I mentioned an Au where Gordon and Henry are sent to Swindon instead of Crewe for their rebuilds. Here is the first story in this Au, Duck’s arrival at Tidmouth
5741 rolled slowly forward. In the siding beside the station stood a large express engine, longer than even the castles but slimmer, sleeker. The Pacific was dozing lightly as express engines were want to do.
“Excuse me, 5741 asked quietly. The pacific slowly opened an eye, clearly unimpressed with the interruption to its rest.
"Sodor Palace?” 5741 asked nervously.
The pacific’s other eye opened slowly, the disdain shifting to lazy interest. “Indeed cousin.” He spoke, “ but we do not stand on formalities here, cousin, while on the North Western I am known merely as Gordon.” His eyes swept over 5741’s frame, causing the pannier to do his best to straighten, glad he’d been repainted before arriving.
“What brings you here cousin,” the Pacific asked, “You are a long way from the Other Railway, much less the Great Western.”
“I’ve been sold.” The words felt like ash in 5741’s mouth. “I’m the new station pilot here.”
Sodor Palace, no Gordon, gave him a long searching look. “You did not choose to be brought here.”
“No.” 5741 admitted, slumping in defeat. I was quite happy back home. I was chosen because I was overhauled recently.“ He was quiet for several moments, "I did not want this assignment, but it is not The Great Western way to shirk our duty.”
“No, indeed it is not.” The mighty pacific stated gravely. “In my young days, I was less than pleased to be sold to this railway, away from my siblings, away from the mainline. I was young then, and the Great Northern and Later North Eastern were all I had ever known.” He paused thoughtfully.
“You must have been upset,” 5741 said, then winced at his presumptiveness.
The Palace only chuckled ruefully, “Enraged is more like it. I went from hauling trains such as the Flying Scotsman to a line only eighty miles long. I did not handle it well…but slowly this railway became home. It is not the Great Northern, but I am proud to be part of it. In time you will as be as well Montague.”
5471’s jaw dropped, causing Gordon to chuckle. “Your number threw me for a moment, but I recognize you from my time at Paddington.”
“I thought you had long forgotten me."
"At one time you would have been right,” the pacific admitted, “but Swindon changed me for the better.”
Montague went to speak again but hesitated.
“It is more than your new allocation that bothers you,” Gordon guessed.
“When I whistled hello to Tidmouth Hall he ignored me.”
“I would take care not to call him that in his hearing,” the pacific cautioned, “his name is Henry, and you would do well to only call him by that name. The great express sighed, "A finer engine, nor friend, you could not ask for, but he doesn’t care for our ways.”
The pacific’s crew returned, climbing into his cab. “Fear not Montague, we may not be on the Great Western, and they may not follow our ways, but I believe you will find a home here as well. Goodbye cousin, and good luck.”
The mighty Pacific rolled forward toward his waiting coaches. Montague called out a farewell, and head towards the yard and his waiting work. He smiled, at least he wasn’t alone on the North Western.
