Author's notes: I decided to take a more mature approach with Sir Handel's 1st impressions of Rex. You would think he has more respect for Rex and his 2 brothers, considering what they have done by finding Duke in the 1st place. It also shows more character growth from him, and the fact that he learned his lesson from 'Mountain Engines'. The main story stays very much the same though. Also, Her Sandel is a character from SodorMatchMaker.

Here Come The Falcon's

Narrator: A few nights later after a hard day's work, Fearless Freddie, William, Sir Handel, Skarloey, Rheneas, Rachel, Rusty, Ward Fell and Fred were resting in the sheds. Mr. Holden, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Hoskins, Featherweight, Apple Bloom and Babs Seed were just putting the steam engines fires' out and getting them ready for a goods night's rest. Just then, Brush the works diesel that rescued James and Rarity and his ponyfriend Nurse Sweetheart pushed a flat truck into a siding adjacent to they're sheds. Nestled on top of the flatbed was a small green tender engine.

Sir Handel: Hello. Don't think we've seen you before. What's your name?

Rex: The name's Rex. Nice to meet you lot.

Narrator: The engines and foals were quick to introduce themselves, well, Apple Bloom had already met him from when she was visiting his railway before, but something stirred in Sir Handel's memory.

Sir Handel: Rex… hey, weren't you one of the engines that…

Narrator: Just then, Duke arrived back into the sheds with Mr. Hugh, and Pipsqueak followed by Peter Sam with Miss Ravens and Sweetie Belle and of course last and late was Duncan with Mr. Roberts and Scootaloo.

Duncan: My word. Unbelievable! Surely this little oversized children's toy can't be a real engine at all. He's far too small to fit on our line or on the NWR lines!

Apple Bloom: Uh-oh. Here we go again

Narrator: The other engines and little foal's rolled their eyes as the small green tender engine offended glared at him.

Rex: OY! You watch you're P's and Q's. For your information, I happen to be one of the strongest engines on my line.

Narrator: Duncan snorted

Duncan: What, you?! A little tiny toy train like you? Pah! Don't make me laugh.

Rex: TINY! OOOHHH! YOU'RE LUCKY I'M NOT ON THAT WHARF CAUSE'D I'D WRECK YOUR WHISTLE AND THROW YOU RIGHT OFF YOU'RE WHARF!

Duncan: I BEG YOU'RE PARDON?! I …..

Skarloey: Alright, that's enough you two.

Sir Handel: Duncan, please. Your making the same mistake I did when Culdee arrived for a visit. (Sighs) We are very sorry about this Rex.

Rex: Oh. That's alright Sir Handel. I…

Duke: Well by jov. Rex! I thought I recognised you. One of the small railway engines that work for Princess Cadence and the small controller, Mr. Fergus Duncan.

Narrator: And then Rex noticed Duke.

Rex: Oh yes. Now I remember. You're Duke! I remember. You were the one whom helped to keep my spirits bright after (Blushing with embarrassment)… uh after that mishap with the wool… aheheheh…

Duke: Oh yes. When you derailed at the green from hitting the wool bails….

Narrator: Rex blushed bright red and looked at his buffers whilst Miss Ravens blushed and looked at her feet. Duncan and Ward Fell couldn't help but snicker quietly, but Rachel and William eyed them up. Then, Sir Handel and Peter Sam realised something.

Sir Handel: Rex, you helped to find Duke, didn't you?

Rex: I sure did.

Peter Sam: Thank you very kindly, Rex, and to your friends too. We are eternally grateful for what you have done.

Sir Handel: Indeed. Thank you for getting us back together with our Granpuff.

Rex: Hey, it wasn't a problem you 2. So, what are you lot up to?

Rachel: Duke's been telling us all about the history about the Mid Sodor Railway a few days ago.

William: And we've all been learning a lot from Duke.

Narrator: They told Rex what they all learned from Duke.

Rex: Wow. I never knew that before. So you were the only engine left?

Duke: No. Not really. There were many engines on our old line throughout the lifespan of the Mid Sodor after the loss of Bertram, Mistress, Pioneer, Great Wonder, Master, Duchess, Shire Horse and Smudger, but not all of them remain.

Narrator: Duke didn't notice Miss Ravens and Mr. Holden exchange winks with Rachel.

Sweetie Belle: So, what happened after Smudger's and Shire Horse's down fall.

Duke: Well, we did gained 2 new enginesin 1904 who came from the Falcon Locomotive works in Loughborough. They were Falcon, my grandson of course whom is now Sir Handel.

Narrator: Sir Handel smiled.

Duke: Then there was Albert. But there was another engine who, came the same year but much earlier than Sir Handel and Albert. She was exactly the same shape and design as Falcon and Albert but unlike them she was built at a second hand locomotive works in 1881. She was called Her Sandel.

CMC: Tell us! Tell us!

Duke: Calm down you 4, otherwise I won't be able to tell it.

Narrator: The fillies calmed down. Duke cleared his throat and began the story.

(Mid Sodor. 1904. Mid-February)

Narrator: Ever since the departure of Shire Horse and Smudger, Duke was now the only engine working on the Mid Sodor Railway. As you can image, Duke had to tackle goods, passengers and mine duties, all on his own with only Twilight Dusk, Elizabeth Ravens and Angus Holden working him. The other ponies came in to help to help work at repair shops at the works station. Although he did well, the manager thought that Duke still needed help. One day, the manager came to see Elizabeth Ravens, Angus Holden, Twilight Dusk and Duke.

Manager: Now, we all know that you don't mind hard work, but the rest of the board and I agree that we cannot have you running the who line by yourself. The last thing we need is to have our one and only engine breaking down.

Twilight Dusk: That makes a lot of sense.

Elizabeth Ravens: And very understandable.

Angus Holden: Fair enough.

Manager: That is why have ordered in 2 Fresh Engines from the Falcon locomotive works in Loughborough to help out with the extra work in the mines and eventually on the mainline. However, they will not be here until late May. That is why we have purchased a similar engine from a second hand locomotive works.

Duke: (Doubtfully) Yes Sir.

Narrator: Duke was glad that another engine was coming to help out with the work load but he had a feeling that this engine might be difficult. Unfortunately, he was right. The new engine arrived the next day. Her name was Her Sandel. She was prissy and very up tight on her first day. The manger wanted her to work with Jewel and Elizabeth Ravens and take some trucks to the mines at Casy-n-Hawin, then work at the mines, then take a shipment of lead down to the port and lastly bring quarry men home. Her Sandel was not happy with this. She snorted indignantly as Duke shunted the trucks behind the blue female saddle tank.

Her Sandel: Does that manager expect me to haul those Rusty old planks?!

Duke: (Firmly) That's correct. After all, you are a youngster still young Her Sandel and the best way you're going to have a good life on this railway is to do your jobs without fussing and to obey orders.

Narrator: Her Sandel snorted .

Her Sandel: And who is an old rust bucket like you to give me orders?

Jewel: Hey! You watch you're manners! You're it's not Duke's orders it's manager's orders!

Narrator: Her Sandel just pouted and pulled out of the station with her trucks clanging and banging behind her on her way to the mines.

Twilight Dusk: Well that wasn't a very good introduction from her. She'd better changer her ways before she gets herself into trouble.

Angus Holden: Same here. I don't want her to come to a bitter like Shire Horse and Smudger did.

Narrator: Twilight Dusk shuddered.

Twilight Dusk: Oh dear. Perish the thought.

Narrator: Her Sandel did not like her job at all.

Her Sandel: Hmph! Goods work! Mine duties! Shunting! (Sighing with discontent) Ah well. At least I'll be pulling coaches by the end of the day.

Narrator: Jewel and Elizabeth Ravens shook their heads in disgust.

Elizabeth Ravens: My goodness. I've never seen such an intolerable engine in my life!

Jewel: I know darling and thought I could be uptight sometimes, but she is something else.

Narrator: They reached the mines and Jewel uncoupled her from the empty trucks ready for shunting the trucks to take to the port at Alresburgh. She grumbled bitterly as she shunted the trucks into the mine and out of the mine.

Her Sandel: Oh dear. These mines should be much cleaner! I'm getting soot and dirt all over my blue paintwork.

Elizabeth Ravens: Of for goodness sake! Just quit griping will ya! It's important work.

Her Sandel: Oy! I didn't ask your opinion about work.

Jewel: Well I never Her Sandel! This is no way to behave on this railway. Now quit whining and behave yourself!

Her Sandel: Whining! Whining! I'll have you know I'm complaining.

Jewel: No you are not. You are not complaining, you are whining. Do you want to know what the difference is? Ahem. (Imitating Her Sandel) Thiiis iiis whiiining! Oooh, this harness is too tiiight! It's going to chafe. Can't you loosen it? Oooh, it hurts and it's sooo ruuusty! Why didn't you clean it first? It's gonna leave a staaain! And the wagon's getting heeeavy, why do I have to pull it?!

Her Sandel: Oh knock it off! That's not how I sounding. Stop whining. I know what whining is! I wasn't build yesterday you know.

Jewel: But I thought you wanted whiiining!

Her Sandel: Uuuggghhh! Fine! I'll get those stupid trucks ready for the journey down.

Narrator: And still grumbling, Her Sandel collected her loaded trucks of stone. The guard blew the whistle and Her Sandel set off down the line grumbling dreadfully. She hated pulling trucks and would bump them in disgust, much to the annoyance of Elizabeth Ravens and Jewel.

Elizabeth Ravens: Be careful Her Sandel. You're pushing it!

Narrator: But Her Sandel didn't listen and kept grumbling.

Her Sandel: Pulling trucks! Pulling trucks! Pulling trucks! The indecency of it all. The sooner I get these wretched things to the port and can collect my coaches the better!

Narrator: And she sped along the line to the port. Elizabeth Ravens and Jewel were very relieved when they reached Arlesburgh port safe and sound. Jewel uncoupled the trucks and went to fetch the coaches.

Her Sandel: At last. Now I can start pulling coaches.

Jewel: (Sigh) Thank goodness. I hope she'll be more quieter now.

Elizabeth Ravens: (Sigh) Yep. Smooth sailings from here on in.

Narrator: But Elizabeth Ravens spoke to soon. Her Sandel took one look at the 4 wheel coaches she was going to be taking and did not like the look of them at all.

Her Sandel: WHAT IN ZAM HILL!

Jewel: (Groans) Now what are you whining about?

Her Sandel: I thought we'd be taking coaches!

Elizabeth Ravens: Ugh! Those are coaches…

Her Sandel: Those are not coaches! They're fish vans.

Coaches: Oh! What a horrible, rude engine.

Her Sandel: Oh stow it! I'm used to high class bogie coaches, not you 4 wheeled antiques!

Narrator: Her Sandel gave them a rude Bump.

Coaches: Ooh! We'll pay you out!

Narrator: Her Sandel heard nothing as she steamed away, brooding over her wrongs as she went to collect the miners. She rolled into the platform where the miners were waiting. She was to take them to King Orry's Bridge station and then return to the sheds. The coaches were still cross and wanted to pay Her Sandel out. As they began to climb the mountain road, the coaches started to hold back. Her Sandel bumped the several times as she huffed and puffed up the line.

Her Sandel: Wretched coaches.

Narrator: The miners had very uncomfortable ride. When they reached Peel Godred she was very late. Her Sandel was tired and cross. Later, when she crawled into the sheds, the manager was waiting there and he was not happy.

Manager: You are very troublesome engine. Your snooty, far too conceited and very disrespectful!

Narrator: Her Sandel squirmed in response. She began to behave a little better. By the time late may had come, the 2 new engines came at last. Her Sandel looked exactly alike to the newcomers. One was called Falcon who was No. 3 and the other was Albert, No. 4. Sky Dasher worked with Falcon and Albert worked with Zap Apple. Since Falcon and Albert had to work the mines as at trial, Her Sandel did not fancy the two Loughborough engines from the day they arrived. One day, she came down to the mine bring the miners down to mine as Falcon had already arrived the trucks for the mines with Sky Dasher. Albert and Zap Apple was already shunting. Her Sandel was cross when she arrived at the mines.

Falcon: Hullo there. I'm Falcon.

Sky Dasher: Name's Sky Dasher.

Zap Apple: My name is Zap Apple and this here's Albert.

Albert: (Dismissive) Charmed.

Her Sandel: (Dismissive) Pleasure. So you 2 are both from Loughborough, I take it?

Falcon: Correct. Now, what we've been told is that we're going to be working the mines here as part of our trials. We have to work the mines shunt trucks and take them to the port and then take the empties back to the mines.

Sky Dasher: All straight forward and very easy.

Her Sandel: (Rudely) I know that already you moron's! I've been doing that since I came here!

Jewel: Watch your mouth Her Sandel! Do not be rude to our new friends!

Narrator: Her Sandel was hoping for a rest but her bubble was burst.

Elizabeth Ravens: Alright. Now, we'll leave the coaches in the siding and then shunt some trucks around the mines to get ready for a train down to the port.

Her Sandel: SHUNTING TRUCKS! I WON'T!

Narrator: Albert saw this and snorted .

Albert: AH, JUST SHUT UP GET WORKING, YOU LAZY SCRAP PILE!

Zap Apple: Hey! That was uncalled for!

Narrator: Her Sandel was furious!

Her Sandel: Scrap Pile! Oooh! One of these days Albert! One of these days.

Narrator: And she roughly shunted her trucks until her train was arranged. Duke, who was coming down with 'The Picnic', saw her getting ready to set out.

Duke: You better mind yourself youngin' or you'll end up into heap of trouble.

Twilight Dusk: That's right. We need to keep trains running efficiently.

Narrator: Duke then steamed away. Her Sandel snorted.

Her Sandel: I'm only younger then you by 3 years, don't forget!

Narrator: As soon as Duke cleared her section, she started off. Her Sandel was hurrying along with her lead train and as a result, she began to bounce and buck.

Jewel: Oh dear. She is riding rough again. WHOA! WHOA!

Elizabeth Ravens: It's a good thing my Daughter is on leave for few years. Anyone would think that she's… Whoa! Whoa!… Running herself and not us. Be careful!

Narrator: But Her Sandel laughed loudly and took no notice.

Her Sandel: Stupid old engine! Stupid old Loughborough! Stupid old unicorn!

Narrator: And she continued to swagger on, but it might have been better if she had listened. At the points near Arlesburgh, there are a set of points diverging into different directions. One leading to station sheds yards and transfer siding the other leading towards the port. All engines have to go slowly and carefully at these points, but Her Sandel was so bent on getting her goods work done and over with that she didn't notice until it was too late. She hit the points jumped from the line and derailed the trucks. No one was hurt but the damage was done. Her Sandel had derailed off the line and some trucks smashed right behind her. Lead was everywhere. It coated Jewel, Elizabeth Ravens and Her Sandel.

Her Sandel/Jewel: Hhnnnh. Oh my. I look awful.

Elizabeth Ravens: And who's fault do you suppose that is, hmm?

Narrator: Duke couldn't help but laugh as he went to to help clear the mess, making her feel rather silly. To make matters worse, there stood the Manager. His message to her was brief, but blunt.

Manager: (Aggravated) I will talk with you later.

Narrator: Falcon, who had come in the opposite direction with his lead train and Sky Dasher on-broad his cab helped too. They put the trucks back onto the rails and Falcon managed to get all the lead down to the port and take the empty trucks away. But Her Sandel had to stay where she was punched with all 4 of her wheels on the ground till eventually she was craned back. Her Sandel did not feel pleased when she crawled home into Arlesburgh sheds to see Manager waiting for her.

Manager: You are an absolutely naughty engine! You will stay out of service until we can trust you again.

Her Sandel: Yes Sir. I'm sorry sir.

Narrator: The manager turned on his heel and walked sternly away.

Ok. Put it on the list:

Duke: (No. 1) 1880-
Bertram: (No. 2a) 1880-1888
Mistress: (No. 3a) 1880-1889
Pioneer: (No. 4a) 1880-1892
Shire Horse: (No. 5) 1880-1904
Smudger: (No. 2b) 1888-1904
Great Wonder: (No. 3b) 1892-1893
Duchess: (No. 3c) 1893-1904
Master: (No. 4b) 1893-1904
Her Sandel: (No. 2c) 1904-
Falcon: (No. 3d) 1904-
Albert: (No. 4c) 1904-

Heh, Her Sandel has a lot to learn, hasn't she? Well, onto part 12: 'Determination'. See you then.