FanFic:Thomas The Trackmaster Adventures Episode 23: We Need Another Engine

This article is Fan Fiction Train Spotting World welcomes Fan Fiction Fan Fiction is written by fans, for fans, and simply follows the style or the ideas of the original It must comply with the Fan Fiction Policy which was last modified on 13 October 2008.

Previous Episode: Episode 22
Next Episode: Episode 24

Episode 23: We Need Another Engine

Norramby branchline has been restored, and Molly, Neville, and Eagle are to run it. Dennis, a grumpy diesel shunter, is furious to discover he isn't going to run it with them, so he crashes into the back of the shed. But soon makes up for it when Neville's steam pipe leaks.

Characters:

• Thomas
• Percy
• Neville
• Eagle
• Dennis
• Sir Topham Hatt
• Control (voice only)
• Molly (non-speaking role; sing-along segment)
• Henry (cameo)
• Gordon (cameo)
• Toby (cameo)
• Donald and Douglas (cameo)
• Emily (cameo; sing-along segment)
• Spencer (cameo)
• Annie and Clarabel (cameo)

Transcript

Main Story

Narrator: Molly, Neville, and Eagle were excited. The Norramby branch line had just been restored, and today, it was going to be opened.

Dennis: Am I one of the engines?

Narrator: Dennis was a diesel and inclined to be grumpy. He was recently bought from the Southern Beach Railway to help in the shunting yards. Sir Topham Hatt shook his head.

Sir Topham Hatt: I'm sorry, you weren't here when the line was being restored, I'm afraid, so they didn't know about you.

Narrator: Dennis was cross. When his driver came to start him the next day, he refused to go.

Dennis: It's not fair! Why can't I be on a branchline, like the others?

Dennis' Driver: Cheer up! It's only a branchline.

Dennis: {muttering} It's got engines, hasn't it? I'm not one of them, either, I suppose.

Dennis' Driver: {losing patience} Come on, Dennis. It's teamwork that counts on a railway, not branch lines.

Narrator: He pressed the starter button again.

Dennis: Don't care!

Narrator: Dennis started suddenly. He jerked forward. Before his driver could stop him, Dennis hit the wall in the back of the shed. {Dennis runs into a shed support.} Dennis was unhurt, but one of the shed supports was cracked. He was sorry at once, and even sorrier when he realized that Sir Topham Hatt had just come to the sheds. Sir Topham Hatt was cross, and ordered Dennis out while he made sure the shed was safe. Later, he was working with Thomas and Percy on Ffarqhuar branchline.

Thomas: Hello, you must be the new engine. I'm Thomas.

Percy: I'm Percy. What's your name?

Dennis: Nice to meet you. I'm Dennis.

Thomas: Why are you upset?

Dennis: I'm not meant to work on Norramby beach line and I ran into a shed support.

Percy: I hope Sir Topham Hatt will give you another chance.

Narrator: For the next three days, Dennis did not see Sir Topham Hatt, and he was worried about being sent away and scrapped, for Dennis is a one-of-a-kind diesel, built in 1949 for the Southern Region.

{Cut to Neville pulling a passenger train.}

Narrator: The next day, Neville approached Wellsworth station with a heavy train. His driver watched the steam gauge anxiously.

Neville's driver: You got a steam leak, somewhere.

{Neville stops to let Molly pass. Molly passes by with a goods train and whistles.}

Molly: Good morning, Neville!

Narrator: Neville didn't answer, he was feeling a little ill, and was exhausted when he reached the hill. He hadn't noticed Dennis, working in a siding.

Neville's driver: I think we can make it to the top.

Narrator: But they didn't. They had to stop, and the driver switched on his radio. Engines on the North Western Railway were now recently fitted with radios. The driver can talk to Control, who makes sure the trains run safely.

Neville's driver: Neville has got a leaking steam pipe. We're all right on our own, but the train's too much for us. Can you help, please?

Control: We'll get you out, somehow. Don't go away!

Neville: {mutters} Humph. Very funny! Chance would be a fine run.

Narrator: Eagle passed with a down train.

Eagle: Overworked, that's what we are. We need another engine!

Narrator: Dennis was shunting when he his driver heard Control.

Control: Neville has a steam leak somewhere. We need Dennis to help!

Narrator: Dennis was reluctant, but he set off. Neville heard his horn. {Dennis honks his horn.} Dennis rumbled rolled up alongside.

Dennis: {positive attitude} Wonderful things, these radios. Control says you need help. I'm to take the train for you, so you can go to the works. Teamwork, that's what my driver calls it.

Narrator: Neville backed the train to the bottom of the hill, was uncoupled, and set off to the works. Dennis reversed onto the train, and when everything was ready, set off for Knapford Station. At Knapford Station, Dennis' driver apologized to the passengers for being late, but they didn't mind.

Passengers: You did things right very well. We were expecting a walk home!

Narrator: Back at the works, Neville was being mended for a new steam pipe. The job took a long time.

Neville's driver: If only we had a spare engine.

Narrator: Dennis saw Sir Topham Hatt, and was worried about what he would say, but Sir Topham Hatt was pleased.

Sir Topham Hatt: Well done, Dennis! And the shed isn't badly damaged either, so we'll say no more about it. {to himself as he walks home} Dennis can't do all the rescue work - we do need another engine....

Narrator: I'm afraid for you and I, that's another story.

Sing-a-Long Segment

{Cut to Molly and Emily at Tidmouth Sheds}

Molly: Now for the part of the show which all of you youngsters out there have a chance to sing right along with the Fab Four. Now when I give the down beat, I expect and every one of you to really give out with all you got! Ready now? Here we go!

Emily: Hold it Molly! That ain't no way to start a sing along!

Molly: It ain't? I mean, it isn't?

Emily: Heck, no! You first got to create the proper atmosphere for the song, with the proper stage setting, you see!

Molly: Err... I'm afraid I don't know much about that stuff.

Emily: Well, it's a lucky thing I happen to be taking a course in Interior Decorating. Now, just tell me what kind of song this is going to be, and I'll show ya what I mean!

Molly: Well, actually, it's a really swinging number!

Emily: A swinging number you say? I think I know just what it needs.

{quickly sets up a green curtain throughout the shed walls, and is on top of a wood podium}

Emily: Here, now! All set for the swinging number!

{CRASH! The interior of Tidmouth sheds is completely wrecked.}

Emily: That should be what we call is bringing down the house!

Molly: Swing- I mean, er- sing, people!

The Beatles:
Yesterday,
All my troubles seemed so far away,
Now it looks as though they're here to stay,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Suddenly,
I'm not half the man I used to be,
There's a shadow hanging over me,
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.

Why she
Had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say.
I said,
Something wrong, now I long for yesterday.

Yesterday,
Love was such an easy game to play,
Now I need a place to hide away,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Why she
Had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say.
I said,
Something wrong, now I long for yesterday.

Yesterday,
Love was such an easy game to play,
Now I need a place to hide away,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm.

{Cut back to Tidmouth Sheds, somehow fully restored.}

Molly: I expect you folks to sing this next song with Gusto! And if Gusto couldn't make it today, sing it out yourself! Now, then, you ready? And a-one, and a-two, and a-

Emily: Offer, now Molly.

Molly: Oh, what is it this time, Emily?

Emily: You still haven't learned after all I taught about redecorating the room to fit the song!

Molly: Oh no, not in your life! Last time, you nearly wrecked the entire place!

Emily: I promise it won't happen again, Molly, jut give me another chance. Please?

Molly: Oh, well I guess I ought to have my smokebox examined, but- Aw, all right. This next number is one that really rocks.

Emily: Really rocks, you say?

{quickly assembles a dump truck filled with rocks and dresses as a construction worker}

Molly: What in blazes is that?!

Emily: You said it rocks, didn't ya? {CRASH! Rocks unload from the dump truck, all over Emily and Molly.}

Molly: Why did I ever listen to you? I must have rocks in my head!

Emily: Really? Try going like this! {laughs as she blows rocks from her funnel}

Molly: Sing, folks!

The Beatles:
Try to see it my way,
Do I have to keep on talking till I can't go on?
While you see it your way,
Run the risk of knowing that our love may soon be gone.

We can work it out,
We can work it out.

Think of what you're saying.
You can get it wrong and still you think that it's all right.
Think of what I'm saying,
We can work it out and get it straight, or say good night.

We can work it out,
We can work it out.

Life is very short, and there's no time
For fussing and fighting, my friend.
I have always thought that it's a crime,
So I will ask you once again.

Try to see it my way,
Only time will tell if I am right or I am wrong.
While you see it your way,
There's a chance that we might fall apart before too long.

We can work it out,
We can work it out.
I have always thought that it's a crime,
So I will ask you once again.

Try to see it my way,
Only time will tell if I am right or I am wrong.
While you see it your way,
There's a chance that we might fall apart before too long.

We can work it out,
We can work it out.

THE END

Fun Facts

• First appearance of Dennis, and also his first accident.
• Sing-a-Longs: Yesterday by The Beatles, We Can Work It Out by The Beatles.
• This episode is based on the story We Need Another Engine from the book Jock the New Engine by Christopher Awdry.