It has been a week since Easter, and it has been raining non stop from day to day on the homestead and on the railway as well. Let us hope it is not another adventure to disaster.

I do now own any part of Thomas the tank engine & Friends nor Tugs the television series they are owned by the following

Thomas & Friends

By the Rev W Awdry.

A Britt Allcroft production

Owned by Mattel.

Tugs

By Robert D Mitton and Clearwater features

Soggy spring days.

It is another spring day on the Island of sodor, but a wet spring for a few days already. The streams and waterways have seen their waterways rise to near flood level. On the Billington / Vulcan homestead the area is too high to be a problem, and the Lagoon shoreline has its cabins on tall foundations to help elevate the homes in case high water is to become a problem since they are close to the sea way that can have storm surges too close without the wave breaker wall that protects the shoreline. The former harbor tugs Trent Dimes (Ten cents) Shawn Brightly, (Sunshine) finding this to be a boring time if they cannot venture out when it gets to be this wet. Oscar Jones, (O. J.) and Zeb Eddie are using this down time to catch up on old times with their tug companions who came to shore to meet them except for Top Hat and Zoran.

Hercules. "Now this was not my intention for a visit my dears but is was worth the while of meeting up with the rest of you."

Oscar. "Well I have to keep up with Trent and Shawn since they have more energy that I can dish out, except for when it rains of course."

Zeb. "Yeah, since they are teenagers after all, they like to hang out with those of their ages and get this they have girlfriends already."

Zog. "Really when?"

Oscar. "Since Valentines day a week or so after their humanizations and some time before the announcements of the game of baseball was announced throughout Sodor."

Big Mac. "You mean to tell us they are now engaging in our old home's favorite past time?"

Zeb. "Yea you better believe it, although I thought they would have given baseball a try since we all remember a good game. However, they thought of other things they wish to try."

Zigg. "And what might that be Zeb?"

Zeb. "I think they are more into hanging out with their girls along the shorelines, but since it has been wet for a few days now, I believe they are just chatting away on their phones with them."

Warrior. "Wow Ten cents and Sunshine must really like being human now do they."

Oscar. Laughs. "Yes Warrior, but it is best to call them Trent Dimes for Ten Cents and Shawn Brightly for Sunshine alright."

Warrior. "Oh, right their human names."

While the other humanized tugs are chatting away, in their respective rooms Both Trent and Shawn are in deed chatting with their girlfriends. Trent is talking to Natalie Shores, while Shawn was talking to Beverly Norse, and was not aware about who was visiting the lagoon cabin from outside.

Trent talking on the phone with Natalie. "Yeah it has been a couple of wet days Natty, I wish I can come over to see you, but I may have done well as a tug on wet days like today. Since my humanization I tend to dread it at times."

Natalie. "Don't worry I can see that it is a miserable day to venture out, and besides the stream close to my house is to be reported to be too night to cross the bridge soon. That means if the stream is to rise any further than we may as well head over to my Uncle's place in the hills of Sodor."

Trent. "Well then I wish you and your family a good luck out of that situation Natty, do not wish losing a good friend and a pretty face in that mucked up waterway."

Natalie just laughed. "You are so sweet Trent; I may have to hang up soon if we have to part ways until the water goes down."

Trent. "Then you take care love, I will see you when you get back. I hope." Then both parties hung up just as Shawn was finishing up with his call to Beverly Norse.

Shawn. "I wish you love beautiful, see you in class soon."

Beverly. "I will see you in school tomorrow Shawn, love you too." Then the two hung up just as Oscar had come up and found the two before their friend have the time to return to the port harbor.

Oscar. "Trent! Shawn! Come down here and say hello to some old friends before they return to harbor!"

When both Trent and Shawn heard this, they both went down to meet up with Oscar and Zeb to meet up with their tug friends who are still there to meet them for a quick visit.

Trent came down chuckling after viewing who came for the visit. "Hey everyone, long time no see."

Shawn. "It is so good to meet up with everyone again."

Big Mac. "Yeah you better believe it Trent, I hope we did not interrupt an important message from you sweet hearts."

Shawn. "Na, we just finished with our good byes when Oscar had called us down."

Warrior. "So, what is it like now you have your human lives and living among the humans?"

Trent. "Oh, it is the best since our humanization, we discovered more about us without the being ocean bound and have the ability to check out the towns throughout the Island and even meeting up with friends from museums and other points across the landscape."

Shawn. "The best part is that we can share those times with either Oscar or with our sweet hearts just to spend the time with them and at times with their families to better understand them."

Zerg. "Is it really that easy to find a girlfriend that fast?"

Shawn. "Well we weren't looking for girls just yet, but that did not mean there were no girls looking to find time with us."

Hercules. "Well I bet you two the best with your loved ones, I hear the good ones last for eternity if all goes well."

Trent. "Yeah, no kidding, you should hear how everyone else talks to their loved ones when they believe no one was looking."

Back up the trails to the homestead, Thomas and those who work for the railways have returned after a day out on the tracks. After witnessing the nature of the streams know that there will be some serious flooding around Sodor, he believes the homestead should be ready in case of an emergency just like the Superstorm that struck last fall.

Rosie. "Did you see those streams Thomas, they looked like they can overflow at any day now."

Thomas. "I know Rosie, I think it would be best to provide some shelters for those who may have been driven away from the flood waters. I think we should have a homestead meeting about providing some services for the flood driven residents."

Edward who was hearing from behind the couple. "That will be a good Idea Thomas, I believe it is best to contact Sir Topham Hat about announcing where the dry locations for shelter can be."

Thomas agrees with Edward. "I am on it Edward." Then dials the number to reach Sir TopHam Hat.

Sir Topham Hat had also heard the troubling news about the possibility of floods near the low water levels. He is glad that Thomas and his humanized engine and the humanized tugs are safe and sound in their homes and especially since the human tugs are living in one of the elevated cabins along the shore line. He was pondering everything when Thomas calls him on his phone in hopes to spread the word for those who end up stranded due to the rising flood waters.

STH. "Hello Sir Topham Hat speaking."

Thomas. "Hello sir, this is Thomas."

STH. "OH, hello Thomas, are you asking me if anyone is going to be needing shelter soon?"

Thomas. "Yes Sir. We just seen the swells of the near by streams, and they appear to be reaching flood stages soon. My friends and I are letting you know that we will have some place for them to stay until the water levels go down."

STH. "Hmm. Very well Thomas, ah how soon shall I send the message about the dry shelter?"

Thomas. "Just as soon as we get everyone into the dinning hall and have a meeting about providing shelters for the flood victims sir."

STH. "Very well then Thomas, I will be announcing when you should get the first arrivals to your homestead. Goodbye Thomas."

Thomas. "Very well sir, well see each other real soon. Goodbye." Then both partied hung up and everyone went to their respective homes to change their clothes and had called the Star Tugs folks for a homestead meeting for providing shelters for folks who will be driven out of their homes due to the rising flood waters. When everyone was present Thomas, Rosie, and Ryan just met up when their International friends and their school friends with their parents had joined in for this occasion.

Thomas. "Hello everyone, decided to come over before the flood waters enter your domain?"

Cassey. "We could not help to notice the water levels in the streams Thomas, so we decided to join you lot before the crossings over the streams gets cut off."

Ryan. "Good idea Cassey." Then he spots Ashima before he addresses her presence before everyone. "Hello Ashima, need a warm place until the waters are low again?"

Ashima. "You always make me feel warm when I am near you my wonderful Ryan." Then she came up and wrapped her arms around his waist and he did the same to her before the two shared a warm kiss before letting go and joined up with everyone in the dining hall.

Thomas. "Alright everyone let us head to the main dining hall and let us have our meeting before the first wave of flood evacuees are to arrive." Then everyone went inside of the dining hall and everyone waited for Thomas and Rosie to address the situation about the sudrian streams rising too close to flood stages. "You see everyone the constant rains we have been getting lately are creating havoc across the Island where some of the Island residents are living too close to the streams. I fear they will top off their flood gauges enough to force the residents there to evacuate. We need to provide a shelter where they can go until the rains have stopped and the water levels are to return to normal."

Oliver. "How about some of the cabins along the trails Thomas, do you believe they will be safe from the Flood waters if they have yet to reach their flood banks?"

Edward. "Not to worry Oliver, we had an inspection on those cabins, and they happen to rest above the flood plain. Most of those cabins are accessible either by trails or by the boardwalks we installed last year before the freeze came."

Oliver. "Whew That is a relief."

Frieda. "Vhy are you zo vorried about zose cabins any vays Oliver?"

Gina. "Because he had built those cabins as part of his hobby as an outdoorsman. He created those cabins out of the styles of cabins that were built from olden times."

Rosie. "It was because of those cabins from last year we have been another destination for Holiday makers who want to experience living in such wooden structures much to everyone's Surprise."

Donald. "Oi we also had some time in those structure that Old Ollie had made haven't we Dougie?"

Douglas. "Aye, it made us believe we had been brought back to pre-railway days, back when the Vikings and the Roman Saxion were present from back in the day."

Axel. "I would like to see them my self one day when the sky is not so swelled up with rain water of course."

Edward. "Which brings us back to the topic before we get any calls about anyone who is left without a home to go back to."

Thomas. "Edward is right, we need to prepare the Ball room for any refugees from flood waters and help provide some warm meals and dry comfortable cots for those who may need to stay here for a while if the cabins cannot hold more guests than they can hold."

Trent. "So, Thomas what would you like for us to do?'

Thomas. "Trent Shawn, Oscar, and Zeb, we would like for you four to help prepare the empty cabins along the shore lines since they are elevated above the flood water stage and will do what they can to keep them dry until the weather clears for the better."

Shawn. "Sure, thing Thomas, we will get them spic and span in time for the first wave of visitors to the homestead for relief." Then after the humanized tugs had been given the keys to he cabins to prepare them for flood victims.

Thomas. "Oliver, you and your team will head down the trails and prepare those cabins you made before the evacuees get here."

Oliver stood up and ready to get his builds up and ready before the first of the flood victims are to arrive. "No problem Thomas, alright who is with me along the trail cabins?"

Gina. 'I will Oliver, I would love to help you with your assignment."

Oliver. "Alright my love just remember we are tidying up the cabins not sleep in them."

Donald. "My brother and I can also help you Oliver won't we Dougie?"

Douglas. "Aye, and to help you and your misses tend to our duties before the two of you end up in one of them for your amusement." The friends had to laugh but not before Axel also participated in the cleaning of the classic cabins along the trails.

Thomas. "Everyone else we will prepare the ball room in the dining hall, that way if the cabins cannot hold that many evacuees then they will be need to stay in the ball room until otherwise."

Gordon. "Well what are we waiting for Thomas, we better get to work and prepare the dining hall for flood refugees."

Everyone agreed and everyone else headed into the dining hall and the newly built laundry facility to bring out the extra cots along with sheets and warm blankets for places to sleep. There is also an emergency provisions cellar in the dining hall in case of overflow of evacuees and this seems to be the time to use them. The ladies were hard at work with preparing the warm hearty meals for any arrivals and the boys were hard at work preparing the hall with tables and chairs for families to meet and greet, they had also set up a media center with the 24 hour Sodor news Channel for any weather up dates and Island wide news. They also set up a play area for young children who can easily get board and tired about being around strangers, and the school aged children are able to come to and arts and craft table to occupy their attention to better focus on their creativities. In the center of the ball room will be where a set up for a cafeteria type service is to be addressed. That way everyone will be given their fair share of food to eat while waiting for the floods to reside.

The dining hall appears to be ready for the first evacuees to arrive.

Over by the Narrow-gauge house the Skarlowey boys are ready to head out to Thomas's place since they have been informed by STH about the place of safety from the flood waters. Mr. Percival gathered the middle school youngsters just before they all head to the homestead of Thomas and Rosie.

Mr. Percival. "Alright boys we are getting ready to head to The Billington / Vulcan homestead for safety until the flood waters have receded. As every one of you know how wet it has been since last week, and the reports claimed there are high water ways all over the Island. It is a best bet to make it to the Homestead until the weather clears and we can get a chance to live in a dry and comfortable home again."

The Narrow-gauge boys. "Yes Mr. Percival."

Duncan. "Finally, we can get out of this smelly moldy home."

Peter Sam. "I do not smell any mold in the house, must be your imagination again."

Duncan. "Imagination. Pah. I am just fed up with a house like this and longing for a better place to call home for a while."

Rheneas. "Besides this is the closest house that is close to our engine sides, all we have to do is look outside and look at ourselves and know that our passengers are well taken care for."

Skarlowey. "Come now everyone it is time for us to head out to the Billington Homestead along with the rest of the flood evacuees that are to arrive on that homestead soon. I would like to be most useful when I can help Thomas and the rest of the former standard gauge friends who can use a bit of help from us as well."

Luke. "Well now what are we waiting for, let us get into the Narrow-gauge bus that Mr. Percival takes us to school with is ready for our safe travels to the homestead."

Then everyone headed for the bus that Mr. Percival uses to take the boys out to the homestead. Everyone was on board, Duke Skarlowey, Rheneas, Peter Sam, Sir Handle, Duncan, Luke and Rusty, and all were wondering what Their friends are up to during these wet spring days.

Back on the homestead Thomas received his first phone call from the controller Sir Topham Hat. "Hello Thomas Billington, how may I help you?"

STH. "Thomas this is Sir Topham Hat, I am calling to let you know that the first wave of evacuees has been released and are on their way to your homestead Thomas." Now alerted about the first wave of rescued evacuees Thomas lets everyone else to know about getting ready for the arrivals to the homestead.

Thomas. "Oh, ok sir. Everything is ready for their arrival Sir. Goodbye sir." Then alerted everyone about the first wave of evacuees and that is when Oliver and his party had finished with the cabins along the trails and the empty cabins along the lagoon shore line are ready for placing the displaced residents as the humanized tugs had returned after their involvement for preparing the cabins for Thomas.

Trent. "Thomas my friends and I have returned after cleaning and preparing the lagoon cabins like you asked."

Thomas. "Thank you, Trent and just in time. Our controller Sir Topham Hat had told us that the first wave of evacuees are on the way to the homestead."

Shawn. "That will be great Thomas, now all we have to do is make everyone who arrives to feel comfortable and welcome to this place."

Oliver. "The woodland cabins are also ready for the arrival of our displaced guest Thomas."

Thomas. "Good, now come on everyone let us meet up with our guess and hope their stay here is a pleasant one."

That is what they had done. When they returned, they managed to see the Skarlowey boys now present on the homestead, and although they came to be kept warm and safe, but the younger boys wanted to be of some help now and then.

Thomas. "Skarlowey, Rheneas, guys, you are the first evacuees to the homestead?"

Skarlowey. "WE could if we wanted to, but also we can be a huge help if we can help ensure everyone who comes here have a safe and warm place to be until the rain stops and the weather improves for the better."

Rosie. "Very well Skarlowey, why not help our younger friends inside for some fun time until more come in from this wet and worrisome weather." The Skarlowey boys have found the China clay twins Bill and Ben along with the Lundwisky twins Sonny and Sydney and decided to play a game with the narrow-gauge boys.

Bill. "Look Ben if it isn't the Narrow-Gauge boys from the other side of the Island."

Ban. "I can see that Bill. Now what are you doing on this part of the Island you lot?"

Duncan. "Well isn't it obvious, we have been given a chance to switch engine shells."

Bill and Ben. "What?!"

Duncan. "Yes, you two can return to the rails on the Skarlowey rails while I tend to the China clay in your place. Now how about that you two?" Bill and Ben did not think that was funny about Duncan becoming either one of them in their own engine shells and take over their work in the china Clay works. Then Cassey Tallshally heard Duncan and helped reinsured the china Clay work twins about the realization about becoming humanized from their engine selves.

Cassey. "That is not true Duncan."

Duncan and the twins eyed over to Cassey about his statement to the Narrow-gauge boy. "What do you know about what goes on with these light crystals you have mentioned from before?"

Cassey. "I know that you cannot trade places with the China clay twins with your engine shell Duncan, you can only return to your own engine shell and to no other."

Bill and Ben are relieved. "Thank you Cassey."

Duncan. "You know you never really explained much about your involvement in this keeper of the light. Is there more to the story of how your family was given the chance to become these keepers of such light crystals to begin with?"

Then hearing about the question aimed at Cassey, Maxwell came over to explained how difficult it is to let anyone to know about their family history and their involvement with the light Crystals.

Maxwell. "I believe there is more to it that you think Duncan, and it involved more that anyone can ever expected here on earth without possible resentment about such a thing."

That got everyone's attention, when everyone heard about how the Tallshallys have more involvement with the light crystals and know more about these great elders they have talked about from before.

Do we believe there is more about the Tallshallys than we know of, what secrets are they keeping from the rest of us. While everyone takes refuge from the rising waters around sodor, we can hear it from the Tallshalleys about their history. Next time on a Journey Through Northwestern High School.