North Western Origins

**North Western Origins** is the prequel Classic Series Adventures special.

## Plot

### Chapter 1: The Railway's Losses

It was just after the amalgamation of the Wellsworth & Suddery Railway and Tidmouth, Knapford and Elsbridge Light Railway. The engines are mourning over the loss of Maurice. It was the Railway Board's fault, not bothering to repair Maurice after his last accident. Billy is especially vocal about it, and the others try to get him to cool down. It also happened to be the arrival day of a new engine named Edward. Edward is a very shy young engine who isn't sure of his place on the island. Tasha takes him under her wing as they head to work on the Arlesburgh branch.

When on the branch, Edward meets a kindly old coach who he takes a liking to. He tells her about where he came from, and she explains about some positive changes. One such change is a power plant at Peel Godred, which is going to be serviced by a branch line.

Unfortunately, during a conversation with Duke. Edward learned that the Mid Sodor Railway wasn't holding up too well, and the power plant might be the beginning of the end for it. The old coach also reveals that Maurice had recently been lost. Edward's hope begins to dwindle.

Later that year, Billy was taking some trucks down the Peel Godred branch. He was envious that Mildred was tasked to take the passengers, but his driver gets him to shunt the trucks. Unfortunately, he shunts them too hard, and he lands in the mine. The mine starts to fall out from under him. Urgently, Mildred leaves Annie and Clarabel to rescue Billy. Unfortunately, Mildred is too late, and Billy falls down the mine shaft. She mournfully reports the news to the other engines, and they take this news very hard. Edward is especially hit by this due to him being so young.

One day, Edward awoke at Tidmouth sheds to find Tasha missing. He went out to try and find her. Unfortunately, Victoria and Helena haven't seen her. Even worse still, the Alresburgh branch had been shut down, the kind coach is nowhere to be found, and the Mid Sodor line is closed. Annie and Clarabel try to calm Edward down, but it's not much good. Edward also reports this to Rheneas and the old coaches down at Crovan's Gate. They have good faith that Duke, Falcon and Stuart ended up on a nice railway somewhere. It's also revealed that Proteus - the Skarloey Railway's No. 3 - and Falcon are brothers, and Edward hopes they'd meet one day.

Down on the Ffarquhar branch line, Leslie and Phyllis were taking their trains. Unfortunately, the duo unceremoniously crashed into one another. It was a serious one too, as both engines were badly damaged. Mildred was sent to fetch Judy and Jerome, and the duo assured her they'd be fine. Unfortunately, the railway board didn't see it that way, and voted to not mend the duo. Albert, Victoria and Helena were passing by Crocks Scrap Yard, and were devastated to see the duo rusting away. Albert and the coaches wanted to save them, but they admitted the Board outnumbered the engines. Poor Glynn was the last of the Coffee Pots, and the engines were in a serious state of mourning.

Bertram Topham Hatt and Mr. Dry knew the engines would need time to grieve, so opted not to get anymore engines for a while. Though it was a bit of a struggle, the engines kept their steam up for a while.

### Chapter 2: Deep Scars

More time had passed, and Bertram Topham Hatt and Mr. Dry tell the remaining engines that two new engines are coming to help with the motive power. Mildred, Glynn, Edward and Albert are shocked, given all the losses they've had in the past few years. However, the board had forced the duo's hands.

The two engines, 98462 and 87546 arrive on Sodor. Though Glynn and the tank engines try to greet them warmly, the two tender engines are very pompous and rude. Edward remained very timid however, and this just made him a primary target for bullying.

Edward later took out Annie and Clarabel, who assured him they had his back and Edward wouldn't be bullied with them around. They later see Rheneas, Agnes, Ruth, Lucy, Jemima and Beatrice, who sadly report Proteus' death. The eight of them are sombre for a moment, but 87546 breaks the sombre mood and wheeshes mud all over Edward. Rheneas and the old coaches get him to back off. Skarloey arrives, still not feeling his best, and is too shocked at 87546's and 98462's behaviours. Edward wishes Leslie and Phyliss were still around as he headed off.

Later, it's time for the express, but 87546 is told to go to the washdown, much to Albert, Helena and Victoria's amusement. In his place, 98462 takes the express.

Edward was just cleaned at the washdown, but 87546 decided to wheesh mud all over him again. Because of this, 87546 had to be cleaned to prevent another incident.

At the shed, Mildred, Glynn and Albert are told of the situation, and 87546 beats down on Edward once again. Though Albert shuts up 87546, Edward thinks he's a failure. Mildred managed to cheer him up by saying he is very gentle with Annie and Clarabel, and said that he can take them out tomorrow if Mr. Dry agreed.

The following day, 98462 was repainted and was boasting about it. The other engines try to get her to go back to sleep. When that doesn't work, Edward tries to bring up the time where Duke saved Falcon from falling off a cliff. This goes nowhere however, as 98462 and 87546 both go back to sleep.

When morning came, Edward had trouble starting again. 98462 and 87546 both mock him, but Albert tries to shut them up. He vents out to Victoria and Helena, and it's revealed the viaduct is under repairs.

Mildred had Judy and Jerome at the viaduct, and she had to dash off to Peel Godred to get a train to the engines there. Jacob Hockings runs a very tight ship. Mildred talks to Bertram while she's there, and she's very concerned for him, Freddie, Colin and two engines who lost their names due to cruelty at Peel Godred.

Edward meanwhile, was taking a local train with Annie and Clarabel, He's apologising perfusely, but the coaches assure him it's not his fault. 98462 begs to differ as she zips by, and Clarabel tries to warn her about the viaduct. Sensing something wrong, Edward rushes after 98462.

98462 had ignored Clarabel's warning, and rushed right through the viaduct. This was a huge mistake, as the viaduct begins to collapse. The workmen get clear thanks to Judy and Jerome's warning, but the two cranes are stuck. Thankfully, Edward heads onto the viaduct to rescue them. He's just in time as the viaduct collapses on the impact. The two cranes thank Edward and commend his bravery, but he admitted he didn't feel that way. Judy and Jerome then tell him that being brave isn't not being scared; it's what you do even if you *are* scared. Annie and Clarabel are also proud of Edward, but they worry about what would happen to train operations on the NWR for a while.

### Chapter 3: Sent Packing

Mr. Dry hears about the incident and sends bus shuttles between Maron and Cronk, and that Mildred, along with Aurdey, Hilary and Mark, will take over the passenger service from there. Edward also becomes acquainted with three buses: Bertie, Bertrand and Algy. Mildred and the old coaches are also shocked over the incident.

Mr. Dry hitches a ride with Bertie and told 98462 that she will be sent away as soon as the viaduct is repaired and a replacement is found. Despite 98462's protests, the decision is final. He also tells the other engines the schedule plans. While Edward, Mildred, Glynn and Albert are compliant with them, 87546 isn't so much.

Mildred is doing her best on the far side of the viaduct, but she does need help. This comes in the form of an engine from Germany, Marklin. She is more than willing to lend a buffer, and is shocked at the locomotive crisis the island is currently in. Both engines are hoping for things to turn around for the better.

Unfortunately though, Edward's shy steaming isn't helping his case, and 87546 still mocks him relentlessly. To make matters worse, the railway board are insistent they get rid of him, much to Mr. Dry's protest and Edward's distress. The young engine tells this to Annie and Clarabel, and they and the other engines all defend Edward from the various taunts and threats.

Some days go by, and 87546 has a goods train loaded by some lorries. One of them is Isobella, and she's anxious about her sister, Elizabeth, who she hasn't seen since Maurice was scrapped. They also comment about 98462 being sent away. This angers 87546 as he races off. Determined to prove he should be kept, he tries to put on a good performance and not be late. Unfortunately, the trucks get their own plan, and bump him on the incline.

87546 shocks Albert, Edward, Glynn and the coaches as he rockets past, and crashes right into the goods yard. Edward has Judy and Jerome to clean up the mess, and the two cranes both tell Mr. Dry about the engines bullying Edward. Mr. Dry said he found replacements for both 87546 and 98462, and both of them would be leaving as soon as the viaduct was mended.

Both rude engines left a few days later, but Marklin was told to remain on Sodor for a little longer. She started talking with Mildred about her confusion, when two unfamiliar green engines arrived. The apple green one is named Gordon, while the darker green one is Henry. Gordon says he's an LNER Class 'A0', while Henry admitted he wasn't given a classification or family. Marklin and Mildred assure him he has a family now, and Marklin escorts the two engines to Knapford. She also explains that slow orders are in place on the viaduct. Marklin once again expresses her concerns of her placement on the island, thinking something is wrong...

### Chapter 4: The Power of Three

Gordon and Henry arrived at Knapford, and though Mr. Dry is warm to them, Mr. Albert Regaby is anything but. Mr. Dry sends both engines to the shed for a quick rest and for an inspector to look them over. Marklin is also tasked to take Annie and Clarabel for the time being, much to her concern.

Gordon and Henry arrive at the sheds, and quickly find a distressed Edward there. He explains to the newcomers about how he was due to be withdrawn after the viaduct was fixed. Henry protests about this, and Mr. Hatt arrives just in time to tell Edward he is to be overhauled. Mr. Hatt decided now would be the best time to do it, because Mr. Regaby would find things very chaotic. Marklin became relieved to find out that she was being kept on.

Gordon and Henry are put to work, the former on the express and the latter on a goods run. At the Steamworks, Edward is put under "Green Water", so he doesn't feel anything.

As it's a long process, Gordon and Henry are able to make themselves feel at home with the Island's residents. Gordon talks to Skarloey about the latter's namesake, and the station that also bares his name. Mr. Regaby came in, hearing about strange activity at the Steamworks. Beatrice then makes up the fact that mad teenagers were playing with her emergency button. After more convincing, Mr. Regaby was finally able to back off. It's also revealed Mr. Percival was recently promoted to the Thin Controller, and Mr. Sam and Sir Handel Brown had left the island to pursue other work. Skarloey also reveals that Mr. Percival knows what Mr. Hatt is doing, and he approves. Gordon wonders what things would be like if Mr. Hatt was in charge.

Henry meanwhile was chatting to Mildred. Though Henry is a bit upset about the fact some directors haven't been very kind to him, Mildred assures that she and the others have his back. Just then, a woman comes out, thinking that Henry was Gordon. Her daughter, however, rightfully points out that Henry has darker paint than Gordon and lacks the LNER logo on his tender. Henry is very amused and impressed, but the girl's mother is very embarrassed.

The Henry and Gordon confusion carries on for a while, until Mr. Dry decides they'll be repainted into different colours. Gordon decides to try being blue, and Henry sticks with green, but in another shade.

The following day, Marklin is taking Annie and Clarabel again, and Mr. Dry reports that Edward is due out of the works that day. This excites the trio, and Mr. Dry tries to board the train. Unfortunately, he slips. Clarabel makes the decision for Marklin, Annie and her to go back. Suddenly, a whistle cut through the air, and it turned out to be Edward. Everyone is happy to see him, but he's shocked to see Mr. Dry hurt. He quickly gets Mr. Dry into his cab and sets off for the hospital.

When Edward gets to Wellsworth, he sees Albert, Helena and Victoria there. They are also happy to see him, and Mr. Dry tanks Edward and Mr. Hatt for their help. Mr. Dry also tells Mr. Hatt to be in charge while he's gone, and he agrees.

Henry, Gordon, Mildred and Glynn are also glad to see Edward, and are surprised when Mr. Hatt arrived. After explaining the situation, Mr. Hatt said he'll be in charge for a while. The engines are all very agreeable with that arrangement. He tells Henry and Gordon that they'll be repainted, but not at the same time as there's a motive power shortage. Marklin is also due to leave. While she's sad to go, she understands she's needed at home.

Henry went for his repaint, and Edward fetched Annie and Clarabel. He was ten minutes early. Gordon praises Edward for this, and Mr. Regaby doesn't realise until too late that Edward had been rebuilt. Mr. Hatt smugly smiles as Edward gives an innocent grin.

### Chapter 5: A New Era Begins

Henry returns to the shed repainted in a lighter green with a yellow number 3 and a red boarder on his tender. The other engines tell him about Mr. Regaby's stunned reaction to Edward being rebuilt, and he has a laugh. Albert also thinks Edward could potentially get a new branch line, to which he's a bit unsure about.

The following day, because Gordon was in for his repaint, Henry took the express. He was a bit nervous, but he went flying down the line. He really enjoyed it and ended up at Crovan's Gate. There, he saw Skarloey, the old coaches, and a figure on the platform. The figure is Barbara Jane; the daughter of Bertram Topham Hatt. Henry is very shocked by this. It's revealed she was the figure who mistook Henry for Gordon, and the little girl is her daughter Annabelle. Barbara also has a brother, Charles, who is married to a woman named Amanda, and has two children, Stephen and Bridget. Stephen is keen on the railways, and Bridget isn't as interested. Skarloey also hopes that Bridget doesn't take after her great-grandmother in terms of bad railway habits. At that moment, Annabelle and a man show up; the man having the same name as Henry the engine. This surprises Henry, even more so that the human Henry's last name is Regaby. Henry Regaby notes things aren't good with his father in charge of the railway. Annabelle explains that she was named after Annie and Clarabel, and her middle name comes from Edward - Edwina. The little family boards Lucy as she had made a compliment about Annabelle.

At the sheds, Edward speaks fondly of Annabelle to the other engines, as well as the Hatts and Regabys being in a feud. After some discussion about Shakespeer, Gordon arrives, now repainted blue with a number 4 on his tender. Everyone warmly welcomes him home, and Marklin is set to depart the following day. On top of that, a new engine had been ordered, and Mr. Hatt assumes Mr. Regaby did it behind his and Mr. Dry's backs.

After Marklin's given a fond farewell, the engines all fall into routine. The new engine, who is named James and is painted black, arrives. Edward sees that he is as shy and insecure about himself as he once was. Mr. Hatt assigns James to work with Edward for the time being, and they, Annie and Clarabel head off. Henry and Gordon wonder why two engines are assigned to such a small train, but admit it's better than if Edward and James were doubleheading a flatbed with a statue or something. Plus, Dexter points out that James was really nervous.

Out on the line, Edward and James see Glynn. James likes Glynn's red paint, and Glynn laments the losses of Phyllis, Leslie and Maurice. The engines all wonder how Henry Regaby turned out so different from his dad, and it's speculated that his mother might have had something to do with it. The railway now had seven engines at the shed once more, and it seemed the railway was flourishing.

Unfortunately, Mr. Hatt got a distressing call from Dowager Hatt that his father was dying, and he rushed off to see him. Edward, James and the coaches watched anxiously, but they knew to give Mr. Hatt his space. The engines all witness their griving stand-in controller, and give him respectful, yet sad glances.

With Mr. Hatt grieving and Mr. Dry recovering from his ankle, Mr. Regaby took control. He made plans to have Glynn withdrawn. Unfortunately for him, Edward listened in and quickly located the coffee pot. He snuck him onto an abandoned siding so Mr. Regaby couldn't find him. Edward hoped that someday, Glynn would be recovered and made useful once more. Edward reported the incident to James, and to make it look as if Glynn's been scrapped, James would have to cover for him until Mr. Dry and Mr. Hatt - now Sir Topham Hatt, returned.

Both men came back on the same day, and Sir Topham Hatt is in shock to find Glynn gone. James admitted he never wanted this, and Sir Topham Hatt assures him that James isn't to blame. With so many engines gone or missing, it was decided that more engines would be loaned to help.

Gordon and Henry were at Knapford some days later, where they found five engines: Julie, Katie, Lauren, Nicole and Johnson. Katie and Johnson are assigned to the Wellsworth branch, Lauren and Nicole to the Ffarqhuar branch, and Julie to the shunting yards.

The railway is more stable, but Mr. Dry feels like he can't run things anymore. So many engines slipped through the cracks, and he realised just how much of a pushover he was. He suggests that Sir Topham Hatt take the mantle of being the controller. Though a bit nervous, Sir Topham Hatt agrees. Mildred and Albert are also purchased privately by Mr. Dry for a factory where Samson and Neil are working.

The Midland quintet are all chatting about their new careers. Lauren, Katie and Nicole have taken to things well, Johnson wishes he was on the mainline, and Julie enjoys shunting a lot. Gordon is very confused by this last quip, and James is nervous about the trucks. Just then, Mr. Dry announces his retirement, and that Sir Topham Hatt is now in charge. The controller switchover is well revered, and Mildred and Albert will be working the Kirk Ronan line until they can join Neil and Samson later.

Down on the Kirk Ronan line, Albert realises that Helena and Victoria could be in danger of withdrawal by the railway board. After a discussion with James, Albert decided to shunt Helena and Victoria to an old shed until someone could find and them and make them useful once more. Albert bids his two coaches a fond farewell, and they do likewise.

The story ends with Edward realising that things will change, and that he is a Sudrian through and through. He and all his friends will be ready to tackle those changes together, and a new era had begun on the island...

### Epilogue

Annabelle came into the office with her mother, and scolded Albert Regaby for him bricking up Henry in the tunnel. Barbara also points out Edward's distress, Annabelle points out Glynn's withdrawal while Sir Topham Hatt was grieving over his father. Sir Topham Hatt, upon seeing his granddaughter stand up to Albert Regaby, fires him from the railway board. Henry Regaby, Barbara and Annabelle then decided to take a family vacation up to East Angelia, where a little tram and his coach apparently worked. Sir Topham Hatt decides to look into that, after he fires people from the Railway Board.

## Characters

* Edward
* Henry
* Gordon
* James
* Toby (mentioned; unnamed)
* Julie
* Johnson
* Lauren
* Katie
* Nicole
* Maurice (Mentioned)
* Phyllis
* Leslie
* Albert
* Billy
* Mildred
* Doris (98462)
* Herbert (87546)
* Marklin
* Skarloey
* Rheneas
* Duke (Mentioned)
* Bertram
* Freddie (Mentioned)
* Colin (Mentioned)
* Falcon/No. 3 (Mentioned)
* Stuart/No. 4 (Mentioned)
* Proteus (Mentioned)
* Annie and Clarabel
* Henrietta (mentioned; unnamed)
* Agnes, Ruth, Lucy, Jemima and Beatrice
* Sean, Mick, Harry and Dexter
* Audrey, Hilary and Mark
* Old Slow Coach/Gladys (Unnamed)
* Victoria and Helena
* Judy and Jerome
* Bertie
* Algy
* Bertrand
* Isobella
* Sir Bertram Topham Hatt
* Mr. Dry
* Albert Regaby
* Barbara Regaby
* Henry Regaby
* Annabelle Regaby
* Charles Topham Hatt (Mentioned)
* Amanda Hatt (Mentioned)
* Stephen Hatt (Mentioned)
* Bridget Hatt (Mentioned)
* Dowager Hatt (Mentioned)
* Sir Percival Topham Hatt (Mentioned)
* Mr. Peregrine Percival (Mentioned)
* Mr. Peter Sam (Mentioned)
* Sir Handel Lloyd Brown (Mentioned)

## Voice cast

### Official Cast

* Keith Wickham as Edward, Henry, Gordon, Glynn, Skarloey, Bertie and Sir Bertram Topham Hatt
* Rob Rackstraw as James
* Ben Small as Rheneas
* Teresa Gallagher as Annie, Clarabel and Judy
* Mark Moraghan as Dexter
* Tim Whitnall as Jerome

### Fan Chosen Cast

* Kath Soucie as Leslie and Phyllis
* Kazumi Evans as Mildred
* Daniel Radcliffe as Albert
* Steven Kynman as Billy
* Claire Corlett as Julie
* Lewis MacLeod as Johnson
* Linda Cardellini as Lauren
* Kristen Schaal as Katie
* Rachael Miller as Nicole
* Nika Futterman as Doris
* James Arnold Taylor as Herbert
* Tabitha St. Germain as Marklin
* Lara Jill Miller as Audrey
* Wendy Patterson as Hilary
* Will Harrison-Wallace as Mark
* Ian Hart as Sean
* Thomas Sangster as Mick
* Sam Bell as Harry
* Catherine Disher as Victoria
* Linda Kash as Helena
* Fred Tatasciore as Bertram
* Madison Pettis as Agnes
* Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Ruth
* Bailey Gambertoglio as Lucy
* Eden Riegel as Jemima
* Sarah Hyland as Beatrice
* Su Douglas as Gladys/Old Slow Coach
* Kevin Frank as Algy
* Rob Rackstraw as Bertrand
* Grey Griffin as Isobella
* Jim Broadbent as Albert Regaby
* Hayley Atwell as Barbara Regaby (Nee Hatt)
* Ewan McGregor as Colonel Henry Regaby
* Hugh Bonneville as Mr. Dry
* Bonnie Wright as Annabelle Regaby

## Trivia

* In Chapter 3, elements of *The Trouble with Mud* and the TV version of *Bulldog* were used.
* Elements of *Edward's Day Out* were used, but with changes:
	+ Only 98462 and 87546 torment Edward. Gordon and Henry do see Edward in the shed, but they stand in his defence instead.
	+ The unnamed red engine is dropped entirely.
	+ Edward is rebuilt after Sir Topham Hatt - then Bertram Hatt - pulled some strings. We don’t know when exactly Edward is rebuilt in the book.
	+ Sidney and Charlie may have very well been Edward’s crew, but they seem to have been with him the whole time. In the books, the driver and fireman take pity on him and take him out.
* Chapter 5's working title was "Heere's... James'", but as James didn't play as much of a prominent role as Tobyandmavisforever and Railfanbronymedia thought, the title was dropped.
* This was initially going to be a one-shot on Edward's early days on Sodor, but it turned into a whole special on the NWR rising from the ashes of the defunct standard gauge railways instead.

## Links

* FanFiction.net
* Chapter 1 on DeviantArt
* Chapter 2 on DeviantArt
* Chapter 3 on DeviantArt
* Chapter 4 on DeviantArt
* Chapter 5 on DeviantArt