Chapter 327: King of the Railway Part 3

With Sir Topham Hatt's permission, Thomas, James, and Percy worked to help restore Ulfstead Castle. They bustled about the site, dropping off supplies and carrying away waste. It was hard work, but they didn't mind. It'd all be worth it in the end.

One morning not long after they started, Sir Robert Norramby approached Thomas with another job.

"Ah, Thomas, just who I wanted to see! I need you to head to The Steamworks and pick up something."

"What kind of something?"

The Earl chuckled, and winked.

"It's a surprise."

Confused but curious, Thomas set off for The Steamworks.

"What is he planning?"

Over at Knapford Station, Gordon had just arrived to collect the express where he found Caitlin at the second platform. With a cocky smile, he walked over to her intending to impress her.

"Oh, Caitlin! What a pleasant surprise."

"Oh, hi Gordon! Yeah, The Earl doesn't really have any work for me and Connor yet, so he asked Sir Topham Hatt if we could help around the railway for a while. Right now I'm supposed to take a train called "The Wild Nor Wester?"

Gordon wasn't too happy that someone was taking his express, but he didn't say anything this time.

"Well, I usually take the train, so if you have any questions…"

"Ah, Caitlin, fancy seeing you here!"

Gordon groaned as Spencer backed down into Platform 3, cocky as always.

"Oh, hello Spencer."

"Don't you have somewhere else to be, Spencer?"

"Why? Is it so wrong that I want to talk to a pretty lady?"

Caitlin giggled, and Gordon seethed in fury.

"Aw, aren't you sweet! But I'm afraid I can't talk much, I have to leave soon."

"Ah, a working woman! Well, I'll be working with The Earl for a while, so I guess you and I will be seeing each other a lot!"

"Oh, Spencer!" Called a workman running up. "I just got a call from Ulfstead Castle! They need an urgent load of slate from Blue Mountain Mystery, and The Earl wants you to collect it."

Spencer sputtered, but the workman left before he could refuse. With no other choice, he reluctantly set off for the quarry.

"Oh, the indignity!"

"Get your own catchphrase! Gordon shouted after him, making Caitlin laugh,

"Is he always like this?"

"You get used to him after a while."

"Really?"

"No."

Caitlin laughed again, making Gordon smile. Something about the way she laughed was so endearing.

"Well, if he's trying to impress me, he might as well give up now. I'm not into guys like that."

"Oh? What kind of guys are you into?"

"I don't know, but…"

And before Gordon could react, she kissed him on the cheek.

"Maybe someone like you?"

Just then, her guard blew his whistle, and she had to go.

"Oh, shoot! I'll talk to you later, Gordon."

"Uh, yeah, for sure."

With that, Caitlin set off, waving goodbye to Gordon before she left the station. Gordon waved back, but as soon as he was sure she could no longer see him he began to pump his fist in excitement.

"Eat that, Spencer!"

"Gordon, Sir Topham Hatt wants you to collect some coal trucks for the yard," The Stationmaster told him. But even that couldn't ruin his good mood.

At The Steamworks, Thomas arrived to find an unusual engine waiting for him. He couldn't believe his eyes, for there in front of him was…

"Stephenson's Rocket?"

The Earl chuckled.

"Not quite. As rich as I am, I could never afford the actual engine, but I did manage to source the plans for it, so I asked the good people of The Steamworks to build me a replica for the Estate Railway! And if I might add, they did a pretty good job of it."

"Wow," Thomas said, impressed.

"Indeed! Now come on, let's get it to Ulfstead Castle for testing."

When Thomas showed up at the work site with the replica of The Rocket, everyone was amazed by the sight of such an old engine.

"Whoa! Is that Stepheson's Rocket?"

"Don't be silly, Percy," James said. "The real one is in The Science Museum."

Percy bashfully looked away.

"Ah, don't worry, Percy!" Said The Earl. "Thomas and I had the same reaction. And if everyone else has that reaction, then that just means they did a good job!"

That made Percy feel better. Once the replica was back on solid rails, the men got to work lighting its fire. It took some work, but soon the firebox was sizzling nicely.

"There! Now we just need a driver. Stephen!"

A boy a few years older than Millie came running up.

"Gentleman, this is my son Stephen. Stephen, this is Thomas, James, and Percy."

"Hello, there! Dad's told me all about you."

"So you're Stephen. Why haven't we seen you around?"

Stephen chuckled, and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"Sorry about that! I've been down in the library reading up on the history of the castle. It's really fascinating stuff!"

"Wow!" Percy said, impressed. "You must be an expert on it, then!"

"Not just in history, either!" The Earl boasted. "My Stephen knows all about how to operate this fine machine. Care to do the honors, son?"

"With pleasure!"

Stephen hopped onto the footplate, and took the controls. He then spent the better part of an hour trundling up and down the castle grounds, putting the replica through its paces. At last, The Earl was pleased.

"Excellent! This will work excellently."

"Work Excellently for what, dad?"

But The Earl just chuckled.

"Sorry, my boy, but that's a secret. In the meantime, why don't you let Thomas here show you around the island. It'll give you a chance to test our fine replica's abilities, too."

"Sure, if Thomas doesn't mind."

"Not at all!"

"Actually Thomas, can I talk with you for a minute?"

"Uh, sure, Sir."

Sir Robert Norramby led Thomas to a secluded part of the castle to talk.

"Don't tell Stephen, but I've got a special job lined up for him. It's not ready yet, but I know he'll love it!"

"What is it?"

"Sorry Thomas, but that's a secret. Until then, just try to keep him occupied."

Thomas nodded, but as he went back to his engine he couldn't help but wonder what The Earl's surprise could be.