The Four Railway Engines

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***The Four Railway Engines*** is the first episode of *North Western*.

## Plot

Upon the creation of the North Western Railway, the chairman of the board of directors, Sir Charles Barnaby Hatt set about purchasing four engines to get the railway up and running. These were Thomas, a tank engine from the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway, Edward, a small tender engine form yet another southern railway, Henry, a larger tender engine prototype sold for a cheap price, and Gordon, a large express tender engine from the London Northern Eastern Railway.

As the four engines made their acquaintance, their personalities gradually became apparent. Gordon was pompous and saw himself as superior to the smaller engines and bragging about his importance as an express engine. The following morning however, he has handed a goods express rather than a passenger express, which Edward falls witness to while waiting at Tidmouth. When he later arrives at Wellsworth, the station informs him and his crew that Gordon has stalled on the hill and is requiring help. Edward leaves his coaches behind and heads to assist Gordon. Though reluctant to pull the train once Edward starts banking, Gordon pulls through at the top, but without thanking Edward. At Maron, Edward is cleared to return to Wellsworth.

At the sheds later that day, Thomas praises his effort and Sir Charles informs that he will be the first engine to be painted in the NWR's official livery. Once he learns about what Gordon has said about Edward, he also states he will have a word with him. Sometime later, Gordon returns to the sheds, where Thomas gives him a piece of his mind. Gordon then apologises to Edward for his earlier remarks. Henry also returns and reveals that he is to be put on freight duties for the time being.

The next few days, Edward and Henry took care of freight while Gordon pulled the express and Thomas shunted at the station, still longing to see more of the island, an opportunity which came later one day.

As Henry was leaving the station, he wasn't feeling well and was struggling to build steam. By the time he reached the tunnel before Ballahoo, he had to stop at a signal and worried if he could start up again. He did however, but when he entered the tunnel, he eventually came to a stop on the other end. Gordon laughed at him as he passed, all the while Thomas was dispatched to help him.

Gordon was later scheduled to take an express with Sir Charles and the board of directors on board, who were inspecting the engine's performance. Before leaving, Gordon asks Thomas to help push him as he starts. However, his issues would become worse as a he reached the Ballahoo tunnel, where Henry was waiting with a freight train. Gordon comes to a stop and the fireman explains that he has a melted fusible plug and cannot go any further. After Sir Charles expresses his disappointment to Gordon, Edward is called in to help Henry take on the express. Surprisingly he has brought Thomas with him, who helps Gordon to the works. Henry and Edward arrive at their location a few minutes ahead of schedule, to much praise from Sir Charles.

That night at the sheds, the engines make amends and officially acknowledge each others values and newfound friendship as they will continue to call the railway their home.

## Characters

* Thomas
* Edward
* Henry
* Gordon
* Sir Charles Hatt