Toby and Henrrietia enjoyed their new life on Sir Topham Hatt's railway. They were old and needed new paint, but it didn't bother them too much as they worked hard on Thomas' Branchline. While Thomas enjoyed Toby's company, the big engines found that the tram engine's speed didn't surpass their expectations. One morning, Toby arrived at the junction to find Henry impatiently waiting for him.
"This is ridiculous! How am I supposed to keep to time, when you keep dawdling along?!"
"If you looked at the clock, you'll find that I'm right on time," replied Toby. "Besides, speed isn't everything you know. I prefer going slow, as it gives you a lot of time to look around your surroundings."
"Rubbish!" hissed Henry, "Our passengers expect a fast, quick, and smooth ride from us. They don't want to be kept at a snail's pace. You don't know what it's like to live in the fast lane."
Toby just chuckled and said no more, as Henry steamed crossly away. The next day, Sir Topham Hatt came to see Toby.
"Some special guests have arrived at the island, I need you to collect them from Welsworth and take them to Knapford for a very important meeting."
"I would love to, sir," replied Toby.
"Excellent!" said Sir Hatt, "Be quick now, it's rather urgent."
With that, Toby collected Henrettia and set off towards Welsworth. When he arrived, he saw Edward there with a passenger train.
"Toby? What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Sir Topham Hatt told me to take some special guests to a meeting at Knapford," replied Toby.
"Well, that's pretty important, but aren't you going to run late?"
Toby just smirked, as his driver pulled a strange object out from somewhere within his cab.
"Oh, I'm not going to be late. I'm just going to be early."
Edward saw the object and couldn't help but laugh.
"I see, well, best show the big engines to never judge a book by its cover."
Toby laughed as well as he turned around and filled up with water.
"I can't believe it!" complained Henry. "Me, a mainline engine, being shunted! The absolute audacity of it!"
"Settle down, Henry." called the driver. "A special had been called, all trains have been halted until it passes."
Henry was about to retort when he heard a whistle in the distance.
"That's strange, I haven't heard that whistle before."
Suddenly, with a cloud of steam and a clang of a bell, Toby rushed past Henry at a tremendous speed. Henry watched on in shock as the tram engine went out of sight as fast as he had arrived.
"Well, would you look at that!" marveled Henry's driver. "I haven't seen a sight quite like that before, have you, old boy?"
Henry didn't say anything as his signal dropped, he was left speechless. When Henry arrived at Knapford, Toby was already there waiting for him.
"You took your time," said Toby, innocently. "How am I supposed to stay on time, when you keep dawdling along?"
Henry looked down at his buffers.
"I suppose…" continued Toby, "You don't know what it's like on the fast lane, do you?"
At last, Henry spoke up.
"I'm sorry I was so rude to you, but I don't understand. How did you manage to go so fast?"
"Oh, I didn't have speed restrictors on me," explained Toby, "they are for when I go alongside the road. It inhibits my speed, when I have it on, so I can safely travel through any towns on the branch line. I never take it off unless it's necessary."
"That is very clever." admitted Henry, "I guess going slow does have its perks after all."
"Indeed." Agreed Toby.
Henry and Toby are now firm friends and would meet at the junction constantly. Henry would tell Toby of the news and Toby would give some helpful tips to him. Gordon managed to warm up to Toby once he heard of the incident and now respects him very much. As for James, well, I shan't say anymore or I'll spoil the next story.