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weirdowithaquill · 8 months

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Traintober 2023: Day 1 - Free Day

Preservation on Sodor:

Sodor must be one of the most interesting places to look at when it comes to railway preservation, if not also road, sea and air preservation. For starters, the island’s railways are all still primarily run by vintage steam traction – but there’s also Harold, who is in his 60s or 70s at this point, Bertie the bus (who is nearing 100), Trevor and Terrence and George – not to mention the fact that the island seems to continue to have antique ships within its waters, including steam ships and fishing trawlers.

But of course, I want to focus on the railways – and in particular how Sodor must be the British hub for heritage railways, museums and other attractions. For starters, Sodor has by far the largest heritage railway system in the world for its size, with over 80 miles of mainline, several branchlines, a narrow-gauge railway, a mountain railway and a miniature gauge railway. It also has a massive fleet of engines – 80 by the Reverend’s count on the NWR alone – making it possibly the single largest working heritage railway in the UK, if not Europe. This would instantly attract many preservationists wishing to run their locomotives, meaning that mainline excursions and visitors would be a frequent sight on the island. This in turn would bring in tourists, who would make money for the NWR and the railway the engines belong to, as well as helping the Fat Controller if one of his enignes is unable to work. It would also give us as railfans the chance to see unique motive power on a variety of trains - like a Coronation Class pulling a slow goods, or a Hughes Crab on a China Clay train - things we don't get to see anymore.

Furthermore, Sodor is home to Crovan’s Gate Works, the largest steamworks of its kind in Britain. For its influence, I am going to turn to 60163 Tornado. When Tornado was built, her boiler had to be manufactured in Germany because there was just no one in the UK able to produce a boiler of the type, while the superheater header needed to be attempted by three foundries before it was assembled correctly. Crovan’s Gate Works, which is able to maintain a full fleet of engines including Gordon – who is also an A1 with many similarities – would have been able to do both in a far timelier manner. The same would go for all locomotive repair programs in the UK. Crovan’s Gate would either host locomotives or manufacture parts for them, becoming a hub for preservation across the country. Engines like Stepney or Green Arrow would be able to be overhauled at the Works, rather than be taken out of service. This would effect how many steam engines are in working order in Britain, if not Europe, as the refurbishment time would be significantly shortened - something that is compounded if said locomotive shares any components with a Sodor engine - like Talyllyn, Dolgoch, Flying Scotsman or any of the Black 5s, Panniers or Autotanks in preservation.

This brings me on to the last point: International Tourism. Sodor must be one of the most visited locations in Britain in this universe. For starters, there’s all the fans of the book and TV series (which are both canon and referenced in the books). This means that Sodor would have tens of thousands of families coming to the island from around the world annually to see the ‘Eight Famous Engines’ or the ‘Steam Team’, bringing in a massive amount of revenue for hotels, local businesses and the railways themselves. But there would also be the railfans who come with the aforementioned railtours, as well as international railfans who want to see steam in action in a mainline setting – something nearly impossible anywhere on the planet. Sodor has at least one airport (and probably two, considering in real life there is an airport on Walney Island near the real-life Vickerstown), six ports connected to the NWR, and a rail and road link to the UK. The island has the infrastructure to handle the flocks of tourists, and this would in turn benefit much of the rest of Northern England. This would majorly benefit the preservation world by bringing in funding for Sodor, which is in turn able to fund things like track upgrades, or overhauls for engines beyond their own railway. It also gives other railways a good place to promote themselves, as Sodor has a guaranteed market for tourists who may travel to these other railways.

You cannot understate how much these books have done for Sodor, and for railway preservation as a whole.

So, Sodor is at the very least a centre for preservation in the UK, with railtours, overhauls and masses of international tourists – but it’s also where a lot of engines were likely rescued from. We see it in Oliver and Douglas, but engines know of Sodor and its safety. I can imagine an alternate universe in which engines keep turning up throughout the 1960s, being brought to safety on Sodor and then sold to heritage railways, being overhauled at Crovan’s Gate before moving to their new homes. Sodor would act as an intermediate in this era, being able to do the paperwork to preserve engines due to its position in the national network while also being aligned with the cause of the heritage railways. Sodor is a safe haven for steam, and this would have a significant impact on its position as a preservation hub for the UK.

Back to the Master Post

#railway series #weirdowithaquill #thomas the tank engine #railways #traintober 2023 #railway preservation #rambles

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hi-my-name-is-cosmopathy · 1 year

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A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes (A “SOS, From Sodor” Short Fic)

WARNINGS!: D34TH, GRIEVING, EYE INJURY, BL00D, ANGST WITH NO COMFORT, SKIN AND EYE INJURY, RADIATION BURNS, EXISTENTIAL CRISES

This fic, in entirety, is depressing. Don't read if you are sensitive to the topics above.

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And with a flick, the disc slowly started to spin on the gramaphone a familiar tune flowing through the living room. Thomas turned his head in playful disapproval.

“Really, Edward? Disney songs?”

“What can I say? Their songs are just wonderful”, Edward grinned.

Thomas sighed. He didn’t like Disney so much, he thought that their movies were not very good. Edward, on the other hand, was a fan who loved listening to their songs.

“I don’t really get why you like them so much. Not that they’re bad, I just don’t see why.”

Edward simply smiled as he set his book on the table in front of the couch Thomas was sleeping on.

“Their music makes me think of a world”, he replied. “One where we can be good.”

“I thought you believed people could be good”, interjected Thomas.

“Did you expect me to fully believe that?”, the old man laughed. “This world is full of greed, hatred. Pure corruption. When I listen to these songs, I think of a world where we can redeem ourselves.”

“A place where the bravery and kindness of people can touch the hearts of the broken and reunite them as one. One with blooming flowers and forests with birds and little creatures all around, unharmed by men who realized their wrong doings. With streets where we could all say ‘hello’ cheerfully without prejudice. A utopia that could fix this planet.”

Thomas stared intently at Edward. He knew Edward more as a sagely yet hopeful elder and less of a man grounded to a horrible reality.

“To me, that is an ideal world to live in”, he continued, gazing at the sunrise outside the window. “But I doubt there is anyway for that to fully happen.”

Thomas stayed silent. He moved so the old man could sit next to him.

“Edward”, the boy started. “Did something happen?”

“I’m not sure, Thomas”, he answered. “I suppose I just woke up feeling like this.”

The young man frowned.

“W-Well....”

Edward's eyes shifted to him.

“I know that this world isn’t good, but I think it’s the people you find that count.”

“Oh, really? Like who?”, the elder teased.

“Me! You found me! Don’t you cherish me as your fellow train driver?”, Thomas asked with a smirk.

Edward was stunned, but he began to chuckle. The knew that Thomas said that knowing he can't deny it.

“Yes, I do, you little puffball”, Edward snickered.

But it was true. He did care for Thomas.

He’s been by his side ever since he guided him when he first came to Sodor. He was cheeky, fussy and impatient, yes. But for some reason, even with those traits, he loved him unconditionally. Throughout the years he has grown into a more different person, and he can’t help but feel proud.

“And yeah, wishes like that rarely come true. That's why we're here. To make the effort for them to exist”, Thomas reassured.

Edward raised his eyebrow. “I never thought I would hear words like that from you.”

“Anything for my elder”, the youngin’ beamed.

“Aren’t you a sweet thing!”, Edward cooed.

Thomas giggled as his hand slithered unto Edward's shoulder. The two laughed until the old man was reminded of the music he was playing. He opened his mouth and out came an award-losing voice...

“A dream is a wish your heart makes~♪”

Thomas cringed. Edward wasn’t that bad, but in truth, he wouldn't win a contest. Even so, he grinned from ear to ear from the effort.

“Edward, sto̯̱̊͊͢p̞̈͑̚͞!”, ḣ̖̻͛̓ẹ̿͋̒̕ s̠҉͍͊ͅā̤̓̍͘ỉ͔͖̜͌ḑ̴̞͛̒ ĝ̽̓̀͑l̙͖̑̾ͣẹ̿͋̒̕ẹ̿͋̒̕f̵͖̜̉ͅư̡͕̭̇l̙͖̑̾ͣl̙͖̑̾ͣy҉̃̀̋̑—

—That's what Edward also told himself. As he looked blankly into Thomas’ eyes.

“W̯ͤ̾ͣ͝ḣ̖̻͛̓ẹ̿͋̒̕ṇ̤͛̒̍ y҉̃̀̋̑o̯̱̊͊͢ư̡͕̭̇'r̴̨̦͕̝ẹ̿͋̒̕ f̵͖̜̉ͅā̤̓̍͘s̠҉͍͊ͅt̲̂̓ͩ̑ ā̤̓̍͘s̠҉͍͊ͅl̙͖̑̾ͣẹ̿͋̒̕ẹ̿͋̒̕p̞̈͑̚͞~♪”, ḣ̖̻͛̓ẹ̿͋̒̕ c͕͗ͤ̕̕o̯̱̊͊͢ṇ̤͛̒̍t̲̂̓ͩ̑ỉ͔͖̜͌ṇ̤͛̒̍ư̡͕̭̇ẹ̿͋̒̕ḑ̴̞͛̒ ā̤̓̍͘s̠҉͍͊ͅ ḣ̖̻͛̓ẹ̿͋̒̕ b̬͖̏́͢ẹ̿͋̒̕ĝ̽̓̀͑ā̤̓̍͘ṇ̤͛̒̍ t̲̂̓ͩ̑o̯̱̊͊͢ ḑ̴̞͛̒o̯̱̊͊͢ ā̤̓̍͘ l̙͖̑̾ͣỉ͔͖̜͌t̲̂̓ͩ̑t̲̂̓ͩ̑l̙͖̑̾ͣẹ̿͋̒̕ w̦̺̐̐͟ā̤̓̍͘l̙͖̑̾ͣt̲̂̓ͩ̑z̼͙̓́ͭ—

Thomas didn't retort this time. He just stayed silent. Edward's mind slowly went empty as blood dripped from his hands.

"Keep singing, Dad—"

More blood spat out from his puffball's mouth, as he bled and bled.

“I̍̅̀̎̊ṇ̤͛̒̍ ḑ̴̞͛̒r̴̨̦͕̝ẹ̿͋̒̕ā̤̓̍͘ḿ̬̏ͤͅs̠҉͍͊ͅ y҉̃̀̋̑o̯̱̊͊͢ư̡͕̭̇ w̦̺̐̐͟ỉ͔͖̜͌l̙͖̑̾ͣl̙͖̑̾ͣ l̙͖̑̾ͣo̯̱̊͊͢s̠҉͍͊ͅẹ̿͋̒̕ y҉̃̀̋̑o̯̱̊͊͢ư̡͕̭̇r̴̨̦͕̝ ḣ̖̻͛̓ẹ̿͋̒̕ā̤̓̍͘r̴̨̦͕̝t̲̂̓ͩ̑ā̤̓̍͘c͕͗ͤ̕̕ḣ̖̻͛̓ẹ̿͋̒̕s̠҉͍͊ͅ~”

“Whatever y҉̃̀̋̑o̯̱̊͊͢ư̡͕̭̇ w̦̺̐̐͟ỉ͔͖̜͌s̠҉͍͊ͅḣ̖̻͛̓ f̵͖̜̉ͅo̯̱̊͊͢r̴̨̦͕̝, y҉̃̀̋̑o̯̱̊͊͢ư̡͕̭̇ ḳ̯͍̑ͦẹ̿͋̒̕ẹ̿͋̒̕p̞̈͑̚͞.”

Edward singing grew more and more incoherent as deep pain grew in his chest. It kept tightening and tightening, just like his grip on the boy.

“Have faith in your dreams and someday, Your rainbow will come smiling through”

His mind drew back to a memory in this room. One where he was also singing to Thomas like this. There was just, less blood involved.

"H-hey, do you remember when you sang to m-me?..You were t-terrible!...It kept m-me awake the w-whole night, I wish we could've had more nights like that....maybe we us dueting...singing ABBA....and..."

......

It was all over. Over.

No amount of repressing could stop Edward from the growing coldness of the man in his hands, and the never-ending voices screaming in his mind.

He remembered what Thomas said to him on that day, when he was questioning his life.

“N̺̻̔̆ͅo̯̱̊͊͢ ḿ̬̏ͤͅā̤̓̍͘t̲̂̓ͩ̑t̲̂̓ͩ̑ẹ̿͋̒̕r̴̨̦͕̝ ḣ̖̻͛̓o̯̱̊͊͢w̦̺̐̐͟ y҉̃̀̋̑o̯̱̊͊͢ư̡͕̭̇r̴̨̦͕̝ ḣ̖̻͛̓ẹ̿͋̒̕ā̤̓̍͘r̴̨̦͕̝t̲̂̓ͩ̑ ỉ͔͖̜͌s̠҉͍͊ͅ ĝ̽̓̀͑r̴̨̦͕̝ỉ͔͖̜͌ẹ̿͋̒̕v͒̄ͭ̏̇ỉ͔͖̜͌ṇ̤͛̒̍ĝ̽̓̀͑”

He really wanted— no, he needed to hear something from him again. Just this one last time—even if it only lasted for a few seconds.

“I̍̅̀̎̊f̵͖̜̉ͅ y҉̃̀̋̑o̯̱̊͊͢ư̡͕̭̇ ḳ̯͍̑ͦẹ̿͋̒̕ẹ̿͋̒̕p̞̈͑̚͞ on believing...”

He couldn't hear James and Henry approaching, a scream coming right after they stopped dead in their tracks.

“...The dream that you wish will come true~♪”

"...Eddie, I love you, but was terrible."

"I-Oh, come on! It wasn't that bad...”

Edward stared at his son, and cried. As no amount of wishes could ever bring back the lifeless body in his arms.

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I am officially labelling this as the most depressing fic I have created for now.

But no seriously it was sad then @itsjustempathy HELPED ME AND OOOHHHH......

Either way, have a depressing fic about my AU, “SOS, From Sodor”! This AU is simply Sodor Fallout, but all the engines are completely human and there's some different stuff here (ex: the mutation is not caused by a nuclear explosion) and it doesn't have a defined ending. There are currently three main endings depending on what happens. Thomas dying here leads to the so-called bad ending, “Eternal Slumber”. You can take a guess on what happens lol

I wrote this fic cus uuh, I thought that what if Edward and Thomas had a similar moment like Duck and Oliver (one dying while a wistful song plays)

So uuh that's it i hoped you liked this fic ^^

(Kudos to @itsjustempathy for helping! This is the song used in the fic ⬇️)

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puffpal7 · 11 months

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YALL I THOUGHT OF THIS THING IN THE SHOWER WHERE THERES THIS (KINDA) MAGICAL RAILWAY ON SODOR WHERE ALL THE ENGINES ARE BASED OFF PLANETS AND THE SUN IS THE CONTROLLER

I'LL TALK ABOUT IT MORE LATER I GOTTA DO HOMEWORK RN I JUST WANTED TO GET THESE THOUGHTS OUT BEFORE THEY LEFT ME

#im gonna make train designs for them oh my gooooodddddd #ttte #oc concept #< i guess??#puff's rambles #idk if anyone has done this yet #i hope not #/nsrs

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sudriantraveler · 1 year

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can we see your Mid Sodor Heritage Railway wip?

That's a concept I've been working on for a little bit now. Unfortunately There really isn't much written story-wise for it yet, but I can explain some of the main information I've laid out for it.

After Duke's rediscovery, interest quickly grew regarding the long abandoned Mid Sodor Railway, and soon a group was organized to try to rebuilt a section of the old line from King Orry's Bridge in Peel Godred to Ulfstead Road.

I have a few ideas for the engines I plan to have run this line:

I'm using the magazine characters of Little Barford and Sidney as new-builds similar to numbers 7 and 10 on the preserved Corris Railway. Not many specific details planned out at the moment for them, but they are by far the newest engines on the railway.

Also part of the preserved MSR is the old Cas-ny-Hawin mine engine, who I have named Casny. I'm still working on her character, but I actually plan to maybe reuse/rework some ideas I mentioned in an older post here.

As for how Casny survived, currently the story is she was sold off by the old MSR and was passed around a few mines and industries before being acquired by a private owner who had planned to restore her themselves, but when they were unable to complete this project they donated her to the new MSR heritage railway. She is the only engine owned by the heritage railway who actually worked on the old MSR previously.

Next up are the lines two diesel engines, and they're who I have the most planned out for at the moment. They were the first two engines for the new heritage railway, and were the main engines who helped to rebuild the old line.

First of the two diesels is Cecil, based on the planet type narrow gauge diesel shunters like the one seen below.

Cecil is actually who I have the most written for, so brace yourself for a long backstory:

They were built at some point during WW2 for the Peel Godred Aluminium Works, where a few years later they meet Stuart and Falcon after the MSR closes and they were bought by the aluminium company.

Cecil is kinda reserved, keeps to themselves, doesn't actually have a name at this point, and so more just works in the background.

Stuart and Falcon are aware of them, but don't really know them other than that they help out with moving wagons around.

And then the Aluminium work's expansion project (which is what Stuart and Falcon were purchased to help out with) is completed...

And while Cecil is to be kept on, Stuart and Falcon are actually at risk of being scrapped.

Now, Cecil doesn't really know them all that well, but they don't want them to be killed... So they, their driver, and a few of the friendlier workers conspire to hide Stuart and Falcon out of view in a back corner of the works.

They then hear word that the Skarloey Railway might be looking for some more engines... So they send out a letter saying they know where to find some.

So anyway, after a bit of confusion for the aluminum work's higher-ups, who after a brief period had kinda forgotten they even had two steam engines somewhere on the property, Stuart and Falcon are bought by the Skarloey, get renamed Sir Handel and Peter Sam, and we know their story from there.

Cecil meanwhile, stays working for the aluminium company for several more years

Having done their good deed, they continues to work alone at the aluminium works... but over time they begin to wear out...

and now they're probably going to be replaced sometime soon...

Around this time the MSR heritage railway project begins building up momentum.

Good news for the diesel, the new railway needs engines...

Bad news, no one knows there is one right under their noses at the aluminium works.

So the new company asks around to see if there is anywhere they might be able to buy an engine from... and eventually they ask the Skarloey Railway if they know of anywhere they could look.

Duke, Peter Sam, and Sir Handel are all keen to help this movement to restore part of their old railway. Duke has however been buried in a shed for a lot of the last several years and so is not really able to come up with anything...

But Peter Sam and Sir Handel think long and hard, and remember that "wait a minute... wasn't there a diesel who used to work with us at the aluminium works?"

They don't remember much about them, and they don't know if they're still there, but they make the suggestion to the preservationists that they might want to ask the aluminium works about the engine.

They were actually just in time, because they ask the aluminium works about Cecil just a few days before they were due to be scrapped.

So Cecil is bought by the preservation group, is restored and set to work helping to rebuild part of the old MSR. This is also when they get their name.

As the first engine for the new heritage railway, everyone else kinda looks up to them, which is a bit uncomfortable for an engine who has spent the majority of their life blending into the background, but that's another story.

Finally, there is Cricket the rail tractor. She is based on the Talyllyn Railway's original number 7, seen below.

Cricket was built by the Skarloey Railway sometime after Duncan arrived on the railway in order to have another engine to help Rusty with maintenance work.

She got her name after an incident described below: One particularly hot summers day her crew left her engine cowling open to help keep her engine cool. The crew forgot to close the cowlings at the end of the day. When they returned to start work the next day they found a mass of crickets had made their way into the engine housing during the night.

Unfortunately, Cricket turned out to be Somewhat of a poor performer despite her best efforts.

As the Skarloey Railway becomes busier over time she begin to be overshadowed by the other engines and becomes discontent with her position on the Railway.

It wasn't that she was being neglected, the railway and the other engines tried to help her out and give her stuff to do, but the Skarloey Railway was really just to big for her to be of much practical help.

About a year after Duke’s arrival on the railway, Cricket heard that the then ongoing project to restore part of the Mid Sodor Railway was in need of another engine to assist their diesel Cecil.

Seeing this as an opportunity for an adventure and a chance to maybe stand out and be happier on a smaller railway, Cricket volunteers to be donated to the preservation society rebuilding part of the MSR.

She helped to rebuilt the line alongside Cecil and is indeed much happier finally having found her place in the world on a railway which is just the right size for her. She even got her own special job when the railway reintroduced on a smaller scale the MSR's old horse and cart goods service for some of the farms and other local businesses along the line.

And that's pretty much all I have at the moment. I started working on this because I think it would be neat to look at a railway preservation movement from the perspective of the engines involved.

I think it will also be interesting to explore how these engines interact with the former MSR engines now on the Skarloey railway. I'm sure Duke, Peter Sam, and Sir Handel have a lot to say about this project to restore part of their old home.

That's all for now.

#WIP ask game #ttte #ttte mid sodor railway

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star3xian · 3 months

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[Idea dump]

This is a very early concept of my TTTE AU and what will stay from my Galaxy Express / Galaxy railway phase.

Something that was more or less a prominent part of my Au was that it took elements from both animes which was the idea of Trains having magic / Power to fly to space and be sent to a far-off planet. And Sodor is part of a planet owned by spirits of the past.

The thing is Track-WARE at the moment does not support magic nor flying trains since I still would need to figure out how a train could take off but then like I mentioned in my last post, it could be Arasaka or Militech type of stuff as both companies create pretty interesting technology.

So Sodor would be less a place /island but rather a railway company that makes technology that is experimental but serves the same purpose as Militech. To upgrade trains to make them useable for service in space exploration and protection.

This means yeah the original designs can somewhat stay but would have to be altered to fit current ideas and then the AU would be a sub-thing and not connected to the main lore of Track-Ware so it would be its totally own thing as I personally want to keep fandom from original works...

well whatever comes out of it, it somehow will work lol.

#ttte au #idea dump

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whatdoesthathavetodowiththis · 7 months

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Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: NIB Thomas and Friends Sodor Safari Animal Friends - 10 Pack.

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rygoespop · 11 months

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Thomas and Friends: Tales from Sodor (Story 71): Alien Diesels

Scene opens with a Cold Opening, at the Dieselworks, the 4 Diesels were plotting revenge

Diesel 10: Alright my posse, it's time we pay those Steamies back, by being Aliens since that Space Center was built

Arry and Bert: Hooray Hooray!

Diesel 10: We'll have to be green with fake antennas

Diesel: *honks his horn as he arrived as he shunted SCruffey, with Paint Pots of Green Paint, Green Lights, and Fake Antennas* Heh heh heh, already got it covered

The 4 Diesels laugh as the camera pans up to the sky

Title Card: Alien Diesels

Scene opens with Thomas puffing into the Space Center with Annie and Clarabel, dropping off tourists

Narrator: One day, Thomas was delivering tourists to see the Space Center, they were very excited

Captain Nordstrom: Thank you Thomas, these Tourists are going to learn more of space

Thomas: Oh, thank you, Captain Nordstrom!

Tourist 1: Well there be signs of life from out there in Space?

Captain Nordstrom: *chuckled* Don't be silly, we haven't found any Aliens

Tourist 1: Aaah

Scene transitions to Night, as Molly was doing Night Deliveries, pulling Freight Cars of milk

Narrator: Later that night, Molly was out, delivering milk

Molly: Soon, there'll be plenty of milk to make all the ice cream

Suddenly, Molly sees a Green Light, causing her to come to a stop

Molly: Huh? Who's there?

In front of her, were Diesel 10, Diesel, Arry, and Bert, all looking like Green Aliens

Diesel 10: We, are Aliens, we came from a Planet far from Earth

Diesel: And we want you to take us to your leader

Arry and Bert: Ooooooooooh

Molly: *shaking in fear* Aliens? *she puffs away in backwards*

Diesel 10: *cackles* It worked

Diesel: Oh yes

Scene transitions to Tidmouth Sheds, the other engines are asleep, as they heard Molly screaming

Henry: *waking up and sees Molly puffing towards him* Ah aaaaaaah!

Molly: *crashes into Henry, but she backs up* Sorry Henry

Thomas: Molly, what happened?

Molly: I was out doing Milk Delivery, until suddenly, I seen 4 engines, but they were all green and have antennas

Edward: That sounds like-

Percy: Aliens!

Gordon: Pah! Please, there are no such thing as aliens!

Molly: It's true Gordon! I saw them on the main line!

Scene transitions to the next day at Knapford, as Gordon waited for the Express

Narrator: The next day, Gordon was at Knapford, waiting to take The Express

Paxton: *shunts the Express Coaches behind Gordon* Here you go Gordon!

Gordon: Thank you Paxton *he blew his whistle and puffs off*

Scene transitions to evening at Vicarstown, Gordon was waiting to take some Passengers from The Mainland to Knapford

Narrator: That evening, Gordon waited impatiently

Connor: *puffs in as he blew his whistle* Sorry I'm late Gordon! I came as fast as I could!

Connor's passengers exited the coaches and enters Gordon's coaches

Gordon: Well, your lucky we are not doing a race today

The Guard blew his whistle, signaling that it's time to go

Gordon: *blew his whistle and puffs off* Goodbye Connor!

Scene transitions to Night, as Gordon thundered down the line

Narrator: As soon as Night fell, Gordon was about to have an unexpected stop

Gordon: *sees the signal being red* Huh? *he came to a stop*

Just then, a green light appeared, and came the 4 Diesels in their Alien Disguise

Diesel 10: We don't come in peace

Diesel: Take us to your leader

Gordon: Ah! Aliens! Percy was right! *he puffs way in backwards*

Scene transitions to the next morning, as Gordon arrived back at Tidmouth Sheds

Narrator: The next morning, Gordon arrived back at Tidmouth Sheds

Thomas: Wha?! Gordon? Your back early after taking the evening express

Gordon: I- I just saw the aliens last night! Percy was telling the truth!

Percy: What?!

Edward: Aliens on Sodor? That can't be right

Thomas: I must investigate what's going on

Rosie: I'm coming with you Thomas

Scene transitions to Thomas and Rosie puffing into Brendam Docks

Narrator: Soon, Thomas and Rosie began to find some answers

Thomas: Hello Salty, hello Porter!

Salty: Oh ahoy Thomas and Rosie!

Porter: We are glad you came

Rosie: What happened?

Cranky: Well, there was a shipment of green paint

Carly: That was meant to be taken to the Steamworks

Big Mickey: By Charlie

Bulstrode: But by the time he arrived, someone has taken the paint!

Rosie: That's not right

Thomas: Hmmm, we better find it further! Thank you Brendam Docks Team!

Salty/Porter/Cranky/Carly/Big Mickey/Bulstrode: Your welcome!

Thomas: Come on Rosie! *he blew his whistle and puffs off*

Rosie: Right! *she follows*

Scene transitions to Thomas and Rosie arriving at the Dieselworks

Narrator: Soon, the two engines arrived at the Dieselworks

Thomas: Hmmmm, I wonder if they have the paint here

Rosie: *sees the paint pots* Thomas look!

Thomas: The paint! *he puffs up to the truck with the paint*

SCruffey: Hey watch it you- Wait! It's you!

Thomas: Uh oh!

Rosie: Thomas, who is- *gasps*

SCruffey: Help! Heeeelp!

Diesel 10: Huh?!

Diesel: We got intruders!

Diesel 10: *sees Thomas and Rosie* It's the Puffball and his girlfriend!

Thomas: I'm not her boyfriend!

Diesel 10: Barry, get them!

Arry: We're on it boss!

Arry and Bert oiled towards Thomas and Rosie

Rosie: We got to go Thomas! *she puffs away backwards*

Thomas: And that truck is coming with me! *he was able to pull SCruffey as he puffed away backwards*

SCruffey: Help!

Scene transitions to Thomas and Rosie, puffing backwards as Thomas pulled SCruffey, as Arry and Bert gave chase

Arry and Bert: Stop you!

Thomas: Arry, Bert! You don't understand!

Bert: Zip it!

Rosie: Heeeelp! *she blew her whistle loud*

Thomas blew his whistle loud as well

James: *heard the whistles* That sounds like- *sees Thomas and Rosie, being chased by Arry and Bert* Thomas and Rosie! *he blew his whistle and went after*

Bert: Surrender that truck to us!

James: Hey! How about minding your own?!

Thomas: James!

James: Thomas! What's going on?!

Thomas: We found out who are the aliens!

James: What?!

Rosie: It was Diesel 10, Diesel, Arry, and Bert!

James: What!?! They did this?!

Thomas: Yeah! With the help of SCruffey!

SCruffey: And me and the Diesels wouldn't gotten away with it!

Emily: *puffing down the same line, pulling her coaches with Sir Topham Hatt and Captain Nordstrom, as she sees Thomas and Rosie* Thomas! *she applied her brakes*

Thomas: Everyone, stop!

Thomas, Rosie, Arry, Bert, and James all applied their brakes

Emily: That was close

Sir Topham Hatt: *exits the coach* What is the meaning of this?! *sees Thomas* Thomas! What are you doing?! Your suppose to be on your Branchline!

Thomas: I know sir, but hear me out! We found out who are the aliens!

Captain Nordstrom: Aliens you say?

Diesel 10: *honks his horn as he and Diesel arrive* Don't listen to him sir!

Diesel: Thomas is making up stories

Thomas: I'm not! Sir, we found out who's behind of being aliens, it was Diesel 10 and his Posse!

Sir Topham Hatt: What?!

Diesel 10: Uuhh, I uh- Oh I give up! It was us sir!

Sir Topham Hatt: I knew it! Diesel 10, Diesel, Arry, and Bert! You four have caused confusion and delay! For your punishment, namely you Diesel 10 and Diesel, its back to the Waste Dump!

Diesel 10: This isn't the last of us! *he grumbled as he oiled away*

Diesel: You'll pay! *he oiled away as well*

Captain Nordstrom: Nicely done Thomas and Rosie, you were able to bring in the "Aliens" of Sodor

Thomas: Oh, thank you sir!

Captain Nordstrom: I'd like to present you both, your medal of Alien Capturing *he places the medals on Thomas and Rosie*

Rosie: Oooooh, we feel like Space Engines

Thomas: Yeah

Rosie: One small puff for steamies, and one for all on Earth *she giggled*

Thomas chuckled, as well as James and Emily, as the camera pans up to the surface of Earth

Story End

#thomas and friends

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mean-scarlet-deceiver · 4 years

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first part on engine consistently portrayed as poorly maintained:

*fails* SECOND part on engine consistently portrayed as poorly maintained:

*fails... ON THE SAME DAMN JOURNEY* engine and crew:

sir topham hatt, railway controller, established in multiple prior incidents as one of the cheapest mofos on the planet:

#i’m sorry i am just completely over this ridiculous ass #i’m not tryna make a dystopia out of sodor or anything #that’s not why I’m here #these stories make me happy and i don’t want to go all edgelord #but holy hell i just can’t even with this guy any longer #all one can do is laugh heartily and take him not a bit seriously #yeah this was originally going to be part of my ‘main line engines’ crack re-telling #but it seemed to be more part of an ongoing series of ‘mocking the fat controller’s reactions at the end of stories’ that seems to be emergi #so here it is separately #you can also check out his tag for more of me bitching about FC #my ‘Old Iron’ post was a masterpiece ngl #and so cathartic too #the fat controller #ttte #rewatching ttte #thomas and friends #the railway series #cheapest mofo on the face of the planet

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sodor-spirit · 2 years

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Edward: So Oliver, you’ve been dating Thomas for a while, correct?

Oliver: Yes, that’s correct.

Thomas: We’ve been going for about a month already and been hanging out a lot too!

Edward: That’s nice. It almost reminds me of what Gordon and I have. Always going on dates by my territory or him carrying me while he’s flying, do the two of you have any favourite dates?

Oliver: Hmm… let me think… Oh! Remember when we watched the old Planet of the Apes movie together, Thomas?

Thomas: *snorts* Yeah, then we decided to spread rumours that the gorillas and monkeys at the Sodor Zoo are plotting to take over the world and I wore my driver’s old gorilla mask.

Oliver: *starts laughing* And I also tackled Duck to the ground screaming: “Get down Duck! The Gorillas in the zoo are plotting world domination!”. He was extremely convinced I gone completely bonkers and then himself when he saw you wearing that mask!

Thomas: *laughs loudly, tears falling down his face* Then I chased James around and he was screaming that a gorilla wearing my clothes is running after him like a pro athlete!

Edward: *Looks utterly outraged and murderous* I’m sorry, the both of you did what?

#ttte #thomas the tank engine #thomas and friends #ttte thomas #ttte oliver #ttte edward #ttte humanized #ttte human au #humanisation #humanised #ttte fantasy au #ttte au #ttte shitpost #shitpost #ttte quotes

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www-islandofsodor · 6 months

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youtube

Good evening fellow Sudrians. Let me take y’all back in time to the year of 1976; where a certain s7 newbie became a true MVP. His name is Arthur and he runs a branchline that runs from Brendam to Norramby before ending at Kirk Ronan. Thing about Arthur is: he loves fish and the sea; which is why he and Salty get along like a house on fire.

In this video, you’ll see Arthur progress on his journey to becoming a true seaside MVP. From making new friends to encountering familiar enemies, Arthur will tackle it all; showing us one and for all that he is worthy of being a significant secondary character in the grand scheme of things.

#1976 #ttte arthur #seasonal mvp #complete saga #Kirk Ronan Portside railway #Planet sodor #Youtube

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weirdowithaquill · 7 months

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Traintober 2023: Day 23 - Big World

The blue tank engine pulled into the Big Station with his coaches, spotting the Fat Controller standing on the platform. “Ah, Thomas! Thank you for sorting out those vans earlier – I can’t believe they missed those on this morning’s Kipper.” “Not a problem sir!” Thomas said, an idea bubbling in his boiler. Surely he’d be able to convince the Fat Controller that a grand trip around the world was a perfect marketing strategy! Sir Topham Hatt was always looking for new ways to bring tourists to the railway after all.

“I’ve had an idea! How would you like it, sir, if one of your engines could be the very first to go right the way around the world?”

As Thomas prodded the Fat Controller for an affirmation, he didn’t notice a certain Great Western engine at the other platform, listening in closely.

***

Thomas thought he’d made a safe getaway, right up until he heard a pointed cough from behind him. “Well, Thomas, what’re we doing now?” “Duck?!” The Great Western Pannier tank sat in the hold behind the blue tank engine, with a pointed eyebrow raised. “What’re you doing here?!”

Duck coughed pointedly. “I came to stop you. You can’t go galivanting off across the planet! You need to let Carly lift you back onto the dockside this instant!” “Um… Duck…” “What?” “The boat’s moving.”

Duck went a very interesting shade of red, and said nothing for a little while. Then…

“We’re going back as soon as we reach Dakar.”

Duck raised an eyebrow at Thomas as he was rather coldly rejected by Ace. As much as he wanted to go home… or maybe hop on that ship bound for Italy… he knew rather well that if someone didn’t chase after the idiot they called a Number One tank engine, Thomas would inevitably end up down a mine, white water rafting his way towards certain doom.

And once was enough.

“Thomas, how about we just… go to Dar-es-Salaam. We can maybe catch a boat back to Sodor from there.” “No Duck, we’re not going back now! We’re going a trip around the world – or at least, I am. You can go back to boring old Sodor and you’re little forgetful branchline.” Duck hissed crossly. “Forgetful! Says the engine that forgets his passenger trains every day and needs Stanley to pull Annie and Clarabel. At least I remember to do my work, instead of wandering off to freaking Africa!”

Thomas raised an unimpressed eyebrow.

“Oh? So why’re you here?” “Stopping you from doing something stupid. Again.” In lieu of a reply, Thomas puffed away, asking aloud whether or not it was possible to reach Dar-es-Salaam from Senegal. Duck wondered if Thomas had ever seen a map – there were no railway lines across the Sahara! And yet, the blue tank engine seemed to believe that if he just asked loudly enough, some random shunter would couple them up to a line of trucks and send them across the continent!

“Dar-es-Salaam? Are you going to Dar-es-Salaam?” Duck looked over, and saw several trucks all beam at the tank engine. “Oh no… oh no, Thomas—” “We’ve been waiting for you!” The trucks were hooked up to Thomas by a little shunter with side tanks and a stove pipe funnel. Duck watched on with interest. These trucks didn’t seem like the ones on Sodor.

“So you are the new engine?” asked the foreman, striding over from his office. “Well… I…” “We, are the new engines – sir,” Duck interjected. “But only for this run. We’re being transferred down to Dar-es-Salaam, so the railway thought it best we take the trucks with us.” “Two of you?” he asked slowly. “You are both so small though!” “Little engines can—” Duck cut off Thomas again.

“We are small, sir. But I’ve got plenty of water, and Thomas here is full of plenty of hot air.” “Hot air?!” “Oh! Like steam,” said the foreman. “It is… one of your…” “English jokes, sir,” Duck replied sweetly. Thomas went red in the face, and let out a great cloud of steam. Duck just sidled away to couple on behind.

***

The two quickly discovered just why the foreman had been so sceptical. They had been put on a slow pick-up goods, being halted at nearly every station between Dakar and Abuja to pick up and put down trucks. Thomas continued to watch in shock as five trucks became eight, then thirteen, then thirty!

Duck quietly uncoupled when the last lot were shunted onto the back of the train, and sidled up alongside.

“We’ll not make it across the rest of the continent with just the two of us.” “Yes we will!” spluttered Thomas. “I don’t even need you back there! All you’re doing is slowing me down!” Duck rolled his eyes. “Fine. I’ll find a brakevan for you, and you can continue alone.” “A brakevan? We haven’t needed one yet! The land is flat, Duck – the trucks can’t roll away!” Duck rolled his eyes. Every wise engine knows that brakevans aren’t just for runaway trains.

Nonetheless, Thomas did wait for the Great Western Pannier to find a brakevan, before heaving and groaning loudly as he tried his best to drag the heavy train away. Duck’s driver just shook his head in disbelief.

“First I let you talk me into this, then I let you talk me into not helping that struggling fool – I’m so losing my job.”

To his credit, Thomas did make it to the next shunting yard – but there, a large orange tank engine shunted ten more wagons onto the back of his train. Thomas winced as he felt them being coupled up.

“Um…” “Your face!” cackled the orange engine joyfully. “You really shouldn’t look so surprised – there are always a lot of trucks for Dar-es-Salaam, you know,” she added. Duck chuckled. “Oh, he knows,” he said with a smirk. “He’s just stubborn.” “I don’t need any help!” “See?” Thomas hissed steam at Duck, who puffed backwards to avoid it. “Well, I can help you,” offered the orange engine. Thomas glared. “No! I just said I don’t need your help - just watch me! I can do this… by myself!” The orange engine looked rather hurt. Duck sighed.

“Come on, he’ll wind up in a mess in a moment, and then he’ll change his tune. He always does.”

And Duck was – inevitably – right.

The orange engine’s name was Nia. And having saved Thomas from derailing (and then horrifying Duck by suddenly rushing backwards down a hill), she was easily accepted by the Pannier into the little group. Thomas, meanwhile, just sniffed.

“Couple up while you can,” Duck advised. “He’s a loose cannon, this one – he’ll have run off on you in a puff if could. Trust me.” Nia took the Pannier tank’s advice, and the pair helped push the heavy train up the rest of the hill – and then along the beautiful scenery of the Sahel region. Duck was enamoured with everything.

“I’ve always wanted to sail away and see the world,” he admitted to Nia quietly. “Just… to see what it’s like for myself.” “Oh, me too!” grinned Nia. “There’s one place I’ve heard of in China, called the Rainbow Mountains.” “Wow…” murmured Duck. “That would be incredible to see… Personally, I’ve always wanted to see Greece, or Italy. They say the views over the ocean are some of the best in the world.” The two smiled – perhaps, their journey wouldn’t be so bad after all…

And then Thomas spoke up.

“Will you two shut up! I’m going to be the first engine to travel around the world!” “Circumnavigate is the right word,” muttered Duck. “Well, you’ll need our help to get to Dar-es-Salaam at least,” smirked Nia. “Cause it’s 5000 miles away.”

Thomas spluttered and coughed for several minutes. “5000 miles?!” “Well, at least the trucks will help you,” hummed Nia. “Trucks? Helpful?! When pigs fly!” “The trucks back on the Great Western used to be helpful,” said Duck. “But that was because they knew the importance of being really useful.”

Thomas just rolled his eyes, and let the pair – and their ‘useful trucks’ start a sing-along.

***

Duck chuckled as he and Nia greeted Kwaku warmly. Behind them, Thomas tried to butt in and ask about Ace – but instead, Duck decided to indulge in the local greeting himself. “And how are you, Kwaku? How are your wheels, how is your boiler, how are your pistons? Have the tracks been taking you where you wish to run, and have the other engines been good to you?” Kwaku beamed.

“Now you! You understand the importance of knowing your fellow engines.” Duck chuckled. “Oh thank you. It’s similar to a greeting we had back on the Great Western – though, we just liked to ask: has all been well with you and your shedmates?” Kwaku and Nia both looked intrigued; Thomas blew his whistle loudly to get their attention.

“Excuse me! Have you seen a yellow rally car named Ace?!” “So rude!” sniffed Duck. “Interrupting a conversation like that.” Nia and Kwaku agreed. “Most disrespectful,” muttered Nia. “His designer would be ashamed,” agreed Kwaku. “Ashamed of every insult he makes against both his class and his home.” Duck sighed.

“Our railway is normally much nicer than the blue puffball makes out – he’s normally too. But recently… he’s been foisting off his duties on other engines so he can go galivanting off to my branchline to mess with the little engines.” “Little engines?” asked Nia. “They cannot be much smaller than Thomas, right?” Duck laughed; Thomas glowered.

***

Amazingly enough, Nia joined the pair on their next ship – this one bound for Rio de Janeiro. “Hopefully we’ll catch up with Ace there…” murmured Thomas. Duck grimaced. “I don’t like this Ace,” he said. “He seems like a bad influence. If such a car had come round Paddington…” “Then he’d have been the most interesting vehicle there,” snapped Thomas. Duck glared. “How dare you—” “I didn’t want to bring you, Montague. I wanted to be the first, I wanted to see the world! But you just had to come and ruin it.” Duck went silent, and both he and Nia went unhappily to sleep.

Pulling coffee from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil to San Francisco in the USA was yet another job that seemed impossible. “There can’t be a railway line through the Darien Gap!” huffed Duck. “It’s impossible! Not even the road goes through there.” And yet, they were loaded up with coal and water and shown the entrance to the Pan-American railway (which Duck had rather… mixed feelings about).

Nia, on the other hand, was excited!

“We’re going to be able to see monkeys, and panthers, and—” “Snakes.” “Thomas, seriously? Snakes? Are you just wanting to frighten poor Nia?” Thomas didn’t reply, just chortled up front.

It took all three engines several moments to heave the heavy train into motion. Most of the train was made of covered vans filled with sacks of coffee, however a couple flatbeds had been coupled up between Thomas and Duck, to hold the coffee beans that didn’t fit into the vans.

With Thomas in front, it wasn’t long until both Duck and Nia grew bored. The blue tank engine was off in his own world again, fantasising about racing Ace. “Hey, look!” exclaimed Nia excitedly. “It’s a toucan!” Duck gazed over and gasped in amazement. “I’ve never seen a toucan before!” he said. “Oh, I wish I had a camera.” “My fireman has one!” Nia replied. Her fireman leaned out of the cab to photograph the toucan; and then he was taking photos of the parrots, of the capybaras, of monkeys and even a panther that stalked by the lineside.

“How incredible!” murmured Duck. “The scenery here is just…” He and Nia both gazed up at the tall trees that swayed in the breeze above them, practically dripping with vines and vibrant flowers in almost every colour of the rainbow. There were also hundreds of insects, and it wasn’t long before all three crews were putting up fly nets.

They’d just started off again when a certain blue pain-in-Duck’s-bunker spotted his new best friend Ace, and they were speeding off suddenly without stopping for water.

***

Once again, it was Nia who saved them, when Thomas ran dry, and they almost had to dump his fire. Had their crews not used the giant leaves from some nearby shrubs to create water funnels for all three engines – which was Nia’s idea – then he may have had to have his fire dumped.

Rain fell hard in the Amazon jungle – though Duck wasn’t quite sure where they were. “Perhaps we’re nearly in Colombia?” suggested Nia. “It is getting warmer.” “We might even be on the equator right now!” exclaimed Duck excitedly. “No we’re not!” snorted Thomas. “If we were on the equator, we’d see a big dotted line!” “Thomas, you dim-witted blue puffball! That’s a marking on a map, not a real thing!” spluttered Duck.

Thomas sniffed. “Oh please! You just want to stare at the trees. We need to get moving to get Ace to his next rally!” Ah, yes. Ace. They’d found him upside down on the side of the line some miles back, and already Duck wanted to shove him back into the undergrowth.

“You tell him Thomas!” cheered Ace. “We’ve gotta go fast – there’s no time for this sightseeing. I might be out of this race, but I can still make it to North America – continent number three!” “We have coffee to deliver,” Duck reminded sternly. “Which means we’re going to San Francisco. Unless your race starts from there, you’re out of luck. It’s a miracle we’re even helping you in the first place! It’s not the Great Western—” “Oh shut up!” groaned Thomas. “Don’t you have anything else to justify your ridiculous rants, Duck? Great Western this, Great Western that – the Great Western Railway is gone!”

Duck didn’t reply – instead, he went silent, and just glared at Thomas’ bunker.

Which was of course the exact moment that the tracks began to sink into the mud and ooze beneath them.

Both Nia and Duck were all too happy to split the train and ‘race’ through Mexico and Arizona. The two took one track (and the majority of the trucks), while Thomas got Ace, the flatbeds, two vans and the brakevan.

“On your marks!” called Ace. “Get set! Go!”

And with that, the three were thundering along, Nia and Duck working in tandem to draw ahead of the blue tank engine. “This is better!” cheered Duck. “No Thomas, no Ace, no worries!” “You shouldn’t talk about your friend like that,” Nia huffed. “Friend?!” spluttered Duck with a laugh. “Please! You heard him – we’ve never been friends, Nia. Mister Number One doesn’t like me, and there’s nothing I can do about it. At least with him gone, we can finally go see those Rainbow Mountains you were talking about, instead of being dragged after the Blue Puffball.”

“Why do you call him that?” quizzed Nia. Duck laughed. “Oh, it’s a nickname a diesel with a giant claw gave him a while back,” he said offhandedly. Nia gaped at Duck in shock. “What?!” “Ah, now this is a fun story…”

And so, even though they were still racing Thomas through the Arizonan desert, Duck and Nia took the time to share stories about their home railways, as well as marvel at the sublime scenery that surrounded them, including the Grand Canyon itself.

***

Thomas didn’t come. He had ditched them to play ‘rally car’ with Ace. So, Duck and Nia didn’t wait. Instead, the pair boarded the next ship bound for China, excited to go and see the famous Rainbow Mountains in China. They were located at the Zhangye National Park in the north of the country, so the pair had plenty of time to see some of the other wonders of the ancient nation on their way, from the bustling city of Shanghai to the Grand Canal to Jiuzhai Valley National Park. It was gorgeous!

Better yet, they met Yong Bao on their way. Duck had previously met the gentle giant back when Britain had hosted the Great Railway Show, and the Chinese engine had spent some time at the Big Station helping out Henry, Murdoch and Hiro on the heavy goods trains.

“The Rainbow Mountains are beautiful this time of year,” Yong Bao grinned. “It is such an honour to be able to share them with you. Thank you both for finding the time to come all this way to see our sights.” “I’ve always wanted to see the world,” said Duck with a smile. “I remember once talking to Percy about it back on Sodor, during a regatta. He said it was impossible because engines can’t float…” “Really?” hummed Nia. “I used to stare at the sunset and wonder what the world looked like!” “Me too!”

Yong Bao chuckled.

“Well, we can go see the Rainbow Mountains together – and then is there anywhere else you want to go?” “Italy,” Nia replied. Duck’s eyes widened. “You said you wanted to go there, right?” “I… you remembered?” “Of course I did! We’re friends,” said Nia. “And you remembered that I wanted to come here.” Duck beamed. “Oh yes!” Yong Bao chuckled at the pair. “Come on, we had best get moving – you need to see the Rainbow Mountains, then head towards the Himalayas so you can start on your journey to Italy.” Yong Bao coupled the pair up to a passenger train he was pulling in that direction, and the three set off.

“I… I don’t have many friends,” Duck admitted quietly to Nia after a few minutes. “Most of the other engines think I’m a bit… too uptight.” “Being proud of your work and heritage is important,” said Nia. “You should not be ashamed of it. You just prefer to get all your jobs finished before relaxing – it is honourable.” “Agreed,” chimed in Yong Bao. “You have a friend in me, Duck.” Duck smiled a watery smile – he felt close to tears.

“Thank you. Thank you both.”

Yong Bao left them at the base of the ‘railway through the clouds’, and the two continued onwards up the highest railway in the world on their own. It wasn’t easy going. The lack of oxygen made their fires burn cooler, and each puff was a pant – but still they kept on going, spurred on by the scenery that they were seeing. They could see the Himalayas stretched out in front of them, the roof of the world covered in ice and snow.

Both engines talked in hushed voices, both so not to disturb the animals dozing by the line in certain areas – and to not trigger a landslide in others.

That was when they heard a loud, shrill whistle. Duck and Nia both looked back – there was Thomas, speeding up the side of the mountain and whistling fit to burst, calling out their names. Both of them sped up, eyes turned upwards. They were wary of triggering an avalanche.

A tunnel loomed ahead. Nia and Duck puffed in just as there was a deep, dangerous rumble above them. The two slammed on their brakes as a giant avalanche came roaring down the mountainside. The whistles cut out – then started again, only this time alarmed.

“Help! Help!” Duck’s eyes were wide. “Come on, we have to rescue him!” he exclaimed. The two raced back out the tunnel, to find snow everywhere. They charged down the line, and found Thomas off the rails near a sharp bend. He was tilting over the edge of a cliff face, his front buffers hanging over nothing.

“You secure him,” Duck said to Nia. “I’m going to find help further down the mountain.” “Got it. But hurry!” Chains were secured between Thomas and Nia, while Duck sprinted back down the mountain.

“I’m sorry,” Thomas said after a moment. “I was stupid to listen to Ace – he just seemed so cool… and it made me lose sight of who my real friends were.” “I think,” said Nia, “that you need to save your apology for Duck.”

The two sat there for several moments – and then Nia felt herself slipping. Snow was shifting under Thomas, dragging him further over the cliff edge. Nia strained against the weight of the blue tank engine – but it was a losing battle. Just as she felt her trailing wheels lift up off the rails however, Yong Bao and Duck steamed up behind her, buffering up and pushing forwards with all their might!

“Yong Bao!” cheered Nia. “Duck, you found him!” “I heard the avalanche and came right away,” Yong Bao replied. “Whoever was dumb enough to whistle so loudly in an avalanche zone put everyone in danger.”

Thomas blushed, and looked at his buffers in disgrace. “I… I’m sorry Duck,” he said eventually. “I shouldn’t have been so mean. I… I don’t know why you’ve put up with me so far.” “Well, it wouldn’t be very good if you went and rolled down a mountainside,” smirked Duck. “It’s just not the Great Western Way.”

Yong Bao smiled, listening to Duck’s roundabout forgiveness of his friend.

“Here, I will guide you the rest of the way,” he offered. “It is safer.” “Thank you,” said Duck. “We’d really appreciate that. And… maybe our drivers could exchange email addresses?” “Sounds wonderful,” grinned Yong Bao.

***

There was just one last place to go before returning to Sodor.

Duck gasped in astonishment, gazing out over the city of Venice. Thomas and Nia sat on either side of the Pannier tank, all three staring out across the lagoon to where the ancient island city lay, great buildings made of limestone rising up out of the sea.

“It’s incredible,” Duck managed to say, tears in his eyes. He’d actually fulfilled his dream. “I… I never thought I’d ever come here.” “And I never thought I’d leave Africa,” Nia added. “But I got to see the Rainbow Mountains.” “And I never thought I’d leave the yard,” Thomas finished. “But I got to see the world, and I’m glad I got to see it with you both.” “Thank you,” murmured Duck. “It… wasn’t too bad seeing the world with you either.”

They still had a long way to go to get back home to Sodor – a route filled with gorgeous scenery, incredible cities and a trip through the Channel Tunnel – but they weren’t in a hurry. Perhaps there was something to leaving for a little while to see the world, mused Duck.

And as the sun set over the water, the three friends stood on the pier and let the world pass them by, content to spend time together.

Back to Master Post

#fanfiction writer #weirdowithaquill #railway series #thomas the tank engine #railways #traintober 2023 #traintober #ttte duck #ttte thomas #ttte nia #ttte yong bao #bwba #world tour #Duck gets to see the world #BWBA AU #This thing was long - and I had to watch the BWBA movie for it

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