Author's notes: I was really excited when I was editing this one. So much Sodor history is brought out with the S&M railway with this book. As an added bonus, we also see some more history with Miss Ravens' and Mr Holden's predecessors and the main 6's and CMC's predecessors. Let's go.

Dear Rachel

You once asked me for a book about our stirling single friend Emily. Well, thanks to that dinner you, me, Mitch, James, Mike and Dustin that my next door Neighbour and neighbourhood friend Mr. Kevin Volley invited us too back in 1970 and the expedition to find her the very same year, I have finally written it. And I can't believe we found out more about our friendship's legacy. Anyway though, here are stories of Emily's early life on the Island of Sodor.

Your best friend forever.

William James Holden

Early Beginnings

Narrator: The main 6 drivers, the Fat Controllers famous engines and Princess Celestia's little ponies can sometimes get lost in their own thoughts on the Island of Sodor. It was an Island where time seemed to stand still, and where history and magic comes to life. The island is well known for having a magical connection to another dimension known as the land of equestria, where very unique talking ponies live, and come to visit the island of sodor. Some of the little ponies often help out on the island's various railway's. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Prince Shining armor and Princess Cadence adore they're little ponies, where their big hearts and willingness to help out on the railways had made them very popular from humans to engines. The island is also famous for having lots of railways lines, from the Skarloey Railway, to the Culdee Fell Railway, the Arlesdale Miniature Railway, to the Harwick and Ballaswien Military Railway, to the North Western Railway. The Fat Controller, The Thin Controller, The Big Controller, The Small Controller and the Tiny Controller are very proud of there engines each and everyone with the engines displaying the luxury power and a nostalgic romance from a era's bygone and beyond. The year was 1970. It was evening and the main 6 drivers of Sodor had a good day working on the Ffarquhar branch with Thomas, Twilight, Toby, Applejack, Percy, Pinkie Pie, Mavis, Trixie, Daisy, Fleur De Les and Fancy Pants. And all 6 ponies and all 6 drivers were excited. Mr. Holden's next door neighbour, Mr. Kevin Volley, had invited them for a supper party at his home. He was a sprightly old gentleman with a fund of reminiscence about the good old days. He once used to work as stationmaster at one time in his prime but has since retired and he was good friend of both Mr. Holden and Miss Ravens and their families. Mr. Holden and Miss Ravens were excited.

Trixie: Well, I've never been to a supper party before.

Twilight Sparkle: I have several times in ponyville and several times elsewhere in Equestria.

Applejack: By golly. I hope he likes these apple fritters I baked for him and his wife.

Pinkie Pie: Same here with these cupcakes. I can't wait to make friends him.

Miss Ravens: (Sigh) I can't wait to see Mr. Volley again. We've got a lot of catching up to do.

Narrator: Mr. Holden smiled.

Mr. Holden: I feel the same way and yet I always see him every day of the week, watering his tulips and every day at Ffarquhar platform when we talk about the days of old.

Fancy Pants: Wow, I say. That's nice of him. Um, I do hope this is not a bad time call on Mr. Volley?

Fleur Di Les: Same here. Me and Fancy Pants would hate to intrude.

Mr. Holden: Don't worry. He knows all about you ponies from Equestria and has kindly invited all of you to supper as well. Never the less, early or late, he's always the same fine old chap. Always good tempered always happy to see you and always sorry to see you go. He's the most wonderful person to be around. Ah, he we are.

Narrator: Mr. Holden rang the doorbell and Mr. Kevin Volley opened and with smile on his face.

Mr. Volley: Oh William James Holden. You made it after all ….

Mr. Holden: Hullo old neighbour and friend of mine.

Narrator: Mr. Holden and Mr. Volley exchanged a hug.

Mr. Volley: Heheheheh oh good to see you too old friend. Heheheh. You look just like the spinning image of your father James with your mother's kind eyes. (Turns and smiles with delight when he sees Miss Ravens) Oh bless soul. If it isn't young Rachel Marie Ravens. (Hugs Miss Ravens)

Miss Ravens: Heheh. Hullo old friend. It's great to see you again.

Mr. Volley: Welcome to my home. The kippers' already on the table and we have nice salad already.

Mr. Holden: Oh wonderful!

Narrator: And they all went inside for supper. They all had a wonderful time and Mr. Volley was chatting away.

Mr. Volley: Well now, so your famous ponies from Equestria.

Twilight: That's right Mr. Volley. I'm Twilight Sparkle. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Narrator: And the other ponies introduced themselves.

Mr. Volley: Pleasure to meet you all too. Well, this hasn't been the first time since I've talked with ponies. Before, I've talked to several since 1908.

Twilight Sparkle: Whoa! Seriously.

Mr. Volley: I've got a memory like an elephant and yes I do remember seeing a bit of your kinda about in the old days when I was a lad before they seem to disappear.

Twilight Sparkle: How extraordinary.

Mr. Volley: I know. (Turns to Mr. Holden and Miss Ravens) It seems like only yesterday that your Mothers and fathers were bouncing you astride their knees young Rachel Ravens and William Holden, and I was only 4 when you were born Rachel, and 3 when you were born William.

Mr. Holden/Miss Ravens: HEHEHEH. Oh Mr. Volley, you do have the memory of elephant.

Mr. Volley: Heheheheh, and Mr. James Angus Holden and Mrs Marie Elizabeth Ravens said the same thing. Heheheh. Oh and speaking of memories, this reminds me, I have a present for you Young William Holden and Young Rachel Ravens.

Narrator: Mr. Volley got up and went to another and picked up a book from his book shelf.

Mr. Volley: Mr. Holden's father gave this to Miss Ravens' mother before he died in 1917 and Miss Ravens' Mother carried on to complete Mr. Holden's father's work. And now I think it's only fair that I return them both back to you two.

Mr. Holden/Miss Ravens: What is it?

Mr. Volley: This is a book called Emily the Victorian engine. They have written the story of a Victorian age steam locomotive.

Miss Ravens: Who has?

Mr Volley: Your predecessors, Sean Roger Holden, Emily Catherine Ravens, Angus Sean Holden, Elizabeth Emily Ravens, James Angus Holden and Marie Elizabeth Ravens.

Narrator: Mr. Holden and Miss Ravens stared at the little journals in amazement.

Mr. Holden/Miss Ravens: Crikey wizard!

Mr. Holden: Skarloey told us a bit about our families' friendship….

Miss Ravens: Yeah b-b-b-but we didn't think that they would actually make a book several generations ago.

Mr. Volley: Well here they are. There are 3 really interesting stories that Mr. Holden's Grandfather and Miss Ravens Great Grandmother wrote together both on each other's books. Here, you lad and lass go ahead read them aloud.

Narrator: Mr. Volley handed the book over to Mr. Holden and Miss Ravens and

Mr. Holden: Want to go first?

Miss Ravens: No, you go ahead.

Narrator: Mr. Holden cleared his throat and he began to read the first story written by his great grandfather, Sean Holden and Miss Ravens' great grandmother, Emily Ravens wrote. And this is taking place…..

Pinkie Pie: On the island of Sodor in 1870!

Narrator: (Jumps and falls out of her seat) AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!

Pinkie Pie: HI NARRATOR!

Narrator: What?! Pinkie Pie! What in the name of Sodor and Equestria are you doing of the page!?

Pinkie Pie: Oh just thought I would start this little thing have by shouting 'flashback' whenever it happens. Like this one time I was….

Narrator: Okay already …. I get the point. Now, will just get back into the dinner page please and for the love of Sir Topham Hatt and Princess Celestia, don't jump out of the pages whilst I'm writing I stories!

Pinkie Pie: Okie dokie lokie (Jumps back into the dinner page)

Narrator: Ugh! Seriously, I wonder if my best friend Austin has been having this problem too with her. Right. Anyway… (To Pinkie Pie) Stay…. You hear Pinkie, you stay… good mare… Anyway, on with the flashback.

Sean Holden 1st person narrating: It was 1870 and the-day was gonna be a grand' day dis year. Today de sodor and' mainland' railway was gettin' a new locomotive tae help run de line. So me an' me best friend Emily Catherine Ravens and one our pony friend Zap Apple all waited happily with Neil S&M No.2 for de engine to arrive.

Sean Holden: Oh i'm so excited Emily me lass.

Emily Ravens: Heheh. You're not the only excited mate. Take a gander at Zap Apple here Sean.

Zap Apple: Oh by sweet apple fritters and zap apple fritters! I can't wait to see that brand new steam engine!

Emily Ravens: Heheheh, alright. Calm yourself down mate. Calm yourself.

Sean Holden: Aye. Just calm down Zap Apple me lass.

Sean Holden narrating: At last, the ship arrived in the port of Kirk Ronan and the engine was soon off loaded. First a tender was off loaded and then the engine was soon brought to the rails. We could nae believe our eyes. This engine was beautiful.

Sean Holden: Golly. I say, dat dare is one beautiful engine Emily. Her shiny green paint jist reminds me of de grand' times in Ireland' dat me ma told me about when I was a wee young lad.

Emily Ravens: I like her colour too Sean me mate. 'n' just look at that brass shining like gold. It just reminds me of the beaut sunrises we got back on my ranch in Australia.

Zap Apple: And that thar brass is shinier than golden delicious apples.

Sean holden Narrating: So me, Emily Ravens an' Zap Apple drove Neil alongside to say hullo to her.

Manager: Sean Holden, Neil, Zap Apple, Emily Ravens, I'd like you to meet our new express passenger engine, Emily.

Emily Ravens: What, she's named after….

Manager: That's right. Named after you Emily Ravens, one of the first female engine drivers on Sodor.

Emily Ravens: Oh thank you mate, err… I mean Sir. it's an honour.

Sean Holden Narrating : Emily Ravens smiled brightly like the sudrian sun. I smiled too. I had engine named after me too one of box tanks named Sean, and now me friend Emily Ravens had an express engine named after her. I was proud tae be her friend.

Neil: Top o' ye mornin' ter ya Emily. Welcome tae da Sodor and Mainland Railway. My name is Neil, Sodor and Mainland No.2.

Emily: Why hullo there Neil. I'm Emily. Oh, and I take your Emily Ravens, my new driver and my namesake?

Emily Ravens: That's right. And this my pony friend Zapapple.

Zap Apple: Howdy Emily!

Emily: (Startled) AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH! IT TALKS!

Emily Ravens: Whoa there. Easy mate, easy! This normal here on Sodor.

Emily: Are you sure?

Emily Ravens: Positive.

Manager: Now Emily, your driver Miss Emily Ravens and pony helper Jewel learn the line so today you will go double heading a passenger train with Sean and his driver Sean Holden and pony helper Sky Dasher. They'll explain everything to you.

Emily: Yes Sir.

Rarity: (Through flashback) Jewel? You mean my great grandmother?!

Miss Ravens: (Through flashback) It appears so.

Rarity: (Though flashback) Oh, how wonderful!

Sean Holden Narrating: Just then, Neil's driver came to start for goods work whilst I went to get me engine Sean ready for Emily's trial run.

Neil: Good luck on your trial trip. I hope you have fun and I must be off to collect some slate from Skarloey. He's a little narrow gauge engine and the Skarloey Railway's number 1.

Zap Apple: Yeah, and good luck to you too Miss Emily Ravens. we'll be cheering ya all the way.

Emily/Emily Ravens: Thank you Neil. Thank you Zap Apple.

Sean Holden narrating: And Neil puffed away to fetch his trucks. A couple of minutes later, I arrived back with Sean, the S&M No.3, Jewel and Sky Dasher. Sean was coupled to some coaches. Jewel joined me friend Emily Ravens on Emily's footplate whilst me and Sky Dasher drew Sean up alongside.

Sean: Topa the morning tae ye. Ye maun be the new engine. I'm Sean.

Emily: Hullo to you too Sean. I'm Emily, and you must be Jewel and you must be Sky Dasher.

Jewel: Hullo there Emily. My you do look splendid.

Sky Dasher: Hello there Emily. Name's Sky Dasher. It's quite an honour to meet you Emily.

Sean: Aye. We'd better get going. Ye'll be coupled up in front of me as we double head the Shire horse.

Emily: The Shire horse?

Sean: That's our local stopping passenger train. We stop at all stations until we terminate at Ballahoo.

Emily: I see. Well then, let's get going.

Sean Holden Narrating: Soon Emily was coupled on a in front of Sean and when the guard blew the whistle we set off. We were going well, stopping at each station. Sean told Emily all about what there line was built for and what she had to do. During 1870's, the line was still using the old 4 wheel coaches. Emily was curious about us and her new railway.

Emily: So Miss Emily Ravens, you're the very first female engine driver?

Emily Ravens: That's correct Emily my mate, and it was Sean Holden whom helped me get the occupation too. We've been friends ever since came here in 1864, mate.

Sean Holden: Ai, and yer give some of the male drivers a run for their money yer do lass.

Emily: (Sigh) That's lovely. You make a good pair.

Sean Holden: Och, nae nae nae nae. Me and Emily Ravens are jist friends young lass. I've already got me a wife and a son. He actually works here on Neil and one our express steam engines called The Hero Of Sodor, but we just called him 'Hero' for short. His Name's Angus Sean Holden.

Emily Ravens: Yeah, same here. I already got myself married to a husband already and got me a daughter her names Elizabeth Emily Ravens. Like Sean Holden's son, she works alongside us on Rolf and even helps out Angus with Hero too. They work together. They plan to take over after next year,

Emily: Oh, how capital indeed. And what about you Jewel and Sky Dasher?

Jewel: Well, I mostly make fine gowns a dress and fine clothes for us ponies and for these humans.

Sky Dasher: I'm a pretty much a sports pony, since I'm what you call a pegasi I sometimes race with other ponies on ground or in the air. I also play golf and cricket. I'm also training to get into the Wonderbolts, a military group made after Nightmare Moon's banishment.

Emily: Wow. You lot have exciting lives.

Sean Holden narrating: (Sigh) At last we reached Crovans Gate where Emily soon made friends with both Skarloey and Rheneas. The wee little engines also gave her a grand welcome too, and so did Apple Blossom and Citrus Orange.

Skarloey: Hullo there. You must be the new engine of S&M. I'm Skarloey.

Rheneas: And I'm his brother, Rheneas.

Emily: Why hullo to you too Skarloey and Rheneas. I'm Emily.

Citrus Orange: I'm Citrus Orange.

Apple Blossom: And I'm Apple Blossom. Ah'm Zap Apple's sister and Citrus Orange is Zap Apple's and mah cousin.

Sean: Nice to see you guys again. How's the wee the railway doing?

Rheneas: Very great, thanks to you guys we're getting more passenger services and the slate quarries are running beautifully.

Sean: Aye, twern't nothing Rheneas me lad.

Sean Hoden Narrating: After a good chat, we continued on our journey until we reached Ballahoo. Me, Sean and Sky Dasher told here all about Ballahoo and about the turntable. Just then, a stationmaster lad came up to us. with urgent news.

Stationmaster: Hey, thank goodness you're here Sean. We need your help please. Neil was bringing up a goods train down here but he's broken down. I'll need you, Sky Dasher and Sean Holden to pull him and Zap Apple and his train to there destination and then home to Kirk Ronan after Emily takes the passenger train back down to the port.

Sean/Sean Holden/Sky Dasher: Yes Sir. We'll help them out right away.

Emily: But what about me. I don't know how to….

Sean: Don't worry Emily young lass. You'll do fine. Just remember, stopping trains stop at all stations. I know you can do it.

Jewel: Don't you worry youngster. You'll do absolutely swell my dear.

Sky Dasher: Good luck. We'll all be cheering for you.

Sean Holden narrator: And so with that, me, Sean and Sky Dasher set off to rescue Neil.

(Present)

Mr. Holden: Oh, I think it's your turn now Rachel.

Narrator: Miss Ravens looked at the next page.

Miss Ravens: Oh okay then. Here we go then. Ahem….

(Sodor 1870)

Emily Ravens Narrating: After Sean Holden left with S&M Number 3 Sean and Sky Dasher to rescue Zap Apple and Neil. As soon as we were given the all clear signal, I opened Emily's regulator gently at first then wider and wider and Emily nervously tried to remember Sean had taught us all the places and station where we had to stop. Soon Emily began to feel much happier and soon learned everything about pulling the shire horse

Emily: This is easier than I thought it would be.

Emily Ravens Narrating: Emily, Jewel and I had wonderful all the little school children waved as we went by and Emily made friends with the other engines and the other ponies and all the people. She worked hard all day, the carriages thought that she was very kind and Me and Jewel thought so too. When she arrived back the manager was very pleased.

Manager: Well done Emily. You've managed that stopping train very well without Sean's help I'm truly glad to have bought you. Doncaster knew what they were doing when they built you.

Jewel: You were absolutely splendid dear.

Emily Ravens: You truly were great.

Emily Ravens narrator: Emily blushed modestly.

Emily: Aww. Thanks guys. Just doing my best for this railway.

Manager: And you've did beyond that. I'm proud of you and I assign you out again tomorrow.

Emily Ravens Narrator: Emily was very pleased to agree. Then going happily to her sheds, she grinned as she fell asleep at once.

Man was this a good story. When I found out about Emily's class and what year it was made in, I was shocked to find out that it was built as early as the 1870s and was completely withdrawn by the middle of the 1910s. With at least 1 preserved, you can barely tell. (I'm still trying to figure out how the GNR stirling single is preserved at the National Railway Museum) Look out for part 2.