Later that day, Thomas had finished pushing Green Arrow onto a siding so he could await a maintenance crew. "We'll get the parts we need here and then-"
"There's no point," Green Arrow replied. "I'm completely broken. Look at my cylinders and motion!"
"If it helps," said Twilight, "most of you is still there, in working order. We can still get this done, as only those bits need replacing."
"A new regulator would also help," Lightning Dust added, still looking rather down in the dumps.
"In short, don't give up hope," Thomas smiled. "We can fix this. Anything can be achieved with a little determination."
Back at the NRM, the engines were worried when they heard about Green Arrow's accident, and angry at Silver Link for causing it. "Well, what do we do now?" asked Bahamas. "The world's seen him, and publically seen him suffer an accident."
"We need to get the official backing of the National Railway Museum," said Thomas. "We tried to repair Green Arrow on our own and it didn't go very well."
"Only because Silver Link bumped him!" Churchward said incredulously.
"So," Twilight continued, "we need the official backing and resources. They'll be able to make Green Arrow better than new, I know it."
"At the same time," said Flying Scotsman, "we should work to keep Green Arrow company in the meantime! Who's with me?"
"All of us!" called one and all, and the engines began whistling loudly.
"QUIET!" Spitfire shouted. "Some of us are trying to sleep!"
For the next few days, the Shildon area sounded to the busy noises of construction and engines. Silver Link and BoCo would take turns dropping off loaded wagons and taking empties back, and Mavis would shunt the wagons into their key positions. Of course, Spoiled Rich kept a watchful eye on all aspects of the operation- especially Silver Link and Randolph, whom she felt had not been doing a good job. Safe to say, they worked especially hard!
Meanwhile, the other engines all made sure to visit Green Arrow in his siding, and they kept him company. Flying Scotsman and City of Truro regailed him with tales of the glory years, including their cracks at going at one hundred miles an hour, whilst Boxhill told stories of his life in Brighton as the depot shunter, and Churchward recalled his years as a freight engine. Green Arrow enjoyed their company, and made sure to listen carefully to every word they said. Sometimes, he told his own stories too, and they were enjoyed.
On the final day of the construction project, Silver Link pulled up with the final load of wagons. Just then, he saw Thomas puffing towards Darlington. His eyes narrowed. "See him, Randolph?"
"Yes, I do," Randolph said. "It's that little blue tank engine."
"The one who ruined everything for us," Silver Link finished. "I suggest we teach him a lesson he never forgets." And he blasted off after Thomas, sounding his whistle loudly.
Twilight looked out of Thomas' cab to see Silver Link gaining on them. "What's that idiot doing?" she cried. "He'll hit us!"
The trucks they were pulling started to laugh. "Chase him! Bump him! Throw him off the rails!" they began to chant.
Thomas ran as fast as he could. He charged through Heighington as the steep gradient began to weigh him down, the wagons clanging backwards as he tried to reach the top.
Silver Link continued to gain on them. "You'll not get away this time!" he boomed.
"Almost to the top!" Twilight said. At last, they cleared the summit, and it was downhill all the way to Darlington, where hopefully they would lose him completely. Thomas roared down the grade with the speed of a thundering gazelle, and shot through North Road before turning onto the main line into Darlington. He only just held the bend.
Silver Link was not so lucky. He saw the change in speed limit- too late- and as he hit the bend he tipped over, falling onto his side and sliding across the main line. He wasn't doing well at all.
"Well, that's torn it," he said. "Could somebody close off the running lines?"
Thankfully, Twilight had already run over to the yard telephone, and rang the box at York. "York control, are you receiving me, over?"
"York Control, please state your message, over?"
"Locomotive has derailed outside Darlington station. Up and Down running lines need to be closed, over."
"Understood, setting all signals to danger. Will a breakdown crane be required, over?"
Suddenly, to Twilight's amazement, a loud whistle echoed through the yard. There, towing a breakdown crane, was a 2-6-2 with shining green paint, the number 4771 on his cabsides, a flat sided tender, and a nameplate on his smokebox.
It was Green Arrow. He was towing a pair of cranes.
"Negative York Control, cranes have already arrived. Out."
Green Arrow called over. "Looks like somebody did care! The National Railway Museum took me to York and fixed me up. Now I'm as good as new."
"Better than new," Lightning Dust pointed out. "Every conceivable part has been replaced, and he now has the new regulator type. Green Arrow's in better shape than the day he steamed out of Doncaster in 1936."
"Now then, let's get Silver Link back onto the track," Green Arrow said, as he hauled the cranes over.
Silver Link looked confused. "You're doing all of this? Even after I caused your accident?"
"An accident led to an accident," Green Arrow replied. "Accidents happen, and if the last few days have taught me anything, it's that it's unhealthy to hold a grudge. You are forgiven, Silver Link."
Silver Link was so stunned by this he couldn't think of what to say, as he was lifted back onto the track. Safe to say, although she did have a few words to say about his somewhat slapdash behaviour over the last few days, Spoiled Rich and her family forgave him too, as family should.
And what of Green Arrow? Well, with a single purchase, he was admitted into the National Collection as its newest member, and has taken up his place alongside the regular operating fleet of the National Railway Museum. He soon would have his first run on the main line, with Lightning Dust as his driver- but I can't tell you anything else, or I will spoil the next story.