Chapter 22: Toby and the Stout Gentleman

Toby is an engine driver that works on the mainland. He drives a tram engine on a short little line. It has cowcatchers and side plates and doesn't look like a steam engine at all. He takes freight cars from the farms and quarries along his line to the main line, and is a cheerful person.

Sadly, his daughter Henrietta does not share his optimism. At the tramway's peak, the coach that they took on their journeys would be packed, and at least nine trucks. Sadly, Lorries and busses have taken over most of their work. Nowadays they average only 3 or 4 trucks at most, and the coach is empty. Toby has tried to keep a brave face, but deep down he was worried. He had to take care of Henrietta by himself since she was a baby, and things had only gotten worse lately. Still he struggled on.

"Those businesses will see that we're more reliable one of these days," he would tell her, "Those drivers are too reckless and have gotten into more accidents than I care to count. We've never had an accident." But nothing he said could brighten Henrietta's mood.

One day Toby stopped at the top station and found that there were actual people on the platform. There was a stout gentleman, a woman that must be his wife, and two young children around Henrietta's age. Toby didn't know this, but they were Sir Topham Hatt, his wife Lady Hatt, and their grandchildren Stephen and Bridget.

"Ooh, what a nice looking engine," said Stephen.

"That's a tram engine, Stephen," said Sir Topham Hatt

"Is it electric?" asked Bridget. This made Toby very cross.

"Electric?" he cried. He didn't like anyone mistaking his tram for an electric one

"Ssh," said Stephen to his sister, trying to defuse the situation, "I think you've hurt the driver's feelings."

"But it is electric, isn't it?" Bridget asked.

"Most are, but this is a steam tram," said Sir Topham Hatt.

"Can we ride it?" asked the grandchildren. Sir Topham agreed and the family bought their tickets and got on board. Henrietta was happy that they had passengers, and enjoyed talking with Stephen and Bridget. Toby, on the other hand, was still cross.

"Electric indeed," he snorted as he drove the train out of the station, "What makes them think this is an electric tram?" But he soon calmed down and enjoyed the scenery while keeping an eye on the tracks. At the end of the trip Sir Topham Hatt approached Toby.

"What is your name, good sir," he asked.

"Toby."

"Well Toby, thank you for such a lovely ride. We shall have to come more often."

And they did for two weeks. Sometimes they rode in the coach, and other times they rode in the empty cars. On the last day of their vacation Toby invited them to ride in the cab and gave Stephen and Bridget a crash course on how to drive a steam engine. They were all sad when they had to leave, and thanked Toby for a wonderful time.

"Come again soon," he told them. They promised to do so and waved until the train was out of sight.

Things went from bad to worse over the next few months. More and more companies sent their goods by road, leaving Toby with barely and goods to take. One day Toby's manager came with bad news.

"I'm sorry, Toby," he told him, "But we have to close down tomorrow. We just don't have enough to continue running the line. If you need a letter of recommendation or anything, just let me know."

Toby's heart sank. He drove his engine to the station, not expecting many, if any passengers. What he saw was a surprise. The platform was crowded with passengers, and a banner saying "goodbye Toby" ran across overhead. Toby nearly cried. He made sure to give them the best rides possible, and everybody enjoyed themselves. Sadly the time soon came when Toby had to leave. They all thanked him for the many wonderful years, and he in turn range the engine's bell as he left the station. That night he lay awake in bed, pondering what he will do now.

The next day he got the mail to see a letter from The Stout Gentleman. He read it vigorously, and grinned from ear to ear.

"Henrietta, get packed. I found a new job," he called upstairs.

"Where," she asked, happy that her father had found a new job.

"Sodor," Toby replied.