It was a day that seemed like any other. Bear was taking his slow evening train back across the Island when he stopped at the Works Station. As he idled at the platform, he thought he saw a dark shape in the Works building window. It looked like one of the Caledonian Twins, but he was missing his tender. I didn't know one of the Twins was out here this late, he thought and as he pulled away, the Shed lights suddenly went out.

When Bear arrived at the Sheds, he told the others about what he saw. "Rubbish," said Henry, "the Twins are on Duck's Line tonight."

"It looked just like one of them," Bear insisted.

"It must have been another visitor," said Gordon, "or one of the Fat Controller's private engines."

"Where was its tender then?"

"On the other side of the Shed, no doubt."

Bear didn't see the Fat Controller the next day and was left pondering which engine he saw at the Works. "Maybe it was another ghost," chuckled James. "After all, they seem to be everywhere at this time of the year." Bear took no notice.

Some days later, Pip and Emma were returning home with the Express. They had just passed the Works Station when Pip thought she saw something in the Yard. "Did you see that, Emma?" she asked.

"See what?"

"A steam engine moving in the Works Sidings."

"It must be that mysterious engine Bear saw," answered Emma.

"I don't think so," said Pip slowly. "It was too big…as big as Gordon."

"Don't be daft. Gordon would be back at Tidmouth by now."

When Pip and Emma returned, they found Gordon resting in the Shed. "How did you get here so fast?" asked Pip.

"From where?" grunted Gordon.

"She thinks she saw you in the Works Sidings," replied Emma.

"Stuff and nonsense. I've been here for hours."

"But it looked just like you," said Pip, "and you're the biggest steam engine on Sodor."

As days went by, the strange engines continued to be seen near the Works Station and not only the ones Pip and Bear saw. Donald thought he saw Thomas at the Works and Duck was sure he saw City of Truro of all engines.

"This is ridiculous," huffed Gordon.

Henry looked nervous. "Unless…you don't think-?"

"Not ghosts again," snorted James. "It can't be."

"Maybe not," said Donald. "There's something familiar about all the engines we think we saw. Thomas and Gordon were never at the Works and Thomas is the last of his kind as are Gordon and Flying Scotsman. The same can be said about City of Truro. Not to mention Douggie and I have not been in that Yard at night for some time."

"You're not pulling my wheels again," frowned Gordon.

"Think about it," insisted Donald. "Edward once told us of an engine like Douggie and I who was lost at the Aluminum Works and what about your brother that was lost during the War?"

"I say we ask the Fat Controller first," said Henry.

"He's right," agreed Douglas. "Somethin' else may be going on that we don't know about."

"I only hope it's not ghosts," said Pip quietly. Inside, Bear agreed with her.

Next morning, the Fat Controller came to the Sheds and the engines explained the situation. "There are no ghosts," he replied. "I've been speaking with the Works Manager for some time, and I promise they have not seen anything out of the ordinary."

"Then what did we see?" Bear asked.

"There will be time to talk about this later. For now, you all have work to do." The engines couldn't understand what the Fat Controller meant, but after that, there were no more strange sights at the Works Station.

By the time Halloween was over, the Fat Controller invited some of the engines to the Works Station. A large crowd had gathered around the Main Shed. Even the Little Engines were watching from nearby.

"What's going on?" Thomas asked.

"You'll see," replied Anthony the Works Diesel.

The Fat Controller stepped up to the podium. "Ladies, gentlemen and engines, for many years, the Island of Sodor has been a place where steam has lived on alongside more modern engines and the people of our Works have, er, worked tiringly around the clock to ensure they are all in top form. Today, I am honoured to welcome a new beginning for everyone here as we make our own efforts in the world of Preservation."

The cheers from the crowd were followed by four unfamiliar whistles from the Main Shed. Everyone stared in amazement as the doors opened and…one by one…four engines puffed out in a cloud of steam, with the same shapes as Thomas, Gordon, City of Truro and Donald and Douglas. The other engines could not believe what they were seeing.

"Please welcome our new friends," said the Fat Controller grandly, "Matthew, Salmon Trout, City of Bristol and Loch! These four engines were thought to have been lost to time, but thanks to our talented engineers, they are ready to return to the rails and show everyone what they can do!" The cheers, whistles and toots almost raised the roof; you never heard such a noise.

Later, the engines were talking with the visitors. "So, you're the mysterious engines we saw," said Douglas.

"Och, aye," replied Loch, "we were a big secret from everyone."

"Indeed," added Pip, "we almost thought we were seeing ghosts."

"We were like that when they pulled us off the scrap line," chuckled Matthew. "Those diesels thought they could get rid of us? If only they could see us now."

"Some of them might," said Bristol. "You never know."

"Where will you go now?" asked Percy.

"We'll be visiting museums and branch lines all over the Other Railway," wheeshed Salmon grandly. "I've been told we'll be pulling trains on the Main Line as well."

"How wonderful," said Henry.

"How grand," proclaimed Duck.

"I hope you'll come back and visit," added Edward. "We're always happy to welcome any engine here."

Everyone was sorry to see their new friends leave the next day, but they were happy for them all the same. The Fat Controller and the Works Manager made more speeches. "Good luck to all of you," finished the Fat Controller, "and make all of us proud. We know you will be Really Useful as you continue flying the flag for real engines everywhere!"

Matthew, Loch, Bristol and Salmon were cheered to the echo as they departed with Donald and Douglas leading everyone in song. Many engines may have gone for scrap long ago, but they knew their spirit would live on through them.