Disclaimer: This is a Television Series tie-in compilation. It is not canon with my other stories and was written simply for fun.

DEAR FRIENDS,

Some quite bewildering tales have come to my attention this autumn. Many of the engines claim to have seen supernatural occurrences in various places across Sodor and beyond.

I'm not saying there are no such things as ghosts, but our friends have been rather frightened recently, especially Gordon, Percy and Mike, but perhaps their imaginations were just getting the better of them.

Feel free to think what you like and stay warm in this chilly weather.

THE AUTHOR

"Gordon's Ghost"

It was Autumn on the Island of Sodor. Leaves were changing colour and falling from the trees and farmers were harvesting their plants. The nights grew colder, and some mornings were frosty. The engines didn't want to go out, but they knew they had to be responsible and reliable.

"Such chilly weather," said Henry one evening. "I'm tired of leaves blowing in my face." James didn't like this time of the year much either, remembering the day he'd slipped on leaves and couldn't climb Gordon's Hill.

"At least there's one good thing about this weather," said Bear.

"At what would that be?" grumbled James.

"The spooky stories we get to hear. Driver told me about people hanging decorations and making costumes."

Just then, Edward puffed in. "Oh yes," he said, "Halloween is drawing near."

"Stuff and nonsense if you ask me," grunted Gordon. "Children running around looking silly and scaring each other."

"Well, I find it rather enjoyable," said BoCo, "especially the stories."

Gordon huffed. "I say we've heard every story there is by now."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that, Gordon," replied Edward. "In all my years, I have heard many stories about ghosts and hauntings."

"How about a story that will really freeze our frames?" asked Henry. He really wanted to see Gordon scared.

Edward sighed. "Very well, but don't say I didn't warn you." And the old engine began.

It was the 1940s. The War was on and everywhere in England, Scotland and Wales, people and engines were working hard to stay safe and keep everything moving, but as time passed, it became harder and harder to keep the railways in top form. Building and maintaining engines was becoming expensive, some lines were damaged, and many workmen had left to fight.

On the Eastern Region, engineer Edward Thompson sought to preserve what they had while improving efficiency. Many engines were rebuilt, and any new ones had rather simple designs.

One day, Mr. Thompson spoke with man known as the Fat Controller. He had heard that one of the engines working on the Island of Sodor was originally from Doncaster and had recently been rebuilt: engine No.4, Gordon. Mr. Thompson studied Gordon's new plans and kindly asked permission to use them in rebuilding an engine as a trial. If the engine proved more useful than his own rebuilds, more of them would share No. 4's design. The Fat Controller agreed.

At the time, Gordon's relatives from Doncaster, like the Flying Scotsman, were being rebuilt. The next engine in the Works would be given Gordon's design. When it rolled out of the Shed, the engine looked almost exactly like him, but its paint was black, and it had a smaller tender. Its original tender had been damaged beyond repair and the new one was of the same design used by some of Gordon's cousins.

The engine performed well, but so many were being built and rebuilt that using its design for other engines was too expensive. Nevertheless, the engine worked hard to keep the trains running as danger seemed to be everywhere it looked.

One night, the engine was asked to take an important express goods train up north to Scotland. It was a stormy night and fog was everywhere. The engine could barely see past its buffers as it thundered along the rails…

…The next morning, the telephone rang at the engine's shed. There had been a terrible crash on the Main Line. An Inspector believed the enemy had weakened the track. Some locals say they heard the engines whistle wailing in the night. As for the engine itself…it was beyond repair and sent for scrap.

The line was soon repaired, and services carried on as normal…but as time passed…people and engines have claimed to have heard a deep puffing sound and a whistle wailing like a scream and soon, an engine's shape would appear racing along the line with its parts grinding and rattling. They say it's the engine that crashed long ago, still trying to complete its last delivery…but it never will.

"…Freeze my fuel tank," muttered Bear.

"Pathetic," huffed Gordon, "I may have many brothers and cousins from Doncaster, but the Fat Controller has always told me I was one of a kind."

Just then, the Shed Master arrived. "Gordon, I have a message from the Fat Controller. He needs you to take a goods train to the Other Railway tonight."

"What?!" Gordon spluttered, "why can't BoCo, Bear or Henry do it?"

"Because their Drivers have already left. Besides, the train is heavy and needs an engine stronger than Henry."

"Be careful on the Main Line, Gordon," chuckled James. "We don't want your ghostly brother to get you."

Gordon just snorted as he left the Shed. He collected his trucks from the Harbour and set off for the other end of the line. He was making good time, but as he neared the Works Station, it started to rain. "Bother," he grumbled.

When Gordon reached Barrow-in-Furness, there was more trouble. "The diesel who was supposed to collect this train has failed," said the porter. "You'll have to carry on for a while longer."

Gordon was cross. The rain was heavy, and it was getting rather misty. Worse still, when they reached the next yard, the shunter had been called away, so Gordon had to shunt the trucks himself. Then, the Foreman said there were more trucks to take back. Gordon felt worse and worse every minute.

At last, the trucks were in order and Gordon backed down onto the train. He was just about to leave when…he heard a terrible whistling sound. That can't be right, he thought. Not many steam engines run on the Other Railway anymore and certainly not at this time of night."

…The sound came again. It was definitely a whistle and not one Gordon recognized, but…it almost sounded like a scream. Then, on another line, he heard a deep puffing sound along with some loud grinding and rattling…and two lamps appeared through the mist.

To Gordon…the engine's shape was very like his own…and he whistled loudly in fright as he shot forward with his wheels slipping. "THE GHOST!" he cried.

"What ghost?!" called his Driver, but Gordon didn't answer as he picked up speed.

They raced along the countryside, through stations and over bridges, but the ghost seemed to be chasing them. "NO!" Gordon bellowed, "GO AWAY!"

The big engine ran away as fast as his wheels would carry him and he didn't stop until he reached the Yard. When he got back to the Shed, he rolled back quickly and closed his eyes tightly.

"What's the matter?" asked BoCo.

Then, Gordon heard the whistle again. "LOOK OUT!" he cried. "IT'S MY LOST BROTHER'S GHOST! HE'S AFTER ME!"

"Ghost brother?" said an unfamiliar voice.

"That's no ghost," laughed James.

Gordon opened one eye very slowly…and saw a large goods engine standing on the turntable. Its boiler did look similar to his own, but it had ten driving wheels and a massive tender. "Who are you?" he asked.

"Harrison," said the engine, "pleased to meet you."

"But…I didn't know steam engines ran tours on the Main Line at this time of night."

Harrison laughed. "We don't. A diesel broke down near the shed where I was staying, and I volunteered to take his train for him."

"Harrison is a war engine," explained Edward. "He's come to take part in the Reenactments on my Branch Line."

"And it seems that I've arrived early."

"But what was that screaming whistle I heard?" Gordon asked.

"You mean this?" Harrison whistled again. "Some gravel got caught in my whistle on the way. Loose rocks, most likely."

"And the rattling and clattering?"

"Well, some of those trucks were rather old. I had to puff my hardest and go full steam."

Gordon groaned and the other engines laughed. "Even you should know there are no such things as ghosts, Gordon," chortled James.

"Well," said Edward, "…I didn't say that…"