Thomas and Friends Fanfiction Series 7

The Museum of Sodor Railways

It was an exciting time on the Island of Sodor. All of the engines were working busily with the preparations for the grand opening of the Museum of Sodor Railways. The Earl had invested in its construction and he was sparing no expense in finding anything that could be turned into an exhibit. 

(Duck, Arthur and Sidney can be seen making deliveries to Ulfstead Castle. Stephen and Glynn can be seen at the Castle.)

Thomas and Percy were delivering some paintings of the older engines, such as Duke and Hiro. 

(The old portrait of Duke is visible.)

"Hoho, this is splendid," beamed the Earl, "it took me some time to acquire these from Sir Topham." 

"I finally decided they would be much more appreciated in the museum, rather than hanging unnoticed on my office walls," chuckled the Fat Controller.

"I have also persuaded Mr Percival and Mr Duncan to donate some old photographs and such like," added the Earl. 

"It will be a grand museum," said Thomas. 

"With a grand opening," added Percy. 

"Indeed," said the Earl, "you two will be very busy bringing people to the opening!" 

There was already high demand for the opening of the museum. Holidaymakers were flooding in to see the new attraction. Some were taken by Gordon and Rebecca.

"Phew!" peeped Rebecca. "So many passengers!" 

"Such a fuss for a new building," huffed Gordon, "I'm grander than any new place!" 

(Albert, his wife and Little Thomas can be seen at Knapford. Rebecca rolls her eyes.)

Some were taken from Arlesburgh by Oliver, Donald and Douglas.

"Och, such a busy few days," huffed Donald. 

"Ye cannae handle it, Donnie?" teased Douglas. 

"I can too! Leant Wheesht!"

(Such passengers include Edwina, Ray and the Teacher and her family.)

Some were even taken from the Mainland by Skarloey and Smudger. 

"It's a good excuse to catch up with my twin, Talyllyn," said Skarloey. 

"It makes one feel Really Useful too," added Smudger. 

As they brought their passengers to Crovan's Gate, Mr Percival was there to greet them and was carrying a large book. 

"What is that, sir?" asked Skarloey. 

"It is, Skarloey, a very old book filled with photographs dating back at least a hundred years ago," explained Mr Percival. 

"Ooh, not far off from my own age," mused Skarloey. 

"Nor mine," added Rheneas who puffed in. 

"Oldies but goldies," said Peter Sam. 

"What is that old book for though, sir?" asked Duncan. 

"I'm donating it to the new Sodor Railway Museum," explained the Thin Controller. 

"And a rare find it is too," said Skarloey as he saw a picture of him back when he didn't have a cab. 

Meanwhile, Mr Fergus Duncan, the Small Controller was bringing out a picture he himself had painted many years ago when he began work on his Miniature Railway. It was a picture of his engines. 

"What do you think of this, Mike?" he asked. 

"It doesn't capture me very well at all," he grumbled, "even Bert looks happier. What's this about, sir?" 

(Bert and Rex can be seen passing by.) 

"It's for the Museum of Sodor Railways which is opening soon," said the Small Controller. 

The excitement only grew more and more as the days went on, and soon the big day came. 

But the only engine who didn't feel very excited was James. 

"I don't see what it's all about," he huffed, "we already have a museum and who wants to see a bunch of silly old things laying about untouched behind glass?" 

"You're just jealous that the passengers aren't admiring your paintwork that much lately," laughed Thomas. 

"Not to mention because Edward was chosen to take the Fat Controller to the opening," chuckled Percy. 

James huffed crossly. 

Soon, all the engines were gathering at the site of the new museum, which was built between Ulfstead and Vicarstown. 

(Jack and Alfie can be seen at the museum, and Gordon, Rebecca and Daisy can be seen bringing people to the opening. Old Bailey can be seen in one of Daisy's windows.)

Thomas was bringing passengers in Annie and Clarabel. 

"It's so exciting, isn't it, Clarabel?" remarked Annie. 

"Indeed it is, Annie, indeed!" replied Clarabel. 

"Haha, even you two are more excited than James," chuckled Thomas, "and he's even taking passengers instead of trucks." 

Thomas was right. James grumbled dreadfully. He thought that opening a museum to show off old things was a waste of time. But secretly, he wanted to have more attention from the many holidaymakers and wished something special was happening to him. 

Soon, everybody who was anybody was at the Grand Opening. 

"This is going to be a grand museum," said Willie the Farmer. 

"Indeed," replied Farmer McColl, "and I can't wait to see what the displays are like." 

The Fat Controller began the opening ceremony. 

"I have the great pleasure of introducing the man who made so much of this day possible! Ladies and gentlemen, Sir Robert Norramby!" 

Everybody cheered and whistled as the Earl took to the podium. 

"Ladies, gentlemen, engines and coaches," he declared, "I have every hope that the history of the Island of Sodor's Railways will eternally be etched into this very building! And I have equal high hopes that the Museum will be cherished and loved by everybody here, others from far away and future generations still to come!" 

This speech was received with a huge round of applause and a chorus of whistles and toots. 

"And with great pleasure, I declare the Museum of Sodor Railways open!" 

The applause and whistling became louder still. People flooded into the museum. 

All the engines waited patiently to take the visitors home. James still looked grumpy. 

But by the end of the day, something put a smile on James' face. 

"Look, Mummy, there's James!" 

It was Ray, the little boy who Thomas had helped through a difficult day near Christmas. 

"He's here, Mummy, just like on the cover of the book you bought me in the gift shop!" 

James and Thomas saw that Ray was holding a little book entitled 'James the Red Engine'. 

James was very flattered to see Ray so excited. 

"See, James?" said Thomas. "Museums are not a waste of time after all!" 

James smiled. He knew Thomas was right! 

(The End!)