Another Thomas rewrite, this time it's "Better Late than Never" from Season 2. Enjoy and comment.
The engines on Sir Topham Hatt's railway were finding their life very difficult.
Workmen were mending the viaduct on the main line.
The arches needed to be strengthened, but Sir Topham Hatt didn't want the railway to be shut down while the repairs were going on.
Because of this, the repairs took longer than usual.
The engines had to be careful while crossing the viaduct, and this caused confusion and delay, because it would often make them late for Thomas at the junction.
Thomas became crosser than ever over time.
"My passengers don't like to be kept waiting!" exclaimed Thomas."James and Henry always keep me waiting!"
"Don't take the blame on me!" snorted Henry. "If we hurried across the viaduct, it might collapse and then you'll have no passengers at all! What would you do then?"
"Run on time for once!" replied Thomas as he crossly hurried away.
Bertie was impatient too. He was set to arrive after Thomas.
His passengers learned that instead of going straight to the train from Bertie, they had to wait for Thomas to arrive.
Soon Bertie became cross with Thomas.
"Late again!" snapped Bertie as Thomas puffed in. "We're friends, but I thought you could go fast! I challenge you to a race, where I bet I could beat you!"
"Rubbish!" snapped Thomas. "It's those main-line engines! They set off on the viaduct, and then blame Sir Topham Hatt's workmen. Those engines are just being lazy!"
Thomas puffed crossly away.
The next day, James was very late.
"I'm sorry Thomas!" said James. "I was held up at the station, and the viaduct made it worse!"
"At least I'm a guaranteed connection!" replied Thomas as he puffed away.
"Come along, come along!" he panted to his coaches,
Annie and Clarabel did their best to keep up, but Thomas found out he couldn't save much time.
Suddenly, Thomas saw Bertie up ahead. His radiator was streaming!
"What's the matter?" asked Thomas. "You should be at the station by now!"
"I feel dreadful." moaned Bertie. "Driver says he can't make me better! Thank goodness you're late too. Can you take my passengers home?"
"Of course!" said Thomas. He felt sorry for Bertie, and promised to get help at the next station.
Thomas set off again, feeling much more cheerful.
The passengers all reached home safely.
When Bertie returned, he came to thank Thomas.
"I'm sorry I teased you for being late." he said.
"That's alright." said Thomas. "It's better to be late sometimes."
Soon, the two friends went back to work.