Museum Piece
"I don't believe it!" Gordon fumed. "What's he got that none of the rest of us have, eh? Why does he get to go to the National Railway Museum and I don't? Why, being a unique locomotive myself, I am worthy of visiting such a place especially since several of my cousins are resident there."
"Well, he is over one hundred years old," said James, rolling his eyes in annoyance. "If Sir Toppham Hatt says he can be a museum piece, it's none of our business."
"It's still not fair," Henry grumbled. "We all work as hard as he does, and he's the only one who gets any recognition from the press. Did you see how heavily he's being used in the marketing for the North Western? People'd think he was the only engine on this island!"
The engines ignored Thomas when they saw him going about his day. Thomas, on the other hand, just ignored them. He had more important things to do than worry about what a bunch of haughty express engines thought.
"Why me?" he asked, one morning, as Twilight was getting him ready for service. "Fancy the National Railway Museum in York wanting me to visit again, after we all went there for the children."
"Well, technically we didn't all go," Twilight replied, completing her checks and oiling Thomas round. "That was before engines like Donald and Douglas arrived, and even Oliver or Stepney. Did you know one of his brothers lives at York?"
"And a fellow LBSC engine, no doubt," Thomas replied. "Oh well. Why me specifically, I wonder?"
"Because you're the number one engine?" Percy suggested, as he moved off into the yard to shunt some trucks.
"Because people will see you on television and read stories about you on the internet and then you'll go 2D and start bouncing and-"
"Whatever is she talking about?" asked Toby. "I'm a three dimensional object last I checked, and besides, why would that be of any concern to us? We're not on the internet!"
"Sometimes, Pinkie is just Pinkie," Flash sighed. "Come on Toby. We'll have plenty of work to do whilst Thomas is away at York!"
"When are we going again?" Thomas asked. "I've forgotten."
"Some point later this week," Twilight replied. "Sir Toppham Hatt is yet to secure a pathing slot with Network Rail, as we'll need a diesel to tow us as far as Carnforth. From there, we can work under our own power, though we'll need to go the long way round via Skipton and Keighley. Remember, that's where Jinty lives!"
"I remember!" Thomas said. "Who do you think will be at the Museum today? Will Flying Scotsman be around, or City of Truro?"
"I don't actually know, Thomas," Twilight replied. "I'd suggest we stay calm and wait when we get there. At least a Terrier will be able to keep you company whilst we stay at York."
Thomas smiled. He knew the big engines were jealous they weren't the ones going to York, but he was still a little surprised as to why a dock shunter like himself was wanted for their event.
At long last the big day arrived, and everybody gathered at Vicarstown to see Thomas off. Even Sir Toppham Hatt was there to wish Thomas the best of luck. "Goodbye, Thomas!" he said. "Enjoy yourself at York, and make sure to be a credit to our railway! And remember the three Rs!"
"Reading, writing, arithmetic?" Twilight aked. "That's really one 'r', an 'a', and a 'w'."
"Ready, Reliable, and Really Useful!" Sir Toppham Hatt replied. "Cheerio!"
Everybody gave three cheers or sounded their whistle, and Thomas was soon on his way. He puffed across the bridge and pulled up at a siding in Barrow. In order for a train to operate over the Cumbrian Coast route, it must be fitted with a cab based signalling system called GSM-R. Gordon was the only steam engine on the North Western fitted with such a feature, and as such Thomas couldn't run under his own power. Instead, a diesel from a company called DB Cargo coupled up to him, and towed him and his coach as far as Carnforth, where the Cumbrian Coast route met the West Coast Main Line. Thomas was shunted into Steamtown at Carnforth, where he spent the night with several other engines, including Royal Scot who had visited Sodor many years earlier.
After resting overnight, Thomas could at last run under his own power. He puffed up the line proudly, with people turning out at the lineside to cheer him on his way. At Skipton, he paused to take on water (his tanks were low), and waited to let a freight train from Swinden Quarry access the main line. It was long and heavy, pulled by a big red diesel with a grumpy face. Once they had passed, he continued on his way. As he set off, it began to rain. It rained and it rained and it rained. Thomas was making as best the time he could, but little did he know danger was just ahead.
Just up the line towards Keighley, the railway met a level crossing. The signal box here had been closed years ago, and the crossing barriers and signals were controlled from a centre in Leeds. The signaller in Leeds, seeing the train approaching, set the signals to clear and gave the barriers the order to drop.
But there was something wrong. The remote signaller wouldn't know, but the bolts on one of the crossing barrier arms have way, and the arm toppled onto the track!
Thomas had no clue he was steaming towards danger. The signal showed clear, and he felt happy. "Just a typical Yorkshire day, this!" he said to Twilight.
"Sure is," she replied. "Lots of rain and cold weather. I'm glad I packed a raincoat!"
They rounded a bend, and sure enough there was the level crossing, and the barrier was lying across the track! "BRAKES, QUICKLY!" Thomas called.
Twilight slammed the brakes on, but the wet rails caused Thomas to slip and slide. He collided with the arm and the force of the impact caused him to topple onto one side, blocking both running lines.
Twilight ran to a railway telephone and contacted the signalling centre to tell them of the accident. The line was closed off, causing untold chaos across the north of England (also known as a normal day on Northern Rail). A breakdown train was dispatched, and Thomas was soon lifted off his side and back onto the track.
"Hmmm," said the inspector. "You can't go on like that, Thomas. It's not safe."
"How will I get to York then?" Thomas asked. "I'm supposed to be there tomorrow!"
"I think that's the least of our worries right now!" Twilight snapped.
"I know," the inspector sighed. "But I'll arrange something, don't you worry." And he walked away, mobile in hand, as Thomas sat there, looking glum.
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Wheres Luster Dawn
Very clever jab at that.
I think you're missing a word inbetween have and way: gave
This was an interesting story. And welcome back.
One story I hope will be made is the season 2 episode, "The Runaway". I can actually help out with that one, since I have an idea on who could be Thomas's relief driver to take Twilight's place while sick, what could happen before Thomas runs away from his faulty handbrake, and what can be said at the end.
I'll give you a clue on who Thomas's relief driver could be. "I just don't know what went wrong."
Huh, I never knew which line Thomas was taking in this story
When I was younger and actually happy my family and I watched Thomas. Mostly me and my brother though. But I lost happiness and I don’t watch anything but horror, death, and a few other things now.
10732770
These stories take place before the events of The Last Goodbye, as stated on the front page.
10732786
That's a typo. I'll correct that.
10732899
One issue with the Christopher Awdry stories was that he didn't always have the best of grasps on railway geography.
10732903
I'm sorry to hear that. I wish you luck with rediscovering happiness.
10732810
Wait and see if that one turns up. We're in for the long haul with this collection.
10733181
well, how would yours go?
10733220
I would use this;
10733187
Well, I couldn't say most people would have expertise on railway locations, I certainly don't
10733180
Indeed
10733242
Then again, that's comparing him to his father, whose understanding of railway operations and equipment was second to none. He notes in the introduction to the 1997 illustrated edition;
10733243
Fun fact; Ted Robbins is the 1st Cousin once removed of Paul McCartney.
10733252
Good point
10733253
Really?
10733255
This show is full of unintentional Beatles connections.
10733267
Ah, of course. Cause one of them narrated Thomas.
10733281
Ringo Starr to be precise. Although interestingly, Ringo Starr was voiced by Paul Angelis in the 1968 film Yellow Submarine. And yes, Paul Angelis was Michael Angelis' older brother.
10733293
Huh, I never knew that fact about the Yellow Submarine film.
10733298
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_Submarine_(film)
Be warned; it is extremely surreal.
10733300
Funny thing is, I believe I have a vhs copy of the film.
10733304
I don't know if it ever got a DVD release.
10733254
The Reverend really was a remarkable writer.
Not bad.
10733428
Thanks. This is an adaptation of a Christopher Awdry book.
10733188
Thanks but I don’t think that I have anymore happiness inside me. Happiness, laughter and a few good feelings have been drained from me and replaced with pain, sorrow, depression, anger, bitterness.
10733489
Sorry to hear that. Please don't take this the wrong way, but have you considered seeing a councillor to help?
Setting the story nowadays actually makes more sense, as in 1990 there was still no freight on the S&C.
10733711
And nowadays the route is an incredibly busy freight corridor. Even in covid times, the WCML is ludicrously busy.
10733343
I don't either
10733419
He most certainly was
10733805
I'll go look.
10733545
Every therepist I see always leaves so I stopped. My mom still has me in therapy but I’m not opening up to anybody anymore.
10733950
Ah.
10733435
Sweet.
10734024
Requested by Thomlight Sparkle specifically.
10734003
Yeah.
10734086
So, any way any of us could help?
10734095
No. It’s my problem not anyone else’s.
10734106
OK.
10734124
Thanks for the try though. I appreciate it. I don’t wanna sound rude.
10734239
Np.
10734247
Thanks.
10734259
Best of luck.
On the mainland : Train derails = Everybody panicking
On Sodor : Train derails = Nobody being overly bothered
10763943
Botheration!
Covers her mouth Please do not mention that god forsaken reboot pinkie, Mattel can go fuck themselves for what they did to my beloved childhood show!
Wait, the U.K. has a steamtown of their own? I thought only the one in Scranton, Pennsylvania was the only place you'd find steamtown!?!?
Uh oh! 😰