Dream Canon Mallard Headcanons!
Mallard is an LNER Class A4 built in 1938, making him one of the youngest members of the Gresley Family. (Aged 62 in this au)
He holds the world record for the Fastest Steam Locomotive in the world. On July 3rd, 1938, he reached 126 mph at just a few months old!
Mallard can be arrogant and mean, but he’s generally well mannered and generous with humans and engines alike…unless an engine dares to defy the hierarchy, then it’s an entirely different case. He's also quite the Optimist, which plays into how he views serious situations.
No one tell him that Henry "Stanier" was built with stolen Gresley blueprints, he'll have a stroke. A merge of the two families would create a nation wide scandal!
He’s in charge of his own Engine Correctional Facility on the Mainland, and has 17 other facilities just like it across the UK!
This idea of correctional facilities came to him sometime after he learned of the scrapping of most of his siblings (save for Spencer and a few others). He was grief stricken, and clung to the first thing that brought him any feelings that weren’t grief and dread.
He noticed that him and a select few of his siblings were preserved because they either performed better than the rest, broke a record, had some major historic significance, or were purchased by foreign railways. It’s the first example that became Mallard’s obsession.
He wanted to give all engines another chance at life. He wanted to see if he could mold an engine to be better than their other siblings, and have them preserved. When the trial of this idea succeeded with Ryan (who was unaware of the trial and assumed he was preserved due to his ties with the other Gresleys), Mallard found his new purpose in life, his spiritual awakening one might say. He’s been operating his correctional facilities ever since.
While he has the best intentions in mind, he’s oblivious to the harm his methods of teaching may cause. He can also be full of himself when he’s convicted he’s right.
His main goal is to expand his facilities to Sodor, the bane of British Rail and to the Engine Hierarchy. He wishes to purchase it and reshape it in his own image. Mallard won’t modernize it, but he wants to bring order and essentially remove what makes Sodor stand out from other heritage lines…it’s numerous accidents and ties to the Reverend Awdry.
He's extremely close to Ryan, who he views as a son. Spencer is a close second, however. While he cares for Scott and Gordon as well, he can't let Scott's "death" get in the way of progress. He'll mourn in secret, not in public. It's the professional way to do it.
As one can probably tell, Mallard sees opportunity in everything, even in death and depression. He's an optimist by nature, and always tries to see the good in everything. Case in point, now that Mallard has part of Scott's inheritance and Gordon doesn't want to work anymore, Mallard has the perfect opportunity to go through with his Sodor Renovation plan!
When Mallard learned that Gordon was struggling to cope with the loss, he offered to take him to the Mainland to get him closer to professionals who can help him.
Spencer became roped into Mallard's scheme, but Spencer isn't too keen on the idea just like everyone else.
Thomas quickly became Mallard's "moral enemy" due to his Anti-hierarchy views. Once Mallard has control over the island's engines, Thomas will be the first one admitted to Mallard's Correctional facility. He's hoping that Ryan can whip him into shape, as he plans to have Ryan run the Sodor facility in the future.
Quotes:
Mallard: "Gordon, my dear brother-"
Gordon: "We're cousins."
Mallard: "Gordon, my dear cousin-"
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Mallard: "So Spencer, how's the island?"
Spencer: "Depressed, demoralized...on the brink of collapse now that Gordon got replaced by those three diesels!"
Mallard: "Oh is it now?~"
Spencer: "Please don't talk like that again-"
Mallard: "Do tell me more about Sodor's, eh...run of bad luck."
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Mallard: “Well look on the bright side…once you feel ready, we can return to Sodor and I get to introduce you to all the new changes I’ve made! :)”
Gordon, half listening: I suppose you’re right-wait WHAT ALL DID YOU CHANGE???”
Mallard: “Secret :3”
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Mallard: "So we're going to put the new Correction Facility over...Oh I don't know where to place it! Spencer, you know the island well, where would be the most optimal location for it?"
Spencer: "I wouldn't say I know it well...but if you're serious about this facility of yours, I'd place it somewhere along the Express route. There's some land near Vicarstown that's unoccupied. It'll be right next to a large yard and station for engines to train. Plus it'll be in close proximity to the Dieselworks."
Mallard: "There's a Dieselworks?! On Sodor?"
Spencer: "Calling it a Works is a bit of a stretch but yes, there is one. It's in complete disrepair though. It's any wonder those diesels despise Topham and our fellow steam engines"
Mallard: "Hmm. Good to know..."
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Mallard: "Y'know, I've been digging into your class lately in order to-"
Thomas: "The Hell?! What are you doing that for, you creep!"
Mallard: "...To better accommodate my courses and lessons to your class, since I've been told you're quite the water hog."
Thomas: "Oh you miserable-"
Mallard: "I'M TRYING TO HELP YOU, YOU TWIT."
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Edward: "We'll lose everything! Sodor's culture, it's heritage, and it's railways. You'll destroy everything that Sodor stands for if you go through with your plan!"
Mallard: "Ah, so my plan will work! What wonderful news! Now we can get started on making a new Sodor!"
Edward: ಠ_ಠ
Mallard: "One with our beloved hierarchy, no confusion or delay, and more attention to the poor and neglected diesels!"
Diesel 10: "Hell yeah! Finally, a Steamer who gets it!"
Edward: "He's using you to push his own agenda you twit! He'll forget about you once he-"
Mallard: "Step right up then, my fellow machine! Show me around the Diesel Works so I can make arrangements to give it a complete overhaul!"
Diesel 10: "Gladly Mr. eh...Mallard was it?"
Edward, under his breath: "Oh you can fuck right off..."
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