It was summertime and the engines felt busier than ever. Heavy goods were coming and going, and holidaymakers wanted to travel all over Sodor.

Even Daisy felt busier than ever. On some days, there were so many passengers traveling between Knapford and Harwick that Arthur had to help her while Ryan delivered the fish with his goods.

One morning, the Fat Controller came to see Ryan and Daisy. "Daisy, I know you have been struggling with your passengers lately, but I think I know a solution to the problem."

"Are you bringing in a new engine, Sir?" Ryan asked.

"No, Ryan, not this time. All Daisy needs is a way to carry more passengers."

"Coaches, Sir?!" spluttered Daisy. "But I'm a diesel railcar. I'm not supposed to use coaches. I'm highly sprung and pulling is bad for my swerves."

"Daisy…" The Fat Controller looked sternly at her. "You know Ryan cannot continue doing Arthur's work as well as his own."

Daisy sighed. "Yes, Sir. Will I be using Annie and Clarabel again?"

"No, they're needed on Thomas' Line. You'll see when you arrive at Knapford."

Daisy made her way along the Line, but she wasn't purring like she usually did. "Don't need coaches, don't need coaches," she muttered to herself.

When Daisy arrived at Knapford, her passengers got off and she went into the Yard to refuel. As she stopped next to the diesel pump, she heard a voice.

"Hullo, you must be Daisy."

Daisy looked and saw a very odd coach. She was rather old-fashioned, but Daisy couldn't deny that she looked very grand. "Yes…Who are you?

"They call me 'Old Slow Coach.' The Fat Controller said I was to work with you."

"Oh, so you're the one who's helping me."

"That's right."

It wasn't long before Daisy's fuel tank was full. She backed up to Old Slow Coach and pulled her to the Station. The passengers were most impressed, but Daisy didn't notice. She waited until the Guard blew his whistle and she set off for Tidmouth.

"You're the quiet sort, aren't you," said the coach at last.

"Maybe I am," muttered Daisy.

"Have you pulled coaches before?"

"…Yes."

"I know I may seem old-fashioned, but I'm still Really Useful. Thomas and Percy knew that. That's how they saved me."

That made Daisy curious. "Saved you?"

Old Slow Coach told her how Thomas and Percy had saved her from Scrap a long time ago.

"A workman's hut?!" gasped Daisy. "But…how…"

"I was only needed until the new inn was finished," said the coach. "After that, the Fat Controller cleaned me up again and I was back carrying passengers. I even went to Mrs. Kyndley's daughter's wedding as part of her good-luck package. I was the 'something old.'

Daisy was impressed. "Well, my dear, you've certainly had a lot of excitement while living here."

When Daisy arrived at Tidmouth, passengers were crowding the Station.

"Look!" said one of the children, "it's Daisy and she's pulling a coach."

"They look wonderful together," said another.

Daisy was surprised.

"Well, Daisy," said the coach, "it seems we're becoming more popular than ever."

"We are?"

"Yes. Didn't you see that crowd back at Knapford."

"…No."

After they set off again, Daisy spoke up. "I must apologize, my dear. As a diesel railcar, I'm not used to pulling coaches and the one time I did was a terrible experience. I was tricked into thinking I was grating and falling apart."

"I'm sorry to hear that," replied the coach. "Why would they be so rude?"

"It was my own fault," Daisy sighed. "I thought I was too modern to use those older coaches. I was rude to them first."

"Well, I hope I didn't make a bad impression."

For the first time that day, Daisy smiled. "Not at all. You may be old, but you are very grand, and you roll so smoothly. I'm pleased to work with you."

Old Slow Coach blushed bright red. "Thank you, Daisy."

"I should be the one thanking you. You have taken a great weight off my springs, and I am most grateful for your help."

Daisy and Old Slow Coach had a lovely day. They trundled up and down the Line laughing and telling stories. Passengers crowded around them at the Stations and some of them took their photograph.

At last, evening came, and Daisy took Old Slow Coach back to the Shed with her.

"Good evening, Daisy," said Ryan. "Is this the coach that was helping you today."

"It is," said Daisy proudly, "and she's my new friend too."

And as the stars twinkled in the sky above, Daisy and Old Slow Coach happily told Ryan, Judy and Jerome all about their day.

Old Slow Coach continued to help Daisy for some time afterwards and, indeed, Daisy was very grateful. She was not only happy to have made a new friend, but one who had earned her a newfound respect for coaches.