After the arrest and defeat of the D.G.S.S.E, life now seemed to calm down across Sodor, the Josephine Railway, and the rest of British Railways. Many could all breathe in relief and relax in knowing that the so-called 'Red Blanket of the Modernisation Plan' was no more. The news about this had spread across the U.K. and further onward, and it was definitely painting the whole of British Railways in a bad way with all the news of the incident on every front page of newspapers.
Eventually, the Railway Inspectors Unit, British Police, even Scotland Yard and MI5, they all discovered the dealings with Dr. Beeching and other officials within British Railways with Roderick and Fowler, and this was more than enough to warrant searches of the offices of British Railways and much more to know all they can regarding the D.G.S.S.E and it's exploits. The fallout for B.R and its public relations was not good, many people calling out to change the company's rules and policies. There hasn't been any comment or so from those in charge, but it's becoming clear that things won't be the same after this whole incident with the D.G.S.S.E.
Down at Barrow-in-Furness, Hayden the Silver King Class Locomotive is sitting at a siding with a goods train being shunted up behind him. He smiled softly to himself as he got to get himself ready to depart and go to Sodor. He had been asked by the foreman to take the train since Henry had gone to the Steamworks to check on his valve gear since he complained about something feeling loose.
Hayden likes spending time with his Friends, the Heavy Goods work; Local Passenger Trains; even the occasional Shunting. He doesn't like being bullied or called disgusting names because he's different, but likes spending time with his girlfriend, Caitlin. Hayden dislikes being bullied; rude engines; VERY loud noises; people or engines insulting Caitlin, or him being falsely accused of doing something he never did. Despite being a Mixed-Traffic Engine, Hayden prefers Heavy Goods or Local Passenger Trains, but doesn't complain unless he's completely exhausted or in pain. He always tries to help young engines and tank engines, whether helping them with Heavy loads, or standing up for them against bullies.
After Hayden has collected his goods, the guard blew his whistle from the brakevan, waving his green flag. Hayden blew his whistle, departing the yards for Sodor, the Silver King Class Locomotive leaving in a cloud of steam. He got into a good pace as he chuffs along, Hayden enjoying the peace and serenity around him. Even the trucks were behaving themselves and did not dare to try and get on Hayden's bad side. He could see some engines passing by and he whistles back to them as they whistle to him. Hayden took the time and he crossed the Vicarstown Bridge, going to the big station on the East of Sodor. He noticed both Pip and Emma racing by on their express track, as well as seeing Bear on the opposite line.
"It's nice to be on Sodor rails again." Hayden smiled to himself as he made his way along.
After arriving in Vicarstown, Hayden dropped off the train so it can be sorted out for others to take, and he begins to make his way light-engine down the mainline. He noticed Murdoch and Peter passing by with heavy goods train, all the while with the sun shining. But as he goes along and soon reaches Crovan's Gate, he can hear an argument happening, so Hayden slowed down to overhear. He also could overhear Duncan, Freddie, Rheneas, Rusty, Peter Sam and Sir Handel's voices, but the next voice that spoke got Hayden's attention.
"You little kettles won't be around for long. Railways are no good, turn them into roads!" George yelled out in protest, all the while with repaving a new road. "Pull them up! Turn them into roads!"
"Oh, why don't you just leave us alone?" Peter Sam grumbled in frustration.
"Yeah. Just roll away with that stupid roller of yours." Sir Handel added.
"You all are useless little pieces of scrap." George grumbled with gnashing teeth. "Why don't you go and get scrapped?"
A loud cough and 'Ahem' now got the attention of the little engines and the steamroller. They all look over and see Hayden sitting there, whose eyes are now narrowed down right at George.
"Is there a problem?" Hayden simply asked, though his voice is dark and firm. "If you have a problem with us steam engines being around, George, maybe you should consider talking to Sir Topham Hatt about it. I doubt you'll get any response from your argument." He then wheeshes steam from his piston at George. "Now get out of here." George stood there in stunned silence before he chuffs away with no words anymore. "Yeah, that's what I thought." Hayden grunted with a smile.
"Well, thank you, Hayden." Skarloey thanked to the Silver King Class locomotive. "He's been nothing but an utter nightmare ever since he's been here."
"Oh, nothing to it, Skarloey." Hayden smiled back. "I've dealt with those like George before. Don't give him an inch."
"We won't." Sir Handel replied back, as Hayden now departs from the station down the line. "He's pleasant."
"I've heard from others Hayden is a rather impressive engine." Rusty spoke up to the others. "He's from a locomotive trust group over on the mainland but has been officially purchased by Sir Topham Hatt."
"I see." Skarloey wondered.
Meanwhile, Hayden was making good time down the mainline, going along at a good pace to head off to the sheds. He did see other engines like Peter, Murdoch, Henry, Gordon, even Anna and Boco, and he'd whistle to them in greeting as they pass by him.
Down over at the sheds, Hayden slowed to a stop nearby the turntable, where he saw Edward, Thomas, Lady, as well as Evelyn the BR Standard 9F 2-10-0 locomotive, all of them in the berths or next to the sheds in Evelyn's case.
"Hello, Hayden. Haven't seen you for a while." Edward greeted warmly.
"Same to you, Edward. I'm just happy to be back on rails familiar to me, and being somewhere I feel at home." Hayden smiled back. "Plus, it makes me think back years ago when I first came here on my first train, and met Caitlin..."
"Caitlin? Who is she?" Lady asked in curiosity. She hasn't heard of an engine by that name before.
"Caitlin is an American-design locomotive. I think she's a Baltimore and Ohio Railroad streamlined President P-7 Class 4-6-2 locomotive. I met her a few years back before I became part of the NWR fleet." Hayden answers back to the small shunter. "The two of us met under circumstances and we've hit it off. Now, we are considered as a couple by many."
"Wow. That is something." Thomas commented to the King Class locomotive. "She must be very impressive."
"Oh, believe me, I was speechless when I first met. I was a little nervous back then before I gained my confidence, if you know what I mean." Hayden gives a chuckle. "She managed to help me out."
"That's good to hear." Edward said. "So how did you come across her?"
"Yeah, how exactly did you meet her?" Evelyn asked to Hayden.
Hayden now began to think back to when he first met Caitlin. "Well... I think it was around the time of 2000. There I was, about 7 years after my first firing in 1993. I was delivering a heavy goods train to Port of Felixstowe, in Felixstowe, Suffolk..."
~*~*~{FLASHBACK}~*~*~
The Port of Felixstowe, in Felixstowe, Suffolk, is the United Kingdom's busiest container port, dealing with 48% of Britain's containerised trade. The port has two main container terminals, Trinity and Landguard, as well as a roll-on/roll-off terminal. There is a continuous quay over 2.3 kilometres (1.4 mi), equipped with 29 ship-to shore gantry cranes. The main navigation channel is dredged to 14.5 metres below chart datum, with a maximum depth of 15m alongside the quay. This allows Felixstowe to accommodate the world's latest generation of deep-draughted post-Panamax vessels and the much larger Maersk Triple E class. The A14 connects the port to the English Midlands and the M6, the north via the M1 and M6 and A1 and via the A12 to London. The port (as simply "Felixstowe") is signed from as far away as M6 junction 1 for Rugby. Each terminal has its own rail terminal which connects to the Felixstowe Branch Line.
Hayden made his way along the tracks as he could see trucks with container trailers and heavy equipment all coming and going, as well as the cranes lifting and lowering containers on and off the ships to be either loaded onto trucks or trains. Hayden soon came to a stop with his heavy goods, now being uncoupled from the trucks.
"Alright, then. Good thing you brought those trucks. They're needed for across the English Channel." A dockyard worker spoke to the King Class engine. "But there is a job you need to do."
"What might that be?" Hayden asked.
"There's a locomotive being unloaded from a cargo ship, and it'll need someone to help transport to the rail yards outside of Felixstowe." The worker explained. "From there, the engine can be taken to Didcot. Once she is under her own steam, I believe you will be taking her to Sodor, under instruction from Sir Topham Hatt?" He asked.
Hayden was surprised and confused. "Strange. He did not tell me about this at all. Wonder why he didn't tell me before I left-" He was interrupted when a BR Class 47 roars by while blaring its horn at Hayden. "Yikes!"
"Move it, slow steamer!" A BR Class 08 shunter yelled as it collects Hayden's trucks.
"Get outta here, useless hunk of metal!" A BR Class 45 diesel ordered as he took away a container train.
Hayden didn't like bullied on the Mainland by both engines and workers due to having autism, which he is sensitive about. He had a quiet and shy personality before, and a soft voice. Hayden dislikes being bullied; rude engines; VERY loud noises, or him being falsely accused of doing something he never actually did.
Hayden closed his eyes to try and calm himself down before he heads off to the far side of the dockyards where a lone crane is situated, as well as a cargo ship that's been moored up. As he made his way along, he could see a streamlined locomotive being unloaded from the ship, slowly being lowered onto the tracks with a gentle clunk of the wheels.
The engine looks to be an American Baltimore & Ohio Railroad streamlined President P-7 Class 4-6-2 steam locomotive, who is also a female. She is painted red-violet with light blue and white lining. She also has golden nameplates on the sides of her boiler that read 'Caitlin' on them.
Hayden looked very surprised to see this locomotive. She looked very streamlined and fast, and she looks so pretty... The King Class locomotive releases steam from his pistons in response to his red blushing face. "H-Hello. My name is Hayden."
The streamlined locomotive looked to Hayden. "Hey, there. I'm Caitlin, glad to meet you." She greeted. "You look like a pleasant fella."
"Oh... I don't think so." Hayden muttered softly. "Uh... I'm here to take you to Didcot?"
"Oh, are you? Well, aren't you such a gentle-engine." Caitlin smiled, Hayden going off to turn himself around. "I'll be in your care."
Hayden couldn't help but feel a blush form on his face as he reversed up to Caitlin. As he does so, the work crews fashioned up a makeshift lash-up to connect the British screw-tensioned three-link coupling and American Buckeye coupler. Once done so, as well as Caitlin's crew arriving on time after flying in, Hayden now puffs away slowly but surely, being cautious of his movements and being careful not to bash and bump Caitlin.
"My, this place is so nice. It is so green here..." Caitlin said to herself in awe, then took notice of Hayden's silence. "Something wrong there, fella?"
"Oh! Uh, sorry. I was just..." Hayden was at a loss for words, not sure of what to say.
"It's alright, fella. Most male engines are struck by my beauty before they calm down and know me." Caitlin reassured to Hayden as they continue down the line. "But you're being a lot quieter than normal."
"Sorry, I've just been... a little hesitant." Hayden answers to her, just as some diesels roar past them while blaring their horns as they pass by. "Yikes."
"What is up with those diesels? Why are they being so rude to you?" Caitlin asked to Hayden.
"It's just because of me being a steam engine." Hayden answered back sadly. "They think they're all better than us steam locomotives because they're better and stronger than us all." He sighed deeply.
"Oh, don't pay them any attention, fella." Caitlin said to the King Class locomotive in reassurance. "They're all just stubborn and arrogant."
Eventually, the two engines arrive at the Didcot Railway Centre, where Ryan the GWR 4900 Class 4-6-0 now resides. Ryan welcomed them both while Hayden gets Caitlin over to the coal bunker and water tower to be ready to load up, though she'll need to be examined by the mechanics and engineers to be sure she's 100% fit for service. As this is going on, Hayden sat nearby as he's thinking about what Caitlin said to him earlier.
"Hey, Hayden." Ryan gets the King Class' attention. "Listen, you don't have to worry about those who try to talk down at you. Those that think they're better than you don't know what they're talking about. They're so choked up by their own smoke or fumes that they can't see the bigger picture."
"I wish that were the case." Hayden sighed.
"Oh, don't be like that, honey." Caitlin said to Hayden, the latter taken aback in surprise. "My class has been through the worst of it, some of us getting the unlucky hand and being scrapped to make way for bigger and better diesel locomotives. On top of that, not many of my class exists out there in the world anymore. We're all in the same boat, metaphorically speaking." She giggled.
"I... guess you're right." Hayden shows a small smile.
"We're all in the same situation. I mean, I only know a handful of my class is still around, but only 6 or so of us are still in steam." Ryan said to the two engines. "We can only press onward and know they are still with us."
Hayden shows a small smile. "Thank you, Ryan."
An engineer walked up to the two. "Caitlin, looks like everything is in order and nothing is broken. You're clear to go." He informed to them.
"Thank you, sir." Caitlin smiled, steam now forming around her pistons and her funnel. "Well, where are we heading off to?" She asked to Hayden.
Hayden stopped for a moment before regaining his voice. "S-Sodor. That's where we're going. To Sodor." He answered.
Caitlin smiled softly at his blushing and hesitance, but she understands completely. She blew her whistle and shows a friendly smile before she puffs away, Hayden now following on before leading on ahead, since he did know where they were going to. It took some time, as well as dealing with other troublesome and annoying diesels, but eventually, they passed through Barrow-in-Furness, crossed the Vicarstown Bridge, and were on Sodor rails.
"Have to say, this is very nice." Caitlin said to Hayden. "I've never seen a place like this. So much different than the USA."
When the two engines arrived at Vicarstown Station, Hayden and Caitlin both had the chance to meet with the engines of the NWR, most of them getting along with one another, while making new friendships as well. Hayden was very happy with being around Caitlin, and she feels the same as well. The two of them began to hang out more, their friendship soon becoming a loving relationship, one that has lasted for years to come...
~*~*~{END FLASHBACK}~*~*~
"...And that's how Caitlin and I met and got to know each other." Hayden finished his backstory to the other engines, all of them in awe and curiosity.
"Wow, talk about a story." Lady commented.
"Yes." Edward agreed.
"Sounds like you and Caitlin have something special." Thomas added in next, Hayden smiling softly.
Evelyn now wondered something. "So, what did happen after that? Was Caitlin sent back to the United States or did something else happen?"
Hayden now thought back. "Well, Caitlin was told that there was a possibility that she might not stay due to financial difficulties, however, Sir Robert Norramby, the current Earl of Sodor, stepped in and he bought her, then he later sold her to the North Western Railway, in exchange for her to do fast express runs between Ulfstead Castle and the mainland." He explained.
"Well, that is good to hear." Edward said in relief.
"Yeah. I'm very fortunate that when I do tour trains every now and then to Ulfstead Castle, I get the chance to see her." Hayden included. "She told me she was happy to have been bought by Sir Norramby, since she feared she would be scrapped if she was shipped back to America."
Evelyn smiled softly to Hayden. "You are very lucky to have met someone like Caitlin, and she is lucky to have met you as well."
"I agree with Evelyn." Lady agreed. "It's the same with myself and Thomas. If I haven't met him, I would not be here."
"None of us would." Thomas included, the two smiling.
The BR Standard 9F 2-10-0 now saw her crew coming back from their lunch break. "Oh, it looks like I have to leave." Evelyn said as they began to climb into her cab and get her ready.
"You're heading back to York, Evelyn?" Edward asked.
"Not exactly. Thanks to some negotiations with British Rail and the North Western Railway, Sir Topham Hatt has been able to get me certification to travel on the mainline." Evelyn explained. "I'm taking charter and excursion trains for a while."
"Good luck and hope to see you again." Thomas smiles to the big locomotive.
Evelyn smiled back then looked to Hayden. "Now take care of yourself and Caitlin out there, Hayden. Your relationship is something to cherish and hold onto." With that, and a toot of her whistle, the mighty BR Standard 9F 2-10-0 chuffs off from the sheds toward the station.
"We all are lucky to have someone to be around, whether they'd be a friend or a love interest." Edward said to the others, everyone else in agreement with the blue Furness Railway 4-4-0 locomotive, Hayden also smiling back.
After that, Hayden left the sheds to go ahead and take a local train across the island from Knapford. He was on his way to Crovan's Gate after going through Maron when he could hear the sound of a big engine's whistle. When he arrived at the station, he could see the repair shop and works shed, and could see Caitlin puffing out of the shops. Hayden smiled and he blew his whistle to her, getting her attention as she smiled to him and blew her whistle back before Hayden departed from the station.
'Evelyn is right. My relationship with Caitlin is something to cherish and hold onto.' Hayden thought to himself.