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 47: The Deputation, Original Airdate: November 19th, 1986
HAPPY 40th Anniversary to Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends. 4 decades of wonderful childhood memories and to all that has followed.
It was a cool night on the Island of Sodor. Over in the Billinton house in the village of Ffarquhar, Thomas was putting Lucy to bed. After having a fun day at the playground and meeting her honorary uncles, Duck, Donald and Douglas, Lucy was now tuckered out.
"There you go Lucy" said Thomas as he tucked her into her crib, "you feeling comfy?".
"Comfy daddy" replied Lucy.
"You ready for one of daddy's stories?" asked Thomas.
"Story daddy" said Lucy excitedly.
"Right" said Thomas as he sat down in the chair next to Lucy's crib, "what story shall daddy tell you tonight?".
Thomas then thought of what story he would tell Lucy that night. Then he remembered of how Percy had managed to convince Sir Topham Hatt to let Donald and Douglas stay on the North Western Railway, he then knew what story to tell his daughter.
"How about I tell you the story" Thomas said, "of how Uncle Percy convinced Sir Topham Hatt to let Uncles Donald and Douglas to stay on the North Western Railway?".
"Yes please daddy" replied Lucy.
"Good" said Thomas as he prepared to tell his story, "it began the first winter and Christmas me and mummy had you".
(Story Begins)
Snow came early to the Island of Sodor, it was heavier than usual. Most engine drivers hate snow, Donald and Douglas were used to it. Coupled-back-to-back with the works unit coach between their engine's tenders and a snowplough each on their fronts, they both set to work.
They puffed back and forth patrolling the line, generally the snow, like on the line by Suddery Castle, slipped away fiercely. But sometimes they came to places, like the Branch line cutting, where they found deeper drifts.
Eventually they came to the dual bends where they saw that the drift was larger than the rest. They charged it and were just backing for another try when.
"Donald, Douglas" came a voice.
"Losh sakes Donald" said Douglas, "its Henry".
Sure enough, the Scottish twins both saw Henry waving at them. They also saw that his Stanier Black 5 was stuck in the snowdrift, Henry the came up to them.
"Thank God you both came" said Henry in relief, "I was just heading back from the harbour when my engine got stuck in that blasted snowdrift. Could you please help me?".
"Dinna fash yourself Henry" replied Douglas kindly, "wait a while. We'll have your engine out".
"Oh thank you two so much" said Henry in thanks.
Donald, Douglas and the workmen helped to dig Henry's Stanier Black 5 out of the snowdrift. Later, when Henry returned to the bunkhouse at Tidmouth, he saw that Donald and Douglas were both there, however he noticed that they were both looking glum.
"What's the matter you two?" asked Henry.
"Sir Topham Hatt will be returning soon" replied Donald.
"He'll send us back for sure" added Douglas.
They then both proceeded to tell Henry about why he had gone. Their former controller in Scotland had contacted Sir Topham Hatt and asked him if he could come over to his region so that he could discuss somethings with him, unbeknownst to Sir Topham Hatt, Donald had been outside his office and had heard everything.
Henry frowned at hearing this, Donald and Douglas were both kind and helpful drivers whose engines would also be a huge asset to the North Western Railway. Later he talked about the situation to Gordon, James, Percy and Duck in the bunkhouse lounge.
"It's a shame" said Percy sadly.
"A lot of nonsense about a broken signal box" grumbled, "too much of them about the North Western Railway if you ask me".
"That spiteful guard too" put in James, "at least Sir Topham Hatt had the sense to fire him. Good riddance that's what I say".
"They were both splendid in the snow" added Henry, "it isn't fair".
They all agreed that something must be done, they decided not to go on strike as the last time it didn't end so well. Whilst they tried to come up with a way to convince Sir Topham Hatt to let Donald and Douglas say, Percy decided to talk to Edward about it. He found him at Wellsworth yard the next day and told him everything.
"What you need" explained Edward, "is a deputation".
He explained what it was, Percy then ran back quickly to his engine and headed straight for Tidmouth sheds. He found Henry, Gordon, Duck, Donald and Douglas already there. Percy then stopped his engine and hopped down from the cab.
"Edward says we need uh, a depostation" explained Percy.
"Of course" said Gordon as he palmed his forehead, "the question is…".
"What is a desperation?" asked Henry.
"Its when we tell Sir Topham Hatt something's wrong" explained Percy.
"Did you say tell Sir Topham Hatt?" asked Duck thoughtfully.
There was a long silence, no one speaking a word. At last Gordon broke the silence.
"I propose" Gordon said, "that Percy be our…um…disputation".
"What?" squeaked Percy.
"Don't worry Percy" said Henry kindly, "I know that you can and besides its easy".
"That's settled then" said Gordon.
Poor Percy wished it wasn't, but at the same time Henry's words did inspire him. Later Percy was at Tidmouth station picking up three 7-plank trucks to take to Knapford harbour later on when.
"Hello Percy" came a familiar voice, "its good to be back".
Percy jumped in fright before he turned his head, sure enough, standing there was Sir Topham Hatt.
"Uh, yes, Sir" stammered Percy, "please Sir".
"You look nervous Percy" said Sir Topham Hatt, "what's the matter?".
"Please Sir" said Percy nervously, "they made me a desperation Sir, to speak to you Sir. I don't like it Sir".
"Do you mean a deputation?" asked Sir Topham Hatt.
"Yes Sir please its Donald and Douglas Sir" said Percy a little more calm, "they say Sir, that if you send them away Sir. Their engines will be turned into scrap Sir and that they'll then be jobless Sir, that would be dreadful Sir".
Sir Topham Hatt pondered at this news. He had gone over to the Scottish region of British Railways to meet with Donald and Douglas' former controller to discuss about why Douglas had come along with Donald when he hadn't been hired.
However, he was shocked when he learned that their previous controller had intended to sell Douglas' CR Mclntosh 812 for scrap, Sir Topham Hatt then asked when he didn't choose to sell it to a heritage railway, the controller replied that he would get more money by selling it for scrap. He also stated that heritage railways were the worst, firmly believing that steam engines were only good for scrap. Sir Topham Hatt then left the controller's office, but not before the controller suggested that he scrap all the steam engines on the North Western Railway and replaced them up diesels or as he liked to call them "proper engines".
"Please Sir" begged Percy breaking his line of thought, "don't send them away Sir".
"Thank you Percy" said Sir Topham Hatt, "that will do".
Percy then coupled his trucks up to his engine and headed off, leaving Sir Topham Hatt in thought. Later that that evening, he came to the bunkhouse at Tidmouth where he met Henry, Gordon, James, Percy, Duck, Donald and Douglas. All the engine drivers looked towards their boss as he entered the bunkhouse.
"I had a deputation" he began, "I understand your feelings but do not approve of interference".
He then paused impressively before turning to Donald and Douglas.
"Donald and Douglas" he began, "I hear that your work in the snow was good. Your engines shall have a new coat of paint each".
Both Donald and Douglas were surprised at this news, they didn't expect Sir Topham Hatt to reward them for their work.
"Thank you Sir" said Donald.
"But your names shall also be painted on your engines" he added, "that way there'll be no more mistakes".
"Thank you Sir" replied Douglas, "does that mean that the both of us?".
Sir Topham Hatt smiled.
"It means" he began.
But the rest of his speech was drowned by a chorus of "congratulations" and "welcome to the North Western Railway Donald and Douglas". Sir Topham Hatt smiled at his employee's excitement; the twins were here to stay.
(Story Ends)
"And ever since then Uncles Donald and Douglas have been an asset to the North Western Railway" Thomas said as he finished his story.
Thomas then looked down to see that Lucy had fallen fast asleep. Smiling he got up and gently kissed his daughter's forehead before turning off the light, leaving her bedroom and gently closing the door behind him.
(Wellsworth Hospital, September 2011)
Percy, Toby and Burnett were watching Thomas sit on the bed next to Lady as he held their newly born daughter in his arms. Seeing the two new parents cradle their baby girl in their arms melted the trio hearts. Thomas then looked up at Burnett.
"Would you like to hold her Burnett?" asked Thomas.
"Would I ever" replied Burnett.
Thomas then gently handed Burnett his daughter, Burnett then took his newborn granddaughter figure in his arms. Percy and Toby came over and stood next to him, they both looked down at the little baby who opened her eyes and looked up at them all the while gurgling happily at them. This brought smiles to the trio's faces.
"So have you two thought of any names?" asked Burnett.
"We sure have" replied Lady before he looked at Percy, "but first Percy. How would you like to be the godfather?".
Percy's eyes widened in excitement.
"You mean it Thomas and Lady?" he asked, "you really mean it?".
"Of course," replied Thomas, "after all think of it as an apology for lashing out at you".
"Thomas I'd be honoured" said Percy happily.
Thomas smiled at his best friend before turning back to Burnett.
"And as for names" he said, "me and Lady have thought of one".
"Really and what have you two decided?" asked Burnett.
Thomas and Lady both looked at each other with knowing smiles before Lady made the announcement.
"We decided to call her Lucy Tasha Billinton" said Lady.
Burnett's smile grew at his adoptive daughters' words. She had decided to name her child after both Thomas' eccentric but kindly grandmother, but mostly after Burnett's beloved late wife.
And done, I must say that I'm very pleased with how it turned out. I would also like to wish all of you Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends fans a very happy 40th anniversary, here's to 40 years of beloved and happy childhood memories. Anyway please be so kind as to leave a preview and as always, see you all next time.