OLIVER TAKES THE ROAD

Based upon "Nelson Gets Carried Away" by Brian Trueman and "Museum Piece" and "Not the Ticket" by Christopher Awdry

Adapted by Zack Wanzer and Rachel Ravens

Nelson is a ballast tractor who often helps in transporting vehicles to and from construction sites. His friend Nigel is always there to lend a hand, given that the Pack had gotten very big in recent years.

"Are you ready to head off to Callan viaduct?" asked Nelson.

"Oh, you bet I am!" Nigel grinned. He was carrying the workmen on his trailer while Nelson's was carrying Oliver. "How about you, Kelly?"

"Yes, I am," smiled the crane. "I'm glad Toby's alright."

"Aren't we all," said Oliver. "Thank goodness for Thomas, Bertie and Harvey. I bet Harvey will love his new life here."

"And good riddance to that guard too," said Nigel as he started off. "The less of those idiots we've got on the railway, the better." Kelly followed shortly after Nigel, with Nelson and Oliver setting off last.

As the four Pack members made their way to Callan viaduct, they encountered Buster and Patrick at a crossing on the Ffarquhar branch line.

"Hey, what are you doing out here?" asked Nigel.

"Miss Jenny's assigned some of us to work on the crossings along the branch lines," Buster explained.

"There's just some safety checks ta make," added Patrick. "Ye never know when a gate will get stuck."

"Kind of a blessing and a curse if you ask me," said Toby, trundling up. "I mean, the crossing near the tramway doesn't have a gate. Yes, there's no chance of a gate getting stuck, but road vehicles can be careless."

"Ah, yes, just like Horrid Horace," said Kelly. "At least he won't be giving us any trouble." Everyone had a good laugh at that – even Nelson.

Kelly and Oliver were soon at work helping to repair the viaduct. Nelson and Nigel were off to the side; the latter noticed that the former was looking quite exhausted.

"You alright there?" asked Nigel.

"Just resting my axles is all," sighed Nelson. "You know how it is, hauling another construction vehicle. Especially uphill."

"Yeah, I was quite lucky this time," Nigel admitted. "Just got to take the workmen and Kelly came here on their own."

"You know, Nigel," said Nelson, "I was kind of wondering… Wouldn't it be fun to be the one having a ride up to your destination?"

"Having someone else take me to where I'm needed?" asked Nigel. "Gee, I never thought of that before."

"Just having the wind brush up against you," smiled Nelson, "someone else towing you along, and you're relaxing the whole way."

"That's… a bit strange to me," said Nigel. "I mean, we're both transporter lorries. If we get carried around, we wouldn't be doing our jobs. What would we do? Sleep all day?"

"I didn't mean that!" cried Nelson. "I just meant we would get to rest for a bit, that's all."

"Don't we already do that when the day's work is over?"

Nelson sighed, but didn't answer Nigel's question.

Eventually, the job was finished, and the four vehicles were making their way home; Nelson was once again carrying Oliver on his trailer.

"Let's hope Toby doesn't get into more trouble with bridges," said Kelly.

"Well, usually it's the third time that's a charm," said Oliver. "Though maybe he'll get lucky the fourth time."

Oliver and Kelly chuckled, but the duo noticed Nelson and Nigel did not join in.

"What's with these two?" wondered Oliver.

"I'm sure there is a reason where I can be towed along," Nelson was saying to Nigel.

"And just what could that be that isn't slacking off?" Nigel retorted.

"Oh dear…" sighed Kelly. "I hope this isn't going to cause many issues." The blue crane then felt a droplet of water hitting their windscreen, and then another. And then another.

"The storm is coming…"

By the time the four vehicles had returned to the Pack's yard, there was an evening downpour. Buster and Patrick were also back at the yard.

"Thank goodness you four got back safely," said Buster. "This storm looks to be one of Sodor's worst."

"Let's hope it's not as bad as the one that took out the Maron viaduct," Nelson sighed. "Judy and Jerome helped out with that for quite a while."

"I just hope the engines get back ta their sheds," said Patrick. "It'd be reckless ta be out in this weather."

Down on the Little Western, the strong winds did not fall on deaf ears.

"Cous," called Duck, "you and Toad get the passengers to safety up the Tidmouth end. Old Slow Coach and I will handle the Arlesburgh end."

"You got it," agreed Oliver the Western engine. "Let's go, Toad."

"I'm right behind you, Mr. Oliver," the brake van confirmed.

Both Westerners took off with a will. Oliver bit his lip as the freezing air buffeted him.

"We've got this," he said determinedly. "No one deserves to be out in this weather."

As Oliver got closer to the level crossing, he heard a creaking sound.

"Hmm… Toad?" he called. "Is that one of our coaches with a squeaky axle?"

"I don't think so, Mr. Oliver," Toad shrugged. "It's not mine. I had mine axles checked this morning."

"My axles are fine," Oliver pondered. "So, what could it be…"

CRASH!

Everything seemed to happen at once! The crossing gate had suddenly flown itself shut in front of the railway line, and Oliver found himself braking to a hasty stop, dropping sand in order to grip the rails.

"Ouch!" he cried. "Who thought it would be a funny idea to leave this gate closed to the railway?!" Oliver's crew got down to inspect the damage. The gate was now in pieces and had caught on his front. His bufferbeam was bent, and one of his buffers was broken.

"How on earth did that gate fly open?" pondered the driver. "I thought the line was meant to be clear for us."

The signaller had run down from her box to speak with the crew. "I'm terribly sorry," she sighed. "Some of the Pack were sent to inspect the crossings, but this storm's thrown them off schedule."

"But what about my passengers?" asked Oliver. "I'm supposed to be bringing them to Tidmouth!"

"Looks like Algy will have to pick them up," sighed the driver. "Sorry, Oliver."

"Just our luck, Toad…" grunted Oliver.

The signaller had returned to her box to phone for help while Oliver, Toad and their coaches were moved onto a siding out of the way. The passengers weren't too pleased about the situation either.

"So much for an easy ride home," grunted one of the passengers.

"At least you get to wait in dry coaches!" retorted Oliver. "Imagine being stuck in the rain with a crossing gate on your buffers!"

"It's alright, old boy," assured the firewoman. "We'll get this gate off your front end as soon as possible." She and the driver carefully removed the remains off of their engine's front, making sure they didn't slip out of their hands.

"Who knows how long this rain is going to last…" muttered the driver.

Up at Arlesburgh sheds, Duck, Donald and Douglas were safely sheltered from the storm. But they couldn't help but worry as to who wasn't with them.

"Where's that Oliver?" asked Donald. "This storm is getting oot o' control."

"Mibbie he's derailed," fretted Douglas. "Or git switched doon a wrong line again."

"I doubt it's the latter," said Duck, "but I would not want to imagine if and where he might have derailed."

"And Toad's in trouble too," Old Slow Coach piped up from the rolling stock shed close by. At that moment, she and the three engines saw the stationmaster running up with an umbrella.

"Oliver's crashed into the crossing gate near Tidmouth station," he explained.

"Och no!" cried Douglas. "Whit ur we waiting fur? Where's Judy 'n' Jerome?"

"Douglas," Old Slow Coach called, "we can't go out there. It's too dangerous."

"She's right," the stationmaster continued. "We'll have to wait until the storm passes before we can do anything."

"Bit…"

"Douggie," Donald said firmly. "Wur talking aboot Oliver 'ere. Dae ye really think a crossing gate wull deter him?"

Douglas sighed. "No… he's a real fighter. He did manage tae run aff tae Sodor wi' Toad, a'maist a' by his-sel."

"There you go, Douglas," smiled Duck. "If anyone can get through this, it's Oliver."

Back at the crossing, Oliver, Toad and their crew were given an update on their current situation. By now, Algy had picked up Oliver's passengers and was currently bringing them home.

"It's all been arranged, Oliver," said the signaller. "Nelson is coming to collect you in the morning."

Oliver was mortified with what he'd been told! "I-I have to travel by… by road?!" he spluttered. "Some of the other engines will be laughing for days!"

"There's no other option, I'm afraid," said the signaller, shaking her head.

Early the following morning, Nelson drove up to where Oliver, Toad and the coaches sat. By now, the rain had stopped, but it was still quite wet.

"Don't worry, Oliver," Nelson assured. "The Steamworks will have you fixed up."

"Thank goodness we won't be passing Bulgy's field," sighed Oliver. "Knowing him, he'll get the wrong idea about my situation."

"Ugh, that annoying bus gets to anybody," sighed Nelson. A winch was attached to Oliver as he was gently pulled onto Nelson's low loader, the ballast tractor straining in the process.

"Goodness me!" he panted. "You're heavier than a bulldozer and a steamroller put together!"

"I'm fairly lightweight for a standard gauge engine," chuckled Oliver.

"The last time I remember carrying a standard gauge engine was when I rescued Thomas from crashing through that wall," Nelson remarked.

"Oh yes," said Oliver. "Right before the London trip." He glanced back. "Toad, I'll send Douglas back to fetch you."

"Let's hope he's not too worried about you, Mr. Oliver," joked Toad.

Nelson had to work extra hard, as this Oliver was a lot heavier than his workmate from the Pack.

"You alright there, Nelson?" asked Oliver.

"Just need to… pick up the pace," panted Nelson. "The railway… needs all engines on deck."

"Don't overexert yourself, Nelson," cautioned Oliver. "When on my escape run, I learned the hard way what happens if you don't conserve your energy."

"I… guess you… have a point." Nelson began to slow down. Oliver was relieved at the notion. He also looked around the area.

"Wow," he smiled. "I didn't know that there was a roller skating rink out here. Oh, and there's a petting zoo. Maybe some of Dilly and Dallas' ducklings ended up there when they grew up."

"There's lots of places you engines don't get to see," smiled Nelson. "The railway covers much of the island, but there's a few backstreets you haven't any idea about."

"I can see why Bertie boasts about the roads sometimes," remarked Oliver.

It was a very long, indirect drive to Crovan's Gate, for they had to drive through several towns in between stretches of countryside. Presently, Nelson's driver decided that he wanted to stop and grab a bite to eat.

"Knowing my driver, he'll be a while," sighed Nelson.

"Ah well," said Oliver. "At least we've time to chat. So, what have you been up to?"

"Same thing every day," Nelson admitted. "Hauling everyone to work and then back again. It would be fun to get carried by someone for once."

"I have to admit," said Oliver, "it was nice taking it easy today, and you are good company. We all deserve a break every once in a while."

At that moment, Barbara Regaby was passing by on her bicycle.

"Ah, good day, Mrs. Regaby," smiled Nelson.

"Hello, Nelson, Oliver… Oliver?!" cried Mrs. Regaby, stopping her bicycle. "What's happened to you? Are you alright?"

"Blasted storm blew the gates right into me," Oliver grunted. "Nelson's giving me a lift to the Steamworks."

"How kind of you, Nelson," said Mrs. Regaby. She was about to leave, when she saw a sign near where Nelson was parked.

"Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear…" she sighed, shaking her head and writing down something in her notebook. It didn't take Nelson very long to figure out what it was.

"My blasted driver!" he snapped. "He parked us in a no-parking zone! Where is he?!"

As if on cue, Nelson's driver came out of the cafe with a snack and drink.

"Okay, Nelson, let's get go…ing…?" He stared as he plucked off the parking ticket from the lorry's windshield wiper.

"Just couldn't help yourself with your food, could you?" sighed Nelson. His driver muttered something under his breath as he got back inside his cabin.

At last, by late afternoon, Nelson and Oliver had made it to Crovan's Gate. As it happened, Douglas was there with some supplies for the Steamworks.

"Oliver!" he cried. "I'm sae glad tae see ye!"

"Sorry it took so long to get back home, honey," said Oliver, sheepishly. "I had a bit of trouble with the crossing gate."

"And a parking ticket…" muttered Nelson. Douglas was confused, so the ballast tractor explained what had happened.

"Weel, that's a first," he remarked. "An engine bein' booked fur parking!" Even Oliver found the situation amusing, much to Nelson's embarrassment.

"Just don't go mentioning this to Max and Monty," he insisted. "They'd never let me forget this."

"Dutifully noted," chuckled the two engines.

Oliver was soon unloaded from Nelson's trailer and brought inside the Steamworks by Douglas to have his front end mended.

"Thanks, Nelson," smiled Oliver. "Get back safely, okay?"

"Oh my…" sighed Nelson. "Guess I'll have to drive all the way back."

"Nae necessarily, lad," said Douglas. "I'll pass by Elsbridge oan th' wey, 'n' Percy wull complete th' journey."

Nelson's eyes widened with amazement. Sure enough, on Douglas' train, was an empty low loader.

"Oh, thank you, Douglas!" he beamed.

Soon, Nelson was enjoying the sights of the Sudrian countryside from the railway's point of view.

"How urr ye enjoying yer ride, Nelson?" called Douglas.

"It's lovely, Douglas," the ballast tractor replied. "I've never seen Sodor quite like this before." He looked curiously at one of the stations. "Hmm? What's being built near Killdane?"

"Nae sure, lad," said Douglas. "Maybe a warehouse. Guess we'll hae tae fin' out."

That evening, Nelson was finally home with the rest of the Pack.

"Wow, Nelson!" cried Jack. "That must have been an eye opener for you."

"I'll say, Jack," he smiled. "It was so good to ride with Douglas and Percy. And Oliver will be on the mend."

Nigel was quiet for a moment. "I guess… you are right, Nelson. We all do need a lift sometimes."

"I know." He sounded just a little cocky. "Maybe if you rescue another railway engine, they could rescue you too, if you take my meaning."

"Well, I wouldn't need rescuing if I was just resting in a parking spot…"

The other Pack members rolled their eyes as they turned in for the night.

THE END

Author's Comments

The final third of Series 6-7 Redux begins with another mashup! Nelson Gets Carried Away (or Percy Helps Out, if you're going by the official title) isn't a bad episode, but it's not particularly interesting either. Same thing applies to Museum Piece and Not the Ticket from Thomas and the Great Railway Show. As all three stories shared similar plot elements, we took them to create one - hopefully more interesting - story, and I think it worked out well. What was most interesting to me was how we expanded upon the Nelson/Nigel dynamic; one of the younger Pack members, Nigel is a bit literal-minded and absent-minded at times, but he's happy with any job he's given, in contrast to Nelson who would appreciate a break every now and again.

Upcoming stories:

- No Sleep for Cranky

- Edward and the Brass Band

- Piece of Cake

- No "I" in Team

- Thomas the Jet Engine