The Mainland Journey/Transcript

(It was another busy late winter day on the Island of Sodor. Everyone was working hard, from engines, to cars, to buses. It was a particularly special day for Thomas and Ashima, as they were being sent on a trip all the way to the National Railway Museum in York England. The trip was going on due to the celebration of Sierra Leone Government Railways Garratt #73, and the royal carriages being restored to complete running condition with the backing of the National Railway Museum. Thomas and Ashima were pulling a special set of coaches that Spencer usually used to pull the Duke and Duchess around. Their was seven of the special red coaches, all glistening in the sunlight beautifully. Hundreds of happy Sudrians rode in the coaches as Thomas and Ashima charged across Sodor towards the Mainland. The journey was going to be an incredibly long one, requiring the engines to take turns switching who was leading the train every once in a while to keep going. Thomas was leading at this point with Ashima behind him. The two sang songs to keep the passengers and coaches happy. Thomas and Ashima enjoyed the long run, it allowed them to talk and truly enjoy everything

Ashima: Thomas? Do you think Flying Scotsman will be at York when we arrive?" Ashima asked curiously. Thomas pondered on the question for a moment or so, and then responded.

"He probably will be there, considering it is his home." Thomas calmly stated. Thomas then remembered what had happened with his accident a few weeks ago, and the return of The City of Truro. Thomas suddenly piped up.

"Ashima, I think we should tell Scotsman of Truro's return to steam, he would glad to know that, I'm sure of it." Thomas stated. Ashima responded to his statement.

"Most certainly he would enjoy knowing that, maybe even so much he might come back with us to Sodor to see him again." Ashima responded, hoping that the two legendary locomotives would meet once again. Thomas then whistled as they were nearing a railway crossing. He saw a familiar face and sped up as he passed over the crossing whistling to Bertie as he sped past. Bertie decided it was not a good idea to go for a race today. Eventually the train had to stop and let Thomas and Ashima fill up with water. Then the two started off again soon reaching Vicarstown Station, stopping to let more passengers onboard the train. Thomas smiled as he saw Gordon pulling into the Station with the express, who was looking quite pleased with himself. This was unusual for an engine like Gordon, who just boasts about the express and other things, rarely differing from that. Thomas was so confused he decided to find out what he was so happy about.

"Gordon, your usually not like this, anything special happen on your trip?" Thomas asked curiously. Gordon just looked at him and chuckled slightly. Then he sighed and responded.

"Well I ran into a old friend so to speak, her name was Alice, I haven't seen her since the days I was an engine of the London and North Eastern Railway, back in 1923." Gordon said sighing happily at ease, knowing she was still running well. Thomas looked back at Ashima, then at Gordon.

"We all have our run ins with old friends, but it still is a wonderful thing to happen." Thomas said thinking of when he saw Ashima again back at The Great Railway Show. Gordon and Thomas chuckled but before Gordon could say anything else, the conductor blew his whistle and he had to go.

"Take care little Thomas and Ashima, I will see you when you return, safe journey!" Gordon said cheerfully as he left the station with two blasts of his whistle. Thomas and Ashima then set off for York a few minutes later and were entering the Mainland shortly after. Ashima and Thomas charged down the line passing unfamiliar diesels of the United Kingdom's various railways.

3 Hours Later

The train had finally reached King's Cross station. Surprised people and locomotives alike stared at the steam locomotives as they brought the train to a halt inside the station. Some school kids ran over to Thomas and Ashima surprised happily. One of the boys explained excitedly to the others.

"This is the best field trip ever, Gordon and Alice, now the famous Thomas and Ashima!" The boy said jumping with joy. One girl then shook her head and responded to the boy.

"Well you are referring to the most famous couple, not just Thomas and Ashima." The girl stated making the two flush with color. The kids giggled and then the teacher walked over to the group.

"Come along children, leave the two lovers alone." The teacher said making the two blush even more at her comment. The kids as they were walking away turned around and started mocking them by making kissing faces at Thomas and Ashima. They blushed even more. They were happy to leave when the conductor blew his whistle and they started off happily. The journey was rather uneventful and five hours later they finally arrived at The National Railway Museum about ready to fall asleep from how tired they were after the eight hour journey. It was nighttime when they arrived so they put the coaches where they were told to and Ashima had to be shunted into a shed by Thomas who gave her a kiss goodnight and backed down alongside her and fell asleep...

The Next Morning

Thomas and Ashima had slept soundly through the night and were still sleeping when the sound of something violently moving woke them up. The two engines jumped to life with fright, only to see Flying Scotsman with his smoke deflectors forward, back in the apple green LNER paint scheme and the double tender. Thomas and Ashima glared at him for a second before Scotsman spoke up.

"Come on get moving you two, the ceremony is about to begin!" Scotsman said urgently. The three engines quickly went into the Great Hall. Thomas was amazed at how many famous engines their were, he saw Mallard and other amazing engines. Scotsman chuckled and spoke to Thomas.

"Never gets old to be here." Scotsman said with a hint of nostalgia. The three went onto empty spots in the Great Hall. Thomas was curious at where the special engine was until he saw her coming onto the turntable. Even Scotsman was amazed at the engine's size. She looked over in amazement as she saw the trio sitting there. Then a railroad person came out and gave a speech about the engine. Then the party began. The engine smiled as she was spun around to face the trio of famous engines. She blushed faintly as she looked at The Flying Scotsman. She then spoke up.

"I never thought I would see the day when I would get to meet my idol." She said with a slight giggle. The Flying Scotsman chuckled and responded.

"Well with the help of the railroad museum, we gave your home enough money to restore you and everything else at your museum." Scotsman carefully explained. She then responded.

"Thank you Scotsman, you have always been such a gentlemen to all steam engines, my name is Shania." She said introducing herself. She then rolled carefully over the turntable and gave Scotsman a kiss on the cheek as a way of thanking him for what he had helped accomplished. He blushed slightly causing her to giggle a bit. A very entranced Scotsman stuttered as he spoke.

"Your welcome Shania, it's all worth it in the end to see the end result of the restoration, I am glad you are running like new." The Flying Scotsman said calmly. Then Shania looked at Thomas and Ashima. She smiled and spoke up.

"Well well, the star himself, Thomas and his friend Ashima, you two are famous in the locomotive world, especially since you let her win Thomas, out of "friendship?" Shania said cheekily. Thomas and Ashima blushed heavily. The trio kept on talking for hours until it was time for Shania to return home back to her home in Sierra Leone. Shania said goodbye and wished everyone farewell and safe travels. The sun was setting as she began her long journey home. She whistled happily as she slowly watched The Flying Scotsman, Thomas and Ashima fade into the distance, who gave her a chorus of whistles in farewell. Scotsman than sighed as he prepared to head back into his shed for the night. Ashima remembered something and quickly spoke up.

"Scotsman, wait, their something you ought to know, City of Truro is back under power again on the Island of Sodor, The Earl restored him, and its been a while since you have visited, and the first time since you got your double tender and LNER paint scheme back." Ashima said hoping it would convince him to come for a visit. Scotsman stopped and reversed to a stop next to them. He then grinned and responded.

"We leave in the morning, but I will be pulling your coaches and mine, you two will have to be on flatbeds, because you tank engines won't do too well at a hundred miles per hour, especially you Thomas." The Flying Scotsman said cheekily. Thomas just rolled his eyes at him but then had an idea to make Gordon happy.

"Do you mind if an engine named Alice can come along?" Thomas said grinning. Flying Scotsman just whistle yes in response to his question. Making Thomas very happy. Then the trio decided to get some sleep. After Scotsman had fallen asleep, Thomas and Ashima were spending a little time together. The two lovers had not had any time to spend quality time together, and they enjoyed it. The two kept on kissing each other happily while saying I love you to many times to count. Eventually they both got tired and fell asleep.

The Next Day

It was the day of the trip back to Sodor. The Flying Scotsman was ready with all of the coaches and Thomas and Ashima at the rear of the train on flatbeds with a break van behind them. The Flying Scotsman was in a record breaking mood. He spoke to his driver and fireman.

"What is the fastest time to reach Sodor?" Scotsman asked his driver. His driver pondered on the question and then responded.

"Six hours and fifty four minutes." His Driver said. The Flying Scotsman grinned and immediately deployed his smoke deflectors. His driver and fireman knew what this meant. The Flying Scotsman departed The National Railway Museum with a quick start and was soon cruising down the line at fifty miles per hour. He then began to increase his speed to a hundred miles per hour, just like he did back in 1926. His driver and fireman let the throttle wide open as he thundered down the line. Thomas was amazed at the speed and was impressed. Ashima meanwhile was having the time of her life. The two tank engines enjoyed the ride, as it made them feel as fast as Spencer, Gordon, or Conner and Caitlyn...

Six Hours Later

The Flying Scotsman and the cavalcade of engines arrived into Tidmonth Station. As it was evening, few trains were there. Only Emily was at the Station who blushed furiously as The Flying Scotsman came to a stop next to her. He was suddenly concerned at the redness of Emily's face. He asked Emily concerned.

"Are you alright Emily, you look a bit under the weather." The Flying Scotsman said concerned. Emily was able to only get a meager response out.

"I am now, Scotty." She said faintly, blushing at him more now. The Scotsman then looked over at his driver who came out of his cab and stepped around in front of him on the platform. He chuckled and smiled at him.

"Well you broke that record by almost an hour, no one ever is probably going to be able to do what you just did, good job old boy." His driver said soon joined by his fireman. Emily smiled warmly at him.

"Incredible job Scotsman, Gordon will never be able to live this moment down!" She said teasingly. Scotsman and Emily laughed. The Scotsman then spoke up.

"Well thank you Emily, but your class was the predecessor to mine, and you have your own records milady." The Flying Scotsman said gentlemanly. This caused Emily to nearly faint from his comment that played on her heart strings so much. After they had gotten to Tidmonth Sheds, Scotsman backed down alongside Gordon with Alice on the left side of Gordon, and Thomas and Ashima had taken the coaches back to the coach shed. The two decided to spend some time together at the coach shed. It was a few hours later when they were about to find a quiet spot in the coach shed when Thomas stopped and looked down the line in shock. Their in front of him was The Flying Scotsman and Emily sitting side by side happily together, asleep. Thomas and Ashima then went to Thomas's branchline to send the night their. After the two had gotten settled in they chatted for a while)

Ashima: Tommy, I'm cold, can you come closer?

(Thomas obliged and buffered up to her and nuzzled with her happily. The two kissed for a while and then went back to speaking.

Ashima: Oooh Tommy, you do know how to treat a lady well.

(Thomas chuckled a bit himself blushing heavily. The two kissed one last time before they were interrupted by a familiar voice)

Stephen Mulhern: Get a shed you two lovers! You act like teenagers who've just fallen in love!

(Thomas and Ashima decided to go farther back into the shed and eventually went to sleep)