At Carlisle Station, Bloomer the LNWR engine, Sandy the electric speeder and Bear, No. 7101 were all asleep together under the stars. Only hours ago, Bloomer had been given a very bad first impression of diesels when Splatter and Dodge tried to make off with Bloomer to the Smelters' to save their everlasting pathetic reputation, only for them to run out of fuel stranded in the middle of nowhere, to which Bear came along and brought Bloomer back to safety. As a reward for sounding the alert, the Fat Controller had decided to have Sandy join the North Western Railway alongside Bloomer, much to her utter delight. By this time, both engines' start to living on Sodor was just a matter of hours away.
After a long and safely slept night, the sun rose again. Bloomer, Sandy and Bear slowly woke up and looked around. It dawned on Bloomer in just seconds where he was and where he and Sandy would be going imminently.
"Good morning, Sandy," Bloomer winked.
"Ohh, morning, Bloomer," said Sandy. "Slept well, Bear?"
"Yes, thank you," said Bear. "And I see you've both slept nicely too."
Bloomer and Sandy smiled and nodded.
"So," said Bear. "Are you two all set for your move to Sodor?"
"Ready as we'll ever be, Bear," said Bloomer. "We just need to wait for who's coming for Sandy and I."
And so they did. Bloomer, Sandy and Bear watched the line, waiting for an engine to come along and take Bloomer and Sandy on their way. Then about ten minutes later, it happened. Gradually, there came a wave of footsteps just outside the station. Bear looked beyond the platform and suddenly groaned lightly.
"What is it, Bear?" Sandy asked.
"See for yourselves," said Bear.
Bloomer looked and suddenly felt a jump in his heart. As was the case only the day before, another large crowd of people came walking hastily toward the station, chattering excitedly and jostling a little amongst each other as they could see just who was on Bear's flatbed. Bloomer sighed as he knew all too well what would come next.
"Oh, dear. Time for round two," he thought to himself.
Sure enough, the crowd of people came pouring onto the platform, awestruck and amazed to see the LNWR Bloomer Class here today with their own eyes, all too eager to take his photograph again. Within seconds, the cameras started flashing and Bloomer wasn't quite ready. The stationmaster came out of the office and tried to shoo the crowd away, but there wasn't anything for it. The crowd simply swooped on ahead of him, trying to get a closer look at the rare engine
Suddenly, Bear started up and buffered to Bloomer and Sandy.
"Come on, Bloomer," he said. "You don't deserve to be overwhelmed like this. To the yards."
And Bear set off down the line with the two engines to find the nearby goods yards. When they got there, they found an empty siding and thought they had lost the crowd. But only moments later, they looked and saw the crowd hurrying over yet again, their cameras still flashing, and the chatter becoming louder and more excited as they began to swarm around Bloomer and Sandy. The yard manager could see what was going on and hurried in at once.
"Everyone, please! This engine is supposed to be on his way to Sodor! We really can't afford all this fuss!"
But just like the stationmaster, it did no good. The yard manager's shouts were drowned out by all the excitement and Bloomer just shut his eyes, wishing for the cluster to be over. Then just a moment later, Bloomer heard a whistle up ahead. He and Sandy looked and saw a steam engine and a brakevan coming towards them. It was of course Samson and Bradford, having come to take Bloomer to Sodor, but Bloomer didn't know this yet.
"Oh, Golly! Look, Bradford! Look! There he is!" Samson called. "The LNWR Class Bloomer himself!"
"Yes, Samson, I see him," said Bradford. "But first things first. We must clear this infernally noisy crowd!"
"Oh, I quite agree, Bradford," said Samson. "Over to you."
And as Samson neared Bloomer, Sandy and Bear, Bradford did exactly that as he split the air louder than anyone else.
"Attention! ATTENTION! Ladies, gentlemen, lads and lasses! No more fuss, clamoring, photographs or autographs! CLEAR THE WAY, WILL YOU?! I MEAN NOW!"
Bloomer and Sandy felt a big jump in their hearts to how loud and military-esque this brakevan was, and the following effect his approach had. In that same moment, the crowd stop clamoring and chattering at once. Silence fell over the yards like a magic spell, and after a few moments, the crowd discreetly turned and walked quickly away in one large cluster like a swarm of ants. Bradford kept his eye on them all until they had left the yards.
"Well. Goodness me, fellow brakevan," said Bloomer. "Thank you. You certainly took helm of that situation most militantly!"
"Yes, well. That's all well and good," said Bradford. "This here is Samson, and I'm his brakevan Bradford."
"Well, pleasure to meet you both, Samson and Bradford," said Bloomer. "So you're the ones bringing me to Sodor?"
"That we are," said Bradford. "As arranged by Sir Topham Hatt, we're here to get you right over there with no delay. You just come right with us, Bloomer."
Within minutes, Samson was coupled to Bloomer and Sandy with Bradford at the back, then they set off to return to Carslie Station, followed by Bear. However, when they returned, they weren't alone, and not in the best way there could be. On the other platform, a big Class 46 "Peak," 1Co-Co1 diesel electric engine, painted in the BR Rail Blue livery with yellow warning panels on his front and back end was waiting to set off with a long motorail train of his own. He turned and saw the rare discovery on Samson's flatbed and raised his eyebrow most unprofessionally.
"Pooh. I've never seen worse. You're not even clean," he sniffed.
Bloomer looked aghast by this engine's most uncouth words. Bear knew just who this diesel was and groaned unpleasantly.
"Perfect. Just what we need," he said sarcastically. "Another bad impression for you, Bloomer. I know this diesel all too well. He's numbered D199, nicknamed 'Old Reliable.' But I would beg most otherwise for a nickname such as that for him."
Bear was absolutely right about D199. By nature, he was most blatantly pompous, rude and snooty, even for unsavory diesel standards, and when he spoke aloud, his voice couldn't sound more nasally.
"Huh! Well, Samson. Do try not to get lost again on your way back to Sodor. And don't mistaken this ancient puffball for some bicycles or bus stop signs to be scrapped! I truly cannot understand why anyone, anyone at all, would even bother trying to such restore such an unsightly relic of the past!"
Bloomer's mouth hung open. He had never met such a horrid and disrespectful engine in his life and once again started wondering whether or not he should be trusting of most diesels. Bear could sense this just as well and stepped in immediately.
"D199!" he snapped. "You have no business and no right to display such bigotry towards any steam engines! Especially Bloomer! He deserves to be given a chance to prove himself just as much as any other engine, regardless of age or being steam or diesel! You should be permanently ashamed of your unholy words!"
Bloomer, Samson and even Bradford spoke up next. "Here, here!"
Once again, Bloomer was touched and grateful to see Bear taking his side so nicely, but D199 just scoffed.
"Pah! Whatever is in your motor, 7101? I can see you're still blissfully naïve and ignorant to how clapped out steam engines are. Modernity calls for more respect in this day and age, and rail fans who obsess over steam engines have their eyes locked to the past instead of looking forward, and clearly you're just as hopelessly stuck as they are."
"I'm not stuck, 199," Bear glared back. "YOU'RE stuck. Hopelessly and most blatantly…Stuck…UP!"
At that very moment, D199's guard blew his whistle, and off he set with his long, heavy motorail train with several flatbeds fully loaded with cars belonging to all the passengers onboard his coaches. Admittedly, Bloomer would have expressed his curiosity over such an unusual train, but after what he'd just experienced, the motorail and logistics of pulling cars behind coaches didn't seem to be worthy enough of his attention.
"Well! That unholy crackpot!" he suddenly exclaimed most crossly.
"My God. I cannot apologize enough for D199's abysmal behaviour, Bloomer," said Bear. "He's always been that arrogant in sharing the general belief amongst some diesels that steam engines are subpar to more reliable diesel power. The way I see it, steam engines are one of the most impressive inventions of all time. Sir Topham Hatt knows that to be true, as just about everyone else knows as well."
"Well, Bear, once again I deeply appreciate your stance on this matter," said Bloomer. "And of course your efforts in saving me from Splatter and Dodge. I only hope I'll meet more diesels as kind and respectful as you are."
It was in this moment that Bradford's eyes suddenly darted upward and he noticed just who else was part of the train besides Bloomer, and addressed it at once.
"Say, now! Who is this, and what is she doing as part of the delivery? I've received no knowledge of a track-inspection car!"
"No need to get overly technical, Bradford," said Bear. "She was a last-minute purchase on Sir Topham Hatt's part. She sounded the alert when Bloomer was whisked off, and for helping to save him, she's moving to Sodor too."
"Is she, now?" said Bradford. "Well, to that effect, what are we waiting for? Hop to it, Samson! We can't waste another minute! Sodor is waiting for its very own Bloomer! Vamos! Vamos!"
Samson got right to it, and at last, he set off with Bloomer and Sandy on their way to Sodor.
"Here we go, Sandy! This is it!" Bloomer chimed. "See you round, Bear! Bye-bye!"
"Bye! Thank you, Bear!" Sandy called.
"Cheerio, Bloomer! And Sandy!" Bear called back.
All three engines called their goodbyes for a few moments more until Carslie was out of sight and Samson was running swiftly along the line for Sodor. Hour after hour, Bloomer and Sandy had a most enjoyable ride, taking in all the sights to be seen see after Bloomer had been locked away in a shed for decades and Sandy had mostly been confined to the yards with little to no activity. There was of course still a fair matter of time they'd be sitting still whilst they underwent restoration and touch-ups, but that didn't matter.
Every now and then when Samson had to stop at a signal or junction, there was a crowd of people who caught glimpse of Bloomer and of course made a great fuss over seeing him, having caught the exciting news themselves. Bloomer was of course not too fond with the fuss, but Bradford made rigidly sure Samson adhered to the proper rules.
"No pandering to the clamorous crowds! None whatsoever!" he would shout just as the signal showed green.
Samson huffed swiftly along the line with the two most special engines for a while longer, until at last, they came to Vicarstown Bridge and crossed right over. Bloomer and Sandy both smiled big as they realized this was it. This was their new home. A few minutes later, they arrived at Vicarstown Yards. Bloomer and Sandy looked around and caught a few glimpses of engines working throughout the sidings. Then Samson saw who else was in the yards and hurried over to them. Rosie and Stanley were shunting together, enjoying some well-deserved quality time now that they lived much closer together. They had heard about Bloomer's discovery and were rather excited about it already, and when they looked up to greet Samson, they both suddenly gasped and their eyes popped wide open. Bloomer looked at them both and smiled.
"Hello there," he said quickly and clearly.
"Ohh…OHH!" Stanley exclaimed. "Blistering Boilers, Rosie! Another miracle!"
"Ohh…Fizzling Fireboxes, Stanley! It IS a miracle!" Rosie gasped in shock and surprise. "LNWR Bloomer! You're here! Oh, we've heard about your discovery just the other day!"
"Have you, sweetheart?" said Bloomer. "Well, how word gets around like lightning! Never seen anything like it."
"And I see you have a friend," said Stanley. "A little track-inspection car! I…I just don't know what else to say but…WOW!"
Bloomer was pleased to be meeting new engines on Sodor already, but Bradford, being the brakevan that he was, cut in at once.
"Now, now! Nobody make a big fuss over Bloomer here! Neither of you have time to sit around all day! This Bloomer must be brought to the Steamworks for a much-needed restoration, and this track-inspection car must be brought to the Dieselworks for appropriate touch-ups before she can be presentable and suitable for work!"
Rosie and Stanley were less than impressed to see Bradford be this stringent even in matters of new acquaintances, but understood well enough. Bloomer suddenly felt uncomfortable with the mention of a Dieselworks, but managed to hide it as Samson's driver uncoupled Sandy. Then Samson moved aside to let Rosie in. She could see Bloomer looking a little troubled.
"Don't worry, Bloomer," said Rosie. "I assure you, most of the diesels we have here are most friendly. Sandy will be perfectly alright."
"Thank you, Rosie," said Sandy. "And don't worry, Bloomer. Once I'm ready, I'll come and see you whenever I can."
This was enough for Bloomer to nod and smile. "Of course. Well, thank you, Rosie. I guess I'll see you later, Sandy."
With that, Rosie whistled and set off down the line with Sandy, while Samson set off again with Bloomer and Bradford. As they passed through Vicarstown Station and continued on their way, lots of people and a few more engines were amazed and astounded when they saw Bloomer on his flatbed. Among the engines were Connor, Caitlin, Arthur and Henry, all of whom gasped and gaped, recognizing the most iconic engine class all too well, and within moments, they were hurrying along the line to spread the word.
At last, Samson arrived at the Steamworks. As they drew near, Bloomer was impressed to see such a big building for steam engines to come for repairs, repaints or any other needs. Samson swept inside and Bloomer saw he was not alone. Victor, Kevin, the Thin Controller, Sir Robert and Duke were all waiting most eagerly and hospitably. Of course, Bloomer didn't know who these were, but that didn't matter. All would be introduced to him in due course.
"Well! Here he is!" the Thin Controller beamed. "Sodor's very own Bloomer is here! A most gratifying and special day this is!"
"Yeah. He's here now, gentlemen," said Samson.
"Now, let's get right down to business," said the Thin Controller. "Welcome to Sodor, Bloomer. I'm Mr. Percival. Sir Topham Hatt runs most of this railway whilst I look after my Narrow Gauge Engines, and until Sir Topham returns from his holiday, I'm running the railway in his place."
"Well…I must say you look quite like him, good sir," said Bloomer. "Black jacket, yellow waistcoat, grey trousers. Most lovely. And you are, sir?"
"Oh, yes! Welcome to Sodor, Bloomer! I am Sir Robert Norramby, Earl of Sodor. Sir Topham Hatt has informed me on everything about you. He told me all about your discovery, and between him and myself, we have agreed to a joint ownership of you."
"Is that right, m'darling?" said Bloomer. "Well, I couldn't be more honoured to be rediscovered by such a good fellow as Sir Topham, and for him to have a shared ownership with you for my new chance to be really useful!"
"My greatest pleasure, Bloomer," said Sir Robert. "I could not possibly deny the honour and I will more than gladly fund your restoration."
"And who are these two fellows?" asked Bloomer. "The red and the yellow?"
"I am Victor, my friend. And this is my crane Kevin," said Victor. "We are most pleased and honoured to meet you."
"Just as I am to meet you, Victor and Kevin," Bloomed smiled. "And now…who is this small Narrow Gauge Engine?"
"I'm Duke," he replied. "Named after His Grace way back when. I've been on this island for many, many years, and I must say it's a great, great privilege to see the LNWR Bloomer class with my own two eyes."
Bloomer just smiled and winked to Duke, who smiled even bigger in turn.
"Now, Bloomer," said Victor. "As you have been sitting in your shed for over seventy years with no activity at all, restoring you will take a fairly long time. But I assure you, you'll soon be running better than you'd ever done before."
"And once you're back in business, Bloomer," said Sir Robert. "You'll be working on my estate up at Ulfstead Castle alongside my three fellow engines, Stephen, Millie and Glynn."
"Thank you dearly, Sir Robert," said Bloomer. "I look forward to seeing the three of them and more on your estate."
"Most excellent," said the Thin Controller. "Well now, let's get this engine on his way to restoration."
With that, the Steamworks crane operator lowered the hooks down to Bloomer, then he was lifted off his flatbed and hoisted up in the air. Bloomer felt a little jittery being in the air again, but soon got used to it. Then right then and there, the workmen gathered around to start the work.
"Well, Bloomer," said Sir Robert. "I ought to have you know, the news of your arrival is going to spread very quickly."
"No need to tell me that, sir," said Bloomer. "Ever since yesterday, I've had crowds trying to clamour around me and take photographs, and frankly, it's overwhelming at times."
"We fully understand, Bloomer," said the Thin Controller. "But all the same, the engines here will be most excited to meet you. Perhaps you'd care to have a few of them visit tomorrow?"
Bloomer thought for a moment, then looked again.
"Well, provided no crowds come swarming in here for more photographs, of course," he said.
"Alright, then," said the Thin Controller. "I'll tell a few of them this evening. I just know you're going to love all of your new friends in the time that is to come, Bloomer. But for now, you've got a restoration to start with. We'll see you later."
With that, Samson left with Bradford while the Thin Controller, Sir Robert and Duke all left as well to return to their own work, and so Bloomer was left with Victor and Kevin, where the restoration was just beginning.
Over the next few hours of the day, just as Sir Robert had assumed, word spread madly across the island. People and engines all across the railway heard rumours and whispers about the long-thought extinct LNWR Bloomer Engine now having been brought to the island. Of course, the Steam Team heard some of the rumours and whispers for themselves and became most curious and excited as to what this could be all about, and so the spreading word carried on and on until the day's work was done and the engines all returned to their sheds.
That evening at Tidmouth Sheds, Thomas was still sitting alone in his berth, having not been let out for the past three days on account of him running the red signal and Emily not reporting it to the Fat Controller. As such, he was the only one who had not picked up on any recent news across the island.
"Oh, dear," Thomas sighed. "If only I didn't run that red signal with my eyes closed. I should have focused on doing my job instead of be so cheeky and utterly silly. I'd really like to get back to working again."
Just then, Thomas could hear a wave of excited chatter up ahead. He then saw lines of smoke weaving over the distant roofs, then sure enough, the Steam Team all came back to settle in for the evening. Thomas looked around and could see them all smiling and bubbling most eagerly. This gave him a strong sense that something had to be going on.
"Hey. What's going on, everyone?" he asked. "I could hear excited chatter as you all came in."
"Ohh, Thomas!" Rebecca wheeshed. "You haven't heard the news, have you?"
"What news?" said Thomas. "I've been in here for three days and nowhere else."
"The word has spread all across the island, Thomas!" Percy peeped. "About a new engine who's come to Sodor!"
"A new engine? Really?" Thomas asked. "Who or what?"
"Hearsay says it was rare discovery," said Nia. "So we hear, Sir Topham Hatt found this engine only yesterday."
"But the word spread has been so frantic, we don't know just who or what it could be," said Emily. "Either way, it's really made me curious."
"But just what could this all mean?" Thomas asked.
"I think we're about to find out," said Gordon.
All the engines looked to where Gordon was looking, and Winston came hurrying along the sheds carrying the Thin Controller, and sure enough, he was wearing an enthused smile.
"Good evening, Steam Team," he said. "You've all worked nicely today, but as I'm sure you all know, there was more than just hard work happening today. There's been a lot of excited word spreading everywhere today."
"Yes, sir," said Percy. "Something about a rare discovery and a very rare engine here on Sodor now."
"Well, I'm here to tell you the most remarkable news myself," said the Thin Controller. "There really is a new engine here on Sodor. Someone who Sir Topham Hatt discovered only yesterday, not even one day into his holiday with Lady Hatt."
"Well, what, or rather, who did he discover, Mr. Percival?" Emily asked.
The Thin Controller cleared his throat and stood tall.
"Engines of the Steam Team. It was thought for the longest time in most recorded railway history that this engine class was completely extinct…but only yesterday, Sir Topham Hatt went exploring along the Wigtownshire Joint Railway goods yard, and there, tucked away in a shed for more than seventy years…he found…a real, genuine, one-of-a-kind…LNWR Bloomer Class Tender Engine!"
In that instant, Percy, then Emily, Rebecca and James, then Gordon and Nia, and Thomas all gave a sharp, utterly shocked gasp, all their hearts giving a sudden and most jolting jump in their boilers. They had all heard of this engine class before and knew the basic history of these engines, and this revelation couldn't be more shocking, surprising and truly exciting for them to hear.
"Ohh! BLOOMER?!" Gordon exclaimed with utter shock.
"The Bloomer Class Engine itself?!" Rebecca squawked. "But…I thought they were all gone!"
"A Bloomer Engine?! Here?!" Emily gasped. "Oh, WOW! But…how…?"
"Cinders and ASHES! Fire and SMOKE!" Thomas blurted out. "How could this be, Mr. Percival?"
The engines then heard everything the Hatts had heard about Bloomer and how he was hidden away, then he told them about Sandy the speeder and Sir Robert's agreement of joint ownership of Bloomer.
"So you could say now that Sodor has its very own Bloomer," said the Thin Controller. "Here and now, Sir Robert and Sir Topham Hatt have agreed to a joint ownership of Bloomer. As of this afternoon, Bloomer is now at the Steamworks to undergo a major restoration so he may return to service on the railway, and he shall be working on the Earl's Ulfstead Estate."
All the engines were truly surprised, amazed and delighted by all they had heard about Bloomer, and they were most excited.
"Therefore, with this newfound and most astounding discovery," the Thin Controller continued. "I thought perhaps you'd all like to meet him."
"Why not, sir? This is a rare discovery," James piped up. "Visit him tomorrow, you mean?"
"Yes, James. Just as most of you met Stephen the same way," said the Thin Controller. "You can all head to the Steamworks tomorrow to meet Bloomer, after which you can start work at a later schedule."
All the engines smiled and nodded in full agreement, to which the Thin Controller spoke again.
"And actually, this fits quite well into your situation…Thomas and Emily."
Both engines suddenly looked up and went still. They knew what he was referring to, although Thomas couldn't help but feel excited.
"What do you mean, Mr. Percival?" he asked.
"Well, Thomas. I see that by now, it's been four days since you ran that red signal…which is how long Sir Topham Hatt told you to stay in your shed. Do you remember what he told you to think about thus far?"
"He told me to think about being much less cheeky with red signals," said Thomas. "And over these four days, I have thought of little else besides just that."
The Thin Controller nodded, then turned to the No. 12 Safety Engine.
"And you, Emily. I see that you've kept on schedule each and every day, looking after Thomas' passengers as well as your own work after you hesitated to report his behaviour. Therefore, have you learned the lesson Sir Topham Hatt sought to teach from that incident?"
"Yes, sir," said Emily. "Just as Sir Topham Hatt doesn't play favourites as our controller, Safety Engines never play favourites in any matter of safety. It's always the same for whichever engine is involved."
"Very good," said the Thin Controller. "Therefore, with four days having gone by, I see you have both taken your lesson to heart and deserve a treat tomorrow…by visiting Bloomer first thing tomorrow, along with the others."
Thomas and Emily both gasped and smiled.
"Really? Ohh…thank you, Mr. Percival!" Thomas exclaimed. "I'd LOVE to meet him! We'd all love to!"
"Well, right now, all of you can do with a good sleep tonight," said the Thin Controller. "Bloomer will be most delighted to meet such useful engines as all of you."
With that, he drove Winston home for the night. As the stars shone overhead in the night sky, the engines talked of nothing but Sodor's very own Bloomer.
"Wow! It's unbelievable! A LNWR Bloomer here on Sodor!" Percy peeped.
"I'd never thought a day like this would come to be," said Emily. "I can only wonder what he'll be like!"
"It's truly amazing, Emily," said Thomas. "Actually, I'm curious…is this Bloomer class older than Stephen?"
"No, Thomas. Not that old," said Emily. "Stephen's class first came around in 1829. The Bloomers came about in 1851, whereas my class first came about in 1870."
"Hmm. So Bloomer is just about between you and Stephen, by engine class," said Thomas. "Well, I really look forward to seeing him myself."
"So do I," said Emily.
"We all do, Emily," said Gordon. "And just think how pleased he'll be to see so many engines he's never seen before."
"It's going to be a most engaging visit, that much I know," said Nia.
With that, the engines gradually backed into their berths and fell asleep with beaming smiles on their faces, all too eager for the day to come again and for them to meet this most marvelous wonder.
The next morning, all the engines woke up with a rush of excitement. The time had now come to meet Bloomer for themselves and see just what he was really like. As their drivers and firemen came to start them up for the day, they could barely hold it in. Thomas in particular was most anxious to get going after four days in the shed, and there couldn't be a better way to get back in business than a visit such as this.
"I…I'm…I'm almost feeling nervous, Emily," Thomas said a little shakily. "Are you?"
"I think we all are, Thomas," said Emily. "But we're all excited, and rightfully so."
"Ohh…I hope we look splendid enough for this Bloomer fellow," said James. "I'm too nervous to wait anymore!"
"Don't be nervous, James," said Rebecca. "Be excited! It's Sodor's very own Bloomer!"
At that moment, Thomas was ready to go, and after four long days of thinking about his red signal incident, his wheels turned and he settled on the turntable. He took a deep breath and sighed gratefully as he was turned to the right line, then looked back.
"Well, here we go. Ready to see Sodor's very own Bloomer?"
"Yes! Yes!" the engines answered.
One by one, the engines left their berths, then they all set off together across the Main Line for the Steamworks, all most eager to meet the one and only LNWR Bloomer engine left in the world, now underway to become Sodor's very own Bloomer. Thomas and Emily led the way side by side while all the other engines followed closely behind. They couldn't wait to meet this most rare and treasured gift who had found his way to Sodor, much like many other wonders Sodor had seen come along.
At the Steamworks, Bloomer was still being checked over by the workmen. Victor and Kevin stood nearby, keeping watch for any visiting engines. Then sure enough, Victor and Bloomer heard the distant sound of approaching engines. Then Thomas came inside, looking around with an eager smile. He winked to Victor and Kevin, then spoke.
"Hello? Anybody here?"
"Ahh! Hello there," came a new, manly voice Thomas had never heard before. "Say, old darling, I'm up here!"
Thomas looked up to the voice, and there he was. Bloomer himself hoisted in the air while the workmen were continuing to inspect him. Thomas' eyes fixed right on the LNWR Engine as he took note of his features and shape, from his large driving wheels, his smooth, rounded boiler, open-backed cab, right to his sharp, gentlemanly face and distinctive sideburns.
"Good morning and hello, Bloomer," said Thomas. "I…I can't tell you how pleased and amazed I am to finally meet you."
"Why thank you, my blue lad," said Bloomer. "And what might your name be?"
"I'm Thomas. The No. 1 Blue Tank Engine of Sodor. I run my own Branch Line on this railway with my two coaches, Annie and Clarabel. Mr. Percival told us all about you so far, and he said we could come and meet you ourselves."
"We, you say? Ahh, yes. He told me I'd be receiving a visit from a few of you," said Bloomer. "Well? Where are the others you speak of?"
Thomas whistled cheerfully, then the other six engines came inside, each of them gasping and marveling at the engine they saw up on the hoists. Bloomer's eyes darted every which way as he caught little glimpses of the three other gentlemen, Gordon, James and Percy, and the three ladies, Emily, Rebecca and Nia.
"Wow! Why, hello to all of you," Bloomer smiled. "These are all your friends, Thomas? You're all steam engines, I see. Most lovely indeed."
"Thank you, Bloomer," said Thomas. "These are just some of the very many engines of our railway. These six engines and myself are called the Steam Team."
"Are you, now?" said Bloomer. "Well, do please speak up and tell me your names!"
"A great pleasure to see you, Bloomer. I am Gordon, the No. 4 Express Engine. I pull the Express Train from one end of the island to the other."
"Do you, my fine gentleman?" said Bloomer. "Good strong engine, you seem to be. Uhh…you, the red one? Your name, if you please?"
"Hello, Bloomer. I'm James, the No. 5 Splendid Red Engine. I'm very proud of my smart, red paint. Driver says I brighten everyone's day."
"Does he? Well, you've a fine red shade indeed," said Bloomer. "Little green chap. You are?"
"Oh! Hi, Bloomer. My name is Percy, the No. 6 Saddle Tank Engine. I'm Thomas' best friend, and my favourite job is taking the mail train."
"The railway's post boy, are you? Lovely fit for a chipper chap like you," said Bloomer. "And…well, I say, who is this gorgeous, queenly yellow flower?"
Rebecca couldn't help but blush and titter.
"Ooh…ho-ho…H-hi, Bloomer. I'm Rebecca, Gordon's fellow express engine. I adore working with him, and even working with trucks."
"So you've got an express partner, do you, Gordon?" said Bloomer.
"My Golden Queen, actually," said Gordon. "And I'm…well…"
"He's my Big G. Hm-hm-hm!" Rebecca giggled.
"Yes…and this orange darling?" said Bloomer.
"Pleased to meet you, Bloomer. I'm Nia, all the way from Kenya in Africa. I adore animals of all kinds, and I am very happy to work here with all my friends."
"Well, a dear pleasure to meet you all," said Bloomer. "Thomas, Gordon, James, Percy, Rebecca, Nia, and…we-e-e-ell, what do we have here?"
Everyone noticed Bloomer pause and suddenly lock his eyes on the last engine, clearly absorbed. Emily looked up and suddenly saw Bloomer looking right at her. It was clear to her that her features were being noticed by this most rare engine.
"Well, my gracious," Bloomer said steadily. "You didn't tell me you have a Stirling Single on your railway. Who might you be, sweetheart?"
Emily took a deep breath and felt her wheels wobbling as she knew this engine class a little more closely than the others, given their history.
"Wow…hello, Bloomer. I'm Emily," she perked cheerfully. "I'm Sodor's No. 12 Safety Engine. I've been here for over twenty-five years now, and I'm always ready to help a friend in need. I'm Thomas' emerald angel and wife figure, you see. We just had our tenth anniversary of being fully in love just last summer. Ohh, Bloomer, there's so much for you to hear about Thomas and I once the time comes!"
To this, Bloomer eyes twinkled merrily and he bore a most beloved smile.
"You and Thomas? In love?" he beamed admirably. "Well, that is a most darling thing to hear from the likes of a lovely and sweet emerald lady like yourself."
"Oh, Bloomer, really," Emily chimed shyly. "And actually, I'm not the only Stirling around these rails. My navy blue brother Bernard still works at York Station on the Mainland…though I do wonder now and then if he could come and live here with us one day too."
"Is that so?" said Bloomer. "Well, m'darling, you look just as I remember all Stirlings to be, as your brother surely does too. Way back in my days, I'd seen a few of them in London after they were first built, eighteen years before the last of my class were withdrawn."
"Did you?" said Emily. "My goodness, you knew my class even back then?"
"Of course, Emily. I saw quite a few of them myself," said Bloomer. "And I can clearly see they are still as jaw-droppingly gorgeous and curvy as I remember them to be."
Emily had to admit she was charmed, as were Nia and Rebecca, by Bloomer's deep, manly voice and his use of the expressions he had said right now, especially given his compliment for the Stirling class.
"Ohh…why, thank you, Bloomer, sir," Emily chimed happily. "I was the last Stirling to be built just after Bernard, and I've never seen any Bloomer class with my own eyes. Although, my first driver Lawrence told me once how both my class and yours had very large driving wheels."
"Aye, that be true, m'darling," said Bloomer. "I will admit I was incredibly proud of my 7-foot driving wheels, but then came 1870 when the Stirling Singles were being built, and they eventually outclassed my 7-foot wheels with 8-foot wheels. 'Eight-footers' as the Stirling's were nicknamed. I'd say those are the perfect sized wheels for a gorgeous queen like you."
"Oh, stop it, Bloomer. You're making me blush," Emily giggled shyly as she indeed blushed lightly.
"My goodness, Bloomer," Rebecca tittered. "You're quite the charmer with ladies. I like that."
"Yes, Bloomer. You must have really caught ladies' eyes back in the day," Nia added.
"Well, I don't intend to brag, ladies," said Bloomer. "But many lasses, engines and people alike did take a considerable liking to my brothers and me, as did the endless crowds trying to cluster around me and get my photograph only yesterday and the day before."
"Oh, of course, Bloomer," Emily, Nia and Rebecca all smiled together.
Having heard everything so far, Thomas couldn't help but feel a little jealous of how his wife seemed to be reacting to Bloomer's suavity. While he understood the excitement and admiration for an engine such as Bloomer, he couldn't help but roll his eyes a little enviously.
"Oh, joy," he thought with a frown.
Even Gordon tightened his lip a little to how Rebecca swooned lightly over Bloomer.
"Of course," he thought with a frown himself.
Bloomer looked down, noticing Thomas' expression right away and spoke up.
"Now, Thomas. I'm sure I know just what you're thinking right now," he said. "But while I have been shut off from the world for a long time, I assure you that I can still clearly tell when someone is spoken for…and I can also tell how truly dedicated you and your lovely wife are to each other. She really is the perfect match for you, just as you are as her husband figure."
Thomas nodded and managed to smile, realizing and understanding Bloomer's point and genuine dignity.
"Thank you, Bloomer," he said. "In fact, the more I look at you…I wonder if I should start growing a beard or sideburns. Emily?"
Emily suddenly gave Thomas a playfully dumbfounded look and stifled a chortling laugh.
"Pffft! Oh-ho-ho-ho, Thomas! You really have peculiar thoughts now and then," she giggled. "But in answer to your question, I'm perfectly happy with a clean-shaven husband, Tommy."
"Indeed, indeed," said Bloomer. "You are perfect for each other, just the way you are. But then again, I must say, my sideburns could probably do with a little trim after all these years. I do have to look presentable after all."
The engines nodded in agreement, and in the next moment, James suddenly gave a suggestive smile to the special engine.
"Hmm. Bloomer. Bloomer," he said aloud. "Good gracious, I must ask, Bloomer. Just how could an engine class be named after the term for women's undergarments?"
Emily, Rebecca and Nia all turned to James with a most dumbfounded expression, while Thomas, Percy and Gordon looked quite astounded too. Then the engines all looked up to see what Bloomer would say to this, but surprisingly, he wasn't fazed at all. He just smiled thinly and cleverly.
"Old as the hills, those remarks are," he said. "I've heard them all many a time."
"Uhh…Bloomers…? But…how…?" Thomas puzzled.
Bloomer knew it all and so he spoke again.
"Well, to those of you who may not know this, when I and the rest of my class were first built in 1851, the idea of women wearing trousers had only recently been introduced with the invention of bloomers. That nickname became official and people would joke about how my class was awarded this name because they showed so much of their wheels, even though most earlier engines on the line had what they used to call 'naked' wheels."
"Excuse me, Bloomer. Naked?" Rebecca asked.
"Indeed, Rebecca. It's true," said Bloomer. "The word 'Bloomer,' really originates from the look of their splashers appearing like a flower that is blooming."
"Well, I reckon that makes fair enough sense, Bloomer," Thomas said with a smile. "My lovely Emily absolutely loves blooming flowers. Especially red roses."
"Oh, Thomas. Yes. They're my favourite flower of all," Emily smiled and blew Thomas a kiss.
All the engines then smiled right at Bloomer, and he smiled at all of them in turn. This had turned out to be a most fulfilling visit indeed. Then Thomas' driver suddenly spoke.
"Well now, Thomas. We've all met and visited with Bloomer. Perhaps we'd best get on with our day. There will be plenty of time to visit Bloomer once he's fully restored."
"Oh, I agree, Bob," said Thomas. "Well, very good meeting you, Bloomer. I'm sure you'll be very happy working with all of us in a new age of railways for you."
"Thank you, dear chap," said Bloomer. "It is a great and most giving pleasure to have met you all today. And thank you, Thomas, for bringing such fine company here to see me. Every one of them."
"You're welcome, Bloomer," said Thomas. "Good luck on your restoration."
With that, the engines whistled goodbye and left the Steamworks to start their work for the day. Thomas and Emily huffed back along the line side by side, now feeling very fulfilled by such an unexpected visit with a most unexpected new member of the railway.
"Well…that is a most amazing discovery the Fat Controller has made, Emily," said Thomas. "And on the first day of his holiday!"
"I know, Thomas. I just wonder what Bernard would think!" Emily chimed. "If he really could come live with us one day…oh, he would be so amazed to see Bloomer, as we all are!"
"Yes, I'm sure he would be, Emily," said Thomas.
Emily then leaned a little closer to Thomas as they huffed along together.
"You know, Thomas," she said with a smile. "In that little moment, you didn't need to feel jealous."
Thomas looked up and sighed.
"I know, Emily. And Bloomer instinctively knows how you and I are together. It's just…that moment made me think a little when Stanley talked with you years ago, and…"
"Thomas. As I had told you in regard to Stanley, I just felt thankful and flattered by Bloomer's statements. He wasn't hitting on me, and even if he tried, it would never work."
"I know, Emily," said Thomas. "It's just instinctual for me, and any husband to feel such in situations like that. Even Gordon felt it with Rebecca. I really am happy you got to meet him, Emily. We all are."
Emily smiled and blew him a kiss again.
"Yes, Thomas. And I think he'll make a most divine addition to Sir Robert's estate. Stephen, Millie, Glynn and now Bloomer. I'd say that's quite a good team Sir Robert has now."
"Indeed it is, Emily," said Thomas. "I just wonder what the Fat Controller will think once he sees Bloomer fully restored."
"Well, when he returns in two weeks, I'm sure Bloomer will have made good progress. He might even be on the rails by then."
"Being really useful again, as are we all," Thomas smiled and winked.
Thomas and Emily continued on their way along the line until they returned to Knapford to start their work. Annie and Clarabel were most pleased to see Thomas again, as he was to see them again. Before long, he was on his Branch Line again while Emily set off with her own load, as did all the other engines as they continually beamed with pride and gratitude to have seen Bloomer with their own eyes.
The next day, Bloomer's restoration progress was still going smoothly at the Steamworks, while all the engines were still abuzz with talks and thoughts about him as they worked throughout the day. Bloomer was still beaming happily to have met the Steam Team just the other day, and there was still so much more for him to see and learn about Sodor, and this was only his second full day so far. Slowly but surely, his thoughts began to overwhelm him as he could only think more and more about what there could be for him to discover here.
"No need to overthink, my friend," said Victor. "Just take it one step at a time however you see fit."
"I know, Victor…it's…it's just so very much," said Bloomer. "It's literally a whole new age I've been introduced to…"
Just then, Bloomer heard a whistle from outside, and a familiar figure came huffing inside on the narrow gauge track of the Steamworks. It was none other than Duke, who Bloomer had seen just two days earlier when was first brought here. Duke came alongside Bloomer and looked up.
"Hello again, Bloomer. All going well, I presume?"
"Hello there again, Duke," said Bloomer. "Yes, progress is still in session. What brings you back here?"
"Sir Robert thought you'd like a more casual visit from me, Bloomer," said Duke. "An informal chat would be a lovely thing indeed with an engine such as you."
"Is that right? Why, of course, Duke," said Bloomer. "Most glad to have company still coming along when it can."
So Duke settled in with Bloomer and the two of them started talking as if they'd known each other like clockwork. For a while, they spoke a little about how their lives first started and how it all seemed to go nicely in the beginning for engines like them. Then the two old and experienced engines got to the main source of their visit. Bloomer told Duke everything he had told the Fat Controller on how his engine class was gradually withdrawn and scrapped until he was the last one, to which his crew sheltered him away in the shed, and there he stayed for all those decades. Duke listened to everything and felt his heart stir considerably. To hear it for himself, Bloomer's experience was eerily familiar to that of his own.
"So you were hidden and cloaked away from the rest of the world, were you?" said Duke. "Well…I'd say you and I go buffer to buffer in experiences such as that."
"Really, Duke? You were hidden away for decades too?" asked Bloomer.
Duke nodded solidly, then proceeded to tell Bloomer all about how he used to work with Peter Sam and Sir Handel, formerly named Stuart and Falcon way back when, and how they had worked happily together for many, many years until hard times came and the mines and railway closed, to which men came to buy Stuart and Falcon, but no one wanted Duke. Bloomer felt his heart stir considerably when he heard that Duke was kept away in a shed for decades himself.
"Well, by my ages…" Bloomer said steadily. "Most miraculous, I'd say."
"It's almost a direct parallel between us," said Duke. "Peter Sam and Sir Handel were lucky enough to find work elsewhere, but there in my shed I stayed for years and years, while rains washed the soil away, and grew more bushes and trees all around my shed…and so it was until the search to find me ended, quite by accident when they fell in through my roof."
"Whereas Sir Topham Hatt just opened my doors, and there he found me after I'd sat completely silent and still for over seventy years…"
"And just as I returned to work shortly after being found again, so too shall you, working on the Earl's estate," said Duke.
Bloomer smiled, then he recalled something about Sir Robert as he looked curiously at Duke.
"You know, I must admit, Duke," said Bloomer. "Sir Robert is most energetic for his age. Almost like an exuberant boy, sometimes."
Duke looked up and nodded.
"Well, Bloomer, Sir Robert's father, Richard Norramby was my previous Grace, and so of course is Robert now, and I can tell you, Robert is far more eccentric that his father ever was. But with that in mind, I soon grew accustomed to his new Grace's antics, and I quite enjoy working along the estate, and I suspect you will enjoy it just the same."
"Well, for that to come from an engine with the experience that you have, I know I can trust it," said Bloomer.
"Of course, my most honourable friend," said Duke.
In the next moment, Bloomer thought a little about Sandy and how she was at the Dieselworks to be touched up again for service.
"Bloomer? What is it?" Duke asked.
"I…I'm just thinking about Sandy…and how she's at the Dieselworks," said Bloomer.
"What do you mean?" asked Duke.
Bloomer took a deep breath and looked to his fellow engine.
"I must ask, Duke…over your years of experience, did you ever struggle to grow accustomed to diesels after you were discovered?"
Duke thought back to his experience, then looked to Bloomer again.
"Well, I didn't think highly of them initially. But in time, just as I eventually got used to Sir Robert, so too I managed to accept diesels when I saw how kind and hardworking Rusty was. He's a most helpful lad, and a very dear friend."
"I see. Well, that's all very well," said Bloomer. "It's just given my experience, it turned out quite differently, and it was not all good. While I have grown fond of 7101, or Bear, for saving me, he also seems to be an outlier amongst diesels. All the others I've seen on the Mainland so far have shown blatant disrespect and abandon for the lives of steam engines."
Duke knew this all too well and nodded.
"I can see why your outlook is somewhat bleak in that regard, Bloomer," he said. "But I assure you, while your first impression may have been rather shaky, there are many friendly diesels here on Sodor, who would never dream of replacing steam engines."
"Ohh…and even beyond just that, Duke," said Bloomer. "Being brought literally into a new age of railroading after the one I lived through previously…it's like being reborn. Everything is firsthand brand-new to me. The engines, the rolling stock, even the functionality of the rails is surely somehow different from my class's time. All of it…and just waiting to see it all…it just exhausts me and almost overwhelms me to what could be ahead of me here on Sodor."
Duke came closer and looked right into Bloomer's eyes with a smile.
"Bloomer. Talking and taking your time does help. I fully understand that adjusting to today's world of railways will take time for you, but there's no shame at all in feeling overwhelmed by so much change in the world. It all seems alien and vague for the first day or two, but then gradually over a matter of weeks, it should seem perfectly normal. You have a whole island of new friends to make, who care about you, will help you and interact with you. Just give it time, and as Sir Topham Hatt told you, you will be very happy with life on Sodor."
Bloomer looked at Duke and smiled surely. "Thank you, Duke. All in good time, it is."
Duke just smiled and nodded in turn as he and Bloomer continued to visit for a fair while longer. And so Bloomer's restoration would continue day by day, for as long as it would take until he would be ready to set wheel on the rails again and start his new and permanent life on Sodor. This had been a most remarkable wonder for Sodor to be given, and the surprises were not quite over yet. With Daisy still at the Dieselworks having her engine checked over, Diesel was filling in for her work, which had brought him much closer to Duck, hence putting the Great Western Engine in considerable doubt yet again. But as it would turn out soon enough, there was a fair amount of words that would soon be exchanged between Diesel and Beatrice on account of her counselling experience. But that's another story.
And so we've come to the end of Bloomer's introduction, and his restoration won't be completed for several stories. Still, we now know what Sir Robert and the Fat Controller have planned for him; Bloomer will work on the Earl's estate, and sometimes he will give special enthusiast trains on the various branch lines. But that's still as a long way from now, and this was chapter was mainly aquainting Bloomer with some of the other engines, especially Duke because of how they share pretty much the same backstory, and Emily because of the comparisons between Stirling Singles and Bloomers, and so that Bloomer can woo the ladies with his Hercules mannerisms. As for Sandy, the rest of her beginning on Sodor will be focused on in the next story since it takes place at the same time as this story, but the main focus of next story is, of course, Diesel's long-anticipated redemption and conclusion of his rivalry with Duck. Until then, tell us what you thought of this final chapter, and as always, stay safe.