The Modern Railway Series No. 7
BRAVE LITTLE ENGINES
Original stories by Andrew Brenner, Mark Huckerby, Davey Moore and Nick Ostler
Foreword
Dear friends,
A tank engine with an appearance of a monster upon first glance arrived at Sodor by mistake. When he met Percy, the two engines became very close friends. Even after the new engine left Sodor, he and Percy still think of each other dearly. There also seems to be a bit of tension between Percy and James. But they use their bravery learned from each other to help all of them be really useful engines.
The author
Missing Gator
One day, Salty noticed Percy standing at Brendam Docks, looking out across the water. Percy seemed sad about something. "Ahoy, matey!" he called to the tank engine. "Thinking of taking up life on the sea, are ya?" "Oh no, Salty," replied Percy. "I was just thinking about my old friend, Gator." When Gator first came to Sodor, he gave Percy a real fright. But once Percy got to know him, the two engines quickly became friends. But now Gator had gone away, leaving Percy missing his friend and feeling sad. "Arr, I bet your friend Gator wouldn't like to see you moping around like this," said Salty. "Best not to think about him if you ask me," agreed Cranky. "Gator's gone, and you've got trucks to pull and other engines to think about." Percy thought Cranky was right. So he decided to try and not to think about Gator that day, so that he wouldn't feel sad.
As he pulled heavy trucks up Gordon's hill, Percy remembered how Gator made it seem so easy. And when he came back to Brendam Docks, he remembered where Gator had waited for his ship to come in. Percy was wondering about Gator for half and hour before Cranky suggested that he kept himself busy. "You're right," agreed Percy. "I will keep busy." So Percy decided to stop thinking about Gator by keeping himself very busy indeed.
Later, Percy was sent to the Earl's estate to take some very important trucks to the docks. They were loaded with valuable sculptures and paintings for an exhibition. "Hello, Percy!" said Millie as Percy arrived at the platform. "Your trucks are ready and waiting." "Thanks, Millie!" said Percy as he buffered up to the trucks. "Mustn't stop!" "But, don't you have to be couple up?" called Millie. But Percy was already on his way out of the estate.
Then there was trouble. The troublesome trucks started racing ahead. "Stop! Wait!" cried Percy. The trucks rattled the points and switched onto the track that led to the old mine. "Oh no! Stop! Please!" wailed Percy. But the trucks were going too fast to stop now. The entrance to the old mine had only recently been reboarded up. But even that couldn't stop them. They crashed straight through the wooden planks and disappeared into the darkness of the old mine ahead.
Percy slowed down as he approached the entrance to the mine. He knew that he should go in and bring back the trucks. But he didn't like the look of the mine. A shrew scuttled across the rails, making Percy jump and rush back out in fright. Percy was scared and he didn't know what to do. He just had to stop and think for a moment. But of course, what he thought of was: "Gator!" exclaimed Percy as he saw a vision of Gator standing on the rails right in front of him. "Being brave is not the same as not feeling scared. Being brave is about what you do, even when you do feel scared," said Gator before disappearing before Percy's eyes. Percy knew he could do it. He could be brave and go into the dark tunnel.
Deeper and deeper into the tunnel he went. At last, Percy saw some shadowy shapes ahead of him. The trucks were very happy to see him. They were frightened, too. "Come on, you troublesome trucks," said Percy. "Let's get you out of here!" Percy had done it. He had rescued the trucks. Percy knew he shouldn't have rushed off with the troublesome trucks. But then he smiled. He realized that it was Gator's wise words that helped him to be brave and rescue the trucks all by himself.
It was getting dark, when Salty noticed Percy staring out at the water again. "Ahoy there, Percy!" he said. "You're still not thinking about Gator, are ye? You know he only makes you sad." "No, Salty," replied Percy. "Thinking about Gator makes me happy, too! I learned a lot from that engine. I'm lucky to have Gator as a friend, even if he is far away right now." "Aye, Percy," smiled the dockside diesel. "And who knows? He might come back to Sodor one day." "I hope so, Salty," said Percy. "I really do."
Toad's bright idea
One time, back when Gator was still on Sodor, James had to take the Flying Kipper. He saw Gator at a junction and thinking that he was a monster, ran away in fright. If you ever wondered what Gator was up to at that time, this story will answer your questions.
Gator was waiting at Brendam Docks for his ship to arrive, which was delayed. Since he had nothing to do, the dock manager asked him to deliver some trucks to the docks for Oliver, who had broken down. The opportunity to be really useful made Gator feel very pleased indeed.
Gator was so excited to be busy and really useful, that he didn't even notice when his lamp went out. Oliver was uncoupled from the train, and waiting for an engine to bring it to the docks for him. When he saw Gator in the distance, he let out a yelp. "It's me, Gator! There's no need to shout," said Gator hastily. Oliver knew that, but said that he was just surprised. "Where's you light?" he asked Gator, noticing his lamp. "Where's my what?" asked Gator, before noticing that his lamp had gone out. His driver lit it up again, and Gator went to turn around on the loop to collect the trucks. Gator sped off with the trucks calling "Goodbye, Oliver!" "See you later, Gator!" called Oliver. "In a while… um… Toad."
Gator and Toad had hardly gone very far, when Gator's lamp went out again. Toad asked Gator if everything was alright. Gator told Toad what had happened, and Toad insisted that he should stop and relight it again. "It's dangerous to cross the island at night without a light!" he warned Gator. Gator stopped near a junction to light his lamp again. It was at this moment, that James came along with the Flying Kipper. "Hello!" Gator called. James saw Gator and thought he was a monster. He sped away, shrieking at the top of his voice. "Not again…" sighed Gator as his driver relit his lamp again.
It wasn't long before Gator's lamp had gone out again. He tried to not tell Toad about it, but the brake van found out soon enough. "You need to stop and relight your lamp, Mr. Gator," said Toad. "I can't keep on stopping, Toad!" said Gator impatiently. "I've got to get these trucks to the docks before sunrise!" "Sir, I must insist that you stop and relight your lamp!" replied Toad firmly.
They were now approaching a junction. Toad got more worried. "Mr. Gator, please slow down! This is where the trucks come from the gravel pits. There may be gravel on the tracks!" But Gator didn't slow down. "Right, that's it!" muttered Toad as the guard put on the brakes. "Mr. Gator!" he called. "If you don't stop, then you'll give me a flat wheel!" Gator sighed and came to a stop. Toad said he won't be going anywhere to Gator fixes his lamp. Then Gator said he'll go without Toad. "What?" exclaimed Toad as he was uncoupled from the trucks. "But it's dangerous to go without a brake van." "I know," said Gator. "But it might be quicker and quieter to get to the docks on time."
Gator left Toad behind and hurried on towards the junction. Then there was trouble. Gravel scraped against Gator's wheels as he ran over them. He came to a stop. Toad was still fuming, when he heard something coming back along the tracks. "Sorry, Toad," apologized Gator as he came back to fetch Toad. "You were right all along, about everything." Gator and Toad apologized to each other. But now that Gator can't get his lamp relit, they were going to be stuck at the junction till morning. Suddenly, Toad had a very bright idea. "Mr. Gator, I've got two lamps. How about I give you one of my lamps, so you could see the way, and show other engines you're approaching?"
So that's just what they did. Gator's driver changed the lens from red to white, and Gator pulled Oliver's trucks all the way to the docks without any further trouble. And just in time, too. Gator shunted the trucks into position, and thanked Toad for all his help. Toad was just happy to have been a really useful brake van and he and Gator became firm friends after that.
From foes to friends (written by myself)
It had been a while ever since Gator left Sodor. It left Percy still thinking about him and having fond memories of the times they spent together. But there was someone else who had a lot on his mind. James was in front of the clay pits. He was staring at where there had been a humungous rockslide. James remembered how he had tormented Percy about being scared of a monster, and how Percy saved him from the rockslide despite his teasing. Percy had been repaired since he had taken the blow for him, but the tank engine didn't feel like he trusted James for now. This made the red engine feel more regretful.
James had tried to apologize to Percy. He offered to help pull the mail train for him. He offered to be his back engine for freight trucks. But no matter what he did, James' offers got rejected, leaving him feel more remorseful. "I wonder if he'll ever forgive me?" he thought. So he decided to just leave Percy alone for a while after that.
One day, Percy was filling his bunker up with coal from the hopper. What he didn't know, was that it was full of bad coal. He went off to collect fuel tankers from the depot and deliver them to the docks.
Meanwhile, James had just finished his passenger train, and was resting in a siding, when he saw Percy pass by with the fuel tankers. The little engine didn't look so good. He was coughing and spluttering, and sparks flew from the top of his funnel. "Oh, my! Sounds like Percy's in trouble!" thought James. He puffed out of the siding and went up alongside Percy. "Are you alright, Percy?" asked James. Percy got impatient. "I'm fine, James. There's nothing wrong with me!" "But you look puffed out," protested James. "Let me deliver these for you while you get your firebox cleaned out." "No thank you, James! I don't need your help!" snapped Percy. James sighed and slowed down as Percy kept on wheezing sparks.
Suddenly, some of the sparks fell down right on top of the last tanker. It started smoking, and then a bright flame burst out on top of it. James gasped. "Oh no! He really is in trouble!" he exclaimed as he raced after Percy.
James approached a signalbox and came to a stop. His driver and fireman explained what had happened to the signalman. "This is an emergency!" said James' fireman. "You'd better go and call the Sodor Search and rescue centre immediately!"
James puffed down the line as fast as he could. He found Percy climbing the top of Gordon's hill. James raced after him. Percy had just reached the top, when James came up to him again. "Percy! You need to stop! You're in danger!" said James. "What are you talking about, James?!" replied Percy feeling annoyed. "One of your tankers is on fire!" exclaimed James. "What?" said Percy. He looked behind, and saw that James was right. "Oh my!"
Then there was trouble. As Percy's driver tried to apply the brakes, they had broken. Percy came rolling down the other side of Gordon's hill and he couldn't stop. "Help! Help!" he whistled. James pumped his pistons and rushed down the line. He was determined not to let Percy get into disaster.
He puffed faster and faster. He was getting closer to the runaway train. The flame on the last tanker had grown larger now. James got scared when he was right next to the burning fire. But he didn't stop. Soon, he overtook Percy, and was far ahead of him. He switched tracks and slowed himself down a bit. Percy bumped into James, and the red engine put on his brakes. He struggled at keeping the train under control.
Salty was arranging trucks at Brendam Docks, when he noticed something strange. "Whatever is that smoke coming from?" the diesel asked. Cranky noticed the runaway train in the distance. "Fiery train up ahead! It's heading for us!" he cried in surprise. "Shiver me timbers!" exclaimed Salty, who had no time to back out of the way. James was approaching the bend. He used all his strength. At last, he stopped, just in front of Salty. "Stopped at last…!" he wheezed. Percy couldn't believe it. "You… you saved me, James…" he gasped. "…you saved me earlier, so I'm just returning the favour…" smiled James weakly.
Flynn and Belle, the fire engines from the Sodor Search and Rescue team arrived at once and worked together to put out the fire. Then, the Fat Controller arrived and was very impressed. "Well done, James. I'm very proud of you for preventing a terrible disaster. You are a really useful engine!" he boomed. "Thank you, sir…" whispered James. Percy apologized for his load getting caught on fire, but the Fat Controller understood that it was the bad coal that was responsible. He sent James to bring Percy to the Steamworks to be repaired.
As James was bringing Percy to the Steamworks, the tank engine decided to let their previous fall-out go. "Thank you for saving me, James. That was really brave of you! I'm sorry I didn't listen to you earlier," sighed Percy. "Oh, no problem at all!" said James. "And I'm sorry for getting you crippled back at the clay pits. I really never meant you to get damaged at all." Percy looked back at James and then he smiled. "I forgive you, James. What say we put this behind us and start over from the top?" "Yes, that would be nice," said James. James was glad to have finally made amends with Percy. And he hoped from then on, that he wouldn't cause Percy any more harm, again.
Long lost friend
It was Christmas time on Sodor. The engines were feeling bright and cheerful. One morning, the Fat Controller gave Percy some good news. "Gator is coming to Sodor, to help out with our further advancing shipments and cargo. I have a feeling you'd be very pleased to see him again." Percy gasped. Seeing his old friend Gator again was what he always wanted. "He'll be arriving today, so I want you to be really useful and be extra careful with your jobs," continued the Fat Controller. "Yes, sir! Right away, sir!" said Percy. "That's a good engine," smiled the Fat Controller. "Off you go, then!"
Percy found Thomas and James at the coal hopper. Percy told them the thrilling news. "That's wonderful, Percy!" said Thomas. "You must be very excited!" agreed James. "I am! Please let me know if you see Gator today. I am going to be very busy after all," said Percy. "We will," said the two engines.
Percy worked harder than ever before. He was right on time with every job he had been given and didn't get into any accident once. It was late in the afternoon before Percy was heading to the water tower for a drink. He had been very busy and felt rather tired. James came to see him. "Guess what, Percy? Gator has arrived!" said James excitedly. "Really? Oh, how amazing! Where is he now?" asked Percy perking up. "He had to make a delivery to the quarry. You're sure to find him there," replied James. "Thanks, James!" said Percy as he sped off to the Blue Mountain quarry.
But when he got to the quarry, Gator was nowhere to be seen. "Hello, Percy," said Skarloey. "Are you looking for Gator?" "Yes, I am!" replied Percy. "Have you seen him?" "Why, yes I have!" said the narrow gauge engine. "He was sent to bring his load to the Steamworks." Percy thanked Skarloey and left the quarry. Percy arrived at the Steamworks. Victor told Percy he had seen Gator, but that he's gone now. Percy left the Steamworks and puffed off to Knapford station. All the time, he had begun to worry if Gator really wanted to see him again.
As Thomas was puffing out of Knapford station, Percy came up from the opposite direction. "There you are, Percy!" said the blue tank engine. "Listen, the Fat Controller had just sent Gator to-" but Percy cut him off. "I don't think Gator wants to see me, Thomas. He's probably forgotten all about me," said Percy sadly. "But Percy, Gator thinks it's you who doesn't want to see him!" protested Thomas. Thomas then told Percy that Gator was on his way to the docks. This made Percy alarmed. He raced away to the docks as fast as he could.
Percy arrived at the docks. He couldn't see Gator through the fog around him. But he heard a loud wail, as the big ship left the docks. "Oh no! The ship is leaving! I've missed him…" wailed Percy. "Gator! Come back!" Percy raced forward, and bumped into some trucks. Sacks spilled out and burst open. Rock salt flew everywhere. Percy was sorry about the mess. But he was even more sorry that he was too late to see Gator. "Goodbye, Gator!" called Percy. "Hello, Percy!" said a voice from behind the trucks. Percy couldn't believe it. He puffed around them, and saw an engine, covered in sacks of rock salt, and with a very familiar face. "Gator?" whispered Percy. "That's right, Percy! It's me!" replied Gator. "Though this wasn't quite the greeting I was expecting from you." "I thought I missed you again, Gator," said Percy. "I'm so happy you're back!" "Yes, I'm back, Percy. And this time, I'm going to stay," laughed Gator. "At least, long enough to wash off all this salt!" The two friends laughed.
Percy and Gator went off to the washdown to get the salt cleaned out of themselves. Thomas and James came up to them and wanted to stay as well. Gator told them all about his adventures and mishaps on his old railway. When it got dark, Percy told Thomas and James he'd catch up on their way back to Tidmouth Sheds, as he and his friend had quite a bit of catching up to do. Percy's old friend Gator was truly back for Christmas, and that made Percy a very happy engine.