A/N Rock and Roll's the basis.

Hey, it's us, the narrow-gauge engines again. This is me, Skarloey at first, with Rusty and Duncan, who had a standard-gauge encounter. They met up with James. I start and then Duncan shall take over, then back to me for a bit and Duncan finishes.

I, Skarloey the Little Engine, love all the sights and sounds of my line and know them very well. One morning, soon after I returned from being mended, I was enjoying my journey more than ever before. Along the way, I met Rusty. It was good to be back home and I like Rusty.

"You know," I said. "if I couldn't see these familiar faces and places, I'd think I was on a different railway. You've done wonders with these rails." Rusty had helped railway workers to fix our line.

Rusty laughed. "I'm glad you're pleased. Manager said, "Let's mend the tracks so well that he won't know where he is. And we did and you didn't, if you take my meaning.

I liked this hardworking diesel. Not all the engines on our line did, but I saw his personality, so I couldn't hate him for being a diesel.

"There's still one bad bit," warned Rusty just before the first station. "An engine might come off there, particularly Duncan. He will rock 'n' roll along the line. Look at him right now. Hope he doesn't hurt the passengers."

I turn it over to Duncan now.

"What's that about me? I'm a plain engine and I believe in plain speaking. Speak up!" I heard Skarloey and his friend Rusty talk about me.

Rusty warned me about the bad bit of rails. I wasn't so pleased with a diesel telling me what to do, though and let him know.

"Huh! I know my way about. I don't need smelly diesels to tell me what to do."

Rusty felt hurt. I banged about the yard. Then, I clattered crossly to the station. James was already there waiting for me. I really didn't care if I hurt Rusty. I just saw a smelly diesel, so I really didn't care how he felt.

"You're late!" he snapped.

"I know," I said. "It's that smelly diesel's fault. Rusty tries to teach me how to stay on the rails and then goes off, leaving me to find my own coaches."

"You poor engine," sympathized James. "I know all about diesels. One crept into our yard and ordered us about. I soon sent him packing."

I was filled with admiration. I didn't know that James was boastful and sometimes didn't tell the truth. Not yet, at least. However, I did later come to know that. All I knew at that time was he, too, had trouble with a diesel and quite disliked them from that. I believe he's changed his mind since, though on dislike of diesels.

"Send Rusty packing, send Rusty packing" I snorted. James had given me inspiration with his diesel story.

I climbed a hill furiously.

"Well done, boy," encouraged Driver. "Keep it up."

Soon, we were near the first station. I was pleased.

"Nothing's happened, nothing's happened. Silly old diesel, clever me." And I rocked and rolled along the line. I was pleased with myself, because the line had been fine all the way to that station.

"Steady, boy," checked Driver.

But it was too late. I came off the rails in the process.

"Sleepers and ballast! I'm off!" And I was.

Back to Skarloey, so he can tell what he and Rusty did then.

"I warned him," said Rusty. "But all he did was call me names."

The little diesel refused to move.

"I'm ashamed of you, Rusty," I said. "Think of the passengers. What are they going to do?"

"Oh, I've forgotten them. Yes of course, we must help the passengers."

That was Rusty and me, when Duncan derailed.

And Rusty roared to life. I give it back to Duncan. I stood sad and solitary. I couldn't rock 'n' roll now.

Oh, dear, I thought. Everyone will know how silly I am.

The passengers had to get out and help, too. They weren't very pleased about that, but worked as hard as they could.

The passengers lifted me back onto the rails.

They carefully levered me back onto the line. After that, I was extra careful all day. At last, evening came. I didn't want to derail again after hitting that bad spot and being a silly engine.

"Rusty," I whispered. "Thank you for helping. I'm sorry I was rude to you."

"That's all right, Duncan."

"I wish all diesels were like you. Let's be friends." Rusty was a friendly little diesel, as I knew.

"Suits me," replied Rusty. "We'll mend that bad bit of rails first thing tomorrow."

A/N Rusty was treated non-binary at first, but then had "he" pronouns later. Respect my

Thomasverse.