DUNCAN GETS SPOOKED
Based upon the episode by Britt Allcroft, David Mitton and David Maidment
Adapted by Zack Wanzer and Rachel Ravens
It was fortunate that shortly after George had been shunted for thirty days, Buster was able to return to the Pack to help out the Skarloey and North Western engines finish restoring the quarry.
"Hey, everyone," he greeted warmly. "How have things been since I left?"
"Quite difficult, Buster," Oliver the excavator explained. "Let's just say George has been more of a terror than usual."
"Oh? What's he done?" asked Buster. The rest of the Pack quickly filled the red steamroller in.
"So, basically, he's been confined to work at the lumber mill for thirty days?"
"At least he's being useful in his own way," said Kelly. "And that new workman has been shown the proper way to tarmac areas next to the railway."
"That's a relief," sighed Buster.
Just then, Rusty came up with some trucks, followed shortly by Flyer with Mr. Hugh on board.
"Hello, everyone," the little diesel greeted as he and the inspection trolley came into the quarry. "Good to see you back in service, Buster."
"Nice to see you as well, Rusty and Flyer," replied the steamroller. "Oh, is it that close to opening day already?"
"That's correct," smiled Flyer. "I'm just here with Mr. Hugh to do the last few safety checks."
"And these are the last rails needed up at the end of the quarry," added Rusty.
The two rail vehicles headed down the track, and stopped just before where the old rails were so the new ones could be laid down.
"Whoa, Rusty!" gasped Flyer. "Did you ever notice that big rock up there?"
"What big rock?" Rusty looked up to where the inspection trolley had pointed out; high above the pair was a large round rock.
"How did that thing manage to get formed so perfectly round?" the little diesel wondered.
"It's like a boulder," remarked Mr. Hugh. "Oh, that doesn't look very safe at all."
"I don't know about you two, but I think that boulder may be watching us," murmured Rusty.
"How can it be?" asked Flyer. "Boulders don't have eyes."
"That as may be, Flyer," replied Rusty, "but I feel there's something strange about this one."
Rusty and Flyer were quiet as the rest of the rails were laid down, and when it was time for them to head back, they glanced up at the boulder.
That evening, the two met up with the rest of their friends at the shed.
"So the new quarry's all set for opening soon," said Peter Sam. "That's good. We won't have to worry about loose slate trucks coming down the incline there."
"We may have another hazard to worry about, Peter Sam," sighed Rusty. He then explained about the boulder on the top of the cliff face at the quarry.
"Has that always been there?" asked Flyer to Skarloey and Rheneas.
"It's been there ever since we were young," said Skarloey. "We don't know how it came to be there ourselves."
"What we do know," added Rheneas, "is that the boulder has never moved in all the time Skarloey, the pre-grouping engines and… I have gone down there."
Duke and the younger engines felt confused by Rheneas' sudden pause in his explanation, but Skarloey just gave his brother a look of understanding.
"That's something at least," said Flyer. "Our slate mine isn't doing as well as it used to."
A few days later, the quarry had officially opened and the Skarloey engines were tasked to bring down rock to the siding where Oliver had crashed into the old shed. Donald was waiting to pick it up.
"Guid thing this quarry is in operation," said Donald. "We'll need th' stane tae hulp restore Tidmouth sheds."
"It hasn't received any damage from a storm, has it?" asked Rusty. "There haven't been any recently if I remember correctly."
Donald sighed. "Tis nae that," he explained. "We dinnae ken fur sure, bit th' workman speculate that twas thanks tae th' drainpipe bursting due tae wear 'n' tear. Th' rainfall we hud recently wis th' final straw."
"Oh dear," gasped Rusty. "That's not good. I hope you lot are okay."
"Dinae fass aboot Douggie 'n' Ah," said Donald. "Duck 'n' Oliver let us tak' shelter in thair sheds. Tis Bear, Diesel 'n' th' big engines wha a'm maist concerned aboot."
"I hope they'll be alright despite what just happened," said Rusty. "Oh, and by the way, any luck on the Douglas and Oliver situation?"
Donald chuckled. "A wee bit stubborn, bit Ah think they're getting thare."
"Just don't let Agnes find out about it," sighed Rusty. "She was okay with me being transgender but not this… I don't get it."
"If Ah wis th' same gauge as ye, A'd pat her in her place," growled Donald. Unfortunately for Donald, his guard's whistle blew. "Goodbye, Rusty. See ye later."
"See you, Donald…" the little diesel sighed, trying not to cry. "If it isn't one thing, it's another…"
Rusty then went to take his empty trucks to his next job.
"Oh dear!" he gasped. "There's loose branches everywhere."
"The rainfall probably swept them down the hill," said his driver. "Good thing we have these trucks here."
"It's a good thing the slate quarry is not as busy these days," sighed the little diesel.
Rheneas brought some workmen to help clear up the mess.
"Do you think we'll need Henry to take these up to the lumber yards from Crovan's Gate?" asked Rusty.
"If there's any use for these branches, most likely," said Rheneas. "Let's hope the rails aren't too slippery on the way down the hill."
There is a narrow, iron bridge crossing Cattle Creek between Rheneas and Skarloey stations, with just enough room for the crews to walk out of the engines' cabs and walk alongside them. When he was young, Skarloey had a near fall off the bridge, and as a result, always made sure to inform any newcomers to the railway about it on their first day. As far as Duke and the younger engines were aware, no major accidents had happened on the bridge since then.
As Rusty and his trucks crossed over the old iron bridge, the little diesel saw a few railings on the edge of the bridge were loose.
"We'd better let Mr. Percival and Mr. Hugh know about this," he said to his driver.
"Good plan, Rusty," nodded his driver. "We'll call them at the next station."
But it wasn't long before trouble came their way, as Rusty began to climb the hill. Just as he had reached the top, there came a loud snap, Rusty felt himself shooting forward suddenly, and the trucks rolled away.
"Oh no!" cried Rusty. "We've got a breakaway!"
Rusty's driver carefully drove the little diesel after the trucks. It was a good thing too, because there was a sign that read "Slow - Steep Bends and Ravine Ahead."
"Hey, did you catch what that sign said?" asked one of the trucks.
"Nope," replied another truck. "I guess it wasn't important."
The runaway trucks rolled onto the old iron bridge when suddenly, the brake van hit the broken railing, and it flew off the rails into the creek below, dragging the trucks and their branches with it, screaming as they did so. Some of the trucks had smashed into pieces as they landed in the creek.
"Oh no!" cried Rusty as he rolled to a stop just before the old iron bridge. Luckily for the little diesel and his driver, the guard had jumped clear.
"That was a close one," panted the guard. "But how are we going to rescue those trucks?"
"I don't know," said Rusty. "It's way too high for a crane, and I think some of the trucks are broken anyway. Mr. Percival will not be pleased about this," he added worriedly.
Later that evening, Mr. Percival came to see Rusty.
"The accident wasn't your fault," Mr. Percival soothed the little diesel. "Those trucks were very old and in need of maintenance. I think it was better here than them breaking away at the incline."
"Oh, yes, sir," said Rusty. "I was going to inform you and Mr. Hugh about the old iron bridge needing maintenance as well, but I didn't think this accident would further solidify that."
"I completely understand, Rusty," said Mr. Percival. "I'll talk to Mr. Hugh about it right away. As well as obtaining some replacement trucks for the ones we lost down there."
Rusty was relieved that both problems would be dealt with as soon as possible. But Duncan just groaned.
"Fancy no' securing yer trucks on the hill," he muttered. "They'll come back tae spook ye on the bridge. Ooh-whoo!"
"That accident could have happened to any of us!" snapped Peter Sam as he backed into the sheds. "None of us got hurt, and we can get more trucks later."
"And who's to say you're not afraid of ghosts?" snapped Rusty.
"Pah, ghosts!" scoffed Duncan. "Things that go bump in the night? What rubbish!"
"Well, I'll tell you a story that'll make your funnel quiver," Rusty retorted.
A long time ago, on a misty, moonlight night, a little engine was returning home. As the engine crossed the old iron bridge, he suddenly lost control and plunged over the side into the swamp below. He was never found again, but the workmen will tell you that when the moon is full, they have seen the little engine trying to get home, but he never reaches the other side. And every year, on the date of the accident, it runs again as a warning to others. plunging into the gap and shrieking like a lost soul.
"So, what do you think of that, Duncan?" said Rusty once he had finished.
"Pah! What nonsense," said Duncan. "Ghosts don't scare me."
Just then, the yellow tank engine's crew returned to their engine.
"Come on, Duncan," said the driver. "We've got a late train to take. It's a shipment that Douglas has to pick up for the Midnight Goods."
"Just peachy!" grumbled Duncan as he puffed away. "If we dinnae get it done quickly, Skarloey will take mah favorite spot in the shed!"
"Thanks for standing up for me, Peter Sam," said Rusty gratefully.
"You did the same for me," smiled Peter Sam. "I wish I was there to help you earlier."
"Not your fault, Peter Sam," insisted Rusty. "Maybe we can make up for lost time tomorrow."
Peter Sam giggled and winked at Rusty, causing him to blush.
"Er, Rusty, where did you get that story from?"
The young engines stared in shock to see Rheneas standing there; he must have shown up during Rusty's spooky story.
"Oh, it was a movie my driver saw a few years ago," said Rusty.
"I see…" said Rheneas thoughtfully before giving a slight chuckle. "I hope I wasn't interrupting anything."
"N-not at all, Rheneas," Peter Sam said nervously.
"We were just... talking about the day," added Rusty. The old engine wasn't fooled easily, but he decided to let the younger duo be.
Besides, he thought, if Agnes hears about this, she'll throw a fit.
Meanwhile, Duncan had arranged his trucks with Cora as his brake van, and he went to collect his load. He had to cross the old iron bridge, now under repairs thanks to some late night workmen.
"Haunted bridge indeed. Ha!" he grunted. "It's as tame as that dog Gremlin."
"Bridges can't be haunted," said Cora, confused. "Where would you get an idea like that?"
"Just a story that Rusty told me at the sheds," explained Duncan.
"Hmm, that's a new one," Cora said to herself. But then she had a thought. "Wait… isn't it the same ghost story Percy told Thomas a few years ago? Must be a popular scary movie for Halloween among the engines' crews."
"And it's a load o' nonsense," groaned Duncan. "Why do they like scary movies, anyway?"
Cora didn't have an answer for that; as engine and brake van got off of the old iron bridge, fog began to form around the area.
"We'll have to be careful on the return run, Duncan," said Cora. "Go slowly and carefully in this fog."
"Ah'll make sure o' that," said Duncan. His lamp was shining brightly so he could see what was ahead of him.
On the return trip, Duncan and Cora had to cross the old iron bridge again. The area was now covered in thick fog, and Duncan whistled to alert any late night workmen that he was coming; it echoed all around the area.
As the duo got closer to the bridge, Duncan and Cora could see the full moon glowing brightly in the night sky.
"A full moon makes the night sky so beautiful," smiled Cora.
"Aye, but it's a shame that the fog's gone and spoiled it," grunted Duncan. Suddenly, he heard a whistle coming from the distance, but he didn't know who it was.
"That doesn't sound like any o' the others; well, Rusty and Flyer don't have whistles, but that's besides the point," Duncan gasped. He had come to a stop near the middle of the old iron bridge. Suddenly, he could see a saddle tank engine heading straight towards him.
"Sir Handel?!" gasped Duncan. "What are ye doing out here this late?"
But he didn't receive an answer, for the engine that resembled Sir Handel seemed to disappear into thin air, and following that came a loud splashing sound from below.
"Wh-what was that, Duncan?!" gasped Cora. She couldn't see what Duncan just did, making her sound more panicked.
"It's a ghost!" wailed Duncan. "Never mind mah favorite spot in the shed; Skarloey can have it. Take me back, please!" he cried to his crew.
His crew, also shocked at what just happened, reversed back as carefully as possible.
"D-Duncan," stammered Cora. "Wh-what just happened? Is the ghost going to get us?" But Duncan was too frightened to say anything. He shunted his trucks into a siding and then Cora into the shed before getting into the empty berth himself.
"We'd better go and find a nearby hotel," said Duncan's driver to the fireman. The yellow engine refused to open his eyes for the rest of the night…
The following morning, Duncan and Cora returned to Crovan's Gate, looking rather shaken up from last night.
"What happened, Duncan?" asked Flyer. "I took your spot in the shed last night because you took mine."
"Er… none of you will believe Cora or Ah if we explain," sighed Duncan. He explained about what he had witnessed last night, and the yards fell silent.
"An engine that resembled me was at the bridge?" asked Sir Handel. "The only other engines I know that are of my build are Alfred, Sir Haydn and those two engines he mentioned that used to run on the Corris Railway."
"Is there a secret number nine running here that we don't know about?" asked Flyer.
It was Duke who noticed that Skarloey and Rheneas looked rather uncomfortable. "Is there something that you two haven't told us yet?"
The two oldest engines sighed.
"Yes, Duke," said Skarloey. He and Rheneas turned their attention to the whole group. "The ghost story that was in that movie is… based on a true story."
"A true story?" asked Peter Sam. "Was there an engine who worked with you before me and Sir Handel arrived?"
"That's correct," said Rheneas. "His name was Proteus, our original number three. And he was bought second hand from another workshop, so he was older than Skarloey and I."
The engines' eyes widened at this revelation, none more so than the former Mid Sodor engines as Skarloey and Rheneas began their tale.
Past
"Skarloey, Rheneas," said Mr. Mack to the little engines at their shed a few weeks after the "stick-in-the-mud" incident, "I've got some good news for you."
"Have we got another visitor from England?" asked Skarloey excitedly.
"Well, he comes from England, but he's not a visitor," said Mr. Mack. "He'll be a permanent part of our little line."
"Oh, another engine?" gasped Rheneas. "Ooh, I can't wait to show him what we can do."
"Neil will be bringing him to the transfer yards very soon," said Mr. Mack. "Please make a good first impression."
It wasn't long before Neil arrived with a flatbed carrying the new engine on it; he was a saddle tank engine like Skarloey, but he had just four wheels and was of a similar design to Sir Handel and Alfred many years later. He also had a large headlamp on top of his smokebox and was painted yellow.
"Hello there, young ones," greeted the newcomer. "The name's Proteus, named for the Greek god of the sea."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Proteus," smiled Skarloey. "My name is Skarloey."
"And I'm Rheneas," added his brother. "Welcome to Sodor."
"Did you swim all the way here?" asked Skarloey. "That sounds much more comfortable than that boat Rheneas and I traveled on."
Proteus couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, goodness, no," he replied. "Unfortunately, I had to take that boat that was always rocking about. And don't get me started on those derricks."
"You'll be on firm rails shortly, Proteus," assured Neil. The box tank engine was as good as his word, and it wasn't long before Proteus was on the rails.
"Come on, Proteus," said Rheneas. "We'll show you around the place. One of the first things we have to do is take stone down from the quarry."
"Last one there is a troublesome truck!" challenged Skarloey. And before Proteus knew it, the younger engines raced off.
"Oi, wait up, you two!" he cried. "Are they always a bufferful, Neil?"
"You could say that," he chuckled. "But it's that Skarloey who's more excitable than Rheneas."
"I'll be sure to remember that." Proteus followed after them, and it wasn't long before the trio got to the quarry.
"There you two are," Proteus panted. "At least wait for an older engine, will you?"
"Sorry, Proteus," said Rheneas. "We're not used to being around other engines aside from each other; well, the bigger engines do come down here and Crovan's Gate, but that's about it."
"If we slow down, nothing will ever get done," groaned Skarloey.
"Sometimes, it is best to go slowly and carefully, young one," said Proteus. "You could end up in an accident if you're not careful."
Skarloey, though he did have a couple of mishaps before, didn't have any severe accidents for a while thereafter, but he eventually learned to heed Proteus' words.
Many years went by, and during that time, Rheneas had obtained a cab like Skarloey and Proteus, and Skarloey would sometimes find himself working on standard gauge lines with the use of a haulage wagon following the sale of Neil and one of his siblings, Richard. Also, during the last few years of Proteus' time on the railway, Skarloey and Rheneas became the wise engines that the current Skarloey fleet all knew.
"I'm going to be meeting up with Mildred at the quarry today," said Proteus to Skarloey. By now, the North Western Railway had started to take shape by merging the three pre-grouping railways together. "I think they've got a tall order to help mend that viaduct."
"It hasn't collapsed has it?" asked Skarloey.
"Thankfully, no," replied Proteus. "Maybe I should give my lamp to the North Western engines just for extra luck."
Skarloey chuckled. "Well, there has to be some reason that boulder never fell down the quarry. Maybe it was your lamp the whole time."
Both Skarloey and Proteus had a good laugh about it. It had become a running joke for years that Proteus' lamp on his funnel had brought the railway good luck.
Just then, Proteus' guard blew the whistle. "I'll see you at the sheds this evening, old friend," he said cheerfully as he puffed away. Little did Skarloey realize was that this would be the last time he would ever speak with Proteus.
The little red engine was busy arranging some trucks he was going to take down to the quarry himself, when he heard the telephone ringing from inside the station. The stationmaster rushed out in a frantic manner.
"Is there something wrong, ma'am?" asked Skarloey.
"I just heard from Sasha, there's been an accident at the old iron bridge," she explained.
"Sasha… she was Proteus' guard for the day!" Skarloey gasped. Without thinking twice, he rushed to grab the breakdown train, and quickly yet carefully made his way to the bridge.
But by the time Skarloey and the rescue crew had arrived, there was no sign of Proteus or his trucks. Miraculously, Sasha had managed to get to safety in time.
"Proteus!" Skarloey cried into the ravine. "Proteus, can you hear me?!"
Unfortunately, there was no reply from the other engine.
"No…" choked Skarloey. "Why now… why him?!"
Rheneas fared no better when he heard the news, and that evening, both the old engines sat in their sheds to have a good cry.
Present
The other engines were rather shaken by Skarloey and Rheneas' story, but none more so than Rusty and Duncan.
"So… it was Proteus' ghost Ah saw last night…" the yellow engine said quietly.
"It was," sighed Rheneas. "He was destroyed upon impact down below. Both his crew members also died, and were buried when their bodies were recovered."
"Despite what the film depicts, he doesn't usually come out on moonlight nights or the night of the accident," added Skarloey.
"If that is indeed the case, why did he come out last night?" asked Rusty. "He seems to be living up to that fictional depiction of his ghost."
No one had an answer for that, and the little engines were unusually quiet as they set about for the day's work, unaware that this was only the beginning of something stranger…
TO BE CONTINUED
Author's Comments
And now we've reached the finale of Series 5 Redux, and it's a two-parter! This is part one, based upon Duncan Gets Spooked, only its story is that of Ghost Train, and with Proteus taking the role. As Sir Handel is based upon Sir Haydn, and said engine had two other siblings on the Corris Railway, it makes sense that Sir Handel would have two siblings as well; Alfred and Proteus, both of whom are no longer with the Sodor engines. Since the Mid Sodor trio took up a fair amount of screen time in this redux, it seems fair to give Skarloey, Rheneas, Rusty and Duncan a chance in the spotlight as well, and this will also carry over onto part two.
Next time, it's the second half of the big finale, Rusty and the Boulder!