The Cursed Railway Engine (TTTE Novel)

Part 1 - Chapter 4 "Reunion"

Sir Handel was grumbling again, as usual. The coaches had been giving him trouble and made him derail at Lakeside. He had to be brought back to Skarloey sheds to be mended.

"You girls know better than to act this way! You could have gotten someone hurt!" said Skarloey.

"Exactly, listen to Skarloey you coaches."

Duke then spoke up, "Don't think you get out of this clean Falcon, you still bumped them unnecessarily."

"Well they bumped me first! It was just pay back!"

"Payback still isn't a reason to bump your coaches Falcon."

"For the last time Granpuff, I'm not Falcon anymore. It's Sir Handel." Duke just ignored him. Rusty then passed the station and sheds, on his way with the maintenance train to the derailment site. Just then Rheneas puffed in with exciting news.

"Did you hear the news? The small railway rescued another Mid-Sodor engine! What did they say his name was...oh yeah, Stanley!" Duke had heard everything. He now remembered Stanley all too well. Duke wanted to forget about him, and he did, until now.

"Rheneas, where exactly is he going?" he asked.

"Here! Controller said he is going to help with the good work-"

"Oh no..."

"What is it?"

"Well, lets just say he's not the best engine..."

Just then they heard a whistle heading towards them. None of the engines had ever heard it before...exsept Duke. The engine then puffed in. He was American, Baldwin built, and painted red.

"Hello, Dukie!" he said, "Nice to see you again, how have you been?"

"Duke, do you know this engine?" asked Skarloey.

"Yes, all to well." he replied, "I used to work with him on the Mid-Sodor Railway"

"Indeed," said the engine "you did until I got turned into a generator and left for dead in a ballast mine."

"You could have been more careful on the rails, and none of that would have happened!" said Duke.

"Ah, well, it's all in the past now!" Stanley responded. "I'm here to be a really useful engine!"

Just then Duke was called to the platform to take his train. He was very thankful to leave. The guards whistle blew, and he got out of there as fast as he could. He was not looking forward to the next few days.