Like the previous two adaptations, this adaptation is another tale that came from my original Thomas & Friends Adaptations folder, just with some edits. Also, the story makes mention of two other Claud Hamiliton engines on Sodor. I'll try to bring them out in future stories, but we'll have to wait and see if I can come with any ideas.

Old Reliable

Based on "Molly's Special Special" (2005)

Edward the Blue Engine has been working on the Wellsworth Branch Line for almost as long as he's been working on the North Western Railway. He doesn't run the line alone as he has the aid of BoCo, Derek and Salty, plus there's Bill and Ben at the china clay works. When the work gets too heavy, the Fat Controller will send one of the Scottish twins or Barry to help.

But this year, there were problems. Other branch lines needed the Scottish twins and Barry had suffered a boiler failure earlier in the year and would be in the works for a while. To make matters worse, the branch line was becoming busier than ever. So busy that Bill and Ben had to help take trains along the branch line.

The Fat Controller knew this couldn't last and since 2003, had been searching for an engine. Finally he found one.

"I'm sure she will get along with the other engines," he thought to himself.

On a chilly but sunny day, Edward was getting his train ready to go when he heard a whistle in the distance.

"Odd, it's not a whistle we've heard before, but it seems familar," said Edward to his crew.

Moments later, a tender engine arrived with empty trucks in tow. The engine was painted yellow with white lining and had the same number of wheels as Edward does; four front wheels, four driving wheels and no back wheels. She also had a big cab, big dome and a tall funnel.

Right away, Edward's fireman knew what this engine was.

"That's a Claud Hamilton," he gasped. "I haven't seen one of those since we took Edna to the Vicarstown Museum."

The engine was indeed a Claud Hamilton, but unlike the two in the Vicarstown museum, this one had come from a heritage railway where as the other two were bought from British Railways.

Edward noticed though that the engine looked sad.

"What is your name dear engine?" he asked kindly.

The engine looked shyly over to Edward, "my name is Molly."

"Well it's a pleasure to meet you Molly, I'm Edward." But Molly still didn't smile, this concerned Edward greatly. "Whatever is the matter my dear?"

"On my way here, I met up with a small diesel and he said rude things to me. He said I wasn't useful because of my age and said I should find myself a scrapyard."

"Sounds like Diesel himself," muttered Edward's Driver.

"Don't take any notice of that engine," Edward said to her. "He's always saying things like that because he thinks he's revolutary, but sooner or later, he's going to get into trouble and be dealt with."

"Maybe, but I wish I could show him how useful I can be."

Edward showed off a kind smile, "oh I'm sure you will Molly, sooner or later you will."

Molly felt better after talking to Edward and began to work at once. She did a great job hauling passengers across the line, taking trucks to where they needed to go and even helping Salty when there were too many trucks to shunt. The engines really liked her, especially Bill and Ben.

"It's good to see another yellow engine," said Bill.

Ben agreed, "show them what we yellow engines can do Molly!"

Molly smiled and blew a happy whistle to them.

At Wellsworth, Edward was having a serious chat with Diesel for the comments he made.

"Diesel, you are very lucky to be part of the North Western fleet. You shouldn't be saying rude comments to newcomers, especially ladies like Molly."

Diesel scoffed, "I have the right to say whatever I want to anyone."

Edward sighed, "you should learn to work with us Diesel, you're not a modern engine anymore after all."

"Pah!" Diesel snorted and rattled away with his trucks.

"Even after being rescued, he's still saying rude things. I wonder if he'll ever change his ways."

"Maybe in a few years he'll learn," said his Driver. "You know the best way for him to learn is to have to learn it the hard way."

Edward quietly agreed and puffed off back to Brendam.

Later that evening, Molly was puffing along the branch line with loaded china clay trucks. Once she got to Wellsworth, her trucks would be handed over to Murdoch, who would take them to the Other Railway. As she puffed along the line, the beautiful scenery and a cool summer night's breeze made her forget her meet with Diesel.

She soon reached Wellsworth where Murdoch was waiting. Before saying anything, Diesel rattled up with trucks.

"Well if it isn't old Reliable herself," he chuckled. "You should really consider retirement and let an engine like me take over. Or would a scrapyard be better?"

Murdoch looked crossly to him, "Oi Diesel! Shut up!"

Diesel took no notice and rattled away. Molly felt sad again.

"Don't let his words get to you Molly," said her Driver. "He'll get what's coming to him soon enough."

Molly started to cheer up and chatted with Muroch as she did her work.

Meanwhile, Diesel was chucking his way up Gordon's hill, he thought his remarks were funny. Something his Driver didn't find funny was the lack of fuel in the tanks.

"We should fill up at Maron," he thought to himself.

Diesel was due to pick up some trucks from Maron, so the Driver thought they could fill up there. But he hadn't counted on the foolishness of his engine.

When they got there, Diesel was uncoupled from his trucks and taken to the refueling station, but Diesel refused.

"We have enough!" he retorted. "Besides, taking the time to refill my tanks will make me as slow as Old Yellow Reliable."

The Driver tried again and again to get Diesel to stop near the tanks, but his silly engine just would not stop in the right place. In the end, he admitted defeat and took Diesel to the sidings where his trucks were waiting. He was coupled up to them and took him back to his train.

Just then, the Stationmaster came out with a message.

"James is running ahead of the timetable and will be here any minute, and since Henry will be using the line next to you, could you move yourself and your train to a different line?"

Diesel agreed to this and started to pull his trucks out of the way. But he had just barely gotten onto the third line when suddenly he stopped.

"What happened?" he cried.

"You stupid engine, you didn't have enough fuel to keep going!" scolded his Driver. "And now, we're blocking three lines!"

Diesel groaned unhappily. The stationmaster went into his office and phoned for help.

At Wellsworth, the stationmaster got the call and stopped James and his train.

"What's the hold up?" he demanded. "I was making excellent time."

"I think it might have something to do with Diesel," said Murdoch.

"Indeed you are right Murdoch," said the Stationmaster. "Diesel ran out of fuel at Maron and now he's blocking all three lines."

"Typical Diesel," snorted James. "What is this now? His ninth mishap?"

"I stopped keeping track a long time ago," muttered Murdoch. "Though I think Splatter and Dodge are still keeping track."

The stationmaster then spoke to Molly, "you're going have to shift him out of the way, and don't worry about your next load, Edward will collect your trucks."

Molly wheesed some steam and happily puffed off to the rescue.

"You go girl!" cheered Murdoch. "Show him what you can really do!"

Diesel was still grumbling and wasn't too pleased when he heard Molly come up from behind him, "She'll never be able to move me, she's an old relic, and old relics are weak."

"Oh shut up Diesel, it's because of your big mouth that you got into trouble again," scolded his Driver.

Diesel subsided into silence. Molly buffered up to the brake van and pushed with all her might. At first, Diesel didn't move, which made him smirk, but then he started to move. It took a few minutes, but soon Diesel was off two of the lines. The Stationmaster made some calls and soon the trains that had been stopped were able to pass threw. They all thanked Molly, while Diesel remained silent.

Molly then took Diesel to the fueling station. The Stationmaster came over, "Could you take these trucks please? It could take a while to get Diesel's tanks filled up and many of these trucks need to get to their destinations on time."

"No problem sir, I'd be delighted to take the trucks," she smiled.

They checked with the Fat Controller, who agreed and Molly backed onto the train.

"You were right Diesel," she said to him. "I am old, but I am reliable." And with a peep of her whistle, Molly was on her way.

Diesel grumbled under his breath and looked away. Needless to say, I don't think he'll be saying rude things about Molly again.