Hello there, this is Lukas here, writing to you from Germany. And today is my Birthday! 15 years old now, and only 3 more years till I can drive an Steam Loco!
All Characters are owned by (they are no)Hit and Peter, Alice, Sheffield and Patrick are owned by Wild nor Wester. Oh, and Hank is an USATC S160, Belle is an Standard 4MT Tank without the Water canons and Hiro is an SECR O Class Tender Engine from the Sodor and Mainland Railway, ENJOY!
We need another Engine
It was Christmas time on the Island of Sodor and the Engines were worked of there Wheels once more. A few Months back, Sir Topham Hatt made an announcement that Ducks Branchline will be Extended to Harwick, and Thomas` Branchline should be Extended to Ulfstead. With this, the Engines were Working non Stop around the Clock too have they're Work finished. The Engines on Thomas` Branchline Managed the Work Trains with they're Normal Trains quite Well, but on Ducks Branchline, things weren't that good. With the Normal Passenger and Goods Train, and the Works Trains, Duck, Donald, Douglas, Oliver and even Sheffield were stressed out after a Days work. One Day, at the Arlesburgh Sheds, the fat Controller arrived with some News.
"Good Morning Engines!" Miss Emily Helen Hatt said.
"Good Morning Ma'am!" The Engines said.
"I have some News for you. Donald, you are needed at Knapford. There is an Extra Milk Train Today and it cant be late." Said TFC.
"Yes Ma'am, but what aboot my Goods Trains and yon Woorks Train ?" Asked Donald.
"We don't have another Engine at the Time, so I was hoping that Douglas could take care your and his Train till you're back." Miss Hatt said.
"Well, it will be a heavy Train, but I think I can manage withoot Donal' here." Douglas said confidently.
"Thank You Douglas, the Works Train is in the Yards at Tidmouth, with your empty Ballast Train." TFC said and after that she left.
"Are ye shoore yer goona pull booth yer Goods Train and the Woorks Train? I know that yer ain't in the condition for that kind of Woork." Donald said with worry.
"Dont ya worry to much aboot me Donal'. I can manage." And with that, he steamed out of the Sheds and of too Knapford. There, Diesel showed him his Train, and witout much further delays, he steamed of.
The trip was a difficult one. Often times he would need to stop, when one of the silly Trucks would slip they're brakes on, ore would slow down when they hold back. Shortly after he past Haultraugh however, disaster struck. All at once, he felt that a good part of his Fire fell away and he felt weaker all at once. His Driver came out and looked at his fire bars. He then came up to him with an brief expression.
"You Fire bars have Collapsed. There's no way that you can Pull the Train now." Douglas was disappointed. Not only did he breakdown, Now he couldn't help on the Extension. Half an Hour later, he heard a Whistle and James steamed up next to him.
"I was called by your Fireman after you breakdown. I'm going to bring your Train to Arlesburgh, and after that I'm going to bring you too the Steamworks." He said as he was coupled up to the Train.
That Evening, all the Engines were called too the Sheds for a Meeting. All were there, only Bear, Peter, Daisy and BoCo couldn't come, because of the last Trains of the Day. On Ducks Tank stand Miss Hatt.
"Engines, I think you have all heard of Douglas' Breakdown today. This is why I called you all tonight. As the Branchline cant spare an Engine, I'm going to assign James to the Line, and the other Engines need to cover your Trains till then." Miss Hatt said. James Groaned as he heard that he would be working on a Branchline, but he said nothing.
"But after all, there is still to much work for you, even with Lukas' Help. That's why I ask you if you know about An engine that can Help out." Miss Hatt continued.
"What about Barry, he is normally the Engine we can ask." Said Henry.
"Not this Time. I already phoned his owner, and he said that he is undergoing an Overhaul."
"Well, I know about the SR U-Boats, and the BR Standard 9Fs. Both Classes were great at hauling long and heavy Goods Trains." Belle said.
"And I know of the GWR Halls and 2251 Tender Engines. Both were great use on Branchlines." Said Oliver.
"I don't think that any of those are available." Said Miss Hatt.
"Well, I know about some good Branchline Engines from Germany, like the 64s and the 86s, or even the 50s and 52s, but I don't think any of them can be brought over here in time." Said Lukas.
They Talked well into the Night, but not one Railway that had such Engines had one that they could spared, or had they're Engine in Overhaul. In the End, they hadn't got any forward with they're search.
The next Day, Lukas was Working on an Local Passenger Train between Brendam and Knapford. He still thought about how he could help the Fat Controller in the search for an Engine. Before he got to Sodor, he made a Tour around Britain, and run on several Heritage Railways. One of them was the West Somerset Railway, were he met one of the S&DJR 7Fs. He had a good talk with him and had a good time there. Suddenly, a half forgotten Memory came back and he Whistled with Joy.
'Of course! How could I forget here?! I must talk to the Fat Controller as soon as Possible!' He thought as he puffed on. When he arrived at Knapford, the Fat Controller was standing on the Platform. This was his Chance!
"Hallo Ma'am!" He said, completely forgetting to speak English.
"Hello Lukas, you look happy." She said.
"Yes I am, you asked us all, if we know an Engine that could help us with the Extension." The little Blue Engine said.
"That's right, but every Railway I called said they're Engine was unavailable." Miss Hatt said.
"Well, I know of an Engine that IS Available. She is an Somerset and Dorset 7F. Her Number is 90 and she was Restored this Summer. She's up for Sale, because the West Somerset has already too much Engines." Lukas said.
Miss Hatt thought about the Idea and after a While she smiled.
"Thank You Lukas. I will call the West Somerset Railway as soon as possible." And with that she left the little Tank Engine.
Well, on Chapter in one Hour, Not bad, wouldn't you say ?
The Next Chapter is coming as soon as Possible. Till then, good bye.