Thomas and Friends Fanfiction Series 7

Engine of Ages

Glynn is a very old engine. He is not as old as Stephen, but he is much older than Edward and Thomas. He is also an engine who was built by the Fat Controller himself. That makes him one of the most historic engines of Sodor. 

Glynn now happily works on the Earl's estate at Ulfstead Castle alongside Stephen and Millie. 

One day, Glynn was taking some tourists around the castle grounds. 

"Here you will see the volcano display," he declared. 

The passengers were very intrigued. 

(They include the Bird Watcher, Mr Bubbles and some schoolchildren.) 

But they were more interested in Glynn once they reached the castle platform. 

"Is it true that Sir Topham built you?" asked one. 

"Yes, it is," said Glynn. 

"And did you used to work on Thomas' line?" asked a child. 

"Yes, I did, but not anymore." 

"Is it because Thomas is much younger and faster and stronger than you?" asked a rather rude boy. 

"Um, yes, I suppose so," said Glynn, a little hurt. 

"Hoho, old as he may be, my lad," said the Earl, "Glynn is still MY number one engine and he is Really Useful." 

Glynn felt better...until later that day. 

Gordon had come in to the castle platform with some flatbeds full of crates. 

"Hello, Gordon," said Glynn, "what have you brought there?" 

Gordon wheeshed. He never had much respect for the Coffeepot engines. 

"I am delivering some antiques from the North Western Railway to help with the Earl's new museum of the Sodor Railways." 

"Ooh, I wonder what these antique displays are," said Millie as she steamed over. 

"I daresay this coffeepot will be one of the oldest displays," said Gordon rudely. 

Glynn felt hurt again. 

"You should respect your elders and betters, Gordon," said Stephen crossly as he approached. 

"Elders, yes," boasted Gordon, "betters, no!" 

"And he says he never boasts," huffed Millie. 

"I am the best and it needs to be said to remind those with ideas above their station," said Gordon pompously. 

"Now, now, Gordon," said a stern voice. 

It was Sir Robert. 

"I asked you to deliver my antiquities, not to make my engines feel less useful. Glynn and Stephen may be old, but that only tells me that they have been Really Useful a lot longer than you have ever been." 

Gordon blushed. 

"Um, sorry, sir," he said, but he still looked full of himself. 

Later, Glynn was sent to collect a flatbed from the Docks. 

He felt unhappy because he went very slowly along the line and he didn't feel honoured to be one of the oldest engines on Sodor. 

He wished he could be as fast as Gordon and as strong as Thomas. 

At the Docks, Glynn collected the flatbed. It had a large sign tied down to it. It said: The Museum of Sodor's Railways. 

(Big Mickey can be seen. The Dock Manager is also there.)

"I hope I'm not really going on display," murmured Glynn to himself. 

"Arr, no engine should be in a museum, matey," said Salty, "'specially not a Really Useful Engine like you, Glynn. And one made by the Fat Controller hisself!" 

Glynn smiled faintly at that. But then- 

"Hahaha!" 

Diesel oiled over. 

"You're too polite by half, Salty," he said in a sneery way, "Glynn will never be as Really Useful as us revolutionary diesels! HAHAHAHA! Straight to the museum for him!" 

"Shoo off, Diesel," snapped Salty, "Glynn is a fine member of this railway!" 

But Glynn was feeling sad again. 

He even struggled to take the sign back to Ulfstead Castle. 

Glynn was thinking of how mean Gordon and Diesel had been, when he saw them up ahead. But they didn't look happy or confident anymore. 

"What's wrong with you two?" he asked. 

"I've run out of diesel oil," moaned Diesel. 

"And Diesel is blocking my way," fumed Gordon, "and I am running late to collect the Express!" 

Glynn saw a junction on his line and thought. 

"I'm not sure if I can do it, but I will certainly try to help." 

"I know you can't do it," sneered Diesel. 

"Coffeepots can only hold the coffee in their boilers," chuckled Gordon. 

But Glynn paid no attention. He uncoupled from his flatbed, and joined onto Diesel's line. He coupled up to the devious engine and started to heave and haul. 

Diesel was much bigger and heavier than Glynn. 

"You can't do it," he said. 

"I can do it!" fumed Glynn. 

His cheeks were becoming as red as his paintwork, but finally Glynn started to move. He slowly but surely pulled Diesel into the next siding a few yards ahead. 

Diesel was most surprised and so was Gordon. 

"Thank you, Glynn," he hooted, "you have a lot more puff than I gave you credit for! I'm sorry for those things I've said." 

He steamed swiftly away. 

Diesel looked flustered. He didn't know what to say. 

"I...er...you um..." 

"You're....welcome....phew...Diesel," wheezed Glynn. 

Glynn couldn't go any further. He was out of steam and with Diesel behind him, he couldn't back out again without having to push Diesel back onto the Main Line. 

Paxton arrived to take Diesel home. And the Earl arrived on Stephen. 

"I hear from Sir Topham and Gordon that you saved the Express from serious delay, Glynn," said the Earl cheerfully. 

"Um, yes, sir...but the sign, sir-" 

"Hoho, never you mind about the sign. Stephen will take it back while you go and have your worn parts mended, Glynn!" 

Glynn felt very happy. 

"So I really won't be a part of the museum, sir?" 

"Only as a tour guide and as a respectable engine in the histories of Sodor Railways, Glynn," said the Earl kindly. 

Glynn was delighted and when he was repaired, he was more than ready to return to work at the Castle and as a tour guide for the Museum. 

(The End!)