#the earl of sodor

[pxmun]

Dowager Hatt had been cleaning out the basement when she found some antiques, she thought the Earl would be interested in displaying at his museum. Cleo was in the living room, enjoying an entry from Dinah’s journal about Wendell and her making a delivery to a bakery in Noramby, the two were having a jolly good time playing “I Spy”.  It was Dinah’s turn to look for something. She searched the horizon, rocks? No too boring. Grain silo? No to obvious. Boy stuck up a tree. No, wait, boy stuck in a tree? Dinah brought Wendell to a grinding halt. The narrow- gauge engine whined to his friend that she wasn’t supposed to tell him what she saw, but once Dinah showed him the young man hanging for dear life onto a tall tree, Wendell realized that the game was over. The boy needed their help and there was no time to waste. Once the lad saw Dinah, he warned her to watch out for the rabid goat. The goat had stolen the boy’s hat and had eaten it up for lunch, the boy tried to take his hat back, but the goat wasn’t having of it and chased the boy. He climbed up the tree to escape the rampaging goat but ended up getting stuck in said tree. Dinah saw the goat happily chewing on the young man’s hat, she marched right over and gently plucked it out of the goat’s mouth. She told the goat that it was very naughty for taking something that wasn’t its. Dinah then blew into her whistle, with a huff and a puff steam flew out of Wendell’s funnel and morphed the branches right under the boy into a sleek wooden slide. The boy let go of the branch he had been clinging on to dear life for and slid down. When Dinah and the boy met face to face, she saw that he was around her age and was rather stout. The boy graciously thanked Dinah for saving him and was very curious about how Dinah and Wendell had turned the tree into a slide. Dinah was in the middle of explaining magic and gold dust to the boy, who introduced himself as Ethan, when she realized Wendell and her were late with their delivery. Ethan accompanied the two, hoping the baker in Noramby wouldn’t be mad at the pair for being late if he explained that they only stopped to help him. After Cleo finished with the journal entry, it wasn’t long before the Earl arrived and the three headed for the basement. With the help of a lantern, the trio maneuvered around the maze of boxes, furniture, and other nick knacks.  They began to look through boxes and chest, it was mostly hats, family photo albums, railroad equipment and memorabilia. Dowager Hatt had found the original blueprints for Glynn and the other tea kettle engines, the Earl smiled so brightly that he would’ve lit up the night sky. With the Dowager’s permission the Earl was able to obtain the prints. Cleo wasn’t having much luck with her search. She decided to try and see if she could find anything further back. Cleo’s small size made it easier for her to move through the obstacles. Once she made it to the other side, she saw a large, covered portrait. Dowager Hatt and the Earl warned Cleo to be careful as she grabbed a hold of the sheet covering the portrait. Carefully, Cleo uncovered the portrait. Once it was fully revealed, Cleo gasped, it was loud enough for the Earl and Dowager Hatt to hear and the two immediately rushed through the antiques to the girl’s side. They found her standing completely still, in utter shock. The Earl looked over to what had caused Cleo to react the way she did, and he had the same reaction. Before them was the now fully revealed portrait. On it was a young couple in their early to mid 20′s, they were each holding a baby, twins. The happy family were sitting on the front footplate of a very happy narrow- gauge steam engine. The engine had a mustache made from steam, but Cleo easily recognized him. Before she could get a word out, Dowager Hatt spoke out first. She was in complete shock; the Dowager had recognized the man in the portrait as Sir Topham Hatt’s great- great- grandfather, Ethan Topham. Cleo and the Earl were speechless. Cleo realized that the Ethan in Dinah’s journal was the same Ethan in the portrait. From Dowager Hatt, the two learned that Ethan was originally from England, but moved to Sodor (when it was still a part of the normal realm) to try and forge his own railway. He was really talented and had a lot of experience working for the railroad industry back home, however he was very bashful and had a hard time talking to crowds, especially to the investors for the railway. It wasn’t until Ethan met a young lady that he was able to build the courage to go after his dream. The young lady’s name was Dinah. Cleo looked again at the portrait, on it was a small inscription.  “Our first day of making dreams come true.”

#ttte #thomas the tank engine #thomas and friends #ttte dowager hatt #dowager hatt #ttte earl #sodor

[weirdowithaquill]

Sir Topham Hatt is a BILLIONAIRE?!

Ok, so I just discovered this, and I was wondering if anyone else had discovered this - but apparently the Fat Controller is richer than Mr Burns according to Forbes magazine?! And he's worth $2 Billion USD, for his massive railway empire, vintage locomotive collection and real estate holdings.

Ok, I'm sorry - but Sir Topham Hatt is worth more than Rihanna, and to make matters even more interesting - $2 billion is what Forbes pegged his worth at in 2010 (and then continuously to today, where he still is amongst the 15 wealthiest fictional characters according to Forbes).

What's the betting he's worth more now? The Thomas and Friends franchise has made approximately $9.12 billion USD in its lifetime - putting it on par with Jurassic Park, Angry Birds and Dragon Ball in worth, and meaning that the little blue tank engine is worth more than Mario. Are you saying Sir Topham wouldn't have invested in this media juggernaut? Not to mention the fact that as an industrialist and transport tycoon who has a monopoly on transport on and off the famed Island of Sodor, he probably makes a ridiculous amount of money every year from tourism.

And that's before we mention that one little fact that his family is intertwined with all the other major players on the island, including the Earl, the Viscount, the Brown family (Skarloey Railway) and the Croarie family (Anopha Quarry). So the Hatt name has several other prominent families backing it.

Does this make Sodor an oligarchy? The Brown family is a political dynasty with a railway, the Croarie family owns the largest quarry on Sodor (if not possibly England, seeing as its still running, 100 years on), the Norramby family holds an Earldom, the Regaby family is both part of the railway and holds a Viscountcy, and the Hatt family runs a transport empire, which includes all the major ports on the island, as well as holding a Baronetcy.

Um... so Sir Topham Hatt might actually be worth even more than he's listed as owning? Cause I talked about all of this without mentioning the Sodor Aluminium Company, which the NWR owns a sizeable stake in.

The Hatt Family is making bank off mineral wealth, manufacturing, transport, tourism, real estate, generational wealth and tourism. And all this with a vintage fleet of steam engines (which only add to his net worth, due to their rarity and star-value).

So, uh... how do I get in on this?

#railway series #weirdowithaquill #thomas the tank engine #railways #sir topham hatt #Forbes billionaire Sir Topham Hatt #forbes magazine #fictional billionaires' list #rambles #When I woke up today I did not expect to discover that Forbes Magazine rated the Hatt family as one of the richest in the fictional world #Sir Topham Hatt is coming for your money #The Sodor Oligarchs

[trainalt22]

Tidbits and bobs#1

Essentially my version of a lore dump

- All sentient machines, regardless of where they are built or their origin, believe in a singular deity named Lady. She is the station pilot for the Grand Terminus, the last stop for all sentient machines. Lady is seen as equal parts God and grim reaper and can appear in a multitude of forms, from locomotive to tug boat. She claims all sentient machines as her children and is believed to be very kind and gentle. This belief system has aspects of reincarnation, as it is believed that the soul of the machines shall be forged anew and come to incarnate a new form of vehicle or machine.

- Lady may choose a "guardian" to help with more earthly affairs on her behalf. It is unclear what they stand guard over, however.

- It is believed that Lady watches over the Isle of Sodor, as machinery built there seems to have a higher chance of sentience. However, this is both unproven and unconfirmed.

Ok enough lady stuff I just wanted to talk about her (she's neat)

- Thomas's route takes him all the way to Tidmouth and he often brings the townsfolk to their big city jobs.

- The official NWR freight engine livery is the green and red stripes, as worn by Henry and Percy.

- Percy has been requested as a guest of honor for at least 52 weddings and he has attended 34.

- The original Ulfstead Castle was destroyed in a landslide in 1991. The new Ulfstead Castle was built in 2000 and is part estate, railway, and museum, all orchestrated by the Earl of Sodor, Sir Robert Norramby.

- May 11th is Sodor Day, which marks the end of a week-long festival for all things Sudrian. Also, May 11th and Christmas Day are the only times the NWR intentionally reduces its services.

- In 2000, Sodor's Council passed a law allowing the marriage of sentient machines.

- The volunteers on the Talyllyn railway often send gag jokes or pranks to the workers of the SKR. The biggest prank yet was when they swapped Sir Handel with Sir Haydn (with permission from both the Thin Controller and the Talyllyn Preservation Society) and waited to see how long it would take someone to notice. Sir Haydn was on Sodor for 2 weeks and was found out by Duncan, who was suspicious as to why "Handel" was being so polite to him.

- Out of all the famous eight engines, Gordon is the one who dislikes his TV theme song the most. He claims that "it wasn't grand enough."

- Thomas's favorite TV episode is "Thomas and the Jet Engine." On multiple occasions, he has begged the Fat Controller to let him recreate the episode, just so he can say he is the fastest engine on Sodor.

- Edward is the unofficial father of Thomas, Bill, Ben, Rosie, Philip, and Ryan.

- Gordon is surprisingly good at giving advice. He has even given Edward some kind words.

- Boco is the official secondary for the Wild Nor'wester.

- Sodor is a sanctuary for sentient machines, and as such, Crovan's Gate Works can fix just about any type of machine in the world, whether it's diesel, steam, electric, gasoline, kerosene, or hydrogen. Bring them any type of motive power, and they can fix it in no time flat.

- During the purge of steam, Henry and later Murdoch often smuggled engines onto Sodor, attached to the ends of their freight trains.

#ttte #thomas and friends #ttte thomas #vivamus machinis #ttte au #ttte edward #ttte gordon #small author #ttte lady #gold dust #lore dump

[jayde-jots]

Uni has been kicking my ass, so after kicking it right back a decided to destress with some headcanons and brotherly fluff!

Context- I adore reading fanfics about engines turning human, and I sort of have my own head cannons about the trope.

I think if an engine were to turn human, their human bodies would reflect their physical health before the transformation. Like Scotsman for example, his irl engine self is not in good health at the best of times, and if we're to believe that TTTE universe Scotsman also went to America I don't believe for a second that the guy wouldn't have some PTSD. So mentally and physically he'd not be doing so hot as a human. Then take Gordon, big G has been potentially pulling the express for over 100 years by this point, and still going strong. The fat controllers we know take care of their engines, so more than positively Gordon has been kept in pristine health his whole life. If Gordon were to turn human, I don't doubt he'd be a strapping human with an 8 pack. But then it turns to personal experience.

In the story of this image I've hinted that Gordon has been human for much longer than Scotsman has, and while Gordon did pop out of his engine to human transformation being absolutely ripped in the beginning, I like to think that once the engines discover more of what humanity has to offer they'd indulge more of their personal interests. James for example I imagine would like to model and maybe do drag, or hell, maybe even design clothing! Henry I think would adore gardening and maybe animals, I imagine him volunteering at an animal shelter or the one putting in the most work at a community garden. I think Edward would find pride in his community, he'd adore things that you'd find at the Earl of Sodor's castle, he'd adore history, and the slower crafts of humans like painting and join Henry in some gardening, maybe some cooking to. Thomas I think would find his competitive nature, finding the joy in sports, liking to race people on a track, seeing how far he can hit a baseball, dancing around players in basketball, or just simply working out and liking the burn. And Gordon I imagine finds his interests with food, enjoying the sensation of taste, and also more of what the mainland would have to offer, I think he'd do a little exploring and also find the fun in traveling with other modes of transport. Which leads me to the brotherly fluff! I think that after a while some mainland engines who visit Sodor often would eventually feel the effects of the engine to human transformation. Scotsman would have seen Gordon as a human many times by now, and the two would sit and chat at Vicarstown before Scotsman would have to go back on his return journey. This is over the span of many months and each week Scott sees Gordon he notices his brother gaining a little more in the human part of him that reminds him of a boiler. At first it concerns him, until he's told that's how humans gain weight, and how they become fat. Once that happens he begins to poke fun at Gordon, calling him "big brother" in a new mocking way. Gordon becomes more hurt at that because to him it's far more personal than Scotsman knows, so afterwards he distances himself from his brother for a few weeks that span months until Sir Topham tells Gordon that Scotsman is in hospital after turning human, which leads to now. Gordon catches the next train out closest to the hospital and is very surprised to find Scott looking the polar opposite to him. He's so thin he appears anorexic, and even if Gordon had been in his first body type he would have still towered over Scott if the pair stood up side by side. The doctor had been informing Scotsman and the museum director of what his diagnosis was when Gordon burst into the room! Scott was very happy to see Gordon, bursting into tears and crying into his shoulder when Gordon scooped him up and hugged him close. Scott had ended up being diagnosed with Crohn's disease, type 1 diabetes, along with many more mental health conditions. PTSD, depression, and anxiety, but the most prominent being extreme separation anxiety. Once Gordon showed up it was all or nothing, Scotsman wouldn't leave his arms and refused to even go back to the museum, even not wanting to go back into the hospital bed or a wheelchair unless Gordon was right next to him or the one pushing the chair. The doctor suggested that Scotsman go with Gordon so he could receive treatment without possibly going into a panic attack, Gordon was okay with this as he and the others had managed to secure jobs and cash pooled their money together to afford a house. So that leads to the picture of Gordon and Scott talking as they probably walk out of the hospital together. Enjoy!

#i wanna draw more brother fluff but uni take priorty #jayde jots #ttte #ttte gordon #ttte flying scotsman

[imitation-steamroller]

Oh for the ask game what about Gina?

My girly! Out of all of the Great Race returnees, Gina is by far my favorite. 11/10, would have bought all her merch if I knew how much I was gonna like her.

1. She doesn't dislike Thomas, but she'd be lying if his visit in Italy wasn't one of the most stressful experiences of her life. Between Thomas' shenanigans and Lorenzo's rather - for lack of a better word - loud personality, Gina wasn't sure she'd ever find peace.

2. That being said, you'd sooner find Gina in a scrapyard before you ever caught her genuinely speaking ill of either of them. They're a little obnoxious sometimes, but those are her friends dammit!

3. Unlike Lorenzo, Gina isn't one for singing. If she's working alone, she's content to let the steady sound of her pistons pumping fill the silence. But when she's on long journeys with other engines or Beppe, you can hear her quietly singing along with them.

4. Gina once visited Sodor for an exhibition the Earl was holding. She helped out on Thomas' branch line for a little while where she, much to his amusement, fell down a mine. Unlike Thomas however, Gina fell because somebody thought it a great joke to move the sign.

5. She has a friendly rivalry with Ivan, something that originated when the pair once tied for first during the shunting competition. They try to settle it at each railway show afterwards, but they either tie again or somebody else wins, much to their amusement.

#ttte #ttte gina #ttte headcanons #ttte headcanon #ask game

[smol4bluengine]

Today was the day, Thomas and the others were waiting at the edge of their wheels in anxious anticipation for Sir Topham Hatt to arrive with Gordon.

A few days ago, Sir Topham Hatt had moved some engines around, Edward and Henry were once again back at Tidmouth sheds while Rebecca took Henry's spot at Vicarstown and Nia switched with Edward for his spot at Wellsworth. The older engine hoped Philip wasn't keeping the helpful engine up all night. The engines believed the switch was done to cheer up the big engine once he returned from the works.

A whistle announced the approached of Flying Scotsman, Thomas's attention was drawn to the famous engine as he backed onto the track next to the sheds.

"Hi there Scotsman, are you excited about Gordon returning home today"? Thomas asked.

At first the two tendered engine didn't say anything, remembering that he had agreed with Sir Topham Hatt not to react to his brother's current state until after the other engines had been told what happened. Scotsman was trying his best to conceal his frustration, in his attempt to calm down, a large plume of black smoke whooshed out of his funnel.

"Are you alright Scotsman"? Emily asked concerned as she watched the smoke dissipate into the air.

"I'm fine Emily, just really, really anxious about today." Scotsman replied with a forced smile.

"Well, alright Scotsman, if you say so." Emily said, doubtful.

"Do you think Gordon will want to go back to pulling the express after all that's happened"? Henry asked.

"Knowing Gordon, he'll want to pull the express as soon as possible, but given the accident Sir Topham Hatt will likely put him on light goods trains just to help Gordon readjust back to life on the railway, and to make sure that there are no issues with his repairs." Edward theorized.

"Let's just hope Gordon doesn't break something in an attempt to prove to Sir Topham Hatt that he is ready for the express sooner than he actually is." James commented.

"Agreed, Sir Topham Hatt, Lady Hatt, and Dowager Hatt have enough on their plate with running the railway, Gordon, and the baby." Percy added.

"Percy, I went over with you that Sir Topham Hatt and Lady Hatt aren't expecting a baby." Edward told the little green engine.

"I know you did Edward, but its been hard to ignore. Everybody on Sodor has been spreading stories about seeing Lady Hatt pushing around a baby stroller over the past week." Percy responded.

Overhearing Percy talking to Edward about a baby was making Scotsman's side rods rattle. He was about to speak and reveal what had happened when he met with Sir Topham Hatt, when he and the others heard the honk of Sir Topham Hatt's car horn as he pulled up to the shed, Dowager and Lady Hatt accompanying him. The three stepped out of the car, Lady Hatt holding baby Gordon in her arms, the engine swaddled in a blanket. Percy immediately perked up.

"See, see! They do have a baby"! Percy peeped excitedly.

The other engines besides Percy and Scotsman were surprised, they weren't expecting the rumors to be true.

"Hello engines...." Sir Topham Hatt said but was suddenly interrupted by Percy.

"Congratulations on the new baby Sir and Lady Hatt"! Percy excitedly announced.

The Hatt's were caught off guard by Percy's excitement, but they quickly understood why as Gordon was woken up by Percy's outburst and began to fuss as he hadn't liked being woken up so suddenly. Lady Hatt tended to the upset engine, moving a bit closer to Edward which allowed the older engine to get a better view of the bundle Lady Hatt was holding. He was surprised to see a little funnel.

"Is that; a baby engine"? Edward asked surprised.

"Engines can be babies"? Percy replied confused.

"No Percy, baby engines are engines used as kiddie rides for amusement parks, zoos, traveling carnivals and the like." Edward explained.

"Sir why would you bring in a baby engine? Are they for the Earl and his dino park"? Thomas asked.

"I bet the baby engine is for Mr. Bubbles and the circus." Henry said.

The engines kept asking questions, overwhelming Sir Topham Hatt who tried to get his engines to quite down to no avail.

Having had enough, Scotsman blew his whistle loudly, immediately causing all the engines to stop their chatter and turn their gaze at him.

"For Lady's sake, it's Gordon"! Scotsman yelled; it was clear that the famous engine wasn't happy with the current circumstance.

The other engines were surprised.

"That's Gordon? But he looks so small and..... helpless." Thomas said stunned.

"Aw! Gordon looks so cute! Did Sir Topham Hatt go back in time to prevent the accident but went to far back"? Percy asked.

"Pft, don't be ridiculous Percy, it's obvious that this little engine isn't Gordon." James said in denial.

"I'm afraid it is true James." Sir Topham Hatt confirmed.

"But Sir, why would you do such a thing"? Emily asked.

"There were no other options, if I hadn't gone through with the essence transfer, Gordon would have been scrapped"! Sir Topham Hatt admitted.

All the engines gasped. Thomas now understood why Scotsman was so upset. "Will we ever have the old Gordon back sir"? Henry asked worriedly. " I don't know Henry, the Ramsfield's will perform an evaluation on Gordon in about a year's time and if everything goes well, Gordon will be transferred back into a big engine." Sir Topham Hatt answered. "And if it doesn't sir"? Thomas asked. Sir Topham Hatt looked down at baby Gordon, the little engine whining as he wanted to see Scotsman. Sir Topham Hatt carefully picked up the baby engine and walked over to Scotsman, gently placing Gordon on Scotsman's front footplate. "We'll come to that bridge if we cross it Thomas, for now can I ask for the Steam Teams help with watching over baby Gordon"? Sir Topham Hatt asked. Thomas looked at the rest of the engines, each of them giving silent approval, though some were still in disbelief over Gordon's current state. "Of course, sir"! Thomas agreed.

[sodor-spirit]

🔱 Sonny’s Story 🔱

Before coming to the Island of Sodor, Sonny the Water Spirit lived a decent life working in a mine and coastal docks on the Mainland, often dreaming of going on adventures and seeing countless places which his fellow spirits was amused by, entertaining his musings and daydreams by telling him of their runs.

However as most people always say; be careful what you wished for. During a small break at the Coastal Docks where he worked, Sonny was suddenly bought by two clear sighted men, Baz and Bernie who even revealed their ability to see him to the Water Spirit’s astonishment and shock which slowly became horror upon realising and learning that his two new owners are criminals and thieves who specialises in mystical trinkets, relics and objects which are then sold on the black market.

Any form of defiance or disobedience against the crooked pair resulted in threats against his engine vessel being scrapped to even the Water Spirit being imprisoned in a magic hand mirror or used as a tool, with his physical form being controlled against his will through another of Baz and Bernie’s stolen relics. During his hellish time as a reluctant thief and criminal with the two crooks, Sonny also stumbled upon an injured fox who he nursed back to health and begged his owners to allow him to keep it as a familiar which they agreed to but also to used it as blackmail in order to continue taking advantage of Sonny’s unique invisibility magic; threatening to kill it if he tries to step out of line, becoming one of the other usual threats and punishments the Water Spirit feared for his life and his familiar, naming it Topaz. This treatment forced him to adopt a gruff, sinister and ruthless front as a means of protecting himself and his beloved familiar from his owners.

By the time Baz and Bernie decided to hit the Island of Sodor next in order to steal the Earl’s vast collection of relics; Sonny has all but given up hope of escaping from his captors, as long as they have the mirror and locket they use to keep him under control from turning against them. What he didn’t know was that his life was finally going to change for the better with his reward being a free Spirit.

#ttte #thomas the tank engine #thomas and friends #ttte sonny #ttte humanized #ttte fantasy au #ttte human au #humanisation #humanised #ttte fanart #ttte art #ttte fanfiction #ttte fanfic #ttte fandom #character headcanons #character development #fanart #art #character lore #lore

[biggsodorcitystories]

Happy New Year!!

Thought I would start 2023 off right with a drawing of my Steam Team designs!

Warning(s):

Genderbent Edward

Genderbent James

Headcanons as to family relationships and ships below:

I hope you enjoy it! Please note that these are subject to slight changes.

NWR Number One: Thomas Billinton. The official - and self-proclaimed - face of the North Western Railway. Best friend to Percy, the main engine of the Ffarquhar branch line, and until recently the boyfriend of Liora "Lady" Moran. He is currently in a relationship with Rosie, though he visibly still holds a candle for Liora. Cocky and confident at face value, but highly insecure deep down and far more complex once you get to know him.

NWR Number Two: Lady Edward Stewart-Moran. Married to Zebedee Moran, a harbour tug from Liverpool and Bigg City. Mother to Percy, Liora (Lady), Bill, and Ben. Also has an older daughter, Susannah, and a baby daughter, Eve, who are both tugboats like their father. The "work Mum" for all engines on Sodor, and universally adored. Has a past history of mischief and trickery, which was passed to her youngest sons. The train equivalent of aristocracy, Edward is the rebellious, and sadly only surviving, daughter of the Earl/Count of Cumbria, a title she will inherit. Frequently regarded as one of the most attractive engines on Sodor in spite of her age, even being referred to as a "Milf" by Flying Scotsman.

NWR Number Three: Henry Stanier. The illegitimate half-brother of Gordon and Flying Scotsman, husband to Emily, and ex-husband to James as well as being the father of James's eldest son. Despite causing the breakup of Henry's first marriage, Gordon remains Henry's best friend and is unwittingly a rival of Flying Scotsman because of it. Blighted by ill health, made worse by the end of his marriage to James, Henry is very health conscious and suffers a little from hypochondria, but is now doing well thanks to his new wife, his son with James, and his growing family with Emily. After his last long illness, Henry grew a full beard and moustache, and decided to keep it after being told it suited him.

NWR Number Four: Gordon Gresley. The eldest legitimate son of the famous Gresley family (Henry is the oldest but illegitimate) and the official Express engine for the NWR. Older brother to Flying Scotsman and cousin to Mallard, Spencer, and Ryan. Now married to James, with whom he has always been in love but was too proud to admit until after her marriage to Henry, father of two children and stepfather/half-uncle to James' eldest son. Proud, arrogant, and pompous, Gordon is also capable of almost profound kindness and will always (eventually) own up to his faults, and will move heaven and earth for those he loves. Initially jealous of his more famous younger brother, Flying Scotsman, recent changes in his life have made him realise that perhaps his own life is much happier. Also the only reason Mallard is still in touch with the family. Very proud of his South Yorkshire roots, though he only ever reveals "The Accent" when flustered or angry.

NWR Number Five: James Stanier-Gresley. The original blonde bombshell of the NWR, known for her flamboyant, fast style as much as her splendid red uniform/paint. Wife of Gordon, ex-wife of Henry, and mother of currently three children between them. Her confident, vain persona masks a deep-seated lack of self-worth and terror of being abandoned that resulted in James placing all her value in her, admittedly very beautiful, looks. Although she has always been in love with Gordon, his seeming rejection led her to seek comfort in Henry, with whom she married and had a son. James has no regrets about marrying Henry, who she holds up as a very loving husband right up until their divorce and an exceptional father, she maintains her greatest regret is that she had an affair with Gordon rather than ending her marriage to be with him and keeps Henry's name for her son's sake. Her two children with Gordon have ensured the future of the Gresley line. James is half-Trinidadian through her father, using her memories of his experiences to try and help Nia transition into life on Sodor.

NWR Number Six: Percy Moran. The eldest son of Edward and Zebedee, younger brother of Susannah, older brother to Bill, Ben, and Eve, and twin brother to Liora (Lady), Percy is actually genetically half-tugboat, exhibited by his bulkier physique and is surprisingly strong. He works on the Ffarquhar branch line, handling the goods work, and is the official Sodor Mail train - a role he is obsessively proud of having and takes extremely seriously. Best friends with Thomas, although this is often a surprise to newcomers to Sodor and the UK as the two spend a lot of time insulting one another for fun. This relationship has become a little strained after Thomas dated Percy's sister and almost ended after the relationship ended, but is slowly recovering. After his mother, Percy misses his father the most, causing him to find substitute father figures in Toby and Gator. Next in line to inherit the Earl/Count of Cumbria after Edward, and possibly even less interested in it besides occasionally making jokes referring to his 'future countess.'

NWR Number Twelve: Emily Stanier (nee Stirling). The beautiful Emily is a popular figure on Sodor and the adored older cousin of Donald and Douglas. Emily met Henry without knowing that he was married to James, though the marriage was long dead, only learning about it when the two began divorce proceedings a few weeks into the relationship. Despite the initial shock, she continued with the relationship, eventually marrying Henry and becoming stepmother to his son while having a son of her own later. Luckily enjoys an excellent friendship with James and does not overstep as the stepmother. Often remarked on as being very similar to Edward, Emily has become something of a big sister figure on the NWR and has assumed Edward's role after the former's stepping down. Hardworking and friendly, Emily is also stern and serious when needed, capable of keeping her peppery cousins in line.

NWR Number Eighteen: Nia Kur. Originally from the East African Railway, Kenya, Nia is the youngest and most recognisable member of the NWR. Through her harder upbringing on a struggling railway, Nia is mature from her years. Combined with her early puberty, this makes everyone assume she is in her late teens like Thomas and Percy when she was in fact only eleven when she arrived on Sodor. Since her actual age was discovered, Nia has been mothered by Edward, Emily, and James. Thanks to her better understanding of the cultural struggles, Nia gets on best with James and sees the red engine as an auntie figure. She has a tendency to pick at her nails and fidget when nervous or upset, which is usually the only indication that anything is wrong. Nia has become very friendly with Bill and Ben, who are closest to her in age, despite their initial teasing of her. Nia accepted their unusual offer of friendship and unwittingly caused Bill to develop a crush on her. Nia is cheerful, hardworking, and determined to settle into her new life on Sodor.

NWR Number Twenty-Two: Rebecca Bulleid-Gresley. Rebecca is the newest member of the NWR and the relief Express engine for her Uncle Gordon so he can spend more time with his growing family. This was a surprise to everyone on Sodor when Gordon seemed happy with the idea until it was discovered that Rebecca is Gordon's (and Henry's) niece. Rebecca was the only daughter of Gordon's sister, "pretty" Polly Gresley, who was especially close to Flying Scotsman growing up. Sadly, she died when Rebecca was young. Believing her mother's family had abandoned her, Rebecca was very nervous to reveal her identity to her surviving uncles, not knowing that she had inherited several characteristics of her late mother. With the help of Henry, she has reconnected with her family and has taken on the Gresley name officially.

#ttte humanized #ttte human au #ttte thomas #ttte edward #ttte henry #ttte gordon #ttte james #ttte percy #ttte emily #ttte nia #ttte rebecca #ttte headcanons #gordon x james #4 x 5 #3 x 5 #henry x emily #3 x 12 #steam team but not steam team #the steam team is a hit invention

[pistonsandgearsinc]

Traintober Special: Discovery and Collection

"Toby's Discovery"

[Late 20th Century Sodor, Tidmouth Hault, West Sodor.]

"Come along Toby, we're going exploring." Toby had found himself taking The Fat Controller and his family to a small station on Duck's Branch line, what had initially been a small outing to the seaside and soon turned into an adventure. An expedition as Sir Robert would call it, Toby had idly wondered if perhaps Sir Topham spent a bit too much time around The Earl. . .

"If you don't mind my asking sir, where will be going?", The Fat Controller dopily turned around, a childlike glint in his eye.

Toby hadn't quite gotten a straight answer, it seemed Sir Topham had wanted it to be a surprise. In truth this wasn't such a bad thing, but Toby wasn't quite sure he liked where they were going, they were now entering the wildest part of Sodor. At least, wild to an engine who didn't leave the ffarquhar branch often.

He had been shaken from his thoughts by the realization he had arrived at a lonely signal box along the branch line.

As the driver and firemen disembarked, a sleepy signalman clambered down from his box. He looked as if he hadn't slept properly in sometime, and was quite jittery too.

Whilst Topham and his crew spoke with the signalman, Toby looked around at the barren countryside.

"Toby is everything alright?" Henrietta asked. Toby hadn't realized it, but he'd been staring off into space for a while now. "I'm quite alright Henrietta, no need to worry about me." he said as casually as he could. He wasn't sure but he was sure he saw something behind the bushes and trees in the distance.

The adventure was soon underway once more as they travelled down the abandoned branch, enduring many brambles and bushes before arriving at another little junction.

They were faced with the choice of the castle, and the mine. Naturally the children wished to see the castle, and Topham had agreed.

-

"There's the castle!" cried Richard from inside Henrietta. All eyes affixed to the giant structure not far away from an old water tower.

The castle was as to be expected slowly crumbling away but stood tall and mighty, it gave Toby a sense of foreboding, but perhaps it was just the dilapidated nature of the structure.

"Yesss. .and now we shall visit the mine." The Fat Controller said to himself thoughtfully.

Toby didn't know why, wouldn't know for a while even, but his heart sank at that.

-

PrincessMuffins, CJ The Creator, Carsfan16, StarSearch etc. [I have only reskinned some stuff].

I'm gonna level with everyone. I haven't been consistent with my postings for traintober, because of not being inspired in some cases, and suffering burn out in others.

I was gonna do more for the last day to make up for it, but I got sick mere days before.

I'll be posting the prompts I didn't get to though, and stuff inspired by them.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2023.

PS. If you have any question about my AU don't be afraid to ask!

#ttte au #sprites #traintober #traintober 2023 #ttte toby #ttte henrietta #mentioned #ttte sir topham hatt #ttte lady hatt #ttte hatt children #ttte bertram #Tidmouth Hault

[lunalmfao]

DUDE I MADE SPENCER

so in 1966, the north western region, having signed the heritage agreement with br (read my big lore post for context abt that) had been seeking a few more steam engines to save, and spencer was one of them. upon the completion of restoration, he was presented to the earl of sodor, along with the completed duke. he hauled special excursions across the island and onto the mainland (not sure how far) 

he HATES gordons guts for “letting crewe bring disgrace upon gresleys vision” and constantly brags abt how much faster the a4s were than the a3s. gordon just refutes it all with “ok bathtub. fuckin bathtub lookin. lmao.”

i tried to make my au for him fit the rws pretty well

#ttte spencer #spencer ttte #ttte #ttte au #railway series

[hkpika07]

i love your au (and it’s art!) so much!

any fun details you can think of to share about the story?

Its not just my au. My good friend @sekiumiarashi and I work on this together. She comes up with most of the worldbuilding and a lot of the scenarios as well.

But to answer your question. Some tidbits include

Donald and Douglas got lost on the Magic railway for years. Since time works differently there they thought they were gone for 2 years but actually were gone for 20. This explains the absence between the model and cgi series. Also their crews now have slight magic powers due to the side effects of the magic railroad, no biggie.

A lot of the engines have things painted on their liveries as a sort of customization. For example Edward has the Earl's Coat of Arms on his cab because he stopped two thieves from stealing King Godred's Crown

Umi and I are on a quest to give every engine a big family hug story. So far the ones who have hug stories are James, Edward, Gordon, Spencer and Duck.

James has a small villain arc (not super fleshed out but it's there)

Duck and Diesel get lost in IKEA because they kept arguing over how to pronounce IKEA and didn't look where they were going. And also Donald and Douglas get stuck in a revolving door (In their human avatar forms)

There is a story where everyone thinks Gordon turned evil and brainwashed Edward to join his side but actually it was all horrible timing and a misunderstanding.

Same story as the one above. Edward gets held hostage but since he's really sleepy he doesn't take it seriously and just ends up confusing the hell out of his captor.

We made an entire fictional railway/country that is somewhat intertwined with Sodor. It's based in North America between Canada and the USA. It's larger than Sodor but it's still really small compared to everything else. It's called Aldove and the railway is called the United Northern Railway or UNR for short.

There's a secret hidden junction in Henry’s Forest where the three railway dads go to just relax and chill and hang out. It's a special place to them since it's where they hung out before everyone else came to the island. No one else but them knows about it and their crews have sworn to secrecy.

There are other train gods besides Lady.

Smudger is alive and well just physically disabled. He can't physically turn his wheels but his brakes work just fine. He and Duke live up at Ulfstead Castle now.

We made Geoffrey (from the episode Who's Geoffrey) real. We made him real and he's Italian.

#ttte #ttte au #it takes a railway au #red answers #i can't take all the credit for this au it is a team effort #umi has lots of wonderful ideas and worldbuilding please go show them some love #but yes if you ask me about the au i will end up rambling about it #yes we did make our own fictional railway it consists of at least 9 engines and a controller we are probably going to add more #i made douglas' fireman an oc. though hes no longer douglas' fireman he now is crew to an oc

[pxmun]

It had been a long and eventful day for the NWR since Wendell's return. The silly old engine had been busy reacquainting himself with the railway and meeting new friends. Sir Topham Hatt, Lady Hatt, and Dowager Hatt were shocked when Cleo arrived at their house ridding aboard Thomas with Wendell in tow.

For a while Sir Topham Hatt was speechless, but after a while he had managed to snap out of his trance and welcomed his great-great grandparents' engine and honorary Hatt back home. Wendell was thrilled and as such used his steam mustache to wrap around the Hatt family to hug them.

Sir Topham Hatt now just had to find a place for Wendell to work on the NWR. For the moment though, Sir Topham Hatt thought it best to hold off that decision until tomorrow, as it was getting late. He told Wendell that the silly old engine could rest at Tidmouth sheds with the others for the night.

The other engines were excited and wished to stay up late in order to hear more about Wendell, Dinah, and Ethan's adventures. Sir Topham Hatt though, denied this and told his engines that it was important for them to get their rest and that they could wait until tomorrow for Wendell's stories. That included Cleo too, who had spent the whole day chatting with the silly old engine.

Understanding, but disappointed, Cleo got up to head home with Sir Topham Hatt. Before they left, she promised to see Wendell tomorrow and that Cleo would take Wendell up to Ulfstead Castle to meet the Earl. Wendell loved that plan and asked Thomas if he was alright with Cleo traveling with him. Thomas was perfectly fine with this; he knew how much Cleo adored Dinah's discoveries and felt that it would be wrong to prevent Cleo from going on her own adventures and making her own discoveries. Wendell was grateful towards the tank engine and promised Cleo, he would see her after school.

With that Cleo and Sir Topham Hatt left, leaving the engines to rest quietly in their berths.

Later into the night the Jukebox Bands manager, J.J. Silvers had just got done counting the nickels the band earned that day. Being on Sodor had brought the band a lot of business due in part to the busy train stations. Thanks to Romeo and Patty, JJ and the band were able to set up shop at Patty's mother's cafe and provide entertainment for its customers and fellow passengers. It had brought in big business, which the band was grateful for. The cherry on top though, was that the band didn't have to hide themselves away, they could be out singing face to face with the public without people freaking out.

JJ by now had rounded up the nickels needed to pay his charges. He was planning on hitching a ride on Percy back home when the small green engine left for his mail deliveries. JJ still had a few hours before Percy's crew arrived, so he decided to look around the roundhouse, being careful so he wouldn't wake up the sleeping engines.

JJ was enjoying his quiet midnight stroll when he felt something suddenly grab him. The band manager let out a yelp of surprise as he was hauled up into the air and was left dangling upside down in front of the glowing yellow golden eyes of Wendell.

"Ssssh, you'll wake the others." Wendell warned.

"Well, why did you string me up like a trout then"?! JJ aggressively whispered.

Wendell quickly glanced around the room before addressing JJ.

"I was awoken by a presence, a familiar presence that I haven't felt for almost a hundred years. Though, there doesn't seem to be anyone out of place here, well except for you." Wendell said.

Wendell then paused, his eyes slowly focusing on JJ. JJ was suddenly turned right side up; JJ was glad he didn't have human insides as a puppet, otherwise he would've been sick. The band manager was now face to face with the old magic engine, who stared the puppet right in the eyes.

"Hmm, you look oddly familiar, have we met before old chap"? Wendell asked.

JJ felt like he would be sweating bullets if he still had the ability to do so.

"No, can't say I have ever met an engine like you before." JJ replied, trying to free himself.

"Are you sure? Because you sort of look like..." Wendell was suddenly interrupted.

"Oh, will you look at the time! I really must get going, don't want to miss my train home! Y'know important manager business stuff"! JJ stalled as he squirmed out of the grip of Wendell's steam mustache.

JJ ended up belly flopping onto the shed floor before quickly getting back up onto his feet and skittering away.

"Oh, okay. Have a good trip then." Wendell smiled.

JJ ran for cover underneath Gordon and hid there until he was sure the silly old engine wasn't chasing after him. JJ took the moment of piece to catch his breath, he could hear Gordon's thunderous snoring from above. Unable to hear himself think, JJ climbed up into Gordon's cab where the snoring was muffled.

The band manager checked his little pocket watch, he still had five minutes before Percy was due to leave. JJ leaned his back against the cool boiler, feeling tired and warn out. Right now, he just wanted to go home and rest, heck JJ played with the idea of sleeping in.

By now, the band manager was struggling to keep his eyes open, he was so tempted to just fall asleep and that heavenly singing coming from within Gordon's boiler wasn't helping.

JJ paused mid thought.

"Singing from Gordon's boiler? That can't be right, my exhaustion must be having me hear things." JJ thought.

Still, just to be sure, JJ pressed his ear up against the outer wall of Gordon's boiler and listened. To his shock and surprise, JJ did hear someone or something singing on the other side.

With his interest piqued, JJ reached for the door to Gordon's firebox. After much straining, JJ managed to open the door and peered inside.

The singing was faint, but it was a bit clearer to hear. There were no words, just a sweet hum forming a lullaby. With his interest piqued, JJ decided to take a closer look at this mysterious phenomenon.

Before JJ stepped entered Gordon's firebox, he removed his hat and jacket and hung them up on the open firebox door to alert Romeo and Gordon's crew that he was inside. With that done. JJ began his trek towards the mysterious hymn.

The inside of Gordon's firebox was dark, the only light source being what little moonlight was peering through the open firebox door. JJ carefully maneuvered forward, using the mysterious voice as guide. He passed through the ashes that had been produced from the previous day's work, accidentally kicking up clouds of it as he walked on.

The hymn became clearer and clearer as JJ drew close. He was beginning to make out the voice, as he did, something about it triggered memories in the old puppet. Flashes of a ship on the sea, a pile of vomit, a rush of ascending stairs, a restaurant, a heavenly sad voice, and a figure sitting in front of a piano. Something about those memories brought a tear to the band manager's eyes, so he quickly shook away the thought.

By now, JJ had begun to realize that he had been traveling through Gordon's firebox for a while now. At first, JJ thought he had somehow managed to find his way into Gordon's boiler as he heard a "splash" as a result of the band manager stepping into water, but after viewing what little he could see, JJ was sure this wasn't the case.

JJ was beginning to feel uneasy and thought for a moment about turning around and leaving. However, he spotted a light emitting from the direction he had been heading and his curiosity soon gotten the better of JJ who felt drawn to it.

As he neared the source, JJ's surroundings became clear. What JJ saw was mind boggling.

Above JJ was an endless clear blue sky. A few items floating around like a train of express coaches, the Queen's fire service medal, and various photos of engines and people such as Flying Scotsman and Sir Charles Topham Hatt. What caught JJ's full attention though was what laid front and center of this strange space.

There, resting between two chiseled stone pillars and atop a marble pillar was a bright star.

It was emitting the hymn that JJ had been hearing.

The band manager stood in front of the star in stunned silence for a long while. Then, he collapsed onto his knees in a crying fit.

As the sun rose, Romeo strolled towards Tidmouth sheds with a smile and a song. He had some chores to do before school, such as getting Gordon ready for the day, but the teen didn't mind it.

He flung open the doors to Gordon's berth, ready to wake up the big engine.

"Good morning"! Gordon greeted.

Romeo jumped back in surprise, he wasn't expecting to see his friend to be up and about.

"Gordon? What are you doing up this early? I haven't lit your fire yet"? Romeo asked confused.

"JJ Silvers stayed behind last night and offered to get me ready for the day." Gordon replied.

Romeo looked over his friend and was shocked. Gordon had been washed footplate to fender, any brass and exposed metal had been polished, Gordon's firebox had been completely cleaned and was now nicely lit. Next to Gordon laid a few cups, suggesting that JJ had used these to fill up Gordon's tender with water.

Taking a peek into Gordon's cab, Romeo found JJ asleep on the floor, covered in dirt and coal dust.

"Well, that was nice of him. Guess we can return the favor by dropping JJ off at the cafe." Romeo suggested, still surprised by the gesture.

Romeo hopped in his friend's cab and with the crew they headed out for the day with a sleeping JJ in tow.

#ttte #thomas the tank engine #thomas and friends #sodor #ttte gordon #gordon the big engine #au #oc #ttte oc #ttte au

[anonymousboxcar]

Tilly the Dukedog (OC), Pt. Three: Bluebells & Sodor

Part One

Part Two

Here’s the final part of Tilly’s background/life story, from the 1960s to roughly the present day! Thanks for sticking with these posts. This is by far the longest one yet, so I suggest you grab a snack and a drink before settling in. I hope you all enjoy!

———————————

Tilly and Earl of Berkeley did their best to settle in on the Bluebell Railway. Like on the Cambrian main line, Tilly worked very hard to make sure all the new engines integrated and got along with each other. The Bluebell was among the first heritage railways; she wanted to make sure the model proved successful, to secure her and many others’ safety.

Earl of Berkeley, however, worried that Tilly was taking on too much by herself. He’d seen how driven she was on their old line, and he respected it very much. But he didn’t want to see her drive herself into the ground. “Everyone here wants the Bluebell to succeed,” he told her. “We’re all in this together.”

“…I know,” she said after a long pause. “I worry, is all. I don’t want to roll away and miss something.”

“We’ll keep each other in the loop, yeah? And you don’t have to go too far away. You can always delegate, give us things.”

The word “delegate” sparked something in Tilly’s mind. It reminded her of when she asked Edith to do something to set up a prank or a scheme in their Cornwall days. Looking at E.B., she knew she couldn’t go back to those days… but she could ensure they lived on.

So Tilly took it upon herself to teach E.B., an already cheeky soul, in all her old prankster ways.

There were practical reasons for doing this. She knew that most of the engines joining them were anxious and traumatized. Giving them things to laugh at, things at which to redirect their focus, would help them settle in and relax. It would make things run a little smoother.

Tilly also missed doing that sort of thing. Her schemes on the Cambrian main line were serious, caught up in the hard times and the desperation of it all. Times were still hard and desperate, of course. But thinking it over, she thought more good humor would’ve been helpful back then. She only couldn’t bring herself to do it again without her partner in crime.

Yet she still longed for a return to something much more lighthearted. She knew Edith would long for it, too. And that was enough for her to push past those buffers.

E.B. proved a skilled student who kept her and everyone else on the outer rims of their wheels. While lacking Tilly’s silver tongue, he had a knack at making people feel in on a joke. He was a class clown at heart, good-natured and happy to entertain. He laughed at himself more than anyone else, and that made him easy to trust.

For the first time in years, Tilly let herself loosen up a little bit too. She let herself grow closer to the other engines, being a friend as well as a counselor. She got in on some pranks and lighthearted schemes.

Nor did she stress over representing her line so much. While she was still representing the Dukedogs, so was E.B. They collaborated on educating guests about the GWR, their class, their lives as Bulldogs, and their Duke friends. And the Bluebell’s officials, unlike the GWR, supported their efforts.

As Stepney became the face of the Bluebell — of preserved steam engines, even — Tilly saw the anxiety under his mask. She shared her past experiences. Whatever reassurance she had, she gave to him. “It’s not the end of the world,” she told him after one gaffe.

“I know it isn’t. I just want to be a good representative for the Bluebell,” he said, looking at his buffers. “A engine losing his temper with the photographers is hardly that.”

“You were stroppy, but that happens to people. You’re a person. And so were our loved ones. Being imperfect and complicated is the best way to represent them, really.”

Stepney blinked, looking up. “I suppose so,” he said after a beat.“Can’t let them think we were all perfect angels, can we?”

“Oh, no.” She grinned. “Worse than historically inaccurate, that’d be boring.”

He barked a laugh at that.

In return for Tilly’s help, Stepney used his influence to push for more institutional support of her and E.B.’s efforts to educate the public. And he encouraged her to have her own fun, joining her and E.B. There were a couple prolific April Fool’s Days on their railway.

Knowing how she wished to respect Edith’s adventurous spirit, Stepney also told Tilly about his visit on Sodor. Curious, she joined him on several additional Sudrian trips.

I could probably fill up books talking about her dynamics with Sudrian engines, so I’ll restrain myself here to talking about her interactions with one character: Duck.

This is spilling over into yet more headcanon territory, but you guys remember how Duck told Peter Sam that “all Dukes were scrapped?” That remark isn’t incorrect, but it isn’t the full story, either.

It’s probable that Duck didn’t want to get bogged down in all the details while talking to Peter Sam. But I also like thinking he didn’t go into more detail because he never quite got over it. What if he had some friends in the Dukes, and was grieved and horrified to see new faces on their boilers?

“It was necessary for the survival of the Great Western,” he’d tell anyone who asked about it. And he believed it. He knew that no Great Western engine is above another, that it’s their Way to help each other in any way possible.

But for all that Duck cares about the GWR, I think he also cares about his individuality, feels the need to express himself in small ways. The idea of his bodily autonomy, already very limited, being disrupted in such a fatal manner for another engine, might’ve disturbed him. He wouldn’t blame any Dukedog for that, but he would struggle to lay responsibility at the feet of his beloved old railway.

Rather than deal with all his complicated feelings about this, I suggest here that Duck suppressed it. He avoided thinking about it, talking about it in detail.

So Duck didn’t speak much to Tilly outside of their first meeting. He was polite and civil in their few subsequent interactions, but always tense. It reminded Tilly of how other GWR engines responded to the Dukedogs in the first few months after the rebuilds.

It took years for Tilly to enact a successful plan to talk to him. He was slippery, but she eventually managed to finagle some down-time with him across several visits. It might’ve been better if she was less insistent, but that wasn’t her nature to let things lie.

Tilly’s first thought was to reassure him the way she did the others, saying she grieved the Dukes too. She tried this when they had a lull in their work together. Duck appreciated this and said so, but he still acted kind of uncomfortable. Tilly soon came to realize that this was tied up with his feelings about the GWR after further conversation.

Her perspective on the GWR — that it wasn’t as special as people made it out to be, often flawed like other railways — was a jolt to Duck. He disagreed at first on reflex, on principle, and Tilly took some offense. Things got heated.

But they managed to calm themselves by the next time they saw each other.

“I can’t tell you how to remember or feel about the Great Western,” Tilly said. “That was wrong of me. I’m sorry.”

Duck looked away. “You’ve given me a lot to think about. I’ve needed to think about it all for some time now, if I’m honest. I’m sorry I was so rude to you.”

“We were rude to each other.” She edged closer. “I… what I should’ve said is that it’s alright to have conflicting feelings about the Great Western. If it weren’t alright, I don’t think I’d still be here today.”

“It’s the Great Western Way to carry on, no matter the fuss or how I feel,” he said after a beat, glancing back at her. “And I’ve done my best at that.”

“Indeed. You can’t be that much of a traitor to the railway, then, if you’re still here.”

“I don’t mean to suggest you’re a traitor to it, or to any of them. You’re carrying on too, honoring your… Edith, was it?”

“Yes.” She drew in a breath, feeling her lower lip tremble all of a sudden. “I — I’m glad you think so.”

Duck rolled alongside her, slow and quiet. “I know so, from what I’ve seen of you.”

Tilly took a moment to recollect herself. Clearing her tubes, she said, “For what it’s worth, I think you’re carrying on the best parts of the Great Western. Edith would be chuffed to see you pushing for solidarity, for respect in the yards.”

“…thank you.” Duck offered a small smile. “I think you’re doing much of that, too.”

“Well. I’m not that respectful if I hounded all this talk out of you, am I?”

“Ah, there’s always next time — especially on this railway.”

Tilly and Duck keep in touch to this day. They enjoy each other’s company and respect each other’s approaches to the GWR, agreeing there’s more overlap than they first thought. Duck’s rigidity on the Great Western Way softened over time. And Tilly grew a better understanding and respect for the ways people carry out histories and legacies.

With her visits, letters, and work on the Bluebell, Tilly rarely feels lonely or unfulfilled these days. She’s keeping on in all the ways she knows how, remembering and loving and learning. She works to honor Edith’s wishes in the same breath as her own.

On the most recent anniversary of her rebuild, she went out on a long run and spoke to Edith as she traveled. She talked about how things were going, about how she looked after the boiler and cab. “They’ve mended it a lot over the years, you know,” she said. “It might not have any of your original iron anymore.”

She paused, feeling the wind on her face. Water sloshed inside her in lazy circuits, trailing a second heartbeat alongside her pistons.

“But that’s alright. I’ve kept your iron in other places, staying ever so busy and silly.” She smiled. “It’s hard work, and it’s worth it. All of it.”

#ttte #rws #ttte oc #my oc #oc info #ttte headcanon #rws headcanon #tilly the dukedog (oc) #earl of berkeley #ttte stepney #gwr dukedogs #ttte duck #rws oc #long post #cw: death #slight body horror #my headcanons #I did it. I’m free #I never thought this would get so involved but here we are #I hope you guys enjoyed these crazy long posts #and I hope I haven’t butchered Duck too badly

[cerenemuxse]

Initially, I thought Cailitn and Connor were twins or at least the same class.

I'm going through and updating my Docs and Sheets on the characters right now, and I've been considering making them British engines instead of American engines. It just makes much more sense to me as well as helping with the size issue. American engines are typically massive. Take this photo of LMS 6229 Duchess of Hamilton (streamlined) and a BO P-7 class for example.

Source

To clarify, I love Caitlin and Connor as they are! Definitely two of my favorite CGI-only characters from T&F, but I just don't think their basis are correct for this. Think about it.

The Earl is ALL about preservation and to me, it just seems like he'd be more interested in preserving non-streamlined steam engines more than streamlined steam engines. Maybe that's a better reason as to why he chose Caitlin and Connor, but unless he's having them travel all over the United Kingdom, why would they be streamlined. Originally, I assumed they would go to Barrow-in-Furness from Ulfstead Castle with no stops, which is somewhat the case.

And then their size becomes the issue. I'm trying to stick as close as to real-life circumstances as I can, and having them be cut down to size isn't an option I want to default to when it comes to American steam engines working on the North Western Railway. I'm already using the "they were just built different for UK railways" storyline for another character.

So I'm currently considering the following locomotives:

LNER A4s: I know I questioned the streamlining situation but I think it makes more sense for them if I do have them travel the majority of the United Kingdom to collect passengers for Ulfstead Castle. This would be an interesting option because they'd act so differently to Spencer, considering they're privately owned like him.

LMS Coronation Class: This is could work either way because I'm also considering the possibility that the journeys had to be stopped at Barrow-in-Furness when dieselisation happened and the last of the steam engines were withdrawn from service. At that point, streamlining is unnecessary so the casings are removed.

LMS Princess Royal Class: If I decide not to go the streamlined route or I want to make one of them a different class.

These were chosen for multiple reasons, those being:

I would like to keep the single survivors as they are, like Blue Peter, Tornado, Flying Scotsman, and Duke of Gloucester, which they will be joined by Hengist, a BR Standard 6. This already knocks off the LNER Gresley A3s, LNER Peppercorn A1s, LNER Peppercorn A2s, BR Standard 8, and BR Standard 6.

Go for a class that isn't made up of one example, such as the single BR Standard Class 8, Duke of Gloucester, and GWR 111, The Great Bear.

Cannot be classes that have already been used, keeping that heavy diverse of classes on the Island of Sodor and character roster in general. This knocks off the SR Merchant Navies, as well as the SR Battle of Britians and West Countries, and the LMS Royal Scots, rebuilt and unrebuilt for all three.

Not to use any recent classes, specifically BR. This crosses off the BR Standard 7.

Drop classes that wouldn't have survived by at least the 1950s. This crosses out the LNER Raven A2s and GWR 111.

The 4-8-4 configuration is a definte "No." It was considered to be too much by the LNER when the Hush Hush was released into traffic. Even though it was rebuilt with the body of a A4, it still retained its wheel configuration. It just seems too much for the NWR, considering its size. Its slightly bigger than the Furness Railway from what I've gathered. (If not, they're about the same size.)

These are the engines from the UK that I have listed so far, so I have still have more classes to sift through. The American steam engines are already a "No," due to their massive size. I have the following that could be really good candidates, because I'm pretty damn sure the Earl would love to preserve/operate a foreign engine. It just screams like something he would do. However, this list contain streamliners.

New South Wales C38 class: This one because they look similar to the Hudsons. Like the LMS Coronations, their casings can be removed to unveil the nonstreamlined version. Built in the 1940s.

Source: Wikipedia

Iraqi State Railways PC class: Similar design to the streamlined LMS Coronations with the valenced similar to those of the LNER Gresley A4s. Purely streamlined. I haven't found a photo where its not streamlined. Built in the 1940s. Only international option I've chosen that doesn't have any survivors to this day.

Source

DRB Class 01.10: Another streamlined engine that can have its casings removed. Built in the 1930s.

Source: Wikipedia

"But wait a minute, you just said this about the streamliners-" yeah I did but here's the thing. Connor and Caitlin are KNOWN AS streamliners. They're known to be different to the other engines and extremely fast. I would like to keep that as the first thing you know about them. They're ✨ streamlined ✨.

But then here comes another issue (this is post is so damn long- wut 😭)

I want to make "Best Engine Ever" canon to EoSR but I can't think I can pull off how dangerous it becomes since all of the examples I've mentioned have front buffers and they don't really have skirts, excluding the Iraqi State Railways PC class.

With all of this taken into consideration, I'm definitely leaning towards the New South Wales C38 as Connor's basis, just because the front reminds me of his T&F basis. They're green which is closer to the teal/blue Conor is originally in. As for Caitlyn, I'm somewhat considering the Iraqi State Railways PC class. It's a very good candidate, in my opinion, but the paintwork is what's throwing it off. I don't want to end up with two green engines, though it looks like the PCs used a mint green.

I'm just not entirely convined by the UK steam engines, though technically the Iraqi State Railways PC engine is English since this basis was built in England.

These classes were built mostly before BR era (C38s: January 1943 - November 1949 & PCs: 1940), they look smaller than the American engines and about the same size as the UK built engines, and they have visual aspects that remind me of their original basis from Thomas and Friends. Neither class only has a sole survivor. The Iraqi State Railway PCs having no surivors while the New South Wales C38s have four survivors. Neither class is made up of one example or been used as a basis for another character. Both classes survived past the 1950s and early-1960s, with the lastest withdrawal being that of a C38 in 1970.

So this is my overly-complicated and probably unnecessary analysis/research for Connor and Caitlin's new basis because I'm weird and want to stick as close to the real-world as much as I can. I wrote this within the span of two days because i was doing research as I was writing this so consider this post as a bunch of notes (which is part of the reason why I kept contradicting myself when it came to streamlining 🤡).

#her train of thoughts #ttte caitlin #ttte connor #engines of sudrian rails by muxse #long post #tw long post #cw long post #not my photos #pretty sure this is my longest post 😭 #ty Tumblr for having the ''Read More'' feature :''''D

[imitation-steamroller]

Kana Headcanons

Or rather, Kana headcanons if she had been in the original series.

- Kana’s arrival to Sodor was rife with miscommunication. No one told her she was going to be in a railway museum, just that she was going to Sodor. She couldn’t talk to the earl about it, as he was away on business. And the castle engines knew about as much as she did.

- Thomas, Percy, and Nia took her out for late night runs to cheer her up. Twice a week, they’d sneak up to the castle and show her around the island. It was pretty fun, at least until the Fat Controller found out.

- Eventually, the earl came back and told her that even though she was part of the museum, she wasn’t going to be a static display. She was going to be bringing tourists to and from the castle with Connor and Caitlin.

- Kana isn’t a full bullet train. Instead of a pair of engines with a rake of coaches between them, it’s just Kana and two coaches. Although the earl has planned to get more for her.

- Like Stafford, Kana has a rechargable battery, albeit a much more powerful one. But unlike Stafford, Kana wasn’t built with hers. Hers was installed at the Dieselworks after the earl came back. There are charging ports at Ulfstead and Vicarstown for her.

- Kana initially had a habit of breaking the speed limit. But after an incredibly near miss with a cow and a stern talking to from the Fat Controller and the earl, she stuck to the limit.

- This girl collects psuedo grandparents like trading cards. She’s got Edward, Emily, Henry, Hiro, Stephen, Glynn, and even Gordon. She doesn’t even realize she’s doing it.

- Kana is a little gremlin. She’s not as mischevious as Bill and Ben, but she has been known to play tricks on other engines when she’s bored.

- She and James got off to a rocky start. James said that she and her coaches looked like a giant worm. Of course, Kana took offense to that, but Henry stopped her before she could fire back. And in typical Sodor fashion, James later crashed into a muddy field and became a bit of a worm himself.

- Kana is particularly fond of Bruno, a brakevan at the railway museum. Bruno tells the earl when her social battery is drained and she needs a break, and Kana will take Bruno to a quiet place when he gets overstimulated.

- She’s one of, if not the youngest engine on the island. Most of young engines are at least a few years old. Kana was just barely out of the workshops when she arrived on Sodor. This causes some of the older engines to talk down to her like a child, much to her chagrin.

- Kana has pulled trucks exactly once, and probably never will again. See, Henry was ill and a train needed to get to Vicarstown urgently. When Kana got to the end of the line, the trucks were begging for someone slower to take them.

- She’s not a fan of going backwards. When Gordon’s brake coach broke a brake pipe (Try saying that three times fast), Kana served as an emergency replacement. Something about watching everything whizz by her in reverse made her feel sick. She doesn’t think she’ll ever see what Bruno enjoys about it.

- She once dragged Rosie across the island, much like Gordon did with Thomas. Although in Kana’s case, it was an accident. Rosie is quite certain that she doesn’t want to go that fast ever again.

- She’s a little envious of the steam engines and they way they blow steam at each other when they’re annoyed. The best she can do is shout and blow her horn.

#ttte headcanons #ttte kana #ttte #thomas the tank engine #ttte thomas #ttte percy #ttte nia #ttte edward #ttte emily #ttte hiro #ttte henry #ttte gordon #ttte james #ttte bruno #ttte rosie #ttte headcanon

[agirlwholovesspe33d]

So, this post is sort of inspired by @asktrio516 and her post about official ships.

I’m here with some of mine. And just like her, I’m going to put some headcanons about each couple.

(this post is way too long to make a Spanish version in within itself, I’ll do a similar post but in Spanish at a later date)

Thomas x James 💙💖

Quoting what TheUnluckyTug said in his James video. "When Thomas is in-character he's also hot-head, impatient and not very bright. You're basically watching two hot-headed jackasses try to one-up each other".

The perfect date for them would be race to a normally crowded location (The Wharf, Brendam Docks, Knapford, Kirk Ronan, etc) since there would be a large crowd to wave and cheer to the winner. Although they sometimes do race just for fun, similar to Thomas’ races with Bertie.

(Little aside headcanon: Two months before Sodor Day a little singing competition is held. The two finalists have a race to a certain location)

Thomas is capable of redeeming James (he did redeem Diesel and Diesel 10 of all characters) but he just loves seeing James being so self-centered and acting like an idiot that he just lets the fire spread. But if he thinks he goes too far, he does lower James' ego a bit. Even though James doesn't always listens.

Thomas lives in a house at Ffarquhar, whereas James lives in the Tidmouth Workers' Hut. If they ever get married they would probably go live at either Lower Tidmouth or Elsbridge. So they can have access to both the Ffarquhar Branch Line and the Main Line.

Thomas was afraid of telling Jane about their relationship, but one time. Jane entered Thomas' room, and she did so holding her girlfriend's hand (more about that in another post) and she said half the phrase when she saw James and Thomas in the latter's bed. You could say it was a simultaneous realisation.

If James doesn’t complain about pulling a goods train it's either because he knows its important, or because Thomas is there with him the whole way chatting about their life.

Henry x Hiro 💚🖤

Sometimes they cook together and even harvest

Hiro teaches Japanese to Henry

Henry sometimes combs Hiro’s hair

If they both had the time, and/or the money; Hiro would take Henry to explore Japan, but for now. Sodor’s forests like Henry’s, the Whistling Woods, and the Whispering Woods will suffice.

(note: Toby and the Whispering Woods is not canon)

They usually go and chat at a siding in Henry's Forest about their daily life and how things have been on each railway. (Hiro does spend a lot of time on the Mainland after all)

Hiro is conscious about Henry's tragic life before Sodor and on his first days on the railway and is willing to give him therapy. Henry is willing to tell Hiro about his struggles or nightmares.

Emily x Caitlin 💚💖

Emily admired her. But ever since she saved her from falling down Ulfstead Hill, Caitlin admires her.

Caitlin sometimes takes her on tours around Ulfstead Castle with their engines. Other times Emily goes voluntarily just to spend time with her.

Emily has experiences with castles, and loves to share them with Caitlin, like when she played to be ‘Queen Emily’ at Rolf’s Castle, or when she discovered a family of seals near Callan (the Scottish) Castle.

Caitlin actually calls her “Queen Emily” sometimes. Something fitting for Caitlin considering the Earl refers to her as one of his Knights in Shining Armor, along with Connor.

Millie wants to be the flower girl at her wedding. More than anything because she's the closest to Caitlin.

James would probably be Emily's best man.

Caitlin took advantage of a ball that Sir Robert organized at Ulfstead castle to invite Emily to a date on which she proposed to her. Emily jokingly dropped her high heel as she left at midnight. (Which also fits since she's Number 12.)

Douglas x Oliver 🖤💚

Both take advantage of their living on the West Coast to visit the beach on their days off/free time. Often going through quiet walks through the beach.

In fact, in one of those walks, they ended up lying down and kissing in the middle of the wave, and (similar to the scene with the mermaid in Shrek 2) Oliver ended up kissing Donald.

Oliver thought he could start feeling something after Douglas saved his job, but when he broke his knee accidentally, and Douglas carried him in his arms he was like "Yep. I'm in love with him now".

Oliver didn't tell anything about it to Duck, as he thought he would either be against it or his advice wouldn't be much use to him. So he went to Toad for advice. And Toad ended up encouraging Oliver to confess his feelings for Douglas.

If Oliver wants to give Douglas something he will usually ask Donald "What would Douglas like on his birthday" and Donald would gladly help him and not tell anything to his twin.

When she started working on the West coast, Daisy thought they were a poli-romantic couple until Donald said they weren't.

The Arlesdale Trio would definitely be their groomsmen at their wedding. (It’s funny to think of Frank as the flower girl XD)

I would totally do a Percy's Seaside Trip cover with them in mind, but I'm not too sure on what the lyrics would be.

Molly x Neville 💛🖤

Neville knows Molly doesn't like swearing. So he tries not to do it if she's around. When someone else does swear in front of her. Neville will personally put them in their place.

Molly helped Dennis on several occasions. And was afraid of telling him about her relationship with Neville, but Dennis understood, and thought Molly wouldn’t like him in a romantic way anyway.

Thomas helped Neville get out of his shell, and that helped him to confess his feelings for Molly. Since he was as shy as her when he first arrived on the railway. (being mistreated by Emily and Thomas didn’t help)

(sidenote: in the episode ‘Thomas and the New Engine’, Neville departs from Cronk towards the bridge that connects with the Peel Godred Branch instead of Abbey, since the latter resembles more a Main Line station)

They both like to eat in each other engine’s cab. They also like reading there.

Just like Dennis is close friends with Molly, Murdoch is close friends with Neville. So they both would probably be each other’s best man at their Wedding.

Just like their themes in each other’s episodes. They enjoy listening to quiet, calm, relaxing music together as they work or dance. (I know Neville doesn’t have a theme, but you could say the theme at the start of Thomas and the New Engine is what he listens to. Or Percy’s S8-12 Theme)

Mavis x Rosie 🖤💖

Rosie had a brief crush on Emily before during a period of time where Thomas and Percy were busy in other parts of the island. Rosie and Stanley took over their jobs on the Ffarquhar Branch. Rosie handled the goods and deliveries to the Quarry. Despite Thomas and Percy returning, Rosie and Stanley stayed a while to help with odd jobs like shunting.

Rosie saw how hard Mavis worked, and being the type of girl that admires people with the ability to handle multiple jobs, (just like she idolized Thomas), she began to admire the diesel driver. This led to Rosie becoming stronger and more determined, just like Mavis.

Mavis noticed this and thought it would be nice if someone was just as strong as she was. So she played along.

In addition, she herself admired Rosie's desire to learn and work. Something that wasn’t present in a certain pair of twin yellow engine drivers.

Mavis eventually began to develop feelings for Rose, she thought that Rosie might simply admire her as a sister figure, so she said nothing. Although one day she kissed her on the cheek and saw her blush at her. She tried to keep sending hints. (Things like "Do you like girls", "What do you like in a girl?") And Rosie soon began to understand them.

Finally, when one is in love, and the other understands the hints. Both agreed to be girlfriends. And they have a relationship quite based on romanticism.

Mavis calls her Pinkie, Rose (I know there are people who write it with a Y). Or ‘my cute little flower’ because she has a flower’s name. Rosie calls her Mavey. (miss Dilemma please don't sue me, I thought it was a cute nickname and it was the first thing that came to mind)

Mavis likes to give flowers (especially Roses) to her.

Rosie currently works at Ulfstead Branch Line (along with 'Arry and Bert from time to time. And being pretty smart, she's one of the few Steamies they respect), so she can go to Ffarquhar Quarry often. So she sees Mavis often.

‘Arry and Bert don’t approve of girls dating other girls, but they do fear what Mavis and/or Rosie could do to them if they say any lesbofobic comment, so they stay quiet.

(the Ulfstead Branch Line is an access for Main Line Engines to come to Ffarquhar Quarry and collect heavy stone trains and take them down the same branch line.)

Elizabeth x Madge 💖💚

Both mother figures on the Skarloey Railway (SR). Although they act more like good cop/bad cop.

Madge always wants Elizabeth to keep her lorry in good condition, (she does work at the Quarries) Elizabeth also wants this so usually resorts to Madge on how to make it look shiny and clean.

Elizabeth loves to work with Madge delivering goods to the villages on the SR.

They like to keep their lorries close to each other and sometimes sleep with the other in one of the lorries

Elizabeth won't comply unless either Rusty uses their charm to convince her or Madge is there to bat her eyelashes.

Elizabeth tells Madge to be more stern, something she didn't want to do, but learned it was important ever since the crazy day she had with Duncan in the winter.

-They both like to have a calm, quiet walk through the many forests on the SR.

Since both of them had experiences with Duncan and Rusty, when they heard they started dating they were specially happy and started to make jokes about the Wedding (Duncan and Rusty would probably invite Madge and Elizabeth anyway)

Rusty x Duncan 🧡💛

Duncan wasn't conscious about Rusty being Non-Binary when he first met them. After saying sorry, Rusty explained it to Duncan and he has been respectful with this ever since.

Rusty is the only one that can put Duncan in his place. Hence why Duncan was actually put down by them when they told him not to go to the Mines (Duncan and the Old Mine)

Rusty does try to calm Duncan's grumpiness, but they know changing Duncan isn't that easy of a task. However, Duncan is willing to change if that means making Rusty feel better.

Duncan tries to learn about diesel engines to help Rusty with their locomotive and vice versa.

Peter Sam was unsure about Rusty dating Duncan, considering how rude Duncan was to them. But after the night at the Old Iron Bridge, he saw that Duncan was just stubborn, not an asshole and just went with it. Plus, after the accident at the Slate Mines and the Elephant Statue. Duncan started to give himself up to his couple.

When they both sleep together, Duncan usually steals the blanket.

Daisy x Ryan 💚💜

After Percy’s Predicament, Daisy went back to the Mainland as a completely new woman, although some of the Other Railway Diesel drivers’ attitudes rubbed off on her, she came back during the construction of the Sodor Airport and went back to the Mainland. She only came back permanently when the line to Harwick completed construction and they needed a locomotive to deal with the passengers.

At first, Daisy did have feelings for Ryan but since she hadn’t been on the island for a long time, she thought everyone still held a prejudice against diesels. But she soon learned Diesel, ‘Arry and Bert were literally the only Diesels with that superiority complex. Although she still waited patiently to confess his feelings for the young driver.

Judy and Jerome, as you may guess, would participate in their wedding, if Daisy planned one.

Diesel did disapprove of a Steamie dating a Diesel Engine driver (the fact he also had a crush on Daisy didn’t help) but when he slowly changed his ways after the spring accident, he also slowly accepted Daisy’s relationship, with the latter assuring him that maybe he will find that someone special.

Just like Douglas and Oliver, they like visiting the beaches on the Little Western branch line. And Daisy loves showing Ryan affect in public.

Ryan is another driver of a steam engine that ‘Arry and Bert respect, mainly because Diesel does, and he’s sort of ‘Arry and Bert’s leader. And because Daisy is capable of giving the Ironworks’ Twins a piece of her mind.

If they don’t spend Christmas or New Year at Harwick, most probable thing is that they spend it in the Dieselworks, but still bringing Judy and Jerome’s cranes with them.

Judy and Jerome love to lower their cranes’ hooks with a mistletoe just for them (and for other couples when they were in Knapford Yards)

#TTTE humanized #ttte #Thomas and Friends #humanized #human #ttte human au #ttte au #AU #shipping #ships #Douglas X Oliver #Thomas x James #Henry x Hiro #Duncan x Rusty #Emily x Caitlin #Elizabeth x Madge #Mavis x Rosie #lgbt pride #ttte molly #ttte ryan #Ryan x Daisy #Rusty x Duncan