Forgotten Rails: The Story of 382

Summary: It happens every year. The nightmare of her accident many years ago. When an engine on Sodor has an accident very similar to hers, she tells her friends what her life was like back in the early days. This is Cayce. And this is her story.

Here it is! The final chapter of Forgotten Rails! Enjoy!

Also Kudos to the reviewer who spots the Thomas Easter Egg and tells me in a review first!

Chapter 6: Home at Last

"After meeting Jupiter," Cayce continued, "things were fairly alright. I mainly kept myself out of trouble. There was a small incident of turning over in the yard, which caused my number to be changed again…" She paused for a moment and took a breath. "Either way, Harry Norton was transferred to another engine, which I was very sad about. I had started to like him. A couple years later in 1912, I was involved in another wreck at Kinmundy, Illinois. My number was changed yet again and stayed the same until July of 1935."

"What happened?" asked Belle quietly.

"Another collision. I didn't know what would happen next, but it came quickly…"

That day, July 14th, Cayce carefully made up the last train of the day before her retirement the next morning, which George was going to take it to a nearby town. George had been retired a year before, but the railroad pulled him back into service when a spike in railroad traffic prompted a need for more engines. At the time of the spike the railroad couldn't afford new engines, so they brought a lot of the old 4-4-0's and a couple 4-6-0's back into service, Cayce's brother, Ben, included. Times had certainly changed on the Illinois Central. Casey's former engine, Mike, had been sold to the Mexican Government in 1921, and, as far as Cayce knew, he was still running there. More and more steam classes were dropping fast. It felt to Cayce as if the end was near.

George coupled up to the train with a dull clank.

"I swear these trains are gettin' heavier each day, younglin'."

Cayce blushed, rolling her eyes.

"I'm not that young anymore, George."

George chuckled, wheezing a bit.

"Aw, well, you're still that young engine who woke me up all those years ago. I ain't gonna be around forever, younglin'. Times are changin'. Steam engines just keep getting bigger and faster and the older ones are droppin' like flies. I met a 2-8-2 Mikado the other day. He's bigger than you and me. Anyways, I'd better get a move on. See you tomorrow, younglin'."

George whistled and slowly puffed out of the yard. Cayce sighed and headed back to the roundhouse. She had to admit that she would enjoy sleeping in the next morning. It sounded wonderful. Cayce fell asleep, looking forward to a long night's rest.

As dawn began to break across the sky, the telegraph lines buzzed rapidly reporting there was a crash. The roundhouse doors were thrown open, the rising sun shining in the engines faces.

"5012! Up you get! George's crashed!"

However, Cayce still slept. Until someone kicked one of her driving wheels, which woke her up in an instant.

"Ouch! What was that for?"

"We're getting George," her driver replied, climbing up and checking on her fire. "There's been a wreck."

Cayce, who was squinting to keep the sun out of her eyes, grew worried. "How bad?"

"Not bad enough to kill him, but bad enough to do a lot of damage."

Cayce let off steam in shock. She quickly started, heading out of the roundhouse and getting turned around on the turntable, as she had to run backwards to the accident site. When they arrived, Cayce's driver and fireman were shocked. Tons of supplies, ranging from mail to coal to food, were strewn all over. A crane was sitting nearby, clearing up the mess. George sat on a flatbed in a siding, facing the accident site. His front was badly mangled and his face was puffy with black and blue marks all over.

"Hey...yogln'," he slurred, his ability to speak dampened by the puffiness of his face.

Cayce gasped. "George! What happened?"

A worker came up to them. "From what we've been able to figure out, a signalman switched George onto the same track as incoming double headed freight. His brakes failed and they couldn't stop in time."

A tear ran down Cayce cheek. Yes, George had annoyed her every once in a while, but she almost thought of him as a brother.

"Don'...wory...yougln...I...be...bck in no...tme." George slurred.

A workman gently patted George's side.

"Easy. Save your strength."

"I...tellin...you...I'm...ow…"

"'Ow' would be right in any case," the first workman spoke up from where he was talking to Cayce's crew. "I'm not sure how you even survived that."

Cayce's crew looked worried.

"I don't think he's gonna be able to repaired. With Drew it was easy, but this...I don't how they can fix this. It would cause severe pain to George. What do you think we should do?"

The workman thought for a moment.

"Let me call Mr. Durango. He has final say."

With that, he walked off. Meanwhile, Cayce carefully backed up next to George. She could barely speak as she now saw the full extent of his damage.

"George… You look…"

"Fabulous! I'm so fabulous!"

Now, Cayce was really worried. The George she remembered would never be caught scrapped saying that. A workman nearby whispered.

"I think the crash did more than damaged his body. I don't think he's sane anymore. Not that he was sane to begin with."

Cayce sighed.

"I'm almost afraid you're right."

Just then, the workman who had called Mr. Durango returned. He climbed up into Cayce's cab and whispered something to her crew. It was too low for Cayce to hear, but her crew's cries of protest told Cayce of George's fate.

"Come on," her driver finally said. "We need to get moving."

Cayce let off steam feebly and coupled up to the flatbed. George was silent, but was humming softly. Then he began to sing quietly.

"Home...home on the range...where the deer...and the...what was the word again? Sing it with me, Younglin'!"

Cayce winced at George's slightly off-key singing, but joined in nonetheless.

"Where the deer and the antelope play…"

"Where seldom is heard, a discouraging word…and the skies are not cloudy all day..." finished George.

As the two moved along, George was silent. As they neared the scrap yard, George spoke.

"It's my time to go...isn't it?"

Cayce hesitated, tears starting to form.

"I...I suppose…"

George smiled softly, the light fading from his eyes.

"Don't worry, younglin...I'll be with...my brothers...and sisters...soon…Goodbye...Cayce..." Then he went silent.

Unfortunately, it wasn't the case. As Cayce was uncoupled, she was turned around. However, instead of heading back to Water Valley, she was backed into a storage siding and her fire was dropped. Poor Cayce started to panic.

"W-W-What's going on?!"

Her driver came up to her.

"I'm sorry, 5012, but...orders are orders. Mr. Durango specifically said to leave you here."

Cayce could only watch as her crew left and the scrappers begin to cut apart George, who passed silently only a few minutes before, leaving nothing but an empty shell. Cayce couldn't bear to watch much more and shut her eyes tightly.

Cayce was crying again, sniffling as she tried to stop.

The others were all worried. Cayce had almost been scrapped? Quite a few engines on the island had been, true, but they didn't imagine Cayce was one of them.

Still sniffling, but managing to calm down enough to speak, Cayce continued.

"I-I was there...for about...5 months. Until...I thought my worst fears...were coming true…"

It was a snowy winter. Cayce sat shivering in her siding, watching as engines came in. Thankfully, winter meant that the scrappers worked inside, so she wouldn't see more scrapping. At least, not until winter was over. The months had not been kind to Cayce. Her once shining coat of black paint was faded, her numbers were worn, and she was badly rusted. Even the inside of her cab was not immune from the elements.

What was once a pristine and almost clean cab was now rusting and rotting. Her windows had been shattered from hail and rocks. Snow had built up in her cab due to no covering. The seats for her crew were rotted, while the odd squirrel or critter made homes in her firebox away from the cold weather.

Suddenly, two men came up to her and looked her over, checking her wheels and running gear especially. Cayce froze, stiffening.

"W-What's going on?"

The men didn't respond. They silently finished their check and went back to the main shed. However, it was only for a few minutes. When they returned, they brought an engine with them and coupled her up. Cayce feared the worst.

"N-N-No! Leave m-me alone!"

She shook and tried to escape. Luckily, her coupling was in very bad shape and it easily broke loose. She was on a hill, so, once she got properly moving, she quickly picked up speed. She entered another siding where another man was working on the buffers. Cayce gasped.

"Look out!"

It must have been pure luck that the man heard her and jumped, barely missing her front as she smashed into the buffers. They broke from the impact, derailing her and burying her wheel-deep in snow.

The men approached her and started yelling at her. Cayce glanced at them before she finally broke. Everything caught up with her at once. Casey, Drew, Jupiter, George, Mr. Durango… Cayce sobbed, her whole frame rattling as she did. Just then, someone gently placed a hand on her cowcatcher.

"There, there. What's wrong?"

Cayce slowly opened her eyes. Her vision was blurry from her tears, but she could see some one there.

"P-Please don't. You...You'll be cursed too."

"Cursed? I don't think you're cursed. You're just scared. But there's no reason to be."

Now that her vision had cleared somewhat, she saw that this person was most definitely not one of the scrappers. He was a lot...larger around the middle. He also wore a fancy suit and a top hat with a thick coat thrown over it. Her tears dried as she looked at him curiously.

"But… Casey and...Drew...and George….. Almost everyone I get close to…"

The portly man smiled sadly.

"I know about those accidents. And, Cayce, you're not cursed. Those were just accidents. The curse is a myth, not a fact. Besides, there's someone who wants to see you."

Cayce frowned curiously, sniffing.

"Who?"

A familiar voice spoke.

"Hello, Cayce. It's been a long time."

It was Sim! He had a brown trench coat on and you could see grey hairs sticking out underneath his hat.

"Sim!" Cayce exclaimed, not sure whether to laugh or break down crying again.

"Hey, Cayce. There's someone else I want you to meet. This is my baby girl. My wife and I named her after you."

He held a small bundle of blankets in front of Cayce. A beautiful baby girl could be seen in the blankets, sleeping softly.

"There's something else too. Mr. Hatt?"

Sir Topham Hatt was looking off in the distance, before he stuttered and spoke.

"Oh, right. I have some good news for you. I need an engine as an engine of mine is currently undergoing a rebuild. How would you like to run again?"

Cayce started crying again, this time tears of joy.

"Yes! Please!"

Sir Topham Hatt chuckled.

"Let's get you out of the snow first."

Cayce looked around her and blushed.

"...Please?"

Once Cayce was pulled from the snow and back on the rails, a flatbed was pushed alongside her and she was lifted onto it via a crane.

"Now, we have a long journey ahead of us. We have to make a run to New York to get home."

"Where's home?" Cayce asked, her tears finally dried and smiling hopefully.

Sir Topham smiled at Cayce.

"The Island of Sodor."

Cayce was beginning to calm down now. "As soon as I arrived, I was sent straight to the works. Most of me was alright, thankfully. I was there for a few weeks as they repaired me and put me through test after test. I was very anxious, but I was finally able to get out onto the rails under my own power. Sir Topham Hatt was very nice and let me run along the main line to help me get used to my new route."

After the majority of Cayce's tests were finished, she was sent back to the works to be repainted. When she arrived, a sky blue tank engine was sitting nearby, getting checked over by workmen.

"I'm telling you I'm fine," the little tank engine grumbled.

Just then a workman came over to Cayce.

"Sir Topham Hatt wants to know what you want your number to be."

Cayce thought for a minute before finally deciding.

"382, please."

And so it was done. Cayce's original number was repainted onto her tender and her black paint was spruced up. Instead of having I.C.R.R. on her cab, it was repainted to N.W.R.Y. for the North Western Railway. Cayce puffed out of the works feeling brand new once more.

As she puffed out of the works, a big blue 4-6-2 puffed out of the works, a smug look on his face.

"Hello. Who are you?"

"Cayce. Former I.C.R.R. 382."

"Pah," said the engine grumpily. "You're an American engine. We don't need you here. We British engines were here first."

"So? Sir Topham Hatt specifically asked me to come," Cayce shot back.

The big blue engine huffed.

"Is that so? Well, if you're lucky to stay long enough, you may just see me pulling the Express. That should be a splendid sight for you. Goodbye."

The blue engine quickly left. Meanwhile, a smaller blue engine entered the yard. This one had a 4-4-0 wheel arrangement and had a kind face.

"Don't mind Gordon. He's just upset that the workload increased after Henry's accident. I'm Edward. Welcome to Sodor."

Cayce smiled.

"Hello, Edward. I'm Cayce. Remind me to tell Gordon about my runs with the Cannonball sometime." She paused a moment. "Who's Henry?"

"Henry is a friend of Gordon's. He worked the express sometimes, but not a lot. He's in Crewe getting a rebuild after his accident last month. He's a bit boastful, but not as much as Gordon and James. He's very kind too."

Cayce was also curious.

"Who's the little blue tank engine?"

"Ah," chuckled Edward. "That would be Thomas. He's a bit cheeky, but he's very friendly. He's in a bit of a foul mood right now though. He doesn't like winter because he has to wear his snowplow. Speaking of, your plow just arrived at the docks, and I have it here for you."

Cayce glanced over.

"Thank you, Edward. I promise I'll be more cooperative when it gets put on. I don't mind snowplows."

Edward whistled, and was uncoupled from the flatbed.

"I must be off. See you at the sheds. Goodbye!"

Edward puffed away.

"Goodbye!" Cayce called as workmen started working on getting her snowplow attached.

That evening, Cayce arrived at the sheds. Thomas, Edward, Gordon, and a red engine that Cayce didn't know were there.

"Hello!" Cayce called as she came up to the turntable.

There was mostly silence. Edward returned the greeting, but Gordon and the red engine ignored her and Thomas was too busy glaring at his snowplow, as if his gaze could melt it. Cayce backed into the spot next to Gordon.

"You can't stay there!" Gordon shouted, noticing her. "That's Henry's spot!"

Cayce hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should move.

Edward spoke up.

"Henry would be okay with this, Gordon. Besides, Cayce can sleep in whatever berth she wants, as long as it's not occupied. Henry will be back before you know it. Then you can stop grumbling about the extra workload. You're not the only one affected, you know, but do you see me complaining? No."

Cayce shot Edward a grateful look before turning her attention back to Gordon, smirking.

"So, a fellow express engine, huh?"

"You're not an express engine. You're too old to be one," replied Gordon.

"Enough, Gordon," said a voice. It was Sir Topham Hatt!

Gordon instantly tried to defend himself.

"But...Sir..."

"No, Gordon. No excuses. As a matter of fact, Cayce is a former express engine and I have decided to put her on the Express rotation. As for you, Gordon, you are taking some cars to the quarry tomorrow."

"But...but, Sir! Express engines don't take cars."

"No, Gordon, that is final. Cayce, you will pull the Express first in the morning. Thomas, will you shunt coaches for her before you head off to your branch line?"

Thomas thought for a moment.

"...Does that include taking off my snowplow?"

"Only for shunting in the yard, Thomas. You'll have to put it back on before you go. But if you don't have time to take it off before you shunt, you'll have to keep it on."

Thomas was about to protest, but smiled instead.

"I think I have time, Sir."

"Very good. James, you will take the local train from Knapford to Vicarstown. And Edward, you will take some loaded quarry cars from the quarry down to the docks."

Both Edward and James agreed. Cayce glanced over at Gordon.

"Oh, come on. Cars aren't bad. You know, if I never took cars, I would have never been put on the Cannonball run."

Gordon growled, but a stern look from Sir Topham Hatt shut him up. Soon, Sir Topham Hatt left, leaving the engines to rest.

Cayce smiled softly.

"Time passed and I stayed around. After a while, people would come to see me for my history. They still sometimes come and ask me about what it all was like. Some questions I answer and others I don't. Thankfully, nobody can try and study me or grill me about things that happened."

She yawned deeply. Belle, Flynn, and Butch yawned too.

"We better get some sleep," said Flynn. "We're gonna have a busy day tomorrow."

All four soon settled down to sleep. As Cayce slept, she saw Casey.

"You've done well, old girl. Keep my memory alive."

He faded away and was replaced by George.

"You're making your way around, Younglin'. Don't forget where you came from."

George faded as well as Drew appeared.

"I couldn't be more proud of you, Darling. Follow your heart."

For the first time, nightmares didn't plague Cayce that dreaded night. The stars smiled down on her, especially a certain three.

The next morning, Cayce awoke early. Belle, Flynn, and Butch had left quite some time ago to go help clear the tracks, as well as help anybody who needed it. Cayce was soon steamed up and left the main shed of the Rescue Center. As she puffed along, she thought back to what Drew had said to her in her dream.

"What did he mean by "Follow my Heart"? Did he mean…?"

She begin to think deeply. There was a warm, almost concerned feeling when Henry had his accident the night before. She remembered all of the times they were together. How she helped him with a train when he got back, how he rescued her when she got stuck on a hill. Then she came to a realization as to why she felt that way.

"Do...Do I love him? Do I love Henry?"

She thought hard, her focus moving from her surroundings. As if Fate was insisting on getting them together, Cayce glanced up a few minutes later to find herself just outside the Steamworks. Quietly, she remembered how it had grown since she had been there before peeking inside.

Henry was sitting just inside, waiting patiently. His frame had been repaired, and his paint was still scratched up, but he definitely looked better. Then he noticed Cayce.

"Cayce. Hi."

"Hi," she replied, coming over to him. Most of the workers scurried off, not wanting to be around in case things got awkward. Henry smiled.

"I'm just waiting for my replacement tender. They're making a new one from scratch. It hasn't been done in a couple of years, so I'll be here a while. I think."

Cayce smiled back, fading after a moment as she tried to put her words into proper sentences.

"I...I want to talk to you about something."

Henry was confused.

"Okay? About what?"

Cayce took a deep breath.

"Henry...do you remember when we first met?"

"Yeah...you helped me with a train when I first got back. I was still getting used to my rebuild and you helped me get started."

"I…," Cayce continued. "Henry...I think...I think I love you." As soon as those words were out of her mouth, Cayce mentally chastised herself for how ridiculous that probably sounded.

Poor Henry was shocked. He didn't realize that the engine that he has crushed on for so long loved him. He gulped.

"Um...Cayce...I sorta...have a confession to make…."

Cayce felt something in her throat sink down to the bottom of her boiler, fearing the worst.

"...Yes?"

"I...I had a crush..on you...for the longest time. I heard about your history from Edward. I asked him about you a couple of years back and, knowing your history and how much you've been through...I...admired that you persevered despite the challenges...and...I think that's what led to my crush of you...so...I...think...I think I love you too."

Moving forward as much as he could, he buffered up to Cayce and kissed her. Cayce's eyes widened as she was taken by surprise, but they quickly closed in happiness. But what they didn't realize was a couple workmen had stayed behind and watched. They had also made bets on who would kiss who first. Let's just say whoever betted on Henry won a lot of cash.

Meanwhile, Victor, who didn't realize what was going on puffed in.

"Kevin, where are you...Oh…"

Victor quietly puffed away, leaving the two engines to themselves.

One Week Later…

A week later, everyone on Sodor knew that Cayce and Henry were together. While they were teased about it, the two didn't mind. Cayce waited patiently for Henry outside of the Steamworks. Today was the day Henry would released from the Steamworks and put back into service.

Steam billowed out from the doors as a shimmer of green paint appeared and the sound of puffing echoed. Soon, Henry puffed out of the Steamworks, shining like he was brand new. Cayce smiled broadly and puffed up to him, giving him a quick kiss.

"You look splendid, Henry."

Henry blushed a bright red.

"Thanks, Sweetheart. Come on. I want to show you something."

Henry whistled and led her down the tracks until the came to a heavily wooded area. Henry puffed to a stop in a siding, Cayce following behind him.

"This is where I like to come to see nature and listen to the wind through the trees. To me, it's my home away from home. It's beautiful and peaceful here. And I want to share it with you."

Cayce didn't say anything for a moment, looking around her.

"It...It's beautiful here. It seems fitting. You seem like an engine who likes things like this."

Her voice held no mocking anger, only love and happiness.

"Thank you for bringing me here."

Henry smiled before backing up onto a nearby turntable which was built specifically for him, and turned around so he could face Cayce.

"You're welcome, Cayce. I love you."

Cayce smiled.

"I love you too, Henry."

The two engines kissed once more, the sounds of nature being the only sound in the background. And, for the first time ever, Cayce truly felt she was home at last.

The End

Hey, everyone! I hope you enjoyed the final chapter of Forgotten Rails: The Story of 382. I don't know if you spotted the Thomas Easter Egg, but the chapter title "Home at Last" is actually a story in the Railway Series as well as in the TV series. Anyways be on the lookout for chapter 9 of A Magical Tail! See you next time! Bye!