Chapter 194: Thomas and the Magic Railroad Part 2

Little did anyone know, Diesel 10 meant trouble. But help was on its way from a far-off land. All the way on the other side of the ocean…

(Insert Song: Shining Time)

Shining Time Station, a small but well-known stop on the Indian Valley Railroad. To an outsider, it may appear to be an ordinary small-town station of little importance. But to the visitors who came there every day, they swore there was something special about, something unusual. Often, they felt like there was an unseen presence, watching over the station. Only a few people knew this to be the case.

The calmness and serenity of the station was cut short by the blast of an approaching steam engine.

"Hey look, everybody! Billy's back!"

Sure enough, a familiar train pulled into the platform, everyone gathering around to greet the engineer. Billy Twofeathers climbed down from The Rainbow Sun's footplate, waving to the gathered crowd as he entered the station.

The interior was busy as well. Passengers coming and going, Schemer trying to sell his scheme of the day, and the Stationmaster Stacey Jones hunched over her desk looking over something.

"More paperwork, Mrs. Jones?"

Stacey looked up, smiling at her old friend.

"No, I was going through the old lost and found and found this lovely drawing. Look!"

Billy glanced down. The drawing was of a boy playing near a railway line. In the background was a pair of buffers.

"Say, this isn't half bad. Who drew it?"

"Well, I don't know for sure. It's pretty old, probably been here longer than-"

A loud noise commotion from outside drew their attention, and they ran out to see what was going on. A large, burly man was ruffling through the mail bags, scanning for something.

"Come on, I know he's got to be in here somewhere."

"PT Boomer, long time no see."

Boomer looked up, scowling when he saw the two walking towards him.

"Two shoes, Jones."

"Its Two feathers, Boomer."

"Whatever. What do you want?"

"You know, its illegal to tamper with the mail."

"Who's tampering? I was just looking for something."

"For what?"

"None of ya darn business, that's what! Now unless you can tell me where to find Burnett Stone, I suggest you buzz off."

"Burnet Stone doesn't live around here anymore, and even if I did know where he was you would be the last person I would tell."

PT Boomer stood up to Billy, standing so close their faces were almost touching.

"Well, that's too bad, guess I'll have to take my search elsewhere. But know this: if I find out you're lying to me, your in for a world of pain."

With that, Boomer skulked away, driving off in his motorcycle. Billy and Stacy shook their heads.

"He never learns, does he?"

"No, he doesn't."

"Hi Billy, hi Stacy!"

The two of them turned to see a young boy walking up the platform.

"Morning, Patch. How are you today?"

"Pretty good. Hey Billy, could I borrow a hammer? I'm going to help Mr. Stone put up a fence today, and I figure it'd be a good idea to bring a spare."

"Sure, Patch, just give me a minute."

While Billy went to get a hammer from his workshop, Stacy noticed something in Patch's hands.

"What's that you've got there, Patch?"

"Huh? Oh, this? Its an old map I found, but there's something I don't understand. See these lines here? Those are supposed to be railroad tracks, and it shows them around Muffle Mountain, but I've been there several times and I've never seen any train tracks."

Stacy smiled.

"Maybe their hidden by magic!"

"Magic? Come on, Stacy, you're being silly."

"Oh, I don't know Patch. There's just something about this valley."

A minute later, Billy walked back.

"Here you go, Patch. Say hi to Burnett for us."

"Will do, thanks."

After that, Patch went back the way he came, Billy and Stacy waving before going back inside.

A while later, Billy was dusting near the mural when a shimmer of gold caught his eye. When he turned, he was met by a rather unusual sight: a very small man, no taller than 18 inches tall, in a conductor's uniform stood there. Any other person would've done a double take, but Billy was well aware of the Railroad's guardian.

"Got a busy day today, Mr. C?"

"I'm afraid so. Sir Topham Hatt has asked me to watch the railway while he is gone, and already a new visitor is stirring trouble. I need to leave right away."

"Well, I'm sure you'll sort it out. Good luck."

"Thank you, and I will. As long as I remember the three R's."

"Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic?"

"No! Responsible, Reliable, and…. Um…"

"Really useful?"

Mr. Conductor winced, annoyed that the last one had escaped him.

"Really useful! Should've known."