At the Mystery Inc. Headquarters in Coolsville, all seems to be calm and quiet. Nothing seems to be out of the ordinary, which is something in regards to what antics the gang gets up to every now and then. Today seems to be one of the calmer and quieter days.
Inside of the building, Fred Jones was taking the time to relax and catch up on some reading. Velma Dinkley was on her laptop, while Daphne is checking out her latest of fashion in one of her new fashion magazines. Shaggy and Scooby-Doo were both over in the kitchen, the two of them making a meal for themselves. Willow, meanwhile, she's been catching up on some new books of so-called mystic arts, doing her best to refine her work and see what she can improve upon.
Velma suddenly stopped as she sat up from her spot. "It's way too quiet right now. Where's Braedey and Rose?" She now asked, realising someone was missing.
Daphne stood up and she looked over to Velma. "I... I don't really know." She replied.
Fred puts down his magazine. "Not sure." He shook his head.
Shaggy poked his head out of the kitchen. "Like, I think he's upstairs with Rose." He called. "I don't know what they're up to, but maybe he's showing her something."
Velma decided to go and see if their youngest member was alright. She made her way upstairs to where Braedey's bedroom is. As she does so, Velma coild hear laughter and giggling coming from his room, so she goes to take a peek with in the doorway to see what's going on.
Braedey's bedroom is a rather large one. It has a single mattress bed in the far side of the bedroom. Nearby on a large table is a Bachmann sized model railway, with many 'Thomas And Friends' trains, trucks, coaches, and model buildings the same size. In front of the window is a desk, where Braedey could work on some of his trains and models.
As Velma looks in, she could see both Braedey and Rose, the former playing with his model trains, with the latter taking a look at the books named 'The Railway Series' written by the legendary Rev. W. Awdry, the creator of Thomas the Tank Engine and his Railway Series books. Velma looks on in curiosity, being as quiet as can be, seeing the two having fun.
"Oh, gosh." Rose laughed, her reading book No.7 'Toby the Tram Engine', after seeing what had happened with James running into tar wagons. "Is this really what had happened to James when he tried to prove something to Toby?" She asked to Braedey.
"Yeah, that's what happened." Braedey chuckled back. "In fact. It's one of the many incidents that James has been through throughout his life on Sodor, involving his accident on the first day with his wooden brake blocks catching fire, even using newspaper and bootlaces to fix the brake pipe, spinning about on a turntable like a top, running into tar wagons, nearly being flattened by a tree, his water tank freezing over, just to name a few." He then shrugged while having his model Thomas drive around the track with his coaches Annie and Clarabel hitched up behind him.
"Wow, I have to admit, some of these engines have some bad luck." Rose commented.
"Well, not always." Braedey shrugged. "These engines, they're pretty much the last of their kind, and the Island of Sodor is their safe refuge and home. A home for steam engines where they can be safe and be able to work on a railway, one where people can see them in action."
"That must be pretty neat." Rose smiled. "Wish I could see this place for real."
"Oh, that's every child's dream who've read the books and have watched the TV show." Braedey chuckled out at this. "Anyone would love to be a part of that world."
Velma shows a soft smile on her face as she saw the two interacting especially after their time since their interactions back in the Dominican Republic after the deal with the sea witch Slattern. She then thought on about Braedey and Rose, and how they haven't had the chance to travel by rail. She considered something, then had an idea as she goes to talk to the others.
"Everyone. I've just got an idea." Velma announced to the others, getting their attention as they look over to the smart girl. "Why don't we take a journey on the rails? Maybe travel by train?"
"Like, you serious?" Shaggy asked in surprise.
"By train?" Scooby echoed.
Braedey and Rose now emerge from the bedroom, the two having heard Velma's announcement. "You really want to travel by train?" The former asked. "To where?"
"We can take the Indian Valley Railroad. I heard it's quite popular." Velma suggested. "We can take an Amtrak express to what they call the Big City Hub, and we'll take what they call the Rainbow Sun train."
"I've heard about that. It goes through meadows and open plains before it heads into the valley, surrounded by tall mountains." Daphne sighed softly. "I'll go and purchase the tickets." She immediately gets up and heads off to get them online.
"Like, we'd better go pack, Scoob." Shaggy declared, he and Scooby immediately heading off to their room.
"Same for us." Rose added in, looking to Braedey.
"Guess we're off on another trip." Fred shrugged, then he gets up and heads off to get himself ready for the next adventure.
~*~*~
The Coolsville Transportation Center (or Coolsville Central Railroad Station) is a large railway station and transport hub in on the far side of Coolsville. The building is owned by Amtrak and managed and operated by the Coolsville Redevelopment Authority. Amtrak provides service to the station via the Keystone Service route, which operate along the Keystone Corridor and Northeast Corridor. It is one of the busiest Amtrak stations serving a metropolitan area, due to the large number of passengers travelling between this station.
Once arriving at the station, the Mystery Inc gang were being hounded and called out by fans of theirs, all of them wanting pictures and autographs of the mystery-solving gang. It took a little bit of effort to get into the station, and luckily, the security guards came along to shoo away the fans as they got inside.
"Gosh... did not expect so many fans just when we're trying to get to the train station." Rose panted. "How do you all even handle with that on a daily basis?"
"Just lucky, I guess." Braedey answered back casually.
"Like, he's right." Shaggy added in.
"Daphne, which platform is our train?" Velma now asked.
"It should be on Track 3, just over there." Daphne answered, gesturing over to a large streamline Amtrak diesel and coaches coupled up behind it, the diesel being a GE Genesis, a series of passenger diesel locomotives built by GE Transportation for Amtrak, Metro-North, and Via Rail between 1992 and 2001, the diesel having a power output of 3,200hp (2,400kW), and a maximum speed of 103mph (166km/h).
"I was expecting something else..." Braedey muttered. He really wanted to see and travel along a steam train. 'I guess it'll have to do for now.' He thought.
"Come on, gang. Let's get on before it leaves us." Fred called.
The gang quickly made their way onto the train, getting onboard with time to spare. As they do so, the diesel blew its horn as everyone began to board the train. A few minutes later, the train began to leave the station and head off down the line.
Inside the third carriage of the train, the gang have gotten themselves into their seats and they watch on as the scenery passes by, eventually exiting the city background and going forth into the countryside.
"Not used to travelling this fast over land." Rose said to Braedey. "How fast can these trains go?"
"Well, they're limited to about 70 or so miles per hour." Braedey admitted. "Some people sometimes prefer cars to rail, but having someone else drive and not have to worry about it, it lets you relax."
"True." Shaggy agreed, him and Scooby relaxing and enjoying their snacks.
"Reah." Scooby nodded.
"Plus, it gives us the chance to touch up on things." Daphne included next, her touching up on her makeup. "It also gives Freddy the chance to relax instead of just driving around all the time."
"That is true." Fred admitted.
"By the way, what is this Indian Valley Railroad?" Rose now inquired in curiosity.
The Indian Valley Railroad is known as a shortline railroad connecting a town named Shining Time with Amtrak's Keystone Corridor mainline route. The line is used for excursion trains, which carry passengers on a 45-minute round-trip journey through nearly 2,500 acres (1,000 ha) in southeastern Lancaster County. This section of railroad today is a heritage railroad offering excursion trains hauled by steam locomotives on the 4.02 mi (6.47km) of track, as well as providing contract railroad mechanical services, and freight service to area shippers.
"Huh. That sounds interesting." Rose commented.
"Yeah. It'll be pretty interesting to see and travel along." Braedey nodded in agreement to the blonde mermaid. Velma can't help but smile at both Braedey and Rose's faces as she saw how excited and curious they are about this whole trip. Her little plan is working like a charm.
~*~*~
Eventually, the Amtrak train had eventually arrived at the station that links up with the Indian Valley Railroad. There were lots of people coming and going, all making their way to their next train. As the gang disembark the Amtrak train to go and find their next train, they look over to see a steam locomotive parked by an adjacent platform.
The engine is an "M" Class 4-8-0 Twelve-Wheeler "Mastodon" type steam locomotive built in 1906. This engine is in black with yellow lining and brown window frames. The number "475" is painted on the sides of its cab in gold. It also has the words "Indian Valley" painted on the sides of the tender.
"Wow. That looks amazing." Rose commented.
"Is that our train?" Braedey asked to the gang.
"Yep. That is our train." Daphne answered.
"But we won't be going all the way." Velma added in next. "We're gonna get off at some station called Muffle Mountain and stay at a hotel there." She raises an eyebrow. "What an odd name for a mountain."
"Like, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Shaggy announced.
The gang immediately moved on and follow Shaggy's lead, all of them now getting onboard the Indian Valley Railroad locomotive, getting settled into one of the two carriages coupled up behind it. A moment later, it was time to go. The engine rang its bell as it began to slowly move away from the platform with the rhythmic sound of deep chugging. The engine then blew its whistle twice before it began to pick up speed, leaving the station and city behind, heading forth into the countryside that lay before it.
Inside the train, Rose can't help but smile as she watches the scenery pass by, Braedey also looking on as well, with Fred and Daphne both checking out the history and the knowledge of the train and history of the railroad, while Velma was doing some checks on her laptop. As they do so, the train continued on down the tracks at speed, reaching about 40 miles a hour at a good pace.
"This is rather nice." Rose commented, her sitting by the window with Braedey sitting in her lap. "Going by train... watching the scenery go by..."
"That's the thrill of going by rail and never having to worry about anything else, with someone else driving." Braedey added in acknowledgement.
"I've already got a hotel for us to stay in." Daphne said to the others. "We'll be relaxing in five-star luxury."
"That's good to hear." Velma smiled softly.
After some time, the steam locomotive came to a stop at one station by the name of Muffle Mountain. The mountain is located some distance from the station at the end the line known as Shining Time and the Indian Valley.
"Muffle Mountain..." Rose commented as she looks at the station name board. "So strange..."
"That's definitely odd for a station or a mountain, but apparently, they call it that because it muffles all train whistle sounds coming from the valley." Velma explains to her.
"Is that so?" Rose mused. "That is rather strange." She and Braedey now watch as the steam engine chuffs away out of the station and continues on its way. "That is nice to see."
"It's just one of the thrills of seeing a steam locomotive in action." Braedey said back as they saw the steam train continue on its way down the railroad tracks. "Able to stand by the line side and watch as a train goes by with either passengers or freight behind it."
"Braedey, Rose. Come on!" Daphne called out to them, the two now seeing the gang halfway down the road. "We're losing daylight. Let's get to the hotel before we head off for the mountain tomorrow." The redhead called out.
"Right behind you." Braedey called back, he and Rose now following on after the rest of the gang.
"Tomorrow, we'll have some fun." Rose added in.
Eventually, the Mystery Inc. gang had arrived at their hotel and have gotten themselves set into their rooms. For both Braedey and Rose, this was just the very beginning of their railroading adventure. Little did they know things are going to change tomorrow...
~*~*~
The next morning, the gang awoke bright and early. When they got themselves prepped and ready for the day, they now got a good glimpse of Muffle Mountain with the rising sun behind it. It looks almost mystic and beautiful.
"Wow..." Braedey mused as he looks on at the mountain.
"Reah..." Scooby agreed with the little member of the gang.
"That looks so so beautiful." Rose looks on as she sees the rising sun behind the mountain. "No wonder people say it's magical."
"Yeah. There's even a legend that if you listen carefully on a calm and quiet day, you could hear the faint whistle of an engine echoing from the mountain itself." Daphne added in as she stood by the two.
"Daphne, you know that's just an old story the locals told us last night." Velma stated to her friend.
"We thought the same thing about mermaid, yet they ARE real." Daphne pointed out, gesturing to Rose.
"Touché." Velma muttered as she looks away. "Sometimes, I hate it when I get proven wrong or right about things." She added in.
"Like, what's the plan for today?" Willow now asked, everyone looking to her.
"Like, I'm up for anything." Shaggy answered.
"Why don't we take a walk around Muffle Mountain?" Braedey suggested. "I'm sure we could find a very nice view of the valley from up there." He added.
"I like that idea." Fred spoke up. "Let's go ahead and make our way up that mountain."
Sure enough, the gang had gotten themselves prepped and ready for their trek up Muffle Mountain. Willow had given Braedey some trekking and navigation gear in case something does happen, which the latter did think is excessive, and Daphne did tell Willow Braedey isn't a little kid and he'd be just fine, especially with Rose and Scooby next to him. It did take some convincing, but Willow eventually relented, but she had to make sure both Rose and Scooby keep their eye on Braedey, which they both understood and respected.
"Like, I don't know about you guys, but you think Willow might be a little bit tightly-wound?" Shaggy asked to the others.
"Maybe..." Fred shrugged.
"I heard that, you two." Willow spoke back, the two boys taken aback. "And I'm just being cautious. There's something about this place and this mountain... I've been getting this weird feeling or something from all around here..."
"What do you mean?" Velma asked.
"I'm not sure. Let's keep moving." Willow answered.
The gang soon began to make their trek up and along the mountainous path up towards the summit of Muffle Mountain. As they make their way up, they have to make sure they didn't get stuck or caught, especially given the situation is for them. But then, they came to a stop when they saw a 300ft drop along the side of the mountain that'll lead down into the valley down below.
"Whoa. That's a big drop." Rose spoke up.
"Roh boy." Scooby muttered.
"Hate to get stuck down there." Fred added in.
'Why do I get the feeling that he might be right?' Rose thought in confusion.
The gang continue their trek upwards, reaching a section of the mountain that looks to have been left to neglect and decay. While they go along, the gang did have to curtail their moments. They also had to take in account that there might be out there in the mountain. But while they go along, the ground beneath two folk's feet was starting to lose grip and start to roll down the hill.
Braedey stopped for a moment, Rose also stopping as they look at the brunette. "Guys... do you hear that?" He asked in concern.
"Hear what?" Velma questioned, her looking back.
"I can hear rocks crumbling." Braedey replied softly.
"Reah, I hear it too." Scooby agreed, his ears perking up as he listens.
"It might just be the mountain settling." Fred took a guess. "Besides, I think it'll be fine."
"Fred, I think we should take it easy." Daphne suggests to the blonde male.
"Daphne and Braedey are right. We don't know this mountain, and what could happen." Willow agreed.
As they talked, or argued amongst themselves, Braedey, Rose, and Scooby could feel the wind starting to pick up. They look down to the valley nearby, and can see some clouds rolling by the trees, but the wind was definitely getting stronger and wasn't letting up. Before anyone could say anything, the ground beneath the three suddenly gave way, and they began to fall down the mountain!
"CRIKEY!" Braedey yelled out, his yell echoing out and now snapping everyone out from their argument as they saw what's happening.
"RIKES!!! RHAGGY!!" Scooby howled out.
"SCOOBY-DOO!" Shaggy yelled in worry.
"Come on! Let's go!" Fred called, he and the rest of the gang now trying to catch up as they make their way down the mountain. "We can catch them at the bottom!"
Braedey, Rose, and Scooby were now falling down the side of Muffle Mountain, passing by trees and shrubs and rocks, luckily not hitting any of the large rocks as they do so, though they did manage to land on falling tree trunks that were sliding down the mountain so they don't hurt themselves.
"What do we do?" Rose called back, bumping along the dirt and the rocks. "I don't even know how to steer this thing."
"Just keep your head down in case." Braedey advised, then looked over to Scooby. "This is definite déjà vu, Scooby-Doo!"
"Reah!" Scooby called back.
"Right!" Braedey yelled, him seeing a tree in front of him, so he shot a web strand to his right, pulling him to the right, missing the tree. "Left!" Braedey called, and he does the same thing again, only going to the left. "Right!" Braedey continued to shoot webbing, he and Rose sliding/surfing left and right to dodge the trees. "Left! Right! Hangin' a Louie! Tossin' a Ritchie! Port astern! To the starboard!"
Luckily, thanks to their tree surfing and sliding, the three of them managed to make it out of the trees and began to reach the end, but they got knocked off the tree trunk as it hits a large rock, sending Braedey, Rose and Scooby flying through the air, landing in a large green field, the three of them going for a rumble as they do so, the laws of inertia carrying them as they go along. But before they can even stop, there was the sound of a ringing bell, a loud blowing whistle, a flash of rainbow light, and a huge cloud of steam, then there was nothing.
Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Willow eventually make it to the bottom of the mountain, reaching the field where they saw Braedey, Scooby, and Rose end up in. But as they got closer, they saw the cloud move away, and there was no sign of them anywhere! It was like they had just vanished, right into thin air!
"What? Where'd they go?" Velma questions in surprise.
"Where are they?" Daphne asked in worry.
"Oh, curse me not making sure he was harnessed in." Willow muttered in worry.
"Gang, let's look around for anything that might help us find Braedey, Rose, and Scooby. Anything counts." Fred now suggested to everyone. "Wherever they are, we can only hope they ended up somewhere safe."
"For all our sakes, I hope you're right, Fred." Daphne replied back, she and the others making their way into the field to find clues.
Willow turned and looks back up at Muffle Mountain looming overhead of them, a look of uncertainty now appearing on her face before she goes and helps out the gang. There was something about this mountain that didn't seem to sit right with her. But what???
~*~*~
Rose groans out aloud as she shook her head, her consciousness eventually returning. She slowly opens her eyes, and she could see blue skies above with soft fluffy clouds floating along. Rose slowly sat up and she could see she was in some kind of forest, one with tall green trees and bushes around the area.
Rose now spotted Scooby, who had just woken up and got back on his feet. "Scooby, are you okay?" She asked.
"Reah, I'm fine." Scooby nodded back, shaking his head, then looks around. "Rhere are we?" He asked.
"I... I don't know. This is strange. We might need to look at where we are." Rose mused, then she noticed and realised something. "Wait, where's Braedey?" She asked in worry.
"Oh, can you at least get off me first, Rose?" Braedey's voice groaned. Braedey was shown to be knocked down to the ground, and Rose was sitting on top of him.
"Sorry, Braedey." Rose apologised and stood up, then she helped him to his feet and dusts him off. "I didn't mean to sit on you."
"I'm fine, Rose. Really, I am." Braedey reassured to her. He then takes a look around at where he and the other two have ended up. "Strange... definitely not where we were beforehand." He muttered, while taking notice of a set of railroad tracks leading to a set of old buffers.
"So... what do we do now?" Rose asked.
"The most immediate question is... Where are we?" Braedey now questioned first and foremost.
Little did they know that their adventure had just begun...
~*~*~
A/N: After sadly hearing about Britt Allcroft's passing (R.I.P Britt), I thought I would make a crossover book of 'Thomas & Friends' and 'Scooby-Doo', and it'll revolve around the film 'Thomas and the Magic Railroad'. Before anyone asks, no. The film doesn't exist in my Scooby universe.
There will be some different characters added in, with some added changes here and there, but it will follow the formula of the film.
Hope you all enjoy this story.