Like the 2013 and 2015 Thomas Episode Adaptations folders, I decided to take many of my original adaptations set in the year 2005 (Season 9) out of the all New Thomas Episode Adaptations folder and put them in a folder for stories set in that era. Now like 2013, many of the first set of adaptations in this folder are edited versions of the original adaptations from the All New Thomas Adaptations folder, but once those are posted, there will be some new ones. Also, in case you're wondering about the cover, the picture was taken on my HO-Scale layout with my Bachmann Thomas and Percy, but the background sky was done on paint program.

Barry Breaks Down

Based on "Thomas and the Rainbow" (2005)

Since his arrival on the North Western Railway in 1994, Barry the former LMS Ivatt tender engine has proven time and time again just how reliable, useful and loyal he is when it comes to his work. He pulled his trains so well that James was jealous of him and distrusted him greatly. Barry didn't mind, he just continued on with whatever job he's given.

In the year 2005 though, things weren't going smoothly for Barry. He was often short of steam and once and a while, he had to be rescued by another engine. At first, his crew thought it was a bad load of coal, but that wasn't the case, then they thought it was worn out parts, but that wasn't it either. It wasn't long before they came to the same conclusion.

"It's your boiler Barry, I think it's on it's way out," said his Driver. "I think it's time for an overhaul or to be given a new boiler."

"I would have to agree," said the Fat Controller. He was checking Barry over with the aid of the crew, "you haven't had an overhaul since you came back into service Barry, but I can't send you to the works now, not with all this work that needs to be done."

"I understand sir," groaned Barry, but he was worried.

That night, he told the engines of what was wrong with him. Many of the engines were worried for him, except for James.

"He's only fibbing to get out of work," he said rudely. "He's finally showing his true colors and that he is a lazy engine."

Duck and Douglas stared coldly at James, "Barry has never shown any signs of being lazy," Duck said firmly, "he always works hard to get the job done, which is more than could be said for a certain red engine in this shed."

James glared crossly at Duck.

"Och, it's tis disliking towards the wee engine that's blindin' yoo ta the truth James," added Douglas. "If tis has somethin' ta do with the boiler, then it's serious."

"Indeed," agreed Duck. "Why just the other day, Driver was telling Brian, his son, and I about an american engine that's returned to the rails after it's boiler failed in 1999. Thankfully no one was hurt, but other incidents do talk of boilers failing and hurting others, so I wouldn't joke about it at all if I were you James."

But James didn't really pay attention to Duck or Douglas, he firmly believed Barry was fibbing and nothing was going to change his mind.

As the night wore on, the engines found it hard to sleep as a raging storm hit the Island of Sodor with winds that rivaled that of a gale. Barry looked outside with a worried look.

"I hope it doesn't cause too much damage," he thought to himself.

When morning came, the Fat Controller arrived with news for the engines.

"Last night's storm did cause some serious damage, it knocked down telephone poles, broke tree branches and damaged station roofs. We need them fixed, so Barry; I would like you to take the works train to put things right."

"Right sir," he acknowledged. "But what of my jobs?"

"I'll ask Derek to do your jobs until you get back. Edward and BoCo can handle the work on the branch line without him today."

The Fat Controller then gave out the jobs to the other engines, then went off to take care of some other important matters.

Barry steamed out of the sheds first, but as he left, James called out, "don't cry if you burst your safety valve!" he teased. Barry didn't respond back. He knew arguing with James would get him nowhere fast.

At the yards, Derek was coupling up to Barry's trucks as the Ivatt backed down on the works train.

"We'll take it easy today old boy," comforted his Driver. "Last thing we need is for you to break down."

Barry didn't want to think about it, especially after talking with the other engines about 'boiler failures' last night. He dreaded to think of what would happen to him if he broke down and couldn't work again.

"It's amazing if you ask me," commented Derek. "How after most storms, the skies look so calm and peaceful and even today, we got something as beautiful as a rainbow."

Barry looked up and saw a rainbow shining brightly in the sky.

"It sure does lift someone's spirits up," he said.

His Driver sighed as he looked out the cab window, "when I was a boy, I heard a story saying that if you went looking for the end of the rainbow, you would find something special. I tried for years to find it, but I found nothing. Oh those were innocent times," he sighed.

At last, the workmen were on board and Barry puffed away to begin his work.

"Good luck Barry, don't push yourself too hard!" Derek called out.

"I'll try," groaned Barry.

All along the line were fallen telephone poles and very big tree branches. Barry stopped close by and the workmen got out to begin their work. They chopped up the pieces and helped nearby road crews put up new telephone poles. It was long work, but Barry didn't mind it at all. But the fireman did mind him losing his steam faster than he could build it up.

"I sure hope the Fat Controller can get Barry to the works before it's too late," he said to the Driver.

"You and me both," he agreed.

At Wellsworth station, Barry had to stop so workmen could help repair the station roofs. The winds had knocked plenty of the roofing tiles off, leaving only the wood showing. They worked hard while other trains passed them by.

Soon they were finished and back on board the coach. Barry's fireman stoked the fire with plenty of coal and Barry gave it his all towards Gordon's hill. This was, of course, the steepest part of the North Western, but once past that, the route would be easier. Depsite not being at his best, Barry made it to the top and rolled down the other side safely.

"Looks like we're in luck today," said the Driver. "We might actually make it back in time for our next train."

But they wouldn't. They were almost at Maron station when suddenly, Barry jolted and stopped on his own. Next thing he knew, the Ivatt engine was engulfed in clouds of smoke and steam. This went on for a minute, then it stopped. The Driver tried opening the regulator, but the same thing happened. In the end, the fireman dropped the fire and went to inform the guard of what happened.

"What did happened?" Barry asked weakily.

"It's your old boiler I'm afriad old boy," answered his Driver. "It's gone past it's lifespan, you won't be going anywhere now, at least not under your own power."

It was just as Barry had feared, his boiler was gone and now he was of no use to the railway.

"Back to the scrapyard I go," he thought sadly to himself.

But there was another problem, none of the workmen or the crew had mobile phones and with the phone lines still down, there was no way to call for help. Barry was now stranded on the main line.

As luck would have it, Harvey was at Wellsworth working on rerailing some trucks that somehow came off the tracks as BoCo was carrying them.

"Silly trucks, you really need to learn to behave," groaned BoCo. The trucks merely smirked.

"Well that's all of them back on the line BoCo, you can go now."

"Not yet," said the Stationmaster. "Barry hasn't cleared his box yet, we can't send you threw till he's past."

"Maybe Barry's in trouble," said BoCo. "I heard from Duck and Douglas that he hasn't been doing quite well lately. I think it might have something to do with his boiler."

"Right say no more, I'll go check for myself," said Harvey.

And with his works coach in tow, Harvey set off to find Barry. As he rattled under the road bridge, he could see the rainbow shining and pointing in a different direction than it was when he arrived.

Meanwhile, Barry was still sitting on the main line, unable to move. All he could do now was look at the clouds and see the rainbow's tail end land in a field close to him.

"This is the closest I've gotten to the end of the rainbow," commented the Driver.

The fireman stared at his friend, "we've got a broken down engine and all you can think about is a silly rainbow?"

"I'm sorry, I was just saying what was on my mind, that's all."

"Well I can only hope someone comes to help soon, or else we're really in trouble."

Just then, they all heard a whistle coming up from behind them. It was Harvey. He pulled up behind Barry's works train, "hello Barry, is something the matter old friend?"

"I've broken down," groaned the Ivatt. "My boiler's gone."

"Well don't worry, we'll get you to the works."

Harvey buffered up and pushed him to Crovan's Gate. As they rolled along, Barry's Driver made a comment, "well what do you know, there was something special at the end of the rainbow after all."

At Crovan's Gate, Harvey shunted Barry off the train and into the works, then went back to collect his train. Barry gulped as he saw the Fat Contoller waiting for him.

"I'm sorry sir, I didn't mean to ruin your timetable," he said worringly. "I tried my best to get my job done, but..."

"It's alright Barry," the Fat Controller said kindly. "It's me who should be sorry for not taking you out of service sooner. I had a feeling this would happen and sadly it did."

"Yes indeed sir, and now all I'm good for is the scrap yard."

"Oh I doubt that Barry," laughed the Fat Controller. "Once you're given your new boiler, you'll be as good as new again."

"New boiler?"

"Yes. The workmen here have told me your boiler was on it's last use a few years ago and I asked a friend of mine in America to make you a new boiler that would help you to do your jobs."

"So I won't be scrapped sir?"

"Not a chance, what would the North Western Railway do without it's famous Ivatt tender engine?"

Barry beamed with pride and felt relieved.

Work on Barry didn't really begin until after the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Thin Clergyman's books. Barry was towed by BoCo to the celebration, then Bear took him off to the works later that night. Barry isn't lonely in the works though as he often talks with the workmen and Wendell the works diesel. He does miss his work, but he knows once the restoration is fully complete, he'll be in steam once again. Between you and me, I think Barry can't wait for that day to arrive. What do you think?

Barry's Boiler failure was inspired by the incident Duck first mentioned of the American engine that failed in 1999. The engine in question was Union Pacific 844 when she was at Railfair 99 in Sacramento California, her boiler failed and she had to return to Cheyenne Wyoming earlier than planned. By 2005, 844 was back in steam. The cause of the failure was because she had been a never retired and never restored locomotive.