Thomas and Friends- Island of Sodor adventures
The search for Smudger part 1
The Skarloey railway has many engines from diesels like Rusty to older engines like Duke and Skarloey, it was the middle of the summer rush and the engines were struggling.
The blue mountain quarry had Luke, Ivo Hugh and Duncan working non stop, passenger trains were controlled by Peter Sam, Skarloey, Rheneas, Duke and Freddie and finally Rusty, Sir. Handle and Mighty Mac worked with the maintenance team.
One afternoon Duke and Skarloey broke down within twenty minutes of each other, with two engines down Mr Percival was concern he needed a new engine but didn't have the money to buy a new engine he was lent Millie from the Earl of Sodor.
Mr Percival went to have a meeting about the engine shortage and scams up with the idea to find Smudger, the board agreed but gave Mr Percival just two days to find Smudger.
Mr Percival first had to find transport, Madge the snub-nosed lorry was asked and agreed maps were examined and soon Mr Percival found the area were Smudger should be after comparing maps from back then to maps from now.
Day two arrived and Madge and her driver were ready and so was Mr Percival he got into his walking clothes.
Madge rolled out of the yard and onto the road after about and hour she turned down a track that went on for some time until they came to a forest Mr Percival got out and examined the ground.
"Sir what is it" asked Madge
"There's rusted rails here" said Mr Percival
"Are we near then" asked Madge
"I think so all I need is to find a station" said Mr Percival
Madge drove further down the lane till see felt a bump, Mr Percival got out and had a look.
The bump was more rails this time it was not as rusty as the other rails, then Madge spotted a big tall chimney coming from further down the lane.
When investigated Mr Percival found the station and then the shed that Duke, Peter Sam and Sir Handle had slept in.
Mr Percival and Madge's driver looked around for a while looking in all the sheds and siding, they were about to give up when they heard a faint voice coming from behind some bushes.
With a bit of help the bushes were cleared away there was Smudger covered in rusted paint and not looking his best.
Madge loaded the engine onto her flatbed, Smudger didn't look like an engine he still looked like a generator.
"Where are you talking me" spluttered Smudger
"We are going to get you fixed up and make you a new engine again" said Madge
"Oh thank you em sir" said Smudger
"It's my pleasure I'm surprised that no-one found you when they uncovered Duke" said Mr Percival
Smudger explained that Duke and he didn't get along so it was best to leave him behind, Mr Percival assured Smudger that times had changed.
After a long drive Smudger woke up in the Steam Works surrounded by machines and other engines, a small yellow crane named Kevin came up to Smudger.
"Boss he's awake" said Kevin
"Kevin back to work" said a small red engine with a Cuban accent
"Yes boss" said Kevin
The engine introduced himself as Victor and that he'd be looking after Smudger while he was fixed.
"Times really have changed" said Smudger
"They sure have let's get you fixed up" chuckled Victor
The fix was a long and difficult one, Smudger had old and warn out parts he had to have a complete rebuild.
Thomas and Percy would pop in to see Smudger, they would tell stories and he would tell one back.
Finally the day came Smudger's test run, this would determine if Smudger was fir for work on the railway.
Next time join Smudger as he works for the very first time, will he pass and what will Duke say when he finds out?