Winter had come to the Island of Sodor. There was snow everywhere and it was still coming down. At Tidmouth Sheds, the engines were having their snowploughs fitted.
Nia noticed that Toby looked worried. "What's the matter, Toby?" she asked. "I thought you liked winter."
"I do," Toby replied, "but this much snow can cause trouble for a tram engine like me."
Nia didn't understand. "What do you mean. You already have a cowcatcher and I've seen many engines that have them. Don't they work like snowploughs?"
"Not exactly." And Toby explained. "Like my sideplates, my cowcatchers are meant to prevent people and animals from getting hurt if they're on the line, but they aren't meant for clearing snow, especially when it's deep. One winter, there was heavy snow on the Main Line. It slowed me down and I held up Donald and Douglas. I thought my cowcatcher was going to break. Luckily, I reached a siding to allow the Twins to pass me. I was tired, so I stopped for a rest. My cowcatcher wasn't damaged either. I was very lucky that day."
"So, you've never traveled through deep snow on your own?" Nia went on.
"No, another engine has always been there to help me like Thomas, Percy or Duck."
The Fat Controller arrived. "Percy, I'm making a change to your timetable due to the heavy snow. When Toby collects the quarry workers from Knapford, he will follow you on your goods train and you will help him up to the Quarry."
"Yes, Sir," peeped Percy.
Nia felt sorry for Toby. "I wish I could help you."
"Thank you, Nia," Toby smiled, "but you have your own work to do. Besides, Percy will get me to Quarry. I'll be fine."
Toby collected Henrietta and set off for Knapford Station. As the workmen climbed onboard, Percy backed down with his trucks and Toby was coupled behind. When the Guard was ready, the small cavalcade steamed away from the platform and set off for Thomas' Branch Line.
Toby was right. The snow was heavy and when Percy reached a heavy drift, Toby did his best to help them push through.
At the Quarry, things were no better. Snow and frost lay everywhere, and Mavis was finding work difficult. When Percy and Toby arrived, they were most surprised. "I'm afraid your train isn't ready yet, Percy," panted Mavis and explained the situation.
"Where are 'Arry and Bert?" asked Toby. He knew the two Ironworks diesels sometimes helped Mavis ever since Bill and Ben returned to the China Clay Works.
"They're in the same position I am. The Ironworks is filled with snow too."
"We need you to clear the tracks for us, Percy," said the Quarry Manager.
It was a long job, but Percy managed to clear the snow all around the Quarry and Toby and Mavis wasted no time in arranging the trucks.
When their train was ready, Percy and Toby set off for Knapford Harbour, but when they reached Hackenbeck, the signal was red. "I'm sorry, Percy," said the Stationmaster, "but the Mountain Village at Ulfstead is snowed-in too and the Villagers need your help."
"But what about our trucks?" asked Percy.
"No choice, I'm afraid. The snow must be cleared before dark."
"I'm sure we can manage alone for now," said Toby's Driver.
Toby wasn't sure, but he agreed. "Take Henrietta with you in case she's needed," he said.
So, as Percy and Henrietta set off for the Village, Toby continued to the Harbour on his own as the snow continued to fall. He was glad the rails were clear as they trundled through the countryside. After passing through Elsbridge Junction, Toby reached a cutting where the road crossed on a tall arched bridge.
Then there was trouble.
As Toby passed under the bridge he saw a large snowdrift on the line. "Henry must've loosened that snow when he passed through with his local train," said the Fireman.
What will we do now?" asked Toby.
"There's only one thing we can do," said his Driver grimly. "We'll have to try to push our way through."
Toby pushed hard against the snow, but with only his cowcatcher he couldn't go very fast, and it was tiring work. Toby pushed and puffed and puffed and pushed…until he came to stop. He tried to go on, but the snow was packed in so tight his wheels wouldn't grip. "Bless my bell!" he cried. "We're stuck!" And they were.
"Now, I'll have to go for help," groaned the Driver.
"Nia's due through any minute," said the Fireman. "We must warn her."
The Driver and Guard ran up the line through the swirling snow with red flags. Quite soon, Nia found them and stopped. "What's wrong," asked her Driver.
"Toby's stuck in the snow!" shouted the Guard. "We need help to get him out!"
Nia slowly set off again and found Toby and his trucks beyond the bridge. "Don't worry, Toby!" she called. "We'll get you out!"
The Drivers and the Guard removed Nia's snowplough. She buffered up to the brake van and pulled as hard as she could. Toby still had steam and tried his best to help.
At last, Toby was free, but his cowcatcher was badly bent. "Now what?" he asked.
"I know," said Nia. "If we go back to the Junction, I can go in front of you and help you to Knapford." And that's just what they did.
Nia's snowplough was reattached, and the two engines made their way back to Elsbridge. Toby was coupled behind Clarabel and the two engines were on their way again.
It wasn't long before Nia saw the snowdrift again. Now that it was getting colder and darker, she knew the snow would be harder to move. "Full steam together, Toby!" she called, and the two engines charged at the thick snow. This time, they managed to push through the drift and continued on their journey.
The Fat Controller was waiting at Knapford Station when Nia and Toby arrived and apologized to the passengers for the delay, but they didn't mind. "It's more important that Toby is safe," they said. "It wouldn't do to leave him out in the cold."
"Well done, Nia," smiled the Fat Controller. He turned to Toby. "I'm sorry, Toby. I thought your cowcatchers could handle snow, but it seems I was wrong."
"Don't worry, Sir," said Annie.
"Anyone can make a mistake," added Clarabel and Toby agreed.
The Fat Controller pondered. "It seems there's only one thing for this," he said, and no one had to ask what.
In no time at all, Toby had a new snowplough made especially for him and now, he always wears it when there's heavy snow, just like the other engines. Sometime afterwards, Hank was given a special snowplough too and so was Flora. "Now we won't have to wait for the snow to be cleared either," said Hank happily, "and it's thanks to you, Toby."
"Well, the Fat Controller didn't think it was necessary," Toby replied, "but sometimes, it takes only one bad situation to make improvements for the future."