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spaceboid · 5 months

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Dear friends, Rudolph is an engine that adores the holidays and has an express of her very own. — Though some may not see it as such, she ensures to prove it to be of the same caliber once a thick fog rolls in on Sodor. Will she be able to make a Christmas miracle happen? Find out in this festive tale. — The Author

Santa’s Express

Written by SpaceBoid

It was winter on the Island of Sodor, the Christmas holidays were quickly approaching and the island air was filled with excitement for the festive cheer. This was even more apparent with the arrival of Rudolph.

She was a small tank engine that was of similar size to Percy who would often come to Sodor to lend a helping buffer during the holiday season. She had gained her name due to the cold weather often causing her nose to be red matching her paintwork.

But, one winter, her name gained much more of a deeper meaning.

The Fat Controller awaited on the platform, checking his pocket-watch when a cheery ‘peep pip peep!’ greeted him.

“Ah, Rudolph. I am delighted to see you once more.” The Fat Controller smiled.

“Always happy to help during the holidays, Sir!” Rudolph beamed. “Santa’s Express has to be taken by someone after-all!” She snickered.

The Fat Controller laughed. “Indeed it does, the coaches are waiting at the platform for you, Rudolph. Be quick now!” He instructed.

And with that, Rudolph puffed to find her ‘express’.

***

The ‘Santa’s Express’ is a special train that Rudolph has the honor of pulling every year. It’s a line of coaches adorned with Christmas lights on the outside and filled with tinsel on the inside.

The passengers find it to be a delight, with many boarding the festive train to hear the songs of carol singers and even the likes of Santa himself making the off-hand appearance.

Though, not every engine saw its name to be of the same caliber as other express trains.

Gordon made this very apparent. “Hm.” He huffed. “Do they really give the title of ‘express’ out to any train these days? — Nothing more than a shallow imitation of what a real express is!” He snorted.

Rudolph rolled her eyes. “Oh, there’s no need to be such a Scrooge, Gordon!”

Gordon was shocked! “A Scrooge? How dare you—” But before he could even finish, the guard’s whistle blew and Rudolph puffed away cheekily. “Goodbye Gordon! Haven’t time to wait around all day!”

Rudolph was soon busy picking up passengers and singing carols as she flew down the line. The word of Santa’s Express quickly spread and more and more passengers boarded the train.

“Real express? This is better than some regular express!” She thought to herself. “Nothing could ruin this!”

***

That night at the sheds, Gordon was still grumbling to himself. “I do say, it’s quite an honor to be pulling a train with such a high status.” He spoke to nobody in particular.

“The express.” He continued. “It’s what some would call an honor to haul. Makes you feel like a really useful engine.” He finished.

Thomas perked up. “Is that why Rudolph here has her own express, Gordon?” He teased, with the other engines snickering quietly.

“Her own?!” Gordon spluttered. “That measly rake of branchline coaches covered in those tacky fairy-lights is nothing more than a shallow imitation of the real thing! — It will never have the prestige of my express.”

Rudolph looked down at her buffers, feeling as though her festive spirit was being drained with every word that slipped out of Gordon’s mouth.

Thomas glanced over and whispered. “Don’t you mind him, he doesn’t know what he’s on about, I think your Santa Express is lovely.” He smiled.

Though a small smile came to Rudolph’s face, she couldn’t help but have her thoughts linger on what Gordon had said.

***

Things only worsened that night, as the wind picked up. A blistering snowstorm had rolled in, covering the railway in a thick blanket of snow. The engines troubles were only just beginning.

Due to the snowstorm, fog had graced the island. With the engines requiring their snowplows paired with lamps, it made pulling their trains and navigating the rails a difficult task.

Out of all the engines, Rudolph found it to be a wonderful sight. “It’s a white Christmas!” She exclaimed with delight.

Gordon soon extinguished Rudolph’s excitement. “Try not to get stuck in the snow, little Rudolph!” He laughed and left for the Big Station.

Rudolph’s smile faded into a frown. “What if he’s right..” She thought to herself. “Maybe I am just trying to be an imitation.”

Then, Thomas rolled up alongside her. “You know.” He said. “I once heard that an express always pulls through, even through the likes of this fog.” He winked.

Rudolph watched as he left, leaving her with much to think about.

She’d found herself being fitted with an old lamp, it seemed to flicker and barely cut through the fog. “It’s the best we’ve got unfortunately, but I’m sure you’ll manage” The workman told her.

***

Rudolph was idling at the platform as her passengers boarded. She gazed out at the thick fog as snow began to fall.

“Oh dear, hopefully I don’t get stuck in the snow.” She thought to herself.

As Rudolph and Santa’s Express made their way through the fog, they made good time. The lights adorning the coaches glimmered through the mist. It was a sight to behold for the passengers waiting at the stations.

Rudolph’s mood was soon lifted, the sounds of the carol singers and passengers filled her coaches. She couldn’t help but join in too!

“Jingle bells, jingle bells, puffing all the way! — Oh what fun it is to work on the railway all day!” She sang happily.

As they approached the final station, Rudolph and her crew heard a voice from the radio that caused their joyful mood to sour. “We’ve just gotten word that this fog is due to get even worse. — Please be careful and make sure you get to safety as soon as possible.” It soon finished.

Then it happened, as Rudolph’s lamp flickered more and dimmed even more, it could barely show the way ahead of them!

The driver and fireman tried to amend the lamp, when they heard a voice.

***

“Excuse me?” A shy voice asked, it was an elderly woman dressed in festive attire. “I’m dreadfully sorry to ask, but is there a chance you could help an old woman out?”

“Whatever can we do for you, ma’am?” The driver questioned.

“I’ve unfortunately missed my bus to get to the big station and must be there at once for a special event, if I miss it, I fear the event could very well be ruined.” She admitted.

The driver and fireman exchanged glances. “I’m not too sure ma’am, our lamp here is acting up. We might not be able to even see ahead of us.”

Then, Rudolph chimed in. “Excuse me?” She asked. “What is the event for, Ma’am?”

The elderly woman smiled. “You see my dear, my husband is going to be playing the part of Santa Claus for the children and I am meant to be Mrs. Claus!” She hummed.

Rudolph’s eyes widened. “You’re— You’re Mrs. Claus?” She gasped.

“That’s right, dear! — It’s why I must be at that event.” The woman informed.

***

Rudolph began to ponder, then, she remembered what Thomas had told her. “An express always pulls through..” She mumbled, when an idea came to her!

She whispered to the driver and fireman. “It could work.” The fireman pondered. “But we’d have to be careful.” And so the arrangements were made.

“Climb aboard, Ms. Claus! I’ll get you to the big station if it’s the last thing I do!” Rudolph whistled and the elderly woman boarded the train.

Soon, Rudolph’s lamps were switched around so her taillamp was at the front and front lamp at the back. The red glow illuminated the rails ahead of them.

“You brilliant engine! Now we can see where we’re going!” The driver praised.

Rudolph gave a delighted ‘peep pip peep!’ as Santa’s Express set off into the thick fog.

***

Meanwhile, at the Big Station. Thomas and Gordon were waiting, as the party was being delayed. Many anxious guests became more and more worried that their ‘special guest’ wouldn’t be able to make it on time.

“We shall wait ten more minutes.” The Fat Controller announced. “If they do not arrive, I’m afraid this party shall have to be canceled.” he said sadly.

Thomas tried to interject. “But Sir! Think of all the guests, it’s almost Christmas, they’ll be most upset!” He pleaded desperately.

The Fat Controller let out a sigh. “I know, Thomas. But this is out of my control, our special guests were promised to make an appearance and if they cannot, I’m afraid the guests will be most upset.” He said.

Thomas said no more.

As the minutes past, it felt as though the likelihood of the party’s cancellation grew more and more of a possibility. Thomas, Gordon, The Fat Controller and the guests all became filled with dread.

The Fat Controller checked his pocket-watch once more, he let out a sigh. Going to inform the guests of the cancellation.

When suddenly, a guest called out. “Wait! I see something!”

***

In the distance of the fog, they could see a glimmering red light twinkling through the thick mist as it got closer and closer. Everyone went silent.

“What on earth?” Gordon muttered to himself.

Then they heard a familiar ‘peep pip peep!’ and the sound of puffing as none other than Rudolph pulled into the big station, her cheeks were as red as her paintwork as she brought in Santa’s Express.

“Wait! Wait!” She cried out in a tired voice. “Don’t cancel the party, I’ve brought an important person for it!”

The Fat Controller was surprised. “An important guest? Who ever do you mean, Rudolph?” He asked.

Out of the carriage stepped none other than Mrs. Claus! The guests erupted into an assortment of cheers at the sight.

“I do apologize for being late, the bus— Er— Reindeer—” She quickly corrected herself. “Left early and I couldn’t catch them in-time! — Thankfully, this quick thinking engine of yours stepped in and brought us here without a moment to hesitate!”

The Fat Controller was most proud. “Well done, Rudolph! — Thanks to you, our Christmas party can officially begin!” He announced.

***

Mrs. Claus beamed as she greeted the guests, with them and the engines even gasping as Santa Claus himself soon appeared! “There you are my dear!” He chuckled, greeting Mrs. Claus.

“I was so worried you weren’t going to make it!” He said.

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world, dear.” Mrs. Claus grinned. “And it’s all thanks to this engine here.” She gestured to Rudolph.

The two then turned their attention to her. “I don’t believe we got your name, dear.” Mrs. Claus said.

Rudolph blushed. “My name is Rudolph, Mr and Mrs. Claus!” She said sweetly.

“Your name suits you well, Rudolph.” Santa hummed. “You’re just as reliable as my own.” He winked.

Rudolph couldn’t have felt happier, as the Christmas party officially began. The sound of carols and music filled the station, with lights twinkling and decorations all around sparkling as the festive fun started.

***

Gordon soon whispered to Rudolph. “I must apologize for what I said earlier, Rudolph. It seems that your Santa’s Express truly is just as of high prestige as my own, if not better” He winked. “You’ve proved yourself and it to be really useful.”

Rudolph beamed. “Thank you, Gordon! — It’s like a wise engine once told me, the express always pulls through.” And she glanced at Thomas who smiled back at her.

“Let’s all give three cheers for Rudolph and The Santa’s Express!” Gordon announced.

“Hip-hip! — Hooray! Hip-hip! — Hooray! Hip-hip! — Hooray!”

Rudolph was overwhelmed with joy, she couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas present than to be recognised by none other than Gordon The Big Engine.

Now, whenever Santa’s Express returns for the holidays, everyone is excited to see the coaches flickering with fairy lights and carols being sung as it makes its way down the line. — Though, some engines are secretly more excited than the others, but they’d never admit to such.

After-all they wouldn’t seem to be such a Scrooge if they did.

#Stardust Stories #boidoc #TTTE #TTTE OC #Thomas and Friends #Thomas The Tank Engine #The Railway Series #Rudolph The Festive Engine #TTTE Fanfic #TAF Fanfic

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