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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Dec 25, 2015 18:31:06 GMT -5
THE NEW RAILWAY SERIES NO.51 A Sudrian Christmas By Diesel 11 Forward Dear Friends,
Christmas is a time of love, kindness, caring, giving, and enjoyment. Sodor is not unlike that. During the Christmas and New Year seasons, the engines, railway staff and locals all have a very merry, and sometimes magical, time.
However, there has only ever once in the Railway Series been a Christmas story – “Mrs Kyndley’s Christmas” in Toby the Tram Engines. I found this most surprising, especially because when I visited Sodor, I found that they had had many more wonderful Christmases, and since this was too good to pass up, I decided to finally set things right.
Here, then, is a collection of Christmas tales that have happened on Sodor. I very much hope that you enjoy them, and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!
The Author
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Dec 25, 2015 18:32:22 GMT -5
It’s Only Snow Based on the TV Series episode of the same name
During the Christmas season, the engines all have a lot of work to do. They hustle about to and fro, delivering packages and parcels, and bringing passengers home. One cold day, the engines were gathered at the station. “Driver says that there will be a great deal of snow on the way,” said Edward. “Pretty soon we’ll have to wear our snowplows!” said James indignantly. “You’ll enjoy that, won’t you, Thomas?” teased Henry. “You know I won’t,” said Thomas. “I don’t like my snowplow. It’s too big and bulky.” And he puffed crossly away.
Sure enough, that night, the wind blew, and the snow fell heavily. The next morning, the Fat Controller arrived. He told the engines that they were indeed going to need snowplows. “And,” he said to Thomas, “you are to collect a special from Wellsworth and bring it to Ffarquhar. It is for the villagers’ special feast.” Every year, the people in Ffarquhar have a special Christmas feast for the holidays. Thomas was delighted to be able to bring them something. However, he was not looking forward to wearing his snowplow, “Please, Sir, do I have to wear it?” “Every engine has to wear a snowplow,” the Fat Controller said sternly.
Thomas was not happy to wear it! “Big, awkward, horrid thing,” he groaned. He was much happier when he arrived at Wellsworth and saw his special. “It’s a Christmas tree,” said Edward. “It will look lovely at the villager’s feast. Make sure you get it there safely.” “I will,” said Thomas.
Thomas made his way on to Ffarquhar. He soon realized that is WAS nice to have a snowplow. Unfortunately, he didn’t know that the snow had buried a huge rock on the line. With a CLANG!, Thomas’s snowplow hit the rock. Thomas was fine, but his snowplow wasn’t! “Goodness gracious,” said Thomas, “my plow is broken!” “We can’t go any further,” said Thomas’s driver. “It’s not safe without a snowplow.” “But the villagers need their tree!” Thomas said. “Please let me try to get to Ffarquhar, I know I can make it!”
So his driver took the snowplow off, and they started off again. It wasn’t easy without a snowplow, but Thomas was determined. He pushed, and he pushed, and he pushed! Thomas tried as hard as he could, but there was just one snowdrift after another. Finally, Thomas arrived at Ffarquhar. “Peep! Peep!” said Thomas, “I’ve made it!” The villagers cheered when they saw their beautiful tree, and the thanked Thomas for bringing it to them.
The next day, the Fat Controller came to see Thomas. Thomas was worried. What would the Fat Controller say about his broken snowplow? But the Fat Controller wasn’t cross; he was very pleased! “I’ve heard about your escapade, Thomas,” he said, “The villagers were delighted, and you were very brave for taking on that snow without a plow.” “Thank you, Sir,” said Thomas. “We have no spare snowplows,” continued the Fat Controller, “so you’ll have to do without yours for a while.” “Oh, thank you, Sir!” grinned Thomas.
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Dec 25, 2015 18:33:16 GMT -5
Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree Based on both the TV Series episode and the story by Christopher Awdry It was too days before Christmas. All of the engines had been working hard. The Fat Controller wanted this year’s carols party to be extra special. He was now waiting impatiently for Thomas. “Quickly, now,” he said, “our Christmas tree has arrived just in time. I want you to fetch it, Thomas. Duck can look after Annie and Clarabel until you get back.” “Will we be able to sing carols too?” asked Thomas. “We’ll see,” said the Fat Controller. “It’d be nice to sing carols again,” sighed Thomas, as he set out on his important mission.
Thomas collected the tree safely, and was on his way back. Large snowdrifts lay ahead. He ended up getting stuck in one. “Oh dear,” he said. “I mustn’t be late; the Fat Controller is relying on me.” Whistling bravely, Thomas tried to move – but he couldn’t! There was worse to come…
*** The other engines waited and waited. They grumbled about Thomas being late. “Silence!” said the Fat Controller. “Thomas left the Works safely, but the snow has knocked the telephone lines down. We must assume he is stranded.” The other engines now felt sorry for Thomas, and cold but confidant, Donald and Douglas set off.
Presently, they came to a drift that was deeper than the rest. “Hush!” said Donald, “I can hear something.” “Probably the wind,” said Douglas. “No, it isn’t,” insisted Donald. “Losh sakes, it’s Thomas! Come on, the poor we engines must be frozen to the frames in there!”
When the workmen arrived, it took some time to decide how to clear away the snow. Thomas’s driver and fireman, who had taken shelter at a nearby cottage, joined the rescue. At last, Thomas and the Christmas tree were free from the snowdrift. Then they set off once more, to finish their journey. The Fat Controller greeted them warmly. “As a reward for all your hard work, you may enjoy the carols.”
The engines did enjoy them. All the engines were there, and the night was filled with the sound of “We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, We wish you a merry Christmas, and a happy New Year!”
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Dec 25, 2015 18:34:10 GMT -5
Christmas Rescue Based on the TV Series episode “Thomas and Percy’s Christmas Adventure”
There is a town nestled deep in the Island of Sodor called Ulfstead. Thomas enjoys coming here. The line had been extended to it many years ago, and the villagers were good friends to the engines. One December morning, Thomas was excited. “It’s nearly Christmas,” he said, “and I’ll bring you lots of letters and parcels.” Then, a snowstorm came. The Island was covered in thick snow. The engines found work difficult. Some had to clear snow from the track. Workmen hacked away at the frozen banks of ice. Thomas and Percy were collecting important mail for Christmas. “Driver says that there’ll be lots of mail for Ulfstead,” said Thomas, “I’ll need an extra car for it all.” Percy was feeling left out, “It’s not fair; you’re not leaving any mail for me!” But Percy’s chance had come. “There’s been a change of plan,” said Thomas’s driver. “The Fat Controller needs us at the station. Percy, you are to take Thomas’s train to the village.” Percy was delighted; Thomas was sad. “I won’t be able to wish the villagers a Merry Christmas.” “Don’t worry,” said Percy kindly, “I’ll do it for you.” “It’s not the same,” sighed Thomas.
Percy was making good time on his trip to Ulfstead, when suddenly – “What’s that?” called his driver. There ahead was a fogman standing on the line. He was holding a red light, “Ulfstead is cut off by the snow,” he said. “We need a helicopter, snowplows, and workmen. Leave your cars in the sidings and go back quickly.”
Percy was soon steaming to Harold’s airfield. “Peep! Peep! Wake up, Lazy Wings! The villagers in Ulfstead need your help; they’re stranded!” Harold got ready, and soon he was on his way. “Now,” sighed Percy, “What’s next?” Just then, he saw Thomas with Terence the Tractor and the Works Train. “Come on, Percy,” whistled Thomas, “Follow me!” The two engines battled their way through the snow. At last, they reached Ulfstead. Harold was already there, dropping food and drinks to the villagers for Christmas dinner. Terence soon got to work. “Lovely stuff,” he said, as he pushed the snow aside.
Finally, the village was cleared. “Well done, and thank you!” cheered the villagers. “Percy,” said Thomas, “I’ve just remembered. You’re mail train is still back in the siding, isn’t it?” Percy hurried back to fetch it. Just then, Toby chuffed in with Henrietta. “We’ve brought lots of hot drinks and food for the villagers,” he whistled.
*** That night, all the engines were in their sheds, except for Toby. The villagers had made a plan to thank the engines. They loaded paint pots and parcels into Henrietta, and then they set off into the moonlit countryside. All the engines were asleep as Toby came up to the Sheds. He didn’t know what the villagers were going to do, but he knew that it would be a big surprise.
*** When the engines awoke next morning, they could not believe their eyes. The Sheds had been repainted, and decorated. The engines whistled with delight. Everyone agreed that it was a very merry Christmas.
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Dec 25, 2015 18:36:08 GMT -5
Auld Lang Syne
“Shid auld akwaintans be fergot, and ne’er brought to mind? Shid auld akwaintans be fergot, and daes of auld lang syne?” “Donald and Dougles, would you kindly stop singing?” “What’s th’matter, Gorrdon? Don’ ye like th’auld Scottish toon?” “Frankly,” said Gordon, “It is something I could very much do without.” “Well, aren’t yoo in th’mood! Tha’s no wae te enter intoo the Noo Year.” “Humph!” said Gordon. “Just stop singing!” The twins winked at each other, and went away, leaving Gordon in a bad mood.
The Fat Controller had arranged a New Year’s party on December 31. All the engines were to be there. Donald and Douglas were excited – Gordon was not. “It’s too much excitement over nothing,” he said. “I’ve been through many New Years. Why need we celebrate another one?” “Because it’s something special,” said Henry, “Don’t be such a spoil-sport, Gordon.” “Harumph!” grunted Gordon, and set off to take the express.
When he got there, it had started to snow again. “Humph!” he said. “I hope it will be fine.” They set off, but by and by, it got worse. At the next station, Gordon needed to have a snowplow. “Grr!” he said. “Even worse!” They started off again, but the snow was covering the track now. Gordon didn’t realize it, but some points had been frozen into a wrong line. The signal should have warned him, the snow had forced it ‘down’. Gordon was rushing fast the Express when, “Oh, no!” he said, for there were some buffers in front of him. He tried to stop, but the snow made him skid. CRASH! He smashed through the buffers, and came off the line. Gordon was stuck.
It grew colder. The passengers were quite unhappy, and Gordon had become as blue as his paintwork. “Brr!” he shivered, and thought of his nice warm shed. He wondered if anyone was ever going to get him out. Just then, he heard two whistles. “That sounds like Donald and Douglas,” he thought. Sure enough, the Scottish Twins pulled up. “We’re here too help ye, Goordon!” “Th-th-thanks,” he said. It took a while, but the Twins finally got him out. Then they went off to finish the journey. “Thank you very much,” said Gordon. “I don’t know why you bothered after…” “A, well, foorgive an’ foorget.”
They were just in time for the New Year’s party. All the engines were there, and they noticed a significant change in Gordon. And when midnight came, Gordon got the others to start singing –
“Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and days of auld lang syne?”
MERRY CHRISTMAS
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