Edward, Trever and the Really Useful Party

Based upon the story by Andrew Brenner, David Mitten and Britt Alcroft

Adapted by Rachel Ravens

Takes place during TACO


Sodor had fallen into a state of peace following three major events for the island. One being the acquisition of a new steam tram that went by the name of Toby, and his coach Henrietta. The second one, is Henry being rebuilt following his crash with the Flying Kipper. And the last one, is a new acquisition to the Vicarage Orchard on Edward's branch line.

"So, how has Trevor settled in, Edward?" asked Henry when the two met up at Knapford with their passenger trains. Henry had the red coaches, Sean, Mick, Harry and Dexter, and Edward had the old coaches, Audrey, Hilary and Mark.

"Oh, he's loving every moment in his new home," smiled the old blue engine. "He's especially excited now that the weather's warming up. There will be more for him to do."

"I'm pleased to hear that too, Edward," Henry grinned. "Maybe Trevor and Terence can help position some new baby trees in the forest between Crosby and Wellsworth."

"That's a great idea," Edward smiled. "I'll bring it up to Trevor next time we meet."

"If we get a red signal at the orchard," said the driver. "We can tell him right then and there."

Edward's guard's whistle blew, and he whistled goodbye to Henry before heading off.


The old blue engine was having a smooth run on his branch line, when, like he hoped for, there was a red signal by the orchard. He then heard a cheerful whistle.

"Edward!" cried Trevor as he rolled over to greet him. "I've got big news."

"What's up, Trevor?" asked Edward.

"Well, you know how some children's parents' can't have holidays down by the sea?" he began.

"Yes, Trevor," sighed Edward. "That is a bit sad."

"Well, the Vicar is raising money for a seaside trip with a garden party," The traction engine smiled. "I'm going to be the star attraction and give rides to all the visitors. The vicar is currently making posters to put up all over the island."

"That sounds wonderful, Trevor," the old blue engine grinned. "I bet you'll have a lovely time. Though… I do wish I could help you. I'm not much good without my rails."

"Oh, Edward," said Trevor kindly. "You are still a massive help to me with your rails. I wouldn't be here if not for you."

"And I'm very glad to see you in working order," Edward replied. "Oh, by the way, I was wondering if-" he was cut off by the clunk of a signal. "Oh flatten my funnel, that's my signal. I'll see you later, Trevor."

"Bye, Edward." called the traction engine, as the two friends gave a whistle of farewell.


As Edward puffed along the line, he was starting to feel a bit sad.

"I wish there was something I could do for the party," he sighed. "I'd like to be helpful, like Trevor."

"But you are helpful, Edward," said Audrey. "You did save Trevor's life, didn't you?"

"Indeed," agreed Hilary. "Trevor is very grateful to you for that."

"You're helpful in your own way, Edward," added Mark. "And that's on the railway."

"I guess you're right," smiled the old engine. "I'm just being a bit silly."


Back at the orchard, the vicar was making various arrangements for the garden party.

"Okay, there's a few tables needed for all the stalls we're putting out," he said. "I have the decorations all ready to go." He looked over toward Trevor. "Do you have the fence ready for the pony rides?"

"I sure do," he smiled, and his driver got out to help the vicar put it up.

"Oh, and Trevor, don't forget your cart for the party," the vicar explained.

"Don't worry," grinned the traction engine, "driver had that checked out. It's all ready to go."

"Excellent," said the vicar.

Just then, Trevor's driver saw something out of the corner of his eye. "Er, Charles?" he asked in surprise, "what are all those sheets on the table?"

"What do you… oh no!" he gasped, "I forgot to put the posters up, and the party is in three days."

"We'll never get those up in time!" Trevor frowned. "Now what are we going to do?"


The next day, he saw Edward come up to his orchard, this time with a goods train.

"Good morning, Trevor… oh my!" gasped the old engine, "what's up, Trevor? You're not usually this glum."

"The vicar's been so busy, he forgot to put up the posters," Trevor sadly explained. "No one will come to the party now…"

Edward was quiet for a moment, thinking about what could be done.

My passenger train is due out after this goods run, he thought. I could tell my passengers about the party… but maybe… yes, that's it! "Driver!" he called, and his driver scrambled down from the cab to listen. "I've got an idea! On my next passenger train, the vicar can paste his posters on me and the coaches. Wherever we go, they'll go too."

"That's a great idea, Edward," grinned his driver, "we'll have to arrange it with Sir Topham Hatt and the vicar."

"Thank you, Edward!" smiled Trevor, "let's report this to them right away."

Edward cheerfully went off when his signal dropped, and then met up with Sir Topham Hatt at Knapford station.


"So you see, sir," said Edward. "I was hoping to lend a buffer to ensure the garden party will be a success."

"That's a wonderful idea," said Sir Topham Hatt, "you are quite a clever engine."

Later, the vicar and some workmen were pasting the posters all over Edward and the old coaches.

"I look ridiculous," muttered Hilary.

"Whoever heard of posters on coaches," grunted Mark.

"Oh come on," said Audrey, "I think we look very cool, and we'll be helping Trevor too."

"I suppose Audrey has a point," said Hilary.

"Come on you lot," said Edward, buffering up to them, "we have news to spread all over the island."


The old blue engine puffed away, and word spread around the island like wildfire.

"Ooh, mommy, look!" said a child. "It's a garden party! Can we go?"

"Okay, dear," smiled the mother. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to check it out. We'll have to tell our friends too."


When Edward got to Elsbridge, Thomas, Annie and Clarabel were there.

"What in the world?!" gasped Thomas. "Edward, what's happened to you and the coaches?"

"Don't mind us, you three," chuckled Edward. "Just helping out Trevor with the garden party." he quickly explained the situation.

"That was clever thinking," said Annie in approval.

"Though you may want to get those posters off before you get back to the sheds tonight," added Clarabel.

"Dutifully noted," Edward replied with a chuckle.

"Oh, Edward, we could let Bertie know about this," said Thomas, "he may be able to get passengers to the garden party."

"That would be a big help, Thomas," smiled Edward, "this will be a massive event." His guard's whistle blew a moment later. "Thank you, and see you later."


Later on, Trevor was happily dozing in the sheds, when he heard the honking of a bus.

"Huh, what?" Trevor blinked, and he found himself looking at Bertie.

"Hello, Trevor," greeted the red bus. "Why are you dozing there like an old stick in the mud?"

"I'm not dozing," Trevor said quickly, "just resting." Of course, Trevor's statement was not true, but he was annoyed at Bertie for ruining a good dream he was having. "Anyway," he said, trying to push that aside, "the vicar's having a party, and I'm saving my energy for that."

"Oh, yes, Thomas mentioned that," said Bertie, "he asked if I could take some passengers to it, and Edward told the vicar about the idea. He agreed to it, so I'll be there too."

"Great," said Trevor, "it's going to be a lot of fun. I'll be giving people some rides at the party."

"Oh, don't be so sure about that," joked Bertie, "after riding in a smart bus like me, I'm not sure they'd want to ride with you."

"Very funny, Bertie," grunted Trevor. The red bus honked his horn and was away. Of course, Bertie meant no harm, but sometimes his jokes could get out of control.


That evening, while Edward and the coaches had their posters removed, the blue engine felt something drip on his boiler.

"Oh dear," he said quietly, "rain won't be good for the party."

"Don't worry, ol' boy," said the driver, "I hear the weather will be clear tomorrow."

"That's good," smiled the old engine.


The next day, Trevor awoke feeling bright and cheerful. "Rain and mud won't spoil my day." he grinned.

"No indeed," agreed the driver, "let's stick to the roads, so we won't get bogged down."


Trevor had his cart bolted to him, as lots of eager children rushed over.

"Oh, look," cried one of the children, "there's Trevor, let's have a ride!"

"Hop aboard, everyone," smiled the traction engine, and the children eagerly did so. "Okay, everyone, let's go for a ride."

Trevor carefully started away, grinning as he headed down the country lane. He heard a honking noise as he rounded the corner.

"Hello old timer," greeted Bertie, "there's more passengers coming, so I've had to ask Algy for help. Edward's idea is working like a charm."

He drove off, and Trevor gave a cheerful whistle. "Fantastic, Bertie!" he smiled as he showed the children the orchard.

"What beautiful flowers," grinned one of the children. "My mum has one just like it in her hat."

"Is that the one with the hat that can't fit through Bertie's door," chuckled Trevor, "he said something about that when he had some passengers last week."

"Maybe," giggled the child.


Back at the party, Bertie had delivered some passengers and was just going back for more, when he skidded to avoid Algy coming in on the road.

"Bertie!" cried Algy, but it was too late.

SPLAT! Poor Bertie had landed right in the mud.

"Oh no!" he groaned. "This is all I need. Help! I'm stuck!"

"Oh dear," sighed Algy. "I can't get you out; I may get stuck trying to pull you out."

Just then, Trevor arrived and the children all scrambled out, thanking him for the ride.

"That's alright… whoa!" he gasped. "Bertie! What are you doing in the mud?"

"Er… had a bit of a skid," Bertie admitted sheepishly.

"Terence is the one supposed to plow fields," joked Trevor. "I'd better get you out. Algy, you go back for more passengers while I do this."

"Of course," the blue bus zipped away.


It wasn't long before Trevor had strong ropes attached to him and Bertie and the former's cart had been moved to the side.

"Back up, Trevor," called his driver, and the traction engine began to pull with all his might.

"This will teach Bertie a thing or two," chauffeured Trevor to himself.

At last, Bertie was on the road again. "Thank you, Trevor. You're not a stick in the mud at all."

"No," chuckled Trevor, "but you were, just for a little while. Now, I believe there's more passengers for you to pick up?"

"Yes," said Bertie as he and Trevor were untied, and he glanced to the side, seeing lots of smiling faces and waving hands. "And you have more eager children to ride with you."

Trevor grinned as he had his cart bolted back on. "Come for the ride of your lives, everyone!"

The children cheered as they jumped into his cart.


That evening, the vicar came to see Edward on his last passenger run of the day.

"Thanks to your good idea about the posters, hundreds of people paid to come to the party." he smiled, "we've raised lots of money for the children."

"We're very glad to hear that," Edward smiled back.


And later in the evening, Trevor was back in his shed, giving a happy and tired yawn as he closed his eyes.

"So many happy children going to the seaside," he whispered. "I'm so glad Edward was able to help make the party a success."

The End


This is the second induvial episode taking place in the Classic Series Adventures timeline which is what Hufflepuff Batboy and I are working on. This one is one I felt didn't change too much. I established this takes place shortly after Henry is restored and Trevor had his second lease of life. This also gives a bit of development for the red coaches, and I gave Henry, Thomas, Annie and Clarabel some appearances to enhance the story. Algy even gets a brief appearance, explaining how Bertie ended up in the mud. Terence was dropped from the story, as I didn't feel his appearance was necessary - what was he doing so far away from his farm anyway? - though Trevor does mention him. There's even a nod to Henry's forest, the location, not the episode, which will be adapted at some point, I'm sure. Though I'm not sure if it's in a massive project or a standalone like this. I also should point out that there are six episodes that take place between TACO and LECDBT, this is the first one.