RESCUING FRIENDSHIP

Thomas was in a sour mood as he peered longingly out into the yard, horizontal rain battering against the large metal doors of the workshop. He had been idol for a week now, even with his repairs having been completed long before. His stay had been longer then expected. According to the workmen, his accident was only a 'minor' incident, and he was left on the siding inside the large shed whilst the crew set to work repairing a large tank engine of whom Thomas had not meet before. He had been very cross, but become crosser still when he found that he would have to wait until the predicted weather conditions passed.

"We can't have you suffering another accident", the Fat Controller had said the previous afternoon, "This forecast is going to be one of the worst we've had here on Sodor. It would be far too dangerous for you to leave".

"But sir", Thomas had spluttered, "What about the new station? I'll miss the opening ceremony!"

"We have held back the opening date until the weather passes", continued the kind manager, "But until then, you must stay here until further notice"

Thomas was pleased that he would not be missing the grand opening, but he begun to grow highly impatient from waiting.

"When will this rain end?", he fumed angrily, "I can't stay here much longer! I have a branch line to run"

"The line is far too dangerous after this rain. The hillsides will be weakened. Too much noise could cause a landslide" - replied a workman. Thomas fell silent. He didn't like that idea at all, but his wheels were becoming stiff from being kept idol for so long, and he longed to see his beautiful branch line once again.

*

Percy was content. The weeks had passed and the Inspector was very pleased with his work. He had taken Thomas' morning and afternoon trains from Elsbridge to Knapford, keeping strictly to the timetable, and he had even remembered the milk every Wednesday. As well as this, he had managed to help out at the construction site. The final touches were being made to the station building, which meant that the opening ceremony was only a matter of days away.

"You have done a splendid job keeping this branch line in order", the Inspector congratulated him one evening, "Not only that, but our new station is due to open very soon"

"Please sir", Percy asked, "Will Thomas be back in time?" "The workshop tells us that his repairs of complete, and it will not be long until he is back here with us", smiled the Inspector, "I'm sure he will be very proud to hear of your work".

Percy hoped so too. But he was still worried about the argument the two of them had had before Thomas' departure. Then, the devastating news of the weather fled across the island within days. It was predicted that a series of heavy rain showers would soon be sweeping the island. The engines found that they were limited in their work, as the heaviness of the rain had caused many delays. During his return journey from the mainline with Thomas' special coach, Percy had learned that the Express was delayed due to a flood blocking the line. Things were beginning to turn anxious for the Fat Controller.

At present, Percy and Toby sat in their shed as the rain poured down around them. The yard outside was almost hidden, and the noise was incredible. Duck had been called away to help with the clearance of an accident on the mainline. The whole situation made Percy feel very sad.

"If this carries on", he thought sadly, "I won't be able to keep the line in order for Thomas"

"It can't be helped", said Toby, "Even the weather can't make Thomas complain".

"But I want to prove myself a real branch line engine", sobbed Percy, "Thomas said I wasn't fit to be one, and since then, my chance has finally come. But with this weather, everything will go wrong".

"What do you mean?", asked Toby.

"The opening ceremony will be ruined", Percy continued, his voice growing soft, "And Thomas will miss it..."

He trailed off, and a silence feel between the two engines. Toby could tell that Percy had been thinking about this for a long time - "I don't understand it", he thought, "Why is Percy so worried for Thomas? They were arguing a few weeks ago"

Just then, a blue umbrella appeared amongst the chaotic rain shower as the Inspector arrived in the warmth of the shed, drenched through. He wiped himself down and shook the rain off his umbrella before turning to the two engines - "I am reluctant to ask the two of you", he said, "But an engine is needed to perform a safety inspection along the route to Crovan's Gate. The workmen have done all they can but the weather is getting too serious for them to carry on. We figured that an engine would be able to do it".

"But sir", said Toby, "We've been told we can't come out until the rain stops"

"It'll be getting lighter soon", explained the Inspector, "But it might pick up again later. We must do something whilst we have the time. Would you mind Percy?"

Percy perked up for the first time that day - "Of course sir!" - He was thankful to be working once again. The Inspector quickly ran for the telephone at the back of the shed to call Percy's crew, as Toby watched with concern whilst Percy looked on with determination out into the battering rain storm.

*

Percy was glad that the weather was slowly beginning to clear up as he set off. The sky was still a dark grey, meaning that the rain would most certainly return, but he was determined not to be put off - "I must be useful! I must be useful!", he chanted to himself, as he neared the stretch of line.

This particular part of the line ran enroute for Crovan's Gate, but to get there, it meant passing through a tall valley. It began to grow misty and damp from the heavy shower and as Percy approached, the rails below felt weak and bumpy. The rain must have washed away the foundations - "Oooo", he squeaked, "This is dangerous!". "Keep at it boy", encouraged his driver, "This is an important task!". And with that, Percy pressed on.

A little further on, they reached a large curve. The line disappeared beyond the end of the cutting, hidden by mist. Percy was frightened to go further, but his driver wouldn't let him stop. But they had only gone a short way when Percy heard a noise coming from the hillside. "What's that?", he cried, looking around frantically.

"It sounds like voices", said his driver, peering out and looking up at the hillside beside the line, but the mist was so thick that they could hardly see a thing. Suddenly, a familiar flash of red and white appeared, waving back and forth, accompanied by a number of different coloured handkerchiefs - "That's Nancy!", chuckled the fireman, "Dan down on the Skarloey Railway's daughter. She must be out train-spotting with her friends".

"In conditions like these?", tooted Percy, "These hills are dangerous!" - He blasted his whistle several times - "Go away! Go away!".

But Nancy didn't. Nor did her friends. They continued to frantically wave their handkerchiefs, shouting loudly, but they were so far away that neither Percy, nor his crew could hear a word of what they were saying - "Silly troublemakers!", grumbled Percy, as he steamed ahead. But his driver and fireman exchanged anxious looks. And Percy soon discovered why as his brakes came on with a scream the moment they passed the curve.

"Bust my buffers! What's happened?"

The line was blocked by a tall mound of earth. Trees had fallen and the fence ripped apart. The weather must have caused the hillside to give way, sending a destructive landslide down onto the track. Percy had stopped inches from it. Panic struck him instantly - "What'll we do? What'll we do?", he tooted frantically.

"We must go back to the nearest station and get the breakdown crew here right away", stated the driver, "There is no time to waste". And with no care at all of his dangerous speed, Percy shot backwards, back through the valley to the nearest station. Little did he know that trouble was approaching fast on the other side of the threatening landslide.

*

A large black tank engine made his way cautiously along the wet rails. He had just collected a heavy load of gravel from the gravel works at Crovan's Gate, much to his reluctance. For you see, this fellow had spent some time at the works, having major maintenance done on his brakes. They had failed a number of times and his manager had not seen him fit to continue working. But moments after his repairs were complete, a telegraph had arrived at Crovans Gate. A large supply of gravel was needed at Kirkronan Dockyard, and it his job to collect it, and he had had no warning of the dangerous landslide.

"Another clear mile and we'll be there", said his driver with encouragement, as the rattled past the distant village of Kellsthorpe, "The junction isn't far ahead".

But thick mist of murky silver was beginning to settle from the rain storm - "I can't see a thing up ahead", grumbled the engine, "It's submerged in fog. I can't even see the track ahead"

The driver was careful to make sure that their speed was controlled. The trucks were heavy, and the rails slippery. A short way on, they were still going strong when the fog that surrounded them began to grow thicker still. The engine shone his lamps brightly into it, but to little effect - "This is hopeless!", he steamed, "This fog is blinding!"

There was a loud clunk as he felt himself roll helplessly over a pair of points. His driver looked back and his face turned a shade of anxious white - "For goodness sake!", he fumed, turning to the fireman, "We've just over- run the junction back to base!".

"We'll have to stop and go back!", suggested the fireman. The big black tank engine groaned to himself as his driver went for the brake. The line up ahead was beginning to clear. The fog seemed to be thinning out. Something large, dark and dangerous looking loomed up ahead.

"What on Earth is that?", hissed the engine.

But it was far too late. His new brakes were no good against the slippery rails. His crew had managed to jump clear in time, but he had no choice but to shut his eyes as he ploughed, front first into the dangerous landslide - "Bust my boiler!", he cried, "It's a landslide!"

"We're completely stranded!", cried the fireman, "Now what'll we do?"

But before the situation could get any worse, a crowd of vague figures appeared out of the mist, running down the sloppy valley towards them.

"That was quick!", muttered the engine, "But why would they send children to help us?" - They were soon to find out, as Nancy and her train-spotting companions appeared at the side of the line. They took a moment to catch their breath before speaking.

"We're sorry we couldn't stop you in time!", Nancy cried, "We tried to warn another engine a few moments ago, but he wouldn't stop!"

"Never mind", soothed the engine driver, "You tried your best, but we're completely stuck. We must send for help right away"

"We'll go", suggested one of Nancy's friends, "It won't take too long to get to Crovan's Gate from here if we bike it"

"Don't be stupid Spens!", Nancy begun, "Crovan's Gate is much too far..."

"I think it's a good idea!", one of the girls cut in, "We want to save this train don't we?"

"Exactly", added Spencer, turning to Nancy, "Besides, didn't your did say that he saw Thomas being pulled in for repairs? Surely he'll help us!" - This was met with a chorus of enthusiastic chatter among the group.

"Be sure to hurry if you do go", said the fireman, "We don't want another accident to happen".

"And this load is due at Kirkronan before tonight!", added the engine. He was beginning to feel very poorly indeed, his wheels stiff with cold, the wet mud of the landslide slowly beginning to slide down and cover his front. He couldn't move his axles at all. Nancy pondered, but everyone seemed to be cheering for Spencer. Eventually, she gave up and reluctantly followed and her friends back up the hill to where their bikes were perched. Within moments, they were on their way, the flashes of indicators glowing out of the fog, accompanied by Nancy's firm shouts - "I'm telling you, it's a stupid idea!".

*

Thomas was glad to finally stretch his wheels. Soon after the rain had stopped, the workman had given him the all-clear to set off home. He had hoped that the rain would give way to sunshine, to brighten his way back to his branch line. He had just passed the Kirkronan junction when the sound of fast peddling sounded up ahead. And with their faces red with exhaustion, Nancy appeared, followed by her friends.

"Nancy?", said Thomas, "What are you doing here?"

"Thomas!", cried Spencer, gasping for his breath, "We need your help right away!" "Whatever for?", asked Thomas with confusion, "I'm on my way home to my branch line"

"See? I told you!", snapped Nancy, her hands on her hips, "It was a stupid...", but Spencer ignored her again - "There's been a landslide", he continued, "A gravel train is stuck in the valley"

Thomas looked down at his buffers. He had certainly been hoping that his journey home would be easy, but this seemed not to be the case. "We tried to warn Percy", a little girl added, "But he didn't stop"

"He hasn't had an accident to has he?", asked Thomas, quicker then the other's had expected.

"Not that we know of", muttered Spencer, "He looked rather worried though. Moments later, he was going backwards towards Killdane".

Thomas paused for a moment. Nobody was quite sure, but a discreet smile seemed to cross his face for a split second at hearing this news. Even Nancy looked over her shoulder at her friends, who were equally confused. But before they could do anything else, Thomas spoke again, his voice full of determination - "Everyone! Let's save that gravel train!"

*

"Station-Master! Station-Master!", Percy wailed as he backed into Killdane station. He was going so fast that his buffer's clanged loudly against the buffer stop on the station siding. The station-master stood on the platform, a look of anxiety on his face - "What is it Percy?", he asked frantically, as if expecting news.

"There's been a landslide!", Percy spluttered, "In the valley! It's blocked the entire line..."

"It's just as we suspected", muttered the station-master turning slowly away, striking Percy a cold silence. His driver and fireman climbed down and joined the station-master on the platform - "What are you saying?", they asked.

"We received a telephone call a few moments ago from Kirkornan City Dockyard Headquarters", explained the station-master, "They said that a delivery of gravel from Crovan's Gate Gravel Works is half an hour behind timetable. There's no doubt that it got caught in this sticky mess"

Percy let off a blast of steam in fright. "How can that be?", muttered his driver, "The junction is before the valley. Surely if they were heading for the city they could avoid the landslide".

"The fog must have blinded them", continued the station-master, "The signal man down at the junction also phoned to warn us, but we had no idea of the landslide. The fog was just too thick. They were led straight into the danger zone". Percy could feel his wheels shaking below his frames - "That's awful", he whimpered, "What are we going to do?"

"Being the closest station, we've been told to stand by for orders from the Fat Controller...", the station-master began. But before he could continue, the phone rang loudly in his office. He fled instantly and answered it... 'Hello?'... 'Yes, we've been told'... 'Thomas?'... 'Goodness! What a predicament!'

"Thomas is in trouble?", gasped Percy, as he and his crew listened with concern.

"Hold a moment Percy", said his fireman, "We can't...Percy?"

It was no use. Both men could only remember standing on the platform one minute, the next, chasing Percy out of the station siding, as the little green tank engine set off...all on his own. And he wasted no time at all as he disappeared off down the line.

"I must save Thomas! I must save Thomas!", were his only words. But Percy soon learned that going out alone, without a driver or a fireman, was a very silly idea indeed. The station-master came skidding out of his office - "It's a runaway!". But there was no time to set Percy onto the danger siding, for he was already on his way to the valley.

*

Thunder rolled in the sky above as the clouds slowly began to turn a dark shade of grey. The rain threatened to start once again as Percy steamed into the familiar, misty hills of the valley. He hadn't even noticed that he had left on his own.

"It's cold", he thought, "And dark...and lonely...but Thomas is in trouble..."

As he slowly entered the gloomy valley line, he found himself getting slower and slower. His fire was beginning to weaken, and his tank felt empty. He tried to keep going, but it was no use. Before he could go any further anything, Percy was stranded.

"Oh no!", he cried, "I'm out of water!" - And that was not all he realized - "Bust my boiler! I've left my driver and fireman behind! I am such a silly little engine!"

"Hold on a moment friend", called a distant voice, "We'll have you back at home in no time"

Percy looked up in shock to find see a bright lamp shining through the mist as a large black tank engine slowly puffed towards him. The long line of gravel trucks rattled along behind. Brining up the rear, with Nancy and her friends cheering on the foot plate, came Thomas, pushing with all his strength from the back of the long train.

"Thomas!", tooted Percy, "Your alright!"

"Percy?", cried Thomas, looking up in shock as he saw Percy stranded.

The cavalcade stopped and both drivers, fireman and the children stepped down to talk to Percy - "I didn't mean to", he sobbed after telling them the story, "I was frightened for Thomas...". The big tank engine smiled warmly - "I can assure you that we are both right as rain. Now lets get you back to your shed". Percy smiled as the he was coupled in front of the long heavy train, and with a much happier heart, they set off once again. All the while, he spoke happily to the big tank engine, who told him of the rescue operation.

"Your Thomas is a hero", he complimented, "He came just in time with a digger and freed me from the landslide"

But Percy was worried. He wanted to talk to Thomas, but his friend was at the back of the long train. Little did he know that Thomas was puffing along in dark silence.

*

Sir Topham Hatt was waiting at Knapford as the three engines rolled in. He was most surprised at the length of the train, and too see Percy. He addressed the big tank engine first - "I have spoken to your manager", he said kindly, "And I have explained everything. He said that you could not avoid the accident and that you should take a day or two to rest. The gravel will be collected first thing midnight and delivered to Kirkronan by another engine".

"Thank you sir", smiled the engine, "I am relieved".

"As for you Percy", continued the good manager, turning to Percy, who sat timidly at the front of the train, "What you have done was very silly and dangerous. I do not wish to hear your excuses, but be warned that behavior like that in the future will not be tolerated".

"I'm sorry sir", whispered Percy softly, "I won't do it again sir"

"I'm glad", smiled Sir Topham Hatt, "But the Inspector has told me of your work on the branch line and I am very pleased with you. You have done very well, and the weather will soon clear. That means that we can celebrate the opening of the new station tomorrow".

Percy went to whistle with delight, but couldn't. He had no steam left. He and the big tank engine left the station soon after, as Sir Topham Hatt wished for Thomas to remain behind for a moment. On the way home, Percy spoke thoughtfully - "I hope Thomas isn't cross", he said sadly, as the big engine shunted him into the shed, "He didn't look very happy when we left".

"What has he to be cross about?", asked the big tank engine, "The two of you are friends, aren't you?"

Percy paused for a moment - "It's nothing" - Then he realized how rude he was being - "By the way, what is your name.=? I'm Percy!"

"My name is Ivan", smiled the big engine proudly, "Of the Kirkronan Dockside Railway Company".

Percy was excited. He had heard many things about Kirkronan and had longed to visit it. He soon forgot his troubles as he and Ivan spent the night talking, even when Toby returned, about the big city and the never-sleeping port. He didn't notice, however, that Thomas had not returned from Knapford to join them.

****