This chapter is all about Christmas, just to fit in with the festive season. Merry Christmas everyone, and happy holidays!

It had been snowing, and all the engines loved it.

It was Christmas Eve; Dolgoch and Talyllyn woke up early to see the snow.

Dolgoch: The snow looks so magical!

Talyllyn: Yes, it does. Edward Thomas, wake up! You're pulling the Santa Special, don't you forget.

Edward Thomas: (Wakes up) Aah! I'm awake! I'm awake! Where are my coaches? What's the time? Oh my goodness!

Dolgoch: Calm down, it's only seven, and your shift starts at nine.

Edward Thomas: Phew!

Talyllyn and Dolgoch fill the sheds with the echo of their laughter.

Sir Haydn: (Wakes up) What's so funny? I could hear you from MILES away!

Dolgoch: Sorry. (Laughs again) Bwhahahahaha!

Sir Haydn rolls his eyes.

Then Talyllyn's driver and fireman came in and stoked the fire.

Talyllyn: Well, I'm off! See you later!

Dolgoch: Goodbye!

Soon, all the engines were off to do their Christmas work. Edward Thomas was enjoying it the most. The children poked their heads out of the carriage windows, enjoying the view.

Edward Thomas: I love children. Always so happy and cheerful.

And he soon carried on, singing Christmas songs to himself.

Edward Thomas: Silent Night, holy night, all is calm; all is bright, round yon virgin Mother and child…

And he kept on singing until his throat ached.

Edward Thomas: (Croaking) Ack… ack… ack… This is not good. Ahem.

At the Talyllyn station, Dolgoch had stopped there for a rest. He was singing a Christmas carol too.

Dolgoch: We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year! Good tidings we bring, to you and your kin…

Edward Thomas: Howdy, Dolgoch! Ack!

Dolgoch: Are you okay, Edward Thomas?

Edward Thomas: I'm fine! Ack! Ack!

Dolgoch: If you say so… Wow, those children look eager.

Edward Thomas: To play in the snow, I suppose.

Dolgoch: I suppose so. We rarely get snow here. Well, I've got to go. Good bye!

Dolgoch blew his whistle, and he set off.

Edward Thomas: Deck the halls with boughs of hollies, falalalalalalalala…

He loved it when it was Christmas, but he sometimes felt a bit out of place.

Edward Thomas: (Sighs) I wish there were still more preserved railways.

He sees Midlander in a corner, humming 'O Little Town of Bethlehem'.

Midlander: Hello, Edward Thomas!

Edward Thomas stops, bumping into his carriages.

Edward Thomas: Oof! Hi Midlander!

Midlander: You don't sound very cheerful. What's wrong?

Edward Thomas: I just feel a bit…lonely because we're the only preserved steam engines in the world.

Midlander: Ha-ha! Don't worry! They preserved some of the steam engines in the world, but they're just sitting proudly in museums. Cheer up, it's the time of giving, sharing and being jolly! Plus, your poor children are waiting!

Edward Thomas: Oops! Sorry! Got to go, goodbye, Midlander, and Merry Christmas!

Midlander: Goodbye, and Merry Christmas to you too!

Edward Thomas sets off again, thinking about what Midlander had said.

Edward Thomas: Maybe he's right. I should be happy and content on this railway!

And with that, he gladly pulled the train again.

At night, all the engines chatted about what they did.

Sir Haydn: I took the Christmas tree and the decorations!

Douglas: What Christmas tree?

Sir Haydn: The big one in the Main Station!

Douglas: Wow! I took hm, lemme think…what did I take again? Oh yes! Christmas pudding and ingredients for the feast!

Sir Haydn: Not bad!

Talyllyn: It seems that we have all had a wonderful Christmas!

Edward Thomas: Yes, we have!

Talyllyn: Good! Now, let's wait for Santa Claus and his sleigh!

The Talyllyn engines were very good friends with Santa, and often waited for him to pass the shed windows.

Tom Rolt: I hear him! He's coming!

The jingle of bells echoed around, and all the engines waited excitedly.

Dolgoch: Look! There he is!

He was. He waved at the engines, and the engines smiled back. It was the best Christmas ever.

~The End~

That's the end! Now to get on with my new story! Hope you enjoyed this one. JAnd MERRY CHRISTMAS!