With Croghan now gone to the National Railway Museum, where he will stay for the rest of his life, things began to calm down for the Josephine Railway. The engines took up the work, and they performed to the best of their abilities.

Belle and Austin were worked off their wheels, but they didn't care. A good day's work is better than no work. Max handled the shunting, and he did it so well with such precision and arrangement, he nearly overheated his engine, needing himself to now stop and cool down. Braedey and Diana also handled the passengers, while also switching around with the other engines, Belle and Austin thanking them for switching around. They were very thankful for the switch around.

On a calm Sunday morning, Mr. Franklin was chatting to both Braedey and Austin, the two of them explaining about what's been happening. Not too far away, over by the water tower, Mr. Franklin's wife was speaking to Diana, giving her some pointers and suggestions.

Mr. Franklin's wife goes by the name of Caitlyn. She is a lovely and beautiful young woman, with fair lightly peach skin, looking around 35yrs in age, with bright gentle blue eyes, and a pair of small red lips. Her hair is golden brown reaching to her shoulders with a gentle flow, two small strands of her hair framing her angelic-like face, and she has a small red rose hairclip. She has a firm slender body shape with a slightly above average bust and hip size, whilst she stands 5ft tall. She is wearing a sleeveless firetruck red dress that reaches down to just below both of her knees, a small pearl necklace around her neck, crystal blue flower earrings on her ears, gold bracelets around her wrists, and she has on a pair of light leggings that hugged her legs gently.

"So, you need to be a bit more gentle with the coaches." Caitlyn advised to Diana, who agreed to her suggestion. "That way, they won't jam their brakes during the run up and down the line." She added in.

"Of course, Madame." Diana acknowledged. "Thank you."

At that moment, Joseph Tripp's post van drove up to the main station building, Mr. Franklin looking over in confusion. Joseph walked up to the controller, handing him a stamped letter, one with a top hat sticker on it. The sticker looked familiar to Braedey, as Mr. Franklin opened the letter, and began to read what was inside.

"What does it say, sir?" Braedey asked to Mr. Franklin.

"This is something that should be told to everyone else later today." Mr. Franklin said to the GWR 4900 engine. "You carry on with your work."

"Yes, sir." Braedey whistled, and he headed off to take some coaches out for a run. He wondered what the letter could be, but all the while, he thought about the top hat sticker on the letter, and it seemed confusing to him. He wondered what it might mean.

Later on in the day, the engines arrived back at the sheds, all of them been called over by Mr. Franklin from their duties, much to their confusion. They wondered why their controller called them in, and from what he said, it sounded important to them all.

Soon, Mr. Franklin arrived in his car, standing up on top of a large crate. He raised his hand for silence, and the engines went quiet. "Okay. You all might be wondering why I have called you all here." He began.

"So, why are we here?" Austin asked.

Mr. Franklin held up the letter from earlier today. "This letter is from the one and only Sir Topham Hatt from the North Western Railway." He then began to read the letter:

'Dear Mr. Franklin and his engines.

After the performance that your engine Braedey had shown of during his time on my railway, I've made a decision.

I wish to welcome you and your engines to my railway, to assist and work with my engines for a period of time. It would be nice for some of my engines to get along with yours, considering how well Braedey worked well with the others.

I hope to hear your reply soon.

Signed Sir Topham Hatt.'

"It would seem that after Braedey's performance on his railway, the engines on Sodor wish to meet you all, and plus, it would be of a great opportunity for us." Mr. Franklin said to his fleet of engines, all of them smiling in excitement. "This means, ladies and gentle-trains, we are all going off to the North a Western Railway, on the Island of Sodor." He announced.

"Yes! Wicked! Hooray!" The engines all whistled out in excitement, all of them with wonder and happiness in their boilers and fuel tanks. They were all going to Sodor? All of them together?

Mr. Franklin now raised his hand up for silence, and the engines stopped, looking over to their controller. "Before anyone asks, I have sent out a call to assist us. So, other engines shall be working here while we are away. So don't worry. They'll take care of your jobs." He reassured to them. "We shall be leaving for Sodor in three day's time."

With that, Mr. Franklin headed off for home, as the engines all chatted amongst each other in excitement. They were all wondering what Sodor is like. Braedey gave them some information, but they wish to see what the island looks like for themselves.

It is going to be an experience for them all.

For the next two days, the engines began to work along at a steady pace, while also cleaning up the yards and stations. The trucks were cleaned and fixed up, while the coaches were given maintenance and checks to make sure they're all good.

On the second day, the temporary engines arrived, the Josephine Railway engines giving them a welcome, showing them what to do. The temporary engines happened to be Shadow and Madeline, along with four new engines: Anna, Charlotte, Gwen, and Johnny.

Anna is a LSWR (London & South Western Railway) Class T14 4-6-0 tender locomotive. Her type of engine was a class of ten 4-6-0 locomotives designed by Dugald Drummond for express passenger use on the London and South Western Railway (LNER) and constructed at Eastleigh in 1911–1912. Anna is painted in deep crimson red with yellow lining on the boiler, pistons, splashplate, wheel covers, as well as on the tender. She has the number 444 on her buffers, and on both sides of her cab. Anna has eyelashes, while she looks rather important.

The T14's were the most successful of Drummond's abysmal 4-6-0 designs for the LSWR, though displayed the old, costly liabilities of heavy coal/water consumption on a railway that didn't employ water troughs, which was combined with a high frequency of hot axle boxes. Both were complaints that had afflicted all previous 4-6-0s, and not endear to locomotive crews. In service, all were based at Nine Elms from new and were used exclusively on express duties to Bournemouth and Salisbury. However, the class struggled on these 'racing stretches.' This was true in the case of the tightly timed Salisbury workings. With intermediate stops at Surbiton and Woking, a D15 was the preferred power because they kept better time than a T14. In consequence, the T14s were utilised on the LSWR 'top link' for only 8 years, and were replaced upon grouping in 1923 by Maunsell's N15s, as they became available. However, their potential in 2nd duties gave Maunsell the opportunity to attempt to right problems associated to the original design. Superheating helped to solve the problems of efficiency in terms of coal and water, whilst the removal of the splashers meant ease of access to the wheels and airflow to the axleboxes. The first withdrawal took place in 1940 with 458 suffering air raid damage at Nine Elms shed. The rest continued into public ownership in 1948. However, the remainder continued to be withdrawn from November 1948, and the last one surviving until June 1951. As a result, none were preserved.

Anna was a recently constructed locomotive like that of Shadow. She had been built from original blueprints and design drawings from the LSWR, and built by the people in the National Railway Museum in York, who worked on Shadow, Madeline, and Flying Scotsman. Anna had spent some time at the museum. It took some time, but she was fully built and after trail runs, Anna was 100% ready for action. Once restored, instead of being bought by a businessman like Shadow, Anna began to run trains from London to Edinburgh, giving her the opportunity to stretch her wheels, and to take the 'Flying Scotsman' service to and from London and Edinburgh as special trains set up by the N.R.M to showcase Anna in action.

Charlotte is a London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LBSCR) B1 Class 0-4-2 express passenger steam locomotive, her class known from the name of the first, No. 214, as the "Gladstones". Charlotte is in LB red with black and gold lining on her wheel covers and boiler, as well as on her tender. She has her railway crest and letters 'N.E.R' on her wheel covers, and the number 215 on both sides of her cab. She also has red cheeks, almost like a permanent blush of sorts.

The LBSCR B1 Class were the last express passenger design of William Stroudley, and were a larger and improved version of his Richmond Class of 1878. Thirty-six locomotives were turned out from Brighton railway works between 1882 and 1891, and were used for the heaviest London to Brighton express trains. All were named after politicians, men associated with the railway, or places served by the railway. In 1889, No.189 'Edward Blount' was exhibited at the 1889 Paris Exhibition, and received a gold medal. The locomotives were originally designated "Class B" together with the "Richmond Class", but were later designated B1 class, by D.E. Marsh. During the first decade of the twentieth century, the class were gradually replaced by Billinton B4 Class locomotives and were transferred to secondary duties. Withdrawal began in April 1910, and by the outbreak of the First World War, ten had been scrapped. The first of the class, 214 Gladstone, was preserved as a static exhibit, thanks to the efforts of the Stephenson Locomotive Society, and is normally on display in the National Railway Museum, York.

Charlotte is an engine who had been saved during the time of dieselisation across the United Kingdom by Shadow's owner during the 1960's. Charlotte is happy to be back in service on a new railway. She's an enthusiastic and high-spirited engine, and attempts to show her strength. She has a knack of getting into issues too big for her own buffers, and needs a little help to get her out. Despite her shortcomings, she's a valuable engine, and she'll do what's needed to get the job done.

Gwen is a London, Midland, and Scottish Railway (LMS) Fowler 3F 0-6-0T, often known as a Jinty. Her class represents the ultimate development of the Midland Railway's six-coupled tank engines. Gwen is in LMS black with black wheels, with red buffer beams. The lettering 'L.M.S' is in yellow, with the numbers 4760 behind the cab doors.

The design of the Fowler 3F Class was based on rebuilds by Henry Fowler of the Midland Railway 2441 Class introduced in 1899 by Samuel Waite Johnson. These rebuilds feature a Belpaire firebox and improved cab. 422 Jinties were built between 1924 and 1931; this class was just one of the Midland designs used on an ongoing basis by the LMS. The locomotives were built by ex-L Horwich Works and private firms Bagnall's, Beardmores, Hunslet, North British, and the Vulcan Foundry. Thanks to their large numbers, renowned performance and late withdrawals, nine of the engines have been preserved, along with a spare set of frames and boiler from 47564. Many were restored within a few years of leaving scrap, most having a further working life ahead of them. All have steamed in preservation, the exception of 47445.

Gwen was one of the lucky engines among her fellow Jinty Class of engines. She was lucky to find a place to stay at the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, a heritage railway in North Yorkshire. She now serves as station pilot and she'd also take the odd train every now and then. She's a calm and collective locomotive, and she knows what to do.

Johnny is a Midland Railway 2000 Class 0-6-4T steam locomotive designed by Richard Deeley. The class of engine was known as 'flatirons' or "hole-in-the-wall tanks" because of their distinctive shape; their side tanks extended to the front of the smokebox and they had a distinct cut-out in the side tanks to access the motion. He is painted in GWR green, black wheels, with the numbers 2040 in yellow on his side tanks, and a railway crest behind his cab.

The Midland Railway 2000 Class were originally developed from 0-4-4T types that were designed for commuter work with an extra set of driving wheels. Acceleration and stability, however, were poor and, after a derailment, they were relegated to freight work. All were rebuilt with Belpaire fireboxes and superheater between 1920 1926. The superheated engines had slightly longer smokeboxes, which extended slightly in front of the side tanks. The locomotives were passed off to the London, Midland, and Scottish Railway (LMS) in 1923. They kept their Midland Railway numbers and the LMS gave them the power classification 3P. All were withdrawn between 1935 and 1938. The standard parts would've mostly been used for spares rather than scrap. None were preserved.

Johnny is a unique locomotive: he was constructed by the same railway company who purchased Shadow. Johnny was built around March of 2005, and was in service in the October of that year. He was grateful to be built, and he promised to do a good job, if not better, than his predecessors did back in their prime years. Johnny was always one to help out, but sometimes, he would have slight teething troubles.

Madeline and Shadow took care of the passengers going to and from Marion to Barrow-in-Furness, and even to Sodor. For Gwen, she handled the shunting like a professional. Charlotte began to take maintenance trains, as well as slow tourist and photography trains. Johnny handled the goods thanks to his strength and durability, taking big coal and goods trains to and from. Finally, with Anna, she was assigned to take the newest passenger train known as the 'Josephine Flyer', which goes off from Marion to Vicarstown nonstop, and she was all too happy to go flying down the rails at speed.

With the temporary engines happy to help, everyone else was more than ready to get going to Sodor.

By the third day, the Josephine Railway engines were ready for the off. At 9:00AM that Friday morning, the engines were waiting at the junction, ready for the off to Sodor. Liliana, Austin, Max, and Belle were all loaded up onto well-wagons, chained down for safety. They were on the wagons for the journey would be too far for the little engines to go in one journey. Braedey and Diana were coupled up to the well-wagons, ready for the off, the former having a passenger coach to take Mr. Franklin and a few of his family members along for the journey.

Mr. Franklin waited for the time to go. "Okay, ladies and gentlemen. Let us be on our way." He announced to everyone. "It's time to go."

"Sodor, here we come!" The Josephine engines all called out.

The guard now blew his whistle, waving his green flag. Braedey and Diana whistled out at once, Mr. Franklin and his family climbing up into the coach, and the two engines puffed away, their friends in tow behind them.

It was going to be a long journey for them all.

Meanwhile, down at Knapford Station, Sir Topham Hatt was standing by the platform, awaiting for Mr. Franklin to arrive with his engines. Thomas, James, Gordon, and Percy were also at the station, waiting to meet the new arrivals so they could greet them. It would be nice to see Braedey again, but also great to see his fellow engines.

"I wonder who Braedey's friends are like." Percy commented.

"He did mention about Diana, as well as Liliana." Thomas spoke up. "Along with a diesel named Max."

"Regardless, we must smile and show a warm welcome to fellow engines." Gordon announced pompously.

"Oh, relax." James scoffed at Gordon. "This isn't like meeting the Queen of Sodor."

Before the blue LNER A1 could say more, the sound of two unfamiliar whistles could be heard in the distance. Everyone looked to see Braedey and Diana steaming into view, pulling Belle, Austin, Max, and Liliana behind them. The two engines smiled, and they pulled to a stop before Knapford, as Mr. Franklin stepped out of the carriage behind Braedey.

"Hello, Sodor engines." Braedey announced happily. "Glad to be on your rails again."

"Hello there." Diana greeted with a smile. "Nice to meet you."

"You must be Diana, right?" Thomas asked.

"That's right. That's me." Diana smiled, steam swirling around her wheels.

"And who might your friends me?" James asked.

"The two behind me are Liliana and Austin." Diana introduced, then she looked to Braedey. "And the engines behind Braedey are Max and Belle." She added in.

"Well, glad to make your acquaintance." Gordon greeted to Diana.

"I'm glad that you got our letter." Percy peeped in next.

"Wow. And I thought I was a small engine." Liliana commented. She smiled at Percy. "You seem like a friendly fella. I can't wait to work with you."

"I'm glad you arrived on time, and in one piece." Sir Topham said to Mr. Franklin with a smile, the two of them shaking hands. "I'm happy you decided to come over."

"Same here. I'm sure my engines would like a change of scenery, and to see some new faces." Mr. Franklin then turned to Braedey and Diana. "I think it's time to get the others unloaded and ready for work." He said to them.

"Of course, sir." Braedey acknowledged.

A few minutes later, Max, Austin, Liliana, and Belle were unloaded from the well-wagons, and down on solid rails. The little engines were fired up, and they were ready to go, more than ready to get off to work.

"So, Sir Topham. Do you have some jobs planned for my engines?" Mr. Franklin asks to the stout gentlemen.

"Well, I do have some ideas." Sir Topham looked over to Austin and Max. "From what your manager has told me, you two are very good at shunting. Do you think you can handle the shunting around these yards?" He asked them.

"Any yard, any freight and coaches, we can shunt any yard until they're clean and all sorted out." Austin replied to Sir Topham.

"I see. Very good." Sir Topham next turned to Belle and Liliana. "So, what are you two best at?" He asked them.

"I usually do the inspection trains." Liliana informed to Sir Topham. "And Belle, she does shunting work, as well as light goods and passengers."

"So, she could be of use on a branch-line." Percy suggested. "And maybe, Liliana can do some light work or something." He added.

"Not a bad idea, Percy." Sir Topham acknowledged, then he turned to Diana and Braedey. "Now, you both are mix-traffic engines, so you can help out on the mainline."

"Of course, sir." Diana smiled.

"I'd be happy to help." Braedey added in.

"Very good." Sir Topham Hatt tipped his top hat to the two engines. He turned to Mr. Franklin with a smile. "I have to say, your engines know what to do." He praised.

"They pull their own weight, and then some, making sure their work is done, as well as anything else they can do." Mr. Franklin nodded in agreement.

Sure enough, the Josephine Railway engines have been sent across the island, heading off down sections of the railway, helping out the Sodor engines in any way they can. They were happy to help, and want to do their part for the North Western Railway.

Braedey and Diana took to taking passengers and freight along the mainline, the two opposite-colour engines smiling as they go up and down the lines, going from Knapford-to-Maron, doing the Elsbridge Loop Line, or a run from Crovan's Gate to Kirk Ronan. For Max and Austin, the two of them really got the shunting work down pat, and they took the occasional small goods like dairy or fuel tankers, even China clay to the docks. Liliana and Belle handled as best as they possibly can on the Ffarquhar Branch Line, getting along with Thomas, Toby, and Percy, while trying to do their best to try and talk to Daisy, but she didn't want to talk to them, the railcar saying their coal dust 'spoils her swerves'. Belle and Liliana just ignored that.

The island was much bigger and has many places to come and go for the Josephine Railway engines, but they didn't seem to mind this. They got along with many of Sodor's engines around them, many taking a liking to the newcomers, and they cannot wait to get to know them and work alongside Braedey and his team.