I do not own Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends. They are strictly the property of both the Awdry Family and Britt Allcroft, this story is purely for entertainment and never profit.
Episode 22: Toby and the Stout Gentleman, Original Airdate: December 18th 1984
It was a sunny Friday afternoon in the village of Ffarquhar. Toby and his daughter Henrietta were both visiting the playground with Thomas and Lucy. The two children were having a good time, playing on the slides and swings. Henrietta loved Lucy; she considered her to be the little sister she never had. This made both Thomas and Toby smile at their daughters playing together.
"You Toby" said Thomas, "when you see them playing together, you'd think that they were both sisters".
"I agree you Thomas" said Toby, "they both get along so well together".
Just then Henrietta came up to them, holding Lucy's hand.
"Hello there girls, having fun?" asked Thomas.
"Fun daddy" giggled Lucy happily.
"You and Lucy ready to go to McDonalds Henrietta?" Toby asked his daughter.
"We sure are dad" said Henrietta, "but first me and Lucy were both wondering if Uncle Thomas could tell one of his stories?".
"So, you two want a story?" asked Thomas.
"Story daddy" Lucy clapped her hands excitedly.
Thomas smiled at his daughter. He then thought of which story to tell, Toby however had the idea.
"Maybe you could tell the story of how I meet Sir Topham Hatt and how my old line was closed down?" suggested Toby.
Thomas smiled at the idea.
"Alright" said Thomas, "how about the story of how Toby met Sir Topham Hatt and how his old railway was closed down?".
Both Lucy and Henrietta sat down, waiting for Thomas to begin his story.
(Story Begins)
Toby Holden was a 27 year old railway driver who lived and worked on a small tram way in East Anglia. His engine, a GER Class C53 steam tram had cowcatchers and side plates and didn't look like your average steam engine at all. His tram also had a GER Wisbech and Upwell Tramway 4-wheel coach that was painted burnt orange.
Toby took trucks from farms and villages to the mainline, he would ring his trams bell whenever he saw people and was cheerful to everyone he met.
He had a 5 year old daughter named Henrietta who rode with him in the cab whenever she was off school. Henrietta loved riding with her father in the cab, however today she was a little grumpy.
"It's not fair daddy" she grumbled.
Toby gave a small sigh as he knew what Henrietta was complaining about. When he first got the job, his trams coach would be full of passengers and would pull nine trucks. Nowadays it was mostly empty, and he would only be taking four trucks due to the farms and factories sending their goods mostly by lorry and the passengers mostly traveling by bus.
The cars, buses, and trucks often have accidents, Toby has had an accident for years. But it would be nice to be very busy again, he then gently patted Henrietta on the head.
"I know Henrietta sweetie" Toby agreed with his daughter, "I wish there was something that would make it happen".
But what neither Toby nor Henrietta knew was that their dream would eventually come true. It all began one day when they arrived at the station. On the platform was a family, consisting of a couple, their two small children and the fathers' parents. But what Toby didn't know yet was the stout man was really Sir Topham Hatt.
His grandchildren eagerly pulled him towards Toby's tram in excitement.
"Come on grandfather" cried the boy, "do look at this funny engine".
"That's a tram engine Stephen" replied Sir Topham Hatt.
Toby looked amused at the little boy's question. It was true that steam trams weren't as common as tender or tank engines, so it was natural for people to call it funny at first. Toby didn't mind it, but then the little girl ruined the mood.
"Is it electric?" asked the little girl.
"What" spluttered Toby angrily.
If there was one thing that Toby hated, was people calling his beloved tram electric. He was very proud of it and wouldn't change it for one those electric abominations.
"SHHH!" said her brother, "you've offended him.
"But trams are electric, aren't they?" she asked again.
"They mostly are Bridget, but this is a steam tram" informed Sir Topham Hatt.
"May we go in it grandfather" Bridget and Stephen both asked at the same time, "please?".
"Stop" said Sir Topham Hatt to the guard as he was about to blow his whistle.
The family quickly scrambled inside the coach as the guard blew his whistle and Toby set off. Henrietta was very excited that her father was taking passengers in his tram's coach, Toby however was feeling insulted by little girl's remark. He was very proud of his C53 tram and to think that it was electric, to him it was offensive.
"Electric indeed, electric indeed" grumbled Toby.
However, by the trips end he had cooled off, it had been nice to be able to take passengers again. He had hoped that he would be able to take them more often, when he and Henrietta hopped down from the cab at the station, Sir Topham Hatt came up to them.
"What is your name?" asked Sir Topham Hatt.
"Toby Sir" replied Toby, "Toby Holden".
"And what's your name sweetie?" Sir Topham Hatt asked Henrietta.
"Henrietta Sir" replied Henrietta.
"Helping your daddy today?" Sir Topham Hatt asked in an amused tone.
"She sure is" smiled Toby.
"Your mummy must be very proud of you" said Sir Topham Hatt.
At the mention of mummy, Henrietta's eyes began to water a bit, Toby then took her into his arms and gave her a comforting hug. Sir Topham Hatt gave a concerned look when he saw this.
"Did I say the wrong thing?" asked Sir Topham Hatt, worried if he had upset Henrietta.
Toby then explained to Sir Topham Hatt about why Henrietta was upset. About two months ago, shortly after Henrietta's fifth birthday that Elise her mother and Toby's girlfriend told them that she was leaving them for another man who was a Hollywood producer. She then explained that she loathed them and considered them to be losers and that she deserved better. Henrietta had tearfully begged her not to leave, but Elise cruelly mocked her before spitefully spitting on her.
"Good heavens" said Sir Topham Hatt, shocked and disgusted that a mother could do that to her town child.
"I know" said Toby sadly, "Henrietta still hasn't gotten over it".
"Well thank you anyway for the nice ride Toby" said Sir Topham Hatt kindly, "I have to say riding a steam is rather different from riding the steam engines back on my railway".
"Now this is a gentleman" Toby thought to himself, "who knows how to speak to engine drivers like Mr. Thompson".
The family came every day for a fortnight. They rode with the guard in the coach, sometimes they would ride in empty trucks. On their last day of all, Toby invited them into his cab where he showed them the controls.
They had a wonderful time, alas they were sorry when their holiday was over, and they had to go home. When they got back to the station, they hopped down from the cab and thanked Toby for giving them a wonderful time.
"Thank you so much for giving us such a wonderful time" they said to him.
"It has been my pleasure" smiled Toby, happy that he had given them such a fun time.
"Will you come again soon?" asked Henrietta.
"We will" they said.
With that the guard blew his whistle and Toby's tram drove off. The family waved at him until he was out of sight. Toby had hoped that things would begin to pick up afterwards for the railway, however it wasn't to be.
The months passed, Toby now had fewer trucks and even fewer passengers. He wasn't liking where this was going, and it was soon to get even worse. One morning Mr. Thompson came to his house, whilst he and Henrietta were both having breakfast, he had bad news.
"Its our last today Toby" he said sadly, "I'm afraid that we must close tomorrow".
"Really?" asked Toby, upset at this news.
"I'm afraid so" said Mr. Thompson sadly, "we just don't have enough work to keep us going".
"How am I going to provide for myself and Henrietta?" asked Toby.
"We must hope that something comes up" replied Mr. Thompson.
That day when Toby and Henrietta when to the station for the last time, they both received quite the surprise. There was a large crowd of people there, above was a large white banner. On the banner and written in big red word was "FAREWELL TOBY".
"What's this?" asked Toby in surprise.
"We wanted to thank you for everything Toby" said one man.
"You've been a good friend to us all" replied an old woman.
Toby was so deeply moved by this kind gesture by the crowd that he promised to give them the best last ride of their lives. The passengers soon filled the coach was soon so full that the rest of the passengers rode in some trucks that Toby had brought with him. The passengers all joked and sang, although Toby wished they wouldn't.
Soon both the day and trip were over, the passengers hopped down from the coach and walked up to the cab.
"Goodbye Toby" they all said, "we're sorry that your line is closing down".
"So am I" said Toby sadly.
"Thanks for everything though" they said to the tram driver.
He then left the station and took the tram back to its shed. After putting the tram in its shed, he and Henrietta went home. After having dinner, he put Henrietta to bed before getting into his own bed. As he lay there, he wondered what he was going to do.
"Nobody wants a tram like mine" Toby said to himself sadly before going to sleep.
The next morning, whilst he and Henrietta were having breakfast Toby decided to go and check their post. There was only a single later that morning, but when Toby opened it, his eyes widened in excitement.
"Henrietta" said Toby excitedly as he ran into the kitchen.
"What is it daddy?" asked Henrietta in confusion at her father's excitement.
"It's a letter from the stout gentleman," said Toby.
Henrietta listened with interest as Toby began to read the letter. But I must tell you anymore, or I shall spoil the next story.
(Story Ends)
"What happens daddy?" Lucy asked as Thomas finished his story.
"That's a story for later Lucy" smiled Thomas, "one that involves me and mummy".
"Mummy story" asked Lucy excitedly.
"That's right" said Thomas, "in face maybe you would like me to tell you it at McDonald's?".
"Yes please" said Lucy happily.
Thomas was pleased that Lucy was excited for the next story. With grabbing his keys Thomas, Lucy, Toby, and Henrietta then left the house and headed for McDonald's.
"The story involves you and Lady's encounter with that policeman?" Toby whispered in Thomas's ear.
"It sure does" replied Thomas.
And done, I know its late and as usual I've no excuse. Anyway, please be so kind and leave a preview and as always, see you next time. Anyway, in reply to Guest's questions, Toby will the only other character who's a parent. Yes, I will be showing Percy and Daisy's romance, Thomas and Lady's next love scene will happen during the Magic Railroad. Whether it will result in another baby, I've no clue. Your idea of the morning after is a very good idea and I thank you for that, as for Lady telling Thomas she's pregnant I decided will happen during Bertie's chase.