Author's notes: I added a little extra in the beginning, but the story is relatively unchanged. Also, foreshadowing later stories. See if you can pick them up.

Dear Rachel, Mike, James, Mitch and our brand new friend Dustin.

This year has quite an eventful year, hasn't it? Is sad to know that BR has now officially been dieselized, and I'm sorry to say that they have now abolished steam traction on British rail. But as I learned a long time ago, there is always hope. And I truly believe it more than ever thanks to Mitch and Dustin. On the bright side, we got a visit from the famous engine LNER 4472 or should I say "The Flying Scotsman", then Mitch and Henry along with Applejack had saved 2 dead diesels on a jammed regulator. Finally, Dustin, Braeburn and Douglas managed to rescue us a brand new friend, and one of the diesels have also joined the NWR fleet. Unlike the other diesel.

Anyway, here are the stories about our enterprising engines.

Your best friend forever

William James Holden.

Tenders for Henry

Narrator: Gordon, Rainbow Dash and Mr Holden had arrived at Barrow In Furness, then they ran round to the siding out of the way. Gordon was just simmering quietly while Mr Holden and Rainbow Dash were having their sandwiches and lemonade in the station when a class 47 pulled up. He was to take the express.

Class 47: You're an A3, right?

Gordon: Well, I haven't been given a class, being a prototype and everything, but I suppose you could call me an A0.

Class 47: Ah, I'm not too good with names but, are you the famous Gordon from the Railway Series?

Gordon: That I am. I am one of the finest of Greseley's designs.

Class 47: Indeed. I've heard about you and all your brothers and sisters. You lot were a prime choice for expresses I hear.

(Random class 11 shunting in the background)

Class 11: You mean, was one of the finest designs.

Gordon: What is he talking about?

Class 11: Don't you know? Steam engines have all been withdrawn from British Railways! We have abolished them! All your brothers and sisters are gone!

Gordon: That isn't true! It isn't!

Class 47: Bob! Don't be rude to him. Get back to shunting, now!

Bob: Fine! Stop being so defence of these steam engines Brush! Gosh! (Goes back to sort out another train.)

Brush: I am truly sorry about that Gordon.

Gordon: (Looking at his buffers) Not your fault.

Brush: Are you ok?

Gordon: Huh? Oh… it's nothing.

Narrator: Just then, Mr Holden and Rainbow Dash came back from their break.

Mr Holden: Ok boy. Ready?

Gordon: Sure… I guess.

Rainbow Dash: You alright big G?

Gordon: (Sighs) I'll tell you on the way back. Oh, bye Brush, nice meeting you, (Adding quietly to Brush) And thanks for the kind word back there.

Brush: Bye Gordon, nice meeting you, anytime. (He takes off with the express up to Arnside, still a bit concerned) Better have a talk to 7101 about this.

Narrator: The next day at Tidmouth Shed's coaling stage, Gordon was so depressed he took on a large supply of coal and when he reached the next coaling stage at Knapford with his WildNorWester, Gordon took on an even larger amount of coal. By the time he had reached Crovans Gate, he took on a much more larger supply of coal than he normally took, just as James, Rarity and Miss Ravens pulled in with a coal train.

Mr. Holden: Hey Miss Ravens, Rarity. How you guys doing?

Miss Ravens: Oh, we're alright. How's Gordon.

Rainbow Dash: (Worried) Not so good.

Miss Ravens: Oh dear. I see. Anyway, we've been taking a coal train to refill all the coaling stages but we had to refill 3 coaling stages a lot today.

Rarity: Yes, and each one were at the station stops of the WildNorWester.

James: Well look right there. There's your culprit. Gordon, I mean, look. There's coal overflowing your tender. That's three loads today. Sheesh, the way you consume coal makes it the Fat Controller look thinner than he looks.

Rarity: Indeed. Some may say your being rather greedy and selfish. Save some coal for the other engines.

Gordon: (Depressed) Pah! I'm an important engine! One of Greseley's first and finest pacifics! Important engines like myself need all the coal and water we can get, but then again, I doubt you could ever understand that Rarity and James.

Rarity: Oh how rude of you! Hmph!

Narrator: James and Rarity snorted crossly and as Gordon cleared the next home signal they went back to work. But next day, Gordon was still feeling depressed.

Gordon: (Sighing sadly) I'm not happy.

James: Pah! Your firebox must be out of order! Hmph! No wonder. After all the coal you had 2 days ago.

Rarity: It most certainly serves you right for being so greedy! Hmph!

Gordon: Pah! Important work brings good appetite! You two would never understand!

Rainbow Dash: Put a sock in it James and Rarity! Leave him al…

Duck: I know it's boiler ache. I warned you about that stand pipe from the other railway, but I heard you've drank gallons.

Sally: Duck, be quiet.

Bridget: Leave poor Gordon alone.

Flitter: He's probably just tiered from his last trip or something.

Cloud Chaser: Cut him some slack.

Gordon: It's not boiler ache! It's….

Henry: Of course it is! That water's bad. It firs up your tubes. Have a good washout! Then you'll feel a different engine.

Applejack: (Snickering) Heheheheh….

Blossomforth: For the love of Equestria Applejack! I expect better from you!

Belle: You lot leave my boyfriend alone!

Rainbow Dash: OH FOR PETE SAKE HENRY AND APPLEJACK!

Gordon/Rainbow Dash: DON'T BE VULGAR!

Narrator: Mr. Holden arrived and he and Rainbow Dash climbed in and took Gordon to station to take the WildNorWester. Belle looked a bit concerned.

Belle: I've never seen him this upset. What's gotten into him?

Bridget: I don't have any clue Belle.

Narrator: Gordon back down onto his train hissing mournfully. Princess Celestia and the Fat Controller were on the platform to see him. Both of them had noticed that Gordon had been feeling very depressed for 3 days and were very worried.

Fat Controller: Cheer up Gordon!

Gordon: I can't Sir. The others say I have boiler ache, but I haven't sir. I think I have what is called a heart ache.

Celestia: Whatever do you mean? What's wrong?

Gordon: I just keep thinking about the dreadful state of the world that the diesels keep jiving and teasing me about. But I must know, is it true sir and malady, what the diesel's say?

Celestia/Fat Controller: What do they say?

Gordon: (Sighing sadly) They boast that the other railway has now…. abolished steam Sir and Malady.

Narrator: Princess Celestia really didn't know, but she then looked at the Fat Controller and saw him frowning sadly. She knew the answer now.

Fat Controller: (Frowning sadly) Yes Gordon. I'm afraid it is true.

Narrator: Rainbow Dash was shocked but not as much as Gordon was.

Gordon/ Rainbow Dash: (Horrified) WHAT SIR?!

Celestia: (Sadly) I'm sorry Gordon and Rainbow Dash… but I'm afraid it is all true.

Gordon: (Bursting into tears) What?! All my Doncaster brothers and sisters, drawn the same time as me?!

Fat Controller: (Sighing sadly) I'm afraid they're all gone. Except one.

Narrator: At that moment, the guards whistle blew and Gordon puffed sadly away…. The Fat Controller and Princess Celestia felt very sorry for the big blue engine.

Celestia: (Sighing sadly) Poor old Gordon.

Fat Controller: (Sighing sadly) If only we could…. (Cheering up) Yes!

Celestia: Yes what Sir Charles Topham Hatt?

Fat Controller: Yes! I'll ask his owner at once!

Narrator: He hurried away, leaving a very confused Princess of the day. Arrangements took time. But one evening, Mr. Holden and the rest of the main 5 drivers came running back to him excited followed closely by Rainbow Dash.

Mr. Holden: (Excited) WAKE UP GORDON!

Gordon: (Wakes up) Yes Sir Topham, I'm listening! (Reality) Huh!? What are you guys doing here.

Rainbow Dash: (Even more excited) THE FAT CONTROLLER AND PRINCESS CELESTIA HAVE GIVEN YOU A SURPRISE!

Gordon: For me? What is it?

Rainbow Dash/Main 5 drivers: LOOK! (pointing)

Narrator: Gordon could hardly believe his eyes. There, backing towards him, were two massive green tenders. One with the letters L.N.E.R, which stood for London North Eastern Railway, and the other with the number 4472. The engines shape was very much like his own.

Gordon: (More excited than anyone and happier than he had been for years ) GREAT SCOT! IT'S 4472, FLYING SCOTSMAN! THE FAMOUS LNER A3 PACIFIC! Princess Celestia and the Fat Controller has brought him to see me. Oh thank you malady and Sir.

Rainbow Dash: Oh My Gosh! Oh My Gosh! Oh My Gosh! Oh My Gosh! Oh My Gosh!

Narrator: Gordon's toot and Rainbow Dash's and drivers cheers of joy were drowned out by Flying Scotsman's toot of joy. The next day, the two Greseley engines were photographed side by side and then with the mane 6 ponies and the main 5 drivers.

Flying Scotsman: Hullo Gordon. I tell you it's so great to see again. And I see your friends with those famous ponies. Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity and a lot more. I must say, I'm impressed.

Rarity: You know my name Mr. Flying Scotsman? (Dramatic Faint)

Gordon: Why yes, uh, thank you my brother. And it's so wonderful to see you too.

Narrator: Just then, Bridget, Sally and Belle pulled up with Cloud Chaser, Blossomforth and Flitter.

Bridget: Oh my. Flying Scotsman?

Sally: Is that you?

Flying Scotsman: Bridget and Sally! I remember you 2 from the Great Northern Railway. How goes it here?

Bridget: Grand to see you too Soct.

Sally: It's good to know that your preserved.

Flying Scotsman: And who are your other friends Gordon?

Gordon: Ah well, these 2 are Cloud Chaser and Flitter. They are sisters you see, and mostly help with Bridget and Sally.

Flying Scotsman: Nice to meet you both.

Flitter/Cloud Chaser: Pleasure is ours Flying Scotsman.

Gordon: This other pony is Blossomforth. She came around in 1966 to assist the railway.

Blossomforth: Hello Flying Scotsman.

Flying Scotsman: Hello Blossomforth. Nice to see meet you as well.

Gordon: And the 4MT here, is my girlfriend Belle. BoCo saved her and Arthur while he was taking the express when I was doing other work and while James was uh… 'busy as a bee' let's say.

Flying Scotsman: Bless me. Well, I guess I've got myself a sister in law.

Belle: You too Flying Scotsman.

Flying Scotsman: Yeah, you too. (looks at Gordon) Hmm. I see you've changed a lot.

Narrator: Gordon blushed and looked abashed.

Gordon: Oh this. Uh yeah… you see, I had uh… rebuild at crewe. They gave me a fowler tender so I could fit more easily on our turntables and fitted me with something called a Stanier conjugated valve gear after I shattered my greseley valve gear. Then they gave me squared-off side windows and rectangular buffers. I know not really a proper Doncaster Job of course, but never the less, it still serves me well.

Flying Scotsman: Oh don't worry. I understand completely. Heheheheh Speak of rebuilds, I had a rebuild too by British Railways. They fitted with a double Kylchap chimney to improve performance and economy well at least in there minds. However, that caused soft exhaust and smoke drift that tended to obscure my driver's forward vision; the remedy was found in the German-type smoke deflectors which BR fitted on both sides of my smoke box from 1960. Heh… I tell you, it made look absolutely hideous…

Rarity: (Shocked) Oh my word! The nerve of that retched so called Dr. Beeching! I've Heard of altering ones shape a little bit for a splash of colour. BUT THAT! THAT IS A CRIME AGAINST FASHION!

Rainbow Dash: Whoa there Rarity! Calm down. This is Gordon's special day.

Rarity: (Blushing) Oh uh… yes. Aheheh. Uh, sorry about that Mr. Flying Scotsman, Sir.

Narrator: Flying Scotsman smiled and laughed.

Flying Scotsman: Hahahahaha. Oh don't worry. Those were my thoughts then. But fortunately my Owner, Alan Pegler, whom first saw me as a lad in Wembley at the 1924 British Empire Exhibition told them that I was a very special engine and made them give me back my proper original doncaster shape.

Rarity: Oh my, say that's smashing. And just look at your apple green livery. It is just bedazzling in the sunlight.

Gordon: Indeed, so is that why need two tenders? Being special?

Flying Scotsman: Oh no no no no, far from it. You'd hardly believe it Gordon, but over there on British Railways, now that it is all dieselized, they've hardly any coal water.

Gordon: But surely every proper railway would…

Flying Scotsman: Exactly! Your very lucky Gordon and girls, to have a controller who knows how to run a proper railway. Not mention, your lucky to live on island that's very accepting to talking ponies. Heh, I wish it was like that on BR too. I would like to have a pony in my cab riding with driver and fireman.

Narrator: Gordon felt better than he had been for days. Everyone and everypony got on very well with Flying Scotsman, and when he told Rainbow Dash about his record breaking 100 mile an hour run from between London and Edinburgh, clocking up around 2 million miles on November 30th 1934, Rainbow Dash couldn't help but squeal like a fangirl.

Rainbow Dash: I'm… hanging… with the… Flying Scotsman! (fangirl squeal)

Narrator: The main 5 drivers also made friends with Flying Scotsman's owner Alan Pegler. Mr. Hawkins was very excited when he met Flying Scotsman's driver whom was on trial to work for the NWR.

?: Hey Mike. Guess who?

(Mr. Hawkins smiles excitedly)

Mr. Hawkins: Well bless my soul! Dustin Hoskins! I don't believe it. Hey how are you?

Mr. Hoskins: Great, how bout you?

Mr. Hawkins: Like wise.

Miss Ravens: You two know each other?

Mr. Hoskins: Why, we were partners back in swindon.

Mr. Holden: Heheheh, well, it is small world. So, what brings you here?

Mr. Hoskins: Well I plan to work here. I heard about this island's famous railway and about the famous ponies from Equestria and I thought I might join up and give you all a helping hand and uh… hoof too.

Twilight Sparkle: Heheh. Oh, that's very nice of you. I hope you do good. Oh by the way, I'm Twilight Sparkle. Pleasure to meet you Mr. Hoskins.

Mr. Hoskins: Nice to meet you too Twilight. Are there any more ponies around here.

Twilight Sparkle: Oh, masses of us around here.

Mr. Hoskins: Oh man, this gonna be so awesome.

Miss Ravens: Hahahaha. That quote reminds me of Rainbow Dash. She's one our pony friends here, and she's a pegasus too.

Mr. Hoskins : Oh that's grand. I can't wait to start work here. I'm gonna have a lot of fun.

Narrator: Soon, Flying Scotsman and Mr. Hoskins became good friends with everyone. All except Henry. Henry was jealous of Flying Scotsman.

Henry: Tenders are marks of distinction. Everybody knows that! So why does that Flying Scotsman have two?

Duck: He's famous.

Applejack: That's right, and from what he told us, he was the second engine since Duck's great western friend, City of Truro, to break the 100 mph land speed record in 1934.

Big Macintosh: Eeeyup.

Donald: Besides lad, the other railway has no coal and water since the modernisation plan kicked in.

Big Macintosh: Eeeyup! So he needs two tenders so he can keep travel long distances without running out of steam.

Henry: Pah! I can't believe that! Now I never boast, but I always work hard enough for 2. I deserve another tender for that.

Narrator: Duck whispered something to Donald, Big Macintosh and Applejack and all of them quietly snickered. They were planning on playing a trick on Henry.

Duck: Henry would like some of my tenders.

Henry: Your tenders? And what have you got to do with tenders.

Duck: Alright then. Deals off. How about it Donald?

Donald: Och. I would nae deprive ye of the honour.

Big Macintosh: Eeeyup.

Duck: Well, I guess you do have a point there Donald. It must be great honour, but then again, I'm only a tank engine and don't understand anything about them.

Applejack: Hey I know. Perhaps James might like them…

Henry: (Hastily) Uh, I am sorry I was rude to you. How many tenders do you have and when can I have them?

Duck: Well lets see. Uh… Hmmm. Ah yes. I have six and you can have them this evening.

Henry: Six lovely tenders! Oh what a splendid sight I'll be. That'll show the others.

Narrator: Mr. Thompson arrived. He saw Duck, Applejack, Big Macintosh and Donald and all exchanged winks as he and Applejack jumped into Henry's cab and Henry puffed excitedly away.

Duck/Donald: (Snickering) Can you believe it took the bait? Hook line and sinker.

Big Macintosh: (Snickering) Eeeyup.

Narrator: Henry was excited all afternoon.

Henry: Do you think it will be alright?

Duck: Of course. Just go where I've told you and they'll be ready.

Narrator: Meanwhile word had got round. The other engines, ponies and 5 of the drivers all waited where they could get a good view. Mr. Holden set up his camera and got ready to film. They all cheered when Henry came into view. But He wasn't a splendid sight at all. True, he had six tenders, but they very and very dirty and all were filled with boiler sludge. Every engine, person and pony all burst into laughter, even his own crew. Henry went red with embarrassment, shut his eyes and pretended to be invisible.

Pony voice: Bahahahahahaheheaha! Hey nice tenders Henry! Did you get them on sale at a junk yard? HAHAHAHA!

Engine voice: Don't worry about the boiler sludge, just have good washout Henry. That's right, and then you'll feel a different engine!

Narrator: Henry wasn't so sure, but he thought that voices belonged to Rainbow Dash and Gordon.

Alright! I love this one. Shows how deep a kids book can go into one of these subjects while still having some lighthearted humour.