Changes in the Wind: Part I - Thomas and the Forgotten Ones

Chapter II: Theory

Puffing into the yards at Tidmouth, Douglas noticed the train of vans all lined up and ready to head out on their journey to the base. He glanced over to see Ava being shunted into another siding out of the way so that the Scottish engine could take the train in her stead, Douglas knew who was shunting Ava out of the way and gave a polite whistle to the big, black engine.

"Oh, hello Douglas," called the engine as the said engine halted next to him. The Scottish engine looked up at the big engine, he was midland built and looked quite similar to Henry's Black Five design, but the gap between his boiler and frames was bigger and running board and what was more noticeable was he had eight driving wheels, which was extremely rare to see on North Western rails; he probably was the only engine on Sodor to have a 2-8-0 configuration in these times. This engine was extremely powerful for goods work and was recognised by all engines who worked alongside him with his kind face and generous attitude.

"How are yae doing Petar?" asked Douglas.

Peter, the Stannier Tender Engine smiled down at the older engine. "I'm doing well thank you," he replied, "I'm guessing you're taking Ava's train."

"Aye," Douglas all but said, he then looked back to see Ava, who was looking down at her buffers, even with all the emotion that was rid of her she looked quite ashamed of herself. The Scottish engine's brow furrowed in suspicion. "How is the las?"

"Hmm? Oh, Ava," said Peter, looking back to the GWR tender engine himself, a little urgently than he should've, "to be honest with you Douglas, I don't really know. No one does! She just... shut off all of sudden, won't steam, won't move under her own power, nothing!"

"Peculiar," muttered Douglas, "she is an odd one ain't she."

"She wasn't like this before Douglas," Peter replied quickly, a stern look crossed his face as if the Caledonian had instead offended him. "She was so different before, but now... I don't know what's up with her."

Douglas said nothing more, he just glanced back at Ava once more, then puffed off to buffer up to the train. Peter didn't watch him, he only kept looking back at the GWR tender engine behind him, who was being inspected by a few workmen. They were trying to find what was going on with her, but still, nothing could be found. A minute later, Douglas was being coupled up to the train, it had two large brake vans at the front and back, it seems quite odd since a train like this seemed too small to have two brakes vans either end, let alone the size of them. There were only twelve vans anyways, Douglas decided not to bother with it, he hadn't gone up the line to Arlesburgh and thought it best to just ignore the train and just see what the line looked like. It sounded pretty nice from what railway staff had said to him.

Blowing his whistle, the Scottish engine moved slowly away, careful as to not bump the vans, this was requested from the workmen and he had to abide, or the consequences could be dire. Understanding this, Douglas agreed to be as smooth as possible and treat the vans like coaches. Finally looking at the other engine, Peter watched the Caledonian puffed away smoothly as possible. Just then, a familiar whistle was heard and Duck finally came into the yards to see the tail end of the train head off, exiting the yards to head up the Arlesburgh line.

He halted in the same spot Douglas did, right next to Peter and watched with the Stannier 8F until the train was out of sight. Worrisome, Duck looked back at Ava, much more kindly than Douglas did, Peter understood this since both Great Western engines had always chatted with each other about their old lives down in London. Until this miraculous, horrifying change to Ava's personality... and face.

"I'm hoping she's alright," said Duck at last to Peter, "but I know the answer, and it's not a good one, isn't it?"

Nothing was said afterwards, Peter couldn't bear to say the same thing he had said to Douglas to Duck. The Great Western engine was already worried about Douglas going to Sodor Research by the way he was looking on as the Scottish engine left, he did not want him to worry even more about others. Peter then pulled away, dragging Ava along with him back to the sheds so the workmen can check her over. Watching them go, Duck couldn't help but worry still, Douglas going to Sodor Research and Ava looked as bad as ever. But the Great Western engine knew that he couldn't worry about that since it would not help the matter, even if he did go to the Fat Controller about this, he probably couldn't do anything about it but try and reassure him.