REALLY USEFUL COACHES

Written by Zack Wanzer and Rachel Ravens

A long time ago, Dexter the red brake coach used to be a part of the Main Line Local alongside his brothers Sean, Mick and Harry. But one day, however, he was hidden on an abandoned siding by a spiteful visiting diesel and left to rot, and everyone assumed that poor Dexter had been scrapped, so Randolph, another brake coach, took his place on the Local. Many years later, Dexter was rediscovered by Duck and renovated to serve as a classroom for children following storm damage to Harwick School.

In the months that had passed, Harwick School had been repaired, and Dexter was put back into active service as a railway coach. Although he was glad to be back on his wheels again, Dexter didn't feel fulfilled.

"Hey there, chaps!" he called to his brothers as Stanley shunted them into position. "Do you need an extra coach today?"

"Er…" said Mick, checking on the platform. "I think… there's only enough for four coaches, I'm afraid."

"Oh…" Dexter felt a bit disappointed. "You guys have fun!" he called. "I'll… I'll have fun doing, erm… birdwatching!" The other red coaches all looked back with pity as they were shunted next to the station platform.

"Poor Dexter," sighed Sean. "All these years hidden away, and now… he's not running with us."

"And his constant problems with his worn parts," added Harry. "He didn't deserve that."

"We should have kept a better eye out for him when that Bowler was here," muttered Randolph.

"You're not to blame, lads," said Henry as he buffered up to the coaches. "I was the one who was too blinded by anger to realize Bowler's trick."

"Don't feel too bad, Henry," assured Thomas, who was on the platform next to him. "Dexter's safe now, and that's all that really counts." He then looked over to the siding where Dexter sat glumly. "You know, we've been having a lot more passengers than usual lately…"

"I think it's due to your trip to Africa, Thomas," said Annie. "Word gets around fast."

"Especially on this island," chuckled Clarabel. "Hmm… I think we could use one more on the train." Thomas was uncoupled from Annie and Clarabel, and puffed over to Dexter's siding.

"Dexter!" he called. "You can come with us if you like."

"You mean, you'd take a nowhere coach like me?" asked Dexter.

"Sure, come on," said Thomas as he was coupled up. "We'll take you up the Ffarquhar branch line."

Thomas, Annie, Clarabel and Dexter were happily coasting up the branch.

"Wow!" gasped Dexter. "I forgot how beautiful this branch line is. You three do a great job keeping it running."

"Well, it's not just us," smiled Thomas. "Say, there's a station that was built on the branch line several years back at Maithwaite. We can't wait to show you!" Sure enough, Maithwaite station came into view.

"Did the Pack build this?" asked Dexter as the train came to a stop.

"They sure did," said Annie. "They've had a few new members. One of the youngest is called Jack, they've had a few lorries join up…"

"Oh, and Miss Jenny's in charge now," added Clarabel.

"Miss Jenny?" gasped Dexter. "Mr. Packard did say he'd be retiring, last I checked."

"I believe the Pack are helping to expand the Ulfstead Castle Railway Museum," said Thomas. "We can say hello when we drop off passengers there later." As he set off again, the group heard the sound of sirens blaring.

"Oh no!" cried Annie. "That's not an ambulance, is it?"

"I'm afraid it is, Annie," gasped Clarabel. "Oh dear… I do hope that it's not as serious as it looks."

Thomas sighed, remembering hearing about Alice's friend Amy going to hospital. "Buffers crossed that it's something minor…"

Dexter looked on, deep in thought. "People need doctors to feel better, just as we need workmen to make us feel better…" he said quietly. "I know it took me ages to feel better at Crovan's Gate Works…"

Up at Ulfstead Castle, the Pack were already setting up.

"Okay, everyone!" called Miss Jenny. "Be mindful of tourists coming in and out, and stay inside the construction zone. And remember…"

"Safety first!" they called back.

"We'll make sure that the Earl's new acquisitions have a roof above their funnels," added Brenda. She was, of course, referring to Heather the Robinson Atlantic and Edward's sister Fiona, both former engines of the Anti-Diesel Electric League Revolution.

"I can't believe that they've been bullied into working for Addison and her hateful crusade!" remarked Patrick as they set off for work.

"You're telling me," agreed Buster. "Poor things didn't have anywhere else to go."

"I guess that some people just want to see the world burn," sighed Kelly.

While the Pack were getting to work on the museum expansion, Toby, Henrietta and Hannah came trundling up the hill. Unfortunately, there was an uneven bit of rail, causing the trio to shake.

"Whoa!" cried Toby. "Girls, are you alright?"

"I think so, honey," said Henrietta. "Except… there's a bit of a mess inside." And there was. Several of the workmen's tools lay scattered all over Henrietta and Hannah's floors.

"Someone could trip," exclaimed Hannah. "That's never a good thing!"

"Wow, you're talking sense for once," remarked Henrietta.

"Even still," said Toby, "it's not very practical for the tools to be in the two of you. We need a van to carry them in!"

"I don't know where you'll find one," shrugged Alfie, "but we'll keep our eyes open."

Thomas and Toby weren't the only ones with difficulties. Over on the Brendam branch line, Edward and Philip were trying to find some coaches.

"Hmm…" Philip shrugged. "I'm sure I left some in this siding…"

"Maybe BoCo took them out," suggested Edward.

"Oh yes, that would explain it!" remarked Philip. "He's got an afternoon passenger train to take, so they must've been the only coaches he could find! Er, say, Edward," he asked, "why don't you have your own coaches like Thomas or Duck do?"

"Well… not every engine has their own coaches, Philip," said Edward. "Some, like Thomas, Duck, Oliver, Lauren, Emily and Toby, are just very lucky."

"Most branch line engines who take passenger trains do have their own coaches," Philip pointed out. "You've taken lots of them in the past."

"I do admit," Edward sighed, "I was tempted to have Annie and Clarabel before they chose Thomas. They were my first real friends… And finding coaches like that is very tricky."

"Have you tried finding others?" asked Philip.

"A few times," said Edward. "But I've never found any sentient coaches that stick. Same old story; I don't have any." The old engine straightened up. "Still, if I don't find any coaches soon, the train will be canceled. We can't have that." And with that, he headed off to the main yards to find some other coaches. Philip, meanwhile, was left in thought.

Edward deserves his own rake of coaches, he thought. Hmm… maybe I can find some! But where…?

The diesel boxcab had no idea that the solution would come quicker than he expected. He had to take some trucks to the vicarage orchard to pick up some produce.

"Good day to you, Philip," called Trevor. "You look concerned." Philip quickly summarized what Edward said. "Oh my… dear old Edward. He really doesn't like rocking the boat."

"But he's not on the sea!" cried Philip.

"It's a figure of speech," chuckled Trevor. "It means that he doesn't like to cause trouble."

"Ohhh, I understand," said Philip. "Still… I do want to help him. You haven't seen any coaches around here, have you?"

"Once, my owner, Reverend Laxey, had a saloon coach from the Mid Sodor Railway as a tool shed," said Trevor, before chuckling a little. "But you'd be pretty hard pressed to find a coach that's not on the rails, young one."

"Doesn't mean it can't happen though," remarked a female voice. Trevor and Philip glanced over to see Nicola, the daughter of Rosie's driver, and her horse, Champ.

"Oh, hi there, Nicola!" called Philip. "You too, Champ. What are you doing out here today?"

"Just going on a ride," said Nicola. "Reverend Laxey says there's lots of area that'd be great for cross country riding. Right, boy?" Champ let out a whinny of agreement.

"You two be careful," called Trevor. "The vicar tells me it can be dangerous out there."

"Don't worry," smiled Nicola. "We will. Giddyup, Champ!" Champ went into a steady canter and he and Nicola were gone.

Nicola and Champ were having a wonderful time. The two of them carefully treaded up hills and timed their jumps over various logs and tree branches.

"Okay, into the water, boy," smiled Nicola. As Champ slowed down to a trot, his ears pricked up.

"What is it, Champ?" The chestnut horse pointed his nose toward a hill. "Hmm… let's see what's going on over there." Maybe he's found some apples, Nicola thought jokingly. Champ once again broke into a canter, and as he got closer to the hill, Nicola heard something too.

"You never know, girls!" a voice said excitedly. "Someone could very well find us here."

"Belinda, we've been here for years…" sighed a second voice.

"Let's face facts," said a third. "We're never going to get pulled by another engine again."

"It's a shame, really…" sighed a fourth.

"What in the world?!" Nicola pulled Champ to a halt, right between the four 'voices'. "Goodness gracious!"

"Did you hear that?" said the first voice. "It was a voice from outside!"

"Yes," said Nicola; she gasped quietly. "Why… do my eyes deceive me, or… are you a coach?"

"These three are; I'm just an ordinary luggage van," said the fourth 'voice'.

"How did you end up here?" asked Nicola.

"Well," said the second coach, "my sister Helena and I used to belong to a nice tank engine called Albert."

"And," added Helena, "because of a man named Albert Regaby, Victoria and I were being forced into withdrawal. It was thanks to our engine's kindness that we were stored away."

"It's a similar story with us," said Belinda. "Elsie and I used to work for an old tramway on Sodor that went up to Vicarstown. But… while Elsie and I were put here, I don't know if our fellow engines were so lucky."

"How long have you four been here?" asked Nicola.

"Too long to count," said Victoria. "And I think we'll be here for much longer… My roof is like a sieve, and full of holes."

However, Nicola and Champ didn't share Victoria's doubts. With a smile on her face, Nicola urged Champ back to the railway as fast as he could.

Later on, Sir Topham Hatt had called Thomas, Toby and Edward to meet up at Crovan's Gate Works.

"Sir," asked Thomas, "is everything alright?"

"See for yourself, Thomas," Sir Topham Hatt beamed. "You too, Edward and Toby." The three engines looked, and there, standing in a line and awaiting restoration, were Belinda, Victoria, Helena and Elsie.

"My goodness!" gasped Edward. "Victoria, Helena? Is that you?"

"You know them?" asked Toby.

"They belonged to Albert," said Edward.

"It's so good to see you, old friend," smiled Victoria. "We'd never thought we'd see you again."

"Is Albert alright?" asked Helena.

"He's on a heritage line," said Edward. "He'd be pleased to know you two are safe."

"Do you know these other two, Edward?" asked Thomas.

"Er… no," Edward admitted. "Although, I will say that the third coach… Er, sorry, I didn't catch your name."

"Belinda."

"…Belinda looks rather similar to Annie and Clarabel."

"Yes, she sure does," said Thomas. "Hmm… Belinda, would you like to help Annie, Clarabel and I on the Ffarquhar branch line?"

"Oh, would I?" grinned Belinda. "Yes, yes, yes! I would love to… er…"

"Thomas."

"Great!" she smiled. "I can't wait to join you and your friends! Oh, this will be amazing!"

"I suppose that leaves me with… er…"

"Elsie," replied the luggage van.

"Elsie," smiled Toby. "You'll be with me, Henrietta and Hannah."

"That's settled then," announced Sir Topham Hatt. "Once you are all restored to working order, you shall join these three for their respective duties. In addition to this, Victoria and Helena, we shall also be constructing five new coaches of your design. Three of them shall be joining Albert on the Rolling Hills Railway, and the other two will work with you and Edward."

"M-me, sir?" gasped Edward. "I-I…"

"Philip was trying to find some coaches for you because you expressed interest in owning some," Sir Topham Hatt explained. "Why didn't you say anything before?"

"Well… Annie and Clarabel chose Thomas, so…" Edward sighed. "I'm happy for them, of course, but I kind of lost hope of getting my own coaches after a while."

"Well, now you've got some to call your own too," smiled Thomas. "Congratulations, Edward! It's high time, I say."

"Yes, Edward," agreed Toby. "You definitely deserve it."

The old blue engine gave a warm smile. "Thank you, everyone…"

While the construction and restoration of the coaches was underway, the trio returned to their respective branch lines.

"Thanks for looking after the girls, Nia," smiled Thomas. "You'll never guess what Sir Topham Hatt had to show Toby, Edward and I!"

"Hmm… it wouldn't happen to be a new fish tank at the works, would it?" joked the orange tank engine.

"What… no!" gasped Thomas. Rolling his eyes, the blue tank engine proceeded to explain what had gone down. "…and so, I've asked Belinda to join us!"

"You… you have?"

"Oh!" cried Thomas. "Oh, Dexter… I'm so sorry! I nearly forgot you were back there."

"No, it's okay," said Dexter. "Clarabel's your brake coach, and you won't really need two…"

"Now, now, Dexter," insisted Clarabel, "we can make this work."

"You are a good coach, Dexter," added Annie. "We wouldn't want to leave you out."

"Besides," smiled Dexter, "I have an idea for myself!"

"Oh?" Thomas, Nia, Annie and Clarabel blinked in surprise.

"I would like to help out with the Sodor Search and Rescue Centre!" he explained.

"Really?" asked Nia. "What made you come up with that idea?"

"Well… a lot of people need help to feel better," said Dexter, "and I've spent a lot of time at Crovan's Gate Works. It's like a hospital for engines, coaches and trucks, right?"

"Dexter, I think that's perfect!" said Nia.

As soon as Belinda and Elsie were ready, Dexter had received some conversions to make him an official rescue coach. He now sported white paint with a red medical symbol and the initials of the Sodor Search and Rescue Center on his sides. Belle was assigned to pull him alongside Rocky.

"You're going to do great, Dexter," smiled Belle. "We're glad to have you as a part of the team."

"Thank you, Belle," he replied. The six rescue dogs all bounded over to Dexter and tried to "shake paws". "Sorry, fellas," he chuckled. "I can't do that. But it's nice to meet you all."

"Arf! Arf!"

Just then, the alarm sounded, and the dogs quickly got into position.

"A girl's fallen off her horse near Hackenbeck!"

"That might be Nicola!" cried Belle; all medical personnel and the dogs boarded Dexter. "Come on, Dexter!"

"Right behind you, Belle!" called Dexter.

At Hackenbeck station, Thomas, Toby and their coaches had seen the incident. Poor Nicola was beside herself as she hugged Champ.

"Poor Ella…" she cried. "Oh… there has to be something more we can do, Champ!" Ella's own horse, Petal, had her nose near her owner, gently nudging her.

"Oh dear," gasped Belinda. "I feel so helpless, everyone! Why did we all have to be full today, of all days?!"

"Tool vans are not very ideal for carrying people, I'm afraid," muttered Elsie. Before any more could be said, the clanging of a bell could be heard, shortly followed by a few whistle blasts.

"Here comes Belle!" called Thomas. "And she's brought Dexter with her!"

Once they had come to a stop, the nurses quickly ushered Ella inside the coach. The rescue dogs all carefully sniffed Ella over.

"Mmm… what happened? Where am I?" she moaned.

"You took a rather nasty fall that knocked you out cold," one of the nurses explained. "Don't worry; we'll all check you over."

"Thank you…" Ella said weakly.

"Looks like you're doing great, Dexter," said Annie.

"Thanks, Annie," he replied. "It feels good to be useful again."

"It sure does," said Belinda. She grinned when she saw the dogs pop their heads out of the windows. "Oh my goodness, you work with dogs?! They are so cute!"

"Too much fur for my liking," huffed Elsie. "You're welcome to them."

Dexter chuckled. "Looks like you two are settling in well. I wonder how Victoria and Helena are…"

Indeed, it wasn't long before Victoria and Helena had been restored to working order. As well as that, they were to be aided by two newly built coaches named Alfred and Leopold; the other three coaches – Christian, Maria and Louise – were to go to the Rolling Hills Railway. All seven coaches were painted in Furness Railway blue and white.

"Welcome to Sodor, Alfred and Leopold," said Edward. "And Victoria and Helena, welcome back home."

"It's good to be back in service again," smiled Victoria.

"And don't worry, you two," said Maria. "We'll look after Albert."

"Thank you, you three," replied Helena. "Okay, Edward; away we go."

With an affirmative blow of his whistle, Edward pulled his new coaches out of Crovan's Gate Works and all the way to Wellsworth, the old blue engine talking amiably about his friends to his new coaches.

Many people looked on in amazement as Edward pulled Victoria, Helena, Alfred and Leopold along the main line.

"Oh my goodness!" called one. "Edward may have found the coaches he was looking for!"

"He must have," said another. "They're from the Furness Railway, just like him!"

Soon, the quintet reached Wellsworth, where BoCo was waiting.

"Great Railway Above, Edward!" gasped BoCo. "You and your new coaches look very smart together."

"Thank you, dear," smiled Edward. "Meet Victoria, Helena, Leopold and Alfred."

"Ah," said Leopold, "so this is the 'BoCo' you spoke so fondly of. Nice to meet you."

"So you finally were honest about yourself, Edward," said Victoria.

"Wait, what…" gasped Edward.

"Helena and I knew it all the time," chuckled Victoria. "And we're happy for you and BoCo."

"Oh, you two are good," said Edward.

"What are you talking about?" asked Alfred.

"Oh," said Helena, "let's just say some engines and rolling stock are some real stick-in-the-muds. They just think romance should be between a male and female and that's it."

"That's just silly!" cried Leopold.

"Yeah," added Alfred. "So what if two males or two females are in love? If it's healthy, it doesn't matter."

"Well," said BoCo, "looks like these two are fast learners. They are most welcome on our branch line."

"Thank you, BoCo!" the young coaches smiled.

On the Rolling Hills Railway, Albert received his surprise, courtesy of Christopher.

"Maria, Christian and Louise," the red tank engine said warmly, "welcome to your new home."

"Oh, wow," gasped Louise. "This is beautiful!"

Albert gently buffered up to his new coaches and started to take them down the line. Many wild flowers grew along the hillside, and people were having picnics.

"I think we're all going to like it here," said Christian. "As will our siblings back on Sodor."

"Wait, what?"

"Our two older sisters, Victoria and Helena, have been restored to working order," smiled Maria. "They're working with an engine called Edward, as are our other siblings, Leopold and Alfred."

"By Stewart's name!" cried Albert. "Victoria and Helena are safe at last. And Edward has them? That couldn't be more perfect!"

All ten coaches, both old and new, are as happy as can be. Belinda loves working with Thomas, Annie and Clarabel, and is now coupled between her two sisters. Because of their names, some have joked that their train should be called "Thomas' ABC". Belinda's high energy was something that Annie and Clarabel did have to get used to, but they understood why she was this way; isolation left her thirsty for discussion.

Elsie, meanwhile, usually kept to herself. Hannah does get on her nerves sometimes, but she was happy to have Toby and Henrietta's patience to keep her in check.

Not only were Victoria and Helena happy to be reunited with Edward, but they're also proud to be older sisters to Alfred and Leopold. Albert's new coaches were eagerly learning history from him, and they thrived on their heritage tours.

And as for Dexter, he's glad to have finally found himself a new position on Sodor, serving as the rescue center's coach and working with Belle and Rocky for emergencies. He loves watching the rescue dogs play when they were off duty, and sometimes wishes he could cuddle with them.

I think we can be sure, can't we, that all ten will be useful for many years to come.

THE END

Author's Comments

It's been a few months since the last update to The International Railway Series, but finally, here's a new story for season two, and the only original in it since the next ten stories will all be rewrites, mostly from Series 23 and 24. I knew I wanted to write up a follow-up to School of Duck to show what becomes of Dexter afterward, but it was an idea that got held off for a while. I also had ideas of giving Thomas a third coach, bringing Elsie the luggage van into the Ffarquhar fleet and having Victoria and Helena join Edward on the Brendam branch line. So yeah, this story is basically a bunch of individual ideas tied together to make one story out of them, and hopefully it came out well. This could basically be considered a story of two parts - the first being The Coaches of Ffarquhar, and the second being Edward's Vintage Train, the latter of which loosely adapts elements from the first and fourth stories out of Thomas and Victoria. I mean, Edward is a Furness engine, so surely Victoria would be able to work with him instead of Toby and Henrietta? Unlike the Ffarquhar and Arlesburgh branch lines, the coaches on the Brendam branch don't get much detail. Timeline wise, this story takes place during James and the Engines of India, delving into what went on during the red engine's overseas trip.

Next time, we make a brief return to India in One Little Slip-Up!