Sleep Deprived!
Written by Helen Farrall
The Mail Train is a train that runs late at night after the stars come out, while engines and people on Sodor are all asleep. Ryan runs it from the top station at Arlesburgh all the way through the town of Harwick.
PEEP-PEEP!
Ryan whistled and smiled, and left with the mail trucks as soon as his guard's whistle blew.
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Percy, on the other hand, runs it as far across as the North Western part of the Island; his route usually starts at Tidmouth Harbor.
Percy waited till the last door banged and his guard's whistle blew before whistling and setting off with his mail trucks.
PEEP-PEEP!
The Mail train is Percy's favorite job to do; every night, he will deliver letters and parcels to stations far and wide across the Island so that the people may receive them the next morning.
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However, it is quite often when Percy's deliveries are held up due to delays or a broken signal.
Percy hummed as he happily made his way along, but gasped at the sight of a guard waving his red flag up ahead and pinned down his brakes hard.
"Sorry," the guard replied. "Broken down signal. Not to worry, though. The men are working on it."
When the occasion calls for such, Harold the Helicopter will show up to pick up the mail and deliver it instead.
"Showed up as soon as I heard, chap!" the helicopter explained, as the mail sacks were loaded into his net. "No worries, though. I should have this mail delivered in a jiff!"
"Good to go, Harold!" his pilot exclaimed, as his net was fully loaded, then hopped aboard.
Percy watched with surprise as Harold took to the sky.
"It's like I always say!" Harold reminded. "Wings work wonders! Always!"
"Stuck up whirlybird thing!" Percy remarked.
He waited until his signal was repaired before setting off again and making his way home to the sheds.
One evening, Percy was waiting at Tidmouth Harbor as the delivery from the Mainland is very late indeed!
"Fiddlesticks!" he grumbled. "That's the third time this week!"
"We'll just have to make the best of it, Percy," the dock manager explained. "Not to worry though. Bulstrode should be along soon enough."
HONK-HONK!
"Huh! About time!" the barge explained, as he arrived at last, then grumbled, "I can't believe how slow they do things on the Mainland! I'd rather be resting in my port back at Norramby!"
Percy looked the other way as the first van door opened.
Percy was able to ignore Bulstrode as his vans were loaded up. His fireman looked at his watch.
"Half past one. It's too late to phone the Rescue Center for Harold now," the fireman suggested.
"Indeed," the driver agreed. "We'll have to hurry if we're gonna make up for lost time, though it'd mean Percy would have to wait longer and the train would be even later."
Percy sighed with dismay as he heard this, while Bulstrode huffed and looked the other way.
By the time the job was done, it was very late indeed and Percy hurried off as soon as the last door banged.
"Huh!" Bulstrode moaned, as he set off himself. "Not even so much as a thank you!"
Percy's wheels pounded the rails, as he pulled the mail trucks sternly along.
Percy hurried steadily on his way to make up for lost time! But unfortunately, he couldn't keep up the pace at every turn…!
"Easy now, Percy!" his driver told him, and gradually let off steam as they approached a difficult bend. "We can't have an accident make us even later!"
Percy sighed as he made his way around the bend, then picked up the pace again as soon as it cleared.
"Mustn't be later! Mustn't be later!" he huffed, then gasped at what he saw next. "Oh no!"
Percy's driver applied the brakes and slowed him down, as up ahead was a broken signal.
"You came just in time, Percy!" the foreman explained. "This signal's just about finished with repairs!"
At that moment, the signal rose up to show green and Percy whistled as he made it on his way again.
Percy was able to finished his mail deliveries all in good time, but by the time, he returned to Tidmouth, the clock was already pointing to 3 a.m.!
Percy looked at the clock and was tired to take much notice, as he yawned and fell asleep in his berth.
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PEEP-PEEP!
Percy gasped, as he woke with a start.
"Wake up, lazybones!" James gawked, as he made his way out of his berth and onto the turntable.
Percy opened a sleepy eye and looked at the clock, which now pointed to 7 a.m. He yawned loudly as he looked over at his best friend Thomas.
"Are you alright, Percy?" Thomas asked.
"I'm fine, Thomas," Percy yawned, and closed his eyes again.
PEEP-PEEP!
"Come on, Percy!" Rebecca worriedly whistled to him as a reminder, "or else you'll be late!"
Percy groaned and yawned, as his fireman stoked up his firebox and had him going. He waited till Rebecca was turned around before making his way towards the turntable himself.
By the time Percy made it to Knapford, he was still half asleep as he bought Gordon his express coaches.
POOP-POOP-POOOOOP!
"Hurry up, Percy!" the big engine whistled impatiently.
"Coming, Gordon," Percy yawned, as he bought the coaches hurriedly to the platform and bumped into Gordon by accident!
"Oof! What was that for?" Gordon demanded.
"Sorry, Gordon!" Percy apologized, blushing a little, before reversing away.
"Oh, dear," he muttered to himself. "I still have to pick milk from the dairy and deliver it to Dryaw!"
"You need to fill up with coal first, Percy!" his driver reminded him.
"Oh," Percy thought, his eyes widening, then he quickly got going.
Percy rushed on over to the coal hopper and inadvertently cut in front of James and Emily!
Emily gasped with shock, but James was surprised.
"Percy!" he demanded. "You just cut in front!"
"Whoops! Sorry, James! And Emily!"
"Back of the line, you silly engine! I can't be late with my passenger train!"
Percy sighed as he reversed and moved to the back of the line, as James took on coal.
"Are you doing alright this morning, Percy?" Emily asked, as he moved up behind her.
"There was a delay with the mail train at Tidmouth Harbor last night, Emily. I wasn't able to get much sleep because of it, but I'll feel much better once I'm filled up with coal and ready to start my morning's worl!"
Emily smiled.
"You can go before me, Percy!" she offered. "My passenger train only heads out a little while after James'!"
"No, thank you, Emily," Percy declined. "I wouldn't want to keep your passengers waiting!"
Emily expressed a look of concern, and moved up under the coal hopper as soon as James set off.
Soon enough, Percy was filled with coal from the hopper and ready to go!
PEEP-PEEP!
After taking on coal, Percy made his way towards the dairy and felt much better; the early morning sky couldn't help but brighten his spirits!
Percy sighed happily as he looked at the sky, but still kept his wheels pounding against the rails.
Nevertheless, Percy attempted to pick up the pace to make up for lost time!
"Must be on time! Must be on time!" he panted, as he continued along.
At long last, he arrived at the dairy, where Toby was dropping off a milk tanker!
Percy let out a deep sigh of relief as he was hitched up to his rucks of milk churns.
"You look exhausted, Percy," said Toby, "are you feeling alright?"
"The mail delivery from the Mainland was late last night, Toby. I was back at the shed around 3 in the morning!"
"Oh," Toby thought, expressing a look of concern. "Well, I can…take the milk churns for you if you need to go back to the sheds for a rest!"
"No thank you, Toby!" Percy kindly declined. "The mail's been late many times before and I've even been up past sunrise on occasion to deliver it!"
At long last, he was hitched up to his trucks and was ready to go!
PEEP-PEEP!
"See you later, Toby!"
DING-DING! DING-DING!
Toby looked surprised as he set off with his own milk tanker.
However, as Percy reached Dryaw, he found Harold waiting at the airfield nearby.
"Hello, Percy!" the helicopter greeted, then gasped as he noticed his condition. "Oh dear! I guess the mail last night was late after all!"
"It was the delay from the Mainland, Harold!" Percy yawned.
He was caught off-guard as Harold continued talking.
"Why didn't your crew phone the Rescue Center for help?" he asked. "I could have been there in no time!"
"It was way past midnight!" Percy explained. "By the time I was on my way, it was already 1 o'clock!"
"Would you like me to take the mail for you tonight, Percy?" Harold teasingly asked. "It'd be faster than by rail in case of a delay, you know!"
He winked cheekily at him, but Percy took no notice.
"No, thank you, Harold," Percy politely declined, yawning as he attempted to go back to sleep. "I have it all under control."
"Alright, Percy," Harold chuckled, as he took to the sky. "Be sure to let me know if you change your mind!"
Percy was too tired to argue with Harold and yawned as he went back to sleep. Howeve, he wasn't able to do so for long…
PEEP-PEEP!
"Ahhhh!" Percy shouted
He woke with a start as Thomas blew his whistle out loud and entered the station with Annie and Clarabel.
"Did you fall asleep again, Percy?" he wondered.
"Me, Thomas? Oh, no, no, not at all! I was just…resting while waiting for the milk churns to be unloaded. That's all!"
"But the men aren't currently at the platform, Percy!" Annie pointed out.
"Perhaps they've come and gone already!" Clarabel suggested.
"Oh! Percy!" his driver exclaimed with relief. "You're awake! It's been tough for us to get your fire started again so I arranged for a firelighter to come! But now, it looks as if I'm going to have to tell the stationmaster to call off the appointment!"
He ran back inside the station as the fireman hopped aboard to get Percy's fire started. Percy sighed with dismay.
"What is going on with you today, Percy?" Thomas asked.
"You do seem to be acting rather peculiar," Annie noted.
"Quite so, Annie," Clarabel agreed.
"I'm fine!" Percy inadvertently snapped, then sighed as he calmed down a bit.
"I'm sorry," he apologized, as his driver hopped back aboard. "But I must be off. See you later, Thomas!"
PEEP-PEEEEEP!
Thomas watched with bewilderment as he thundered away, before whistling and leaving as soon as his guard's whistle blew.
Percy's next job was to take some empty trucks to the Blue Mountain Quarry to be filled up with stone. However, as he arrived at Ffarquhar, he still found it very hard to stay awake!
Percy yawned as he was hitched up to his trucks, but before he could fall back asleep…
HONK-HONK!
Percy gasped and woke with a start as Mavis rolled in.
"You look awfully tired, Percy," she expressed, raising an eyebrow.
Percy frowned.
"I am, Mavis. There have been several delays with the mail this week and I've gotten very little sleep because of it."
"I don't mind taking the trucks for you, Percy," Mavis kindly offered. "That way, you can rest your wheels!"
"No, thank you, Mavis!" Percy declined, as he was coupled up. "I've got it all under control!"
And he pulled the trucks away, as they giggled and chattered all the way.
When Percy arrived at the Blue Mountain Quarry, he almost fell asleep again…
As his trucks were loaded up, Percy yawned and closed his sleepy eyes when…
TOOT-TOOT!
HONK-HONK!
The sound of Rheneas' whistle and Rusty's horn caused him to wake up again. He winced and tried falling when back asleep when…
BOOM!
Percy gasped as he woke with a start to the sound of a loud explosion!
…but unfortunately all the loud noises in the quarry kept him awake as well.
TOOT-TOOT!
"Hello, Percy!" Gator greeted, as he rolled into view.
"Oh. Hi, Gator!" Percy greeted, feeling a little better.
"Oh, dear! Are you feeling alright?"
"The mail's been late every time this week, Gator!" Percy explained, flustered. "I haven't gotten enough sleep because of it, and now everywhere I go, I can't help but fall back asleep before something else wakes me up."
Gator expressed a look of concern over at his good friend.
"Sounds to me like you must having sleep deprivation, Percy!" he suggested.
"Sleep deprivation?" Percy inquired. "What's that, Gator?"
"Sleep deprivation, Percy, is when you don't get enough sleep! I've encountered sleep deprivation many times while I was working up in the mountains from taking heavy trains! Lots of those jobs would last me all night, and if I was finished by first light, my controller would usually give me a rest to allow me to ease my axles!"
Percy listened on to Gator's story with intrigue.
"I highly suggest you speak with The Fat Controller, Percy! I'm sure you'll feel a lot better once you do!"
PEEP-PEEP!
"I'll be alright, Gator!" Percy yawned, as he prepared to take off.
However, Percy got ready to leave as his current truck was only half-full!
"Ow! Oh! Ooh!" the trucks groaned, as loaded stones bounced about inside them from side to side.
"Percy!" Gator shouted. "Come back!"
"Uh oh!" Percy gasped, and went in reverse.
Stone poured out onto Percy's track, as he backed his brake van.
TOOT-TOOT!
"Stop, Percy!" Gator warned.
Percy wailed as his brake van hit the stone on the tracks.
"Oh dear," Percy sighed with dismay. "Now, I made a mess!"
Gator expressed a look of sympathy as the men gathered around to see what had happened.
Little did Percy know that his impulsiveness had been a symptom of the sleep deprivation that Gator was talking about.
Later that night, Percy had to wait at Tidmouth Harbor as the mail was indeed delayed again.
The dock manager walked up and sighed.
"Sorry, Percy," he explained. "The ship's boiler has broken down. Though I've received a call from the Mainland controller. He's sent for help to have the mail delivered, we have no idea what time it will get here or who's bringing it. If it gets too late, then I'm afraid we'll have to phone for Harold the helicopter to help."
Percy was too tired to take any notice and yawned as he went back to sleep.
His eyes were soon closed shut as the manager's assistant ran up.
"Excuse me, sir, but there's a call on hold! I think that the driver and fireman might want to hear this!"
Percy was fast asleep and didn't notice as his crew ran off. The time passed soon enough the clock pointed to 12:00 when…
TOOT-TOOT!
"Evening, Percy!" Samson greeted. "Sorry for the delay! It's just that Bradford back here kept holding me up!"
Percy opened a sleepy eye to hear the proud tank engine talk.
"I was only sticking to railway regulations now, Samson!" the brake van argued. "One rattling mail wagon is enough to spell trouble and much worth getting checked over!"
"But we could've gotten here much sooner if you'd had just left it alone!" Samson argued. "And what's all the fuss about a difficult bend!"
"There's much fuss to be had about that, let me assure you!" Bradford boomed.
Percy yawned and went back to sleep as the argument continued.
"You're always so overly precise about everything!" Samson blurted out.
"Well, overly precise is better than carelessness, Samson!"
As Percy fell back asleep, he was unaware of a buzzing noise looming overhead.
HOOOOOOONK!
Percy woke with a start to the sound of a loud ship's horn! He looked around as it was already daylight!
"It's…morning," he murmured. "But….I don't understand. I didn't deliver the mail last night."
"No worries, Percy!" exclaimed his driver, as the fireman got his fire going. "Fireman and I slept overnight in your cab too!"
"We got a good rest though," the fireman added, "and Harold delivered the mail right after Samson brought it over!"
Percy felt bad for having slept through the night, but soon enough, his crew had him going.
"It's good that we all got a good nights rest for once!" his driver explained, "and besides, we best get to work now!"
As Percy headed towards Knapford, he was deep in thought about what Gator told him.
"Gator's right," he said to himself, "I must speak with the Fat Controller right away!"
Percy arrived at Knapford and found The Fat Controller on the platform.
PEEP-PEEP!
"Sir! Sir! I must speak with you right away!"
"Percy!" the Fat Controller gasped. "Whatever is the matter?"
"Please, forgive me, sir! I never meant to fall asleep at the dock and not deliver the mail like I was needed to. It's just…just…that I have...sleep deprivation, sir."
The Fat Controller sighed.
"Percy, there's nothing to be sorry about. You couldn't help the delays that occurred all week. I must agree, though, it does look as if you've been getting a lack of sleep over the past week."
Percy sighed and took a deep breath.
"My condition due to the mail being late every time this week has been what Gator described to me as sleep deprivation, sir"
"I understand what you mean by that, Percy, and I appreciate you coming to tell me about it! I may have been very well aware of it myself. Therefore, I think I have a solution in mind."
"You have, sir?" Percy wondered, puzzled.
"Yes, Percy. I will arrange with Thomas and Toby to do your work in addition to their own for the day so that you can rest your wheels and recover from your sleep deprivation."
Percy listened with astonishment as he went on.
"I must say, though, it might take a few days so I will also arrange with Harold to take the mail every night, whether it be delay or not, so that you can get a good night's rest."
Percy sighed with relief, at least happy that his friends were helping him.
"Thank you, sir! I'll be sure to get a good day's rest in!"
"That's good, Percy! Just remember now in future to let me know when you were going through another cycle of sleep deprivation so that I can make the arrangements in advance!"
"I will, sir!"
"There's a good engine! Off to the sheds you go now!"
"Yes, sir!" Percy whistled, as he yawned and slowly left the station.
Percy returned to Tidmouth Sheds…
Percy yawned as he went onto the turntable and it turned him all the way around, which allowed for him to reverse into his berth.
…and fell asleep almost before his buffers touched the bar.
Percy sighed happily as he shut his eyes, ready for a good night's rest.
The next morning, Percy was up and about again, and ready to start another's day's work!
PEEP-PEEP!
"There you go, Gordon!" he whistled, as he brought the express engine his coaches.
"Thank you, Percy!" Gordon beamed, as his passengers got on board. "And by the way, I hope you're feeling better!"
"I am, thank you, Gordon!"
The guard's whistle blew and Gordon was ready to go.
POOP-POOP!
"Express coming through!"
Percy watched him set off in a flash, then ventured slowly beyond the station to find Thomas buffering up to Annie and Clarabel.
"Good morning, Thomas!" he greeted.
"Percy!" Thomas exclaimed. "Glad to see you out and about again!"
"Thank you, Thomas!"
"Are you feeling a little better then?"
Percy yawned slightly.
"I'm getting there!" he admitted. "Still a little tired but I feel better than I did yesterday, and I'm still motivated to work today."
"That's good, Percy!" Thomas beamed.
"An early night's rest will sure do me good after!" Percy went on. "Thank you for filling in for me, Thomas!"
"Any time, Percy!" Thomas answered, as he was hitched up to Annie and Clarabel. "Toby and I were glad to help out!"
"Anyway," Percy yawned slightly, "I must be off to fetch the milk now from the dairy! I'll see you later, Thomas!"
PEEP-PEEP!
"Bye, Percy!" Thomas whistled, as he set off with Annie and Clarabel.
Percy got a good run at his axles as he observed the bright early morning sky around him. He was able to pick up the milk churns all in good time.
"Good to go now, Percy!" the shunter called out, after hitching him up to his trucks.
PEEP-PEEP!
"Thank you, sir!" Percy whistled, as he left.
He arrived at Dryaw all in good time, where he saw Harold still waiting in the airfield nearby.
"Oh, bother," he blushed with embarrassment, as he pulled into the station platform. "It's Harold! He's sure to tease me now!"
"Hello, Percy!" the helicopter greeted. "Feeling better?"
Percy sighed, relieved that Harold wasn't in a teasing mood.
"I'm getting there, Harold! Though The Fat Controller says that it might take a few days for me to get over my cycle of sleep deprivation! Thank you for keeping the mail looked at for last night!
"It was my pleasure, chap! I'm glad you're feeling better! I'm sorry for teasing you before! I know what it's like to encounter lack of sleep from always being on duty when there's an emergency at hand in the middle of the night! Had I known what you were going through sooner, I would have talked to you about it!"
"Thank you, Harold!" Percy beamed. "I accept your apology!"
"Always happy to help any time, Percy!" Harold assured him.
He took to the sky, as Percy watched with astonishment.
"And just so you remember," Harold cheekily reminded him, "wings work wonders! Always!"
Percy chuckled as he set off with his wagons, watching his friend loom overhead.
Percy is now mindful in future to accept help whenever he needs it, and was never afraid to do so from then on!
A simple slice of life story about a common cycle that people may encounter these days from having to work late and be up the next morning; in Percy's case, he can't help the delays that occur every night with the mail, which causes him to have a lack of sleep. It was nice bringing Bulstrode and Gator back into display here after they had recently returned; Percy and Gator's friendship is focused on by Gator's story to Percy about his sleep deprivation and in the end, Gator's advice to Percy pays off as he finally goes to speak to the Fat Controller. Percy and Harold's dynamic was fun to write for as was their resolution at the end, and Samson and Bradford were also fun to include in a brief role here after having been absent for the majority of the set. The next story shall be another one focused on Thomas' Branch Line and will feature the star of the show himself in a RWS adaptation. Be sure to leave thoughts on this story, and come back next week to see Thomas pursue...
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Thieves! (based on Stop, Thief! by Christopher Awdry) - Thomas is informed that the stationmaster's house had been robbed, and comes across the thieves in the valley, ready to pursuit them!
Byron And Brenda - Byron and Brenda are tasked with clearing the grounds around a site by Wellsworth; however, things get out of hand as Byron attempts to take charge of the situation and Brenda just wants to do her own thing.
Bulgy Plays The Fool - Bulgy comes to help out with the extra summer tourists at Ulfstead, though he takes an immediate dislike to the Earl and views him as a buffoon. When Stephen's fire is slow to start, Bulgy relinquishes the Earl into handing all the passengers over to him, though he doesn't realize that HE'S the one being tricked since the Earl figures out his plan!