Another Thomas rewrite, this time it's "Duncan Gets Spooked" from Season 5. Enjoy and comment.
Often, the little engines are busy clearing the tracks of broken leaves and branches.
Peter Sam and Rusty often work together.
One day, Rusty helped Peter Sam to the water tower.
Peter Sam felt better after a long drink, but the freight cars were bored.
"Let's break away!" they suggested.
Their loads were heavy, and their couplings were old.
In fact, one snapped, and the freight cars began rolling down the hill!
"Faster, faster!" they shouted.
Up ahead was a sign that read,..
SLOW
STEEP BENDS
AND
RAVINE AHEAD
However, the foolish freight cars didn't see it.
By then, it was too late! The freight cars fell off the track, and into the ravine!
Peter Sam soon arrived at the scene of disaster.
"This is our fault." sighed his driver. "We didn't secure them properly. We'll need help to pull them out. If Sir Topham Hatt finds out, he'll be crosser than ever!"
And he was.
"You'll will work in the yards until further notice!" boomed Sir Topham Hatt.
Duncan was delighted with what had happened.
"Fancy not securing your freight cars on a hill! They'll come back to spook you and your special funnel!"
"You're not afraid of ghosts!" snapped Rusty.
"Rubbish! I'm afraid of no ghosts!" replied Duncan crossly.
"Then I'll tell you a spooky ghost story then!" said Rusty as the little diesel began his story.
A long time ago, a little engine was returning home.
It was a misty, moonlit night.
Suddenly, the engine lost control and plunged into the muddy ravine below!
He was never found again, but workmen will always tell you that when the moon is full, they often see the little engine try to get home, but never does he reach the other side."
"So, what do you think Duncan?" asked Rusty.
"Rubbish!" replied Duncan as he puffed away.
Then, Rusty turned to Peter Sam.
"Never mind him. He'd be frightened if he saw a real ghost!"
This gave Peter Sam's driver an idea.
"Let's play a trick on Duncan!" he told his fireman.
The next morning, they spoke to Duncan's fireman and driver, who agreed.
"We'll do it tonight!"
Duncan had to take coal cars to the slate mines, and then bring cars back.
Duncan's driver decided to cross the old iron bridge.
"Rubbish!" snorted Duncan. "This bridge ain't haunted!"
However, he kept thinking about Rusty's story.
When dusk fell, he was eager to leave.
"If we don't leave now, Skarloey will take my place in the sheds!"
"First, we must collect our cars!" said his driver.
The plan seemed to be working, because Duncan was nervous.
When night fell, they set off.
The mist was rising around the old iron bridge.
Duncan whistled, and the sound echoed everywhere.
Then, up ahead, he saw flickering lights.
His driver knew that those was insects that shone in the light, but Duncan thought they looked like an engine.
Next, his driver secretly threw a rock into the muddy ravine below.
"It's the ghost! Take me back, please!"
When Duncan reached the safety of his shed, he closed his eyes.
"Are you spooked Duncan?" laughed his driver.
"No! I'm asleep!"
Duncan refused to open his eyes, but he opened his eyes once, just to make sure they were still there.