Chapter 194: Thomas and the Railtour

Things quieted down, and The Sodor residents' trip was drawing to a close. Word had began spreading around the Museum about special rail tours to the seaside. Everyone was excited, and they all wanted a chance to take the train.

"Mallard should do it," scoffed Matthew. "After all, that seaside place helped pay for its repairs. And of course, I should be the one in charge."

"Nonsense," scoffed Darla. "Duchess of Hamilton should be the one to pull the train. She hasn't gotten a chance to pull one in a long time."

"Who would want to ride in a train pulled by that ugly thing?" Matthew snorted. "Red is no color for an engine."

"Why I oughtta-"

"Don't mind them," whispered Arnold to Thomas and Emily. "Its always like this with them. Any time there's a special train, they get into a screaming match."

Thomas just nodded his head. They reminded him all too much of Gordon and James, and not in a good way.

"Even though I know we won't be chosen," Emily piped in, "I'll still be happy for whoever is."

After some debate, it was decided that Green Arrow would be put in charge of the trains, much to the indignation of Matthew and Darla. Arnold was chosen to drive the engine, much to his pleasure. One day, he met with Thomas after one such railtour.

"Good lord, I've never seen so many people at the Museum before!" He muttered. "Manager says we'll need to schedule even more."

"But he can't!" Emily gasped. "We don't have the staff for them."

"Well, tell him that. If you ask me, he's let the excitement go to his head."

Of course, Thomas was right, much to the manager's dismay.

"The only thing for it is to add more coaches," he said at last, "But the engine can't handle that much weight."

"Are you kidding me?" Arnold replied. "This is Green Arrow we're talking about. She's could pull a train of 20 coaches on one cylinder."

But the manager was not convinced. Then, Thomas had an idea.

"Our engine should be enough, if they both pull it together."

The manager thought long and hard, but eventually agreed.

The next morning, Thomas and Emily arrived early to find workmen fussing about their engine. They had lit its fire, and going over every moving joint and axel oiling them so they'd be ready for the day. Arnold walked over, his engine being readied just behind theirs.

"You two ready?"

"You bet! We've never been part of a railtour before."

"Well, don't worry. I've got your back."

Once their engines were ready, they went to collect their coaches. The trip to the seaside was lovely, and all of the tourists thanked everyone for the lovely ride. But trouble lay ahead on the way back. As they traveled down the line, people waved and cheered for them. Thomas and Emily waved back, but had to keep their eyes on the line, as they were in front. Suddenly, Thomas spotted something on the track ahead. He couldn't make it out, but it didn't look good.

"Emily, do you see that?"

"Good lord, we need to stop!"

Thinking quickly, they slammed on the brakes. Arnold got the message and applied the brakes as well, as did the guard in the brake coach. Working together, they managed to stop the train just in time. Once the train was secure, they got out to survey the damage. Water from a flooded river had seeped into the trackbed, causing it to sink. If they had traveled any farther, it wouldn't have been pretty.

"Good thinking, you two."

Thomas and Emily just let out a sight of relief. They didn't want to think about what would've happened if they had seen it a second later.

Workmen soon came to get to work, and buses came to take the tourists home. But it was late evening by the time they got the clear to take the empty train home on the other track. Thomas and Emily anxiously drove over the "safe" track, feeling it sink slightly. But at last, they made it over safe and sound, as did Arnold and the coaches.

The last week of their stay, a group of very special visitors came to see them. Leading the group, to their surprise, was Sir Topham Hatt himself!

"Oh dear," They thought dreadfully, "Whatever will he say?"

But to their relief, Sir Topham Hatt was smiling. The Museum manager was there as well, and holding a plaque in his hands.

"I've heard all about your quick thinking, and I am very proud of you. You are a credit not only to the railway, but all of Sodor. But I didn't come all this way just to say that. I think my friend here has something he wants to give you."

Nodding, the manager stepped forward and presented them with a plaque that read "honorary members of the National Collection."

"As a reward for your actions, we want to induct you as honorary members of our society. Now you'll always be part of the National Railway Museum, be it in body or in spirit, as really useful engine drivers."

Thomas and Emily just beamed. Wouldn't they have a story to tell the others when they got home!