Ghost Train

Based upon the story by Rev. W. Awdry

Adapted by Rachel Ravens

Takes place between STLOE and F&W


By now, Halloween was steadily getting closer on the Island of Sodor, and the engines were getting excited.

"Would you look at that!" exclaimed Thomas to Annie and Clarabel. "The children are all dressing up for the occasion."

"It must be that time of year again," chuckled Annie.

"It's a pity coaches and engines can't dress up for Halloween," giggled Clarabel.

"But we can take everyone to the Halloween parties," smiled Thomas. "Oh, and look at the station. There's jackolanterns already."

Just then, Percy came into Troyreck with some trucks from the opposite direction.

"Thomas, Annie, Clarabel," he called to the trio, "my driver told me a story last night that would be fitting for Halloween."

"Oh, tell us tonight at the sheds, Percy," Thomas grinned. "And make sure Toby and Henrietta are there when you start."

"Righto, Thomas," said Percy. "It's a really spooky one, so I hope no one gets too scared."

"Me, scared?" chuckled Thomas. "No way, Percy. I'm not afraid of some ghost story."

The guard's whistle blew and Thomas had clearance to go.

"I wonder what story Percy has in mind," Thomas remarked. "This will really get us into the spirit of Halloween."


That evening, Percy, Toby and Thomas were at the sheds; Annie, Clarabel and Henrietta were settled nicely into the coach sheds nearby.

"Okay, everyone," said Percy. "Here's how the story goes…"


A long time ago, a little engine was returning home after a long day of work.

"I'm so tired," the little engine said. "I hope my friends didn't take my favorite spot in the sheds."

The mist covered most of the railway, and the full moon shone big and bright.

"At least I've got some light so I can get home," said the little engine.

There was an old iron bridge that the little engine had to cross before getting home, and it decided to go as fast as it could.

"I don't like heights all that much," the little engine shuddered. "The sooner I'm off here, the better."

Unfortunately, that was a mistake. The little engine suddenly lost control. The little engine plunged over the side, into the swamps below.

The little engine was never found again after that. But many a workmen will tell you, that on a clear night when the moon is full, they have seen the little engine trying to get home, but it never does. And every year, on the date of the accident, it runs again. As a warning to others. Plunging into the gap, shrieking like a lost soul…


Percy finished the story, feeling a bit quivery himself. Thomas, Toby and the coaches were all shuddering by the story's end.

"Ooh, that's a frame-chilling story, Percy," Toby breathed.

"Yeah," agreed Thomas. "You're such a good story-teller."

"It's a good thing ghosts aren't real," shuddered Annie.

"Indeed," agreed Clarabel. "I wouldn't want to run into a ghost like that."

"That's true," sighed Henrietta. "Where did your driver hear that story anyway, Percy?"

"I'm not sure," said Percy. "I'll have to ask him tomorrow."


The next morning, Percy's crew came to see him as usual.

"Driver," called Percy, "I told Toby, Thomas and the coaches your story last night. Where did you get it from?"

"It's a pretend ghost story I saw on television," he explained. "It was very fitting for Halloween, so I thought I'd share it with you."

"I'm glad you did," smiled Percy. "The others loved it. I think I might tell it to the engines down at the mainland when we head to Barrow later."


The day passed quickly for Percy, and before he knew it, the sun had set and the moon was slowly rising. Mist and fog covered the landscape as he headed back from the harbour.

"Oh, this will be hard for the mail run early tomorrow morning," Percy sighed. "But at least we know where we are."

"And where would that be," the fireman quizzed him.

"Crowe's Farm Crossing," Percy said with confidence, his lamp shone on a nearby windmill. "Oh, look at the trees, they don't have any leaves on them."

"Indeed," said the driver, "they must have all fallen off. Winter's going to be here within a month or so."

"Let's not get too excited yet," chuckled Percy.


Down at Farmer Sam's farm, he was filling up his water trough for his horse. The horse was a Clydesdale, rich chestnut in colour, with traditional white feathering around his fetlocks.

"There you go, Chief," he smiled as he gently stroked his neck. The horse's wobbly lips curled around his shoulder. When a horse does this, they aren't hurting the human as their teeth avoid being near them. In fact, it can tickle instead.

"You're very welcome," he chuckled. "Yes, you'll get some nice rest, Chief, and then we'll…" he then noticed something out of the corner of his eye. "Oh, bother!" he cried. "We forgot to bring the lime to Mr. Crowe. Come on, Chief, one last delivery we have to make."

Chief was a bit reluctant to go, but knew that he couldn't argue with his owner. So, Farmer Sam put a halter on Chief's head and led him out with a leadrope to the cart. He also put a helmet into the cart just in case of an emergency. Then he loaded the lime onto it, and set out with Chief for the crossing, at a brisk trot.

"Good boy, Chief," soothed Farmer Sam. "We're coming up to the tracks now."

But as they started to cross, they felt a bump, and one of the wheels sunk into some mud.

"Oh dear!" gasped Famer Sam. "Come on, Chief," he said gently, grabbing the halter that secured him to his harness. "Try and see if you can move the cart."

Chief started to pull with all his might, but sometimes, his hooves slipped on the damp ground.

"Easy, boy," soothed Farmer Sam. "You rest a minute to get your breath back."

Chief remained still for a moment with Farmer Sam gently stroking the horse's nose.

"Okay, let's try again."

They went back and forward with this a few times, but unfortunately, the cart wasn't going anywhere.

"Bother," sighed Farmer Sam after the fifth try. "Come on, let's go for help, boy."

He unharnessed Pete, put his riding helmet on, and swung onto his back.

"Okay, boy," said Farmer Sam. "Of we go. The next train isn't due for another hour, so we'll be right."


But Farmer Sam had forgotten about Percy coming light engine down the line.

"... And then, there will be a big… cart on the line!" cried Percy in shock. His driver braked quickly, but it wasn't enough.

CRASH!

The cart split to smithereens, and lime flew everywhere.

"What in the world?!" exclaimed Percy. "Driver, Fireman, are you two alright?"

"We're fine, Percy," sighed the fireman. He and the driver were both covered in white lime.

"Whoa," Percy gasped. "You both look like ghosts."

"So do you," the driver chuckled. "We really look set for Halloween now."

"Still," said the fireman, "we'd better report this incident before Thomas heads out with his evening train."


Percy headed for the next signal box, where Toby was heading back to the shed with Henrietta in tow.

"Whoa!" gasped Toby. "Percy, what's happened to you?"

"You're white all over," added Henrietta. "Did a can of white paint drop on you?" she laughed.

"No, Henrietta." Percy chuckled. "There was a lime cart on the line and I crashed right into it."

"Oh," Toby realised. "That's why we saw Farmer Sam riding Chief when we stopped here."

"You'd better get cleaned up, Percy," said Henrietta, "otherwise, people, engines and coaches alike will think you're a ghost."

"Oh, I think we can celebrate Halloween like this," giggled Percy. "Let's surprise Thomas. He'll think it's a good costume."

"Ooh, I think that's a great idea," chuckled Toby. "Hey, I heard this story from driver who is reading this story to his children at the moment." He outlined the idea to Percy.

"Even better, Toby," chuckled Percy. "You go ahead, and we'll act it out!"


Toby puffed away with Henrietta and they both reached the sheds. After shunting Henrietta to the coach shed, Toby met up with Thomas at the engine shed, who was being oiled up for the evening train.

"Thomas!" cried Toby; his crew scrambled out when Thomas wasn't paying attention. "Percy's had an accident."

"What?!" Thomas exclaimed. "Oh no! Did you send Judy and Jerome up?"

"What… oh, he's stayed on the rails." Toby explained. "He's okay. No one was hurt, just a broken cart."

"Phew," Thomas sighed. "Oh, bother, a broken cart means I'll be late."

"They've cleared the line for you," said Toby, "but there's something worse."

"Wait, Percy's fine and no one's hurt," Thomas blinked, "I don't get it. What could be bad about that?"

"I-I've seen something. It's the n-night of the accident with the ghost train," Toby said, his voice quivering. "Percy says it's c-c-coming here, to w-w-warn us!"

"Oh, don't be silly, Toby," said Thomas. "You were probably just seeing things. Don't worry, I'll protect you."

Right on cue, there was a ghostly whistle outside. Thomas immediately felt frightened, and Toby put on the act.

"Let me in," Percy said in a spooky voice, "let me in!"

"No no!" answered Toby, quivering as he spoke. "Not by the smoke of my chimney, chim chim."

"Then I'll chuff, and I'll puff, and I'll break your door in!"

As arranged, Toby's crew slowly opened the doors, and Percy glided through. Toby's crew slammed the doors shut moments after.

"Oh dear!" exclaimed Thomas. "It's getting late. I'd no idea. I must find Clannie and Annabel- duh, I mean, Annie and Clarabel."

Thomas dashed away before Percy or Toby had a chance to react.

"Uh oh…" gasped Toby. "I think we went too far with the joke, Percy."

"No kidding," Percy exclaimed. "Thomas, come back! It's just me, Percy!"


But Thomas was too far away to hear Percy, and too scared to react rationally. He came to the coach shed, and didn't realise he was switched to the wrong track.

"Annie, Clarabel, let's go."

"Er, Thomas, you've buffered up to me instead," came another voice.

"Whoops!" gasped Thomas, immediately going to the points to allow his driver to change them accordingly. "Sorry, Henrietta." He then buffered up to Annie and Clarabel. "Okay, let's go."

"Thomas, we've still got two minutes," said Annie, confused.

"Better to be a bit early than a bit late," Thomas argued as his driver coupled him up.

"What's gotten into you?" asked Clarabel worriedly as they started.

"Accident, ghost, shed… we've just gotta go now!"

"Uh oh…" Henrietta realised as Thomas and his coaches disappeared. "This did not go like we planned at all…"


On his run, Thomas was anxiously checking the clock at every station, and would start bumpily as he departed.

"Do you think that ghost story spooked him more than intended?" asked Annie worriedly to Clarabel.

"It's very possible," admitted Clarabel. "I haven't seen him this spooked since…" she shuddered when the very scene came to her. "Oh, I know we weren't there when it happened, but…"

"Poor Thomas," whispered Annie. "I suggest that he spend the night in the carriage shed with us."

"Good idea," Clarabel agreed.


When Thomas completed his run, Annie and Clarabel suggested to Henrietta to take Thomas' berth at Ffarquhar sheds.

"Uh… of course," she agreed, "but you need to know that…"

"Thank you," Clarabel said quickly. Thomas then shunted Henrietta into his berth.

"Thomas," said Percy; now cleaned up by his crew. "About what you-"

"Can't stop!" Thomas interrupted, and left Henrietta in his berth and raced off to spend the night with Annie and Clarabel. The old coach and the other two engines all exchanged worried looks.


"We're here, Thomas," Annie said gently when Thomas backed into the track where Henrietta would normally be.

"You just get some sleep," soothed Clarabel. "We're right here for you if you need us."

The two coaches then started to sing. It was a song Thomas had made up shortly after getting his branch line, and Annie and Clarabel were using a lullaby version of it they crafted on the spot. The song was so soothing to Thomas that he couldn't help but smile slightly as he closed his eyes. Annie and Clarabel, seeing their friend fast asleep, followed suit.


The next morning, Thomas had Annie and Clarabel at Ffarquhar station, and Toby bustled in with Henrietta. Percy came up with some trucks a moment later.

"Thomas," sighed Toby. "What you saw last night… that wasn't a real ghost."

"Then, what was…" Thomas broke off, putting two and two together. "Percy?! You were the ghost?!"

"Y-yes," said Percy. "I just thought you would like my er… costume. We didn't mean to scare you that much…"

"Well you did!" snapped Thomas. "I thought you were my friends!"

"Thomas, we are," Percy insisted. "Like I said, we didn't mean to…"

"I don't know if we can trust you," burst out Annie in shock. "You have really spooked Thomas all night!"

"How could you even consider that?!" added Clarabel.

"We're really sorry," Toby said quietly. "We just thought it would get you into the Halloween spirit."

"So soon after my near miss at the mine?!" Thomas snapped. "I… I don't even know if I can look at any of you right now!"

The blue tank engine's guard's whistle blew, and he, Annie and Clarabel were off like jackrabbits.

"Oh no…" sighed Percy. "This is not good at all."

"What have we done?" sighed Toby.

"It seems as if Thomas really had seen a ghost," Henrietta whispered.

The End?


This one was very tricky to work in with Thomas and Percy's CGI personas, but I think I finally got it. Percy wants to show Thomas his 'costume' for Halloween and he and Toby make up a script to go along with it. But unfortunately, this backfires big time.

Not only that, this story is expanded on other ideas of the original cuts. In the book, a horse tows the cart to the crossing. I know the TV series almost used Terence, but I love horses so I decided to throw it in here instead.

This also shows a different side to the relationship of Thomas, Annie and Clarabel. Their much softer and sweeter side to it, where Annie and Clarabel comfort Thomas in his time of panic and stress.

The cliff-hanger is intended to feed into the next story focused on these guys: Feuding Tank Engines, a mashup of Thomas, Percy & the Coal and Drip Tank. But before then, join Zack and I next time for a mashup of Special Funnel and Steamroller called Funnels and Wheels. I'll see you then.