Remember

"Remember" is a story written by Loco123456.

Story
Summertime brought lots of passengers to the Island, especially railway enthusiasts. The Fat Controller knew this and made arrangements for a railway exhibition. He went to the sheds to announce the news. "You'll all be on display at Tidmouth Sheds," he told the engines. "But not every engine can attend, so please make a good impression so I may consider you to take part." Posters were soon made with details of a visiting engine. Thomas was the first to meet the engine as he was taking a rest until his next Up train along his branch line. "Hello Thomas! Long time no see." "Stepney, is that you?" "Who else would it be?" "Are you here for the exhibition?" "Yes. It gives me a chance to speak to more people. That's all I do nowadays." "Is that why you're not in steam?" "I'll explain when you have time. I assume you've got a train to pull." Thomas grinned and went back to the platform.

As time crept closer and closer to the event, Stepney wondered if Thomas would ever speak to him. He's watch him fill up with coal or water, then go to the sidings with Annie and Clarabel and socialize with other engines. "Maybe Thomas doesn't really want to see me," he thought sadly. "What's the matter?" asked Stafford, who rolled up alongside him in the shed to recharge his batteries. "My friend has ignored me this entire time." "I bet it hurts you deeply. But at least you've got others you can talk to, and maybe you can make new friends with them like you've done with me." What the two engines didn't know was that Toby had arrived to collect empty trucks that belonged to the Ffarqhuarr Quarry. He'd heard everything. Throughout the rest of the day Toby was looking for Thomas. He finally found him at Ffarqhuarr Sheds being prepared for the Mail Run. "Do you know what day it is?" "Wednesday." "Do you know when the Railway Exhibition takes place?" "Saturday." "And do you know that after the event is over that Stepney leaves?" "Why are you asking all these questions?" "Stepney's upset that you haven't spent any time with him. Not even during your breaks." "But I've been busy on the branchline," protested Thomas. "You still have time for a friend. Besides, you'll nevr know if you'll ever see him again after he leaves for home." Thomas finally understood; he also knew what he could do to make amends.

The next day he went up to Stepney during his first break of the day. "Stepney, I have an idea. You can run along the branchline with me. I wouldn't mind pulling you as well as my coaches and the passengers." "Let's do it then!" Thomas' driver got permission from the Shed Master at KNapford. All day Stepney and Thomas talked and caught up with each other. "I'm not running presently due to my Controller needing to repair the stronger tender engines for the heavier trains for thet line. But he'll eventually get round to me. What's new here?" "Percy and me saved an old engine from scrap this last Christmas," said Thomas. "His name is Glynn." "Is he a coffeepot engine? I've heard people talk about him on the Bluebell. Heard that Sir Topham Hatt built him." "Indeed. And he's still really useful!" Up until Saturday Thomas' driver got permission from the Shed Master at Knapford to keep Stepney at Ffarqhuarr Sheds, which he enjoyed catching up with Percy, Toby, and Rosie. Before long Saturday arrived.

Thomas puffed into the yard at Knapford; he'd had a busy day and was needed to help with shunting tomorrow. He spotted Stepney being clupled up to a train. "Bye Thomas. Hope to see you again!" "Bye Stepney," said Thomas, who started to cry as he backed into the sheds for preparation for the Mail Run. "I already miss him," he sobbed. "You at least made wonderful memories that you'll always have." Thomas agreed, but he still wished he could keep in touch with his friend, just like people keep in touch by calling on the phone.