Author's notes: Right, we are onto canon stories now. Let's jump right into, "Three Railway Engines".

Dear Rachel.
Do remember that time when we spoke to Edward and promised to help get his job back on the railway? Well, we finally accomplished that. Now, he is back in revenue service. Not only that, Fluttershy even made a new friend. It's a shame that Gordon, Rainbow Dash, Henry and Applejack's trips didn't go too well. Oh well, at least they came out good in the end, unlike the 2 B12s. These stories will tell you what happened.
Your friend, William James Holden.
PS: Congrates on becoming a full-time driver.

Edward's Day Out

Narrator: It was 1922, and Edward still hadn't heard back from the Fat Director. On this particular day, the other engines and the ponies were all discussing on whom would be going out first.

Gordon: Well, we all know they'll be choosing me. I'm the biggest and strongest engine after all.

Rainbow Dash: And the one and only fastest engine on the island.

Simmons: (Jokingly) Pah. They won't choose you, not after last year.

Rarity: Yeah, don't you two remember? You + Rainbow Dash and William arguing + Rachel's lack of experience of driving at the time + the director's Rolls Royce = hitting the Director's rolls royce.

Gordon: Hey! That accident was not my fault. That pegasus obviously has never heard of something called a break.

Rainbow Dash: (Crossly) Oh for the love of pete! I wasn't driving him that day.

Simmons: Don't worry Rainbow Dash. I'm only joking, and so is Rarity.

Rarity: Quite right Simmors. Perhaps they will choose you to go out on the stopping passenger.

Simmors: Oh, I don't know Rarity. I wouldn't mind with any train I'm given. But a passenger run would be nice.

Henry: Never the less, I'm sure they'll choose me instead.

Gordon: Oh please! You couldn't even pull the skin of a rice pudding, let alone pull a train without stopping for water all the time.

Rainbow Dash: Let alone pull half the trains that we take.

Applejack: Oh for pete sake. It's only 8 coaches Gordon and Rainbow Dash.

98462: Yeah! 8 coaches too many Applejack.

87546: Second to that brother. They will pick us for sure.

Pinkie Pie: Like they would pick you! Thomas would make more sense then you stuck up B-12s.

98462: Hold the phone, how did you get in here? You should be out with the purple unicorn and blue tank engine shunting... (He looks down, and Pinkie was gone.) Wait! Where'd she go?!

87546: And she called us "Stuck up!" How rude of that mare!

Edward: Um...You know, it's been ages since they last used me. Um... perhaps they'd like to choose me for a change.

Fluttershy: Um... Perhaps maybe the fat Director would like to choose Edward instead. Um, I mean, if he wants to.

87546: Hahahaha! Oh that's a good one Edward! That's rich .

Fluttershy: Um, I think Edward's serious here.

Gordon: Pah! Nonsense Fluttershy. Edward's too old and clapped out.

Rainbow Dash: No offence Fluttershy, but the Fat Director would never use that old timer. He wants bigger and stronger engines, like Gordon, Henry and Simmons, and I hate to admit but also those B-12 brothers.

Narrator: Meanwhile, in the engine drivers locker room, William had arrived with his best friend and training for promotion to driver, Rachel.

William: Morning young Rachel!

Rachel: Morning Will.

William: I just made a pot of tea on the house.

Rachel : Ah that's smashin. I could do with a cupper myself. So who do we have for the day then?

William: Well then lets checked the roster. What do you think Rachel?

Rachel: How bout Gordon?

William: Nah. I'm kinda still scared about last year, with the crossing gate incident. Besides, Arkwight is taking him with Rainbow Dash. What about Henry?

Rachel: No way. Don't get me wrong, Henry is a good sort, but you, me and Applejack had to refill Henry's tender at every station. Besides, Perkins is taking him along with Applejack,

William: Your right Rachel, how bout Simmons?

Rachel: Already taken by Mr. Bennett and Rarity! Well on the bright side we don't have to take either 98462, or 87546.

William: Heheheheh got that right Rachel. And we're not going to operate them. Not after how rude they've been to our friends, especially Fluttershy. Besides Ted and Ned are with them today.

Rachel: Speaking of the other engines, has Thomas been bothered by the B-12s lately?

William: He's fine today. Jeff is working with him and Twilight and Pinkie in the yards. Now, let's see... (Winks). How about we take Edward out?

Rachel: Oh yes let's do it! He hasn't been used in a long time. Boy will he be pleased and, oh! How bout we bring Fluttershy with us? She'd love that.

William: My thoughts exactly Rachel. Let's go get him steamed up.

(Back at sheds.)

Edward: (Sighs whiskfully) Oh. I do hope they choose me today.

Fluttershy: Me too Edward. I hope they choose you too.

Gordon: Oh dream on, little Edward.

Rainbow Dash: We've told you before Edward, the drivers will never choose you again, they need bigger and stronger engines.

Edward: (A lone tear drips from his eye). But I haven't out in years, (Sighing sadly) Still, I shouldn't complain.

Narrator: It was too much for Fluttershy to handle. She flew up and gave Edward patted Edward on the smokebox.

Fluttershy: There there Edward. I'm sure the Director will let you pull a train one day.

Narrator: Little did Edward or Fluttershy know that day would be today. At that moment, William and Rachel came out to start work. They noticed Edward and Fluttershy and how furlong they looked.

Rachel: Why are you so sad Edward?

William: Don't you want to come out today? (Wink)

Narrator: Edward's smile lit up like a Christmas tree.

Edward: Oh yes please Mr. Holden and Miss Ravens. Oh thank you. I am forever ever in your debt Mr. Holden and Miss Ravens.

Other engines (Barring Simmors): WHAT! You'd rather take that old relic out instead of us modern up to date engines?

Rachel: Indeed we are.

Rainbow Dash: Are you sure he's still useful? He's been in that shed for who knows how long.

William: As Applejack always says, "don't count your chickens before they hatch". Besides I checked him over and he surprisingly seemed to be in good working order.

Narrator: Fluttershy blushed and confessed.

Fluttershy: I helped to repair him, clean him up and repaint him good as new. I hope you're not mad.

Narrator: William and Rachel beamed a bright smile and were anything but mad at Edward and Fluttershy.

Rachel: Well that explains why he looked so shiny and new.

Fluttershy: (giggles)

William: So to express our gratitude, we'd like to invite you to come along with us on this run Fluttershy.

Rachel: Would you like to come along?

Narrator: Fluttershy was delighted. She had waited 2 years for this moment.

Fluttershy: Oh thank you my friends, I feel much safer inside Edwards cab.

Edwards: Oh, I am honored to have you come with me on my return to steam voyage.

Narrator: Fluttershy blushed with admiration. Soon Rachel lit the fire and made lots of steam. Then William pulled the lever and Edward puffed out of the sheds for the first time in a long time to fetch some coaches.

Edward: Look at me now! Not so useless after all eh engines and ponies?

98462: Pah! Crews today no taste in engines at all.

Rarity: I hate to admit it, but I couldn't agree with you more.

Simmors: Rarity, you should know better!

Applejack: And you, (points at 98462) aren't better off!

Narrator: Meanwhile at Vicarstown, 8 coaches were waiting at the pickup siding.

Coach 1: Hmmm. I wonder who will be taking us out today?

Coach 2: Hopefully not 98462. He would know how to treat a coach if it came and bit him on the back of the smokebox.

Coach 3: And don't forget his dreaded brother too.

Coach 4: I hope it's not Gordon or Rainbow Dash, they didn't handle us well last year.

Coach 5: I'll second that motion. Maybe it's Henry.

Coach 6: I hope not. He might stop at stations we don't need to in order to fill up on water and coal.

Coach 7: Perhaps it's Simmors. He's rather kind, wouldn't mind seeing him again.

Coach 8: I think I'd better off be on a branchline to be honest. You know number 7, that blue tank engine seems to treat us like ladies.

Coach 7: Your right. I think he really wants to take us out on the line one day...

Narrator: Soon Edward arrived, and whistled cheerfully to coaches.

Edward: Good morning ladies.

Coaches: (Happy) Edward!

Coach 1: We've haven't seen you years.

Coach 2: Now be careful Edward, don't bump and bang us like those other engines do.

Coach 3: Simmors and Thomas wouldn't...

Coach 2: You know who I mean.

Edward: Hmhmhm! You know I won't my dears.

Fluttershy: Can I help Edward?

Edward: Of course.

Narrator: So Fluttershy took over the controls and back Edward carefully down on the coaches. Rachel coupled them up as William changed the head code lamps.

Coach 4: Thank you Edward and Fluttershy. That was very kind.

Fluttershy: (Blushes, giggles) Oh it's nothing ladies, Kindness is one of my specialties.

Coach 5: we must admit we are glad you two are taking us out today.

Edward: Well that makes 9 of us.

Coaches/Fluttershy: (Giggles)

Narrator: Edward and Fluttershy took the coaches to the platform where the passengers were waiting.

Edward: Ladies and gentlemen, get in quickly please.

William: Calm down Edward old boy, remember. We need to wait for the guard's permission to start.

Edward: Oops, sorry about that. I almost forgot.

Narrator: All trains must have special person whom travels at the last carriage or wagon of a train to signal when to stop and start by blowing a whistle and waving a green flag to go or red flag to stop. This person is called a guard. Edward, Fluttershy, William and Rachel waited and waited, but there was no whistle or a green flag.

Edward: Hmm. Where is that guard? It's not like them to take this long.

Fluttershy: I hope he's alright.

So William, Rachel and Fluttershy went to ask if anyone has seen the guard.

William: Hey stationmaster?

Stationmaster: Yes?

William: Have you seen the Guard?

Stationmaster: No. Sorry William.

Fluttershy: Excuse me Mrs. Ticket clerk. Have seen the guard.

Ticket clerk: Oh sorry Fluttershy dear, I haven't.

Rachel : Hey porter. Have you seen the Guard?

Porter: Oh yeah. I've seen him.

Narrator: Fluttershy's and William's and Rachel's faces lit up.

Porter: Though I only saw him at the Vicarstown pub last night.

Rachel/William: (Face-palm selves) Doh!

(Pinkie Pie comes out of nowhere, plays trombone fail and gallops back to Thomas.)

Narrator: There faces fell. Edward began to feel anxious.

Edward: Are ever going to start? My 1st trip in years and…

Little boy: Here he comes.

Narrator: There the guard was, running down the hill with his flags and whistle in one hand and sandwich in the other. He ran onto the platform, blew his whistle and waved his green flag. He clambered into the brake coach, and Edward puffed happily away.

William: At last. About time he showed up. Come on Edward, let's make up for lost time.

Edward: Righto Mr Holden.

Narrator: Edward happily sped along the country side.

Edward: (Breathing fresh air.) Ah… It's so wonderful to be out and about again, and what wonderful day it is. Oh look there's Skarloey and Rheneas.

Skarloey: Hullo Edward. What a nice surprise to see you.

Rheneas: Good to see you again Edward.

Edward: Good to see you too my friends.

Narrator: The children near Wellsworth waved as they went by, and soon they rushed along through Wellsworth.

Edward: Hey it's my old friend Reverend Charles Laxey, the vicar of wellsworth.

Reverend Laxey: Hullo Edward. Great to see you again.

Edward: Good to see you again too Sir. Morning, Mrs. Seymour.

Mrs. Seymour: Oh morning Edward dear.

Edward: Mr. Hackenson, Mr. Wimbleton. All my old friends. Ah its just so great to be out again.

Narrator: They were going better than ever before and arrived at Brendam station with 25 minutes to spare, breaking Gordon and Rainbow Dash's record.

Edward: Oh thank you William, Rachel and Fluttershy. I've had a wonderful day out.

Fluttershy: (Blush) Oh um, it was nothing Edward. Your'e like a father figure to me, so kind and wise um I mean if you want to be.

Narrator: Fluttershy looked at Edward who smiling at her, Edward was also smiling, just like her.

William: Hey, Rachel, Fluttershy, how bout you two take over the return journey?

Fluttershy: Oh you really want me to drive Edward? But I haven't driven an engine at all.

Edward: Don't worry Fluttershy, I know you'll do just fine. Beside's William here will take care of you.

Rachel: That's right. I'm fairly new too and I think we'll be alright.

Narrator: Fluttershy giggled and blushed.

Fluttershy: Oh thank you Edward and you too William and Rachel.

Narrator: So Fluttershy ran Edward round and back him onto the train ready for the homeward rush.

William: Just do your best Fluttershy.

Narrator: Fluttershy eased open the regulator and slowly and gradually picking up speed Edward steamed out of Brendam, and like the last journey they were going very well. Fluttershy felt very happy,

Fluttershy: So this what feels like to drive engines.

Rachel: Do you like it?

Fluttershy: I love it Rachel, especially since I'm driving Edward.

William: Yeah I'm glad you feel comfortable with Edward, I have treat for both you and Edward.

Edward: What's that?

William: Well me and Rachel spoke to the Sir Topham Hatt. And he has decided to put you back into revenue service Edward, and Fluttershy you will be working with Edward regularly since your more acquainted with him.

Rachel: And to top of that, we'll be taking Edward out tomorrow.

Edward: Oh thank you William and Rachel. That's just so grand of you.

Fluttershy: Oh that is wonderful. Oh thank you so much William and Rachel. Me and Edward will really work well together.

William: I'm glad your happy Fluttershy.

Narrator: And they sped off into the sunset. Soon they arrived back at vicarstown where the fat director was waiting.

Fat Director: Well Edward, I've heard all about your run and I'm glad to have you back in service. You're a truly really useful engine indeed and no mistake, I'm pleased to have you back in revenue service again.

Edward: Oh thank you Sir. It's better than being cooped up in that shed.

Narrator: And everyone laughed, even the Fat director. William, Rachel, and Fluttershy took Edward back to sheds, when suddenly William remembered.

William: Hey, I just remembered something that I forgot!

Fluttershy: (Gasp) Oh my! Did you forget something at brendam?

Wiliam: Oh no no no. I just forgot it was my birthday today. Ah well, this was enough of birthday for me,

Narrator: Fluttershy and William smiled as they walked back to Vicarstown Hotel not noticing Rachel grinning as she raced ahead of them. As William and Fluttershy opened the door, a big surprise awaited them.

Rachel, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Applejack: SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILLIAM!

Pinkie Pie: SURPRISE! (Realises that she's too late.) Shoot!

Narrator: Fluttershy startled jumped into Williams arms. William laughed.

William: Oh its surprise party. How wonderful. (Notices Fluttershy in his arms) It's alright Fluttershy. It's only a surprise party.

Fluttershy: I know but while being surprised can be nice. Sometimes, being startled can be very startling.

William: I see what you mean. I didn't know there was a party waiting for me.

Pinkie Pie: Of course. This party is for you, you silly filly.

Rachel: You didn't think I'd forget about your 16th birthday did you?

Twilight Sparkle: And thanks to Pinkie Pie, we got things ready super quick.

William: Well, I see you didn't forget my birthday. Thank you very much.

Pinkie Pie: Anytime Will. Parties are my speciality. So how'd it go with Edward?

William: It was wonderful. The best birthday present ever.

Rachel: And he's going back into revenue service working with Fluttershy.

Twilight: Yes! I'm so happy, I knew our plan would work.

William: Thank you some much girls and you too Rachel. I hadn't felt this happy since my father took me out on Edward's footplate.

Rachel: Oh anytime William. I feel the same way when my mother took me out on Thomas' footplate.

Applejack: I'm glad to have reconnected a piece of your… (Record Scratch) Wait a minute!

Narrator: Applejack's eyes widened with wonderment.

Applejack: Your father and Rachel's mother?

William: That's right, Applejack. my father and Rachel's mother used to work on this railway many years ago. I'd say about 1880 on first on some Scottish tank engine named Neil when they were children. Then in 1915, they worked on Edward's and Thomas' footplates before my father was drafted in to the royal army air corp.

Applejack: Well, I'll be William and Rachel, you continue to amaze us everyday.

Rachel: You too girls.

William: Me and Fluttershy were very surprised by this party.

Narrator: The mane 6 smiled and the party began. Meanwhile, back at Vicarstown Sheds.

Edward: And that's why the guard was late this morning. I admit I was kinda scared that we'd be late for the rest of the day, but we arrived back at Vicarstown with 25 minutes to spare. And the best part is, I'm going back into revenue service tomorrow. (yawn) What do you think of that?...zzzzzzzzz

Narrator: But he didn't hear what they thought for he was so tired and happy that he fell asleep at once. Thomas and Simmors were well content, and Gordon, Henry and the B-12s were respectfully silent.

Ok. I added in some more dialogue for the coaches. Notice anything special about coaches 7 and 8? ;) Well, next story is actually not going to be "Edward And Gordon". I actually have something special planned for that.