Double Help

Today, the engines on Sodor were expecting a new arrival. "This is a special visitor," the Fat Controller explained, "I would like you to make her feel welcome." "Yes, sir," the engines agreed.

So they did. The engines were talking about what they are going to do with the new arrival when they heard a sound that they've never heard before.

"What's that sound?" asked Percy. "Sounds like nothing I've ever heard before," said Gordon. "I think," Hank said, "I've heard something like it before."

The sound was indeed nothing like the engines had ever heard before. They were expecting a new engine and when she finally arrived, the Sodor engines could not believe what they were all hearing.

"She's not making puffing sounds like we do," said Henry. "Is it a ghost?" asked Percy, shakily. "No," the new engine said, "I'm physical and I'm here to help you all."

"That's the sound of a turbine engine," Hank said at last, "Then are you a steam turbine locomotive?" "Yes," the new engine said, "I am a steam turbine locomotive. My name is Gwenevere and I'm here to help with the heavy work loads."

"I knew it!" Hank said, "A steam turbine locomotive. Several of those were used in my country once." "I see," said Gordon. "I'm ready to start," Gwenevere said. "Then let's get started," Thomas said. Everyone showed Gwenevere what they all do on the railway.

Soon enough, Gwenevere knew what she should do. She could pull passengers and trucks quiet easily.

But she had to be careful. Because she is a steam turbine locomotive, the way she works is quiet different from normal steam engines.

Also, some of the passengers became confused when Gwenevere pulls a passenger train into the station, due to the noise she makes. "This engine is different from a normal engine on this railway," a boy said.

"That may be true," said his father, "But don't say it out loud. You might offend her!" Gwenevere took no notice, and started as soon as the passengers boarded her coaches and the guard blew his whistle and waved his green flag.

"Not too bad," Gordon said. Also, Gwenevere had to be very careful in case she might make a mistake with how her turbines work.

But nonetheless, Gwenevere had proven to be a really useful engine when the days work was done. The next morning, Arthur had been given the job to take a milk train to the farm.

Unfortunately, Arthur had an problem. The milk tankers were not behaving good at all. "Let's play a trick!" they shouted. They bumped Arthur really hard.

"Argh!" he cried, "Stupid trucks! Behave yourselves!" The trucks refused to listen to Arthur. "What can I do?" asked Arthur. Just then, Gwenevere happened to steam by on the way to Culdee Fell mountain station.

"Hmm," she thought, "Do you need help?" "Yes," groaned Arthur. "No problem," Gwenevere said, preparing to change track. When Gwenevere chugged up to Arthur's train, ready to push.

"Let's go!" Gwenevere said and Arthur pulled as hard as he could. "We're doing it!" Arthur said. Gwenevere pushed as hard as she could, straining really, really hard.

In no time at all, Arthur with Gwenevere's help, got the milk train over the hill. "Thanks for the help!" Arthur called out as he raced down the hill.

"No problem!" Gwenevere replied as she prepared to head on down the hill herself. "That felt good," she thought. Then Gwenevere ran into trouble on her to her destination. She heard a loud grinding sound.

"Argh!" she cried, "What on earth?!" Gwenevere crew immediately stopped her and examined the problem. "Uh oh," her driver said. They saw that the driving gears on her front driving axel has been stripped.

"They're useless now," the driver said. "Oh no!" cried Gwenevere, "It must have happened when I strained too hard to help Arthur!" "I'll go get help," the firemen said.

But they didn't need to call on a telephone as the crew saw Hank puffing along the line with a goods train. "Hello," he said, "What's going on here?"

"I need help to get back," Gwenevere said, depressed. "Well, hold on," Hank said, "Let me help you. I'm glad that you've asked for help."

"Thanks," sighed Gwenevere as Hank buffered up to her and took her to the Sodor Steamworks.

After Hank left Gwenevere there, Victor and Kevin looked her all over.

"Broken drive gears," Gwenevere explained. "Hmm," Kevin pondered, "Boss, she's." "A steam turbine engine," Victor said, "We can fix her up. Let's get started." "Thanks," Gwenevere said. Just then the Fat Controller arrived.

"Gwenevere," he began, "I am proud of you for helping Arthur today." "Thank you, sir," Gwenevere said, smiling her biggest smile.

"Once you've been repaired," the Fat Controller continued, "You will have other jobs to do. But please don't overdo it like you did when helping Arthur." "Yes, sir," replied Gwenevere. 2 days later, Gwenevere had her drive gears replaced and returned to work.

"I will be a really useful engine," Gwenevere said, "But this time, I'll be extra careful." Gwenevere made her decision and she returned to Tidmouth Sheds.

This time, however, Hank got stuck on the hill. The truck's behavior today is just horrendous. "Come on!" Hank shouted, "Get a move on!" "No, ever!" the trucks replied in a rude tone of voice.

Hank was about to force his way up the hill, but he decided not to, in case he'll pull the trucks apart. "I heard that Oliver did that to one," he thought. Then Hank heard a loud whirring noise followed by a whistle.

"Hank?" the voice said. It was Gwenevere. "Oh, Gwenevere," Hank replied. "You need help now, right?" Gwenevere asked. "Sure," Hank replied. Gwenevere said nothing and she began to push Hank's train of naughty trucks up the hill.

"You helped me," Gwenevere said, "So I am helping you." "Agreed," Hank smiled. The two engines succeeded in getting the train over the hill. For Gwenevere, this time, she did not damage herself.