Chapter Text
As Gabby continued her journey back from the aluminum works, she found herself nearing Kirk Machan, a small station nestled near the base of the Culdee Fell Mountain Railway. The run had been long, and Gabby could feel herself growing thirsty after all the hard work hauling the heavy loads of bauxite. She spotted the water tower just ahead and decided it was time to stop and take on water before heading back to the mine.
Gabby smoothly rolled into the siding by the water tower, bringing Ironclad and Shield to a gentle halt behind her. The station was quiet, with only a few workers milling about, and the towering peak of Culdee Fell loomed in the distance. Gabby could see the tracks of the mountain railway winding their way up the steep incline toward the summit.
As she began to take on water, a curious sight caught her eye. A unique engine, smaller than the standard-gauge ones, was slowly descending from the mountain on the narrow-gauge line. His design was unlike any of the engines Gabby had seen on Sodor so far—his wheels were equipped with special cogwheels to grip the steep gradient of the mountain railway. The engine had a handsome purple coat of paint, and as he drew closer, Gabby noticed his kind, thoughtful expression.
It was **Culdee**, the engine who worked on the Culdee Fell Mountain Railway.
“Hello there!” Culdee called out cheerfully as he slowed to a stop near Gabby. “You must be the new engine everyone’s been talking about. My name’s Culdee—welcome to Sodor!”
Gabby smiled, grateful for the warm greeting. “Thanks, Culdee. I’m Gabby. It’s great to meet you.”
Culdee looked her over, admiring the rugged camouflage paint that Gabby wore with pride. “Quite the paint job you’ve got there,” he remarked with a smile. “You must have an interesting history. Most of the engines here have a simpler look, but you stand out in a good way.”
Gabby chuckled softly. “Yeah, I’ve been through some tough times, but it’s all part of what makes me who I am. I’ve done a lot of hard work, and now I’m here to help with the new bauxite mine.”
Culdee’s eyes widened with interest. “Bauxite, you say? I’ve heard about the new mine. That’s important work you’re doing, Gabby. The aluminum that comes from that ore will be vital to all sorts of industries on Sodor.”
Gabby nodded in agreement as the water tank finished filling her boiler. “It’s been a busy job so far, but I’m used to the heavy loads. The scenery here helps, too—your line must have some incredible views.”
Culdee’s expression softened with pride. “Oh, it does. The climb up Culdee Fell offers some of the best views on the island. The mountain railway is challenging, but it’s rewarding work. Seeing the world from so high up—it’s breathtaking.”
Gabby glanced up at the towering peak, imagining what it must be like to work on such a line. The steep gradients, the narrow curves—it was a far cry from the flat, industrial lines she’d grown accustomed to. “It must be difficult, though,” she said thoughtfully. “I’ve never worked on anything quite like that.”
Culdee smiled. “It can be. The mountain railway’s not for every engine—it takes a special kind of strength and focus. But I love it. Every trip up the mountain is different, and it keeps me on my toes.”
Gabby admired the pride Culdee took in his work. Though their jobs were different, there was a shared understanding between them—the knowledge that both of them were part of something bigger, contributing to the island in their own unique ways.
“Well,” Gabby said, her whistle sounding lightly as she prepared to move on, “it was great meeting you, Culdee. Maybe one day I’ll take a ride up your line and see those views for myself.”
Culdee’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. “You’d be welcome anytime, Gabby. And if you ever need a break from hauling those heavy loads, you can always visit us up on the mountain.”
With a final exchange of friendly whistles, Gabby rolled forward, feeling refreshed after her stop at Kirk Machan. Ironclad and Shield followed her as they resumed their journey, the line to Harwick waiting for them ahead. Meeting Culdee had been an unexpected but pleasant encounter, and it reminded Gabby just how diverse and interesting the engines on Sodor were.
As she moved along, the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting a warm, golden light across the fields and hills. Gabby felt a deep sense of satisfaction—another successful day on Sodor, another job well done. With every mile she traveled, she grew more at ease with her new surroundings and more confident in her place on the island.
Gabby’s wheels clicked steadily along the rails as she neared the mine once again, ready to take on the next load and prove, once more, that she was a vital part of the team.
As the day grew longer and the sun began to dip behind the horizon, Gabby made her way back toward Tidmouth. The rhythmic sound of her wheels on the tracks was soothing, a comforting reminder of the productive day she’d had hauling bauxite to the aluminum works. Ironclad and Shield were quiet behind her, having settled into a peaceful silence after the long day of work.
As Gabby approached the Tidmouth Yard, she noticed some commotion up ahead. There, near the sidings, was **Percy**—the little green engine was struggling with a troublesome string of trucks. The trucks were acting up, as they often did, banging into one another, causing Percy to lurch forward and back in an unsteady rhythm.
"Come on, you silly trucks!" Percy puffed in frustration, trying his best to keep control, but it was clear he was having a tough time. The trucks were jeering at him, their mischievous faces grinning as they bucked and swayed.
Gabby slowed to a halt, watching for a moment as Percy tried to regain control. She could see that he was flustered, and she couldn’t help but feel a little sympathy for him. Trucks could be notoriously difficult, especially for smaller engines like Percy, and she remembered hearing tales from the other engines about how much trouble they could cause.
Finally, Percy managed to bring the unruly trucks to a stop, though it was clear he was still agitated. When he looked up and saw Gabby, his expression brightened slightly, though there was still a hint of frustration in his eyes.
“Oh, hello, Gabby,” Percy called out, a little embarrassed. “I didn’t see you there. These trucks have been giving me a real hard time all day.”
Gabby rolled forward a little closer, offering a sympathetic smile. “I could see that. Those trucks can be a real pain sometimes. Need any help?”
Percy sighed, clearly relieved to have someone else around. “I think I’ve got it under control… for now. But they’ve been so difficult lately. They keep bumping me and pushing me around.”
The little green engine hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Gabby with a curious expression. “Did you ever have trouble with trucks, you know, during the war? I bet they must’ve been even worse back then.”
Gabby smiled softly, remembering the countless times she had hauled supplies and munitions during the war. Trucks had been a part of that work, but they had never caused her the kind of trouble Percy seemed to be experiencing now.
“No, not really,” Gabby replied with a slight chuckle. “The trucks back then didn’t dare act up around me. We didn’t have time for their tricks during the war—there was too much at stake. If a truck tried to misbehave, it got sorted out real quick.”
Percy’s eyes widened, a mix of awe and admiration in his expression. “Wow! You must’ve been really tough on them.”
Gabby nodded, her tone serious but kind. “You had to be. There was no room for nonsense when lives were on the line. The trucks knew that, and they didn’t mess with me or the other engines. We had to get supplies where they needed to go, no matter what.”
Percy looked thoughtful for a moment, as if imagining what it must have been like for Gabby during the war. Then he gave a little smile, his frustration from earlier starting to melt away. “I guess these trucks don’t take things as seriously here on Sodor,” he said with a chuckle. “They just like to cause trouble whenever they can.”
Gabby laughed softly. “Yeah, it seems that way. But don’t let them get to you, Percy. You’re stronger than you think, and you can handle them. Just stay firm, and they’ll fall in line eventually.”
Percy smiled gratefully, feeling a little more confident now with Gabby’s encouragement. “Thanks, Gabby. I’ll try to remember that.”
Gabby gave a friendly toot of her whistle. “Anytime. And if they give you too much trouble, just let me know. I’ve got plenty of experience keeping troublesome trucks in check.”
With that, Percy seemed more at ease, and Gabby watched as he carefully started to move the trucks again, this time with a bit more control. As she continued on toward Tidmouth Sheds, she felt a sense of satisfaction in having helped Percy out, even if just by offering a few kind words.
The day had been long, but it had been a good one. Gabby was settling into her role on Sodor, and with every interaction—with Culdee, with the twins, and now with Percy—she felt more and more like she was becoming part of the island’s team of engines. As she rolled into the sheds for the night, Ironclad and Shield tucked safely behind her, Gabby felt a quiet sense of pride. She had come to Sodor to work hard and prove herself, and so far, she was doing just that.
Gabby decided to retire for the day and made her way to her berth in the sheds almost falling asleep before her buffers it the back.
The following morning was bright as the sun filtered into Tidmouth Sheds. Gabby, who was freshly oiled and polished, rolled out for her day’s work. The gentle hum of the sea breeze and the soft clatter of shunting cars filled the air. Everything seemed peaceful, but Gabby felt a sense of anticipation growing in her boiler.
As Gabby waited by the station, she saw Thomas bustling around the yard with his usual cheer with his two coaches. Gordon was nearby, puffing out prideful clouds of steam ready to pull the express, while Percy moved trucks with a determined look. However, none of them knew what was coming, and Gabby couldn't help but smirk to herself.
She perked up as the faint, rhythmic chuff of an approaching engine reached her. Soon, a massive, powerful engine appeared around the bend, its tender brimming with coal and its imposing 2-10-2 wheel configuration taking up most of the track. Gabby’s smile grew as she recognized the heavyset, dark-green engine immediately.
“Sergeant Major Valkyrie!” Gabby called out with a cheerful toot of her whistle.
The big engine let out a deep, booming whistle that echoed through the station as she slowed to a halt beside Gabby. Her body gleamed, her military insignias still proudly displayed. She had a commanding presence, the sort of engine that would demand respect wherever she went.
“Gabby! Been a while, hasn't it?” Valkyrie’s voice was as deep and strong as her build, but there was a warmth to it that showed she was genuinely happy to see her old friend. “I see you’ve settled in on this island. Quite a cozy place.”
“It's home now,” Gabby responded, beaming. “But what about you? Still pulling your weight, I see.”
“Of course,” Valkyrie rumbled. “You know me—there’s no job too big for me to handle.”
But before they could catch up further, Gabby’s attention was drawn to the flatbed behind Valkyrie. Resting atop it was a small but feisty-looking narrow gauge engine—a compact, battle-worn 0-4-0 tank engine. Her paint had been touched up, but the scars of war were still faintly visible on her frame. She had a determined look on her face, a contrast to her small stature.
“Private Blitz!” Gabby called out with excitement, rolling closer to the flatbed. “It’s been ages! What are you doing here on Sodor?”
Blitz’s eyes sparkled as she smiled. “Well, I’m here for a new assignment. I’m going to work on the Skarloey Railway! They need a reliable narrow-gauge engine to help with their runs, and I figured, why not? Besides, I heard you were stationed here, so I thought it’d be nice to catch up!”
Gabby chuckled. “That sounds like you, Blitz. Always eager for a new mission.”
As Gabby, Valkyrie, and Blitz exchanged fond words, the other Sodor engines gathered around, curious. Thomas and Percy eyed Valkyrie’s massive frame with wide eyes, while Gordon, James, and Henry rolled up, unimpressed but intrigued by the commotion.
“Who are these two?” Gordon asked, his deep voice brimming with skepticism. “More engines from the mainland?”
“Looks like they’ve seen better days,” James added, his usual smugness on full display. “That small one doesn’t look like much at all.”
Blitz, despite being on the flatbed, shot James a sharp look. “I may be small, but I’ve seen more action than you could dream of, Red.” Her voice was sharp and quick, just like her engine.
Gabby gave a playful toot. “Blitz here fought on the front lines during the war—hauling ammo, rescuing stranded soldiers, even pulling out engines from wrecked tracks under fire. And Valkyrie… well, she’s a force of nature, aren’t you, Sergeant Major?”
Valkyrie smirked, her deep voice rumbling like distant thunder. “I’d like to see any of you handle a 1,000-ton train through enemy territory under blackout conditions. Just saying.”
The Sodor engines exchanged glances. Gordon tried to keep his composure, but even he was quietly impressed by Valkyrie’s imposing size and Gabby’s unwavering confidence.
Just then, the Fat Controller arrived on the scene, his footsteps brisk as he approached. “Ah, I see our new arrival has made it. Welcome, Blitz, Valkyrie. We’re thrilled to have you here on Sodor.”
Blitz’s narrow-gauge wheels rattled excitedly on her flatbed. “Thanks, sir! I’m looking forward to helping out on the Skarloey line.”
“And Valkyrie,” the Fat Controller continued, “you’re welcome to stay for as long as you like while Blitz gets settled. I imagine the two of you have plenty of stories to share with Gabby.”
Valkyrie gave a slow, respectful nod. “Thank you, sir. I’ll make sure Blitz is properly deployed on her new line.”
As the Fat Controller turned to leave, Valkyrie and Gabby exchanged knowing glances, recalling the countless times they’d received orders like that in the past. They both chuckled.
“You know, Gabby,” Valkyrie said, “this place has a good feel to it. It’s peaceful. I can see why you’ve stayed.”
Gabby smiled softly. “It’s a lot different from what we’re used to, but yeah, it’s home.”
As they prepared to head off, Valkyrie carefully maneuvered Blitz’s flatbed, and Gabby led the way toward the transfer point for the narrow-gauge engines. The Sodor engines watched them go, still processing the fact that Gabby had been part of something so intense, something beyond their usual world of pulling trucks and coaches.
Percy, rolling alongside Thomas, muttered in awe, “Wow, I never knew Gabby had friends like that.”
Thomas smiled. “I guess there’s a lot more to Gabby than we thought. Maybe one day we’ll hear more about what they went through together.”
As Gabby, Valkyrie, and Blitz disappeared into the distance, the Sodor engines were left with a new respect for their quiet, camouflaged companion, knowing that beneath her calm exterior was an engine who had faced challenges they couldn’t begin to imagine.
As the day wore on, Gabby, Valkyrie, and Blitz made their way toward the narrow-gauge transfer station where Blitz would be unloaded. The camaraderie between the three engines was palpable, their whistles filled with the warmth of old friends reunited after so much time.
At the transfer station, workers carefully unloaded Blitz onto the Skarloey Railway tracks. She tooted her whistle excitedly as her narrow-gauge wheels touched the rails.
“This place looks cozy!” Blitz chirped, her small frame buzzing with enthusiasm. “I can’t wait to get started!”
“Take care out there, Blitz,” Valkyrie called. “And if any of those mountain tracks give you trouble, you know where to find me.”
Blitz grinned. “Don’t worry, Valkyrie, I’ve handled worse.”
Gabby chuckled as Blitz set off to explore her new line. But as the two standard-gauge engines watched her go, a familiar figure approached from behind: the **Fat Controller** once again.
“Valkyrie,” he said, standing tall at the platform, “I’ve been thinking about your arrival, and I believe I have a proposal that might interest you.”
Valkyrie raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What do you have in mind, sir?”
“Well,” the Fat Controller began, “we’ve recently expanded operations at the **bauxite mine**, and while Gabby has done an excellent job, the mine’s output is increasing at a rapid pace. It’s become clear that we’ll need more than one engine on that line to keep up with the demand.”
Gabby glanced at Valkyrie, already guessing what was coming next.
The Fat Controller continued, “If you’re willing, Valkyrie, I’d like you to stay here on Sodor and assist Gabby. You’d become the second engine assigned to the **bauxite line**, helping to transport loads to the **aluminum works in Peel Godred**. It’s a challenging job, but from what I’ve heard, I believe you’re more than capable.”
Valkyrie looked taken aback for a moment. After years of wandering from one job to the next, the idea of settling down, even temporarily, was new to her. But as she glanced at Gabby, who was grinning from buffer to buffer, she couldn’t help but feel a tug of excitement.
Gabby spoke up, “What do you say, Valkyrie? We could use a little of that old teamwork again. It’ll be like the old days… but with fewer bombs and more trucks.”
Valkyrie let out a low chuckle, her heavy steam hissing in the cool air. “You’re on, Gabby. Sounds like just the challenge I’ve been looking for.”
The Fat Controller smiled warmly. “Excellent! I’ll arrange for your work schedule to begin tomorrow morning. You’ll be a tremendous help, Valkyrie, and I’m sure Sodor will benefit greatly from your strength and experience.”
As the Fat Controller departed, Valkyrie turned to Gabby with a glint in her eye. “So, show me the ropes. What’s this bauxite line all about?”
Gabby beamed. “You’ll love it. The run takes us through some of the most scenic parts of the island, and the aluminum works in Peel Godred is quite the place. The trucks can be a handful, but nothing we can’t handle. Between the two of us, that mine won’t know what hit it.”
They began their journey toward the mine, Valkyrie’s imposing frame rumbling down the tracks beside Gabby. As they passed through scenic hills and along cliffside tracks, Valkyrie took in the beautiful landscape of Sodor—a stark contrast to the grim, war-torn environments she had once worked in.
“This place is peaceful,” Valkyrie said, almost to herself. “I think I could get used to this.”
Gabby nodded. “It’s why I stayed. After everything we went through, I needed a place like this.”
As they neared the mine, the sight of the towering mounds of ore, the bustling workers, and the rows of waiting trucks greeted them. Valkyrie could already feel the weight of the bauxite-heavy trucks they would be hauling, and it brought a familiar thrill to her pistons.
Gabby pulled to a stop. “This is it. The bauxite mine.”
Valkyrie gazed at the bustling operation and smirked. “Looks like home already.”
The two engines were soon coupled to long lines of trucks filled with the reddish ore. As they started their heavy climb back toward the works, Valkyrie felt the familiar strain of the load behind her, but it didn’t faze her one bit. This was what she was built for.
“So, how does it feel being back in action?” Gabby asked as they puffed side by side, their engines working in harmony.
“Feels good,” Valkyrie responded, her voice steady. “Reminds me of the old days, but there’s something better about this. No war, no chaos. Just honest, hard work.”
Gabby smiled. “It’s peaceful, isn’t it? I think you’ll like it here, Valkyrie. And don’t worry, we’ve got each other’s backs, like always.”
The two engines pressed on, hauling their heavy loads through the rugged terrain, their military precision and teamwork shining through. As they approached the aluminum works, Gabby glanced over at Valkyrie.
“Welcome to Sodor, old friend.”
Valkyrie let out a deep, satisfied whistle. “It’s good to be here.”
With the day drawing to a close and their trucks successfully delivered, Gabby and Valkyrie made their way back toward **Tidmouth Sheds**, the sunset casting a warm glow over the island. For the first time in a long while, Valkyrie felt a sense of belonging, knowing she was in a place where her strength and experience were not only needed but appreciated.
As they rolled into the sheds for the night, the other engines, including Gordon, James, and Henry, watched them with a newfound respect. They might have been skeptical at first, but after seeing Valkyrie in action, there was no doubt that she and Gabby were forces to be reckoned with.
As the night settled in and the engines began to rest, Gabby and Valkyrie sat side by side in the sheds, content.
“It’s going to be good having you around,” Gabby said quietly.
Valkyrie gave a soft whistle in agreement. “It’s good to be back with you, Gabby. Just like old times.”
And with that, the two engines, forged in the fires of war, now found peace and purpose on the Island of Sodor, ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.