The steam team found themselves in overgrowth, an abandoned track in front of them. Though, they weren't connected. Thomas realized this as they all came through the portal. He glanced at himself.

"Huh?"

Still a pony.

The mane six came from behind, slightly surprised at the stallions' confusion, and were even a little puzzled themselves. The steam team were all still ponies.

"What?" Percy was puzzled.

"Hey, what gives? Why are we still horses?" James seemed to pout a little, as the portal behind the mane 6 closed, Starlight now awaiting for the signal on the other side.

The group of friends took a moment to ponder their predicament. "Perhaps the magic that enveloped you and took you all to Equestria now resides in you?" Twilight gave an educated guess, rubbing her chin in thought.

Edward was beginning to ponder something else. "Maybe, but then, how..?"

"How what?" Fluttershy asked.

"We said that these spheres of colored light transported us to Equestria right?" Edward asked.

Gordon answered. "Yes, and?"

Edward looked to his friends. "Well, all of you had a corresponding color, I didn't have one corresponding."

This once again stumped the steam team.

"hmm.."

Twilight spoke again. "Maybe you were infused with bits and pieces of each? If my dormant magic theory is correct."

"Or their could be another element in play here.." James added a thought onto the pile. As they were thinking, Thomas started to notice their surroundings. He felt like he'd been here before. Then he realized.

"Hey, wait a minute, I know where we are." He walked along the track a little before coming to a small clearing. Everypony followed. Thomas began to smile. "We're at the overgrown siding I first met Hiro at."

"Who?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Different story for another time." Toby responded first.

Thomas began to follow the other set of tracks. "If we follow the tracks beside.."

He trailed off as they followed, the mane 6 curious as to where they were going. As they followed the tracks, they soon came to the mainline tracks. The engines were pleased, and Percy started trotting out of the trees. "Great, now he can just follow the tracks to-"

Gordon pulled Percy back into the trees. "Percy, are you crazy? We can't let other engines see us like this!"

"Not until at least Sir Topham Hatt knows." Edward rationalized.

"He still thinks we're missing." Henry agreed.

Thomas took the lead, waving to his friends. "Well? Come on, we should know the way to Naphard station!"

Twilight nodded, giving a smile. "We're right behind you Thomas. We'll make sure to stay hidden."

..

As they traveled, Twilight began taking notes.

"What are you writing about?" Edward asked, noticing her scribbling.

"Taking notes about your world. I was thinking, perhaps I can create a spell to change you back, but first I'd need to research your world for a little bit."

"Do you think I could help?" Edward offered, still presently thinking about the circumstances that dragged him along this adventure. Twilight was tossing thoughts around in her head.

"Hm, maybe. Hey, Thomas?"

Thomas briefly glanced back at her. "Yeah?"

"Is there anything special about your coal and water?" Twilight paused her scribbling. Thomas was unsure about her question.

"Uh, not that I know of." He was uncertain in his answer.

"Hmm..." Twilight began scribbling again as Rainbow silently groaned at her current hovering.

"Ugh, why can't I fly higher? Nopony's going to see me." She lifted a tad higher to peek through the branches of the trees.

"Nobody you mean." Henry corrected.

"Yeah, besides the point, no creature would see me above the clouds." Rainbow rationalized.

"You might run into Harold." Gordon mused.

"But you'd really wouldn't want to." Percy added, feeling the need to say so.

After a while of hiking, RD sighed again. "Are we there yet?"

Edward held his hoof out, hearing wheels wheesh and whistles sound. "Hold that thought.."

Both he and Thomas looked out of the bushes in front of them. "Yes, We are."

It was evening now, and the station was slowly draining of engines and people. Lights were beginning to come on, and nighttime deliveries were being scheduled. The group was hiding in some bushes, watching the evening bustle.

"So, do you have a plan?" Fluttershy asked.

Thomas smiled nervously to his friends. "We're just going to walk up there and say hey?"

"That's a stupid plan." Gordon stated flat out.

Toby replied to Gordon's remark. "But it's the only one we have."

"I think we should wait till' everyone's out of here." Henry suggested, peeking through the bushes again.

James agreed. "Yeah, we should."

Percy glanced around, and started walking out of the bush when Henry called after him harshly. "Percy-!"

Percy huffed impatiently, turning his head to the equines. "I'm tried of waiting, this is boring and I'd rather have him find out sooner rather than later."

Pinkie bounced out of the bush. "Yeah," She stood next to Percy, waving a hoof to the air slightly, "What's the worst that could happen? Your boss and a few other people get a little freaked out, that's pretty much it right?"

"I guess.." Toby wasn't too sure.

Pinkie laughed, reassuring them. "This isn't our first rodeo guys. Well, at least not for me."

The group all glanced at each other. Gordon then sighed, walking over to Percy. "Fine. Let's get this over with..."

"If he'll talk to magical ponies smaller than him." Henry said.

Twilight took initiative and teleported the group to the station's #1 platform, which was now fairly deserted. There was one engine at the platform, who's coaches were now empty and was waiting to leave.

This engine was silver, and was long, from their new perspective at least. Percy and Toby looked up to the engine as they walked past, the big, tall tender streamline engine steaming awaitingly, the white puffs of cloud rising and dissipating at his wheels. The steam team's ears folded down, at the sheer presence the engine had, even if he wasn't the biggest engine they've known and worked with.

The engine didn't notice whom was on the platform, rather he was looking a little smug, hearing the couches be uncoupled from him and the conductor's whistle blow. He blew his long, loud and important whistle back, slowly steaming out of the station, fulfilled.

Thomas and Percy looked to each other, then to the office at the end of the platform. The conductor finally noticed the strange creatures on the platform, and was bewildered. The steam team ignored the gaze, and walked over to the office window.

Pinkie Pie instead beamed at the man, and waved at him. "Hi!"

This made the conductor promptly faint in shock, and both Rainbow Dash and Twilight glanced at Pinkie.

"What? What did I say?"

Thomas took a breath, and stood out of sight of the window, speaking up loudly. "Uh, Sir? Sir Topham Hat?"

Topham heard this, from his work inside the office. He looked up, and out the window. "Thomas? Is that you?"

Thomas glanced at all his friends. "Yes sir, I-er- we all are out here. But, um-"

A stout man ran out of the office, looking towards the tacks with worry, speaking. "You'll all been missing for three days! What in the world happened?" He abruptly realized that the tracks were empty, and was highly confused. "Thomas?"

Thomas hesitated his words. "We're um, not our usual selves, sir. Next to you."

The Fat Controller turned, seeing the candy colored equines standing on the platform. He yelped with surprise, and stepped back a few. "Ah!-"

"It's us sir." Thomas reiterated, watching the disbelief and shock flood the controller's face. He put a hand on his forehead.

"Wha- no, that can't be.. I must be hallucinating.."

Edward took a step forward, a hoof to his chest. "But it really is us sir. Don't you recognize our voices?"

Sir Topham shook his head, still not comprehending the situation. his hand fell to his side, as he spoke with the upmost confusion. "H-how? What happened to you all?"

Twilight stepped forward, looking to the human. "I believe I can explain for them."

And so, she explained it all, as clearly and concisely as she could.

..

"...They most likely absorbed equestrian magic, and that turned them into ponies. Which is why I must be working on a transformation spell specifically for their predicament."

The Fat Controller was still a little shook. "Well," he coughed, "I'm just glad you've all have been in good hands."

"The railway on the other hoof?.." Toby asked, preparing for a bad answer.

Sir Topham composed himself, and relayed what's been happening. "Losing 7 engines unexpectedly all at once did heavily impact the workload somewhat. The mail's backed up, the goods yards are more disorganized than ever, Thomas and Edward's branchlines are behind, and the express has been getting delayed, what with it being hard for Emily to keep on time."

Henry spoke up. "We can still help sir. We might not be engines right now,"

"But we can lift our fair share of hard work as equines." Gordon finished glancing at the group, James glowing his horn and the blue Pegasus opening his wings.

"And while they're doing that I can get the research I'll need for making a spell to turn them back." Twilight concluded, getting a little excited now at the prospect.

Sir Topham pondered for a moment. "Well, if you're all committed to working even under these.. circumstances, then I will approve."

"And what better way to work together than with friends?" Twilight smiled, looking to the steam team, then her friends.

"Wait, what?" Thomas was a little confused at first.

"Well, We're not just going to be standing on the sidelines aren't we?" Rarity looked to Applejack, who nodded.

Rainbow Dash flew over to Thomas and Gordon. "We're with you every step of the way."

Edward looked to the Fat Controller. Sir Topham Hat thought this was a splendid idea. "Their help would be much appreciated."

"Yay! railroad work!" Pinkie said excitedly.

"Well girls-?" Fluttershy looked around at her friends.

All the mares, one after another, stacked their hooves together. Rainbow looked to the stallions. "Are you in?"

For a second the steam team was silent, until Edward placed a hoof on the others. "Without a doubt."

Percy beamed, joining in. "The more help the better!"

Then Gordon next. "We're all in this together."

Then James, and Toby. Finally Twilight looked to Thomas. He simply smiled, and joined the hooves stacking. "This time it's our turn to show you mares how us engines do it."

They each got their assignments from Sir Topham Hat, and business began early next morning.

..

James was looking disgusted at the state of Naphard's yard.

He, Rarity, and Edward were sent to get the yard in order and deliveries being run on time. They were standing on one of the rails. Edward was holding a list of deliveries needed to be picked up and/or shunted away,

"Look at this mess. What engine can even navigate through this?"

Edward rolled his eyes. "James, we're here to organize that's all."

Rarity levitated a list in front of her. "And by the train schedule the yard manager gave us, there's supposed to be one temporary pilot, and one permanent pilot here?"

Edward nodded. "Yes. Stanley, who's here temporarily on account of the workload, and-"

There was a sudden gasp heard by the group. James suddenly sighed, knowing the voice of the boxcab diesel well. "Philip."

Said little diesel came up the track next to them, and stopped next to the three, grinning excitedly. He first looked to Edward and James. "Oh wow! James, Edward, is that really you?"

Edward nodded. "How could you tell?"

"Sir Topham Hat told us all about it!" Then Philip looked to Rarity, still with the same chipper excitement. "And you must be the nice pony friend helping you out."

Rarity cordially introduced herself, taking a step or two to the boxcab engine. "Yes, my name's Rarity. James said your name was Philip?"

Philip was very cheerful and pleasant. "Yes ma'am, that's me, number 68! If you ever need anything, just call me over Ms. Rarity. Now I have to get back to shunting cars!" He abruptly scuttered off, tooting his horn shortly.

"What a charming little engine." Rarity remarked.

James scoffed, rolling his eyes. "More like annoying."

Edward glanced at the boxcab diesel. "Come now James, sure he's a bit.. overbearing, but he's still learning. He still is rather new to the railway after all."

Rarity looked at the list now being levitated by Edward. "Hm, what's the most urgent matter on this list right now?"

Edward almost seemed surprised, as it was the first one on the list. "A goods train to Tidmouth. Huh, that's a very simple one, why hasn't it been delivered?"

Philip heard this as he passed them again, slowing down to look over to the yard. "Oh, the cars for that train are right over there." three trucks were tucked in between sheeted ones. "And there. and there."

The pieces of the train were scattered everywhere, some tucked away in corners, some between flatbeds, most just randomly placed everywhere.

James was even more disgusted, and a little frustrated now, pointing to some cars assigned to the train. "And they haven't even been put together yet?"

This time a silver tank engine passed by, carrying a load of flatbeds behind him. He seemed exasperated at James' compliant. "We've been swamped with work James! Not to mention that absolutely nothing has been moved out of this yard yet."

Rarity glanced at the tired engines, then the work in front of them. She grew determined, though a little worried about how dirty this would be. She took a step forward, glowing her horn and deciding on which thing to move first. "Let's dig out that train then."

Stanely stopped in surprise, looking back to the white unicorn. "You think you can do it?"

The covered truck she was trying to move was heavier than expected as she strained to move it. Abruptly, someone started pushing it forward. James had come up beside her, and was using his magic to move the truck out of the way. It seemed it was easier for him to move it than it was for Rarity.

"I don't know, but she'll need help." Rarity turned her head to James, who also wore determination on his muzzle. "It's what we're here for."

Rarity smiled back, and Edward walked to the right of them, also begining to use his magic. "I'll start making room to put that goods train together then."

And so the unicorns started setting things straight.

...

"This train's been sitting here for 3 days. It needs to be moved now."

Applejack and Toby were talking to a workman at Tidmouth goods yard. In front of them was a regular load of parishable goods that had to be moved. If it didn't get to the stations they needed to be, it would all go bad.

After taking a good look at the train, Applejack concluded that it seemed like a doable feat. She spoke to the foreman while looking to Toby. "We can take it. We're workhorses after all."

The workman seemed to agree, focusing his sight on Toby and the equine's stature. "Well I guess a stallion would be able to carry a goods train like this."

Applejack seemed a little miffed that he chose to leave her out the conversation entirely, glancing to the man on the platform. "Listen here, I grew up on Sweet Apple Acres. I reckon I can haul a load of goods."

The foreman just shrugged at that, and went to go find something to help the little ponies out. Toby was a bit more realistic, unsure in their current abilities. "Are you sure we're up for this Applejack? I mean, were just ponies."

"Ponies with strength and skill." Applejack informed him as Twilight came teleporting into the picture, with some news. Twilight had heard his doubts, and was now putting them to rest. She strolled over to them, levitating an open scroll she was making notes in.

"Besides, I just did a little investigation with Thomas and Percy, apparently you and your friends seem to be able to pull half as much weight as you could as engines here."

Toby seemed slightly puzzled at this discovery. "But in Equestria it didn't feel that way."

Twilight nodded, purposely pondering out loud. "I'm guessing that's because in Equestria, the magic that transformed you was in the air, or around you at all times, on top of it inhabiting inside you. Here, you're back in your natural element. So what you could handle before as an engine is halfed, adding to the inherit strength you have as ponies."

Applejack turned to Toby with a smile on her face. "Well partner? Ready to work?"

Toby shared her determination. "Always. And always willing." However, he pointed out something while pointing his hoof to the line of cars. "Just one problem: how are we going to carry these trucks without harnesses for ourselves?"

The foreman reappeared with two rusty harnesses in each hand. "I think I might have a solution for that."

Toby tilted his head. "Are those.. vintage horse harnesses?"

The man nodded, stepping off the small platform to give them to the duo. "They were used on his railway long ago. Don't know if they'll help, but it's what we have."

Applejack and Toby examined the harnesses, finding them to be a bit big. Twilight assessed the equipment and got an idea.

"Hmm.." she levitated the the harnesses to herself and pondered. "Maybe if I shrink them a little.."

She cast a spell and the harnesses shrank to the right size for the two.

She gave them back to Applejack and Toby while in the background the foreman was in awe of what she just did. "There. They should fit you now. Don't know what I could do for the rust. Maybe you should ask Rarity about that."

That suddenly reminded her of a later task. "Oh, that reminds me, Percy and Thomas are carrying the mail train later, maybe I should go ask some workmen for more of these harnesses."

A random workman came by to attach them to the cars before the ponies would put them on. When they did, Toby showed some discomfort. "A little uncomfortable. But it works."

Applejack just took it in stride. "That's just how I like it." They both gave a smile and nodded to each other.

Twilight waved them off, rolling up the open scroll. "I'll see you two in a little bit, I have to check up on how Rarity, Edward, and James are doing."

"See ya Twi." Applejack said goodbye, and Twilight teleported away.

"You two are good to go." The foreman said, walking away to let them to it.

"Ready?" Toby asked her, Applejack tilting her hat.

"Always up for a challenge."

They started forward, finding it a little hard to start moving. But finally, the trucks started to inch forward and slowly they were beginning to pick up speed. Once they were out on the mainline, their steady trot had turned into a consistent and fast galloping.

"This was harder to move than I thought." Applejack relented, as she had finally found her footing.

"But look at us now!" Toby glanced around there surroundings as an engine passed them, memories returning from the old days.

As they were, the duo was about to pass under a bridge, on which was some children watching the trains pass by. The scene of two ponies hauling a goods train certainly was a interesting sight to see, but they waved anyhow.

Toby took a big inhale before realizing. "Oh. Right, no bell."

Applejack noticed his disappointment, and quickly thought of something to greet the kids. She glanced up to the children, loudly proclaiming, "Yee haw!" as they passed under. The children cheered and turned to wave them goodbye.

Toby glanced at her with a pleasantly surprised smile. "Hey, that idea isn't too bad."

Applejack smiled back eyes focused on the tracks ahead of them. "We have a load of stops to make, so let's get haulin'!"

It's alive!? Yeah, this story was kinda put on the back burner, terribly sorry. I'm not abandoning this story by any means, was just busy with some other fics for Wattpad and such. The next two chapters are in the works, I'll get them out when they're written and ready.

Write you later!