A/N: So, even though this episode never aired until later in the actual series, I wanted to do it already because I felt it would begood filler until I can decide where to go from here to start adapting more episodes. So, I know I went out of order, but hey, they did the same thing on Shining Time, so who cares? Also, be warned, there will be a brief instance of swearing.

It was a hard time for the NorthWestern Railway on the Island of Sodor.

(Cue Season 2 Viaduct theme)

The holidays had come and gone, the snow and frost had washed away, and soon spring was in the air, but everybody was finding life difficult. Workmen were mending the viaduct on the main line. The arches needed strengthening. Sir Topham Hatt did not want to close the railway while the work was being done, and so repairs took a long time. All the engine drivers had to take great care when crossing the viaduct, and the delay often made them late on their journey to the junction, where they knew Thomas Billington would be waiting to collect his passengers.

Thomas grew crosser and crosser. One day, he was as frustrated as ever.

"Time's time!" he grumbled. "Why should I keep my passengers waiting while Henry and James dawdle about all day on viaducts?"

"Well, don't blame me," snorted Henry. "If we hurried across the Viaduct, it might collapse, we'd probably be dead, and then you'd have no passengers at all. What would you do then?"

"Run my train on time for one thing," retorted Thomas. He hurried away before Henry could say anything.

Bertie was impatient too. He was timed to arrive just after Thomas. He had found that instead of his passengers going straight from the bus to their trains, they were kept waiting until Thomas arrived. "Late again," he remarked as Thomas drove his engine in wearily. Thomas stepped down from his cab while his engine let off steam to have a drink when Bertie walked up to him.

"We may be friends, but I thought you could go fast, Thomas. You know, I think it's time we have another race. I reckon I could beat you now."

Thomas slammed his fist loudly on the table.

"Balderdash," said Thomas. "I could still beat you in a race any day. It's those Main Line Engine drivers! They screw around on the bloody viaduct and then blame Sir Topham Hatt's workmen. It's just an excuse for laziness if you ask me! I may be 14 years old, but at least I understand the saying, 'work before play.'"

Thomas stormed out frustrated as Bertie watched

"Sheesh," said a woman nearby. "Kids these days."

"He's a good kid," said Bertie. "He's just having a bit of a melodramatic meltdown."

Later that evening, Thomas went to rest in his branch line house and talked to Toby.

"Hard day, huh, Thomas?" asked Toby.

"I'm just getting sick of everybody being late all the time during the viaduct repairs," Thomas sighed. "I wish Sir Topham Hatt could get his guys to work faster."

"Henrietta's just as stressed as you are, but at least she's calm about it."

Annie and Clarabel were nervous regarding Thomas's behavior.

"I'm worried about Thomas," said Clarabel.

"I've never seen him so angry," Annie replied. "He was so sweet and kind when we first met him. I think this whole viaduct thing has changed him, Clarabel."

"I do hope he manages to calm down eventually."

The following Wednesday, James was later than ever at the junction.

"I'm sorry, Thomas," he said wearily. "I was held up at the station, and the viaduct made it worse."

"Well, it's lucky for you I'm a guaranteed connection," grumbled Thomas. But before James could answer, he puffed importantly away in his engine.

Thomas stopped at every station trying to make up for lost time. Everybody did their best, even Annie, Clarabel and the passengers. But soon, Thomas found out he couldn't save much time.

Suddenly, Thomas saw Bertie's red bus ahead at the crossing. Its radiator was steaming. And there was Bertie standing outside of it with his passengers.

"Bertie, what's wrong? You should have been at the station already. You're late."

"My bus is broken down. And I can't fix it," said Bertie. "Thank goodness you're late too. Can you take my passengers, please? They'll never get home otherwise."

"Well, I don't see why not. Of course, I will," agreed Thomas. "I'll even get help at the next station, I promise."

And so, Thomas set off again. Already, he felt much more cheerful, and Bertie's passengers traveling in Annie and Clarabel's coaches all reached home safely.

A few days later, when his bus was mended, Bertie came to thank Thomas.

"I'm sorry that I teased you about being late," he said.

"It's alright, Bertie," said Thomas. "I was happy to help out. I guess sometimes being late isn't such a bad thing after all."

"Well, don't get too used to it, Thomas. Sir Topham Hatt said the viaduct repairs should be finished in a few days."

"Aw, Man!" Said Thomas. "I was just beginning to get used to it."

The two friends laughed and with a last cheerful greeting, they both went back to work.