//------------------------------// // Thomas and the Railtour // Story: Thomas and Friends: More Tales from Sodor // by The Blue EM2 //------------------------------// Everybody was very excited at the National Railway Museum. The powers that be at Network Rail had cleared the Museum to operate regular timetabled services to Scarborough from York and return, and nobody yet knew which engines were rostered to take the trains. "It could well be me," Mallard commented. "I haven't had a good run in weeks, you know." "It also makes no financial sense," City of Truro commented. "York to Scarborough is only 36 miles one way. If anything, it would be more economical to use a mid range engine like the Black 5 in Station Hall." "You mean the one who hasn't steamed in over 30 years?" Churchward said. "Why not Bahamas?" "He's going home to Keighley tomorrow," Boxhill explained, "as is Misty Fly. It certainly won't be me, or Thomas. "We're too small." "At least we have the running line to play on!" called High Winds. Thomas said nothing. He was certain he wouldn't be chosen, but he enjoyed listening to the others debating it anyways, and they were all happy when it was decided the trips would go to Green Arrow on his first mainline trip in over 50 years. When Green Arrow returned from the first trip, he looked exhausted. "I've never seen that many people!" he said. "The trains were extremely crowded. You wouldn't believe how many people were standing in the vestibules." "Management's considering putting on extra trains or more coaches," Lightning Dust explained. "But if they do the latter, the strain put on Green Arrow would be too much." "I don't fancy blowing up again," the big green engine sighed. Thomas then had an idea. "Can I help?" he asked. "I know I'm only a 1P in terms of power, but two engines is better than one, isn't it?" Spitfire, who had overheard the entire conversation, joined in. "Of course you can!" she said. "We have a surplus of engines around the yard at the moment, and attaching Flying Scotsman would be overkill. So yeah, that'll work!" The next morning, Twilight arrived nice and early to get Thomas' fire lit and to grease his working parts. Soon, the shed was sounding to the noise of parts being checked, engines being lubricated, and steam gently wafting through the air, joined the smell of anthracite. Behind Thomas, Green Arrow was also being prepped for service. Lightning Dust started by soaking a rag in parafin oil, and then lit it with a match. She then put the rag into the firebox, which already had some coal in it, and then set about cleaning and filling the boiler with water. After several hours of hard work, the boiler pressure on both engines had reached operational status. In fact, Green Arrow's brand new boiler was steaming so well his safety valve opened a few times! Once they were cleared to operate, Thomas and Green Arrow were coupled together and worked light engine to York Station, where they found Boxhill and Churchward pulling the empty stock into the platform. The platform was jammed with people, a crowd that didn't seem to get any smaller even after the passengers had boarded! Although some people managed to confuse Green Arrow and Flying Scotsman (quite how you do that I have no idea), the crowd was respectful and kept their distance. Thomas was coupled in front to lead the train, and the outbound run went very smoothly- so smoothly, in fact, that they actually arrived several minutes early! At Scarborough, as the passengers set off to go on the beach and eat ice cream (it was unusually hot that day), Thomas was turned on the turntable, as was Green Arrow, so they could lead the train back to York. Whilst they waited, they decided to have a little sing song. "Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside! I do like to be beside the sea! Oh I do like to stroll along the Prom, Prom, Prom! Where the brass bands play, 'Tiddely-om-pom-pom!' "So just let me be beside the seaside! I'll be beside myself with glee and there's lots of girls beside, I should like to be beside, beside the seaside, beside the sea!" "You all have great voices," Thomas commented. "Thanks," said Green Arrow. "I didn't know I still had it. What vocal range are you, Thomas?" "I don't know," Thomas replied. "But some of my friends on a little railway at home are tenors and basses." "I must visit your home someday," Lightning Dust said. "Sodor sounds like a lovely place." Eventually, it was time to set off again, and off they went back to York. At the lineside, where a large church sat ruined, a crowd of people had gathered to watch the train fly by. "Look at all the people!" Twilight called. But Thomas wasn't looking at them. He'd spotted something up ahead. "Stop!" he called. "The track looks wonky!" Both he and Green Arrow slammed their brakes on, barely stopping in time. "What's going on?" Green Arrow asked. "Look! The left hand line is lower than the other!" Twilight said. "The river has caused the embankment to give way, and this line isn't safe to use!" "Phone the signalman and tell him the Up line is out of use," Lightning Dust explained. "We'll have to use the crossover and run single line past the landslip." Twilight phoned the signalman and told him what had happened, and eventually got permission to use the other line, all other signals being put to danger. Thomas was uncoupled, and ran slowly past the damaged section. Once he was clear, Green Arrow hauled his coaches past the damaged track, and once they were clear, he and Thomas coupled up once more. Slowly, but surely, they pulled the train back to York. They were late, but nobody cared. Several days passed, and it was Thomas' final day at York. A party of smartly dressed people arrived in the yard, amongst them Mrs McNicol and Sir Toppham Hatt! "Oh dear," Thomas thought. "They're going to send me away for frightening that child." But Sir Toppham Hatt was smiling. Mrs McNicol raised her hand for silence, and switched on a microphone. "Thomas," she said, "I had heard from Sir Toppham Hatt that you are a really useful engine, and during your time here you have gone above and beyond in helping us. You have not only prevented two nasty accidents, but have saved an engine from certain destruction and shown initiative and bravery time and again. To this end, it is my great pleasure to declare that you are an honorary member of the National Collection!" Thomas could only beam with happiness as a special plate was attached to his running board. "This special plate will remind you of your time here. Three cheers for Thomas the Tank Engine, and his driver Twilight Sparkle!" "Hip hip!" "Hooray!" "Hip hip!" "Hooray!" "Hip hip!" "Hooray!" The crowd cheered and applauded, and the engines whistled loudly and for several minutes. "Well done Thomas!" said Sir Toppham Hatt. "I knew that you would be a credit to our railway!" "Thank you, sir, on behalf of Thomas and myself," said Twilight. "Tell me, what happened whilst we've been here?"