Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

After Thomas had taken up running the Ffarquhar branch line he made sure to talk to Glynn often since he was stuck on a siding with no coal or way to start up a fire, the giant and his coaches being the little engines only company most of the time.

Over the few weeks since Thomas had taken up his branch line however, Glynn had started to not feel well. Well, ‘not feel good’ more than normal. His boiler felt like it was full of gunk and his wheels made him feel sore. It wasn’t until one conversation with Thomas one day that he threw up liquid coal all over the tracks. Thomas immediately knew what it was and asked Glynn if he has had a vaccination yet. The coffee pot said that he didn’t even fully understand what a vaccination was.
That was enough for Thomas to take Glynn to the giant centre himself, and when the fat controller arrived he was rather worried for his former number 1, the engine that he built with his own hands so long ago.

“Are you sure you believe that is what is happening to Glynn, Thomas?” the fat controller asked. “Yes sir, a hundred percent. It’s the exact same thing I went through when I was first changing. And Glynn said that he never got a vaccination before.” Thomas said as he placed Glynn down on a giants matures. “Oh dear… I had completely forgotten about Glynn when I first ordered the engines to be vaccinated. Is there any way to reverse this while it’s still early?” the controller asked facing to a doctor that worked in the giant centre. “This is actually by no means early sir Topham. If Glynn is already throwing up coal that means he’s already developed a functioning stomach, which means his other organs are sure to follow. If we were to try anything now, his already developed organs would fail and well... it would be the same result as if a humans organs failed.” The doctor informed.

“I am so terribly sorry about this sir… blehk!” Glynn said before he proceeded to throw up which Thomas quickly caught in a pale. “I know this will become a huge confusion and delay…” “No, no, no, no, no. None of that my dear engine. I have been the one to ignorantly fail you. After I had to remove you from service I had completely forgotten about you and your old branch line, I thank to whoever may be watching that Thomas was there to keep an eye out for you.” The controller said as he looked deeply sorrowful up at Glynn. “But I will make this right. You’ll serve your remaining days as an engine here, and when you become a giant you’ll serve your giant track here on Sodor.” Thomas seemed to grow wide eyed at this.

“But sir, the law states that a giant who has completed giant track must be present to teach new giants. I’m your only giant, so if I begin to teach Glynn then who will look after my branch line?” Thomas asked. “I can arrange for ether Percy or James to look after your branch line while you train Glynn easily Thomas, I assume it wouldn’t take that long once Glynn actually transforms.” The fat controller said with a smile. “Sir Topham, Thomas may also need to be present to help us look after Glynn while he’s transforming as well. Humans on rare occasions if their subjected to enough of the sickness can become what are known as mutants. The only ones who are truly immune to the sickness are giants themselves.” The doctor next to the controller said. “Oh, so Thomas will be needed to also look after Glynn from now?” “Yes, I’m afraid so.” The doctor confirmed. “And sir, summer is only in a few weeks. Everyone will certainly be kept busy.” Glynn informed his builder. “Oh… oh dear.” The controller said as he began to rub his chin for an idea, when he got one. “Aha! I’ll just have to get another engine.” “Another?!” Glynn and Thomas say in unison.


Later at dusk in Tidmouth sheds when it was nearly work off time, the engines had listened in intently as Thomas told them the news. “…So now the fat controller is going to get another new engine to possibly work on my line while I take care of Glynn.” Thomas said. “Jeez Thomas, not even a month and your already being pulled away from your line.” James smiled. “He’s not going to be replacing me when I’ve indeed only been here less than a month James, who’s leg do you think your trying to pull?” Thomas asked. “Well regardless Thomas, I’m glad we’ll probably be getting some help soon. Summers on Sodor are always rather busy.” Edward said as the giant rested on top of him. “I wonder what kind of engine the new one will be, maybe another tank engine?” Percy asked. “I’m actually hoping for something unique maybe. Like a large traffic engine or something.” James said. “I’m hoping the fat controller will get another large tender engine like me.” Gordon said with a smile. “Gordon, why would the fat controller get an engine that’s just going to derail every so often or needs to go too slow to reach the stations on my line? Not the mainline.” Thomas asked. That made Gordon hush up. “Well, whomever does come to Sodor, I’m sure they’ll be great.” Edward said. “We won’t find out until maybe a few days anyhow, I do hope this engine will be kind.” Thomas said before he nuzzled into Edward again and smothered him close. “Ohh Thomas, hehe!” Edward chuckled as he was cuddled.


The next few days went on with a little struggle for Thomas and James as the engine was quickly rushed into doing Thomas’s work plus his own, and the giant was needed at the centre to look after Glynn.
Percy was still the Knapford pilot and was busy working in the yard when he heard a bell ring out. At first he thought it was one of the workers knocking something over until he heard it ringing a lot more. He looked over to where the sound was coming from to find a very odd sight to his eyes.

What was on a track not far from him was an engine made out of wood in the shape of a box with a coach behind him, what was ringing was the bell on top of him. “Finally got your attention.” The box engine said with a cheeky smile. “Oh! I’m so sorry, I thought your bell was one of the yard workers knocking something over. How long have you been there?” “Oh not to long dear, don’t worry too much.” The coach attached to the engine said. Percy smiled and giggled. “Well it’s nice to meet you, I’m Percy. Are you the new engine sir Topham Hatt ordered?” Percy asked. “Yes I am, I’m Toby, and this is my coach Henrietta.” “Charmed.” Henrietta said. “Well let me be the ones to formerly welcome you to Sodor.” Percy smiled when they heard a panicked whistle coming into the yard.

“Percy! Please tell me you have the trains for eleven and twelve-thirty ready.” James said as he screeched into the yard slamming his breaks hard. “Uh, the one for eleven is ready and I just need to finish up the one for twelve-thirty.” Percy said looking very confused. “Can you bring the eleven out onto the line while I finish up the twelve? I’m nearly an hour late into the Elsbridge deliveries and don’t even get me started on the passengers. Ah! And I have to load on coal are you kidding me!?” James shouted sounding very annoyed as he quickly shunted the rest of the twelve-thirty train together then went to go load up on coal.

“What on earth?” Toby asked. “Sorry Toby, but you couldn’t have come at a better time. The summers here on Sodor are quite hectic I’m told.” Percy said as he quickly put the two trains together. “Oi! Please tell me you’re the new engine the fat controller bought.” James called over to Toby from the coal hopper. “Excuse me?” Toby asked sounding a little offended. “Yes he is James. Toby, that’s James, he’s currently working on the branch line you’ve been bought to help out on. He’s been running off his wheels with the goods and passenger trains, but now that you’re here you can take some of the weight off his tender.” Percy explained. “If you come with me I’ll take you to the branch line so you can get started, there’s also some more coaches you can couple up with at Dryaw.” James said as he finished loading on coal and then backed up into the train Percy had prepped for him. “Thanks a lot Percy, I’ll see you down here for the two and two-forty.” James said as he began to take off. “Blistering buffers I gotta shake a coupling. Nice meeting you Toby and Henrietta!” Percy said as he moved back into the yard to get back to work. “Come on! Are we traveling or not?!” James called back to Toby. “Oh! Uh, coming!” Toby cried as he backed up quickly to chase after James.

Once they were on the Ffarquhar line James quickly filled Toby in on the passenger runs. “The passenger train is just a continuous loop from Knapford to Ffarquhar, stop if you need to for coal and water but otherwise your continuously chuffing until seven-fifty, that’s work hours up and we head to Tidmouth sheds. If you have any troubles just ask the station guards. I’ll be running with deliveries the whole day so you’ll see me up and down the line. Oh, I didn’t get your name.” James said once he realised he didn’t know what to call Toby. “Toby, and behind me is Henrietta. Phew, are all days normally this rushed?” Toby asked as he followed after James in a puff. “No normally only in the summer, you just came at a busy time but we’re very thankful for it.” James smiled. “Thanks, happy to be of service.” Toby smiled back until they came up to the first station.

On the siding next to Dryaw was Annie and Clarabell as they patiently waited for an engine to take them. “Those two are the extra coaches you’ll need, Annie and Clarabell. Don’t be afraid to ask them for advice as well. I’ve gotta rush, see you at Tidmouth Toby.” James said before clattering off down the tracks. “Oh dear, not even a day on this new railway and I’m already being put to work without meeting the controller first.” Toby said as he backed up into the siding to couple up to Annie and Clarabell. “Terribly sorry to hear about that dear, but the summer is a very busy time of year for Sodor, even more so now as the island has had a recent job boom as of late.” Clarabell said as she was coupled up to Henrietta.

“Well in any case, it’s nice to meet you two. I’m Toby.” “And I’m Henrietta, lovely to meet you ladies.” The other coach greeted. “Lovely to meet you two as well dears, now, we can finally start the run by heading to Knapford, we leave from the second platform.” Annie said. “I have a flattening feeling this place is going to be extremely fast paced.” Toby said as he ringed his bell and began to head back up the line to Knapford.


As they all travelled the pairs exchanged questions. “Okay, I must ask Toby what type of engine are you? I’ve never seen one made out of wood before.” Clarabell asked. “I’m a tram engine, I used to work along a line with my brothers a long time ago before it had to close down and me and Henrietta were sold.” Toby explained. “Alright, our turn. Why is James such a miss match of blues? Is he normally a special use engine?” Henrietta asked. The two sister coaches laughed. “Oh-ho no, James is painted that way as a show of thanks to a person who saved him only two weeks ago.” Clarabell said. “Indeed, that person actually happens to be the one who normally runs the line were on.” Annie said. “Yes, his name is Thomas.” Said Clarabell. “Thomas? What type of engine is he?” Toby asked. The two coaches looked between each other and smiled. “Oh you’ll see him later at Tidmouth, he’s the railways number 1, you can’t miss him.” Clarabell said.

“Oh hold on you two, I saw that little look you gave each other. I’m thinking Thomas is actually something special if your avoiding answering the question.” Henrietta said looking at them sternly. “Oh come on ladies, what is Thomas exactly?” Toby asked in a singsong tone like you would use on a child. “Well, I supposed that leads onto a question then. Do you believe mythical creatures exist?” Annie asked.
Toby had suddenly hit his breaks hard making the poor coaches all bounce together, the tram engines happy tone suddenly replaced with one of pure shock. “Thomas is a giant?!” Toby yelled.

“Oh dear me, I didn’t think I’d see another one after… Toby? Are you going to be okay?” Henrietta asked. “I… I… I don’t know…” “Do you have history with giants Toby?” Annie asked. “Yes, you’re the only engine on the island now who knew of giants before arriving.” Clarabell said. “H-Henrietta… could you tell them? Please?” Toby asked as he began to move again. “I suppose I shall.” Henrietta said.
She looked at the two coaches in front of her with a serious expression. “A very, very, long time ago, when it was the late 1910’s and the early 1920’s of when the giant turning sickness first reared its ugly head. Nobody knows where it started from, because it was straight after the first world war where borders were practically non-existent nobody could isolate it. But regardless it was here. The old railway me and Toby used to belong to, the Wisbech and Upwell Tramway, were unfortunate enough to have the sickness travel to us. We were thankful that by then they had discovered a cure but it was very difficult to spot the early stages of the sickness for it to be effective. Toby was one of four quadruplets… the youngest had the cure put into effect to early, by then the poor lad was already throwing up coal which meant he had a functioning stomach and presumably other developing organs, this cure stopped the progression of these organs growing… so when the organs stopped… …it counted as a flat line…” Henrietta left it for the coach twins to get the idea. After their shocked expression lingered for long enough she continued.

“The eldest and second eldest transformed into full giants, but the eldest caused a lot of problems and up roar during that time. He hated how he was treated and how he just wanted to be a normal engine again. Through his grief he would often lash out on small tantrums, but at his size they were more like rampages. One day after things had really gone too far, the army was called in as they were the police force at the time to deal with giants. …They ended up having to put him down…” the older coach let another pause for it to sink in. “After that it was just Toby’s twin brother and him… the two spent hours arguing with the controller for them to just stay together like what most twin engines had, but because the railway was so closely knit together with populated areas it was very hard for Toby’s brother to move around, so while Toby was needed in the more populated areas, his brother had to stay further away. But for a short time at least, the two worked on a small little country line together. It was very short lived however. Unfortunately… when a new controller arrived he apparently had a huge distain for giants. So Toby’s brother was sold. Lady be dammed though if either of those two didn’t fight to try and stay together. Toby tried to get close enough to him so he could be picked up and taken away, but his brother was quickly roped down and Toby was tied to a set of buffers. Once his brother was gone, he was miserable for months, and it didn’t help that because of the new controller the railway was facing closure. When it finally did close though, we were given a second chance by the controller here. So now here we are.”

Annie and Clarabell were practically speechless, what in the world could you say to a story like that? Just saying ‘sorry for your loss’ felt so minor to give to a hell like that. “Gracious… that makes me wonder how Fell feels, maybe it could serve Toby some good in talking to him.” Annie finally said after she remembered that Thomas had a brother. “Fell?” the engine and his coach asked. “Fell is a tank engine on the mainland in Barrow, he’s one of Thomas’s brothers.” Annie said. “Yes, it might do you well to maybe talk about it with him, maybe even compare and contrast. Thomas told us that he was nearing the end of track when he began to show symptoms, and he and his brothers were on the same station, so they saw him being taken away for some reason and they never knew why.” Clarabell said. “Hmm… I want to chat to Thomas first, meet him and see him for myself and such.” Toby said as they entered Knapford station. “He’s currently off duty to look after an engine that’s turning into a giant, he still comes to sleep at Tidmouth though.” Clarabell informed the tram engine. “Thank you for telling me, but right now let’s get through the day.” Toby said. “Yes!” “Lets.” The sister coaches said.


At the end of the day, once Toby had put the coaches away in the yard he was easy to approach the sheds when he saw a few engines already in them, none of which he recognised as Percy or James. “Um excuse me? Is this Tidmouth sheds?” the tram engine asked. “Why yes it is, I can assume you’re the new engine? Percy told me you were made of wood.” Edward said. “Yes I am, my name is Toby, who are you?” Toby asked as he got onto the turntable. “My name is Edward, and next to me is Gordon.” “Salutations.” The large blue engine said. “Hello.” Toby said as he took a berth next to Edward. “Thomas might not be happy with you taking his berth, Toby.” Gordon said. Toby looked around when he realised he was in the centre most shed, he remembered that his brother would get the middle shed when they were still together, it was just easier for him to head into a shed because of his size Toby recalled. “Whoops, didn’t realise this was the centred one.” Toby said as he got out and changed berth.

“Hmm, one of the others might have to find somewhere else to sleep tonight. Eight engines and seven sheds don’t mix well.” Edward commented. “Is Thomas one of those giants that doesn’t like sleeping on metal all that much?” Toby asked making Edward and Gordon shocked. “You know about giants?” Gordon asked with his mouth agape. “Yep, I have a few brothers who were giants. One of them loved to snuggle with us, using us as little sleeping toys.” “Oh, well Thomas is the same, he likes to snuggle with me mainly.” Edward said. “Then it actually seems you have a berth spare, if you and him take up the one berth when you sleep together that is.” Toby said. “Hm, I haven’t realised that. I’d better take the middle one so Thomas can just rest when he comes back.” Edward said moving onto the turntable and taking the middle berth.

Gordon then wondered something. “How did you even know Thomas was a giant?” he asked. “Annie and Clarabell were very vague and avoided the question when me and my coach Henrietta asked what type of engine Thomas was. Me and my brothers would do the same thing when an engine on loan came to our old railway, it would always be funny when the engine spotted a giant for the first time.” Toby chuckled. “I can only imagen, Thomas basically pulled our tenders when he first showed up because we were still in a stupe when he started asking questions.” Edward said smiling himself at the now funny memory. Toby chuckled. “I can assume you’re the elder on this railway?” Toby asked. “Yes I am, at least, I’m the elder engine on standard gauge track.” Edward said. “Oh? And who is the eldest?” Toby asked. “A narrow gauge engine that works on the Skarloey railway named Skarloey, he’d be I think ninety-six this year.” Edward said as he searched his smokebox for his friends year of built.

“If were on the subject of age then, how old are you two?” Toby asked. “I was built 1896, so I’m sixty-four now.” Edward said. “I was built 1920, so I’m forty.” Gordon said. “Huh, I’m only six years older than you Gordon, I was built 1914, so I’m forty-six.” Toby said. “Join the middle aged club then.” James said as he got onto the turntable. “Your older than Toby aren’t you James? You said you were built 1912.” Edward stated. “Yep, so I’m forty-eight now.” James said as he backed up into a berth next to Toby. “Huh, I didn’t take you for being older than me James. Though I guess I’m glad someone at least close to my age knows what they’re doing.” Toby said when they heard a small whistle come up to the turntable.

“Are you guys talking about your ages?” Percy asked. “Yes we are, oh, I don’t actually think we ever asked about your age Percy.” Edward said as he watched Percy take up the last berth to the right of the shed. “Well it’s not anything special… I was pulled early out of track when I came to Sodor.” Percy said. “Hold on, so you’re at best maybe a year or less old?” Gordon asked. Percy just gave a shy smile. “Wow Edward was right when he said you were a baby engine.” James said. “I find that adorable, if only I had hands, I’d pinch your cheek.” Toby chuckled. The other engines laughed to when they heard two large engines come up to the sheds.

“Did James do something silly again?” Henry asked as he got onto the turntable. “No, we just found out how old Percy is.” Edward said. “Ah, and how old would that be?” Henry asked as he entered a berth next to Gordon with his brother not far behind. “I’m only four months old…” Percy said sheepishly. “Oh my goodness you are the baby-est of baby engines!” Henri fawned. “Uh… who are these two?” Toby asked. “Oh right! Sorry Toby, these two are the double H’s, Henry and Herni. The one closest to us is Henri with an ‘I’, but we just call him Hen. The other is Henry with a ‘Y’ though we just call him Henry.” Edward introduced. “Hello.” “Hi.” The two greeted. “Nice to meet you two, it's refreshing to see that there are a set of twins on the island.” Toby said with a smile.

“Refreshing?” Questioned Gordon. “That’s an odd choice of phrasing.” James mentioned. “Oh, forgive me. Back on my old line my brothers and I all had a twin or more among us, I myself was a part of a set of quadruplets.” Toby said. “Oh wow, me and Hen can barely stick together on some jobs. I can’t imagen having two other twins to work with.” Henry said while looking over to his brother who shared the same expression. “Well… we weren’t quadruplets for long…” Toby said making the whole shed grow quiet as they waited for him to elaborate.

“When the giant sickness reached us… my youngest twin was given the cure after he had already started throwing up coal. So it made his new organs crash and he perished…” The engines gasped. They had heard what Thomas told them if Glynn was given the cure now, that he would die from organ failure. It was now scary to hear it come from an engine who was right next to them.
“I was spared, obviously… but my eldest two brothers weren’t so lucky. They both turned into giants with my eldest brother not being happy with the change what so ever, he made several tantrums and rampages, when one day he went too far and our controller had to call in the army to put him down. After that it was the brother built before me left… and at the worst possible timing a new controller came to the railway. He separated me and my brother rather often, because his logic was that giants had to stay away from public areas at all times which is hog-wash I later found out.” Toby took a second to sigh before continuing. “But even so… a few years later the line had to close and me and my brother were separated permanently because under the laws of machines there is nothing in them saying about giants and machines being related. So I was sold to here and I have no clue what happened to my brother…”

The engines were all stunned into silence… and the worst part of it was that they could all relate to it to a certain extent. They all had been close to their siblings at some point when they were all new iron and fresh out of the works, and most of them worked together with them when they went through track. But after that, they would be sold and rarely would they see each other again unless they had a large family or they had twins.
By a heavy recommendation that it might as well be law, it was quite often that twin machines were bought at the same time by the same person, two for the price of one was always taken into literal words when it came to twins or more. The way how identical siblings were brought into existence was if they were built in the same room and fired up for the first time at the same time, so it was more common to see smaller machines being identical than bigger ones.

“I’m so sorry for your loss Toby… I lost my twin to scrapping, I can only imagen how losing three of them might feel.” Edward said. “You had a twin Edward?” Henry asked. “Yes I did… there was a brutal crash and he was unsalvageable…” “What was his name?” Percy asked. “Edwin.” “Edward and Edwin, that actually sounds rather nice.” Henri said. “Say, if we’re on the subject now of siblings, does anyone have any stories? Like when they went to crew and such?” James asked. “I have some.”

Everyone looked forward to see Thomas walking down the track and up to the turntable. “Sorry I’m late, Glynn was having a lot of pain and then I went to go see Annie and Clarabell about what the new guy was like.” Thomas said as he entered the middle berth and then rested on top of Edward again to cuddle him.
“Oh it’s fine Thomas, I can believe that turning into a giant mustn’t be a pleasant experience.” Edward said as he did his best to lean into the giant for cuddles. Thomas obliged and proceeded to purr and coddle the engine making Edward laugh and smile. Toby though chuckled softly with a small smile on his face. Percy saw this and was curious what was on the tram engines mind. “Toby? What is it?” the young engine asked. “Oh I just remember one of my other brothers who wasn’t a twin doing that to our main goods engine. It started off as them cuddling and sometimes licking or kissing each other, before at one point the engines crew started teasing them about being in love. And a little while later they actually decided to go for it, they started doing the typical love stuff.”

Thomas stopped snuggling Edward when he heard that. “Is that a thing people excepted? I haven’t seen or heard any stories about an engine and a giant falling in love.” “It was excepted begrudgingly, but it was sort of over shadowed by the fact that both of them were male.” All the Sudrian’s gaped their mouths open. “One of your own brothers liked the company of men?” Gordon asked in a tone of being appalled. “Should any of us be worried?” James asked looking with a stern glare to Toby. “You’re looking at me James as if my preference of love in genetic…” Toby glared back. “But no none of you should be worried, I’ve actually been dating my coach Henrietta for a while now.” Toby said easing the Sudrian’s minds but still not making them any less shocked. “Oh wow…” Thomas breathed out. “Well at least you two will never be separated.” Henri said with a smile. “Thank you, I’m glad you lads are a little more excepting than the ones back on my old railway.” Toby thanked.

“It’s not the fact that we don’t like it Toby, we’re just surprised.” Edward clarified. “Yeah, and I don’t think I’d view Edward as much else other than a friend, plus I believe there’s like a huge age gap between us anyhow.” Thomas said looking down at Edward. “And? Giants and machines as far as I know can live forever if they’re kept up to health and maintenance, so when you look at it that way age is just a number. Besides, that didn’t stop my brother, the engine he dated was built in the 1870’s.”

Edward and Thomas looked at each other, thinking it over. “I think I’d rather just cuddle him.” Thomas said as he went back to snuggling his little engine. Edward croaked out a happy moan as he was smothered. “I believe I like the cuddles to… and if I were to consider falling in love with anybody I’d want to get to know them a little more, Thomas has only been here a month.” Edward said. “So you’re not entirely against the idea of maybe falling in love with Thomas, Edward?” Gordon asked with a raised brow looking mightily puzzled. The giant and engine looked back at each other. “Give me maybe like a year or more to think on it…” Edward said. “Edward should that even be a thought for consideration?! The answer should be no.” James said as he looked sternly at his mixed traffic engine comrade. “Oh leave them be all of you, it’s Thomas and Edward’s choices alone how they want to spend their love.” Percy said. “Percy you’re not even a year old, you don’t have much of a say in this.” Henry said to the smaller green engine. “I’m old enough to know it shouldn’t even be any of our business.” Percy argued back. “Percy’s right, I’m not even a decade old, so I technically shouldn’t have a say ether.” Thomas said looking over to Henry.

“Okay everyone why don’t we just drop it, everyone is entitled to their own opinions. We’ll just have to agree to disagree.” Toby said making the others sigh out. The sheds were quiet for a second when Thomas spoke up. “Well, to change the subject, what were you guys talking about before I arrived?” he asked. “It went from talking about our ages to talking about our siblings.” Percy said. “Huh, that actually reminds me, how old are you exactly Thomas?” Henri asked. “I was one module away from completing track when I was an engine so that’s a year, then I had to go through a year and a half of giant track, so that’s two years and a half. Then I arrived here on Sodor. So I’m two and a half years old.” Thomas said with a smile. “Edward was right then, you are mature for your age.” Gordon commented. “It’s kinda hard not to have a different view on things when you suddenly become a bigger picture than what you already were before to humans.” Thomas said. “I can’t tell if I should be upset because that was nearly a pun, or upset that that’s actually rather sad.” James said. Thomas sighed and slumped his head down next to Edward.

“Well, if we want to move on, why not talk about our siblings from when we remember them?” Henry brought up. “That’s going to be a non-existent list for me, I’m a put together Frankenstein that you can just sum up as a saddle tank.” Percy said. “Well mine and Hen’s isn’t too far off, the only sibling- if even you could call it that, we have is Gordon.” Henry said. “Huh?” Toby asked. “How about we explain the double H’s stories before we get onto that.” Edward purposed. “You’re the shed-time story teller Edward, you go right ahead.” James said before Thomas nuzzled the old engine again and got to purring.

Edward chuckled before beginning his tale. “All the way back in 1919 an engine was being built in secret, ‘It will be weak but sir,’ an engineer to a man said. ‘His fire box will be to small,’ ‘We are too far to turn now, put it together and all!’. This engine alas was born into a weak body, stollen designs of an early Gresley A0. They quickly got rid of this wack engine to the first buyer, a stout man who saw from a newspaper flyer. When the engine arrived the man would fume- ‘I wanted an Atlantic! And that ______ sent me that!’.” Edward paused to see how Percy and Toby were taking this so far. “You were built from stolen designs of Gordon’s class?” Percy asked. “Wait, then why does one of you have a different looking firebox?” Toby asked. “Edward’s getting there.” Henry said then looking back to the engine.

“This engine was a poor steamer, but he was still kept on to be the original express leader. But one day an engine attached to a train, was afraid of a few drops of rain. He rushed into a tunnel and squeaked through his funnel and never came out again. His driver and firemen argued with him, but he wouldn’t budge. ‘The rain will soil my lovely green paint and red stripes’ he said. The passengers got off and argued with him to, but he wouldn’t move even after the rain had stopped. So, the fat controller told the guard to get a rope and pull, everyone pulled, except for the fat controller. When that didn’t work they tried pushing from the other end, and when that didn’t work they got an engine to try and push him out. But after that nothing worked, in the end they took up the old rails, built a wall in front of him, and left him there. But the fat controller let him out eventually after Gordon had burst his safety valve in front of the tunnel.” Again another pause to see how the two small engines were doing. “D-Did the fat controller really d-do that?” Percy asked while quivering. “Yes he did… that was the crossest he’s ever been with us up until that point.” Henri said. “Remind me to never make him that cross with me then. But that still doesn’t explain why they both look different.” Toby said. “Wait for it~” James hummed.

“Once an engine pulling a train, fell off the rail and into the plain. Through crew did that engine have to do, but when he came back, there were two. The engine after being rescued from the tunnel was then put in charge of pulling goods most of the time. One of his most famous trains that he pulled was called the flying kipper, one winter season a set of iced over points made him derail and crash rather badly, so he was sent to crew to be repaired. But what the fat controller wanted to fix for him at the time was his steaming problems, so he agreed to let the engine go through this new technique that they had discovered. It basically involved taking the face of an engine off its body, and then placing it onto a nonliving engine. The process was a success, they believed they had successfully transferred an engines face over to a brand new body, that was until the old body did something nobody expected. The old body remade a face for itself in an exact copy of its old one. When the two engines woke up, they were very confused. One thought the transition was a success while the other was asking what went wrong. The mechanics filled them in on what had happened, and not long after the two were introduced to each other. They got on quite well but then the question came of who was the original? The one with the new body seemed to have the originals face but a different personality, while the other had a new face but the old body and the same personality. It was a huge debate on who the original was until the fat controller came to see for himself. He was quite shocked but said that the two didn’t have to be an original, they could both be unique, like twins. So that’s what they referred to themselves as, the one with the old shape kept the name Henry while the other was also given the name Henri but with an ‘I’. So now we’re up to today, with the green tender twins.” Edward finished.

Both Toby and Percy gaped open their mouths in shock, that was a hell of a story. “So you two are the same engine, while also not being the same at all?” Toby asked. “Yes.” The two green twins answered in unison. “Wow… so is that why you guys weren’t happy that I had the number 3?” Percy asked. “Yes it was.” Henry said. “We had that number before we were separated, and to not have us fight over it the fat controller gave us both new numbers.” Henri answered. “I can see why you called Gordon a sibling sort of, you’re designs technically came from the same person. I guess though, you could call each other half-siblings.” Toby stated. “Before when the two were a singular engine, I did see them as a sort of brother once I got to know him a little better. It was a more welcoming relationship I was willing to have compared to my own family back on the mainland.” Gordon said.

That left the others curious though. “What was it like over on the mainland Gordon?” Thomas asked. “I was the first of my class, a prototype to Sir Nigel Gresley’s to be A1 pacifics, an A0 pacific. I was built alone with no other siblings, so I never had the chance to have a twin. But after my test performances and my short time going through track I was absolutely coddled, my own builder fawned over me every day, and his daughter fawned over me to. She would childishly work as my fireman for a few sleepers before her father had to tell her to get out of my cab, but that still wouldn’t stop her from sitting on my buffers. She would read me stories, tell me made up ones, and even get me to try different things that were uncommon of an engine or even a machine. She was human, sure, but she felt like my first best friend. When she told me that technically we could be siblings, I nearly jumped off the rails with glee. We spent a lot of time after that together before I had to be sold off… she does keep in contact with me though, we mail each other all the time and she plans to come see me some day after the whole… …‘thing’… has been decided.”

The others all knew what Gordon was talking about, the dieselisation plan over on the mainland. “Hold on, you said you were built in 1920 Gordon, how old was this girl when you were first built?” Edward asked. “She was a preteen I believe, so ten to twelve. Why?” Gordon in quizzed. “She would quite possibly be in her early fifty’s by now wouldn’t she?” Edward asked. “Yes… and?” “Isn’t fifty’s and over considered senior age for humans?” Henry asked. “I believe it is, so?” Gordon asked. “Aren’t you a little worried about her health if she came to Sodor? Or would she be coming along with family members?” Toby asked. “No she never married and chose to be childless, and her younger brothers she tells me are often too busy. She’s still going strong I can tell you that much, she sends photo’s on occasion to. She doesn’t look a day over twenty. I’d show you but the letters and photos are in my personal box in my cab.” “You can show us tomorrow Gordon.” Toby said.

Edward then turned his attentions to the last remaining people who haven’t talked about their siblings. “Say James, I believe you’re a part of a large family of siblings aren’t you?” Edward asked. “Yes I am, though I’m a unique one off of my class for my pony truck, it was put on to stop my classes main issue of being too top heavy.” James said with a smile as he looked down to his buffers and the extension before them. “So if you were to not have that pony truck you would be in a lot more trouble?” Gordon asked. “Going down hills specifically, yes.” James grumbled. “Hold on, so they gave you crummy wooden break blocks, and on top of that you’re top heavy? No offence James but what were you’re builders thinking? That’s a disaster waiting to happen.” Thomas commented. “I know… a lot of my siblings got hurt through track when we were learning how to pull heavy trains up and down hills. They only pulled out the dents in them and then gave them the exact same things that caused the problems in the first place. It was a cheap business and everyone and their mother knew it, that’s it.” James said then taking his own attention to Thomas.

“What about you Thomas? We already know you have a brother over on the mainland in Barrow.” The mix of blue hues engine asked. “Well there were only ever ten of my siblings made, and we were all decaplets.” Thomas answered. “Hold up you were all what?” Henry asked sounding mightily confused by that word. “Decaplet is what you call a set of ten identical siblings.” Thomas informed them. “Woah… trap scrap in my face hole then.” Toby said as he was sorely out of competition when it came to the identical siblings department now. “Heh, well I was the youngest out of all of us. The eldest was immediately christened with a name when he gained a consciousness, his name was Timothy after our builders late nephew.” The engines were intrigued, it wasn’t to uncommon for an engine to be named after someone or be given a title as a name.

“So Fell is quite literally maybe the closest thing we’ll ever get to seeing you what you were like as an engine?” Herny asked. “Yep, along with any of my other brothers wherever they are in the world right now.” All of the engines were wowed when Edward noticed all the workers in front of their shed had begun to disappear, meaning they had been talking for quite a while. “Oh dear, we’d better be getting some sleep soon everyone, the yard is almost empty.” The others noticed this as well. “Oh, good idea. Night everyone.” Thomas said before he nuzzled Edward one last time and closed the shed doors in front of them. “Good night.” The engines coursed before they all began to nod off.


The next morning Toby woke up to the sounds of the birds chirping at dawn, he yawned when only a few seconds later he heard a stalling in large breaths as he watched Thomas begin to wake up. The giant yawned like a cat and then looked down to the little engine under him and smiled as he began to purr and lick Edward awake. When the small tender engine woke up he was plastered with licks and kisses and nuzzles, making him go into a laugh as he was smothered. Thomas would even gently run his fingers under Edwards undercarriage to gently lift him off the rails and off his wheels. Toby just smiled, it was exactly how his brother and old love used to act before they made it official. He secretly hoped they would eventually hook up, it was clear the two enjoyed the others company, they did indeed just need a little while longer to get to know each other.

When the other engines awoke for the day they were smiling when they saw the fat controller walk to in front of the sheds. “Good morning sir.” Edward said. “Morning everyone, how are we all doing?” the controller asked when he was given a startling answer by Henry as he sneezed loudly with a plume of black ash spewing out his mouth like he just blew out the smoke of a cigar. “Henry? Are you alright?” Henri asked his brother in concern. “Sir, I ask with all the pleading I can muster, can I please go back to crew and be turned into a black 5 as well? With a normal procedure? Acho!” Henry sneezed again making him violently shake and toss his driver off his footplate. “I told you there was mismatched coal in that load!” Henry’s fireman shouted as he had held on in the engines cab. “Oh shut it Jerone!” Henry’s sore driver spat back.
“I was actually thinking about that recently after ordering your next shipment of special coal Henry, if I could ask you to hold out just for the rest of this summer I should have enough to send you back to crew.” “Thank you s- GAH-CHO!” Henry sneezed again except this time his wheels spun out from under him making him push backwards and knocking his tender into the back buffers of the shed. “Oh dear… uh, Hen? Could I ask you to pull your goods train alone today? I don’t know if your brother will be safe to work with.” The fat controller asked. “Of course sir, anything for my brother.” Henri whistled before slowly moving forward and preparing to leave the shed. “Oh woah, woah, woah Henri, I have an announcement to make before you leave.” Henri stopped and backed into his shed to hear the news with an embarrassed expression.

“I have leased an engine to help out with the extra work load, he’s from the mainland formerly a part of the great western railway. I plan to have Edward show him and Toby around today so there will be a bit of a change in schedule just for today. Thomas, you’ll be on all mixed traffic work around the island, the station masters will tell you were you are needed for today. Glynn will be able to manage for a day and if something does come up you’ll be sent to the centre straight away. James, you’ll be on passengers and goods along the Ffarquhar line, take both at the same time if you must. Edward, you’ll be giving Toby and the new engine Montague a tour. After that, Toby, you can head back over to Ffarquhar to take over passenger services, Montague will be covering the west line of the island until I can find an engine to take over it completely. Gordon with your usual, Percy your still on yard at Knapford, Henry you’re going to be in the sheds today, and Hen you’ll be pulling your goods. Any questions?” “Me sir, who will be looking after my branch line while I’m giving a tour?” Edward asked. “Thomas I believe will be on the south side of the island for most of the day, so quite possibly him.” The small blue engine looked up to the giant still resting on top of him. “I don’t want to come back to see anything broken Thomas.” “You won’t, I’ll take care of it as if it were my own branch line.” Thomas said before he nuzzled Edward which made the older engine laugh.

Once the engines had their steam built up they were set off for the day. Percy, Toby and Edward set down to the Knapford yard to do their work or to meet the new engine. While everyone else trailed behind for their trains or the start of their runs with Thomas accompanying them to see what his first job would be.
Toby fetched Henrietta so she could join them, and the tram couldn’t help but ponder what the loaned engine was. “Um, did sir Topham Hatt even say what the new engine was? Like a tender or tank engine?” “I don’t think he actually did.” Gordon said as he and Henri pulled in for their trains for the day. “Well with a name like Montague, I can think he’s some large regal engine.” Edward commented. “I think Montague is actually a book characters name.” Toby said as he joined back up with them after being coupled up to Henrietta. “It’s the surname of Romeo from Romeo and Juliet.” Gordon stated. “I’ve heard of that book title but I’ve never heard what’s in the book.” James commented as he got his train ready along with Annie and Clarabell. “Wait, how do you know that Gordon?” Clarabell asked. “My sister read it to me when I was going through track, she often put me to sleep with it.” Gordon reminisced fondly. “You mean madam Rhapsody, Gordon?” the express engines driver asked.

“Yes, her.” Godon confirmed. “I thought Gordon was the first of his class with a three year gap between him and the next one built, so how does he have a sister he knows about?” James’s fireman asked once they and the engine came to a stop with their train. “She’s my sister because she’s the daughter of my builder, she introduced me to a lot of human entertainment that I believe most engines haven’t even heard of before. Such as Romeo and Juliet.” Gordon said. “What did you think of it Gordon? Love it? Hated it?” Edward’s driver asked. “I thought how silly you humans could be with all the foolish things they did throughout that entire book.” All the human crews laughed. “That’s fair, some people do stupid things in the name of ‘love~’.” Percy’s driver said dramatically as he swooned backwards into his work college who pushed him off.

“Hey Gordon, I think we have a little time before everyone is to set off. Do you think you could show us the pictures and letters you said you had?” Thomas asked as he stepped over the engines. “Oh of course! Driver? Can you show them the picture with the purple frame?” Gordon asked as he opened the personal drawer he had in his cab. All machines had one in case they ever received personal items, they could open or shut it at will and this helped just in case if ever a crew member tried to steal something from the machine. After all, how do you open a safe with no key?

Gordon’s driver gave one look at the photo and gasped. “What in the-? Gordon? Are you sure your sister was never an actual engine? Because she looks like Thomas.” “Excuse me?!” Gordon shouted taking that as on offence to his beloved sister. “Adam, have a look, that does not look human.” Gordon’s driver said showing the picture to his co-worker. “What the? Yeah, can giants be really small or something but still look deformed?” the fireman said as he looked at the photo. “If you two don’t start explaining yourselves I’m flinging you out of my cab.” Gordon threatened to his crew. “Let me have a look.” Thomas said as he leaned down to peek inside Gordon’s cab. The driver showed the giant the photo and Thomas seemed to have an answer.

“Ohh! I know why she’s like that, I heard about it from the doctors at the giant centre. Apparently its rare, but humans can contract the giant sickness as well. But apparently instead of being called giants, their called mutants. So in no offence Gordon, but it seems your sister isn’t even human, it’s probably explains why she hasn’t aged a day, because mutants age like giants or machines.” Thomas explained. “So the way she looks is a mutation? She told me it was just a birth defect that didn’t rear its head until she was older.” Gordon said. “She probably said that to not make you worry Gordon.” Edward’s fireman said. “I want to write back to her later, I hope she can spare a day to come see me to chat.” Gordon said while looking down at his buffers. “Cheer up ‘ol boy, we still got work to do after all.” Gordon’s driver said petting the side of his cab. “Yeah, I got your coaches ready here Gordon, just need you in front.” Percy said as he shunted the express coaches. “Ah, right.” Gordon said before moving up to the platform, but it was obvious that the news that his sister was a mutant was weighing him down. “If I have the time, I’ll talk to the fat controller.” Percy whispered to the others before giving a smile and wink. The other engines smiled as well before they moved on to get their tasks done for the day.


Later, while Percy was shunting in the yard with Edward and Toby helping they heard a whistle sound out that they hadn’t heard before. The three engines stopped what they were doing and looked to see a green tank engine looking at the station before sounding his whistle again and looking around. “Ah.” Edward realized before motioning to Toby to follow him. He blew his whistle before pulling up to the tank engine. “Hello, are you Montague by any chance?” he asked. “Why yes I am, and you are?” “I’m Edward, nice to meet you.” “And I’m Toby, and this is my coach Henrietta.” “Hello!” the old coach greeted. “Hi, nice to meet all of you, this wouldn’t happen to be Knapford would it?” Montague asked. “Sodor’s main station, you are correct.” Edward smiled. “Few, finally, I thought the first station I came across after crossing the draw bridge would be Knapford, but another engine was kind enough to point me in the right direction.” “Ah that must have been Henri, he should be the only engine out past that way by now.” Edward commented. “Well he was a very nice engine compared to what I’ve seen of big engines on the mainland, and same with you Edward, I have to admit most tender engines I meet for the first time often talk down upon me within the first minuet of meeting.” Montague said. “Haha, the only engine I can think of on this railway who would do that to you would be Gordon, he’s our express engine.” Edward said. “But I believe there’s enough of us to not humour him when it comes to teasing.” Toby said. “Well as that’s a relief. Perchance do you lads know where I can see the controller of this railway?” Montague asked. “He’s currently really busy because of the summer rush we get this time of year, so he’s asked me to give you and Toby a tour of the island before setting you off to work.” Edward said.

“Really?” Montague asked sounding confused. “Yes, as far as my understanding goes you’re going to be here until the end of the summer to help us along the western line.” Edward said. “Oh, alright. Well, should we get on with the tour then so we can get started?” Montague asked. “Of course! Follow behind me you two.” Edward said moving onto a track and beginning to puff off. Toby motioned for Montague to go first to which the engine smiled back in thanks, once the two were in line following after Edward Toby couldn’t help but notice Montague shaking a little.

“Are you alright Montague? You seem to be shaking.” Toby commented. “Hm? Oh! No, no Toby I’m fine, it’s just a flaw in my design, it makes me look like I shake when I move.” Montague reassured. “Hm… not so much as shake as you look like your waddling.” Toby said. “Waddle?” the green engine asked. “Like a duck or something Toby?” Edward asked. “Yes, like a duck or a penguin.” The tram confirmed. “Oh. I’ve never had it referred to as that before.” Montague said. “I think that sounds adorable, waddling like a duckling.” Henrietta said. “Heh-heh, maybe we should call you Duck, Montague.” Edward chuckled a little. “No thank you, I do have a nickname if you think my name is too long.” Montague said turning down that train of thought immediately. “What is it?” Toby asked as they passed out the station. “It’s Monty.” Montague said proudly. “Do you prefer that?” Edward asked. “Only if you like, I don’t mind if you call me Montague or Monty.” “Monty it is then!” Toby proclaimed as they began to head up a line.

“Okay, well in regards for the tour I’m supposed to give, we can start with the line your mainly going to be on Montague. This is the western line, it starts at Knapford and heads up to Tidmouth. Just as a heads up, Tidmouth sheds is where all of us engines sleep. I imagen one of us will need to stay outside on one of the sidings for tonight though.” Edward said as he lead the way up the line coming up to said sheds. “I think ether me or Percy can back into the back or a birth and there will be room for Monty.” Toby commented. “Well you’ll need to ask Percy about that later then, but for now let’s keep going.” Edward said as they came up to Tidmouth town square. “This would be your first stop of your passenger run Montague, Tidmouth town square.” The tender engine said as they passed the platform.

“A few ways up are two tunnels, the first is Tidmouth tunnel and the one after is Conrad’s bridge tunnel.” Edward’s voice echoed as they entered the bricked wall construction. Toby giving a little ring of his bell as they exited. “After the tunnels is Bluffs cove, this area serves a beach as well as a local school. A brilliant little station that doesn’t get given enough attention I’m afraid.” Edward said as he eyed the beach as they passed it. “Oh I adore this station already, I love the beach.” Montague said as they passed. “Oh no thank you, sea water makes wood rot.” Toby said as he decided to keep his gaze forward.

“Well next is the fishing village, there’s no stop here but it’s still a memorable land mark on the line as you’ll see most of the small boats of the harbor further up come down here. But the next passenger stop on this line is Arlesburgh West, this station is a junction that connects to the Arlesdale line, but that area is being completely overhauled at the moment.” “How come?” Montague asked. “The line used to be a narrow gauge line with mines being its main source of business, but when they dried up the line couldn’t sustain itself. Now it’s being converted into a minimum gauge line to make balise.” Edward explained. “Narrow gauge? Minimum gauge?” Montague asked not understanding. “We work on standard gauge tracks, narrow gauge tracks are smaller than the ones we are on and minimum gauge tracks are smaller than that. So as you can maybe imagen, smaller tracks mean smaller engines. You’ll see what I mean when we get to the Skarloey railway.” Edward said before pressing on.

“And last we have Arlesburgh harbor, this is where the line ends and there’s a loop just a little ahead. After this station Montague you’ll be making a return trip, and then repeat the process until off hours.” Edward said as they began to head onto the loop and be turned around back down the line. “Really? This is it? It’s a rather short line.” Montague commented. “We know, but it’s kept rather busy during the summer as you can probably imagen. You’ll be rushing on your wheels pretty quickly.” Edward said. The tank engine made sure to keep that in mind.

“Where are we heading now Edward?” Toby asked. “Knapford is a junction for this line, the main line, and the Ffarquhar line. So which do you lads want to see?” Edward asked. “I’ve seen more track past the loop at Ffarquhar station, can you show us that?” Toby asked as he had noticed it during his passenger service yesterday. “There’s one more station past there called Arlesdale End and past that is a quarry that’s opened up recently. I haven’t seen the quarry yet so why don’t we go have a look?” “Sounds good to me.” Montague said as they began to puff down the line.
As they travelled though, Montague couldn’t help but realise Toby’s words. “Um, beg pardon Toby, but I couldn’t help but notice what you just said. How long have you been here yourself if your now getting a tour?” the pannier tank engine asked. “Oh, I arrived here only yesterday and was put straight to work with passenger services on the Ffarquhar line. They were too busy at the time to give me a proper tour so I guess I’m getting one now.” Toby explained. “Oh, good to know I’m not the only newbie.” Montague smiled.

Edward grew a confused expression though. “But you aren’t a- ‘newbie’ Montague. You haven’t been bought by the fat controller, you’re only here on loan.” The tender engine reiterated. Montague grew a sheepish expression. “O-Oh, I remember… I’m just hoping the controller actually buys me. Things on the mainland aren’t doing too well, what with the whole scare of- ‘dieselisation’.” The engines all knew what the green engine was talking about, it was the same topic Gordon referred to as- ‘thing’ when he was talking about his sister the previous night. “Is it getting really that bad over there?” Edward asked. “I’m afraid it is, a lot of the older engines who have made it up until this point are beginning to really quiver in their sheds like pearls of a clam.” Montague described. “Oh dear… that bad.” Toby commented. They all remained silent until they got back to Knapford and changed over onto the Ffarquhar line.

“Okay, because you also may be asked to work on this line as well Montague I’ll tell you the stations.” Edward said as they approached the first. “The first after Knapford is Knapford beach, this is also a popular visitors place during the summer.” But just as they pulled up to the station James came up as well with his passenger train of Annie and Clarabell behind him. “Hi Edward… Toby…” James puffed as he waited for his passengers to board. “Hello James, being put to a rush?” Edward asked. “I’ve been trying to run a passenger service all day while also trying to manage goods…” James huffed. “Well aren’t you a mixed traffic engine?” Montague asked as he eyed James up. “I had to deliver 28 different goods trains before midday alone, all while pulling them behind Annie and Clarabell to continue the passenger service, and I’m 2 hours behind schedule because of it, so now I’m trying to use the next hour and a half before my next goods to make up for time.” James listed off like an aggressive shopping list as he glared at the pannier tank engine.

“My word! Are you sure sir Topham Hatt doesn’t need help on this line instead of the other one?” Montague asked looking to Edward. “I would normally be running the passenger services but since today I’m getting a tour…” Toby trailed off. “I beg you to hurry up Edward I need the extra set of buffers back soon.” James pleaded. “Shouldn’t Thomas be able to assist you?” Edward asked. “I tried, but apparently he just got assaulted with work on your line. Apparently this tour couldn’t have come at a worst possible time.” Edward gaped his mouth open that his branch had suddenly been bombed with work and he wasn’t there to handle it himself, it should be his responsibility after all.

The old engine very quickly weighed his priorities and decided a tour could wait. “Okay you two, change of plans. Toby, you get back on passenger service here to help James. Montague, you and I are heading to my branch line to assist. If Thomas is getting swarmed then that means there’s enough work there for three heavy goods engines.” Edward said as he reversed backwards to back up to Knapford, pushing Montague and Toby along with him. “Woah! Woah! Okay Edward.” Toby said as he put some puff into staying ahead of the tender engine. “Edward do you mind calming down enough to get your caboose off my buffers!” Montague said as he also tried to keep away from the tender engine. “Oops, eh, sorry.” Edward said as he slowed down to give the other engines space.

Once they were on separate lines and Toby had moved back onto the Ffarquhar line, Edward and Montague travelled down the main line to Edward’s branch line. “I’m surprised you have a branch line all to yourself Edward.” Montague commented as he tried to keep up with the bigger engine down the mainline. “The Ffarquhar line we were just on is actually under the responsibility of Thomas, the same person were going to assist.” Edward said. “Really? What type of engine is Thomas?” Montague asked. “You’ll see soon enough.” Edward said as they entered Crosby tunnel.


When the two finally came close to Brendam docks Montague began to slow down when he thought he felt something quiver through the rails. “Um Edward? Are the tracks here different or something?” the tank engine asked. “No, not to different from the mainline tracks at least. Why?” “I can feel an odd shaking through them.” Montague said in a worried tone. “Oh that will be shaking coming from the docks, you’ll see why in a second.” Edward smiled as he sped up. Montague trusted Edward to know his own branch line well enough, so he smiled as well and followed on.

It almost instantly dropped however as he hit his breaks hard when they turned the bend, and he saw something that made his firebox run cold and his face pail… What was standing easily at 16 foot or more, was what could only be appropriately described as a giant.
When Edward puffed closer Montague gaped at the blue engine as if he had just put the word loco in locomotive. He stood frozen as he watched Edward continue forward with no fear. “Hello Thomas! Heard you got berried with work rather quickly.” Edward shouted up to the giant.

Who Montague now apparently knew was Thomas turned around from what he was doing to look down at the engine. “I’m up to my neck here Edward, and that’s saying something.” Thomas said as he pulled some flatbeds over to him and pushed some over to in front of Big Micky. “Cranky can you load the seventeenth grouping for me please and I can load the twenty-third?” Thomas asked the crane as he helped him unload a ship. “Where are all these ships coming from?!” Cranky cried as he was spinning left and right loading and unloading. “Thomas! I need space again.” Big Micky called. “I just pushed a whole train of flatbeds over to you.” “I know, and their all loaded already.” The big crane said as he spun to get to unloading the next ship. “Ugh!” the giant groaned in annoyance making him let off some steam. “Edward, can you read the schedule and help out a little please?” Thomas asked.

“That’s what I’m here for. Montague, can you come see the schedule as well? It seems we need all hands on deck.” Edward said as he rolled forward to check with the dock manager. “Edward, if that was an intentional pun, remind me to pick you up by your tender.” Big Micky said as he spun to get another load.
Montague quaveringly hobbled forward past Thomas to see about the schedule, but he didn’t take his eyes off the giant and instead choose to let his crew hear about the schedule while he kept an eye out. When they had their orders, Edward and Montague double headed a train to Vicarstown. Once they were out of ear shot of the docks Montague exploded on the tender engine in front of him.

“What on Lady’s gold rails was that Edward?! What was that creature at the docks?! You seemed to know it and called it Thomas, it also seemed familiar with you and the cranes. What was that whole experience I just witnessed?!” Montague shouted. “Calm down Montague, Thomas is a member of our fleet. If you noticed, he had the number one on his sides. He’s the same person I said ran the Ffarquhar line.” “You never said he was a monster!” Montague shouted. Edward hit his breaks suddenly making his tender smack the tank engine in the buffers a bit. “Excuse you! Thomas happens to be my best friend, so I don’t take kindly to people insulting him with that word. And I think you’ll find I never said that he was an engine, I said that he was a person.” Edward said as he dropped his speed to scold the newcomer.

Montague tried to pick up speed again but he also ended up biffing the engine a little bit. “Why-?! No, no-no. How?! How are you friends with a creature like that? I’m very sure things like that don’t exist, or shouldn’t exist.” Edward was now getting really cross, this was the worst reaction they have had towards Thomas yet. “Well have you had a needle poked into your face yet? If you have then I’m glad to tell you those things are called vaccinations, for us machines in particular it stops us from becoming like Thomas. ‘Monsters’ as you so politely put it.” Edward spat the last part like venom, making it clear to the tank engine that he was not happy with him.

Montague became stuped into shock however. “Are you telling me that Thomas used to be a machine?” He asked. “Yes he was, a tank engine in fact. Now he’s called a giant, and giants are apparently machines who didn’t get vaccinated.” “I don’t… I don’t know what to say.” “I do. Whatever you do, don’t voice your grievances about giants on this railway. No one will be happy with you and rightfully give you a tongue lashing or worse if you do.” “Do you lot follow a cult or something? Why do you defend him like that?” Montague asked finding the loyalty to the concept of giants very odd.
Edward took that as another insult. So after he got over his shock, he chose to only hiss out steam and begin to huff off again. He gave his warning to Montague, the engine could decide what to do with it.


After the day had ended it was time for the fleet to head back to Tidmouth sheds, there Montague met the other engines. “Hello, I’m Montague, fancy seeing a fellow tank engine in green on this railway.” Montague said to Percy with a smile as he backed into a berth next to him. “Oh hello, I’m Percy. I saw you at Knapford station from the yard.” Percy greeted back. “You were in the yard? Oh dear me, I should have seen you if I only looked to the side.” Montague said now feeling a little silly. “It’s alright, I would have probably been too busy to really chat anyway. So, how was your tour? How are you liking Sodor?” Edward then piped in as he took the middle berth. “We had to cut it short after only going along the western line, and then only getting to Knapford beach before we heard from James what was happening along my line. So me and Montague went down to Brendam to help out.” “And that was all before I saw Thomas. When me and Edward had a train and taking it down the mainline he became very annoyed with me after because I asked why he defended a freak.” Montague said looking over to the tender engine with a stern look that said he was upset but not mad or cross.

Percy and the other engines gasped loudly when they heard that. “Excuse you? Who said you can say such things about Thomas when you haven’t even been here a day yet?” Gordon asked rolling forward a bit so Montague could see who exactly he was talking to. “You too? Are all the engines here blindly following a monster?” Montague asked with a perplexed expression. That was when Toby came in on the turntable, choosing to double berth with Percy after Montague’s comment.

“None of us- ‘blindly follow a monster’. We follow our controller accordingly. What gave you the impression that we followed Thomas like some sort of leader?” Toby asked with a very serious tone, showing that he meant business and that Montague should watch his words wisely. “Edward had said nothing but high praise about him, and the way how you all talk about him-” “Should mean nothing. Has it crossed your mind yet to maybe think that Thomas has earned our respect and loyalty for a reason?” James quickly stamped in, also rolling forward like Gordon. “What in the world has he done that has made your goods trains cargo then?” the tank engine asked.

“He defended me when nobody else would when I was being bullied for being the smallest and oldest engine on this railway, he gave me kindness and affection in a way that restored my faith in my self-worth, and he became my best friend as a result.” Edward said looking in a small scowl at the tank engine. “He has proven to be a kind soul many times, knowing he is big and is responsible with his power. Literally and metaphorically always being the bigger person. When I demanded Edward to bring me my coaches one day Thomas called me on ‘getting off my wack tender’ and told me to get my own coaches myself, when the others were laughing at me and I was more focused on my buffers he got me my coaches himself. He smiled at me with a knowing look that just read he knew what I was thinking but expected me to be better.” Gordon said also giving a scowl.

The two Henry’s then stood in their own words. “Thomas comforted me during most storms when he first arrived, he would rest on top of me and hold me close while he purred and held his hands over my smokebox to block out the sound of the rain and thunder. After that he helped me get over my fear of the rain, he would walk on all fours over me like a moving shelter, and little by little he would introduce me to rain until I was comfortable with it. He passed no judgment and was extremely patient with me, I don’t know any other person who would have done that for a scaredy-engine like me.” Henri said as he looked cross at the other green tank engine.
“Thomas did that for my brother when I didn’t have a first clue on how to help him, for that I’ll be forever grateful to him. He helped us pull goods trains on his first few days, and we actually got the chance to meet one of his identical siblings who’s still an engine and actually works on the mainland in Barrow. We got to hear many of his siblings woes throughout our visits and their ever present love for their giant little brother, you just can’t fake being so humanised like that.” Henry said following his brothers lead.

“I was cut from track early to work on Sodor, I got as far as the basics of an education and moving before I was sent off. Thomas, even though he was a giant and hadn’t shunted anything in the same sense as an engine in a long time taught me how to do it right, he saved me from having some nasty bashes or even derailing more times than I could shake a coupling at. I owe my success as being a really useful engine to him, he taught me everything I know about the yard or pulling coaches and trains.” Percy said with a non-to-pleased frown.
“The whole reason I even have a décor of blues is because of Thomas. When my breaks were made out of wood I became a runaway after some trucks pushed me down a hill and my wheels caught fire, Thomas rescued my crews lives and saved me from having a rather brutal crash by holding me to his chest and tucking me into a protective roll. He took such a nasty fall for me from such a high speed that he was knocked unconscious when he finally stopped. He was out cold for a whole day and the first thing he asked when he came to was if I was okay. So I got myself repainted in the same shades of blue Thomas has had.” James said looking cross at the new comer as well.

“I haven’t had the chance to have a moment like that with Thomas yet, but I still don’t take too kindly to anyone disrespecting giants as a whole. I lost three out of my quadruplet brothers to being giants. The youngest was given the vaccination to late so it ended up killing him, the eldest had to be put down because he caused to many tantrums over being a giant, and the brother made before me was taken from me forcibly because the railway I was on didn’t find him useful enough to be keep on. I begged my controller to let him stay and when that didn’t work I tried to escape with him, but it failed as I was chained to a set of buffers and my brother was chained down onto a flatbed to be taken away. I cried for months to fall asleep after that, and to me at least, I’m glad Thomas is here. He adds a whole other load of coal onto the track in a good way.” Toby said as he was the engine with the most experience with giants out of all of them, so he really didn’t like Montague’s choice of words regarding them.

Said pannier tank engine felt himself shrink in on himself like crushed tinfoil. He really did have no clue how much of a great person Thomas was to them or why they defended him and giants as a whole so strongly. His thoughts were interrupted however when the ground began to shake.
Thomas had been walking down the line around after Toby arrived and he heard what the new engine was saying, he was hurt at first until all the other engines came to his defence. When they were done he had decided to make his presence known.

When Thomas stood in front of the sheds he looked down to Montague, a hurt and disappointed soft expression on his face. He then made the same out of the situation he did with Glynn when the coffee pot engine first met him. “I’m really sorry if my presence upsets you Montague… I won’t bother you if I can avoid it. If anyone needs me I’ll be sleeping at Knapford station so Montague won’t have to fret…” Thomas said before turning away and lumbering off on all fours with his head hung low. Edward called out after him when he heard that the giant wasn’t going to be in the sheds with them. “Thomas! Wait!” the small blue engine yelled as he puffed after him. James, who had seen the same exchange happen with Glynn decided to follow suit to make Montague feel all that more guilty. “Hold up Edward I’m coming with!” James yelled as he got on the turntable.

Henri scowled at Montague before chuffing forward himself to use the turntable after James with his brother following suit. Gordon saw the two leaving and put forward to join them, making sure to hold his nose up at the loaned engine. Toby and Percy did the same as they glared or scowled at Montague as they passed to follow the other engines. When they were all gone, Montague was left in the sheds alone.

The new engine looked around the yard and saw that even the workers seemed to stare at him with none too happy looks, and after a while even they cleared out for the night. That left Montague alone with the hollow emptiness of the sheds and yard to himself, except that he hated it. Montague had chronic autophobia, being one of eight-hundred and sixty-three siblings and even more cousins made it so that he’s never been alone all that often for less than half an hour at most. So whenever he was left alone for longer than that he would start to get anxiety or at worst a panic attack.
Montague could feel his tanks begin to shiver so he fired up his firebox again to follow after wherever the others had gone.

When he got down to Knapford he saw a strange sight but oddly humbling a sense. The engines and Thomas were all under the shelter of the big station resting next to the platforms, Thomas was on the rails with Edward cuddled under him, a smile on the engines face as the giant rested with him. The others were all close to him as well, ether on the same track or the one next to him, taking up the entire space of the platforms.
Montague gulped as he hoped all of them weren’t paying attention to see him come in. He slowly crawled forward listening into them chatting as he took to hiding in the yard. Thomas’s ear twitched, having heard the chuffing a little ways before. He knew Montague was there, but he chose to keep his mouth shut as he listened into the engines talk.

“I can’t believe I thought he was a decent engine before, and I’m regretting not pushing that nickname I thought for him.” “The one where you called him Duck because I said it looked like he waddled?” Toby asked Edward. “He waddles?” Percy asked. “He shook a little, yes.” Toby said. “All in favour of calling that engine a water fowl say- aye.” “Aye!” the engines said in unison after Gordon. “Water fowl?” Percy asked again. “That’s another name for what to call a duck Percy.” Edward explained. “Oh!” “Peh! That engine was more of a quack-tangle. I hope the fat controller doesn’t keep him on.” James said. “Me neither, it will be a miracle if we even survive the summer with him on top of being swamped.” Henry said.

Thomas then stood in. “Guys, while I appreciate the support it’s not really your battle to fight. If Montague is disturbed by me I’ll ask the fat controller if he can keep us separated.” Thomas said as he looked down at the engines. “You shouldn’t have to Thomas, this is your home, your grounds. Not his. He had no right to say such slander against you.” Gordon said. “And furthermore, what’s the difference between you defending me and us defending you?” Edward commented on top of Gordon’s statement. “The difference is you lot should know better, while Montague has obviously never seen giants before. I’m going to need to talk to sir Topham about that for warning any potential future engines, we need more like Toby who have had experience with giants before or have at least seen them and know they exist.” Thomas said.

“Considering the massive job boom we’ve been having I think that would be a fair call. More people moving to Sodor for jobs means more passengers, more passengers might mean needing more engines.” Toby said. “A very fair call. I was told by Fell today why such a thing has even been happening, along with dieselisation, they’re also bringing in a modernization plan.” Henri said. “Modernization plan?” Gordon echoed sounding perplexed.
“Because steam engines are being taken out of service a lot of firemen are losing their jobs and a few drivers to because they need to be retrained to drive diesels. Signal boxes are also being taken down because of a new signalling system their going to use, so signalmen are also losing their jobs. Along with a lot of station masters because they’ve been closing down a lot of branch lines. Everything is being incredibly simplified to nearly only being express runs or heavy goods.” Henri said.

All the other engines and Thomas were shocked. “I hope they find a way to curb that fast tracked mindset soon, otherwise they may find themselves with a giants rebellion.” Thomas said. “Giants rebellion? Or a giant rebellion?” James asked sounding confused. “Quite honestly both James. I know I for one would not be happy if I found out that Fell was going to be scrapped soon, I’d take him somewhere safe. So I can imagen a lot of other giants would do the same to save their siblings, and if a lot of giants said siblings are going to be scraped…” Thomas left it to be concluded in their minds but Toby finished it for him. “There will be a massive up roar, literally…” Toby said.

Edward looked up to Thomas with a sad expression. “I’m sure your brother will be fine Thomas.” The little blue engine said in a comforting tone. “And if he isn’t I’m sure he’ll be a much better welcome than Duck.” James said. “James!” Edward scolded. Thomas was quick to cover his little engine with a nuzzle to the smokebox though. “No, no. It’s alright Edward. I know my brother well, he normally has very good instincts so if he senses his termination coming soon he’ll be quick to dart over to here for protection.” The giant said as he slowly cuddled Edward. The old engine groaned as he was pressed against soft skin with a smile on his face. The other engines laughed a little at how quick that just changed from Edward being cross to suddenly lighting up like a field of fireflies.

“I honestly cant wait until Glynn is feeling better, I wonder if he’ll chose to snuggle with any engine in particular.” Percy said. “Well from what I heard up at the Ffarquhar quarry they’ll be needing some engines up there so maybe he’ll be put to work there along with an engine or two.” James said. “I could also say the same for the China clay pits on my branch line, and that place is a lot bigger than the Ffarquhar quarry.” Edward said. “Don’t forget the blue mountain quarry, that place could certainly use a giant working up there.” Henry commented. “Oh your right! Huh… Glynn would certainly be really useful in plenty of places, I wonder where he’ll be working once he’s better.” Edward said. “I’ll be going back to looking after him tomorrow, so when he’s not throwing up tar I’ll ask him.” Thomas said. The others laughed a little before Henry let out a yawn that turned into a game of yawn ball around the group, when it stopped they all concluded that it was probably a good idea to catch some sleep.

Once all the engines were asleep, Thomas looked over to where Montague had been hiding and spying on them. The giant wiggled his ears, silently telling the pannier tank engine that he had heard him and knew he was there the entire time. Montague’s face flushed with embarrassment and he came out of his hiding spot to slowly chuff up to the same track the giant was on.

When he was right behind Gordon who was in front of Edward and Thomas, he looked meekly up at the giant. “I’m really sorry Thomas… I didn’t know how much you meant to the others, and what you have done for them. I let my fear get to me and jump to conclusions… that wasn’t how things were done on the great western line, and for that I must really apologize.” Montague whispered. “It’s quite alright Montague, I’ve honestly seen worst reactions against giants. But how about next time… you come talk to us instead of hiding?” Thomas asked with a cheeky smile, that smile that said, ‘you were being a little silly’.

Montague chuckled hushly. “I was really sure Edward would have bashed me if I even looked at you funny.” Thomas then chuckled. “Heh, I have Edward wrapped around my finger, he wouldn’t do something that I didn’t like. And even if he did try to bash you he would have to go through my hand first. As painful as that sounds…” Montague laughed a little but stopped when they heard Henri stir in his sleep a little. Once the big engine was settled back down again Montague felt his boiler and tanks being gently petted, Thomas had reached over and was gently using his fingers to pet the small engine.

“I’ll cover for you tomorrow when the others wake up, but don’t expect them to drop that new nickname anytime soon though.” Thomas said as he rested a finger on the engines buffers. Montague smiled and backed up slightly to be a little further away from Gordon, when he was satisfied he let off some steam and began to fall asleep. Thomas yawned and then rested his head back down next to Edward.
What nether of them knew however was that sir Topham Hatt had heard the whole conversation of the engines from his office.


When the morning finally broke into the sky, Thomas awoke up to a shiver of the cold winds that day. His pelt ruffled slightly as a chill reflex as he slowly raised his head and let out a fog filled yawn. The giant looked ahead of him to see that Montague had stayed the whole night and the other engines were still asleep. “Thomas.” A voice that Thomas knew well by this point spoke. The giant looked to his left onto the platform and saw that sir Topham Hatt was there. “Sir? What are you doing here this early?” Thomas semi whispered. “I should be asking you that question Thomas, though I actually already know the answer to that.” The controller said. “You do?” Thomas asked. “Yes. I had a late night yesterday so I overheard the conversations you and the others had from my office.” “Oh… your not mad with any of us are you sir?” “No. But before the others wake up I would like some more information to be cleared up.”

Thomas smiled and nodded his head. “Of course sir, fire away.” “Excellent, now. Who was Fell that you mentioned? I heard that he was your brother apparently?” “Oh, yes sir. Fell is one of my brothers that works as Barrow’s shunter over on the mainland. I saw him while I was taking a heavy goods train with the double H’s on my first week.” Thomas explained. “Ah, I see. Moving on, do you believe the others are worried about their stances on this railway?” “Any engine- no, any machine would be worried where they stand if there was a threat of being replaced sir.” “Tell me then… do you really think giants would go on a mass rampage if they knew their still locomotive siblings were being scraped?” “History would be repeating itself sir, there was a reason a lot of machines went missing during world war 2.”

The controller thought over the giants words in a hum, it was clear this was a deep topic now brought up to him. “I believe I have a few phone calls to make.” “May I ask to whom sir?” Thomas asked. “I will tell you after if these calls go alright, as they may heavily concern you. But Thomas, I must ask something of you.” The giant grew a determined expression. “Of course sir, anything.” “Can I ask you to be there for these engines and future ones. You have a true understanding of being unbiased because of your species, and I do plan on maybe getting one or two diesels in the future. You must remember being new and fresh out of the works, these diesels will be like that plus with the constant drilling of being told their superior, so I want you to essentially play piece maker. Be there for all these engines new and old. Put that title of number one to full effect.”

Thomas was very much taken aback by this ask, it almost made him believe Montague predicted the future on the comment that he was a leader to the engines. But he stoically nodded and said, “Of course sir, I’ll be there for them and for my home.” “Theres a good giant. Now, could you please wake the others? I will take the chance to tell them their schedules for today before their crews arrive.” Thomas smiled. He gently licked Edward awake before doing the same to the others minus Toby and Montague, whom he nuzzled awake instead. He didn’t want to get a splinter from Toby on his tongue, and because he didn’t want to undo the talk him and Montague had just last night by freaking the engine out, he nudged him awake.

When all the engines were awake they stood at attention of their boss on the platform. “Oh ah, good morning sir. How are you today?” Edward asked with an uneasy smile. “Just fine, thank you for asking Edward.” “Are you upset with us sir?” Henri asked. “No, no, I’m not. Thomas informed me of what has happened and I’m glad that he was able to sort things out. And Montague, I am terribly sorry for not forewarning you about Thomas, this could have all been avoided otherwise. My sincerest apologies.” Sir Topham Hatt said. “Oh ah, no sir, the fault was mine. I was told multiple times to stop but I kept going… that wasn’t such of the great western way of me to conduct such words.” Montague said bringing his presence known to the other engines who still looked crossly at him. “And I said it was okay, you were acting on fear. I just hope we can move past this and work together.” Thomas said as he gently nuzzled the pannier tank engine who laughed at the touch. “Haha! Thomas! Please stop! Hehe!” Thomas did and then sat back down to hear the schedule for the day from sir Topham Hatt. “So what are we doing today sir?”

“I’m very glad you asked Thomas, here are your jobs for today everyone. Thomas, you’ll be heading back to the giant centre to look after Glynn. Edward, your going to be back on your branch line along with Henry, there’s been a massive build up because of the surge that just happened yesterday so you’ll be making all those deliveries. Percy, your unfortunately still in the yard today. I apologies as this was definitely not how I wanted your first summer on this island to go.” “That’s alright sir, I’m happy to be of use.” Percy said with a smile. “Thank you very much Percy, now. James and Toby, you’ll be working with goods and passengers respectively.” “Yes sir.” The two engines said in sync. “Gordon and Hen, you’ll be pulling double express services today, there’s been another jump in passengers.” Henri gasped. “I get to pull and express train?! Wo-hoo!” the green tender engine cheered while nearly hopping off the rails. “Congrats brother!” Henry said. “Alright you two save the joy for actually pulling the thing to begin with, anything else sir?” Thomas said. “Yes, Montague, I want you to take passengers down the western line. If you find any troubles don’t be afraid to ask the station masters.” “Yes sir, but of course sir.” The green engine smiled. “Very well, you all have your jobs, so lets get started.” The engines all sounded their whistles and then set off.

Thomas stuck around a little longer to help Percy get some of the coaches ready, once he had set up the express coaches for Gordon and Henri he gently tapped the end coaches of the trains. “You two are all set.” “Thank you Thomas!” Gordon called as he got into position on the platform with Henri behind him. Toby came in on the platform next to them and Montague on the one after that. “Excited Duck?” Toby asked. “Very, I hope this gets to be as pleasant as what it was like on the Sunshine line.” Montague smiled. “Well with a name like that I bet that line earnt it for a good reason.” James said as he passed Toby and down the Ffarquhar line. “It did, it was over the more hilly side of the city so you could look down and see all the docks and lower streets, it was amazing during spring as the sea air would reach its way up to you.” “That does sound nice.” Henrietta commented. “I guess you’ll be right at home then along the western line.” Edward said as he and Henry passed down to Brendam. “Heh, I guess I will.” Montague said before noticing passengers beginning to enter the station. “Well, I guess we’ll see each other later at Tidmouth.” “Indeed we will, safe travels lads.” Toby said as he watched passengers begin to board. The guard blew the whistle for the first express train to go and they watched as Gordon left the platform. “Safe travels!” the blue engine called as he sped off.


Over the next month Thomas stuck by Glynn’s side as he continued to slowly transform, and as the end of the month wrapped up Glynn broke out of his old body into a new one with limbs and a torso. All the engines took the time to support Glynn on this day and were happy that he had finally made it.
Thomas got straight to work on helping Glynn gain some weight afterwards, as a fresh giant broken out of their old body was substantially weak and thin. Once that was done and the former coffee pot engine got used to his new limbs they tried walking, Glynn was shaky at first but had Thomas with him as a support the whole way. Once Glynn was walking and moving things with his hands he was put through the trials of giant track.

Thomas was by no means an easy teacher who played favourites in class which surprised Glynn and the engines when they saw him teaching the former little red engine. Glynn would run laps around the island with Thomas on all fours and on his back two, he would roll boulders up steep hills and he would lift them up and down like weights. Thomas explained each of his methods so Glynn and the others didn’t think him nuts or too harsh, the running was to test his stamina and balance, the rolling of boulders was to test his endurance, and finally the weight lifting was for him to start gaining some muscle. All of these methods proved to be very successful as by the time the second month of summer rolled around with Thomas’s okay, the fat controller sent Glynn to work at the Ffarquhar quarry so he could learn how to pull and arrange trucks.

Thomas set Glynn up with the basics and told him that the only way to learn this one was through trial and error, this worked rather well since if Glynn had an accident Thomas wouldn’t be too far away to come in and help, this also worked nicely for Thomas as he could get back to working on his branch line again.
Thomas also informed Glynn that it would take an entire year for him to fully pass giant track as it worked in the same way how a humans driver’s license did, he would have to put in hours of working and after he had completed those hours would he pass for being certified, and to be owned again. Glynn was annoyed with this but didn’t have a choice, so he was put under ‘community service’ and started his days to become certified and be owned by sir Topham Hatt again.

By the time the third month of summer rolled around, Glynn had fully matured into his body as a giant. He had all his fur and hair grown in as well as his ears fully formed. He had black hair on his head that was slicked back and faded down into his mane once it reached his neck, his fur was a bright scarlet red and his eyes were an amber gold while his skin was still grey. He had fur covering his chest, down his back and across his shoulders as a part of his mane and he had fur cuffs around his wrists. Down his legs were also furred as they fluffed out at his feet much like a shire horse. His legs themselves were a lot like Thomas’s, concluding with the same pawed hooves as well. He was stocky like Thomas but shorter than the blue giant, he lacked any ‘gills’ like Thomas but still had holes lining his neck for his whistle, he had four fingers instead of five, and his ears were very pointy and elf like say for Thomas’s more cat like ones.

After Glynn started working at the Ffarquhar quarry he began to stay at Tidmouth sheds once again, or rather, what was left of it. Once the busyness of the summer rush had died out sir Topham Hatt had put in to getting a bigger shed for the engines and any potential future giants. This meant that they had to sleep at Knapford station for a few weeks but it was well worth it when the sheds were complete.
It ended up being a massive round house with an indoor turntable to which the engines and giants adored. It was a lot more spacious for the giants to walk around in and it had many new tracks in it for more engines, 20 in total and it still had space to place engines on the same track if need be, the giants even had some maturases in the corners should they ever want options.
Thomas and Glynn would chase each other around like playful puppies while the engines would each have a go at spinning on the turntable and then choosing who had which birth. To sir Topham it was rather humbling to see them all be so happy.

But as the summer began to come to an end and autumn started to show up the fat controller had a few more surprises for them that were going to be happening that season. He kept his promise to Henry that he would be sending him to crew for a new shape, the number 6 engine was ecstatic with joy and so was his twin, until the man told Henri that he would also be going to crew with his brother. The other green tender twin asked why and the fat controller gave him the reasoning that they needed him to copy from to make blueprints for his brother, Henri didn’t see the harm in that so the two set off for crew in Barrow. What none of his engines or giants knew though, was that he had a very special surprise for the two and to Gordon as an extent.
But that could be a story, for another day.

Giant Glynn here

Picture of Rhapsody Gordon has