I do not own Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. They are strictly the property of Britt Allcroft and the Awdry Family.

Episode 6: Thomas and the Trucks, Original Airdate: 23rd October 1984

It was a beautiful night on the Island of Sodor. In the village of Ffarquhar Thomas was tucking his daughter Lucy into bed, it had being a long day with Thomas busy taking passengers on his branch line and helping Toby and Mavis as Anopha Quarry and Lucy having fun in playschool.

"There you go Lucy" said Thomas as he finished tucking her in, "you now know what time it is?".

"Storytime daddy" said Lucy happily.

"That's right Storytime" said Thomas, "how would you like to hear about the time I pulled a goods train for the first time?".

"Yes, please daddy" clapped Lucy happily.

Thomas then smiled as his daughter, as he pulled up a chair and sat down on it.

"Alright then, here is the story of when I pulled my first ever goods train" said Thomas as he began his story.

(Story begins)

Thomas had been working on Sodor for 6 months now and although he loved his job, he felt board. Although he had pulled a passenger train when Henry's engine had steaming problems, he still had yet to pull a goods train.

"I'm tired of always pushing coaches" complained Thomas one evening at Tidmouth Sheds, "I want to see the world".

Gordon and Henry both ignored, to them Thomas was just a driver in training with a long tongue. However, both Lady and Edward felt sorry for him. A short while later as Thomas was lounging on the couch watching television Edward sat down next to him.

"Say Thomas I was due to take a goods train tomorrow" said Edward, "if you like you can take it instead and I'll push coaches in the yard, how would you like that".

"That I would" said Thomas happily as Edward smiled at Thomas' excitement.

The next day both Thomas and Edward talked to the yard manager who agreed to the change. With that Thomas headed off to find the trucks. As Thomas and Howard both left, Edward then realized that he had forgotten to Thomas something.

"Strange, wasn't there something important that I was supposed to tell Thomas?" he wondered to himself.

However, he was right. What he did not know was that Thomas was about to enter a world of trouble. As he arrived in Knapford the workmen were just finishing loading the trucks.

"Hurry up you lot, I've got a train to pull" ordered Thomas impatiently.

"Oh, fuck off you idiot" growled one of the workmen, "we're going as fast as we can".

What Thomas did not know was that the workmen loading his trucks were members of the Troublesome Workers, an independent working force who had a partnership with the North Western Railway. Although the Troublesome Workers were hard working people, many of them came from broken homes and sometimes were involved in organized crime. They also had a reputation for paying back engine drivers who either were not used to them or bossed them around. Normally Sir Topham Hatt would have fired them for the sometimes dangerous paybacks which the Troublesome Workers played on the engine drivers, however because they technically were not employees for the North Western Railway, he couldn't fire them. However, he did manage to put them in their places by threatening to call their head office. What Thomas didn't know was that by bossing them around they were going to give him some payback. As Thomas was waiting for them to organize his train, they whispered to each other.

"Let's teach that bossy prick a lesson" one of them said.

"Yes, but how?" asked another.

"I've got one" said another as he told his friends.

Thomas was meant to take a small train consisting of three 7-plank trucks, an LMS 12 ton van and a GWR Ventilated Van. But what the Troublesome Workers had done was add four more 7-plank trucks and another GWR Ventilated Van. At last, they were ready, the guard blew his whistle and Thomas puffed out of the station pulling the trucks. As he did the Troublesome Workers sniggered to themselves, hoping that no one had noticed them. However, they were wrong, Edward was coming into the station when he noticed Thomas pulling away with his train and the Troublesome Workers sniggering to themselves, he then at last realized what he had forgotten.

"Oh no I forgot to tell Thomas about the Troublesome Workers" Edward said in panic, "I sure hope he hasn't bossed them around or else he'll be in for it".

Meanwhile Thomas' E2 was chuffing down the mainline. He was feeling very proud of himself, he was finally going to see some of the beautiful sights of Sodor. Howard smiled at seeing how happy his son was. As they puffed down the branch line they passed through Henry's tunnel and through Wellsworth Station. Soon they both came to Gordon's Hill, they had both heard of Gordon's engine becoming stuck on the hill and decided to take it easy whilst going up it.

"Take care Thomas" said Howard.

"Will do Dad" replied Thomas.

Soon they had both reached the top of the Hill. However, as they began to descend the Workers revenge began, the heavy trucks began to bump against each other pushing Thomas' E2 down the hill at a fast rate.

"What the?" said Thomas in shock as his engine began charging down the hill.

"We must stop the engine or else there could be a crash" said Howard in equal shock.

Thomas tried to apply his engines breaks. However, the train was too heavy for him and the engine raced down the hill. Thomas' E2 sped down the line until it came to Maron Station. It raced passed the platform where a workman quickly diverted it into the goods siding where there were a pair of buffers at the end of the line. The train hit the buffers with a small bump that lightly bounced Thomas and Howard in the cab. They both hopped down from the cab to check the train to see if either it or any of the trucks had derailed, thankfully however neither they nor the engine had much to their relief.

"Thank God that's over" said Thomas in relief at there being no damaged.

"Ahem to that son" said Howard in reply.

"Hello Thomas and Howard, what are you two doing here?" came a familiar voice.

Thomas gave a small gulp, he knew full well where that voice came from. Standing there by his car was Sir Topham Hatt with a surprised look on his face.

"I've brought Edward's trucks" said Thomas meekly.

"Well why did you come in so fast and why are you pulling Edward's train?" asked Sir Topham Hatt.

"It wasn't Thomas' fault Sir" said Howard, "we tried to stop on the hill, but they were too heavy and pushed us down and as for why we're pulling Edward's train".

Howard then told Sir Topham Hatt about the job swap that morning. He also told him about the workmen in Knapford Yard as Sir Topham Hatt then crossed his arms.

"Well, I see that you've had a run in with the troublesome workers then young Thomas" said Sir Topham Hatt with his arms crossed.

Thomas looked down at his feet in shame. He thought that Sir Topham Hatt would be cross with him, Sir Topham Hatt noticed this and him an understanding look.

"I know that you wanted a change of scenery, but I'm not pleased that I wasn't informed of it" said Sir Topham Hatt sternly.

"I know Sir" said Thomas sadly.

"However, because of what they did, I will be talking to the Troublesome Workers head office later tonight about their little stunt" said Sir Topham, "you've also got to learn young Thomas that they have a nasty reputation for paying those who boss them about".

Thomas nodded in reply.

"But I also understand that you are young and still have a lot to learn" said Sir Topham Hatt with a kinder tone, "maybe after shunting trucks with Edward for a few weeks then maybe you'll get the hang of it and then you will become a really useful driver".

Thomas gave smile at Sir Topham knowing that he was understanding, Sir Topham then smiled in return. With that Sir Topham Hatt got into his car and drove away as Thomas and Howard both hopped back into the cab of Thomas' E2 and went back to Knapford Station. Later that evening Thomas meet with Edward in the common room.

"I'm sorry I let you down Edward" said an apologetic Thomas.

"Its not your fault Thomas" said Edward understandingly, "I forgot to warn you about those hooligans".

"Well at least on the brightside, I will be having you as my mentor" said Thomas happily.

"That I look forward to" said a smiling Edward.

As Thomas prepared to go home, he was approached by Lady. Without saying another word, she gave him a deep kiss on the lips which he returned.

"That's for pulling your first goods train" said Lady smiling.

"Will I thank you for your kiss milady" smiled Thomas to his girlfriend as he left Tidmouth Sheds.

(Story Ends)

"And with Edwards help I soon learned both how to handle goods trains and to not annoy the Troublesome Workers" said Thomas as he finished his story.

He looked to see that Lucy was fast asleep. Smiling he gave his sleeping daughter a kiss on the forehead before turning off her light and leaving for his own bed.

And done. I'm so sorry that it took me forever, as I said a few times before I lose focus. However, I will try and update on a regular basis, that is my vow. Also I know that this chapter is the shortest of the lot. Anyway please leave your previews at what you think.