War rages on, but we are gathered here today to celebrate a momentous milestone in the history of the Tidmouth, Knapford & Elsbridge Railway.
"This new station symbolises that though the Central Powers threaten us with adversity, we will not give in. We will rebuild into something greater and grander than before. And now, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to the locomotives that made this grand structure possible, each one playing a significant role in the cleanup and reconstruction efforts required to bring this station to what it is today. These engines are: Glynn, Thomas, Edward, Henry, and Sir William!"
The crowds broke into thunderous applause as Glynn, Thomas, Edward and Sir William paraded into four of the five platforms. The crowd died down. Sir James looked around anxiously.
"Where's Henry?" Topham asked no one in particular.
"Sir, I have a hunch," replied Sir William. "Permission to depart."
"Granted," the controller replied almost immediately, and William steamed out of the new station.
William's hunch would prove correct. He found our Number 3 in the sheds. "Come on, Henry," he said. "You're missing the grand ceremony."
"I'm not going, Will," Henry replied firmly but shakily.
"What's this about?"
"Will, I don't know if you remember, but I caused sixty-seven people to die and many more to suffer serious injuries."
"We've been over this, Gilmore," William sighed patiently. "None of those casualties were your fault. You got those two hundred passengers to safety; there was nothing we could do for the rest."
"Aye, you know that, I know that; but do they know that? I'm scared that as soon as I roll into view, people are going to look at me like I'm the one responsible for those casualties – I can already see their judging, disdainful stares, arms folded, scowling faces on either side of me, some clicking their tongues or murmuring amongst themselves…"
"Nothing like that is going to happen, Henry," came a voice accompanied by a whistle. It was Adam.
"Great," Henry thought aloud. "Here comes the engine who taunted me the first time, no doubt back for round two."
"Nothing of the sort, Henry," Adam replied. The W&S' No. 3 was sporting his new black wheels, and his boiler and sides had been cleaned and repainted. "I figured something like this might happen, so I made my way here as soon as I could."
"And why would a Sudderian do something like that," Henry accused. "Except to taunt me?"
"To apologise," replied Adam simply. "Henry, I'm sorry again for teasing you. I just saw an opportunity to have a crack at a Tidmouther, but I shall be the first to admit I took it too far. No one else blames you for what happened. It's not your fault you're a failed engine, it's the thieves'. Likewise, it is not your fault those people suffered, it's the Germans'. Now, today is a special day for your railway, so get out there and enjoy yourself."
"You really travelled all the way up here to tell me that?"
Adam smiled.
"Alright, Will," Henry said finally. "I'll come out."
"Attaboy, Henry!" whistled Will. "Come on, the passengers are waiting for your arrival."
Henry and Will steamed side by side into Knapford Station amidst thunderous applause.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Henry!" my great-grandfather announced proudly, then stepped away from the microphone to regain his composure.
The crowds smiled at Henry, some waving, some taking his photograph. Henry spotted some young children on his platform, signalling him to whistle, and he was all too happy to oblige.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen," Sir Hatt continued. "May those passengers with excursion tickets please make their way to Platform 4? The ticketmaster will be coming along shortly."
Adam whistled as he entered the station threshold, shunting a line of coaches up behind Henry.
William noticed Henry's change of expression. "You can do this, Henry!" he encouraged.
"Hear, hear," seconded Edward, sitting on the track directly next to Henry on the other side. "Give them a ride they won't soon forget, old boy!"
"Without further ado," finished the controller. "I declare Knapford Railway Station officially reopened!"
"Sir," Henry asked. "If it's alright with him, I'd like Adam to bank me to Crovan's Gate."
"Do you really need a banker, Henry?" Sir Hatt asked, confused.
"No," our Number 3 replied. "But I want him to share this honour with me."
"Very well, Henry, as long as it's alright with him."
Soon enough, the guard's whistle blew.
"Are you ready back there?" Henry whistled.
"Ready when you are!" Adam whistled back. Then, together, the two Number 3s steamed out of the station, breaking through the red ribbon that had been strung over their track.
Henry was delighted. The sun shone bright on the frozen lakes and frosty grass as the two engines steamed through the Sodor countryside. The passengers stared out the windows, and Henry couldn't help but let a broad smile cross his face. Presently, the train reached the Cronk Viaduct, and the passengers marvelled at the architecture. Henry whistled with excitement. At last, the two friends steamed into Crovan's Gate Station.
"Here we are, everyone," Henry announced. "Feel free to purchase a ticket for the Skarloey Railway; otherwise, Adam and I shall be ready to take you back for the remainder of the celebration in fifteen minutes."
"Thank you, Henry and Adam," said a passenger.
"Such a smooth ride!" added another.
"And beautiful scenery!" said a third.
A fourth passenger made his way to the end of the platform and spoke directly to Henry. "My sister was at the station at the time of the incident," he began.
"Oh no!" exclaimed Henry. "Sir, I'm so sorry…"
"Calm down," said the passenger. "I just want you to know that I do not hold a grudge against you. I know how hectic it must have been at that moment, and I know you did all you can to rescue as many people as you could before the strike. My sister didn't make it, but you're not to blame. If there's ever another opportunity for me to get at those Germans, however…"
"A wise friend once told me something," smiled Henry. "Vengeance never solves anything because it only leads to vengeance."
"Wise words indeed," agreed the passenger. "I suppose I should leave you to get turned around. Good day to you."
"Good day to you, too," Henry smiled, whistling as he left for the turntable.
In the sidings, Adam spoke to Henry. "Thank you for inviting me along."
"Well," replied our big green engine. "Thank you for talking me out of my shed. I met a relative of one of the victims of the Knapford raid, and it made me feel much better."
"Glad to hear it," smiled Adam. Then, there was silence as Henry turned around.
"You know we're still in rival companies, right?" Henry asked finally.
"True," Adam smiled. "But who says rivals can't be friends?"
"Isn't that the definition?" laughed Henry.
"Well in that case," replied Adam as he cheekily scampered off. "I'll race you back to the platform!"
"Hey!" shouted Henry as he slowly started. "Get back here!"
It was dusk by the time Henry and Adam returned to Knapford. The party that followed was a huge success. There was plenty of food and extra seating for the passengers in the station building and on the platforms. There were even extra benches set up outside the station. It was a lovely time, and it was about to get better.
"Ladies and gentlemen," my great-grandfather announced. "I invite you all to turn your attention to the skies on the northern side of the station."
The night sky was suddenly lit up by dozens of brilliant fireworks. The passengers applauded and the engines whistled loudly – but Henry whistled loudest of all.
The next two years were rather uneventful for the island. Sir William left shortly after the reopening ceremony, and on the 11th of November 1918, Germany signed an armistice, marking the end of the Great War. Following the reports on the celebrations, newspaper articles of smaller events that occurred within the past four years gained popularity and interest; one such story involving a certain experimental green locomotive would spark the interest of a certain well-known individual, but that is another story.