Controller's Errors

Written by Rachel Ravens, James Riddle and Zack Wanzer

Set During Never Be Alone

Why is everything so complicated? All I did was order engine No. 57646 from the Scottish Region, and then suddenly two engines arrived without any numbers! 'Lost their numbers', 'they slyly slipped off'? They were painted on for crying out loud!

The mixup with Annie and Clarabel only made things harder. Those engines are on thin ice at this point.

RING RING!

"Oh, bother that telephone," I grunted, reaching to grab it. "Hello, Sir Topham Hatt speaking."

"Sir, we've had a bit of a delay with that goods train from Knapford."

I sighed with resignation. "Who was taking the train?"

"One of the twins, sir. I think he had the number ten on his tender."

"Douglas…" I muttered to myself. "I'll talk with him when he gets to Knapford."

"Thank you, sir." replied the Vicarstown stationmaster. Well, when Edward does get home, I think I know who it's going to be…

The whole run was delayed by twenty-five minutes… I shook my head as I walked outside. Not what my railway needs. "Late again!" I snapped when I saw the Scottish engine. "What is the meaning of this, Douglas?"

"Tis that brake van!" Douglas protested. "He's held back th' hail wey 'ere, 'n' James had to bank me up the hill."

"After your stunt with the tenders, I don't know if I can believe that!" I was in no mood for excuses and stormed back into my office.

"Grandpa…" whispered a small female voice.

"Annabelle?!" I cried. "What are you doing here?"

"Mom and Dad dropped me off while they go on holiday for the weekend," explained Annabelle. I sighed to myself, realising I must have forgotten that arrangement on the calendar amongst the chaos. "Why were you being so mean to that engine?"

"Douglas has been causing a lot of trouble," I muttered. "Being delayed because of a breakvan…"

"Lots of engines have trouble with trucks, grandpa," Annabelle said firmly. "So how is this any different from past experiences?"

"Because one of those engines is playing truant!" I said firmly. "Him or Donald. And I need to find out who they are and send him home."

"But they don't want to be apart from each other," protested Annabelle. "I've heard the other engines talk about how well they work together. Why won't you let them both stay, Grandpa?"

"Because BR would be looking for their engine." I sighed. "It's not that simple, Annabelle."

"What if the twins know something neither of us do?" suggested Annabelle. "From what I've heard from some of my friends in school, most of the time, people don't run away from their homes unless something has happened where they feel unhappy or unsafe. Maybe the same could be said for these two."

I sighed. Dear, sweet little Annabelle… she had such a big heart.

"Maybe, Annabelle," I said. "I don't know what's going on here. But we just can't have these incidents keep on happening to the railway." I sighed. "Why don't you go out and do trainspotting at the platform while I get back to work?"

My granddaughter gave a small nod and walked out the door. I shook my head; usually Annabelle would enthusiastically be skipping out the door with a sunny smile on her face at the very mention of trainspotting.

"What am I to do…"

More time had gone by, and there surprisingly wasn't any delays with Douglas - some of his runs were early in fact. But Thomas still gave him distrusting glances, and I had noticed it this morning when Percy showed excitement of Donald and Douglas meeting Edward for the first time.

Then, a phone call had completely exposed everything. The engine's other number was 57647 - I figured out that much, as it was mentioned that 57646 was built as an extra one after the last members of his class were made - but this next piece of info was exactly what I needed.

"57646 has the gruffer sounding voice," said the Scottish Region controller. "57647 is more gentle."

It's Douglas. I realised. I knew it. He hid Annie and Clarabel, his trains were delayed… it all adds up.

Hanging up the phone, I left the office, trying to figure out where Douglas was.

"Probably down a few metres from the signal box…" I said to myself, heading in that direction.

However, I started to think back to my conversation with Annabelle. Was this really worth it? Were Donald and Douglas really trying to run from something? But Thomas still doesn't trust them. Douglas did stash away Annie and Clarabel and Donald tried to cover it up. Then Douglas was delayed… I shook my head. This is what needs to be done. British Railways are trying to find Douglas. I would be stealing their engine if he stayed here.

What I didn't realise, however, was that Duck had snuck up on me when I was nearing Douglas, who was whimpering with fright.

"SIR!" he called at the top of his smokebox. "There you are, I've been looking for you."

"Duck, what is it?" I asked in annoyance. "I'm about to-"

"Donald's had an accident with a signal box."

""He's had to have that accident now?!" I facepalmed myself and started walking away. "This changes quite a lot…"

And indeed it did. Donald's accident meant that Douglas had to stay on longer no matter how I sliced it. Edward would be back at work today, yes, but the goods traffic would have spiked without Donald.

"I can't believe this…" I muttered as Henry took Donald to the Steamworks. "How in Sodor's name am I going to explain this to the Scottish Region?"

It seemed like things almost always went wrong for me when bringing newer engines on trial - Duck and Percy started a strike against Gordon and James, Diesel turned the bigger engines against Duck out of spite, and now this. All in the span of one year, no less.

"Well, I just hope things don't get any worse…" I grunted as I headed back into my office. Papers were scattered everywhere, and my phone was nowhere in sight. "Ugh! Stephen, Bridget, what are you two doing now?"

"Grandfather, we're playing tag!" said Bridget. "And Stephen is it!"

"If you must play tag, then why not do so outdoors, but not too close to the railway?" I asked. "Now I have to clean up this mess."

"Sorry, Grandfather…" sighed Stephen. The two dashed outside, whispering something to each other and fistbumping. I was too busy cleaning up to notice any of this, however. Little did I realise, however, that I would have even more to worry about in due time…

When I had cleaned up my office and retrieved my phone, I looked outside my window and found something very peculiar.

"No trains…" I said quietly. I walked out to see my three grandchildren on the platform, playing a much quieter game of marbles.

"Have you three noticed any trains passing by?" I asked.

"I thought I saw Duck and Gordon here earlier," said Stephen.

"Yeah, a lot earlier." smirked Bridget. "I guess you were so focused on me winning you didn't see the rest of the trains."

"I definitely heard lots of whistles," said Annabelle with a giggle. "They're pretty hard to miss."

I sighed. "The station should be crowded; it's going to be peak hour traffic soon. Where is everyone? Annabelle, you go trainspotting every other weekend and weekday afternoon, you know the schedule."

"I do," said Annabelle. "And let me ask you this, grandpa - what is the one time where all the engines don't run?"

I stared at Annabelle with wide eyes.

"Code-red indignation meeting…" I sighed. "This had better be important…"

It must have been an important one, as not only were the engines all present - barring the Peel Godred trio - but Annie, Clarabel and Henrietta were invited as well.

"I got an idea," Johnson was saying, "maybe one of us Midis - I'm volunteering myself - should go back to the mainland?"

"You can't go back!" cried Edward. "You five have been an asset to the island since you got here!"

"It does make sense though," said Nicole. "None of us are owned by the North Western. By having one of us go back - I wouldn't mind leaving in place of Johnson - it does allow for the twins to stay together, and the North Western gets two permanent engines to boot."

"No one is leaving this island!" argued Henry. "Our goal is to make sure Donald and Douglas stay together."

"Engines?" I called. "What is going on?"

The engines looked to see me approaching them from my car; their eyes all filled with icy cold reception.

"Henry's right," said Gordon quickly. "Nicole, Johnson, that is a very noble idea, but we can't risk anything happening to you as well."

"What risks?" I demanded. "And what do Nicole or Johnson have to do with it?"

"How about we have Douglas continue to work on my branch line?" suggested Edward. "I'm having trouble keeping up there as it is."

"That's probably the best idea we've had through this whole discussion," said James. "When Donald comes back, he'll be on the mainline so Douglas working with you is our best bet."

"Don't worry, Douglas," said Percy softly. "We'll make sure you're safe."

"Thank yer, Percy," the Scottish engine smiled.

"Safe from what?!" I shouted.

"Meeting adjourned," said Gordon. "Henry, could you check on Donald on your next passenger run when you stop at Crovan's Gate?"

"Of course," replied the green engine as everyone rushed off. It was as if I had been invisible.

"They didn't even allow me to take part in their discussion…" I trailed sadly. "Has my decision to send one of the twins back really affected them that much…?"

I didn't buy Douglas. If the Scottish Region hadn't been looking for him, they wouldn't have phoned me. They'd surely need him back… right?

The following day, things took a more complicated turn. It was on James' first train of the day - a slow goods - when Edward had gotten a message to bring up Judy and Jerome.

"Edward!" I called. "What's going on?"

"There's been an incident on Gordon's hill," explained Edward. "Douglas was banking James' train and accidentally crushed a brakevan!"

"Douglas again?!" I cried scrambling into the works coach; Edward's eyes narrowed into slits as I did so and I shrank back in surprise. The old blue engine being angry was a red flag for trouble to be sure, but we were in too much of a rush for me to question him. Sure enough, when we reached Gordon's hill, I found Douglas standing among the remains of the brake van. Thankfully, no one seemed to be harmed… apart from the brake van.

"I might've known you'd be the cause of this accident, Douglas," I groaned, surveying the remains of the brake van.

"Ah'm sorry, sur," said Douglas. "Mebbe Ah was clumsy, but Ah wadnae be beaten by yon tricksie van."

"Douglas was grand, sir," Edward put in. "I heard him from my yard. James had run out of steam, and Douglas worked hard enough for three."

"I can vouch for this," added the red engine. "That brake van's been nothing but a nuisance every time I've had to take him out."

Now James was on Douglas' side in regards to that brake van?

"I see, although working hard for two engines would've been enough," I said. "I want to be fair, Douglas, as I admire your determination, but… I don't know. I really don't know…"

"Don't you dare blame this incident on Douglas!" snapped Edward. "It was that spiteful brake van that's been causing all this trouble from the start! He was the one who had been making Douglas' trains late all the time until Donald put him in his place. We tried to tell you before, but you wouldn't listen!"

I fell silent, my head was practically spinning. Douglas had been telling the truth… and I had brushed him off out of mistrust…

"I… I need some time to think…" I said quietly, and I went back to sit in the works coach until everything was cleared up.

How could I possibly face my engines after giving Douglas a brushoff like that?! They only looked at me out of spite yesterday, and today Edward of all engines gave me the lecture.

"Are you alright, sir?" asked another male voice.

"Oh, hello Mr. Starr," I said when he walked into my office. "I'm honestly not sure what to do. Donald and Douglas have been lying to me about what they did with Annie and Clarabel and swapped tenders, then Douglas tried to tell me the truth about a troublesome brakevan but I brushed him off, and this all happened because they couldn't tell me who was what British Railway number! Now all the engines hate me."

Mr. Starr put his hand comfortingly on my shoulder. "The engines don't hate you," he said quietly. "They just know you've made a bad decision and they are angry at you right now. But from what you said… it does sound like there's fault on both sides."

"I suppose so," I sighed. "But why couldn't the twins just tell me upfront why they came together?"

"Perhaps they were afraid," insisted Mr. Starr. "Fear can make a person blind from reality and often feel the need to keep secrets for the sake of their own safety, or the safety of others."

"Gordon did mention something about risks," I said to myself, "and Nicole and Johnson mentioned something about 'leaving the island to keep the twins together'..." I nodded to myself. "Mr. Starr, I need you to take over for me for a while. If anyone asks, I'm going on holiday."

"A holiday?!" asked Mr. Starr. "Why now?"

That wasn't my course of action in the slightest, but I didn't want anyone to know what I was really doing. If what Annabelle had suggested to me in the months prior and what the engines had been talking about in the last few days were anything to go by, something was seriously wrong here.

"I've got to find Donald and Douglas' controller," I said to myself. "Perhaps he can clear all this up."

Down in the Scottish Region, I managed to arrive by train via what looked to be a modified Coronation Class.

"Thank you for the ride," I said politely.

"Oh, I'm so glad some people still appreciate us," replied the engine.

"Who wouldn't?" I asked. "You gave me a splendid run."

The Coronation Class stared sadly up to the sky as she was uncoupled from the train. "Try telling that to my controller." she said quietly as she headed to the water tower. My eyes widened in concern as I headed toward the office.

"How can a controller be ungrateful for the service provided by their engines?" I asked myself. "I'd like to give that man a piece of my mind." I quickly knocked at the office door.

"Come in," called another voice. I stepped into the office, and the Scottish Region controller looked up with surprise.

"Ah, Sur Topham," he said warmly. "Whit brings ye doon tae mah region?"

"I've been having a rough time with my engines," I explained.

"Aye, that happens fae time tae time," he replied. "Let me jalouse, delay because o' th' trucks?"

"Actually, it's about those two engines on trial - Donald and Douglas."

"Baith o' thaim ur oan yer island?" asked the Scottish controller. "Sae that's whaur 57647 git tae."

He knows their names? I thought to myself. That made things more complicated. I cleared my throat and spoke out loud. "Yes, it seems that neither engine wanted to return home. And following my decision to send one back, my own engines have been giving me the cold shoulder. Things worsened when I blamed Douglas for being late when he was being sabotaged by a spiteful brakevan. As it turned out, James was having issues with the spiteful brakevan too, and it may be the case with other engines."

"Weel, fae th' soonds o' it, this 'Douglas' ah sent ye hasn't exactly bin getting th' best reports," said the Scottish Controller. "'N' he isn't yer engine either, sae ah think ah kin mak' yer railway run smoother by taking him aff yer hauns, 'n' ye keep Donald."

I looked the Scottish region controller right in the eye. "And what exactly do you plan to do with Douglas when he gets back?"

"Simple, Sur Topham," said the Scottish controller. "Ah recall hearing alang th' grapevine ye hud Diesel trialled oan yer island a few months ago."

"And that was a big mistake," I scowled. "He turned my engines against each other by spreading lies about Duck all because of an incident with some trucks. Needless to say, I have no intention of inviting a troublemaker like him back."

"Weel, diesels ur comin' o' age noo," said the Scottish controller. "I've bin getting a lot o' thaim onto mah Region. Wi' thaim 'ere, engines lik' Donald 'n' Douglas wouldn't be wantit anymair."

My heart pounded and every muscle in my body tightened.

"Y-you mean that D-Douglas will be…"

"Scrapped."

I couldn't believe it. Douglas ran away with Donald… just so he could avoid being killed? I wanted to punch that controller, but it took every inch of self control I had not to lunge at him. I can't let that happen to Douglas. Not after all that turmoil he's been through. And Donald? If he has to live with his twin brother having died a brutal death, he wouldn't forgive himself.

"Not if I have anything to say about it." I said at last. "My railway isn't getting any less busy, and despite their mistakes, Donald and Douglas have been very valuable assists to my engines. Besides, I've already given Douglas the number ten. It would be a waste to suddenly transfer it to someone else."

"You're buying thaim baith!?" gasped the Scottish controller.

"And why shouldn't I?" I barked. "It's much better than standing idling by and allowing such hard working engines to be thrown away like scrap! You know nothing about treating engines with respect!"

Without another word, I left some money in the Scottish Controller's hand, and walked back to the station to catch my next train home.

And that was probably one of the best decisions I could have made, as when I came home and announced Douglas was also officially part of Sodor, the engines couldn't have been happier. I had intended for it to be a Christmas present but Duck's deputation made me announce it early. Ah well, at least things finally seemed to be looking up.

But on December 27th, when railway operations began again, I heard something very peculiar.

"I can't believe Donald would do something like that," Henry was saying. "Much less you, Duck."

"I don't like lying, Henry," replied the pannier, "but what else could we do? Douglas was going to be sent back right then and there!"

"Duck!" I called, walking over in shock and surprise. "Care to explain yourself?"

Duck jumped as he saw my approach.

"Er… beg pardon, sir… you know that signal box crash Donald had?"

"Yes?"

"That… wasn't an accident," Duck sighed; I stared at him, feeling sure my eyes would be as wide as dinner plates. "Donald and I staged that on purpose. I overheard you talking on the phone and Douglas was going to be sent away."

"Aye, sur," said Donald as his crew climbed into his cab. "'Twas foolish, bit we didnae ken whit else tae dae, especially as ye wur in na mood tae listen tae Douglas."

"You eavesdropped on my conversation?" I quizzed slowly. Donald and Duck exchanged a worried look.

"And caused severe delays because you felt it was the only way to save Douglas?" I added. The two engines looked worriedly at me.

"Well, under normal circumstances, I wouldn't be happy with this," I said firmly. "But…" I paused for a moment. "You both were doing this to save Douglas, and I was already angry and probably wouldn't have listened. So long as this remains an isolated incident, I'm letting you both off with a warning."

Duck and Donald smiled at each other.

"However, if, in future, you engines have any issues whatsoever, don't be afraid to come to me. I promise I will listen to you, but please be sure not to cover up anything with lies."

The engines smiled. "Yes sir/Aye sur."

THE E-

"I guess that your gamble worked as well as our distraction, didn't it?" I heard Bridget giggle to Duck and Donald later that afternoon.

"Yeah," laughed Stephen. "That indignation meeting wouldn't have gone as smoothly without us messing up Grandfather's office so Annabelle could help round the other engines up."

"Stephen and Bridget!"

The End (For real)

Here's another POV story in the Seventyverse, told by Sir Topham Hatt, and how he nearly got Douglas scrapped. I think this was a fun angle to explore, given that there are some scenes here not in the actual Never Be Alone. Some bits are also taken from Hardened Frost in the flashback and from Candle in the Wind. I also think it'd be suspicious for Annabelle to be in the office with her cousins as she's always seen as the 'patient and dutiful' one of the trio.