So remember what I said about not being able to draw, well after a few..., horrific shall we say attempts, I managed to get Rusted Gold AU's Thomas (and you already know I had to use blue lining!
CONSTRUCTIVE Criticism is appreciated and welcomed! ☺️
Here he is, probably a few months later after all of the angst and stuff, (hopefully) looking adorable! 🥰
More Monster engine notes and silliness.
Gordon is the largest of Topham’s original fleet of steam beasts and one of the meanest, especially since he has a high opinion of himself due to his breeding and has experienced some bad treatment at the hands of his former owners. If you aren’t careful, he will swipe you aside with his claws or his tail…or he will just step on you.
He was the first born calf from Nigel Gresley’s freshly purchased steam beast pair that would be used to breed strong new express beasts. Gordon spent more than twelve months in his mother before he was born, remarkably healthy but overdue as most steam beasts (especially big ones) are pregnant for eleven to twelve months! Calf Gordon was also a little bigger than expected too but thankfully both he and his mother were alright.
After a year, Gordon began his training to be a proper express steamie around the same time his brother (later known as The Flying Scotsman). Training was hard back in those days and Gordon wasn’t always treated kindly by those holding a bull hook or a whip.
When he was finally old enough, he left the ranch and went to run on the GNR where he was painted green but wasn’t allowed to pull coaches or really even interact much either other steam beasts and some workers were very eager to swing the bull hook when he misbehaved, which led to him being difficult and angry especially he was forced to be cooped up.
Sir Topham Hatt later purchased him when he was in need of a large express beast and Gordon was sent to Sodor and gifted the number four and a brand new harness and even new paint for his armored shell. He would also be forced to interact with others of his kind that he had never seen before which caused some hiccups (especially with Henry as Gordon wanted to establish dominance). Staying on Sodor also later saved him from the slaughter of his many of his siblings…
He has a cat that sleeps in his mane at night and he would never admit that he likes it as he’s quite lonely and wouldn’t admit it to the others but he’d like the chance to maybe start a family of his own if he meets the right dam which is very possible as new beasts seem to arrive every month.
He got on very well with the late Harlen Calloway as he wasn’t interested in just making Gordon behave or pull unwanted specials without a fuss but instead treated him as he would any other human worthy of respect and dignity. It helped that Harlen seemed to enjoy the company of beasts more than humans. Gordon hasn’t really gotten on with Harlen’s daughter, Ducky, but she isn’t half bad commonly from what Edward says and she’s very cuddly too.
(Big Steam Beast Gorb plus some lore I wrote up on the fly for him. Personally, I would cuddle up with him at night with a cup of hot chocolate, a balnkie, his kitty and a good book)
It was a rainy day, steamies hated the rain, but after all these years Edward was less troubled by it, as he curled up to wait for his crew to have lunchbreak. Steamies weren't bothered by the cold as their internal fires kept them quite warm, it was their fur getting wet they disliked particularly their faces. This was why sheds were so important to them, unlike diesels. Diesels were waterproof due to their high oil diet. Water rolled off thier feathers, even the dull undersides of the feathers.
Then as Edward lay resting, he felt another engine lay beside him, and then he suddenly felt the rain no longer. He peaks an eye open to see Boco happily resting with his great feathery diesel tail held over him like an umbrella. No thanks needed to be said between the friends, Boco was contently resting, and Edward didn't want to bother him.
I really love thier dynamic weather as a ship or just friendship. Edward is just cool with everyone, but don't mess with him. Same goes for Boco... I miss Boco so much...
