After the whole ordeal with the D.G.S.S.E, as well as the defeat of Goliath, and the reopening of the Josephine Railway, things seemed to finally settle down for both the Josephine Railway and North Western Railway. All thanks to the media covering over what had happened over the last few weeks, both railways have received an influx of passengers and tourists to see the railways and the engines who've put their lives on the line, not just for their railways, but for all railways around the world, making them all heroes for others to look up to.
Some engines from the multitude of British heritage railways have even taken the chance to come over to Sodor or the Josephine Railway, giving their thanks and support to both railways and its engines.
At Brendam Docks on Sodor, it's business as usual - cranes moving about with loading and unloading ships and trains, engines coming and going, vessels arriving and departing. Most engines like Murdoch, Peter, Henry, William, even Maverick, Raleigh, and Hayden, they are handling the heavy goods and other trains, with those like Gordon, Eli, Spencer AKA Silver Link, Darla, Ella, and others taking the passenger trains.
One morning, Maverick was arriving at the docks with a line of container trucks. Since a container yard had been built in Knapford and operating nearby the main engine shed to handle the intermodal container traffic going to destinations on Sodor and from Sodor to the mainland, Maverick has been one of the few engines to handle the containers.
Maverick slowed to a stop nearby, then looked up to Cranky the Crane, who's currently been unloading a tramp steamer. "Cranky. Any news to report in?"
Cranky looked down at the red Westerner diesel. "Well, aside from the same old thing every day, nothing at all. But I did hear something about a ship coming in from the United States with a special cargo." He stated.
"Really? That's interesting." Maverick commented. "Do you know anything about the cargo?"
"Not sure, exactly." Cranky replied as he then got back to work with unloading the tramp steamer. "But I've been given word it'll be heavy, and my winches and cables have been reinforced in preparation."
"Sounds interesting. This'll definitely have everyone in curiosity about this special cargo." Maverick said to the crane.
"Just don't get too excited about it." Cranky advised to him. "It might not be anything special." Maverick toots his horn before he leaves the docks light-engine.
Maverick soon got back to Knapford and he explained to the other engines about what Cranky had said to him. They were all curious but also cautious about the news, especially since they've dealt with DMUs in the past, as well as the horrid lorries.
"Did Cranky mention about what this special cargo might be?" Ella asked in curiosity.
"Other than the fact it's coming from the United States, nothing else." Maverick answered back to the blue Stirling Single. "It might be an American engine, for all I know..."
Now, this definitely got everyone curious and interested in the special cargo. An American engine arriving on Sodor, especially since they've had Ella arrive. It did give them wonder but they kept their focus as they go on with their regular day work. But all the while, they all were cautious, especially given what Ella had told them about American engines being rude to her in the past.
As this was going on, a massive overhaul of the mainline tracks was being carried out throughout the days and the nights, the rails and sleepers being given major upgrades such as concrete sleepers and gently angled rails to give engines a slight tilt as they go into the corners on the mainline in places, the sharpness of curves being reduced to make them more gentle, and even some of the signals being updated and improved. It definitely got some engines curious about this, but they did have to comment that the rails have felt very nice to ride along, and the smoother curves and gentle angles made them feel like they were going faster than they needed to be, and they have arrived at their own destinations roughly 2 or even 6 minutes earlier than they would normally.
They were all in wonder for why these upgrades, but all will be answered soon enough...
About two weeks later, the cargo ship from the United States now arrived at Brendam Docks, and it's gotten everyone in a buzz about what could be on the ship. At the docks, Thomas, Darla, Henry, James, plus Hayden were all looking on in wonder and curiosity about what this special cargo could be. Sir Topham Hatt and Emily Helen Hatt were also there to see this special cargo.
Once the ship had been moored up, Cranky got to work with unloading the cargo, everyone watching on. As they look on, they could see Cranky lifting out what is a large long shape hidden under a tarpaulin that's wrapped around it. It looks like an engine, but everyone else wasn't sure. Cranky carefully lowered the shape down onto the tracks, wincing from how heavy it was, a loud clank being heard once the sound of metal wheels touched the rails, then the dockworkers and ship crews unattach the cables and chains, then they start to remove the huge tarpaulin, Cranky going back to the ship to collect another big shape, now placing it down behind the first big shape.
"Everyone. Please let me introduce you to Mira." Sir Topham Hatt announced, the tarpaulin on both shapes removed to reveal what, or rather who, is underneath.
Everyone stared on in curiosity. There, sitting on the middle track, is a steam engine, but not one they have ever seen before. The engine has a soft female face, one who looks friendly, while she's 100 feet long from front to rear. She has a grey colour scheme, but with orange and red stripes along her sides and tender, with the name 'The Milwaukee' on her front under her face, with 'The Milwaukee Railroad' on her tender. She has a 4-6-4 'Baltic' wheel arrangement, with 84" diameter driving wheels, with a big headlamp above her. But she has more curves in streamlining than on any engine, as she looks more futuristic for a steam locomotive.
"Hello..." The new engine Mira greeted softly, her eyes looking on at the other engines. "Pleased to meet you."
"Wow... she's bigger than Gordon or even Henry." Darla commented, Henry giving Darla a look.
"Look at that streamlining." Hayden added in. "I've not seen an engine with such streamlining before. She makes Spencer's streamlined design look outdated."
"Huh." James wondered. Secretly, he was curious and impressed by this newcomer engine. However, he was keeping cautious.
"Mira is the only surviving class of her engine - A Milwaukee Road Class F7 streamlined locomotive." Emily Hatt explained to the engines as she walked up to the streamlined engine. "Her class of engine, the F7s, have been contenders for the fastest locomotives ever built, as they ran over 100 miles per hour (160km/h) daily. Her class of engine could reach 100 miles an hour on average during journeys across Chicago."
Mira blushes softly. "Please, miss. I've just been doing my job." She said in a soft and gentle voice.
"So, what is she doing here, sir?" Henry asked over to Sir Topham Hatt.
"Mira will be handling her own special Milwaukee's Hiawatha express trains as a dedicated service for a period of time, in tandem with the Wild Nor' Wester, going from Knapford but she'll go as far as Barrow-in-Furness." Sir Topham Hatt explained, just as Cranky lowered down some coaches down nearby Mira.
Now being unloaded alongside Mira were a set of five matching passenger cars, all of them in the same orange and brown colour scheme as that of Mira's own colour scheme. The coaches allocated were a baggage car, two regular coaches, plus a dining car, and lastly, a Beaver Tail parlour/observation car.
"How unique..." Thomas commented. "Well, I speak on behalf of everyone else, welcome to Sodor." He greets.
"Thank you, Thomas." Mira thanked softly.
"Henry, I'd like you to take Mira over to the Steamworks for final checks and firing before she gets to work." Emily Hatt asked to the big green engine.
Henry acknowledged this as he puffed up to Mira. Being very careful with her streamlined front, her front panel was removed to reveal an American coupler knuckle behind it, which was a problem since the NWR engines utilise the chain three-link coupling system. The workmen lash up chains around both Henry and Mira's couplings to put them together, and the LMS Stanier 'Black Five' began to pull Mira along.
"Hayden, Darla. I'd like you two to take Mira's rake of coaches to Knapford, and he very delicate with them." Sir Topham Hatt told the two engines.
"Yes, sir." Darla and Hayden answer back, and they go ahead to move the carriages. Darla coupled up and lashed together, but struggled to move the coaches. "Whoa... these things are really heavy for us to move." She gasped in surprise.
"Best we take these two at a time." Hayden suggested. "And we double-head those trains."
So, working together and double-heading, Darla and Hayden both began to take the coaches two at a time, the Beaver Tail parlour/observation car being taken by Hayden last up. It did take them the best of the whole afternoon to get the coaches moved, but they got it done and the coaches were checked over, all declared to be fit and ready for their next train.
"Good work there, you two." One workman called out. "We'll go and get these checked out before tomorrow."
By the evening, Mira had been welcomed to the sheds, and after some tests and checks, she's in excellent condition and ready to work. She was happy to be with other steam engines, and since she's of only a few American steam locomotives still functional in the USA.
"We are very happy to meet a new face and engine here." Edward spoke up to Mira.
"And I thank you very much for letting me be here on your island and railway." Mira thanked back softly. "It's very pretty, and I cannot wait to see so much more in my first run."
"You'll be seeing a lot more when you get out there." Gordon added in.
"By the way, Mira. What did you do back in the United States?" Hayden now asked.
Mira's class of engine could reach 100 miles an hour on average during journeys across Chicago. Rumours are these engines could reach 132mph (though that has been disputed). The Milwaukee F7s are accepted as the fastest steam locomotives by a different measure—scheduled speed between stations. In 1939, after they were introduced into passenger service, the Twin Cities Hiawatha schedule was modified such that the engines would need to run the 78.3mi (126.0km) between Portage and Sparta, Wisconsin in just 58 minutes—a start-to-stop average of 81mph (130km/h).
"Have to admit, you'll definitely give any of us engines a run for our money." Edward now commented with a chuckle.
"As much as I'm meant to do so, I'd hate to impose and do such a thing." Mira stated softly. "I might be made like so, but I can't. I just wish to take a fast train."
"You will do us proud." Hayden reassured to her.
"Thank you." Mira thanked softly.
"Hey, don't feel bad." Henry spoke up. "I wasn't sure if I could take the express when I was called in one time back in the day. But when I took the express, it was an experience."
"Huh, thanks." Mira smiled softly.
"You don't have to worry about a thing." Thomas then spoke up. "Just be yourself, and you'll be fine."
Mira smiled softly at the blue tank engine's words as she then settled down to sleep, getting herself ready for her big day tomorrow.
The next morning, Mira awoke bright and early. Her crew had arrived early before the sun even rose and they were oiling up her joints, valve gear, and wheels for her run with the Twin Cities Hiawatha on Sodor. She was still feeling uncertain about this, but Mira then remembered Thomas' words. Once she was ready to go, Mira chuffed quietly out of the sheds to not wake up the other engines, and began to make her way to Knapford Station. As she arrived, she saw her orange coaches all at the platform, ready for departure, just as Thomas and Percy both get the coaches aligned.
Mira took note of how tired they were. "Are you two alright?" She asked in concern. "You look exhausted."
"Your coaches, they are really heavy to move around." Percy sighed as he and Thomas puff back. "How do you handle them?"
"Uh, I guess I just go with it." Mira replied casually. "I don't usually feel the heavy weight of the coaches, but I do at the start. And to be honest, they do weigh 80 tonnes. You are used to handling coaches weighing about 30 tonnes, right?" Percy sighed in confirmation.
"Good luck to you." Thomas said to Mira. "The rails have been strengthened and are ready for you." With that, he puffed out of the way.
Mira now switched tracks and reversed back down to her train, coupling up with a deep metallic clunk, the coupling links locking into place. Once done so, Mira sat at the platform and waited patiently, then saw the passengers arriving at the station, making their way to the platforms for either the stopping trains or express, whereas others are going to the Milwaukee's Hiawatha express. Mira took note of photographers now taking her picture, and she smiled softly at the enthusiasts as they soon board the train, getting themselves ready as other engines come and go.
Gordon soon backs down onto his express, taking note of Mira getting ready. "Seems like you are more than ready for your first run on Sudrian rails." He stated.
"Actually, I'm nervous as ever." Mira admitted.
"Don't be. Just be natural." Gordon replied calmly, just as James huffs and departs with his stopping train. "And don't take any words from James."
"I don't plan to." Mira giggled softly.
Sure enough, it was time for the off. The last of the passengers have climbed onboard, and the doors all closed. The guard now blew his whistle and waved his green flag. The driver waved back in acknowledgement before blowing Mira's whistle long and loud. A moment later, the Milwaukee Road Class F7 streamline engine puffs away from Knapford with the Hiawatha express in tow.
"Good luck, Mira." Edward whistles out. Mira could only smile at this as she picks up speed and leave the yard.
The Milwaukee Road Class F7 streamliner engine now charges on down the mainline, clean white steam shooting from her funnel and pistons as she goes on. She was whizzing down the mainline, soon reaching 70-90MPH on the Mainline, showing no sign of slowing down. Mira couldn't help but giggle and smile as she sped along, and she loved the feeling of the wind racing around her funnel and wheels. She'd blow her whistle, which is a one-chime air horn, which got the attention of those ahead as she powers on, a flash of silver, orange and red facing past them, a cloud of steam floating around.
Mira races through Crosby, and she carries on through Wellsworth, passing Donald and Douglas and their goods train, and Toby on the other side of the line with his coach Henrietta, much to their surprise. Next, Mira charges up Gordon's Hill with all her might. She did not seem to feel the drag of the coaches and managed to handle it with little to no effort. Mira's wheels whirred as fast as they can, as yer pistons pumped harder than before. But, as he now crests the hill, he glides down the other side of the hill, and heads off through Maron Station and goes on down towards Crovan's Gate Station.
At Crovan's Gate Station, James was waiting to depart from the station with his stopping train. Duck chuffs away with his goods, as Percy left with empty trucks for Thomas's Branch Line. Bertie the bus drove by with his passengers to head off to work. As they left, the sound of a fast-approaching engine could be heard, Mira and her Hiawatha express shoots through the station on the middle line, James watching in shock.
"What in the..." Was all Gordon could gasp at the sight of the Milwaukee Road Class F7 racing by. He hadn't seen an engine race by at that speed before in his life...
Mira couldn't help but marvel at the sights around her as she chuffed along, passing by the lush and green trees and fields, all the while seeing farmers tending to their field and livestock. She and the Hiawatha express carry on over the stone viaduct, going through Cronk Station, and she raced along, passing by Kildane Station. She kept the speed up at 60-70mph, and he goes through the stations of Balladrine, Kellaby, and Kellsthrope Road, and he charged on through Ballahoo. Mira and the Hiawatha express made it to Vicarstown Station five minutes ahead of schedule. However, she didn't slow down - she kept going through the station as she blew her horn, photographers and others alike taking her pictures as she flies through, heading on towards the Vicarstown Bridge, crossing over and sped down the mainline towards Barrow-in-Furness.
Eventually, Mira and the Hiawatha express arrived at Barrow-in-Furness, and to her surprise, she arrived just 10 minutes earlier than she was expected to arrive. It was definitely a surprise for the stationmaster, who had told the Milwaukee Road Class F7 that the diesel to go off further into the mainland hasn't even arrived. The coaches were already at the platform, and no sign of the diesel anywhere. Mira didn't seem to mind at all, as she settled down by the platform, the passengers onboard heading off to go and catch their own trains to head off to pleasure or work-related activities.
'That was a good run. I just hope Sir Topham Hatt was not disappointed.' Mira thought to herself, then she was moved over to the water tower by her crew.
About ten minutes later, the rumbling of a diesel locomotive's engine could be heard approaching. Mira looks over and she could see the BR Class 46 known as D199 AKA 'Spamcan', who spluttered as he reversed his way down to the platform where his train is.
"Oh-oh, oh my word... I cannot be so late..." Spamcan grumbled to himself as he backed down onto his train. But when he caught sight of Mira nearby, his eyes nearly popped out of the sockets. "What in the- Who are you?!" He could only gasp out.
"I'm Mira, an American streamline steam locomotive doing high-speed runs between here and Sodor." Mira w calmly and casually.
"What- No, there's no way. No American engine can even go as fast as me." Spamcan snorted indignantly. "All of you steam kettles are slow and out of date. None of you can go faster than me! Nobody!" With a honk of his horn, a rumble of his engine and a snooty look on his face, Spamcan fumbled away as Mira watches him.
"Geez, some diesels in the USA have more manners than these British buzzboxes." Mira scoffed out.
After being turned around, Mira now coupled up with her train, and she began to fast journey back forth to Sodor at once.
Later on, Mira eventually arrived back at Knapford, her feeling better after her first run to Barrow-in-Furness. She made her way to the yard adjacent to the station, coming to a gentle stop with a soft hiss of her brakes.
Mira was uncoupled from the coaches, and she made her way to get her tender loaded up with water and coal. As she sat and relaxed, Mira noticed Sir Topham Hatt now making his way over to her. The Milwaukee Road Class F7 was concerned about what he will say, but she noticed that he was showing a soft smile.
"Mira. I've heard from some folks onboard your train about your performance today." Sir Topham began to say. "You seem to have done rather well along the mainline."
"I wasn't trying to be reckless or anything." Mira began to say.
"No need to worry, Mira." Sir Topham stops her. "Your crew have told me about how you were performing throughout the duration of your run from Knapford to Barrow-in-Furness and back. It seems you have done rather well, quicker than the regular service would be." He patted her front. "Have to admit, it sounds like you are becoming as iconic as you ever were back in the day."
Mira blushes softly. "Why, thank you, sir."
"Take about an hour of rest before you take your next train." Sir Topham advised. "Once you've relaxed, you go and get your next train ready for departure."
"Thank you, sir." Mira smiled softly.
Sir Topham Hatt nodded back to her. "Of course. Just remember, no reckless speeding, and be cautious of everyone else." He advised before he turned on his heel and began to make his way back to his office.
Mira smiled on at the Fat Controller as he walked away. She prepped herself to go and get her next train ready, even shunting her coaches into place despite her huge size and wheels. She handled the coaches, then got turned around at the turntable, and she got herself up at the front of her express.
As this goes on, Duck the Great Western Pannier tank engine had just arrived with a ballast train from the Little Western. He looked over and he could see Mira at the platform with her train ready to go. He gave a look at the streamlined American locomotive. There was something about her the Great Western engine did not like. She didn't even look like a steam engine from her looks and appearance...
About two minutes before Mira is to depart, Gordon eventually returned with the express, now seeing the Milwaukee Road Class F7 ready to go. "Oh, Mira. Didn't know you got back so soon." He commented. "Going out again?"
"Yeah. Apparently, Sir Topham Hatt was impressed, and he did say no reckless speeding. Luckily your rails are able to handle my weight." Mira answered.
"That's good to hear." Gordon replied. "In fact, it makes me think back to when I first reached my top speed of 105 miles her hour on my first trial run with the express when I came to Sodor back in 1923. After that, Sir Topham had made me the offical No.4 of the NWR."
"Neat. That's something." Mira smiled.
"I agree." Gordon agreed, just as Mira's guard blew his whistle and waved his green flag. "Oh! Best you get going!" Mira blew her horn in response, and the Milwaukee Road Class F7 streamline engine puffs away from Knapford with the Hiawatha express in tow.
Duck now puffed up, a stern expression on his face. "Gordon, who on Sodor was that?"
"That was Mira, a streamlined engine from America." Gordon explained. "She's here with her Twin Cities Hiawatha express-"
"She's not even a proper engine!" Duck abruptly cuts Gordon off. "She looks more like a diesel than a steamie!"
"Duck! I thought you were better than that!" Gordon huffed indignantly. "I thought you were better over profiling engines."
"Excuse me?" Duck gave a glare at the blue LNER Pacific.
"You ridiculing an engine by their appearance rather than even knowing about them." Gordon grunted. "You don't know anything about Mira-"
"And you do?" Duck glared. "How do you know that she might be here to take over and take your position of the express?"
"Duck, you are being unfair right now." Gordon huffed. "Mira is an honest engine, and she's here just to take her train. You are being so stubborn and blunt."
"Let me remind you, Gordon, there are only two ways of doing things." Duck pointed out. "There's the Great Western Way-"
"DO NOT. Even. Finish. That sentence." Gordon ordered through gritted teeth, then shot steam out of his pistons, venting his frustration. "Now, if you don't mind, I have to get another train." With that, he departed the station, leaving Duck stunned and slack-jawed.
"Weel, that happened." Douglas commented as he rolls up with a goods train. "Mibbie neist time, dinnae gang spouting aff that 'Great Western Wey' nonsense." He chuckled as he puffs away, leaving Duck grumbling.
After a long day of work, the engines have eventually returned back to the sheds. The engines have made their way back, all of them feeling exhausted but now relaxing as they settle down from their long day of work.
For Mira, she made her way to the turntable, now coming to a gentle stop as she does so. "Well, today has been quite a ride." She commented.
"How did things go?" Henry asked softly and curiously.
"Oh, I've done rather well. Managed to make journey times faster than before." Mira replied. "Plus, my crew said I've managed to do an average speed of 100 miles per hour."
"Impressive." Edward commented. "You did mention that your class of engine can do 100 miles her hour on average over a long distance."
"Thank you, Edward." Mira smiled softly. "That means a lot from you."
"You get praise from Edward, that is like the norm for us." Thomas commented.
"True." Henry chuckled, Mira giggling in response.
Duck, however, wasn't impressed. He glared at the big American streamlined locomotive that sat up on the turntable and who smiled to the other engines. "So what?" He spoke out, everyone looking at him with frowns and confused expressions. "You all are really taking all this in? She doesn't look like a proper engine at all."
"Duck!/How dare you!/Despicable!/Poor choice of words there./Scoundrel!" The other engines all spoke back and hissed at Duck.
"Duck, that's very poor of you to say." Raleigh spoke up firmly. "Judging someone by their appearance rather than their actions and personality..."
"I have my reasons." Duck grunted out.
"Duck, Mira is not here to cause any trouble, let alone take anyone's job." Gordon stated bluntly. "She's not a diesel."
"How would you know? She doesn't even look like a real steam engine!" Duck pointed out. "Look at her!"
"Duck. Leave." Edward spoke firmly. "We don't tolerate that kind of attitude here, especially to newcomers."
"You'll see. She's here just to take our work, especially yours, Gordon." Duck stated as he began to puff away from the sheds. "Soon, she'll take your express, and you'll be sidelined for good!" With that, the Pannier tank engine heads off for the Little Western.
Mira sat there in confusion and uncertainty. "Was it... something I did?" She asked softly.
"Since you did nothing, no. It's just Duck being uptight and whatnot." Gordon scoffed. "He just wants things to be the way he wants it to be. He'd rather things his way or nothing at all."
"You think he's bad? Tell that to Fergus." James stated back, sighing in exasperation. "His stupid 'Do It Right!' philosophy, it gets so annoying."
Thomas rolled his eyes. "I do agree with you, James."
Mira cleared her throat. "Uh, so I'm not at fault?"
"Oh, sorry. It's not you, Mira." Henry spoke up to her.
"Yeah. Things just happen, you know?" Rebecca added in next. "Both Duck and Fergus can be annoying."
"But not as bad as Diesel." Toby stated sternly.
"Yeah. Mira, take our advice - don't ever talk to those like Diesel, 'Arry & Bert." James spoke up.
"Thanks." Mira acknowledged back. "I think the next few days are definitely gonna be interesting for me."
"Best you get settled in for the night." Henry suggests.
Sure enough, the engines have finally settled into sleep and have gone to relax. As they sleep, Mira looks on at the other engines as they sleep, a soft smile forming on her face, then she finally falls asleep...