A/N This is based on Escape. I decided to split it between Oliver and Douglas

Hey, it's me, Douglas. I shall tell some of this story and Oliver tells the rest.

One day, Edward was talking to Trevor when I steamed by. I was taking a train of heavy coal cars. "Come on, Edward. Stop gossiping in the sun when there's work to be done."

Later, Edward spoke to me.

"Trevor and I are old friends and you and he have a lot in common, too."

"We do?" I quizzed. "And what would that be?"

"Scrap," said Edward quietly.

I gasped. "Don't mention that word! It makes me wheels wobble!"

"It does the same to Trevor," said Edward. "He was being sent to the scrapyard, but the Vicar and I saved him and now he's really useful again. Even so, Sir Topham Hatt certainly does need another steam engine around here.".

"Aye, he does and quickly."

That night, I was still working. I had taken a midnight goods train to a station at a faraway part of the island where only the diesels worked. I was just shunting, ready for my return journey when... I heard a hiss. That sounds like a steam engine, I thought.

The hiss came again.

"Who's there?" I asked.

A whisper came. "Are you Sir Topham Hatt's engine?"

"Aye and proud of it." I shall let Oliver take over now, until later, then give it back to him.

"Well, I'm Oliver and I'm with my brake van, Toad, along with Isabel, a coach with a bell. We've run out of coal and have no more steam."

"But what are you doing?"

"Escaping"

"From what?"

"Scrap." That was the conversation between Douglas and me after I told him my name and introduced my brake van and coach. He's telling his reaction, then I get it back for a time.

I shivered. Then, I remembered Edward's story about saving Trevor. Oliver can tell the rest of his escape.

"I'll be glad to help you. It'll have to look as if you're ready for scrap and I'm taking you away." Douglas later told me how he and his brother escaped scrap together, him coming with his twin, Donald, to Sodor. I learned how steam was safe on Sodor from my crew. Somehow, they knew about the NorthWestern Railway and we tried to get there, but ran out of coal and steam, but Douglas heard my despairing hissing and brought me to that steam haven. My crew were told of Douglas's controller loving steam engines. "Real engines", he called us.

Our drivers and firemen agreed to help, too. Everyone worked fast.

"No time to turn around. I'll run tender first. Come on." Douglas had to be fast, like our crew. A dog barked as we left.

But before we could clear the station, we were stopped.

"Aha!" called a foreman. "A Great Western engine, a brake van and an autocoach, too. You can't take these." Douglas takes over just for a line.

"Aye, but they're all for us," said Driver. "See for yourself.". Back to Oliver.

The foreman looked all over me. "Seems in order. Right away, guard."

We made our escape.

"That was a near thing." Douglas was referring to me almost being discovered.

"We've had worse," I replied and we forged ahead.

It was daylight when our journey ended.

"We're home," cried Douglas. He takes over briefly now.

"Shh! said Driver. "There are the Works. We'll find a place for Oliver." Back to Oliver now.

I said good-bye and thank you, and Douglas puffed away. Back to Douglas. The next day, I told the other engines all about Oliver.

"Sir Topham Hatt would have to know," said James.

"Douglas should tell him at once," added Gordon.

"Well, here he is," said a voice. "Now what's this all about?"

"Beg pardon, sir, but we do need another engine." That was Duck, who wasn't happy about a diesel being trialed.

"Yes, sir," ventured Gordon. "A steam engine, sir."

"Well, unless one's saved from scrap, there's little hope.". He loved steam engines, but he was a practical and realistic person. I thought of Oliver, the GWR tank engine I saved.

"But, sir, one has."

Yes, indeed. And thanks to you, Douglas, he is now at our Works. Oliver is just what we need for Duck's branch line.

Everyone cheered. Back to Oliver now. Now, Toad and I are mended and painted in full Great Western colors. Toad is Douglas's brake van with Isabel and 3 other GWR coaches Sir Topham Hatt had restored, Alice, Dulcie and Mirabel running on the line with Duck and me. Duck and I are happy on our branch line. The others laughed at first and called it "The Little Western". Duck and I were delighted, so The Little Western it will always be.

A/N I mish-mashed some book stuff in, like Isabel, along with the other GWR coaches in the book and the diesel on trial.