I do not own Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. They are strictly the property of both the Awdry Family and Britt Allcroft, this story is purely for entertainment and never profit.
Episode 45: The Missing Coach, Original Planned Airdate: November 12th, 1986
It was a cool evening on the Island of Sodor. In the Billinton house, Thomas was putting Lucy to bed after she had had her dinner and he had given her a bath. He then gently lay her down in her crib and pulled the blanket over her.
"There you go Lucy" said Thomas, "ready to hear one of daddy's stories?".
"Story daddy" said Lucy excitedly.
Thomas smiled at his daughter as he pulled up his chair right next to her crib. As he sat down, he wondered what story he was going to tell her tonight. He then remembered the ordeal with his special coach earlier today and right away he knew which story to tell.
"How about I tell you of the time Uncle Douglas misplaced daddy's special coach?" he asked.
"Yes please" said Lucy excitedly.
Thomas smiled at his daughter's excitement and rightfully so, he also knew that this story also involved her birth.
"Right then" said Thomas as he began his story, "it began when the North Western Railway had a lot more work than it usually had".
(Story Begins)
Life was becoming more and more busy on the North Western Railway, more and more people travelled on Sir Topham Hatt's railway. More and more ships came to the harbours, everyone had to work very hard indeed. Henry, Gordon and James were off their legs, no sooner had they arrived at the station with the first lot of passengers, they then had to set out with a fresh batch.
One evening after work, Henry, Gordon and James were at the Tidmouth bunkhouse kitchen whilst waiting for their dinner of Domino's Pizza to arrive whilst also discussing how busy things had gotten for them on the North Western Railway.
"You know I like hard work like the next hardworking person" said Henry, "but I'm afraid that this is getting too much for us".
"We draw the line at goods train" finished Gordon.
"Oh not this again Gordon" groaned Henry, "if you are required to pull goods trains. Then do it and not complain".
"Dirty trucks, dirty sidings" put in James, "ugh".
"Honestly James" grumbled Henry, "am I the only one here who would pull trucks without any fuss whatsoever?".
"Quite right Henry" came a well-known voice.
Henry, Gordon and James turned to see that Sir Topham Hatt had entered the bunkhouse kitchen, they stood up to address him.
"Sir" stammered Gordon, "we didn't hear you come in".
"That's quite all right Gordon" said Sir Topham Hatt.
"Is there any reason you are here Sir?" asked Henry.
"There is Henry" replied Sir Topham Hatt, "I know that the workload on the North Western Railway has spiked recently and that you've all been working hard and for that I'm very proud of all you".
"Thanks Sir" replied James.
"You're very welcome, James" said Topham Hatt, "but it's become very clear that we need another engine. Which is why a goods engine and its driver will be arriving from Scotland tomorrow".
Henry, Gordon and James received this news with acclaim, looks like things were going to get a little bit easier for them. But what no one knew was that they were in for a surprise, it came the next day. Sir Topham Hatt was in his office at Tidmouth station when the inspector came in with some news, when he told Sir Topham Hatt, he was taken aback.
"Did you say two engines inspector?" asked Sir Topham Hatt.
"Yes Sir" replied the inspector.
"Well then send the other back at once" ordered Sir Topham Hatt.
"Yes Sir but which one?" asked the inspector.
"What do you mean?" asked Sir Topham Hatt in confusion.
"Well both engines and their drivers are exactly alike" said the inspector, "in fact the drivers are twins, and their engines have no numbers. They the drivers said that their engines lost them on the way here".
"Well then" said Sir Topham Hatt as he stood up and grabbed his top hat, "we'll soon settle this nonsense".
Sir Topham Hatt then left his office and followed the inspector out to the yard. Waiting near the sheds were a pair of black Caledonian Railway McIntosh 812 Class tender engines, also standing right next to the engines were their drivers. They were a pair of identical twins, both in their mid-twenties with red hair, brown eyes for one and blue eyes for the other. They both wore a black driving jackets, kilts and a sporran each.
"Gud morn' Sirr" greeted the one on the left politely in a thick Scottish accent.
"Good morning to you to" greeted Sir Topham Hatt in return, "I've heard that your engines lost their numbers. How did that happen?".
"We dun know Sirr" replied the twin on the right who had a deeper voice, "they maun hae slyly slippit aff Sirr. Ye ken hoo it is".
"Really" said Sir Topham Hatt suspiciously, "may I ask what are your names?".
"Um Donald McIntosh" said the twin on the left.
"Und um Douglas McIntosh" replied the twin on the right.
"Nice to meet you Donald and Douglas McInotsh" said Sir Topham Hatt, "maybe your controller could tell me which one of you is which".
"He disna ken" replied Donald, "hoo cud he".
Sir Topham Hatt then pondered for a moment. This situation was clearly going to need some looking into and so he decided to keep both drivers until he sorted this whole mess out.
"One of you" he then said, "is playing truant. I shall find out who he is and send him back home, is that understood?".
"Yes Sirr" replied Donald and Douglas.
"Good" replied Sir Topham Hatt before he turned to the inspector, "inspector".
"Yes Sir?" asked the inspector.
"Give Donald and Douglas' engines some numbers and set them to work at once".
"Right away Sir" said the inspector.
Sir Topham Hatt then turned and walked back to his office. Meanwhile, some workmen came to give Donald and Douglas' engines their numbers. Donald's got 9 and Douglas' got 10. Afterwards the workmen then left, leaving Donald and Douglas alone with their engines.
"Ye may hae noticed Douggie" said Donald, "that you penters forgot somethin'".
"What did they forget?" asked Douglas.
"They pented braw new nummers on oor tenders but nae nane on um" Donald smiled broadly at his twin.
"Ye mean?" grinned Douglas, "that can?".
"Juist that" chuckled Donald, "haud yer wheesht. Here's the inspector".
The inspector then came up to them, they saw that there was another engine driver with him. This of course was Duck, but of course being new arrivals, Donald and Douglas didn't know that".
"Now Donald and Douglas" said the inspector, "this here is Duck".
Duck then shook Donald and Douglas' hands politely at greeting them.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Donald and Douglas" said Duck politely.
"Same to you" replied Donald and Douglas.
"Duck here will show you around before you start work" said the inspector.
The inspector then left Duck and the Scottish twins alone, they then hopped into their respective engines and went off happily together. Before long Duck had shown them what to do with the truck and coaches, which the twins had managed like clockwork.
"Those two Scottish drivers really know their stuff" marvelled Lady one day.
She was watching Donald and Douglas shunting trucks and pulling coaches in the yard at Tidmouth whilst she and Thomas, who had been given the day off by Sir Topham Hatt, were getting lunch together at the station café.
"I agree with you Lady" replied Thomas, "its almost like they were born with the knowledge.
Lady smiled at Thomas who smiled at her in return. Thomas then put his hand on her belly, Lady was now 9 months pregnant and nearing the end of her term. Both she and Thomas knew that her delivery date would be any day now.
"I sure can't wait to hold our little boy or girl in my arms," said Thomas.
"Same here" replied Lady, "I'm also looking forward to our lives together".
Thomas and Lady then looked into each other's eyes, pure love showing itself to each other.
"I love you so much Lady Stone," said Thomas.
"And I love you to Thomas Billinton" replied Lady.
It wasn't just Thomas, Lady and Duck who were won over by Donald and Douglas' work ethic. Edward, Henry, Percy and Toby had also been won over. As for Gordon and James, well let's just say they voiced their opinion one evening.
Donald and Douglas were both backing their CR McIntosh 812 Classes into the berths at Tidmouth sheds, all the while giving their engines deep toned whistles a final blare for the night. Gordon and James who were both tending to their engines at the time both gave mischievous sniggers.
"Would you listen to that James" said Gordon, "those engines sound like buses".
"Really?" asked James naughtily, "because I think that ships would be more accurate".
"Tugboat Annie" laughed Gordon.
Unbeknownst to either of them, Donald and Douglas had heard everything, and they weren't impressed. Deciding to confront them, Donald and Douglas quietly snuck up behind the two unsuspecting engine drivers.
"Yer wadnae be makin' fun o' uz" asked Douglas in a calm and dangerous voice, "would yer noo?".
Gordon and James both jumped up in surprise at the Scottish twins' sudden appearance.
"No of course not" said Gordon quickly.
"We wouldn't dream of it" added James nervously.
"That's fine" replied Donald, "noo juist the baith of ye and keep it that way".
Gordon and James both nodded their heads quickly as Donald and Douglas left the berths and headed for the bunkhouse. Once they two Scottish twins had gone Gordon and James both looked at each other.
"Make note" said Gordon, "never bad a Scottish engine drivers' engine again".
"Dully noted" replied Jame.
Donald and Douglas meanwhile met with Edward, Henry and Duck in the bunkhouse's kitchen. The three North Western engine drivers greeted the Scottish twin drivers warmly and soon the five of them were having a conversation.
"Honestly" said Henry after Donald and Douglas told them about Gordon and James, "why can't Gordon and James got through a day without bullying anyone?".
"I wouldn't call them bullies Henry" replied Edward, "I believe that Gordon and James just have a funny way of expressing themselves".
"I suppose you're right Edward" said Henry before he turned to Donald and Douglas, "what about you two. What was your old railway like?".
"Twas crakin'" said Donald, "althoogh thare wisnae muckle wirk".
"Really" replied Duck, "that's a shame. Its good to be kept busy. Is that way you two came here?".
"Twas" said Douglas, "althoogh me 'n' Donald baith wanted tae mak' a fresh stairt efter oor cousin Hamish murdurred his-sel".
Edward, Henry and Duck both gave Donald and Douglas looks of shock and horror. Their cousin killed himself, what could have possibly driven him to do such a thing.
"If you don't mind me asking you two" asked Henry gently, "why did your cousin do it?".
"Twas fur o' his jab" replied Donald.
"His job?" asked Duck.
"That's right" said Douglas, "Ye see Hamish worked in directory enquiries. Bit fur some reason, he wis th' target o' mony peoples prank calls".
"Ah yes prank calls" said Henry, "my dad used to get a lot of them at his job".
"Same wi' Hamish" replied Donald, "bit unfortunately directory enquiries kin a gey stressful jab".
"That's richt" said Douglas, "unfortunately that 'n' a combination o' prank phane calls finally pushed poor Hamish ower th' lip. Yin day he git th' prank ca' that caused him tae snap 'n' he ended up grabbing a gun 'n' blawin his ain brains oot".
Edward, Henry and Duck were deeply saddened for Donald and Douglas' loss. It was obvious that they were very close with their cousin and that they were still pained by his loss.
"We're so sorry for your loss you two" said Edward sympathetically, "but at least you still have your memories of all the good things you three had".
"Ta" said Donald at Edward's kind words, "that pure means a lot tae us".
"May I ask what will you do to the prank caller who caused Hamish to snap?" asked Henry curiously.
"Och ah will tell ye whit we'll dae" said Douglas, "me 'n' Donald wull cut tae bastards pumpin' baws aff. We'll then fry thaim 'n' serve thaim tae they pricks in a burger wi' French fries, a coke hee-haw 'n' a battered mars boozer".
Unbeknownst to them, Bill and Ben had arrived at the Tidmouth bunkhouse to return a couple of films that Edward had let them borrow. When they heard that Donald and Douglas were the cousins of the man that they had unknowingly driven to suicide and of what they fully intended to do them if they found it was them, looking at each other, Bill and Ben quickly decided to sneak away unnoticed.
Everyday at punctually 3:30, Gordon steams in with the express. It is called the Wild Nor' Wester and is full of people from England, Wales and Scotland. There is also a special coach for passengers travelling to places on Thomas' Branch Line.
When the other coaches are taken away empty, the other drivers have to remember to shunt the special coach into the bay platform. It doesn't wait there long, Thomas, with Annie and Clarabel's coaches, comes hurrying from the junction to fetch it. Thomas is very proud of his special coach.
But one day things were going to take a very different turn. One afternoon, Lady was sitting in the coach with Tanya when she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her stomach.
"Oh" she said in pain.
"Lady are you alright?" asked Tanya in concern.
"I'm fine Tanya" Lady tried to assure Thomas' mother.
"You sure?" asked Tanya, "because if you feel the baby's coming ".
"The baby isn't coming Tanya" Lady assured her, "really I'm fine".
"Okay" said Tanya not who was still not fully convinced.
At the same time Douglas was helping Duck in the yard while Donald waited to take a goods train to the other end of the line. As Duck was busy arranging Donald's trucks, Douglas offered to take away Gordon's coaches, an offer Duck gladly accepted.
Douglas was enjoying himself when an awful thought truck him in the head.
"I hope Sir Topham Hatt disna find oot I shudda be here" he said to himself.
The truth was that it was only Donald had been hired by Sir Topham Hatt and not Douglas as well. The reason Douglas came along with him was because the twins couldn't bare to be apart from each other. But another reason was that their controller was planning to scrap Douglas' engine. The reason was because their controller was a horrid and greedy man who cared only about money, he believed that steam engines were far to expensive to keep running and that they were worth more as scrap.
"I cudna abide gooin' back" he said to himself.
Douglas was so worried over this that he forgot to shunt Thomas' special coach into the bay platform. Instead, he shunted into a siding with the rest of the coaches. About 5 minutes later, Thomas passed Douglas whistled to him whilst waving cheerfully, Douglas noticed him and waved back. But another 5 minutes later, Thomas came over to him with Howard, Annie and Clarabel looking frantic.
"Where's my special coach?" he asked frantically.
"Cooch?" asked Donald who had just arrived, "what cooch?".
"My special coach that Gordon brings for me" said Thomas worriedly, "its gone and my pregnant girlfriend and mother is on it".
"Pregnant girlfriend and mother?" asked Douglas.
"Yes" cried Thomas, "it's gone and they're on it. I must go find them at once".
"Don't worry son" Howard tried to assure his panicked son, "I'll find them".
Thomas, Howard, Annie and Clarabel then hurried as a thought suddenly hit Douglas.
"Losh sakes" said Douglas in realization, "I maun hae stowed the special cooch wi the ithers".
"Noo listen" said Donald, "we'll chainge our engines tenders. Then I'll go awa' wi me guids".
"Ye sure Donald?" asked Douglas.
"Dinna flash aboot me Douglas" said Donald, "quick noo! Dae as I say".
Whilst Donald and Douglas exchanged their engines tenders. Meanwhile over the coach siding, things in Thomas' Special Coach were getting tense.
"Why did that fucking engine driver put us in a siding?" demanded an angry passenger.
"This is a bad railway" grumbled another.
"We should tell Sir Topham Hatt about this," said another.
As the passengers began to disembark so that they could complain to Sir Topham Hatt, Tanya noticed that Lady had a look of pain on her face.
"Lady what is it?" Tanya asked in concern.
"Don't worry Tanya its nothing" Lady tried to assure her, but Tanya wasn't buying it.
"No you're not Lady" said Tanya sternly, "something is wrong. Please tell me what it is?".
But before Lady could say anything, she let out a cry of pain. Then much to Tanya's shock, water began to trickle down Lady's legs, this meant only one thing.
"Oh my God" said Tanya in shock, "Lady your waters broke".
"But it can have" said Lady in pain, "I'm not due for another week".
"Well it looks like the baby's decided that its time" said Tanya.
A few passengers who were still onboard helped Tanya to gently carry Lady out of the Special Coach. Meanwhile on the platform, a group of angry passengers surrounded by angry passengers from the coach. As Sir Topham Hatt tried to calm them down, Thomas came back into the station looking frantic.
"Thomas" asked Sir Topham Hatt as he broke away from the passengers, "what's the matter?".
"Its my special coach" said Thomas, "its still missing and Lady and mom are onboard it".
"They are?" asked Sir Topham Hatt.
"Yes" replied Howard, "and poor Thomas has been going out of his mind".
Just then Howard's phone began to ring, he pulled it out of his pocket and look at the contact, much to his relief, he saw that it was Tanya.
"Thomas its your mother" he informed his son.
"Well answer it dad" said Thomas, "find out where she and Lady are".
"Tanya" said Howard in relief, "where are you and Lady. Thomas has been going out of his mind looking for the pair of you".
As Tanya explained over the phone where she and Lady were, she said something that made Howard's eyes widen.
"Are you serious?" asked Howard as Tanya continued, "alright we'll be over to you two immediately".
"Where are they dad?" asked Thomas as Howard hung.
"They're over in the coach siding son" explained Howard.
"What?" asked Thomas, "why are they in the coach siding?".
"Because that's were the special coach was shunted into by mistake buts that not the main issue" said Howard.
"Why what's the main issue dad?" asked Thomas in concern.
"Son" Howard began to explain gently to Thomas, "Lady's waters just broke. She's gone into labour".
Upon hearing that, Thomas immediately bolted for the coach siding. Both Howard and Sir Topham Hatt tried to warn him to be careful, but Thomas was in too much of a rush to listen. Howard then apologised to Sir Topham Hatt before racing after Thomas, as Howard rushed after Thomas, Sir Topham Hatt looked towards the yards and thought he saw Douglas racing off, but in truth was Donald.
"I wonder" he said to himself.
As Douglas prepared to connect Donald's engines tender to his engine, he noticed Sir Topham Hatt and the passengers coming towards him. He stopped what he was doing and waited for them with an innocent expression on his face.
"Ah Donald" Sir Topham Hatt said, "and my I ask why haven't you taken the goods?".
"My engines tender is awa' Sirr" said Douglas as he showed him the tender still uncoupled.
"I see" said Sir Topham Hatt as he looked over, "some defect no doubt. But tell me, why did your brother Douglas leave so quickly?".
"Mebbe Sirr" put in Douglas, "he saw ye comin' an' thocht he was late".
"Hm" said Sir Topham Hatt as he turned to the passengers, "here ladies and gentlemen are the facts. Your coach is misplaced. We investigate. Douglas McIntosh disappears. You can draw your conclusions, please accept my apologies. This matter I assure you will be investigated, good afternoon ladies and gentlemen".
Feeling satisfied with Sir Topham Hatt's answer, the passengers then turned and walked back to the platform so that they could get the next train. As they departed Douglas gave a quite sigh of relief, thinking that he was off the hook, but he had unfortunately spoken too soon as Sir Topham Hatt had swung around suddenly.
"Douglas" said Sir Topham Hatt in a calm and dangerous tone of voice, "why are you masquerading with Donald's engines tender?".
(Story Ends)
"And ever since then" said Thomas as he finished his story, "Uncle Douglas has always had the greatest respect for Sir Topham Hatt and promised never to play tricks again".
Thomas looked down and saw that Lucy had fallen fast asleep. Smiling he gently kissed her on the forehead before switching off the light and leaving her bedroom. He then went downstairs so that he could watch some television before going to bed himself.
As he sat down on the couch and switched on the television, he remembered how the day of the special coach turned out. What had started out as a huge disaster had turned into something beautiful.
(Wellsworth Hospital, September 2011)
Thomas paced anxiously back and forth in the waiting room of Wellsworth Hospital. It was now 1 in the morning and Lady was still in the delivery room giving birth to their child. Howard, Annie and Clarabel, Burnett, Edward, Percy, Toby, Henrietta and Sir Topham Hatt were in the waiting room with him. Tanya on the other hand was in the delivery room with Lady.
After reaching Lady earlier that day, Thomas, Howard and Tanya knew that due to her being in labour, Lady couldn't be transported to the hospital by either road or rail. Luckily Sir Topham Hatt, who had come over after speaking severely to Douglas, offered to call for Harold to take them to Wellsworth Hospital.
9 hours had passed since them, Lady was still in the delivery room and no news had come since. This of course was making Thomas extremely worried. Percy had noticed this and stood up to speak to try and calm him down.
"Thomas" Percy said, "mate you need to calm down".
Thomas looked at Percy as if he had gone insane.
"Calm down, calm down" said Thomas, "Percy I can't fucking calm. My girlfriend has been in that delivery room for hours and still I haven't gotten any word. SO DON'T YOU FUCKING DARE TELL ME TO CALM DOWN YOU FUCKING IDIOT".
Percy back down at Thomas' rant feeling rather intimidated. Edward knew that Thomas didn't mean it, he hadn't had word about his girlfriend for hours and it was getting to him. He decided to try and help put his mind to rest, he then turned to Howard.
"Howard I'm going to try and speak to him" he told Thomas' father.
"You sure about that?" Howard asked.
"Yes I'm sure" replied Edward.
Edward then stood up and walked over to Thomas who was still pacing.
"Thomas" he said gently, "I understand what you're going through".
"What I'm going through" said Thomas, "how can you say that Edward. You've never had a pregnant girl before".
"True" replied Edward, "but that's not the point. The point is that I now how you are feeling, but its not going to help Lady in anyway. Do you think that she would want you to worry like this?".
Thomas then stopped pacing and sat down in a chair in the waiting room. He knew that Edward was right, his worrying wasn't going to help Lady any bit at all.
"I'm sorry Edward" said Thomas in a calmer tone of voice, "it's just that I'm worried. It's been hours and I've still heard nothing, what if sometimes happened to her?".
"Like what?" asked Edward.
"What if either she died giving birth to our child?" Thomas said.
"Why?" asked Toby who had come over, "would you blame and hate your child over it?".
"No I would never" replied Thomas, "but I would blame myself though".
"Really and why's that?" asked Edward.
"Because it was me who got her pregnant in the first place" said Thomas, "and it will be because of me that our child will have to grow up motherless".
Thomas began to sob softly into Edward's shoulder. Edward gently gave Thomas a comforting pat on the back.
"Don't think like Thomas" said Edward kindly, "if something like that did happen, surely the doctors would have told us by now. If anything, I say she's alright".
Thomas stopped sobbing as he looked up at Edward.
"You sure?" he asked as he dried his eyes.
"Of course I'm sure" replied Edward with a kind smile, "you know I bet you that any second now, either a doctor or your mother is coming to come in with good news".
As if on cue, Tanya entered the waiting room as everyone looked up at her.
"Thomas sweetie" she began.
"Yes mom" said Thomas as he stood up anxiously.
"There's someone I think that you'll want to meet" said Tanya with a smile.
She then beckoned for Thomas and the others to follow her. She then led Thomas into the delivery ward where he found Lady laying on a bed, tired but happy and there sleeping in her arms was a beautiful baby girl.
Looking at her boyfriend, Lady gave him a smile before beckoning him to come over to her. Thomas swallowed before going over to his girlfriend where she held out their daughter to Thomas who took her in his arms for the very first time.
Their friends and families' reactions varied. Howard and Tanya looked at each other with knowing smiles, remembering it was when their children were born. Burnett thought the same with Lily's birth. Percy began to shed happy tears, whilst Toby and Henrietta watched on with happy expressions. Edward and Sir Topham Hatt both looked at the new parents with looks of proud and happiness.
What none of them realized that out the hospital window, a pair of ghostly figures watched in happiness at both their younger brother and daughter figure holding their daughter for the very first time.
And done. Boy that took me practically forever, I must tell you writing Donald and Douglas' speech in Scottish is no easy feat I can tell you but at the same time I'm happy with how it turned out. Now I know that some of you are upset about what happened in my last chapter, well hopefully this will cheer you all up. Anyway please be so kind as to leave a preview and as always, see you all next time.