the north western railway is home to all kinds of engines, some big and some small but they are all really useful to sir topham hat.

one morning however, as Edward was talking to his traction engine friend Trevor, Douglas and his twin Donald puffed on by.

come on Edward, quite gossiping in the soon when there's work tae be done. he said.

Edward was a little annoyed with this and a little bit later he spoke to Douglas.

Trevor and I are old friends and he and you have a lot in common. he stated.

och we do? an what would that be? Douglas asked.

Edward spoke quietly.

scrap, he said quietly.

och dinna mention that word it makes my wheels wobble. Douglas gasped. an yah didn't tell me aboot that, the poor wee engine must have been scared out of his mind.

it does the same to him as well he was being sent to the scrapyard but the vicar and I saved him but even so we do need another engine. Edward explained.

aye he does an quickly. Douglas agreed.

that night he brought the midnight goods to a far away place where only the diesels work which is owned by British rail.

he was just shunting at half past 7:00, ready for the return journey when he heard something.

whoosh.

that sounds like a steam engine? Douglas said to him self. the hiss came again.

who's there? Douglas called out.

a whisper came.

are you a fat controllers engine? the voice asked.

aye an proud of it. Douglas replied.

I'm Oliver I'm with my coach Isabel, and my break van toad. Oliver replied.

but what are yah doing? Douglas asked.

escaping, Oliver replied.

escaping? from what? Douglas asked.

Scrap, Oliver answered.

Douglas shivered but then remembered Edwards story.

I'll be glad to help ye but we must work fast and it will have tae look as though your ready for scrap because I'm taken ya away. Douglas said.

god bless you Douglas,Oliver replied.

everyone worked fasted, soon they where ready, they set off. but before they could clear the station throat, they where stopped.

ah ha, a great western auto tank, coach and break van. property of British rail you can't take these. the night foreman stated.

och can we now? asked the driver. as you can see there for us, just see for your self?

the foreman look Oliver all over.

hmm seems in order, right away guard. he stated and blew the whistle.

and they where off.

that was a near thing, Douglas stated.

we've had worst. Oliver stated.

and they forged ahead.

soon they where over the border connecting sodor to England.

we're home. Douglas said.

shush, said the driver, there are yon works, we'll find a place to put him and then head back to the sheds.

Oliver said good bye and thank you as Douglas returned to the sheds.

he told the others what had happened.

sir topham hat must know at once, stated James.

well here he is, said a familiar voice, now what's all this about?

beg pardon sir but we do need an other engine, duck said.

yes, grunted Gordon, a steam engine.

well unless one is saved from scrap there's little hope. sir topham hat said.

but sir, one has! Douglas burst out.

and thanks to you Douglas he is at our works, he will be a great asset to ducks branchline. sir topham hat said.

sir do you mean? duck asked.

yes it does, said sir topham hat, the branch line is finished.

there was a chorus of whistles and bells that almost made the fat controller go deaf.

now duck and Oliver are as happy as can be they run there branch line as prompt and direct as they go through each day following the great western way, at first the others jokingly called it the little western but the too don't mind and it will always be the little western.