Another Thomas rewrite, this time it's "Edward the Really Useful Engine" from Season 6. Enjoy and comment.
All the engines on the Island of Sodor are good at different things.
Gordon is good at pulling the Express, Percy is good at pulling the mail, and Edward, when he isn't shunting freight cars, is good at being a back engine.
When engines have heavy loads, Edward helps push from behind.
But Edward is old, and sometimes, the other engines think he is unreliable.
"Edward is a useless old steam pot." muttered Gordon one day. "He should be retired and put in a museum."
"But he's not old!" said Percy
"I think Edward is really useful despite his age." added in Thomas.
"The day will soon come." said Gordon.
The other big engines agreed with Gordon, but Percy was very upset.
"The big engines don't think Edward isn't useful anymore!" said Percy to his driver.
"I'll have a talk with Sir Topham Hatt." replied the driver.
And he did.
"I will attend to the matter immediately!" said Sir Topham Hatt.
Sir Topham Hatt spoke to Edward.
"The new loop line is completed!" he said. "I want you to teach Stepney how to run it properly!"
"But who will look after the freight cars sir?" asked Edward.
"Duck will do your work." replied Sir Topham Hatt.
When the other engines heard that Duck was going to help them, everyone was pleased, except Gordon.
"Duck is very reliable!" said Henry, "and gets the job done!"
"Nobody cares!" said Gordon. "I don't need a back engine!"
Gordon wheeshed away.
Edward enjoyed working with Stepney. It was so much fun delivering passengers in the beautiful countryside.
But Duck was not happy. The foolish freight cars were up to no good.
They began to sing.
"Duck should play with other ducks, cause he's no good at pulling us! Quack, quack, quack!"
Duck found himself going slower and slower.
Halfway up Gordon's hill, his wheels stopped all together!
Duck was stuck!
"Oh no!" said his driver, "this is Gordon's line!"
His driver quickly phoned the signalman to warn him.
"It's too late to switch Gordon to the middle line!" said the signalman. "You'll have to flag him down!"
So they did.
Gordon soon approached.
"If I stop on this hill, I'll never start again!" he said crossly as he coupled up to Duck.
Gordon tried to set off, but he couldn't!
"It's no use, we need a back engine!" said the driver. "I'll send for Edward!"
Gordon was cross indeed.
Edward was excited! He was going to be the back engine for two trains!
Edward soon buffered up, and they set off.
They carefully puffed into Knapford Station,
"Look at that!" exclaimed a boy. "That back engine is the strongest engine of them all!"
Gordon was embarrassed.
Sir Topham Hatt spoke to Gordon. He was cross and spoke in a severe tone.
"You have said rude things about Edward!" he boomed. "He has proved today that he is a really useful engine, and a credit to the railway! What do you have to say for yourself?"
"Sorry Edward. Sorry sir." said Gordon. He was very ashamed of himself.
Next morning, Gordon went to see Edward/
"Thank you for helping me up the hill." puffed Gordon. "You are a really useful engine."
"It's good to be back!" chuffed Edward happily.
Sir Topham Hatt's plan had worked! There was no more talk about Edward retiring!