Douglas and Bon-Bon returned to Tidmouth shed just in time to see Flying Scotsman and Spitfire take their enthusiasts home to the mainland. Sir Toppham Hatt stepped forward to deliver a speech.
"Flying Scotsman, Spitfire," he said, "I would like to thank you for visiting the North Western Railway and for helping us out. Send my thanks to the National Railway Museum for their superb and stellar work, and tell everybody that, not matter what may happen in the rest of Britain, or indeed the rest of the world, steam locomotives will always have a home here, and will always be hard at work. This island shall always welcome those who wish to see proper engines hard at work, doing what they were built to do."
There was a great chorus of whistles and cheers as Flying Scotsman pulled away, sounding his whistle. As he pulled away, the station sounded to strains of 'Will ye No' come Back Again?', led, as you'd probably expect, by Donald, Douglas, Lyra and Bon-Bon.
The coast was clear, and once Sir Toppham Hatt was out of earshot, Douglas began to tell his tale. He left no detail out, and when he had finished, the others agreed something must be done for both Oliver and Scootaloo.
"I fear," Douglas said gravely, "some diesel may creep onto our railway and see him there, lackin' steam, and drag him away without any way to whistle!"
"Not to mention the social services are probably chasing Scootaloo," Bon-Bon added. "If we can't get her to a new family, she'll be sent straight back to that orphanage in the West Country."
"Obviously," said James, "Oliver will not be safe until Sir Toppham Hatt knows of him and can take appropriate action."
"And of course Scootaloo will need some protection," Rarity added. "I've heard all sorts of horror stories about the foster care system back on the mainland, and I wouldn't wish such a fate on my worst enemy!"
"I would suggest Douglas tell him," Gordon sighed. "He was the one who rescued them, and so is the best placed to explain the situation."
"Ye wanna me ta speak to Sir Toppham Hatt?" Douglas asked. "He'd think me the interfering sort! You remember how badly he reacted to the Depastution a few months back!"
"Do you mean Deputation?" Rainbow Dash asked. "It took us ages to try and figure out what Percy was talking about."
"What's going on?" asked the voice of Sir Toppham Hatt, as he walked back onto the platform. He had a hand over his ear. "What's all the noise? I can barely hear my mother on the telephone!"
Duck, who had arrived with some coaches from Arlesburgh, and had heard the entire conversation, chose to break the awkward silence. "Begging your pardon sir, but we do need another engine, and another engine would be the proper way to do things. After all, there's the Great Western way and-"
"Yes, yes, thank you Duck," Sir Toppham Hatt said quickly. "That is why I have chosen to keep D7101 in service on the Island."
The faces of all the engines and their crews fell. Their faces showed such dismay that Sir Toppham Hatt had difficulty with his own. "Is something the matter?"
"Sir," said Gordon sadly, "we had rather hoped for a proper engine. A steam engine."
"They," Sir Toppham Hatt told him, "are rare indeed. And unless one escapes here, there is little hope of acquiring one in the current climate."
"But sir!" Douglas said. "One has escaped."
"And his driver too!" Bon-Bon added.
"Yes indeed," Sir Toppham Hatt smiled. "And thanks to you two, Oliver is now at Crovan's Gate works being mended." He looked behind him. "Mr Shutter! Mrs Allgood! Would you kindly come forward?"
Two other people then came forward, one of them the previously discussed Mr Shutter, still dressed in a boilersuit and with a face covered in soot. The other person, a woman, had orange skin and cream hair, and was wearing a green collared shirt and khaki pants, topped off with brown boots.
"Hello mates!" called Mr Shutter. "I imagine you chaps know me from the works!"
"I run the tea shop here," the woman, presumably Mrs Allgood, added. "It's a nice change from wrestling crocodiles in Australia, let me tell you!"
"Mr Shutter found Scootaloo on Oliver's footplate, and she explained all that had happened. Would you mind coming forward?" Sir Toppham Hatt asked.
Scootaloo then appeared, looking as dishevelled and messy as yesterday, the others looking over in shock and gasping. "Good grief!" Rarity exclaimed. "Just look at her!"
Apple Bloom was so stunned at the sight that she couldn't say a word.
So Mrs Allgood broke the silence instead. "Scootaloo, or would you prefer Lucy?"
"Scootaloo," the girl replied. "I never knew my parents, and the name never suited me anyway."
Mrs Allgood continued. "I heard your story and it touched me greatly. Me and my husband have always wanted to be parents, but sadly I cannot have children."
"And?"
"What we're saying," said Mr Shutter, "is we'd like to adopt you as our daughter, if that's what you want."
It took Scootaloo a second to process the words. Then she sprinted across the platform and took him in a tackle hug. "How could I say no? Yes, yes, and yes again!"
The engines whistled, and their crews cheered. Sir Toppham Hatt then spoke up. "When Oliver is fixed, I'm offering you the position of his driver. Would you like to take it?"
Scootaloo, still wrapped in a hug with her by now parents, nodded happily. "This is the best day of my life," she whispered, her face in a smile.
"And it's only gonna get better," Mrs Allgood added.
Once they had broken from the hug, Rarity walked over. "Scootaloo," she said, "I must say that your clothes are not in the best shape. I hereby offer to make you some new ones."
"I don't have any money," Scootaloo replied.
"Oh, nonsense, nonsense!" the fashionista replied. "I would do it for nothing. Besides, I think Sweetie Belle would love to meet you!"
"On that note," Apple Bloom added, "Ah'd love ta be yer friend. There's one big school on the island, in Knapford, and me and Sweetie Belle go there. So you'd be welcome there too!"
Douglas smiled as he saw the scene in front of him. "We have brought happiness," he said, "and probably made things better too."
"Indeed," said Sir Toppham Hatt. "Oliver, Isabel, and Toad are exactly what we need for the Arlesburgh branch line, and Toad has already asked to be your brake van."
"I'd hoped for that," Douglas smiled, "and he and I will do brawly together."
"Floreat Vapor!" shouted Stepney, who had shuffled into the platform nearby.
"FLOREAT VAPOR!" everybody echoed.
D7101 returned to service on the Island a few days later. Henry and Fluttershy put in a good word for him, and the others commended him too. His natural politeness, and the friendliness of his driver, Shining Armour, certainly helped to endear him to the Islanders, and he cuts a fine figure in British Railways two tone green with late crest. The other engines teased him at first because of his engine noise, and said he sounds like a bear. However, the name sort of stuck, although his real name is Atherton. He prefers Bear though, as he feels it suits him better. "Having a name," he says, "means you truly belong."
Oliver, Isabel, and Toad were soon restored to British Railways livery; lined green for Oliver, and deep maroon for Isabel. Toad was painted grey. Not long after, three more Auto-coaches were purchased. Two, named Alice and Mirabel, were given to Duck. The third, Dulcie, joined Oliver and Isabel. The two engines, supplemented by Stepney, as well as their drivers Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle, run a superb service and keep the Arlesburgh line running. It became known as the 'Little Western' eventually, and the name stuck.
Meanwhile, those three girls have become very close indeed, and have formed a group. They call themselves the Cumbrian Mountain Crusaders, or CMC for short. I wonder if it will ever catch on?
Cumbrian Mountain Crusaders?
Well, Scootaloo is adopted by the parents she has in the show's canon. Interesting.
Interesting as to how they're able to attend school and work on the NWR - although that likely explains the whereabouts of Celestia and Luna.
10159849
There's an train which runs from Euston to Carlisle (along the Settle and Carlisle line) called the Cumbrian Mountain Express.
This was another good chapter and that was very clever what you did with the meaning of CMC on here
Can't wait to see Oliver's fateful accident with the trucks and the turntable well. Then the trouble with Scruffy.
Well, looks like Scootaloo is safe and sound, and will be working as Oliver's driver. Everyone is happy.
10159849
10159955
That's precisely what it's a reference to.
10159858
Yeah, to say I thought that episode could have been better is an understatement.
10160040
As another user points out, it's a reference to Cumbrian Mountain Express.
10160048
10160115
More singing to be had.
10159908
Sadly, Luna does not permit the parking of traction engines in the school car park.
10160150
And at the helm of one of the Railway Series' few nice diesels.
It didn't sound like one, hence my comment.
10160657
Ah. Maybe some rewording is in order.
10160482
I loved The Last Crusade
10160727
It was an emotional one, yes, but it would've worked better if they'd established the stuff with her aunts and her parents earlier on, rather than dropping it in a colossal infodump.
10160738
Well, as a RWS story title goes, Better Late Than Never.
10160743
Yes.
10160488
I hope he'll appear in future chapters along with Bear. Oh maybe he could stand in for Twi as Thomas' driver if she ends up getting sick or substan an injury that prevents her from working. Oh I'm doing something similar to this, but made it sound like a US Dubbed Season 4 episode that takes place after Blow Out.
10161154
Dubbed?
10161273
Eeyup.
10161164
Well in a US version just like the actual seasons with there being a U.K. Version and a US version of the episodes. This epsiode would seem a bit of a Season 4 epsiode since it takes place after Bowler left.
10161525
Ahh. OK.
I wonder if that's a reference to Bear's actual name in Tobias and the Half-Pariah?
(It's been a while since I last watched that TTTE fan film so I could be right or wrong. ^^;)
10161556
Yes.
10161560
Noice X3
Speaking of, I haven't heard much lately on when the sequel to it comes out. ^^;
10161562
Delayed.
In real life, the Hymeks were not named.
10161563
Ah. Yeah.... Tines could of maybe done a journal entry on his DA account (yes he does have one btw :P) for of the latest on the sequel. ^^;
Okie. :)
10161529
Well check out what I have for when Henry finds Spam Can.
Next morning Henry was taking the Express to Vicorstown as he was filling in for Gordon who had other duties today. But when he came to a station to pick up more passengers trouble soon started. As Fluttershy tried to move the big green engine's regulator to get steam into his cylinders it wouldn't budge and found out it was open wide too. "Bad news Henry your regulator is jammed wide open!" She called from his cab. "I can't move it another inch. We'll have to cancel the train and get you back to the yards to let you cool down, so I can get it fixed."
Henry was quite upset about this and said to Fluttershy with a shocked look on his face, "But what about my passengers?" He asked.
Fluttershy sighed sadly and said to her engine, "Sorry Henry, but I can't repair your regulator out here. Besides we can't hold up the mainline just by waiting here while I'm working on you. We'll have to get Bertie take them to Vicorstown."
Henry had to agree with her and felt very embarrassed at his situation. First the tender trick by Duck, then sprayed by an elephant, and now this dilemma. This wasn't his lucky day despite having a nice start to it too.
A while later Bertie arrived and took Henry's passengers on to Vicorstown. Then after getting clearance to go back to the yards Henry chuffed down the line tender first at a slow speed. "I'm a failed engine." He moaned. "Lost my regulator of all things."
Fluttershy decided to cheer her big green friend as she said to him with a smile, "Cheer up Henry." She replied to him. "At least you got steam in your reverser, but we'll have to go slow."
This made Henry smile a bit. But it didn't last long as he then thought, "But Gordon and James will laugh at me when they'll see me like this."
Henry knew those two would never put this down when they learned about his situation and would become the laughing stock of the whole railway. He just hoped that no one was at the sheds when he gets there. Little did he knew fate had other plans in store for him.
A while later the two arrived at a signal box and on the other track on the opposite side of him was D199 pulling a line of tank cars as Henry came to a stop next the blue diesel as the green engine had a red signal. "Oh no now old reliable will laugh at me too." The green engine sighed sadly.
Unknown Henry, D199 wasn't paying attention to him. He was very annoyed for some reason until the signalman came out and called to Fluttershy and Henry with a very annoyed look on his face. "Oh for Pete's sake could you two take this spam can away?" he asked. "He's broken down and is blocking the line, we've got a special train due soon!"
"SPAM CAN!?" D199 boomed indigently. "I'm not a Bulleid Light Pacific; I'm a Peak you dolt!"
"Oh shut your big mouth!" the signalman said. "Or I'll use my can opener on you."
Cinch emerged from the cab of D199, and boy did she looked very upset. "This is an unnaceptable standard of railway!" she boomed. "The facilities for diesels are simply shocking, and I will be taking this up with the British Railways Board!"
The signalman just laughed at the statement. "OK then," he said. "While you're at it, tell the Board all about the talking engines."
Both D199 and Cinch fell silent almost immediately after that. Henry on the other hand or buffer in his case was laughing at the sight as he coupled onto the train and moved it out of the way to his track. Seconds later D7101 roared by with the special train, blasting his horn loudly as they passed Henry and D199 with their train.
"Well look there Spam Can!" Laughed Henry. "There goes your friend!"
"Oh, so he's a Class 45," Fluttershy said at last with a chuckle. "No wonder he's so unreliable!"
D199 didn't say a word. He felt too embarrassed at his situation and felt this would be the most humiliating moment in his entire career. He just hoped D7101 didn't see him.
But D7101 hadn't noticed D199, nor did Shining. They were problems of their own right now. The train was starting to get heavier every second. D7101's diesel engine roared like an angry grisly bear as Shining increased the throttle further, but it wasn't giving the result that the two wanted.
All the trains on Sodor are braked using air breaks, which uses compressed air to apply the breaks on the engine and cars which are also used into the Unlited State for their trains, hence the name air breaks. All engines and coaches have a part called an ejector which is used to pull the air out of the braking system and keep the brakes off. However if the ejector isn't working correctly air would leak into the system and cause the brakes to come on.
D7101's ejector was having a malfunction and was letting air into the braking system. The brakes started coming on when D7101 passed Henry and D199 at the signalbox. He continued on for over half a mile before coming to a complete stop, as the train was now stuck on the mainline. The diesel was roaring his engine furiously trying to get the train to move again, but to no avail.
"Well, well, well!" Henry smiled who had seen everything let out a chuckle. "I thought they'd be laughing at me, but the joke's on those diesels now!"
"How are we going to move two dead diesels and their trains?" Fluttershy asked, looking concerned knowing the condition that Henry was in right now since they can't use his regulator to reach fast speeds. "Are you sure you can do this, Henry? Those trains will be very heavy, not to mention you're not in the best shape yourself."
"Well it's better than leaving those passengers stranded," Henry replied to his female driver with a smile. "Besides, D7101 is a nice engine. After all he shut Spam Can up when he insulted Sweetie Belle last night at the sheds."
Like it?
10161566
It was meant to have released in 2018.
Half-Pariah is not only one of the best Thomas fan films, but one of the best fan films full stop.
10161568
Just one point; on air brakes, the ejector keeps the vacuum out.
10161570
Yeah, hopefully Tines will let us know when it come out with an actual date. ^^'
Indeed, and given the fact that it is done in my favorite Train Simulation game series: Trainz! :D
10161573
Well, TS2020 is very short of Thomas content. Wellsworth-Marron has been modelled by GreatWesternLord, but the amount of DLC required is prohibitive.
10161578
True. ^^'
10161580
https://stglorianagamingcollege.jimdofree.com/the-erecting-shop/routes/
10161572
Oh so they do have Air Breaks! Huh I was right! But do you like it? It's still a work in progress.
10161582
Hymeks don't. UK traction of the period was almost universally vacuum braked. The changeover to air braking happened in the 1970s.
There's a sign of a man who has a lot of labor of love for steam engines.
Congrats scootaloo.
You sure did Douglas.
I'm sorry what?
Yep. Glad to know that was bear all along.
Liking the name already.
11334430
'Floreat Vapor' is Latin for 'Let Steam Flourish'. It's the motto of the Bluebell Railway.