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sudriantraveler · 11 months

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The Ulfstead Trials

Hello everyone. I've got another story here. This time it's about the Ulfstead gang.

An old rival brings Stephen back to his days as a competitor at the Rainhill Trials. Shenanigans ensue!

The Ulfstead Trials

One day, Thomas was sent to Brendam Docks to collect a special for Ulfstead Castle. He was very excited. The Earl was always having new ideas and holding grand events up at the castle, and any special going there was always an exciting surprise.

As Thomas pulled into the docks, Salty was shunting some trucks nearby.

“Good morning Salty” said Thomas, “Do you know where my special is?”

“Ahoy there matey!” greeted Salty, “Cranky’s just unloading him now”.

Thomas was puzzled. “Him?”

At that moment, They heard a voice coming from inside the ship, and then Cranky lifted out a very old and very strange looking engine.

His tall funnel was back to front, and his pistons were pointed up into the air.

“Hey! Easy there Clumsy Hook!” the engine shouted, “I’m a historic machine you’re lifting, not some ordinary crates!”

“Yeah yeah, whatever you say old timer” groaned Cranky, “I’ve got more work to do besides unloading you. The least you can do is quit complaining”.

With the engine still grumbling, Cranky lowered him onto a flatbed.

“Ah, Finally! Us engines aren’t meant to hang in the air like that”.

Cranky wasn’t listening.

The old engine harrumphed, then looked to see Thomas and Salty staring at him.

“Ah good, some fellow engines at last” he said, “Well now, I suppose we should get introductions out of the way…”

There was an awkward pause before Salty spoke up.

“Er, well, I’m Salty”

“And I’m Thomas… And uh… you are?”

The engine stared at him with disbelief.

“Surely, you know who I am”.

“I’m afraid we don’t matey” said Salty.

“Wha… Do engines today know nothing of history?” the old engine spluttered. “Well, I suppose it has been a long time since I’ve been out of the museum”.

Alright then!” he continued, “Maybe you don’t recognize me, but surely my name will sound familiar. You can call me Hackworth, although perhaps I’m better known as Sans Pareil!”

He smiled grandly atop his flatbed, but Thomas and Salty just stared blankly at him.

Hackworth scowled.

“Oh come on, nothing, really? Sans Pareil?… French for Without Equal?… One of the top competitors at the Rainhill Trials?”

Thomas and Salty still said nothing.

“Hmph… Forget it” said Hackworth, trying to compose himself, “I suppose one of you is taking me to Ulfstead Castle?”

“Er, uh… y-yes, that would be me” stuttered Thomas, “uh, sorry”.

Soon, Thomas was coupled to the flatbed, and he steamed away out of the docks.

The journey to Ulfstead Castle was very awkward. Neither engine said a word for a long time.

Thomas broke the silence.

“Umm… Now that I think about it… You mentioned the Rainhill Trials. That does sound familiar. Can you tell me what they were?”

Hackworth smiled at that.

“Certainly” he said, “It was back when us steam engines were the latest thing. Brand new, and experimental technology we were. The Rainhill Trials were a competition to see which of us was the best, and I was one of the top contenders there!”

“Oh!” interrupted Thomas, “Now I remember where I heard of it. Stephen told me about the Rainhill Trials!”

“Stephen?” Asked Hackworth, surprised, “As in The Rocket?”

“Yes” replied Thomas, “He was at the Rainhill Trials too. I think he actually won them! He works for the Earl up at the castle now. Do you know him?”

Hackwork scowled.

“Unfortunately I do,” he muttered darkly.

“Huh?” Thomas was taken aback.

“I’ll say no more on the subject” continued Hackworth, “Except that there is a lot you do not know about history”.

Thomas wanted to ask more, but Hackworth’s glare made him decide it was probably best to keep quiet.

Hackworth’s mood did improve however, once they arrived at the Castle and he was unloaded from the flatbed.

He was soon in steam, and sizzling contentedly, when he was interrupted by another engines’ whistle, and a small blue narrow gauge engine drew up alongside.

“Hello” she whistled, “I’m Millie, and you must be Hackworth”.

“Indeed I am” replied Hackworth, “Pleasure to meet you. Finally someone on this island who knows my name”.

At that moment, a distinguished looking man stepped out from Millie’s cab.

“Well it certainly wouldn't be right to not know the name of an engine who I invited to visit”, said the man as he stepped forward.

“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Sir Robert Norramby, Earl of Sodor”.

“Oh! Well it’s an honor to meet you, your grace” said Hackworth.

“The honor is all mine” said the Earl, “Welcome to Ulfstead Castle! We’re glad to have you here as our special guest for the summer”.

Hackworth beamed. He was, by now, feeling much better.

The Earl continued, “Yes indeed. You and Stephen will be a fine site running around the estate together”.

If the Earl saw Hackworth’s grimace, he didn’t say anything.

“I’m afraid I’ve got to go and make an important phone call” he continued, “But Millie here will be more than happy to show you around the estate herself”.

And with that, the Earl walked off.

“Come along then Hackworth!” called Mille, “Have you ever seen a dinosaur before”.

“A dinosaur?” asked Hackworth, “Well I may be old, but can’t say I’ve ever seen a dinosaur before”.

Millie just chuckled, as she led Hackworth towards the dino park.

It was evening by the time they finished touring the estate. As Millie led Hackworth into the main engine hall, they were met by Glynn the Coffee Pot Engine.

“Hello Mille” he whistled, “Oh, and you must be Hackworth. It’s nice to meet you”.

“Likewise” replied Hackworth. “This is a lovely estate”.

“I’m glad you like it” replied Glynn, “I hear you and Stephen will be working together showing visitors around throughout the summer”.

This time, no one missed Hackworth’s disgruntled frown.

“Alright” he sighed, “Everyone keeps mentioning Stephen. Where is he?”

“Right here!” came a voice.

Wheeshing grandly, Stephen rolled forward out from a cloud of steam, and smiled at the visitor.

Hackworth just grunted. “So… The so-called Rocket now fancies himself King of a castle too”.

“Well, I don’t know if I’d go that far” laughed Stephen, “But I suppose some might say I am the star attraction here”.

Millie and Glynn just rolled their eyes.

Hackworth grew even more stern.

“Typical” he huffed, “All that fame and attention going to your smokebox… And you didn’t earn any of it”.

Stephen frowned.

“Oh, are you still going on about that Hackworth?” He wheeshed, “Come on… We both know I won fair-and-square”.

“You most certainly did not!” replied Hackworth.

“Yes I did!” Shouted Stephen, “And anyways, that was years ago! Why won’t you just let it go already?”

“Why should I let go of you ruining my one big chance to prove myself?! Especially when I know you cheated!”

“I did not!”

“Did too!”

“Did not!”

“Did too!”

“Uhm, hold on” cut in Glynn, “But what are you both talking about?”

Hackworth grunted. “You didn’t tell them? Why am I not surprised?”

“There’s nothing to tell,” protested Stephen, “but I can see you’re going to do so anyway”.

“Right you are” began Hackworth.

“1829, The Rainhill Trials. Five of the finest engines in the world at the time, all gathered together in one place”.

“Well… Four engines, and a horse on a treadmill”.

“We were all there for one reason… A test of style, efficiency, speed and power”.

“And I was one of the best! Sans Pareil! Without Equal!”

“I wowed the judges and the audience, and I could have won it all”.

“But then… BANG!”

“My cylinder cracked, and despite being so close to winning… I was out”.

“The others all failed too, leaving The Rocket as the so-called Champion”.

“It was Sabotage! I know it!”

“My crew checked over everything before we began. There was nothing wrong!”

“You did something!” finished Hackworth, enraged.

“I did nothing!” protested Stephen, “What could I have done anyway?!”

“Why don’t you confess and then you can tell us yourself!”

“I have nothing to confess to! You broke down because of bad luck. That or you were just careless!”

“CARELESS?!” Bellowed Hackwork, “Why you… I was the best engine in the world! I’m anything but careless!”

“Yeah right!” Interrupted Stephen, “I beat you then, and I can still beat you today!”

A tense silence fell between the engines.

“Alright then…” smirked Hackworth, “A rematch then… And this time I’ll prove I’m the better engine”.

“You're on!” declared Stephen, “We can have our own Rainhill Trials, right here at the castle!”

“Did someone say Trials?!” Said a voice.

The engines all looked to see the Earl as he practically leapt out the door, and ran excitedly towards them.

“Am I correct in hearing that a challenge has been put forth?” he said.

“Yes indeed sir,” replied Hackworth, “A competition between me and Stephen. Two Rainhill veterans together for a rematch!”

“Uh, Sir…” interrupted Millie, “I don’t think this is such a-”

“Oh, how wonderful!”, declared the Earl.

“Excuse me,” said Glynn, “But, could I join in too?”

“Glynn!” wheeshed Millie.

“What? It sounds like it could be fun”.

“Of course you can join Glynn,” replied the Earl, “Oh, this is so exciting! I’ll go and make the arrangements!”

“Um, Sir… Sir!...” called Millie, “I really think you should reconsi-”

But the Earl had already gone back inside.

Word soon spread of the competition, and people from all over the island came to the castle to see it.

Thomas, Annie and Clarabel, were taking visitors to the castle.

“What on earth is the Earl doing now for so many people to be going to the castle?” asked Annie.

“I feel so full, I feel so full!” complained Clarabel.

“I don’t know what’s going on” said Thomas, “but I guess we’ll soon find out”.

They arrived at the castle to find Stephen, Hackworth and Glynn, all parading around the estate, with crowds of people cheering them on.

“Yes, your eyes do not deceive you!” called Hackworth, “Sans Pareil makes his triumphant return to the rails. Make way for the finest of early railway engineering!”

“Agreed” replied Stephen, “So why don’t you move aside Hackworth, and make way for The Rocket!”

“Oh, Hello everyone” chuckled Glynn, “Thank you all for visiting!”

Millie just sat in a siding out of the way, and groaned in frustration.

“What’s happening here?” asked Thomas.

“Hackworth and Stephen have re-started some silly old rivalry and have dragged the whole castle into it” replied Millie.

“Oh” said Thomas, “Well… at least it looks like everyone else is having fun”.

“Hah!” laughed Millie, “Just you wait. This is not going to end well”.

By now, the three old engines had all lined up. The Earl stepped forward.

“And now for the big event!” He called, “Stephen, Hackworth and Glynn, will all race around the estate! The first one back here is the winner!”

“On your mark!”

“Get set!”

“GO!”

And the three old engines set off as fast as they could…

… Which wasn’t very fast.

In any case, Stephen and Hackworth took the lead, leaving Glynn behind.

But when they reached a set of points, Stephen went one way… and Hackworth went another!

“Hey!” called Stephen, “Where are you going?!”

“Where are you going?” replied Hackworth, “I’m going to win!”

“Oh no you won’t!”

So when Stephen reached another set of points, he went a different way as well.

This continued for the rest of the race. When Stephen went one way, Hackworth went another…

…And when Hackworth took one line, Stephen wouldn’t follow.

They got so off course that by the time they both reached the finish line, Glynn was there too, and they all crossed the line at the same time.

“Yes! I WON!” called Hackworth.

“No, I won!” protested Stephen.

“Only because you took a shortcut!”

“I only did that because you took a shortcut!”

“Liar!”

“Cheat!”

“OH, MON DIEU!” cried Millie, “Are you two done yet?!”

“No!” insisted Hackworth, “Since we can’t decide who won the race, we need one more challenge to prove who’s the best”.

“I’m game,” said Stephen.

“Oh,” said Glynn, “Well… I suppose one more challenge couldn’t hurt. What do you suggest?”

“A test of strength!” puffed Hackworth, “Whoever can pull the heaviest load, will be the winner!”

“Hah” laughed Stephen, “Easy!”

“Ugh” groaned Millie.

“Well, at least there isn’t anything too heavy here for them to pull” muttered Thomas.

At that moment, Percy pulled in, and whistled for the Earl’s attention.

“Hello Sir!” He called, “Here’s that delivery of stone you asked for”.

“I don’t know what you need all of these heavy stone trucks for,” he commented, “But, you ordered them, and I delivered them!”

Stephen and Hackworth looked at Percy’s stone trucks, and smirked.

Thomas and Millie just glared.

“What?” squeaked Percy.

Soon, Hackworth, Stephen and Glynn, were all lined up for another run around the estate. Each was coupled to an impressive weight of…

… one stone truck each.

The Earl got ready to wave them off.

“Er… Are you sure about this?” he asked.

“Certainly!” insisted Hackworth.

“As sure as I’ve ever been!” puffed Stephen.

“Uh… I’m also here!” said Glynn.

“Well… Alright then”.

“On your mark!”

“Get set!”

“GO!”

And once again, with much puffing of smoke and steam, the three engines started off. Each straining against the weight of their one truck.

Then, just as Hackworth reached the first set of points, there was a jolt and He began heading towards the exit of the estate.

“Hey!” called Stephen, “What are you doing now!”

“Haha! This estate isn’t big enough for our rivalry Stephen!” Laughed Hackworth, “Let’s take this to the Main Line!”

“Get back here!” whistled Stephen, and he chased after Hackworth!

Both engines reached the hill, and quickly began gaining speed.

Stephen rocked and swayed as he chased down the hill after Hackworth.

“This is getting a bit dangerous” he thought, “I’d better slow down a bit”.

Stephen applied his brakes, but the heavy truck pushed him onwards.

“Oh no. HACKWORTH!” he called, “I can’t stop!”

“Aha! So you finally admit I’m the better engine!” replied Hackworth, “Don’t worry Stephen! I’ve got enough brakes for us both!”

So Hackworth applied his brakes… But they didn’t help.

“oh… o-oh NO! HELP! HELP!”

Stephen caught up with Hackworth, and ran into his truck with a bump!

Both engines were now going at a tremendous speed, for real this time!

“WAAAAAAGH!” cried Stephen, as he leaned dangerously to one side.

Hackworth, too, was in danger of coming off the rails.

Both engines reached the bottom of the hill safely, but they were still going much too fast.

The main line junction was just up ahead. Stephen knew it would be busy at this time. If they didn’t stop in time, there could be a terrible crash.

Thinking quickly, Stephen got as close to Hackworth’s truck as he could.

Then, with a well timed bump, his coupling chain swung forward and hooked onto the truck.

“Aha! Got it!”

“Hackworth!” he called, “We need to work together if we’re going to stop in time!”

“What?!” cried Hackworth.

“Just Listen to me! On the count of three, apply your brakes as hard as you can!”

“One!”

“Two!”

“THREE!”

Together, both engines clamped their brakes hard on.

Sparks flew, as their wheels skidded along the line.

The junction was getting closer, and Stephen could see Gordon thundering towards them with the express.

With one final effort Stephen and Hackworth came to a stop.

They were just in time, as Gordon rushed past mere inches in front of Hackworth’s bufferbeam.

“Keep out of my way, Old Timers!” Shouted Gordon, “Express Coming Through!” and he continued off into the distance.

Both Stephen and Hackworth were out of breath.

They were still breathing heavily when they heard a familiar whistle, and Thomas puffed up behind them, carrying the Earl.

“Stephen! Hackworth!” called the Earl, “Are you two alright?”

“Yes sir,” panted Stephen, “we’re fine”.

Hackworth was at a loss for words.

The Earl walked up to him. “What were you thinking Hackworth? Running off down the hill with a heavy load, and having Stephen chase after you?!”

“I… I don’t know Sir. I’m sorry” said Hackworth.

“I should hope so too” said the Earl, “In any case, Thomas here will help you both back up to the castle”.

“Er… Yes Sir!” said Thomas.

So the Earl climbed back aboard, Thomas was coupled up to Stephen and Hackworth, and the cavalcade set off back up the hill.

They reached the castle to find Millie waiting for them.

“Ahem…” she wheeshed, “Well…”

“I know, I know” said Stephen, “We’re sorry Millie”.

“I suppose we took our competition too far” added Hackworth, “We should have listened to you”.

“Yes” said Millie, smugly, “You should have”.

“I guess, no one won the competition,” mused Stephen.

But at that moment, Glynn puffed into view, having almost completed his run around the castle.

“Nearly there” he puffed to himself, “I’ll do it… I’ll do it… I’ll… I’ve done it!... I’ve done it everyone!”

“Well well well” laughed Thomas, “Looks like Glynn won the competition!”

“I suppose he did,” chuckled Hackworth.

“Well done Glynn!” cheered Stephen.

“Yes, well done indeed!” added Hackworth.

Glynn just smiled. Truthfully, he was rather out of puff.

That evening, Millie, Glynn, Stephen and Hackworth, all rolled into the sheds at the castle.

Hackworth spoke up.

“I’m sorry Stephen” he said, “I took things too far. I was wrong, you’re not a liar or a cheater”.

“It’s alright” answered Stephen, “Truthfully, I think I let my own competitiveness get the better of me today. You are a good engine Hackworth, I’m sorry you didn’t get the fame you wanted all those years ago”.

There was a long silence.

Then…

“Still” chuckled Glynn, “It was a fun competition”.

“Oh, yes indeed” grinned Hackworth, “It really brought me back to the Rainhill Trials”.

“If I’m honest, Rainhill was also a bit of a mess” laughed Stephen, “Do you remember the Horse?”

“Hah! How could I forget” replied Hackworth, “I can’t be certain, but I think I remember seeing him leave some dropping in the judges stand”.

“Ha ha ha!” laughed Stephen, “Well, that’s probably what got him disqualified then!”

Glynn couldn’t help but laugh too.

Millie rolled her eyes.

But even she smiled, as the old engines, now old friends, talked long into the night.

The End

#ttte #ttte fanfic #ttte stephen #ttte millie #ttte glynn #ttte sir robert norramby #ttte thomas #I was trying to emulate the Brenner era style a bit when writing this #so try to imagine some of that era of the shows visuals when reading #honestly if this had been an episode of the series I imagine there would've been several background gags with the horse in the flashbacks

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asimpledreamwanderer · 8 months

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random (humanized) ttte headcanons!

the scottish twins absolutely love marmalades of any sort. they make it their goal to have some sort of marmalade at least once a day and love to try new marmalades (and douglas has racked up quite the skill in making dundee marmalade too!)

as patriotic as duck is about "the great western way," and to an extent, london and england, as much as he loves typical british cuisines, he absolutely despises chicken tikka masala being seen as a national dish of the united kingdom, but not for the reason many would think he does. he despises it seeing it as more of a disgrace to actual south asian foods, having seen the world prior and exploring many different regions and their cuisines, and actually believes that the dishes are best kept the way they are intended, and often recommends individuals other south asian dishes to try when this fact comes up.

james tousles and plays with edward's hair to help him go to sleep. earlier on in their relationship, edward used to experience frequent nightmares and sleeping troubles, something that would worry james to no end- especially since edward is very good at hiding any turmoil he experiences, and edward usually takes on a leading outwardly supportive role in their relationship. james began to big spoon when the two would get ready to sleep and play with edward's hair while having conversations about their day with edward until edward falls asleep, then holding him warmly throughout the night. one of his favorite things is waking up in the morning to edward sleeping soundly in his arms as the sun traces over them entangled in the covers.

percy actually becomes somewhat of a common man in local railway politics- not assisting directly in strikes, but negotiating for specific conditions and requests of workers to be met- and following edward, probably eventually becomes one of the fat controller's right hand men when it comes to overlooking operations and making sure everyone stays on task. he's also very good with children, having enough of a childlike spirit to have fun with them while also being responsible and stern enough to establish boundaries with them. percy is more of a quiet observer sort, slowly developing from being more or less of a c*nt to seeming more curious and childlike- though the childishness is not intentional, he simply wishes to know more and collect that information.

(tw: misogyny mentioned)

mavis definitely didn't have the best experiences prior to working on the sodor quarry and on the north western railway. she was oftentimes the only female driver, if not the only female diesel engine driver on her old railway, and was subject to crude language, misogynistic threats, and was forced to double down in favor of her male colleagues quite often. it's why when she came onto the north western and the sodor quarry she became irritable, and even more irritable when toby was trying to kindly direct her on where to put the trucks. for the first time, a male colleague was simply directing her- not berating her, not making crude misogynistic remarks to her, not threatening her alongside her engine- simply directing her and ensuring she does her tasks right. and that set off years of trauma from all of the misconduct and misogyny she experienced on her former railway to seep out, leading to her feeling as if she was "taking control" over her life by doing what she wished- but obviously, resulted in poor decision making. i'd imagine since then especially with emily and toby's places on the north western she has gotten a therapist and reached out to friends for emotional support- she's in a much better place now :)

thomas LOVES anything cheesy. and with bacon. he's also really really willing to try new foods and LOVES spicy food. unfortunately his cheekiness has also led to him sneaking a few REALLY HOT peppers into gordon's sandwiches which.. well... let's say it didn't end up well for poor thomas.

millie actually adores listening to stephen's stories of the older days, when he was referred to as "the rocket," and of how different life was back then- she's a little bit of a railway historian herself, and her engine's cab has many railway posters from the older days plastered inside it as a tribute to railway history

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