Work Text:
"Steaming Scrap Iron"
Starring
Victor Tanzig as Boco
Thomas1Edward2Henry3 as Henry as Gordon
and
Jackson Begley as The Flying Scotsman
Boco the green mainline diesel was coming down the line late at night. He had been ordered to take a late night express train all the way to Barrow-In-Furness.
"Sure is nice out tonight." Boco hummed as he rolled along the tracks. "The moon's shining bright and the stars look so pretty in the sky."
He stopped at Crovan's Gate where Ivo Hugh was waiting. Several passengers disembarked from the standard gauge coaches and into the narrow gauge coaches.
"Evening Ivo Hugh." Boco greeted with a smile.
"Evening Boco. I trust that your run's gone well so far?" Ivo Hugh asked.
"Indeed. The atmosphere's been calm and the passengers haven't complained once." the green diesel replied.
Ivo Hugh chuckled. "Both positive things when taking a passenger train." he said. "Where's your next stop?"
"Straight to Barrow." Boco replied. "I'll be spending the night at the sheds."
"Well be careful." Ivo Hugh said. "There's a small chance of mist tonight."
"I won't need to worry. In the fog the rails do all the work." Boco smiled.
"Still be careful. Even though that's true, signalmen can't see everything when the mist gets thicker." Ivo warned. "Plus, it's the kind of atmosphere where things can go bump in the night."
"Don't fret Ivo. I'll still be careful." Boco said.
Soon the passengers going to the Skarloey Railway soon boarded Ivo Hugh's train. Boco's signal turned green and the branchline diesel left.
As Boco traveled down the line, mist slowly started to pour in. At first it was just a small amount until it became very thick.
"Goodness me Ivo Hugh was right." Boco muttered. "This mist is really thick."
"Just focus on the line Boco. We'll all be ok." said his driver.
Boco knew his driver was right. But as he rolled down the line, he couldn't help but feel like the mist made any shape around him whether it be trees, lampposts, or even a signal box look a little spooky.
Now Boco wasn't the kind of engine to get spooked easily. He had put up with a lot of Bill and Ben's antics ever since they tried to get him back for being a 'truck stealer' on his first day. But even then, the mist and dark sky made everything around him look a little creepy. Not even the moonlight could ease him.
"I never knew just how eerie the line can be in the night." Boco murmured. "Still, I can't let that stop me from doing my job."
Suddenly a red signal was spotted up ahead. Boco had to stop.
"That's odd. Who else could be out at this hour?" Boco asked. "The kipper and mail aren't due until morning. And I thought the express had priority."
"Maybe it's an unscheduled train." guessed his driver. "Nevermind we can make up for lost time."
Boco waited around for any signs of a train. All while the mist seemed to get thicker. All was silent save for Boco's engine.
He glanced back up at the signal. Still red.
"Oh this is ridiculous." Boco said crossly. "The passengers are gonna be cross if we're late all because there's no sign of a supposed engine-"
He was cut off by a creaking noise that echoed around him.
"Uh… driver? Did you hear that?" Boco asked.
"Hear what?" his driver asked.
"That creaking noise." Boco said. "Sounded pretty loud."
Suddenly the creaking noise sounded out again. But it sounded louder… and closer.
"Hello? Is someone there?" Boco called.
Then through the fog, Boco squinted his eyes to see what looked like the shape of an engine.
"Hello? Who's there? I think you're on the wrong line." Boco called.
But the engine said nothing as it creaked closer slowly and a bit louder.
Boco was confused and slightly nervous. "Um, hello? You're on the wrong line! You're blocking a passenger train! Hello?!"
But there was still no response.
Now Boco was getting annoyed. "Excuse me my good engine but you are delaying my train! Please move off the mainline! I am asking you-"
Boco suddenly cut himself off as the fog parted to reveal something that made his jaw drop.
There before him was an engine… but it was made out of twisted scrap. It was faceless, rusty, and dented all around. It had a boiler, cab, and smokebox similar to Gordon, but had a wheel arrangement like Murdoch's, and a tender similar to City of Truro's.
Boco stared at it in shock as it seemed to stare back at him. It was giving off a very eerie feeling towards the diesel.
"Wh-Wh-What…?" Boco managed to say. "What on Sodor are you?!"
The engine said nothing as it remained in place. Suddenly it blew a long loud eerie whistle that made Boco jump. Then it began to move closer towards Boco, its creaking noises echoing all around the area.
"What are you doing? Get away from me!" Boco cried.
The scrap engine didn't respond as it inched closer.
"Stay back! Stay back!" Boco yelled.
Boco shut his eyes as the creaking pierced his hearing.
And then… it stopped.
Boco opened his eyes. He was expecting to see the engine face to face with him… but no one was there.
The scrap engine was gone.
And the fog had disappeared.
Boco was silent as he looked all around for the engine, as well as trying to comprehend what he had just witnessed.
"What the devil was that…?" Boco finally said. "Driver? D-Did you see that too?"
"I… I did…" he managed to reply. "I-I don't know what that was… it looked like some sort of scrap engine…"
"But how?! They can't move if they're scrapped like… that!" Boco exclaimed.
Suddenly the signal changed to green. Remembering that he had passengers, Boco quickly started up and rolled down the line.
Vicarstown:
Crovan, formerly known as 87546, sat at the platform with his coaches. The big blue engine glanced at the clock.
"Where is that diesel?" he grunted. "I have to get to the Mainland before I can even get some sleep!"
At that moment Boco rolled in.
"You're 2 minutes late." Crovan said bluntly.
He then saw Boco's face. His attitude changed from annoyed to concerned.
"Uh are you alright Boco? Pardon me for saying so but you look as white as your helicopter friend Harold." he said.
"Huh?" Boco asked, looking up. "Uh no Crovan I just had an… odd encounter with an engine…"
"Is that it?" Crovan asked.
"Well… it's kind of hard to say-"
Boco was cut off then the guard blew his whistle. Crovan began to puff away.
"Sorry Boco I have to make up for lost time if I'm gonna get these people home." Crovan said. "Hope you have a good night!"
And the blue tender engine puffed away.
"I hope I can…" Boco muttered to himself.
The next day, Boco was in Wellsworth yards taking on diesel. Edward pulled up beside him with a small stone train.
"Good morning Boco!" Edward greeted with a smile. "How was your late night run?"
"Morning Edward." Boco said in a neutral tone. "It was a… decent night."
Edward looked at the big green diesel. "Are you sure Boco? Forgive me for saying this but it doesn't sound decent from your tone."
"I felt like I had an odd encounter last night." said Boco. "I thought I came face to face with a scrap engine."
Bill and Ben came by hauling a train of stone to take to the Docks.
"Scrap engine? Who would leave a scrap engine in the middle of the line?" asked Bill.
"Don't be ridiculous Bill! Boco was probably seeing things in the fog." snorted Ben.
And the twins were soon away from the station.
"I don't think I was seeing things." Boco muttered. "I know what I saw. Edward, do you know anything about a scrap engine roaming the line at night? Faceless, tender engine, that sort of thing?"
Edward thought to himself. "Not that I'm aware of." he said. "I know tales of many engines, vehicles, and even people sometimes coming back as spirits, but not scrap engines roaming the line."
Boco sighed. "Sorry I asked. Well maybe it was just my imagination." he said.
At that moment, Sir Topham Hatt arrived in the yard.
"Ah Boco! Just the engine I needed." he greeted. "Listen, Rebecca is in the Steamworks at Crovan's Gate for maintenance. Geoff says she won't be back for a while. So I need an engine to help out on the mainline for a while."
"I'd be happy to help sir." Boco smiled. "But what about my work here?"
"Derek will do your work." Sir Topham Hatt replied. "His overhaul has done wonders."
"Sure has." Boco said in agreement. "Anyways sir, when should I head to the mainline?"
"As soon as you can." Sir Topham Hatt said. "Now then, I'm off to Knapford Station. Goodbye."
And he left in his car.
After Boco finished his work, he left Edward's Branchline and headed for the mainline.
He arrived at Tidmouth Sheds for a rest. Several of the other engines were there.
"Welcome back to the sheds Boco." Henry greeted with a smile.
"Yeah. It's been a while since you've come to help us here." added James.
"I'm just happy to help out my friends." Boco said modestly.
"Pleasure is all ours really Boco." Gordon said. "I hope the increasing workload won't be too much for you."
"Not at all Gordon." Boco said. "What should I do first?"
"Well there's a freight train that has to be taken from Knapford to the end of the line." Emily replied.
"I'll start right away." said Boco.
Boco set off down the line.
He later picked up the goods train and headed on his way to Kellsthorpe.
"This is just the distraction I need from last night." Boco said to himself. "Plus it is nice to have a change of scenery."
Boco arrived at Kellsthorpe station to drop off some of the goods. Thomas was there with Annie and Clarabel.
"Hello Boco! Lovely day isn't it?" Thomas asked.
"Sure it Thomas." Boco replied. "And it feels nice to have a change of scenery from Edward's line once and a while."
"Well enjoy it while you can." Thomas said. "Driver says there's probably gonna be mist tonight. Let's hope Henry is careful with the Flying Kipper."
Thomas' guard blew his whistle and the little blue engine puffed away.
Boco was silent as he took in Thomas' words. He hoped that the scrap engine didn't appear again in the mist.
That night, Henry was getting ready to take the Flying Kipper.
"Take care on the line tonight Henry." advised Bear. "Even the smallest chance of mist can still lead to it appearing."
"Don't worry Bear." Henry chuckled. "I always do my best to be careful on the Kipper runs. Besides, the rails do all the work for us."
"Bear does have a point," Boco said. "I would be careful Henry. The rails may do all the work for us when we're traveling in the mist but… there are things that can hide in there…"
"Like what? Ghosts? Monsters? Don't be ridiculous Boco. No such thing roams the line." Gordon snorted.
"Don't worry Boco. I'll be ok." Henry smiled. "I've taken this train in the fog before and I'm always careful."
"You're right." Boco admitted. "Just looking out for a friend."
"Come along Henry. The Flying Kipper awaits." said the big green engine's driver.
And Henry puffed away.
Henry was soon puffing down the line with the Flying Kipper. The stars twinkled in the night sky above him.
"Really is a lovely night tonight." Henry commented.
As Henry puffed along, he thought he spotted an odd shape down a siding in the distance. It almost looked like an engine.
"Probably just someone spending the night 'cause they're tired." Henry muttered to himself.
But as Henry passed a signal box, he could have sworn he saw the similar shape of an engine down the line.
"That's odd…" Henry said to himself.
Henry later arrived at Lower Tidmouth station and dropped off the fish delivery.
As soon as Henry departed, he couldn't help but feel like someone was watching him from the sheds. Now Henry was getting nervous.
As he puffed down the line, Henry began to hear creaking noises.
"Henry is that you?" his driver asked.
"No it isn't." Henry said. "I don't feel any sort of pain."
"Then what's making that creaking noise?" asked his fireman.
Henry then had to stop at a red signal.
"Oh come on! Who else is out tonight?" he groaned.
"Easy old boy, don't get in a tizzy." his driver said.
"Maybe it's an unscheduled train." his fireman suggested.
"Wonder what train has priority over the kipper tonight…" Henry grumbled.
Suddenly the creaking noise sounded out again. And no sooner did it sound out, the mist rolled in.
"Oh I don't like this…" Henry said nervously. "Hello? Is someone there? I can hear you!"
Then, out of the mist, Henry spotted what looked like an engine in the mist.
"Hello? Who are you? And what on earth are you doing on my line?" Henry asked, confused and partially annoyed.
Suddenly the mist parted to the side… revealing a twisted scrap engine standing in front of him.
Henry jolted in surprise. "Bust my boiler!" he exclaimed.
The scrap engine stood before Henry. While it didn't have a face, Henry could feel like it was staring at him in a menacing manner.
"Um…. h-h-hello?" Henry stuttered.
Suddenly the engine let out an ear-piercingly loud whistle. And it began to move towards Henry, its wheels creaking in the air.
Henry was scared. "IT'S A SCRAP GHOST ENGINE!" he screamed.
Shutting his eyes, Henry suddenly shot forwards. The scrap engine suddenly disappeared as Henry almost phased through it.. He didn't stop until he reached the next station, hoping the engine didn't follow him.
By morning, the mist had cleared. Henry was at the shed, shaken from the experience.
The other engines were worried for him.
"Are you ok Henry?" asked Emily.
"You look like you saw a ghost." said Bear.
"I-I-I think I did…" Henry stammered.
"Boy you don't have much luck when it comes to ghosts Henry." committed James. "First that incident in the tunnel when you derailed and then at Hawin Lake and now this."
"Stow it James, it's not funny." Boco said sternly. He looked back at Henry. "Henry, are you ok? Did you see something?"
"I saw… I-I saw… a scrap engine…" Henry said meekly.
The engines were surprised. Though surprised, Boco was also worried.
"A scrap engine? That is disturbing…" murmured Bear.
"But it wasn't just that, it was on the line. Right on the tracks in front of me!" Henry exclaimed. "It was creaking loudly and it's whistle was so loud and strong! And it moved right towards me before I ran away."
Boco froze. "A scrap engine moving towards you?" he asked.
"Yes!" said Henry. "It didn't face a face… but I felt like it was staring into my soul… and when I was taking my train, I felt like it was watching me everywhere I puffed past. "
"Henry are you sure you weren't seeing things in the fog?" asked James.
"I know what I saw James!" Henry said crossly. "I don't joke about scrap! Why would I start now!?"
"He does have a point there." said Emily.
"Scrap engines roaming around the line at night? I do find that nonsense extremely hard to believe." Gordon snorted.
"I don't." Boco said firmly. "Because I saw it the other night."
All eyes went on the diesel.
"Y-You saw it too?!" gasped Henry.
"Yes. When I was taking my train to Vicarstown." Boco replied. "But it just appeared in front of me at a signal. I didn't see it anywhere else."
"What did this engine look like?" asked Bear.
"He looked a bit like Gordon, but had as many wheels as Murdoch, and a tender like City of Truro's." Henry replied.
Everyone took that in.
"That… sounds like an engine made from parts of three different ones." said Emily.
"Like a hybrid. Like I was before I crashed with the Kipper." said Henry.
"You two were probably just seeing things." Gordon huffed. "The night, fog, and cold weather can mess with someone's mind. I don't have time to talk about ghosts. I have a train to pull."
And Gordon steamed out of the sheds.
Later, Boco was picking up a good train at Knapford yards.
Philip shunted it into place.
"Here you go Boco!" he said cheerfully. "All assembled and ready to go!"
"Thank you Philip." Boco said as the diesel boxcab left to arrange another train.
Henry pulled up alongside Boco at the coal hopper to get more coal.
"How come you never mentioned you saw the scrap engine last night?" Henry asked.
Boco was silent for a moment before he answered. "I don't know. I guess I wasn't sure if anyone would believe me." he said. "I wasn't even sure myself. But then when you said you saw it…"
"I know…" Henry murmured. "How about… we just carry on with our work?"
"Now that idea, I like." Boco chuckled.
But they wouldn't be the only engines to have an encounter the previous nights. The next night, several night trains were scheduled to run.
James was picking up a small freight train from Knapford Harbor to take to Dryaw.
"Scrap engine roaming the line…ah!" he sniffed. "Henry I'd expect to come up with such nonsense but Boco too? Honestly, what rubbish."
James soon left with his train, not noticing the figure of an engine watching him from under the station area.
James was soon puffing down the line, making good timing.
"Any minute now I'll be at Dryaw and I'll be done with this goods train. Then I'll be back in my nice warm shed." he muttered.
Suddenly James began to hear a creaking noise.
"Odd… where's that noise coming from?" James wondered out loud. He looked from side to side
"JAMES LOOK OUT!" shouted his driver.
"What?"
James looked ahead and gasped.
Right before him, standing right on the tracks, was an engine. But it was coated in scrap.
"SOMEONE'S ON THE LINE!" James screamed, slamming on his breaks.
James screeched to a stop just as he felt his buffers hit the engine's buffers. But when he opened his eyes… no one was there.
"Fizzling fireboxes… where did it go?" James exclaimed in confusion.
"That's odd. There was an engine right there." said his driver.
"Did we knock it off the line? I heard a biff." said the fireman.
"No I don't see the engine anywhere!" said James. "It's not on it's side, it didn't roll down the line… it's gone!"
James was now very confused.
Down the line, Edward was dropping off passengers at Wellsworth to get home.
"Thanks for the ride Edward!" one man said.
"Any time." Edward said kindly.
Edward dropped off his orange coaches in the sidings and began to puff away.
As Edward headed towards the sheds, he began to hear puffing noises, louder than his.
"Huh. Someone else must be heading home too." Edward hummed. "Hello? Is someone there?"
But all Edward got was a loud creaking noise.
"Flatten my funnel that's loud!" Edward grimaced. "Whoever's behind me I think you need to go to the works to get something looked at!" he called.
Edward then spotted a scrap engine lying on the side of the tracks. He winced at the sight.
"That's never something any engine should see in the middle of the night." Edward muttered. "I'd better tell 'Arry and Bert to pick it up tomorrow."
Suddenly the creaking noise sounded out again. Followed by slow puffing sounds.
"Hello? Is someone there?" Edward called.
Suddenly, up ahead from around the bend came an engine. But it was coated in scrap. It creaked louder and louder as it approached Edward over the points.
Edward stared in surprise as the engine drew nearer and near, it's creaking and groaning getting louder and louder. Edward braked to a stop.
"Bust my buffers!" Edward cried. "That scrap engine's moving!"
"Back Edward back!" his driver shouted.
Edward began to reverse away down the line as the scrap engine creaked and groaned towards him before disappearing.
Edward stopped a ways away.
"What on Sodor was that?" Edward panted. "In all my years of knowing about the supernatural… I've never seen a scrap engine roaming the line like that."
Edward wasn't sure what to think.
Meanwhile, Murdoch was taking a goods train to Vicarstown. The large engine enjoyed the night runs, as everything was so calm and peaceful.
"Nothing like a journey at night full of peace and quiet." Murdoch hummed. "How I love these tranquil runs."
As Murdoch puffed on, he thought he saw an engine puffing by in the opposite direction. The engine was creaking and groaning loudly. Murdoch couldn't see since his headlamp didn't shine that way, but he could tell it was a large tender engine.
"That's strange. Who was that engine?" Murdoch asked.
As Murdoch puffed towards a bridge, he heard the creaking noise again. He looked down and saw the shape of an engine moving on the track below him.
"Is that the same engine? How did it get all the way down there so fast?" Murdoch exclaimed in confusion.
As soon as Murdoch reached the Sodor Suspension Bridge, the same figure of the engine appeared again. Murdoch was now getting scared.
"Get away from me!" he cried, picking up speed.
Not even a mile after Murdoch got over the bridge the same engine appeared on a line down a junction. Murdoch's headlamp shone against it revealing it to be a scrap engine. Murdoch was now terrified.
"There's a ghost engine after me!" he cried.
Murdoch picked up the pace even more as he sped down the line at a rapid speed. Almost everywhere he went he felt like the scrap engine was everywhere."
"Murdoch slow down!" shouted his driver.
"No no I want to go on!" Murdoch shouted.
Murdoch didn't stop running until he reached Vicarstown.
"Murdoch what were you doing!? You could've gotten into an accident at that speed!" his driver exclaimed.
"Th-Th-There was… an engine… a-a-a scrap engine…" Murdoch stammered.
"Murdoch what are you talking about?" his fireman asked.
"It was everywhere… it was all around me wherever I went!" Murdoch cried. "It's creaking noises echoed all around me-it was so scary!
"Murdoch calm down." said his driver. "Look maybe you just need to rest. You can stay at the sheds here and the fireman and I will bunk in a hotel."
"I suppose that'll be fine…" Murdoch murmured.
After dropping off his train in the sidings, Murdoch sat in Vicarstown sheds with Rosie, falling asleep instantly as his crew got rooms at a hotel. But he was still shaken by the earlier ordeal.
The next morning the engines were talking about what happened at Knapford station.
"It was freaky!" said James. "It appeared on the line out of nowhere!"
"I saw it practically everywhere I went." said Murdoch.
"No do you believe me and Boco weren't talking whoppers?" Henry asked.
"Oh we believe you." said Emily.
"I saw Edward earlier today and he confirmed it too." said Bear.
"What did this engine look like?" asked Thomas, who was picking up passengers to take to his branchline.
"He had a boiler like Gordon's." said Henry.
"But he had as many wheels as me." said Murdoch.
"And his tender looked like City of Truro's." said Boco.
"Sounds like a custom built engine." commented Philip, shunting James' train behind him. "So it was all covered in rusty old scrap or something?"
"Yes! And it creaked all through the night!" said Henry.
"But why is it on our railway?" asked James.
"And more importantly… who is it?" asked Boco.
The engines all knew they had to investigate.
Word soon spread around the island. Engines on the standard gauge railway had to keep an eye out for the scrap engine roaming in the middle of the night.
Boco even went to the Iron Works to ask 'Arry and Bert if they knew anything about it.
"Haven't got a clue." gruffed Bert. "Haven't scrapped any remains of a steam engine in years. The other railway does that."
"All these are just rolling stock, vehicles, or even wrecked building materials." said 'Arry. "But even then, we haven't seen any scrap engines the way you tell it."
Edward asked Reg the scrap crane.
"Sorry Edward. But I don't scrap engines myself." Reg said. "And of all the scrap figures I've seen over the years, none are like the engine you're talking about."
None of the engines knew who this engine was. But their answer came two days after many of the mainline engines had their encounter that night.
Gordon and Spencer were at Vicarstown. Spencer was waiting for his line to be clear for him, the Duke, and Duchess, and Gordon was picking up passengers.
"So you don't think there's actually a scrap engine roaming the lines around the railway?" Spencer asked.
"Pah!" scoffed Gordon. "It's just a load of nonsense really Spencer. The others are probably just seeing things in the fog."
"Maybe." Spencer said in agreement. "Although, have you seen it?"
"Can't say I have, but I doubt there is such a thing." Gordon replied.
Then they heard a familiar whistle.
"Is that who I think it is?" Spencer asked.
Gordon grinned. "Well bust my buffers, the Flying Scotsman!" he said happily.
And he was right. Steaming into the station with a long passenger train was Gordon's younger brother, the famous green LNER A3 steam engine himself with two tenders, the Flying Scotsman. He steamed into the station hauling a long train of passengers.
"Hello Gordon my dear older brother! And hello to you as well cousin Spencer." Scotsman greeted with a grin.
"Yes hello cousin." Spencer greeted.
"I didn't know you were coming today!" Gordon said happily.
"Well I'm just visiting for the week really." Scotsman replied. "And I'm more than ready to help out on the railway."
"I'm sure my friends will be happy to see you." Gordon smiled.
Later, Gordon and Scotsman were at Knapford. Boco and Henry stood at platforms 3 and 4. Sir Topham Hatt addressed the double tender engine.
"Welcome to Sodor, Flying Scotsman. We're are happy that you have returned for a visit." he said with a smile.
"Pleasure is all mine sir." Scotsman smiles. "I hope I can help out in any way I can."
"Yes indeed. If you want, in about a half hour there's a long goods train that has to be taken to various-"
Sir Topham Hatt was cut off when the stationmaster walked up.
"Sorry to interrupt sir. But you're wanted on the telephone." he said.
"Oh bother that telephone." Sir Topham Hatt groaned. "Uh, Stanley can fill you in. Right now I must go. Goodbye."
And he left for his office.
"So tell me, has anything changed much since my last visit?" Scotsman asked.
"Not much has changed really." said Boco.
"Although we are being stalked by a scrap engine." Henry muttered.
"I'm sorry a what?" Scotsman asked in confusion.
"Oh don't listen to them." Gordon snorted. "Everyone is just seeing things in the dark. All overreacting over nothing."
"We're not overreacting Gordon, we know what we saw!" Henry said crossly.
"Normally I wouldn't believe something like that or anything involved in the supernatural, but many of us have seen it throughout the past several nights." said Boco. "I was the first one."
"Stuff and nonsense!" Gordon huffed.
"Easy Gordon. You know how sometimes things look different in the dark." Scotsman said calmly. "Maybe they saw something else."
"Exactly!" Gordon snorted. "I have to get my train. Good day."
And the big blue engine puffed away.
"Take no notice, he's among several engines that don't usually believe in ghosts that much." said Henry.
"Are you sure it was a ghost?" Scotsman asked. "I mean what did it look like?"
"Its boiler shape was similar to yours and Gordon's." Boco replied. "But had at least 10 driving wheels like Murdoch. And a tender like the City of Truro's."
Scotsman was surprised. "Huh. That's an odd combination of-" He paused as he began to think. "Hold on… combination… scrap engine… no it couldn't be..."
The two smaller green engines were confused.
"Scotsman, are you ok?" Henry asked.
The famous A3 smiled. "I'm ok Henry thank you." he said. "Well then, I'd better deliver that train. Now where's Stanley?"
And the double-tender engine puffed away.
That night, Flying Scotsman stayed in the carriage sheds near the regular sheds at Tidmouth. He didn't mind not staying in the regular berths of the sheds.
As he slept, he began to hear creaking noises echoing around the shed.
"Oh dear…" he said groggily. "Is someone moving something around…?"
As he opened his eyes, the famous engine thought he saw an engine right in front of him.
"What the… hello? Who's there?" he asked.
The engine creaked louder and louder as it approached him. The Flying Scotsman looked closer at the engine, examining it all around from wheels to boiler… and gasped.
"No… no it can't be… you?" he exclaimed in shock.
The engine suddenly vanished into thin air.
Scotsman was silent for a moment. He couldn't believe what he had just seen.
"Flatten my funnel… they were all right… she's back… and on this island…" he said to himself. "Oh this is not good…"
Meanwhile, Gordon was taking a midnight express train from Knapford to Vicarstown.
As he puffed down the line he looked all around for any signs of a scrap engine.
"Scrap engine roaming the rails. Pah." he sniffed.
Gordon passed through Wellsworth, though he thought he spotted a tender engine on the turntable in the yards.
"Probably just Edward." he muttered to himself.
As Gordon made his way over Gordon's Hill, he could've sworn he saw the engine again on the other side at the bottom on the opposite track. He raced past it as he made his way down. His lamp didn't
"Was that the same engine?" Gordon asked in confusion.
Gordon continued down the line and eventually made it to Vicarstown where the passengers were dropped off and caught their rides home. The blue express engine turned around on the turntable, coupled up to his coaches, and began the journey home.
Gordon chuffed down the line back towards Knapford to drop off his coaches before heading back for Tidmouth Sheds. Mist had rolled in. His eyes glanced from side to side, looking for the strange engine again.
"Hmph. Guess the engine was all in my head." Gordon snorted.
Just then, Gordon had to stop at a red signal.
"Oh the indignity…" he groaned. "Who's out at this hour?"
As Gordon waited at the signal, he began to hear the creaking noises again.
"Hello? Who's there?! This isn't funny!" Gordon shouted in annoyance.
They began to grow louder and louder.
"Stop messing around!" Gordon boomed. "Thomas? Percy? Bill? Ben? Are you playing a trick on me, because I am NOT bloody laughing!"
Suddenly amongst the creaking came puffing noises. Gordon looked around from side to side, staring to feel nervous.
"Is someone there…?" Gordon asked.
"Gordon, someone's coming up ahead." said his driver.
Gordon squinted his eyes through the mist. He could make out the shape of an engine.
"Hello?" he asked.
Then the mist parted revealing the very scrap engine roaming the lines. It's faceless smokebox seemed to stare at Gordon.
Gordon was in shock. "Bust my buffers! No… n-no it can't be!" He stammered.
"Blimey what is that?!" shouted his driver.
"It's a scrap engine on the rails!" said the fireman.
Gordon stared at the engine, shaking in his wheels. Then, as he looked at it all over, he felt like the engine looked familiar.
"You… d-do look like me… yet different… a-are you-?"
Suddenly the engine let out a shrill loud whistle and began to roll forwards, it's scrap wheels creaking louder and louder as it approached Gordon.
"N-N-N-NO GET AWAY FROM ME!" Gordon cried in alarm.
"Back Gordon back!" his driver shouted.
"No he has too many coaches!" cried the fireman.
The engine creaked closer towards Gordon. The express engine scrunched his eyes closed.
"No no no don't come near me!" Gordon cried.
But just before the engine's broken buffers could touch his, it suddenly vanished into thin air.
Gordon opened one eye and then another. The engine was gone.
"It's gone!" Gordon gasped. "Driver, fireman, get me outta here!"
"Don't have to tell us twice!" his driver said, opening the regulator.
Gordon sped away down the line, hoping to get away from any sight of the scrap engine.
The next morning, many of the engines were at Tidmouth Sheds discussing the scrap engine.
"It had no face at all! Just a rusted smokebox door!" said Henry.
"It creaked louder and louder as it got closer." said James.
"Like no one oiled its wheels in god knows how long?" asked Duck.
"That's the sound alright." the splendid red engine replied.
"It was like it was stalking me!" said Murdoch.
"Appearing in random places throughout the night like it could teleport or something," added Percy.
"Like what a ghost engine could do." said Toby.
"Where did it even come from?" asked Thomas.
"'Arry and Bert say they haven't seen such an engine before at the scrap yards." said Boco.
"Edward, do you know anything about this ghost scrap iron engine?" asked Arthur.
"I can't say that I have." Edward replied. "And I usually know a lot about the ghost engines of Sodor's past. As do the older engines like Skarloey, Rheneas, and Duke."
"Oh great! Now we got a random scrap ghost engine on the island!" groaned Donald.
"Why not just invite the ghost train from Percy's story over next? Or the one from Rusty's? Or Edward's scrap yard-haunting one?!" Douglas said sarcastically.
"SILENCE!"
Everyone looked over to see that the Fat Controller had arrived in his car.
"Now I know you all are terrified by what's going on at night." he said.
"That's putting it lightly air." said Henry.
"We don't even know who this engine is and yet it's appearing almost everywhere on the mainline at night." said Hiro.
"And occasionally on the other lines too." said Edward.
"It's steaming scrap iron, that's what it is!" said Gordon.
"What does it want with us?" Percy asked shakily.
"Maybe it doesn't want anything with us." suggested Neil.
"What are you on about Neil?" asked Oliver.
"Perhaps it's a lost soul." the green boxcab steam engine clarified. "And is roaming the rails."
"He's right."
All eyes immediately went towards the Flying Scotsman, who was sitting on the line leading to the works shed.
"Scott?" asked Henry, "Do you know something about this scrap engine?"
"You were awfully quiet since we all started talking about it." said Bear.
Scotsman sighed. "Yes. I know about the scrap engine… or rather, I know who she is." he confessed. "She was, in a way… our sister."
The engines gasped.
"That hunk of scrap's your sister?!" James exclaimed.
"Hey! It's called being tactful James!" Molly scowled.
"She was back when she was alive." said Scotsman. "She was an experiment build back on the LNER back in 1924. A young, talented, and eccentric inventor was inspired by Gresley's plans for the A3's and wanted to try an experiment. Different wheels, different tender, just to test out some ideas."
"So that's why she looks like both you and Gordon," said Boco.
"But has my set of driving wheels." said Murdoch.
"And Truro's tender." said Duck.
"So she was an experimental build like me and Crovan." mused Henry.
"Wait, Murdoch's class wasn't built until 1954." said Neil, confused.
"The ten driving wheels inspired the bigger design. And her tender was inspired by City of Truro's." Scotsman replied. "Her name... was Destiny."
London North Eastern Railway, 1923:
Gordon, Scotsman, and several other A3's stood in front of a workshop shed.
Gordon was painted LNER apple green with said letters painted on either side of his tender.
Scotsman was in a similar livery and only had one tender.
Sir Nigel Gresley stood in front of them.
"Attention all engines. Thank you for meeting me here today." he said. "I have a special surprise for all of you. The engineers here created a new type of engine partially based on your class."
"How partially sir?" asked Gordon.
"She has a similar boiler and smokebox, but more wheels and a different style tender." Gresley replied. "But that doesn't make her any different from the rest of you. I know in my heart she has what it takes to be really useful. Engines… meet Destiny."
And out from the work shed puffed a large steam engine. She indeed had a politer structure similar to the A3's, the steam pipes attacked to her smokebox too like Gordon, Henry, and Scotsman, but had 10 driving wheels and a tender just like the City of Truro. She was painted LNER apple green with black and white stripes, and the number 1923 written in yellow on the sides of her cab and front bufferbeam.
"Um… hello there." Destiny said with a small smile. "I-I'm Destiny… n-nice to meet you."
The A3s murmured to each other in surprise at how she looked.
"My goodness. I've never seen an engine like her before." Gordon commented. "Is she… our sister?"
"I think she just might be." Scotsman said. "And you know what? I think she looks just fine."
He chuffed forwards slightly.
"Hello Destiny. Welcome to the LNER. I'm Flying Scotsman. But you can call me Scott." he said politely.
"Nice to meet you." Destiny said with a smile.
Soon Destiny was working hard. She mainly pulled passenger trains but she did pull freight trains too.
She did get the odd eye from the passengers every now and then but they could tell that she was working hard to be really useful.
"Good morning Gordon!" she called one day as she brought a passenger train into the station. "Lovely day isn't it?"
"It sure is Destiny." Gordon smiled. "A fine day indeed to stretch my wheels and feel the breeze against my face."
"You and me both Gordon." said Scotsman as he brought in another passenger train. "It will be strange to have you living on Sodor very soon and no longer with us."
"Well they need themselves an express engine and well… I was basically here on a long trial to make sure I'm up to speed." said Gordon.
"I will miss you." Destiny said sadly.
"Don't worry. I will visit when I can." Gordon smiled. He looked at his brother. "Scotty, I trust you and the rest of our brothers and sisters will take good care of her?"
"Don't worry Gordon, we will." Scotsman smiled.
"Splendid." Gordon said as his guard blew his whistle and waved his green flag. Gordon blew his own whistle and steamed away.
1924:
Gordon had been on Sodor for about a year. But Destiny still continued to work hard pulling passengers and freight. She made sure to keep trains running right on time.
She pulled into a station where Scotsman was waiting.
"I hope I'm on time!" she said. "There was some sheep on the line so I was delayed but I tried to make up for lost time."
"Well you're right on time Destiny!" Scotsman smiled. "Not at all late."
Destiny was relieved. "Oh that's good!" she said. "I guess having all these wheels pays off."
"Is that so?"
Both engines looked over to see an LNER B12 pull into the station with a passenger train. He was blue with red stripes and had the number 98462 on his tender and cab.
"If anything they make you look like such a monstrosity of an engine." 98462 snorted. "What kind of build are you?"
"I-I'm an LNER A3… technically." Destiny said meekly.
98462 laughed mockingly. "You?! One of the new A3's?! Preposterous!" he said rudely. "Such engines of caliber like them or even me would never look so ridiculous! You look like several pieces of engines cobbled together! Much like a failure I know back on the island I live on…"
Destiny went red with embarrassment. This made Flying Scotsman cross.
"Hey you leave her alone, you blue bully!" Scotsman scowled. "If you don't have anything nice to say to other engines than you can just sod off!"
"How dare you! Do you even know who you're talking to?!" 98462 said crossly.
"I'll tell you who; an engine who doesn't take bullying around these parts." Scotsman said firmly. "Now you leave my sister alone and get lost."
Before 98462 could retort, the stationmaster came up.
"You heard Scott. Take your coaches and your rude attitude back to the island. And I'll make sure Sir Nigel Gresley tells your controller how horrid you've just acted." he said.
98462 growled to himself as he steamed out of the station.
"Scott… you stood up for me." Destiny said with a small, sad smile. "You didn't have to do that… I don't really think I am a real A3, I mean I don't look like the rest of you."
"Nonsense! You may have more wheels and a different tender, but your looks don't make you who you are. It's what's on the inside that counts the most."
Destiny smiled in appreciation. "Thank you Scott… that means a lot to me."
Present:
The engines smiled at the story.
"No wonder Alfred looked so miffed when he got back that day." Thomas said cheekily.
"Yes the Fat Director gave him one of many talking to's that year." Neil added.
"Destiny seemed like the shy type of engine." commented Bear.
"But at least she had you and your siblings for support." smiled Emily.
"Indeed she did. I always felt like I was the closest sibling to Destiny." Scotsman said fondly. "I always looked out for her as she began to build her self-esteem over the years."
"I didn't see her as often since I worked mainly here on Sodor." Gordon added. "But every chance I got to see our siblings before their withdrawals, I would always make sure to see her too."
"That's very nice of you Gordon." Henry smiled.
1950:
On the Mainland, Destiny was hauling a heavy goods train down the line.
"Must be on time, must be on time, must be on time!" she panted.
She arrived at the dockyard.
"Right on time Destiny!" the manager said. "And you're actually 5 minutes early!"
"Yes!" Destiny beamed. "A new record!"
Later Destiny puffed into the sheds. Flying Scotsman, Flying Thistle, and Green Arrow were there.
"Have another good run down the line cousin?" Green Arrow asked.
"Oh yes I sure did." Destiny replied. "Arrived 5 minutes early."
"I'm glad you're enjoying your daily runs with your trains." Scotsman said.
"It does feel good being really useful." Destiny replied. "27 years running and I'm still going strong."
"Do you ever wish more of our class was built similar to you Destiny?" Flying Thistle asked. "More wheels and a different tender."
Destiny thought for a moment and smiled. "Nah. As nice as that would be, I like being a unique A3." she said. "Sure I may not look like the rest, but I don't let that bother me. Besides, I know I'm not the only unique build around here."
"Oh you mean 87546? That is true he was a completely custom built engine." said Flying Thistle.
As if on cue, the blue engine came by hauling passengers.
"Make way for a fast and brilliant engine!" 87546 called out.
And with a whoosh, he was gone.
"Still cocky and arrogant as that B12 he was friends with on Sodor and the LNER." Green Arrow muttered, unamused.
"I think Alfred was worse from what Gordon told me." said Scotsman. "Plus, he's mellowed out a bit."
"Well at least I had a good influence ever since I was built." Destiny said.
Scotsman chuckled. "I'm just looking out for my sister."
1963:
Modernization was in effect. Diesels were now a common sight on the Mainland.
Destiny was taking on water when a long blue diesel with the number 199 came by with a freight train.
"Ha! Over 30 years old and still in service? You'll be scrapped sooner or later." D199 laughed.
"At least I don't look like a disrespectful warship on wheels!" Destiny snarked back. "Go moan for a fitter like you brutes always do."
"I do no such thing!" D199 scowled, offended as he dieseled away.
Green Arrow puffed up behind her so he too could take on water.
"You really have come a long way from being a slightly timid engine." he said. "No offense."
Destiny's water tank was full. "Well I learned not to let any differences about me bring me down." she said as she moved forward so her cousin could use the water tower. "So I just let that apply to my whole self nowadays; a custom-built steam engine, and a steam engine in general."
"That's a true statement of a really useful engine." Green Arrow smiled.
Sometime later, Destiny was at a station resting when a long green diesel with the number 261 came by with some coaches.
"Oh look another steamie. At least you're clean." D261 huffed. "I'm surprised they never scrapped an abomination like you."
Destiny glared crossly at him. "That's because I am a really useful engine, no matter how I look."
"Seriously? What kind of an engine are you?" D261 asked rudely. "You look like a bunch of engines mashed together. No wonder steam is on the out if they created such atrocities like you."
"At least I am still in working order after all these years." Destiny retorted back. "My class is still functioning nice and strong."
"Pah! It won't last!" D261 snorted. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get these passengers to their destination! I am, after all, revolutionary. Unlike you."
But the moment he tried to pull away, his engine suddenly spluttered and coughed before he came to a stop. Smoke came out of his vents.
"You were saying?" Destiny smirked.
D261's face was as red as the signal.
Later he was placed in a sighting out of the way and Destiny took the passengers to their destinations with a smile on her face.
"Now this is good running." Destiny said happily.
Present:
"Gaining self-esteem over the years and using it to stand up to bullies? She really had changed over the years." commented Percy.
"I like her already." smirked Emily.
"Destiny is a good example to us all." said Edward.
"All thanks to my brother helping guide her to the engine she was." Gordon said fondly.
"You helped too Gordon." Scotsman smiled.
"Only when I visited from time to time. But it was mainly you." Gordon replied.
"So… was she withdrawn from service?" Thomas asked.
"Aye we know the 60's were around the time your class was scrapped leaving only you two left." said Douglas.
Gordon and Scotsman were silent for a moment, sad expressions on their faces.
"Well… yes she was scrapped… but not the way you think." Scotsman said sadly.
1966:
Dieselization was now in further effect on British Railways. Diesel locomotives were a common sight.
But several other steam engines were still running, proving that they can still be useful.
One day, Destiny was at the coal bunker getting refilled when the yard manager walked up.
"There's a freight train that needs to be delivered at the dock yards tonight." he said. "D5705 has broken down. The director wants to know if you can take the train."
"Tell him I'm more than happy to do it!" Destiny said with a smile. "If it's a chance to prove I'm useful in this diesel age then so be it."
Later that night, Destiny buffered up to the train at the yards. She waited patiently as the trucks were all loaded up.
"Be careful out on the line Destiny." the foreman said. "There's a chance of foggy weather tonight."
"I'll be careful! I won't let anything stop me!" Destiny promised.
The guard blew his whistle and Destiny puffed away,
Destiny was puffing down the line with the train heading towards the docks. She was making good time but was hoping she could go faster.
"Easy girl, we aren't running a race!" said her driver.
"I know I just wanna get this job done well." Destiny said.
As Destiny continued on her way, the fog began to roll in.
"Oh boy… I don't like the looks of this fog." Destiny said nervously.
"Don't worry Destiny, we'll be fine. The rails do all the work after all." said her fireman.
That made Destiny feel better.
But what none of them realized was that they were heading for a signal box. And the points were set in the wrong direction. And because the fog was getting thicker, they didn't see the signal box, and Destiny didn't whistle to let him know they were coming.
They were sent down the wrong track.
Destiny continued down the line, not knowing she went the wrong way.
"You think we're closer to the docks?" she asked.
"Hopefully not much farther now." said the driver.
"Still, I'd better pick up the pace. I don't want this weather to get in the way of my journey." Destiny murmured.
"OK but only a little bit." said her driver.
At that time, it began to rain. But Destiny didn't let that perturb her either. She kept on going.
Then there was trouble. A diesel had broken down on the line ahead hauling nother goods train. The driver had gone ahead to phone for help and had yet to return. The guard had set up detonators to warn engines before leaving with the driver.
By that time, the fog had started to dissolve a little.
But by the time Destiny saw the back of the train, she slammed on her breaks. But her speed and the heavy rainfall soaking the rails combined together made it impossible to slow down. Not even the detonators could stop her.
And it was too late…
CRASH!
By the time the fog had lifted and the rain had eased, Scotsman was sent with a crane to clean up the mess. When he arrived, he was shocked by the scene of the accident.
It was a wreck. Trucks were scattered everywhere. The diesel and the rolling stock that weren't smashed or on their side had been derailed from the crash. Cargo was scattered everywhere.
Thankfully the guard had jumped clear when the crash started. He sustained some injuries but would recover.
Unfortunately, Destiny… was wrecked. The impact was so severe that she was killed instantly in the crash. Her boiler was destroyed, her smoke box smashed, her cab wrecked, her tender bashed and banged up, and her wheels scattered.
Her crew didn't survive either.
Scotsman stared in horror at the remains of Destiny. His sister.
"No…" was all he could say before tearing up. "Destiny… my-my… my little sister…"
Present:
Scotsman was in tears as he finished that part of the story. Gordon was in silent tears as well.
The engines and controller were all in shock.
"Cinders and ashes…" breathed Thomas.
"Bust my buffers…" said Henry.
"Blistering boilers…" James said.
"My goodness…" Hiro said softly.
"Dear lord…" Sir Topham Hatt murmured.
"So she was killed in the crash?!" Molly asked in horror.
"Yes…" Scotsman said sadly. "I still remember how mangled and wrecked she was. Her face was gone too. Just a bashed and broken smokebox door…" he tailed off, unable to speak up a little louder.
"That's terrible!" said Oliver.
"More like horrific!" said Arthur.
"We're so sorry that happened to you." Boco said sympathetically.
"No engine deserves to see such a sight." said Edward.
"Let alone your own sibling." murmured Duck.
"What happened after that?" asked Bear.
The green A3 took a deep breath to compose himself. "Destiny's remains were scrapped. Her driver and fireman were buried in the local church. Her guard would recover but would take on a job as an office worker after that." he said. "An investigation was launched and determined that the accident was caused by the obscure weather conditions thanks to the fog and rain, as well as partial human error since the signalman didn't switch the points regardless if he had heard the whistle."
"That does sound about right." said Douglas.
"It took a while for me to recover after that." Scotsman sighed.
"Same for me and the rest of our siblings." said Gordon. "It didn't help when we learned that all but the two of us were withdrawn from service and scrapped."
"I know that feeling. I'm the last of my class." said Thomas.
"As am I and my brother Vicker." said Boco.
"But it didn't stop there." said Scotsman. "5 years after the accident I heard stories about a scrap engine roaming the lines at night. Creaking loudly since its wheels are rusty and old, faceless with a rusted smokebox door, a loud shrill whistle echoing through the air, coming out at random places."
"So you think it was Destiny's ghost?" asked Henry.
"Engines and staff had said it had the boiler of an LNER A1 or A3, but had 10 driving wheels like a Stanier 8F, and a tender like Truro's, I knew it was her." said Scotsman.
"And you never thought to investigate?" asked James.
"I was busy an awful lot with tours." the famous engine replied. "And I was trapped in another country for a long while. But every now and then I feel like I would see her ghost, but I would often just tell myself it was a dream. And no one else had said anything for a long time either."
"I never saw her either." said Gordon. "I even heard the stories but was always dismissive about them. But when I saw her last night,
"We can see why you would think that." said Murdoch.
"Why do you think she's haunting the island Scotsman?" Sir Topham Hatt asked.
"I honestly don't know…" Scotsman sighed.
"Perhaps she is a lost soul." Edward suggested. "It's not uncommon for ghosts."
"So how do we get rid of this ghost?" asked Douglas.
"I think the proper term is help her move on." said Neil.
"Perhaps talking to her could work." suggested Hiro.
"If she's willing to listen." said Oliver.
"I'll do it." Scotsman said determinedly.
The engines were surprised.
"Brother are you sure?" asked Gordon.
"Yes. Destiny was our sister, experimental design or not." said Scotsman. "I helped her as she grew over the years. It's the least I can do for her."
Gordon then looked serious. "In that case I will go with you. I may have not been as close to her as you were, but she was my little sister too. I wanna help her."
Scotsman smiled. "Thank you Gordon."
"So when do you think you'll speak to her?" asked Thomas.
"We'll do it tonight after the final trains." said Scotsman. "Vicarstown."
"I'll see to it that all the lines are clear." Sir Topham Hatt said.
"Thank you sir." Scotsman smiled.
That night, Gordon and Flying Scotsman puffed down the line towards Vicarstown.
"Do you think this will work little brother?" asked Gordon.
"I can only hope so Gordon." Scotsman replied. "Destiny can't allow herself to roam the line scaring engines, people, and anyone else. She needs closure."
The two A3's arrived at the station. It was completely empty. The only lights on were the emergency ones in case of power outages. The cleaning crews had already gone home after cleaning the station platforms and in the indoor facilities.
"So no one else is here?" Scotsman asked.
"Yes. Stationmaster, porters, and cleaners are home sleeping." said Gordon. "Once we're done we'll spend the night in the sheds. Patrick will be taking the express."
"That was kind of that green Class 40." Scotsman said. "Now we wait."
They waited at the station for 10 minutes. It was eerily quiet, only the occasional cricket chirping breaking the silence.
"Do you think she'll show up?" Gordon asked.
Suddenly, a loud creaking noise filled the air.
"I do." Scotsman said bluntly. "Hold your ground brother."
They looked ahead as the creaking sound continued. And just outside the station on Flying Scotsman's line, came the faded, scrap form of a long tender engine without a face. The brothers immediately knew who it was.
The ghost of Destiny, the Experimental Engine.
Gordon was nervous but Scotsman wasn't, puffing forward ever slightly.
"Hello Destiny. It's been a long time since I've spoken to you little sister." Scotsman said gently. "Still the same design as the genius who had built you."
Destiny said nothing. She just wheeshed.
"I see that throughout the past 50 years or so your ghost has been lurking around many railways, here, the Mainland, almost anywhere in Britain." Scotsman said. "You're a lost soul as a ghost."
Destiny wheeshed louder.
Scotsman grew firm. "But this has to stop Destiny. This isn't good for you, or anyone here on the island." he said. "None of the engines, people, or anyone deserve to be haunted. And you shouldn't be roaming around many parts of the line scaring them. This has to stop."
Scotsman could almost feel as if Destiny was eyeing him despite lacking a face. But he wasn't scared. He then spoke in a softer, gentler tone.
"Destiny, I've always looked out for you ever since you were built. I knew that you were a real engine and a hard worker. And you became a really useful engine that always proved herself and you gained a lot of self-confidence." Scotsman said.
"Indeed." said Gordon, puffing up a bit. "H-Hello Destiny… sorry I ran away from you the other night…" he said in a sheepish and nervous tone. "But to be fair, you did scare me when you came at me on the line…"
"Gordon it's fine, it's understandable given the circumstances." Scotsman said.
"Right." Gordon said, taking a deep breath. "Anyways, Scotsman is right. I know I wasn't as close to you since I left for Sodor. But every chance I got to see my siblings again I always made sure to check on you. I was always happy to learn that you were doing well and I was devastated that you were killed in that accident. But you need to cease haunting this island."
"We're telling you this as your older brothers. Not in a bossy way, but we want to help you." Scotsman said gently. "Please Destiny, move on from haunting any railways. Find your way so you won't be a lost soul. And know that we will always care about you… even if you're a ghost…"
Destiny was silent for a moment. And then, a face appeared where her smokebox door was. And then, all the rusted scrap was then coated in the same livery she wore throughout her life. And any damaged parts she had as a scrap ghost were fixed.
She smiled thankfully at her brothers.
"Gordon… Scott… thank you…" she said softly.
She then puffed backwards, no creaking noises sounding out as she did. And when she was almost out of sight, she disappeared into the air.
The two A3's stared for a moment.
"Bust my buffers… that was something." Gordon managed to say. "Do you think it worked?"
Scotsman smiled. "If I know our sister Gordon, it did." he said. "Come on, let's go to the sheds and get to sleep."
With that, Gordon and Scotsman went to the sheds to sleep.
The next day, the two A3's arrived back at Knapford at platforms 1 and 2. Henry and Boco were at platforms 3 and 4.
"How did it go last night?" Henry asked.
"It was a success." Gordon replied.
"So her ghost did show up." Boco realized.
"Yes. We talked to her. And she seemed to have gotten the message." Scotsman said. "I think the line will be ok from now on."
"I'm glad." said Boco. "It'll be nice doing any late night runs for my last day on this line."
"Last day?" Scotsman asked.
"Rebecca's coming back from the works. I'll be heading back to Edward's Branchline." the diesel replied.
"In any case, thank you for your help." Henry said to the two express engines.
"You can thank Scotty here." Gordon said, smiling at his double-tender brother. "His kind words and his bond with Destiny helped her move on."
"You helped out too Gordon." Scotsman smiled. "In the end, we did what we did for all of our late siblings; be good brothers for them. As we should be for the engines on Sodor."
"Indeed brother. Indeed." Gordon smiled.
And the engines chatted while waiting for Sir Topham Hatt to give Gordon and Flying Scotsman their jobs.
None of them noticed Destiny's ghost in the shed near the station. She smiled at the engines before she disappeared.
The Steaming Scrap Iron was no more.
Every now and then at night, some engines could feel like Destiny was back. But the engines, especially Gordon, Boco, Henry, and Flying Scotsman whenever he visited, knew that she was doing what her brothers did; looking out for her siblings and their friends.
CAST
(In Order of Appearance)
Boco - Victor Tanzig
Ivo Hugh - LadyTehPikachu
Crovan/87546 - Thomas1Edward2Henry3
Edward - EnterprisingEngine93
Bill and Ben - DarthWill3
Sir Topham Hatt - GreatNate8345
Henry - Thomas1Edward2Henry3
James - Andrew Homer
Gordon - Thomas1Edward2Henry3
Emily - LizProductions5784
Thomas - JakerBraker123
Bear - MrAthehedgehog
Philip - EnterprisingEngine93
Murdoch - Jonathan Asiamah
Bert - A Very Angry Goku
'Arry - Jonathan Asiamah
Reg - FizzledFirebox
Spencer - DarthWill3
The Flying Scotsman - Jackson Begley
Duck - Waltsland1912
Toby - James Riddle
Arthur - EnterprisingEngine93
Donald and Douglas - Carson08022000
Hiro - EpicLafiteau
Neil - Thomas1Edward2Henry3
Oliver - The Peel Godred Branch
Molly - RosietheCutie1995
Sir Nigel Gresley - WildNorWester
Destiny - Mika Michelina
Alfred/98462 - DarthWill3
Green Arrow - Kanefan701
Flying Thistle - 22Tesla
D199 - ThomasWoodenRailway
D261 - Victor Tanzig
Stacy Jones - Avery Dillon
Lady - LizProductions5784
Other voices by me
Epilogue:
It was late at night as Thomas drove crewless down the Kirk Ronan Branch. He passed the wishing well and made his way through the magic buffers.
Thomas found himself on the Magic Railroad. He puffed down the tracks admiring the scenery.
"This place is always so beautiful." he said fondly.
He then made his way through another set of buffers. When he arrived, he found himself in a siding in a forest. And it was daytime.
"Muffle Mountain's Hill Valley Railroad. I made it." Thomas grinned.
Thomas puffed down the line and saw a familiar yellow station.
"Shining Time…" he breathed.
And there he spotted a woman dressed in a red suit on the platform watching the Rainbow Sun depart down the line.
"Have a safe trip Billy!" she called.
Thomas puffed into the siding. "Hello Ms. Jones!" he peeped.
Stacy Jones looked over at Thomas and gasped. She went over to the siding. "Thomas! Well this is a surprise! What brings you all the way to Shining Time? Mr. Conductor's at a family reunion."
"Oh I was just hoping Lady was in." Thomas replied.
"Well she is bringing in a delivery later." Stacy replied. "Tell you what, you just wait here and I'll send her this way."
"Thank you Stacy." Thomas smiled.
"Always happy to help a Sodor engine." Stacy smiled. "Now if you'll excuse me I gotta make sure Schemer's behaving himself. Otherwise no one will be coming to his arcade."
And Stacy walked away.
Some time later, Lady reversed into the siding next to Thomas.
"Hello Thomas." Lady greeted warmly. "Always nice of you to visit."
"Just making sure we stay in contact." Thomas replied. "How have things been Lady?"
"Very nice Thomas." the purple engine replied. "Shining Time is still shining as always. Stacy is bubbly as ever, Billy Twofeathers' running the trains perfectly, the Conductors are still keeping the magic going, Lily and Patch are doing their jobs well, we get the odd visit from Tanya, Matt, Kara, Dan, Becky, Kit, and even Harry, and Schemer is still Schemer."
Thomas chuckled. "I can imagine," he said. "Where's Burnett?"
"He, Lily, and Patch are visiting Lily's parents in the city." Lady replied. "How's Sodor?"
"Running smoothly as ever." Thomas said. "Sure there is the odd accident every now and then but we're still functioning properly."
"That's good." Lady said. She then sighed.
"Lady what's wrong?" Thomas asked.
"I just worry Thomas. Sodor seems to be home to a lot of supernatural activity. And that's different compared to the magic around here." Lady replied. "I mean, just recently I learned about the ghosts of Nigel the Lorry, the spirits of the quarry mine, Destiny the Experimental A3, and previous events related to Oliver and Ryan at Old Manor Station and Hiro when he was in that siding."
"Oh don't worry Lady. We all overcame those scenarios." said Thomas.
"I hope so Thomas." Lady said. "I just worry that's all. So many ghosts on Sodor and I feel like something bad may be coming…"
"Well whatever it is, we'll get through it together," Thomas assured her. "Sodor, Shining Time, nothing will ever destroy them."
Lady smiled. "You are right Thomas." she said.
After talking for a little while, Thomas said goodbye and made his way back to the magic buffers to get back to Sodor.
Stacy walked up to Lady.
"Oh don't you worry about him Lady." she said gently. "If yours and Mr. C.'s stories about Sodor are anything to go by, they will be ok no matter what supernatural thing comes their way."
Lady watched Thomas go before smiling. "I know Stacy. I know."
And Stacy went back into the station as Lady puffed back to work.
Thank you all so much for reading these stories! I'll see you soon for more stories. Next year I'm gonna try something different for this spooky time.
In the meantime, Happy Halloween!
Speaking of which, I did my Halloween marathon again of watching movies/TV Show episodes related to Halloween throughout October. Watched them on DVD, BluRay, YouTube, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Netflix, WatchCartoonOnline, Google Drive, TV recordings, and in theaters.
Here was my list:
1. Ghostbusters
2. Halloweentown
3. A Haunting in Venice
4. The Addams Family (2019)
5. Hocus Pocus
6. The Ghost and Molly McGee - Frightmares on Main Street
7. Scream
8. The Nightmare Before Christmas
9. Amphibia - The Shut-In!
10. Hotel Transylvania
11. Mickey and Friends: Trick or Treat
12. Hubie Halloween
13. Hotel Transylvania 2
14. Phineas and Ferb - One Good Scare Oughta Do It!
15. Muppets Haunted Mansion
16. Scream 2
17. The Loud House - Tricked! & Ghosted!
18. Hotel Transylvania 3
19. Scream 3
20. Ghostbusters 2
21. Hotel Transylvania: Transformania
22. Tiny Toon Adventures - The Horror of Slumber Party Mountain
23. Scream 4
24. Thomas and Friends - Percy's Ghostly Trick, Haunted Henry, Duncan Gets Spooked, and Toby's Discovery
25. Scream 5
26. A Really Haunted Loud House
27. Scream 6
28. Haunted Mansion (2023)
29. Haunted Thundermans (The Haunted Hathaways and The Thundermans crossover)
30. The Casagrandes - Phantom Freakout and The Loud House - Haunted House Call, Bye Bye Birthday, and Great Lakes Freakout!
31. Ghostbusters: Afterlife
(See image on Wattpad)