Chapter 1:

"Well Mr. Hatt," The lawyer said. "Everything is in order. The North Western Railway, the three steam engines, and the business is yours and your wife's."

Topham Hatt handed back the signed lease papers and bid farewell to the lawyer. His Grandfather's massive will instated his booming Railway business to Topham, along with everything to it. He'd always loved working with the trains on that Railway and had worked in business management before now, making him the perfect candidate for it.

"Back off to the Island of Sodor then?" His wife asked, referring to the location of his new business.

"I believe I should get started right away!" He laughed. "You should take care of the house, as we'll not be needing it anymore!"

He waved to his wife as they split ways. Taking a cab to the nearby docks of Barrow-in-Furness, he prepared to board the first of his new trains.

It was August of 1952. Topham Hatt's new railway was running smoothly after repairs to the line were made after the war. He himself had not fought in the war, but had been turned down due to poor health at the time. A robust, bald man of 32 years who walked with a cane, he looked sharp in a new suit and felt wonderful. He checked a gold pocket watch to see his train was due any minute now, if it was running on time.

As it turned out, his train was not on time. Running roughly 5 minutes later than his schedule called for, he finally heard a deep whistle across the bridge connecting Mainland England and the Island of Sodor. He made a note to reprimand the train when it arrived.

As a the great, blue express engine puffed into the station and pulled round on the turntable, many onlookers were shocked to see what the North Western Railway was famous for. The sentient engines.

"Hello!" called the train, frightening a handful of children at first, though they laughed when he smiled. Topham had seen these trains before, but the effect was still incredible.

A spectacular American had come to Great Britain claiming he could grant life to vehicles, only to be laughed off by the greats of the day. All but Topham's Grandfather. The proposal had intrigued him and had granted the man access to his trains. The experiment proved successful and the man was paid well before leaving.

"Why, if it isn't Sir Topham Hatt!" The engine called with a cheerful yet dignified voice. "I do hope you remember me?" A large number Four emblazoned the engine's tender, quickly reminding Topham the name of this engine.

"Hello Gordon." He said happily. "I do hope you have an explanation for the delay?" He wanted to appear stern, but was far too excited at the prospect of talking to a train to be so.

"There was a slow bus at the crossing. I had to make an unscheduled stop." Gordon explained, now pulling up to his coaches. "Will you be riding with me today?"

"As a matter of fact, I'd like you to take me to Tidmouth." he ordered.

Gordon pulled away smoothly and Topham sat in the frontmost coach. They puffed happily along the beautiful countryside the Island was known for, passing farmers and small villages. Gordon arrived closer to on time at the next two stops, and at last reached Knapford right on time.

As Topham stepped off onto the platform, he was greeted by two conductors who began to show him the way to the controller's office. Just before leaving Gordon called out, "Off to see your Grandfather?"

Topham stopped and sighed. "No, I'm afraid he's passed away." Gordon wheeshed steam sadly and puffed off.

The trip had taken roughly an hour, and the two men showed him into his office. It was a nice room with a cluttered desk, a pair of cabinets set nearby, and a few pictures of old engines hung on the walls, Characteristic of his Grandfather. Such pictures included Topham in some, as he'd always loved this railway. There was one showing the old Mid-Sodor line with Duke, Stuart and Falcon, and one picture showed six engines in an old shed, including the three Topham now owned. Topham set at the desk and glanced over the papers.

"Alright." He said to himself. "Where do I start?"

It was the following day before he met the other trains. He slept at his new house for the first time and got up early with the trains. He pulled up in his smart blue car to the sheds the engines slept in, Tidmouth Sheds.

There, beside Gordon, were two other engines. One was blue like Gordon, but smaller, a mixed-traffic engine, and a number two on his tender, Edward. To the other side was another large engine, Green and numbered 3, Henry, who appeared to be eyeing the sky mournfully.

"Hello Sir Topham Hatt!" Edward called as he stepped out.

"Good morning Edward, and hello to all of you!" Topham replied.

"I think it might rain today, sir. Do I have to go out?" Henry asked.

"Henry, you make one more moan about the rain and your paint and I will probably lose my mind." Gordon snapped.

"Oi, My turn!" Topham cut in. "Yes Henry, you have to pull the Flying Kipper this evening, and I also believe you're due for the local this morning!"

"Sir, may I come out today too?" Edward asked.

Topham looked at the little old engine. He'd forgotten that the shortages had left Edward without a job, and it was mere sentiment Topham's Grandfather had even kept him around. Topham glanced back at Tidmouth yard, there was hardly any trucks, all just for Henry to pull later on in the week, but he felt bad for Edward, so he made up his mind. "You can take the Freight Train to Crovan's Gate, Edward."

The smaller blue engine tooted his whistle in excitement and his driver hopped aboard him, old Sidney Heaver, and set to starting his fire. Henry was still glancing at the sky, and Gordon's driver, Charlie Sand, was prepping the bigger blue engine as well. It wasn't much longer till the turntable ahead was set in his direction and the Express Engine pulled out of Tidmouth.

Topham got in his car and headed back to Knapford, and by the time he'd arrived, Gordon was blasting his whistle, ready to leave the station. Topham waved and headed into his office.

As the day went on, he saw Henry pull through, ever watching the sky. Topham recalled his Grandfather telling him that Henry was proud of his paint job, and that he was afraid the rain would ruin it.

The telephone rang, bringing Topham back out of memory. He picked up the phone.

"Hello? Sir Topham Hatt speaking!"

"Mmrmrmeh?" said the voice on the other end.

"Excuse me?" Topham responded, glancing at the phone. He then realized he had it upside down, so he quickly righted it. "What did you say?"

"I said this is Gerald, from the Sodor South Railway." came the response. "I hear you've taken over your Grandfather's line, I congratulate you!"

"Why thank you Gerald, now what can I do for you?"

Gerald was a kind and older man who'd worked with his Grandfather well. Gerald owned a second Railway that ran parallel to the NWR's Main Line, going through Stations like Ballahoo, Kirk Ronan, and Brendam. Today, Gerald wasn't just calling for pleasantries, as usual, he had business as well. Today Old Gerald was calling regarding a new business plan, one that could increase the production on both their lines, and could drag poor Edward back into the working force.

"Are you sure, it's got a high price tag!" Topham asked.

"But it's got such a huge return, our railways could be, well, really useful, as Bertram used to say!" Topham shivered a little at the name of his Grandfather, who'd always said his name was one of power.

"I'll sleep on it Gerald, but thank you regardless." Topham finally decided.

"Best of luck Topham, good day!" and with that, Gerald had hung up.

Topham set down the phone and looked at his charts. Gordon, Henry and Edward had been running the line well for years, even through the shortages of war and the hard times before it, but the line was in desperate need of new reasons to keep running, as politicians in London were getting edgier about the cost of the Railways. Topham looked back up to the walls, considering Gerald's proposal.

A large picture was in the middle. Topham had asked for it to be hung only yesterday as he'd entered the office for the first time. It was him, his brother Lowham, and his Grandfather atop an old yellow engine he'd forgotten the name of, but they were dirty, smiling, and free of care. As long as Topham lived, he wouldn't forget that day. It was the day after he and Lowham had run away from their Father at a tavern, and their mother had hardly cared that they'd done so. But as Bertram Hatt had accepted them that day and taken them to the Funfair, they'd rode on the engine, who'd been on loan to Sodor. They three had had a good time, and Grandfather had enrolled them both that day at a school in Vicarstown to make it official.

A light pattering on the rooftops brought Topham back to the present. He looked out the Station window to see the rain falling. He rolled his eyes, knowing Henry would probably do something silly, and so he stood, took his hat, and set back out to work.