Chapter 33: The Evening Star

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A large steam engine was heading to Sodor. The engine was a fine sight. She had 10 drive wheels, was BR Green, and she was a fine sight in deed. When she arrived at Tidmouth, the engines were impressed. 

"Hello," said the steamie, "I'm Evening Star

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"Hello," said the steamie, "I'm Evening Star." "Nice to meet you all," said Evening Star. "I see you've met the latest member of the Steam of Britain Fleet," said the Fat Controller. "She's the new member?" asked Steve. "I've been told that. Mainly because I'm the last steam engine being built by British Railways." "WHAT?!" exclaimed the engines. "Well, we all knew it was bound to happen sooner or later," said Bertram. "I know," said Evening Star, "I just wished I could've been built during the glory days of steam." "Now, Evening Star, I need you to help with holiday makers coming to Sodor. You'll work with Percy and Perry." "Yes sir! Where do they go to?" "The seaside." 

Evening Star backed down on her coaches and watched as Percy and Perry came up next to her.

The sun is shining, it's a lovely day,
It won't be long before we're on our way.
The guard is waiting, flag in hand,
He blows his whistle, we're off to sea and sand.

The engines then puff out, and whistle to the others passing by.

The sky is blue, there's not a cloud in sight,
So much excitement, didn't sleep all night.
Now Percy's rushing through the countryside,
With people waving as we (peep peep) whistle by.

The engines all pick up more passengers at each station

Seaside, we're off to the seaside,
Ice cream in cones, candy floss on your nose.
Seaside, we're off to the seaside,
We're gonna have a lovely day.

The engines all headed up Gordon's Hill together, and then headed down.

Just one more hill to climb and we'll be there,
Sounds of the seaside start to fill the air.
Then someone shouts out excitedly,
"Look over there, everybody, I can see the sea!"

The engines whistle to Bertram as he raced by with the Wild North Western.

Seaside, we're off to the seaside,
Buckets and spades, all the fairground arcades.
Seaside, we're off to the seaside,
We're gonna have a lovely day.

Thomas then sees the engines coming down the mainline, and they switched off at a junction to the sea.

And when it's cold in wintertime,
Still you can be there any time.
Just close your eyes, count 1-2-3,
Dream your dream and once again be by the sea.

The engines arrived at the station, and the Fat Controller climbs out.

Sir Topham Hatt arrives to greet the train,
He is so pleased that engine's right on time.
So much excitement, so much glee,
We're all together with Percy by the sea.

Everyone heads to the beach and get ready for the day.

Seaside, we're all at the seaside,
Building sandcastles, with buckets and spades.
Seaside, we're all at the seaside,
Oh, what a lovely, lovely, day.

Seaside, we're all at the seaside,
Picnics and paddling, swimming all day.
Seaside, we're all at the seaside,
Oh, what a lovely, lovely day

Thank you Percy for such a lovely day!

The engines watched, as the children laughed, and the people all interacted, and had fun with each other. Evening Star was then called off to help with goods. She backed down, and saw Henry. "Hello," she said, "I'm Evening Star." "Nice to meet you," said Henry, "I'm Henry. We've been in need of an extra pair of buffers since the summer began." James then came by grumbling, "Me having to pull dirty trucks from dirty sightings." "Oh, please don't complain about your paint again James," said Steve. "It's my paint, and I'll complain if I want." "I swear to the builders James, if you complain for ONE more second, then I'm going to shunt you so hard into a sighting, you'll need a whole new rebuild!" James then shut his mouth. Silvia then headed off with her goods. Marcus was nearby, and grumbling, "Why does Morgan get to pull coaches while I shunt in the yards?" "Hey, it's better than being shut up in the sheds like on the mainland," said Diesel 10, as he loaded crates in the trucks. 

Just then, John came rushing by with a commuter train. "Another Standard class?" asked Evening Star, "I thought I was the only one on this team." "Well, not every engine here is a relic of the past," said Mallard, as he backed down into a shed to rest for the time being, "There are also diesels." "Diesels!?" asked Evening Star. "Yes, but they're not boastful," said Diesel 10, "I should know, I've been preserved with them." Evening Star then said, "No, I don't trust diesels! They're the reason that my class and the other steam engines are now gone!!!" She then puffed off with a long train of goods. "Oh dear," said Henry, "I see there is some friction, like with James does at times." "Hey, I've learned to like them!!" "Yeah, Bear and Boco, but that's it." "I understand your feelings," said Mallard, "When Daniel came, he was a bit boastful, until he over heated, and I talked some sense into him. It was then, he was the reformed diesel that he is today." 

Evening Star went down the mainline, and she whistled to Thomas and Crovan. She loved the sights of Sodor. She then saw Bear, who gave a friendly honk.

 She then saw Bear, who gave a friendly honk

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Evening Star just wheeshed steam at him. "Dirty Diesels. It's because of them most of the steam is now gone." She was rude to Boco, Daisy, and Mavis as well. Evening Star was brought to the round house, and she looked at the diesels with distaste. "Evening Star!" said Flying Scotsman, "There is no reason to be rude to the diesels. They just want to be really useful like us!" "But they always boast about them being better!!" "Not always," said Barrow, "We are prone to break downs more often than you think." "So you're worse," said Evening Star. "THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY'RE SAYING AT ALL!!!!" said Edward. "ENOUGH!!!" boomed the Fat Controller, and the round house fell silent. "Now, it is true that I prefer steam over diesels, but that doesn't make them any less useful than you steam engines. I don't expect you to like some of them, but I do expect them to at least treat them with respect them. Do I make myself clear?" "Yes sir, sorry sir." "I don't think that it's me you should be apologizing to." 

The next day, Evening Star apologized to all the diesels, and then she went back to work. She even talked with the Steam of Britain Diesels, and got to know them very well. She now knows not to misjudge engines based on their origin. They are all the same, wanting to be really useful engines.

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