#haunted henry ttte

[dukeofbenrebay]

" '𝚆𝚑𝚘'𝚜 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎?'

𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚗𝚘 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚙𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚍. "

Haunted Henry, S5

[noble-atomics-railway]

6. The Diesel Gang

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It henceforth came as quite a shock when Henry found himself dropped. He gasped at the air hungrily, relieved that he could breathe again. He opened his eyes to find Gordon standing over him territorially. Swiftly, Gordon grabbed Diesel by the back of his coat and threw him out of the cab and onto the hard gravel below. “Get back to your own engine,” he snarled, “and leave mine alone.” He slapped his hands together. “Get!” he demanded. 

Like a rat, Diesel picked himself up and scurried off, back to the safety of the other dock workers. “I hate that man,” Gordon snorted. “He’s so slimy. Oily, even. I don't trust him within a mile of a steam engine.” He bent down to Henry's height. “He’s the one I told you about, who keeps on messing with my engine.” Noticing that Henry was still trembling, he lowered his voice, asking calmly, “He hasn't hurt you, has he?”

Story link

https://archiveofourown.org/works/61494709/chapters/159265621

(I can't make up my mind if soft lineart suits my backgrounds or not. It is certainly faster.)

[weirdowithaquill]

Traintober 2024: Day 29 - Misty

I WARNED YOU ABOUT THE RAVINE:

Henry the Green Engine had never forgotten about his encounters by the lake. They stuck in his mind, and he decided to ask Old Bailey the stationmaster about them.

“A fogman’s coat?” quizzed Old Bailey. “I didn’t set one of them up – I put up a barrier across the track with a sign saying the line was dangerous – didn’t you see it?” “No…” Henry replied slowly, and he explained what he’d seen. Old Bailey looked nervous.

“Well,” he said slowly. “There are old legends about this part of the island. Be careful, okay?” Henry agreed, and decided to warn whichever engine Sir Topham Hatt chose to run the new branch.

The day before the engine arrived, Henry had to take a late night supplies train to the far end of the little branchline, beyond the station Old Bailey now ran. The line here curved along the ravine before crossing over an immense viaduct that carried it over said ravine. It reached deep into the Sudrian heartlands, where it passed through a small village, around the lake and then crossed over another, smaller bridge to reach its final destination. The second, older industrial line at Old Bailey’s station had been quietly pulled up, and the station building turned to face the line. Now, the gates simply hung there, smashed and useless. Sir Topham was planning on removing them – but strangely enough, no one did.

It was a beautiful little line during the day, but at night it gained an eerie feeling. The trees seemed more like gnarled hands reached out of the ground, and rush of water at the bottom of the ravine echoed around. Henry didn’t like it very much, and was happy to speed through his job. At the end of the line, he shunted away his trucks and slowly began to puff backwards. An owl hooted in the distance. Henry grimaced – he knew what that meant.

As Henry made his way home, a thick mist slowly rose up from deep in the ravine, enveloping both him and the line. It swirled around, teasing at Henry’s dome and valve gear. Henry gulped, squeezing his eyes tight and taking a deep breath. The ghost had warned him, the ghost wasn’t out to hurt him. He believed in it, and in the fact it would help him if he needed it. Whatever this ghost was, it had proven that much.

The mist grew even thicker, until Henry could barely see the lineside. It didn’t help that his fog lamps had been mounted on his tender to allow his crew to see down the line. “We’re just crossing the viaduct now, old boy,” called his driver. “Thank you!” Henry called back. He rumbled over the viaduct and continued on, making his way along the side of the ravine. As he did, he looked down at the lineside, and nearly yelped. Down by the lineside, lamp swinging, was a dark figure, strolling along the ballast. It was too dark to make out anything but his lamp – Henry quietly hoped it was Old Bailey, but something in his boiler told him it wasn’t.

Henry made his way back to the safety of Edward’s station as quickly as his wheels would carry him. He found Edward there, waiting for the old engine in the sheds.

“I saw something,” hissed Henry. “It was probably the ghost,” replied Edward easily. “No one knows who or what it is – but it is known that it roams that branchline at night, looking out for dangers and warning engines… well, so long as you respect it. Rumour has it, if you insult the ghost… well, it’s said it will exact revenge.” Henry shuddered at the thought. He was thankful that the ghost hadn’t considered his own words sufficiently insulting. He fell asleep hoping that the engine the Fat Controller sent was sensible enough to also heed the ghost’s warnings.

‘PEEP! PEEP PEEP PEEP!” Henry and Edward jolted awake, spluttering and yelping. A bright orange tank engine steamed into the sheds, grinning from ear to ear and showing off his slightly crooked teeth.

“Billy!” snapped Henry furiously. “What is wrong with you?! Don’t you know better than to do that to your elders?” “Don’t be a drag, Henhouse.  I’m having fun.” Henry and Edward shared an indignant look.

“Why are you here anyway, Billy?” asked Edward. Billy smirked; Henry wished he could shove Billy off the rails at the sight of that look. Especially flashed at Edward. “I’ve been given my own branchline by the Fat Controller,” Billy boasted. “The one to the lake!” Henry felt his jaw go slack. “You?!” he exclaimed. “Of all the engines in England, he chose you?! Is he having a laugh? You are an insipid little engine with no tact, no sense and not a polite bolt in your frame! I’m meant to hand this line over to you?” “There’s no need for such rudeness,” sniffed Billy. “I’m perfectly capable!” Henry wasn’t sure he agreed.

The big engine was unfortunately tasked with teaching Billy the line over the rest of the day. Billy was not pleasant to work with at all. He banged about roughly, never wanting to do any of the hard work like shunting or arranging short freight trains. All Billy wanted to do was roam about the line with his coaches, adhering to a timetable that suited him and his desires.

This meant Henry spent most of his day physically forcing Billy to stay still and actually do his work – it wore the poor engine right out, and by the time the pair made it back to the sheds Henry was exhausted. At least there was no supply train that evening.

As Henry tried to rest his aching wheels, an owl fluttered over to a nearby tree and hooted loudly. “Stupid bird,” sniffed Billy. Henry winced, remembering his encounter the night before. “You should respect that owl,” he warned. “For whenever that owl hoots, a mist rolls in. There’s a legend that when the mist’s about, there’s a ghost about too. You be careful on that line, Billy.”

Billy scoffed, loudly.

“Don’t be stupid, Henry! There’s no such thing as ghosts, and even if there was it’s a pathetic ghost if it’s heralded by an owl of all things. You’ve lost it, old timer. You can take your sorry excuse for a ghost story and ram it up your—” Edward blasted his whistle as he backed into the sheds, drowning out Billy. His lips were drawn into a thin line, and he looked actually angry; Henry felt a chill run through his boiler at that. Edward was never angry.

“You should learn some sense and smarten up about that ghost, Billy. You’re running that branchline now, and you need to understand what it involves. That ghost will warn you of dangers, but only if you respect it!” Billy rolled his eyes. Edward scowled, but said no more.

“Just don’t insult it,” Edward said sharply. “I’ll do what I like!” Billy retorted petulantly.  

The next day was Billy’s first day alone on the branch. As he trundled along with his coaches, he thought back to Edward and Henry’s warnings.

“What a stupid story,” he said aloud. “There’s no such thing as ghosts! I bet I could say that this so-called ‘ghost’ was a disaster and a pathetic excuse for a supernatural entity and it wouldn’t do anything! In fact, I think the two of them are lying to me. Screw you, ghost!”

Billy didn’t notice, but the ground near the ravine weakened slightly, a few pebbles falling from the steep hill down to the lineside.

The day went on, and Billy barely spared a care for the ‘ghost’ or for running his branchline how Henry had suggested. He jaunted about with his coaches, dumping trucks on behind them when he had to and never waiting for his guard or any of the porters, shunters or even his own crew. It was a lucky thing indeed that nothing bad happened!

That evening, Billy was tasked with taking a late night train to the end of his line. He shunted his trucks together roughly, banging them into one another and storming about the yard in a foul temper. Henry puffed up alongside as Billy finished. An owl hooted, the two engines looking up to see it on the station roof.

“You’d do well to be careful,” Henry warned. Billy scoffed. “That stupid ghost malarky again? You and your ghost are both silly, ridiculous and foolish things that can take your ‘careful’ and ram it where the sun don’t shine!” And with that, Billy stormed away.

Henry watched him go, before looking back up at the owl. “I tried,” he sighed, and left.

Billy made his way along the line, muttering crossly to himself. “Owls, mists, ghosts? Henry’s gone soft in the smokebox! There’s no mist for one thing, and for another ghosts are a dumb spooky concept anyway. ‘Oooooo oooo, look, it’s a floating ball of gas that can’t hurt me! Try again with something actually scary, like a monster or a vampire.”

As Billy headed for Old Bailey’s station, he noticed an amber lamp in a tree. His driver closed the regulator. “That’s odd, the line was fine earlier,” he murmured. Billy huffed, and coasted forwards, his driver preparing to stop at any moment. They got to Old Bailey’s station, and found a fogman’s coat stuck on a tree branch and swaying in the breeze. Billy groaned.

“Great, so now people are losing their property too,” sniffed Billy. “Let’s just keep going!”

They crept forwards, and found that the signal by the station was set to ‘caution’. A sign nailed to one of the crossing gates read: ‘slow at the ravine’. The sign was written in an odd, dark red that seemed to almost still be wet. “That’s odd,” hummed Billy’s driver. “I wonder why that warning is there.” Billy scoffed. “It’s probably something stupid. Let’s just get this done already! I bet it’s Henry trying to spook me by pretending to be his fake ghost. Come on!” With no evidence to the contrary, Billy’s driver agreed – but decided to proceed with caution.

As they passed alongside the ravine, a few rocks came loose and fell to the lineside. Billy stared. “That’s what the warning was for?! A few measly rocks?! If there is a ghost, it’s too dim-witted to realise what a true danger is!” “Oh will you belt up about that!” snapped his driver. “I for one don’t know what’s out there, and I’d rather listen to Henry than not.” “Don’t you tell me you’re one of them ‘believers’ too now!”

Billy’s driver didn’t reply, and the orange tank engine continued on.

Both Henry and Edward ignored Billy throughout the rest of the next day. It rained too, adding to the odd tension in the yards. Both Edward and Henry felt like something was off, but they weren’t sure what – either way, they knew whatever it was, Billy was blundering his way right towards it.

For his part, Billy didn’t seem to care. He banged about the yard and the branchline as he had done the day before, not really caring about how the rain dampened the already weakening soil and rock around the ravine.

That night, Billy had to deliver another train to the end of the line. As he prepared it, Edward sidled alongside. “I’d keep a keen eye out,” the old engine said vaguely. Billy scowled. “I don’t need advice from you!” he snapped. “I can do it myself!” Edward sighed, and said no more.

As Billy departed, Edward got the sinking feeling that the next time he saw the orange engine, it wouldn’t be in one piece.

Billy clattered to the junction with his branchline, his thoughts swirling about as he grumbled under his breath about everything and anything. He hated being bossed around or told what to do – he’d rather do it his own way, with his own ideas. And this stupid ghost business too, what rubbish—

“HOOT!” An owl swooped right in front of Billy, jolting him out of his head. Billy glared up at the bird, and tried to wheesh steam at it – but it had already flown away.

“I hate that dumb bird!” roared Billy furiously. “Find some hunters and shoot the darn thing!” His crew exchanged a nervous look.

It was only a few minutes later that the fog set in. It came thick and fast, enveloping Billy until he couldn’t even see his own buffers. This time, there was no amber lamp. There was no signal set to warn Billy, nor any fogman’s coat. Instead, a sign was nailed to a tree by the lineside:

I WARNED YOU ABOUT THE RAVINE

Billy barely spotted it, but when he did, it sent a chill through his boiler. The red paint didn’t look like paint in the thick mist; it looked like blood. Unbeknownst to Billy, a force quietly unhooked his trucks, braking them to a halt at the platform.

Then, it appeared in Billy’s cab, knocking both crew members unconscious and dropping them next to the trucks. Billy didn’t notice – at least, not at first.

“Driver? Driver cut off steam you idiot, we’re going too fast!”

He looked down at the lineside as a flash of light caught his eye. A blood-soaked figure straggled by; Billy didn’t get a proper look, but he thought it’s eyes were glaring straight into his soul. Now he was beginning to worry.

“Driver? Driver! Stop me now!” There was no reply.

Billy roared around the bend, right as the rock and earth gave way. It roared down the hillside, slamming right into Billy and sweeping him off the line. With a scream, Billy was dragged off the line and into the ravine, plunging downwards before smashing into the jagged rocks below.

There was a hiss, a groan – and then nothing.

It was morning when Henry was awoken by a frantic foreman. “Billy never returned last night, and Old Bailey just found his crew and trucks at his station. Go along the line and see what you can find!”

Henry was hurriedly steamed up. Edward opened a sleepy eye. “We tried to warn him,” he murmured. Henry winced, and made his way towards the old branchline.

As he approached Old Bailey’s station, he spotted something that made his fire turn to ice. The sign was still nailed to the tree. In the daylight, it was very clearly written in blood.

“Oh… oh hell…” gulped Henry, feeling queasy. His fireman leaned out of his cab and threw up on the lineside. Old Bailey met him at the platform with Billy’s crew.

“We were driving along one moment,” the driver said quietly. “And then I felt someone behind me – and then we were here. I just don’t get it – what happened?” “I have a feeling I might know,” murmured Henry, feeling deeply unwell. “And Mr Bailey, sir… you might want to take the sign down. The ghost… uh… made itself very clear.” Old Bailey raised a confused eyebrow, and wandered down to the sign. When he saw it, he shouted in alarm and jumped a good ten feet back.

“There really is a ghost!” he exclaimed, and sprinted back to the platform. “And it’s angry.” “I think I know why too,” sighed Henry. “Billy thought we were idiots for being afraid of a ghost. I think it didn’t take kindly to his… uh… words.” “But that begs the question… where is Billy now?” Henry had a sinking feeling that he knew. He shunted the trucks out of the way, and everyone crammed into the works coach behind him. Henry very slowly made his way up the line, before braking to a halt. There was another landslide across the track – or… there had been. The track itself was clear, but debris had built up on either side. Most of it had plunged over the side, alongside…

Billy.

The orange tank engine was destroyed. The fall had punctured his boiler, and shards of rock stuck out. His cab was crumpled, his wheels sticking out at horrible angles. The worst bit was his smokebox. It had been slammed with a boulder, and was completely caved in. There was almost nothing that could have been salvaged. Henry looked down to the lineside, and spotted an old amber lamp sitting there, glass cracked. He paused, then looked up.

He may have been imagining it, but he thought he could see a figure darkened by the harsh glare of the sun, watching them all as they stared down at Billy’s remains.

Back to the Master Post

[lordvonbunnyv]

TTTE Haunted house headcanons

Thomas: describes the entire thing in great exaggerated detail making everyone scared before they enter. Gets jumped scared.

Edward: is made to go first and tries to explain everything calmly to everyone (it’s alright, it’s just a rubber mask, it’s not going to hurt you, they just jump out at you, that’s all)

Henry: charges through the house without flinching and runs too fast for the actors to jump out at him and scare him.

Gordon: Chastises the actors whenever they jump out at him (“excuse me! It’s very rude to jump out at house guests and wave a knife at them!”)

James: Makes fun of Percy for being terrified, ends up getting scared out of his mind, keeps his eyes closed the whole time and uses Edward as a shield

Percy: gets so scared that he freezes up, needs Toby to carry him to the exist.

Toby: pretends he’s giving a house tour so not to be scared, (“now here we have an American Victorian house in the gothic style, over here is the dining with lovely crimson stained hardwood floors”) while carrying Percy

Duck: goes through the house The Great Western Way ™, which is apologize to the actors whenever he screams.

Donald and Douglas: places bets on who would be the first to scream, both get equally frightened.

Oliver: meh, I’ve seen better

Toad: goes in the funhouse instead.

Emily: waits for the boys to go first and get jump-scared and runs by before the actors could reposition themselves to scare her

Rheneus: goes through twice

Skarloey: calmly walks through whistling the entire time without flinching. Laughs when he gets jump scared.

Duncan: goes in, gets immediate PTSD flashbacks right from the start, has a complete meltdown, needs to be hauled out through the side door.

Bert, Rex, and Mike: all huddle together using each other as shields

Mike: accidentally punches one of the actors

Diesel: laughs when anyone screams, gets too scared towards the end to go on, gets made fun of by Duck

Mavis: doesn’t get scared, stands there for an extra minute every time an actor jumps out at her making it awkward

Daisy: doesn’t go in because she doesn’t want to ruin her makeup

Salty, Cranky, Bill and Ben: are the actors

[wysteriaisapenguin]

Kinda tempted to search for TTTE episodes with birds in them. (Like how "Donald's Duck" had Dilly, "Haunted Henry" had an owl, and "Henry's Good Deeds" had the Sodor Warbler) As someone who likes both engines and birds, I'm really curious to know how often they interact and what the engines think of them!

[thatcheeseycandle]

//Postive rant post

I can't stop thinking about that one moment in RWS No. 8 (Gordon the Big Engine) where Gordon comes to help out James.

LIKE COME ON EVERYTIME I THINK OF THAT MOMENT I THINK OF A FATHER HELPING HIS CHILD LIKE OGJUDJGJJJG. THEM.

And as a bonus it adds onto my whole "generation" grouping thing, if you dont get what I mean then let me just-

Gen 1: N. 2 (??), N. 3 (??), and N. 4 (??)

(Gen 1 could mostly be Coffeepots like Glynn, I just don't know what to name them-)

Gen 2 (?): Rheneas (N. 2), Sir Handel (N. 3), and Peter Sam (N. 4)

Gen 3: Edward (N. 2), Henry (N. 3), and Gordon (N. 4)

Gen 4: Thomas (N. 1), Percy (N. 6), and James (N. 5)

Now how does this tie into their characters? BASICALLY, take James, Peter Sam, and Gordon as an example of things. Those three have something incommon, they have something special only known to them. What do I mean by this? Well, Peter sam's funnel, Gordon being the one to pull the WNW (Wild Nor' Western) Express, James with his special paint.

Technically this sort of thing only applies to Gordon and James and the mysterious N. 4 Coffeepot, that came before the two, since Peter Sam belongs to the Skarloey while James and Gordon belong to the main cast I think Peter Sam wouldn't count, but possibly can if he did come to Sodor before them.

But yeah, basically my point is, the next/current generation will always carry a trait from the last generation.

Thomas carries Edward's "early days" traits, Percy carries the anxiousness and moodiness of Henry, James carries the Pride and the similar haunting past of Gordon, Philip (and Mavis?) carries the self-esteem of Toby, etc. Like family in a way, except they're a found family of traumatised anthropomorphic engines

Though to mention it in a more metal-related (my term/words for blood-related/relative engines) I think the most common/well-known example would be the Gresleys, aka the telenovela other Railways watch.

How exactly would they be an example? Well to explain, since Gresleys are actual irl things and not just part of the TTTE universe, that would mean a big BIG family tree.

Meaning, Scotsman and Solario would've been passed down Great Northern's observant eyes, Sir Nigel got passed down Banbury's calming aura, Pretty Polly carried Blink Bonny's forwardness, etc etc. Like genetics, except through gold dust (some of Gordon's gold dust was sprinkled into Scotsman's gold dust in my au, so yknow. WAHBANG Genetics)

Now every family has one trait most of the family has, and in the Gresley family, it would be their Pride and brutal honesty. (mostly pride-)

[theflyingkipper]

doodles because I have art block

[pileoftrashsstuff]

An Absurdly Long Post About Humanised Engines And That New Popular Rhythm Game Created By Yours Truly

Welcome you lovely hooligans to this post in which I created.

The name is Pile and I will be your guide through this horror map of bad drawing skills and misfortune.

Oh the misfortune part? I'll get to that shortly

Let's begin with the first character, whose songs I have been connecting to our oh so lovely Tidmouth Trio

This is Mommy Mearest, opponent of the 4th week and singer of songs that made me bop so hard I almost broke my keyboard during her week.

The songs in her week are pop songs, which resulted in the popular fan theory that she is or was a pop star.

Song No. 1: Satin Panties

This song reminds me of:

James (My James)

Explanation?

This song is the first song in the week and sounds like it wants to give you a damn good show before destroying you.

In which it did to me because I literally lose to it in normal mode.

This song speaks like it knows it is good and loves to show off. Starting us off with high pitched vocals, which gets switched with lower pitches throughout the song, and ending at a high note and duet.

And who better to pair that song up with than the bee-stinged Jimbo himself?

Misfortune: my 005 pen started to dry when I was making this.

Song No. 2: High

This song reminds me of:

Henry (Design by @togetherness23)

Why? Mainly because this song is the softest among the trio.

And has great duets so sue me.

Misfortune: See the lining on the hair? Hell yeah, it's starting to dry out-

Song No. 3: M.I.LF.

This song reminds me of:

Gordon ( @asktrio516 's Gordon)

Song fitting for the fastest log of metal on the rails.

The fastest and hardest song in the week to beat.

As well as being a fan favorite of the community and definitely not because of Mommy Mearest I swear like no i am not a simp i swear-

Misfortune: Ran out of ink and I have to go over using a 0.3 and now he looks like a racoon I'm sorry Emma-

Anyways let's move on to

Daddy Dearest

I'm pretty sure yall can guess just who I picked out for him and no it is not boco unfortunately.

for now

But anyways he is enemy of week 1 and a retired rockstar. His songs are the easiest since it is the first week but they are bops regardless.

Song No. 1 and 3: Bopeebo and Dad Battle

These two songs remind me of:

Edward (Design by @togetherness23)

Yes I did take his mentoring skill and Dad dynamic and ran as fast as I can with it.

Bopeebo is the first starter song not including the tutorial and Dad Battle... Yeah I'm not creative lol

Song No. 2: Fresh

This song reminds me of:

Robo (Design by @robotic-railway-machines)

With a design as fresh as that, I just can't resist this.

Plus Fresh is a bop and Robo's design is too fun to draw.

Also my phone decided to grace me for once gave me a clear pic of Robo like wow favoritism much?

Want to know just how I got the idea? This

This single frame made me create this train wreck of a post so I hope you like your extremely hard journey of cringing at me and enjoy these two drawings I made.

[impudent-scallywag]

She Ra Season 2 Ep 3 - Signals Commentary

We see Hordak and his imp thingy. 

Useless.

Hey, why is Entrapta still in the group shot at the end of the theme song? She’s not with the Rebellion anymore.

Adora can't believe that Entrapta’s working for the Horde.

Bow tries to lighten the mood. Glimmer is still optimistic that they can defeat the Horde. They’re now the Best Friend Quad apparently.

We see Entrapta working on something.

Catra tries to explain her plan to Hordak, but fails.

Hordak is a really cool villain. Also that imp is creepy.

Okay guys, I have to charge my computer now, and since I tend to suffer exhaustion whenever I bingewatch a Netflix show (I pretty much can never binge a whole season in one go), I’ll save the rest of this episode for later. So I put a line thingy underneath. See you guys later.

Okay guys, I’m back, and I decided I won’t do anymore live episode commentaries. It’s really tiring to document everything that happens on screen and having to constantly pause the episode, so I’m going to write a review on the episode instead.

The main plot is the Best Friend Squad going to Alwyn, and they think the place is haunted. Adora then recalls a bunch of ghost stories that the Horde told her, and then starts to believe them. In the end, it’s revealed that the ghosts are actually First Ones holograms. This offers a good moral on how you can’t believe everything you hear. Plus, I’m a big fan of plots that involve the characters exploring a haunted setting, this ep reminded me of Haunted Henry from TTTE.

The secondary plot is Entrapta trying to get access to one of Hordak’s tools. She ends up finding out that he is planning to conquer more worlds with his technology. Also, Catra is annoyed with all the folders and paperwork that come with the responsibilities of being a Force Captain. Scorpia gets some funny moments, such as trying to pronounce ‘iridium’. Plus, the subplot is all about Entrapta, which makes this a win for me. Great episode 10/10

[noble-atomics-railway]

7. The Confession

< PREV | NEXT >

https://archiveofourown.org/works/61494709/chapters/159803776

The end of the day had found Henry slipping through the old iron gate at the bottom of Gordon’s garden. He needed out. He sat down heavily at the base of a tree a ways into the forest and just breathed. He closed his eyes and listened to the sounds of the forest, imagining himself out. Out of his body, out of his stupid life.

He wished he could be normal. He knew they would make him leave, but he didn't want to run. Not this time. He wasn't sure if he slept as he sat at peace under the tree, or if he just sat like that for hours. As the dusk began to touch the sky, he heard Gordon sit heavily beside him. 

Henry mumbled a quick acknowledgement before drifting off into silence. It took a while for either man to speak, not sure what to say to each other. After what seemed like hours, Henry broke the silence. “You said you wouldn't trust the man who…” Henry gestured to his throat, which had bruised slowly throughout the day, “near a steam engine. Do you know him?” 

[noble-atomics-railway]

Chapter 5 - The House

< Prev | Next >

Immediately, the window drew his attention and Henry gravitated over to it. The view was beautiful. Following a decent-sized garden was a gate that led into a deep forest.  “Sold,” Henry stated, staring deep into the forest. 

“Over the view.” Gordon moved to stand next to Henry. “You're strange sometimes.”

“There's something about the woods, you know?” Henry tried to explain himself. “It's still, and it doesn't change. Constant.”

Suddenly, the door opened to the chattering voices of Annie and Clarabel. “Speak of the devil,” Gordon said, smiling.

“You brought a man in the house and Thomas had to tell us, Gordon. How rude,” one of them said.

Henry giggled despite himself at Gordon's expression of exasperation.

“It was a spur of the moment,” said Gordon gruffly.

“We don't have your name.”

“Henry Stanier.” Henry held out his hand. “I've heard a lot about you.” 

“Only positive, I assume.” Annie and Clarabel took his hand in turn. “This one's a good looker,” they whispered to Gordon.

“Stop,” Gordon groaned, used to their sense of humour.

Henry looked between Annie, Clarabel, and Gordon. “I really thought they were related to you.”

“Not yet,” Annie sighed, swooning.

“Perhaps one day he'll make honest women of us.” Clarabel smirked, looping her arms around Gordon's waist. 

Henry's eyes widened as he looked between them, drawing all the wrong conclusions.

“I don't need to make ‘honest’ women of you because I haven't done anything to you. Honestly.” His tone held aggression, but he pulled Clarabel off him gently.

“Nothing stops us hoping,” they said in unison, both attaching themselves to his side like limpets.

“You've lived in this house for the past fourteen years.” Gordon sighed. He pulled them off himself before walking across the room and out the door. “Stop hoping,” he called back as he closed the door.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/61494709/chapters/158772004

[noble-atomics-railway]

Chapter 4 - The Flying Scotsman

< Prev | Next >

Pausing for a minute, Gordon scanned around the platform. “Scott,” he called, walking towards a man standing by the cab of the Flying Scotsman. The man seemed to be caught in a rather animated conversation with several members of the public before turning and smiling upon seeing who had called his name. 

“Little brother!” Scott shouted back. Confidently, he walked towards Gordon and Henry, the public seeming to part like the Red Sea between them. He swept Gordon into a crushing hug. “How's life?” 

“Good.” Gordon smiled into his shoulder. After a minute or so, Gordon pushed him away. “Let me go. It’s hardly been that long.” 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/61494709/chapters/158771446

[noble-atomics-railway]

1. The New Fireman

It would be nice, for a change, to have someone experienced working on his engine with him rather than someone he had to watch like a hawk. 

He met his new fireman early one morning as he checked over his engine. A quiet “hello” dragged him from his fixation on his task. 

“Henry Stanier.” Henry held out his hand, smiling. 

“Gordon Gresley.” Gordon shook it, turning away from his engine.

Henry laughed softly. “Like my name, no relation?” Slowly, Henry's eyes roamed over the engine, taking in every detail. “It's a lovely Gresley you have, though not like one I've ever seen before.”

“He's one of a kind,” Gordon said proudly. “He's a 1920's model, sold off cheap to this railway due to being a prototype. It's the only rails he's ever known.”

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The tags on this story make it look strange, but it'll be worth it, I swear. My summery of this fic is 'imagine a BBC period drama, but it takes place on Sodor, and is overlaid with TTTE characters.

This story started out as 'if I was going to do a human AU, I'd set it on the railroad' and quickly escalated into a full blown story about blackmail and how it feels to never be accepted for what you are. Henry feels too much for a man of his era, and it's a story about how hard it is to fit in when you are, to borrow a phrase from Steam Powered Giraffe 'wired wrong'.

Of course, some of these attitudes about what it means to be a man are still ingrained in today's society, and Gordon in this story is the embodyment of them. Proud, and letting no one see him cry.

I could find very little information about how people got treated for being gay in the 1930's-1960's so I went off the attitudes of grandparents towards these demographics, and the way they speak about them. It's why it has so many period typical warnings because I didn't want to tart it up too much, as much as I have tried to keep it as PG as possible.

It's a story of tearing down walls, and accepting, and being loved. It's a story of how far people will go to protect what they love. It's a story I have enjoyed writing, and hope people will enjoy reading.