The Paradise Island was proud of it's engines. They worked hard, and all got along with each other.
Although, some were complaining. These were Gordon, Henry, James, Spencer, Scotsman, and Mallard.
"I don't understand why we had to be taken off the express," said Spencer, "We were doing just fine. The Silver Jubilee was a successful train! Yet now, we're relegated to...... Local trains, only."
"The passengers never once complained about our speed!" said Henry, "They were perfectly happy."
"I agree with that," said James, although he was just wanting to feel important by taking the express to London.
"I will admit," said Gordon, "it is nice to slow down and smell the roses, I do miss a good long run."
"I'm actually stuck on tourist trains," said Scotsman, "While there's nothing wrong with that, I miss taking real trains."
Oltan Hall then came up, and hissed steam, "Would you all stop being such babies and just get your work done!?!"
The engines sulkily headed to the station to collect their trains.
(Y/N) Awdry II had recently bought Pip and Emma the High Speed Diesels
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And the Blue Pullman Express
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to take the trains from Beach View to London, and Homestead to Scotland. The Paradise Express, Silver Jubilee, and other express trains were retired from service.
One day, Gordon was backing down onto his coaches.
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Suddenly, Pullman 2 and 3 came by, at full speed. Gordon was admittedly jealous to their speed. He set off with his local.
Later in the round house, the big engines were together, and each complained to each other.
"We should not be relegated to such work!" said Scotsman.
"Indeed," said James, "We are important, and shouldn't be going at such a snail's pace!"
"What would you know about high speeds?" asked Mallard, "You're only a goods engine!"
"I'm mixed traffic!" snapped James, "I can pull any train!"
"Would you please stop complaining!!" said Alfred, "Be thankful you even have passengers to take at all!!"
"Yes!" said Oltan Hall, "There's more to life than just Express trains!"
They all complained long into the night, except for Gordon. After so many years, he had learned to become more humble towards others.
The next morning, the engines were still complaining about the slower pace they were going at.
Gordon just went about his work, when he saw that not many people were at the platform.
(Y/N) just came out of her office, looking exhausted.
"What's the matter ma'am?" asked Gordon.
"It's the new express services we've had," she said, "Many people have actually gone all the way to London and Scotland instead of their destinations. Sadly, it's been affecting the railway a bit. I've had to refund tickets, and help get trains set up to bring them back home. And the people on the local have been late to their jobs and connections."
Just then, a tired out Bear came and slammed into the buffers, walking him up.
"Bear!" said (Y/N), "What happened?"
"Oh, sorry ma'am," said Bear, yawning, "It's just the others."
"What do you mean?" asked (Y/N).
Gordon and Bear then explained that the other engines had been complaining about the changes to the timetables.
"I see," said (Y/N), "Well, I think that settles it then."
"What do you mean?" asked Gordon.
"Gordon, how would you like to pull the Paradise Express again?"
Gordon was surprised.
"D...Do you mean it?" asked Gordon.
"Yes, and you'll make your usual stops so that people can get to their destinations on time. And we will also now go Harwich, now that British Railways has lessened the ban of steam on their railway."
Gordon was thrilled!
"Now, if you'll excuse me," said (Y/N), "I need to speak with the other engines!"
She spoke to the big engines that night.
"There is more to being a Really Useful Engine than just your speed!" said (Y/N), "Because of your constant complaining, you have kept all the other engines up at night! Bear nearly had an accident due to you keeping him up last night. Be thankful no one was injured when he bashed the buffers.
"And, as such, perhaps taking Slow Goods will knock some sense into you engines, and show that speed isn't everything. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes ma'am," said the engines.
Next morning, James was backing down onto his goods, when he saw Gordon arriving, and his coaches being put behind him.
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James was shocked!!
"I'll be rotating with Alfred, Richard, Boco, Bear and Oltan Hall," said Gordon, "We're taking the Paradise Express once more!"
"But why them!?!" demanded James.
"Well, they didn't complain about the timetables," said Gordon.
Gordon then blew his whistle, and took off.
To this day, Gordon and the other engines still take the Express, while Pip, Emma, and the Pullman Diesels take the separate services.
Now, if your wondering, James, Henry, Spencer, Mallard and Scotsman have been banned from the express trains. Seeing as the importance of it gets to their smoke boxes, they are kept on local and tourist trains. I feel that's for the best, don't you?
