Thomas and Friends Fanfiction Series 7

Thomas and the Private Engine

Thomas loves to feel important. He often wishes to be as grand as Gordon, as fast as Kenji and as privileged as Duchess. But he is always reminded that he is the first engine to go around the world. 

One day, Duchess was puffing to Sodor on the Mainland. She passed the canal where Beresford worked. 

(Caitlin and Diana can be seen.)

"Who goes here?" asked Beresford. 

"It is I, Duchess of Loughborough," she replied. 

Beresford gasped. 

"The royal family's engine?" 

"The very same," said Duchess, "I have been sent by the Queen to give my services to the Duke and Duchess of Boxford for a few days at their summerhouse on the Island of Sodor." 

"Sodor? The island where our little pal, Thomas lives. Be sure to say hello to him from me, ma'am!" 

"Hehe! I will! I look forward to meeting Gallant Thomas of Sodor too!" 

Duchess steamed happily away. 

At the summerhouse on Sodor, Thomas and Percy had come to take Spencer to the Steamworks as he had broken a cylinder. 

"Who will look after my Duke and Duchess?" he groaned. 

"I will!" 

Thomas gasped excitedly. 

His new friend from the Mainland, Duchess had arrived on Sodor. 

"Hello, Duchess!" greeted the Duke. "You're just in time! Could you take myself and my wife to Vicarstown?" 

"We are due to have luncheon with Sir Topham and Lady Hatt," explained the Duchess. 

"Of course I can, Your Graces!"

Duchess happily took her important passengers away. 

Spencer did not look happy. He had never seen an engine as splendid looking as Duchess. 

"Who was that?" he gasped. 

"Duchess is the engine who pulls the royal family on the Mainland, Spencer," explained Thomas. 

"She must be very important," said Percy. 

"She is." 

Spencer was worried. If Duchess was important and useful enough to take the Queen, would she better than him? Would he no longer be Really Useful to the Duke and Duchess of Boxford?

Spencer was greeted by Victor and Kevin at the Steamworks. 

"Hello, Spencer, I hear you need a new cylinder," said Victor. 

"Yes, and quickly!" groaned Spencer. 

"Why the hurry?" asked Kevin as he whizzed over.

"I need to get back to my work as soon as possible," said Spencer, "or that royal engine will take over my job as the private engine of the Duke and Duchess!" 

Thomas overheard Spencer and felt a little sorry for him. 

Spencer was in the Steamworks for a longer time than he had wanted. The cylinder was to be delivered from the Mainland. 

Meanwhile, Duchess was having a splendid time on the North Western Railway, taking the Duke and Duchess, and even sometimes, Sir Topham and Lady Hatt on their ventures. 

(Dowager Hatt and the Thin Clergyman can be seen.)

"Thank you, Duchess," said the Fat Controller. 

"You are an elegantly splendid engine," added Lady Hatt.