Sodor Infected

A Magically Happy Ending

September 14th, 2003:

So, its been a whole month since we had to stay off the island for the government and the railway board to sort out the mess. Ever since then all people have been staying in hotels and the engines and vehicles are on display at the National Railway Museum in York. Some of the engines decided to take some goods and tourist trains around the railway to help out because some didn't want to stand around all the time. And some of the bigger engines and construction vehicles were tasked with getting on the railway and helping repair the damages, some of the mainland diesels helped too as they felt pretty bad for the sodor engines. I'm pretty shocked at that as for the longest time the other railways diesels hated the sodor engines, but now I guess was not the time for that.

The SKR and CFR engine were all ok after the military found then and other survivors in places like the steamworks, the elsbridge branch, Knapford yard, and other branch lines, so they would stay where they were and the people would be evacuated off the island and given hotels to stay in like us. Also Mr. Percival, Mr. Hugh, and Miss Jenny (who I completely forgot to mention) would also be given places to stay for the time being. Sir Topham, from what I heard is still grieving for the loss of some of his engines. He was talking to Mr. Percival at one point how this whole mess was his fault and that he didn't deserve to be controller anymore. Mr. Percival looked stern and told him that just because he wanted to improve the railway yet it didn't exactly go to plan doesn't mean it's his fault. Well, not entirely. But in the end, Sir Topham was just looking out for his beloved engines, and that is a true testament to being a great controller, Sir Topham felt much better after all that Mr. Percival told him, and even the engines contforted him.

September 15th, 2003:

After the island was clear of any harm, all of us were given permission to finally get back on Sodor and now we're all gathered at Knapford as per Tophams request, once everyone was there, we just stood and mourned for those we lost. Many tears were shed, and we just felt so horrible. The only good thing was that the facility was torn down as also per Tophams request, and all the dead bodies and engines were given a proper burial.

Suddenly, in front of us, we all heard an American steam whistle, then a bright light, lastly a familiar looking magenta engine with gold lining, IT WAS LADY THE MAGICAL ENGINE!

She said she had seen everything that had happened and came as per Mr. Conductors request, then the man himself appeared in front of her! Thomas was so happy to see the two again and so was Mr. C and Lady. Mr. Conductor said he and Lady can be able to bring Sodor back to its former glory with the help of their gold dust. And with that, Lady blew her whistle, and after a massive bright white light. There, in front of us, WAS ALL THE PEOPLE AND ENGINES THAT DIED, EVEN ARTHUR. Even all our wounds we're healed! Thomas even said he felt the inside of his boiler feeling new again, I checked from his water tanks and they were full of water and completely fixed! And I later on heard that the virus was under control! Everyone was alarmed at first but quickly cheered with joy at the fact our friends were back. We all thanked Lady and Mr. Conductor for their help and Thomas asked if we'll ever see them again, and Lady said, "Of course Thomas, we will."

January 12th, 2024

Man, it's been over 20 years since I've touched this journal, I'm surprised it's still in tact and readable. Anyway, let me tell you all about how life has been as of late. Thomas told me a few days ago he saw Lady, she had appeared in front of him and all his friends, she was checking on them and was pleased to see we were all still ok, I was happy to hear that Lady is still taking care of us. Anyway, first of all. Sir Bertam Topham Hatt past the mantle of being controller to his grandson, Stephen around the late 2000's, who is now known as Sir Stephen Topham Hatt. Secondly, the Island of Sodor is now a full fledged railway museum, for the past few years, steam and diesel engines big and small have made their home here on the railway and have great lives to live because of that, and Sir Stephen is more than welcome to have more engines live and work on the railway. And thirdly, Arthur sadly is still dealing with mental issues after what he had become, but thankfully he has been receiveing therapy and us doing much better. He is however a static display now at the National Railway Museum at York, but he is given the permission to visit Sodor whenever he likes. Oh yeah, remember Smudger? He's back on his wheels now thanks to Mr. Percival and now works on the SKR! He apologized to Duke for being a piece a scrap to him before and Duke accepted, Smudger had never had been happier. And lastly, Charlie, who saved us from beast Arthur, was rewarded with his own statue for his bravery, he whistles happily every day when he passes by it at Knapford. Also, the SKR and CFR engines are still doing ok as well as Mr. Percival, Mr. Hugh, and Miss Jenny. Along with the pack, George, Elizabeth, Caroline and Bertie, who decided to go into retirement because he felt his age catching up with him, which sort of saddened Thomas, but Bertie reassured him that he will still stay on the island. Oh yeah! The arlesdale miniature engines were ok this whole time! Surprised I completely forgot about them, but I was told by Douglas' driver who was collecting ballast today that they were in fact in the sheds the whole time the events were happening because of overhauls for them being carried out and the railway being closed because of it. But once they were let out they we're informed on what had happened they were in complete shock. But we're thankful to be safe all the same. Engines 1-11 are all doing well, same with all the others, who are still alive and well even to this very day in 2024. As for the crazy man, Lady soon found out from me that he was trouble, so rightfully kept him dead, once the authorities found his body, we told them he ended his life maybe because he was worried he would be caught eventually.

Also to this very day, I still can't understand how Lady was able to fix this mess. But I guess all she wanted was the engines to live their lives and that is a wonderful thing.

And that's pretty much it honestly, I'm in my mid to late 60's, contemplating retirement at some point. But I still have some years left in me as a sodor steam engine driver.

Whoops! I have to go, We're scheduled to take the express for Gordon who's taking a heavy goods train. I hope you all enjoyed my story, at least this one can have a "magically" happy ending.

Sincerely, Jason Braxbey.

The driver of the north western railways number 5, James the splendid red engine.