Tornado was speaking with all the engines in the round house, and she listened to the stories they told her. "Interesting. Now, I have one more question: how did this start?" "What do you mean?" asked Arron, "If you mean the railways, then I guess we'd have to go-" "No, I mean this fleet, where did it all begin!?" "Oh, that," said Scotsman, "well, it started quite some time ago. It started when the Standards were just sketches on drawing boards." "And diesels started to pop up a bit more," said Jack, and this is the story they told Tornado.

1951.....

King's Cross was a sight to behold. There, a few engines worked the Eastern Coast of the Railway. The biggest of them all, was an LNER A4 Pacific named Mallard.

He often pulled non stop expresses to the east coast and up to Scotland. He is proud of being the fastest steam engine in the world. Another express engine that works here goes from London to Scotland daily. His name is the Flying Scotsman.

He is the most famous engine of the whole fleet. He works tirelessly pulling trains down the line at 75 mph. He loves his fame, but is still humble to others. There were also tank engines here. One of which, was our friend Max. Only he was black, and had the British Railways logo on his tanks.

One of the oldest engines working the railway was Bertram. He was blue, and had six driving wheels. He does stopping passenger trains, but still keeps to time despite his age.

Another engine that's just as old was Trooper. He's a wooden tram engine, who works the coal mine tram way with a coach named Marry.

Max was bringing coaches the the platform, and he said, "I feel that we may need some more help." "Indeed," said Scotsman, "I'm not feeling as young as I used to." "Same," said Mallard, "I feel that I couldn't go any further." "Maybe we could ask for some help from the other regions?" asked Bertram. Mallard let off steam, "How could you even think of that!?!" "Come on Mallard, we're not rivals anymore," said Scotsman, "We're all one company." Mallard tried to come up with an argument, but he couldn't.

As the days went on, they got help, but not from a steam engine. No, it was a diesel engine. But he was not too friendly to the steam engines. In fact, he was the first of his kind.

"Hello out-dated rubbish!" he said boastfully, "I'm here to take over your jobs!! Don't worry, I'll be sure you're put to rest easily." The engines were furious!!

The diesel was backing down on a train, and he went past a signal set at danger. "You should be more careful!" said Max, "Points like can derail an engine!" "Pah!!" said the diesel, "You're just too scared! I'm new, so I'm invincible, unlike you, teapot!!"

He then took off, but he left the luggage and guard behind. In fact, he was so consumed, that he didn't notice the points set against him, and he derailed, right at them! The diesel laid confused, and bruised, and received a tongue lashing from the station master. "This is why I never liked the big diesels in the first place!! They're arrogant, cocky, and rude to all personal!! I will not have this engine disgrace my station any more!!" The diesel then looked down at his buffers. Mallard then said, "Sir, if you don't mind me saying, but, could I teach him the rules?" Everyone looked at him with shock. "I mean, I was just like that once, until Sir Nigel Gresley used Scotsman to put me in my place. Perhaps I could to the same to him?" The station master said, "Very well. But if he slips up, he's going away."

Mallard and Scotsman helped the diesel back onto the rails, and Mallard took him to the shed to be looked over. Mallard then parked into the birth right next to him. "I......... I'm, sorry I was rude. I guess I have a lot to learn." Mallard was a bit shocked at this. The diesels he had worked with in the past were usually rude, and cocky. But this one, he was showing sense. "It's alright," said Mallard, "You know, I used to be like that." Mallard then told him of how Scotsman passed his wisdom down to him, who was given it by Bertram, and so on. The diesel then said, "Maybe we could start over? My name is Daniel." "I'm Mallard." "M-M-Mallard!?! THE Mallard!? The engine who broke the speed record!?!" "The same one," said Mallard. "Oh, sir, it's an honor!!" "Please, no need for formalities." Soon, the other engines were introduced to Daniel, and he became friendlier.

After that day, Mallard and Daniel would often double head trains together, and they would go down the line over 100 mph. Daniel learned all the signals, and the importance of points. When the 60's came, Daniel then decided to talk with British Railways. "You wish to do what?" "They taught me everything. I want them to continue working with me. Plus, they could also be used to show how the railways were run before British Railways!"

Daniel returned, and told the engines that they would be preserved, and still run on the rails. As for the other regions, that's another story.