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Post by frankthetriviaman on Sept 24, 2015 17:20:13 GMT -5
New Railway Series No.47 Off-Rail Vehicles of Sodor Written by Diesel 11 & Frank
Forward Dear Friends,
The engines of Sodor have many friends, both on rail and road. The road vehicles asked us if they could have a book for once. After hearing what they told us, we knew that it was too good to pass up. These are those stories.
The Authors
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Sept 24, 2015 17:21:09 GMT -5
Bertie the Ambulance Written by Frank Bertie the Bus works along Thomas' branch line. Though an old friend of Thomas, Bertie can't help but challenge him to a race every now and then, even though his driver has forbidden it. "Bertie, your passengers don't like being bounced around like peas in a frying pan," his driver said. "Why, the only reason I can think of for driving you at such a high speed is if you were an ambulance bringing someone to the hospital." "Me? An Ambulance? Nonsense! I think I'll stick with being a bus," Bertie replied. But Bertie was in for a surprise.
One day, he was taking passengers to the train station when he heard a loud CRASH! "What was that?" Bertie asked his driver. "Not sure, but it sounds like it came from just down the road," his driver said. Sure enough, two cars had crashed right into each other, and this time people were hurt. There were no houses in the area, and that meant no phones to call the hospital to send over an ambulance. "We can't just leave them here. Make room! We'll take them to the hospital, it's on the way to the station anyway," Bertie's driver told the others. The passengers knew this was serious, and didn't mind being late for their train today. Fortunately, there was a doctor among Bertie's passengers, and he helped the injured drivers get on the bus. "Ok, good to go. Get us to the hospital!" the doctor told the driver. Not hesitating, Bertie took off like a rocket down the road. There was no time to lose!
Eventually, Bertie passed by a stretch of track where he met Thomas. "So Bertie, you still want to race?" Thomas asked. "No time Thomas! There was an accident and I gotta get two men to the hospital!" Bertie replied before leaving Thomas in the dust. "I didn't know Bertie was also an ambulance," Thomas thought.
Finally, Bertie was outside the hospital, "Please help! There was a car accident and two people are hurt!" Bertie told the men outside. It didn't even take a minute for the hospital staff to get the injured drivers onto gurneys and get them into the hospital. "Well done Bertie, thanks for your help. We'll take it from here." the hospital worker said before taking the men away.
"I have to say, driver, being an ambulance for a day actually felt pretty good. But I think I'll stick with being a bus most days." His driver agreed, and proceeded to take the remaining passengers to the train station.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Sept 24, 2015 17:21:22 GMT -5
Terence's Triumph Written by Frank Terence is an orange tractor that works in the fields along Thomas' branch line. He has loyally worked for his owner for many years, even helping out the railway on occasion. One day, his owner decided that he was getting too old for this line of work, and decided it was time to retire. "Don't worry old boy, I'll be sure to leave you in good hands," he assured as he brought Terence into his shed for the night. "Ah well, we all get old eventually. It's been a pleasure working with you," Terence told his old owner. "Indeed it has," he said as he walked away. Terence went to sleep, wondering what tomorrow would bring.
The next day, Terence's new owner came to the shed. He brought with him a new tractor. "I'm not convinced that such an old tractor is any good for me, so I've brought this new tractor in as a point of comparison. If you can work as hard as him, I'll keep you," the new owner said. "I like some friendly competition," Terrence said as his driver got on board. The new tractor simply grunted as both of them got to work.
There had been a heavy rainstorm the night before, leaving some areas very muddy, and other areas had so much water, it looked like little lakes had formed. The new tractor was going about his work, when it happened. He drove over an area that was so muddy, he began to sink into the ground. By the time he finally settled, he was half sunk, and couldn't move. "Darn it! That's a new tractor lost on the first day!" The owner shouted. "Never fear sir, I'll get him out" Terence told him. A pair of chains were connected between Terence and the new tractor, and once Terence was sure the the ground he was on was solid, he began to pull. He pulled and he strained, even more so than when Thomas was stuck in the snow. It was a slow and steady operation, but the new tractor was pulled out of the mud. He was confused and embarrassed.
"Well done Terence, looks like you still have some good years left in you," the new owner admitted. "Thank you sir. I guess it really goes to show that even old tractors can be reliable when they are well taken care of," Terence replied. "Indeed. I own several fields anyway, so it will be good to have the both of you on hand. I just hope this fellow over here warms up to you after he's cleaned up," the owner said, looking at the new tractor.
A few days later, the mud had turned back into dirt and Terence and the new tractor were hard at work plowing the field. The new tractor doesn't say much; in fact he doesn't even have a name, but one time when the two tractors passed each other, the new tractor was able to work up a smile and said, "Thanks." And for Terence, that is enough.
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Sept 24, 2015 19:29:37 GMT -5
Trevor The Strong Written by Diesel 11
One afternoon, Trevor was busily pulling logs to and fro. A storm last night had knocked over several trees, and now they were going to be used as firewood. Trevor liked hauling logs. It gave him a chance to use his strength again. Trevor, though old, was still one of the strongest off-rail machines on Sodor.
As Trevor pulled the last log into place, he saw a lorry pull up. “Hello,” said Trevor. The lorry laughed, “What an old thing!” Trevor started to frown, “I may be old, but I’m still Really Useful.” “Useful? Ha! You couldn’t haul a cart without popping a wheel.” Trevor said nothing. He just went back to work, and left the lorry laughing.
Later that day, Trevor was resting in his shed. He was thinking about children. “I like children,” he said. Just then, he heard the lorry drive in. It tore into the Yard, and stopped. “Well, well, well,” it laughed, “The old really useful thingamabob!” Trevor groaned, “Here we go again…” “I say, traction, I could pull more than you ever could.” “Can’t.” “Can.” “Can’t.” “Can!” “That’s enough,” said the Manager. “Lorry, I’d like you to pull a wagon for me. It’s loaded up with bricks, and may be too heavy for you.” “Heavy? Bricks? Me? Ha! I can haul that thing like it’s straw.” “Well, then, get to work.”
The Lorry went to the shed, where the wagon was parked. He saw the bricks. There were very many, and for a moment he started to wonder if he could do it. Then he laughed. “I’ll show that old traction engine,” he thought, and hooked up to it.
He started to pull. “Oooooh, it’s ever so heavy!” “Come on,” said his driver, “we can do it.” The lorry wasn’t so sure.
Trevor was in the shed, and he saw the lorry straining. He laughed. “He’s going to hurt himself!” he thought.
Sure enough, as the lorry got onto the open road, his wheels slip from the rain. “Grrrrrrr!” he growled, and pulled and pulled as hard as he ever could. Then, it happened. The lorry pulled and pulled, when all of a sudden, something broke. “Ouch!” he cried. “You’ve strained yourself,” said his driver, “you can’t finish delivering this.” The lorry groaned.
Trevor was waiting when the Manager walked up. “The lorry’s broken down!” he said. “I need you to help him and deliver the bricks!” “Sure thing,” said Trevor.
Trevor rolled up to the Lorry. “Well, well, well, looks like you’ll need the old-fashioned thing to help you.” The lorry growled. “Ah, well, we live and learn.”
The lorry was rolled away and put at the side. Then Trevor was hooked up to the wagon. He pulled and pulled, and at last got it moving. “You’ve done it boy,” complimented his driver, “you’ve done it!” Trevor delivered the bricks, and then went back for the lorry.
As he brought the lorry to the shed, the lorry said, “Thank you, Trevor. I suppose I was wrong after all.” “Don’t mention it,” said Trevor, and the two went to sleep.
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Sept 24, 2015 19:30:23 GMT -5
Bye, George! Written by Diesel 11 One morning, Percy came to collect George from the Arlesdale Railway. George had been working there and helping the small engines, but he wasn’t helping them willfully! “Railways oughtta be torn up!” he growled. “How do you think you get delivered?” demanded Mike. “It’s just an inconvenience,” declared George.
The little engines were glad when Percy arrived, not that Percy was! George was still complaining. “Railways are no good. Rip ‘em up! Tarmac ‘em!”
When Percy arrived at the station, he was out of it. George was a real nuisance. Percy uncoupled, and went to the Sheds. There he met Thomas. “I say, Thomas, that George, he’s a real inconvenience! He’s wearing me out!” “Pah,” said Thomas, “it’s just because you’re a silly little engine. He wouldn’t DARE to play tricks on me!” And he puffed away.
Thomas collected Annie and Clarabel, and was soon making good time. Then, he saw George. George saw Thomas. “What do you think of this Thomas?” he called. But Thomas didn’t answer. “You’re a useless blue puffball!” yelled George. But Thomas didn’t hear. George was now furious. “I’ll show him who’s boss!!”
George and his crew had been ripping up a small line for a road. Soon they came to the level crossing. “What shall we do here?” asked the workmen. “Rip it up!” said George, “Tarmac it!” So they did, but not properly, and George knew it!
Thomas was chuffing back along the line. They passed the signal. “That’s nice, we don’t need to stop,” said Thomas. “Yes we do!” called his driver, but it was too late!”
When Thomas was taken out of the chicken coop, he had much different ideas about George!
The next day, George was taken to the Yard. Duck came in with some trucks, but George was blocking the line. “Let me through,” said Duck. “You’ll just have to wait,” grunted George. “I can’t wait! I’ve got to clear the line for Gordon and the Express.” “Then he’ll have to wait too!”
It was too late to warn Gordon, who was now running nicely. “I’m the greatest!” he thought. Then he saw a truck from Duck’s train which was still on the Main Line. “Get out of my way!” he cried. But the truck didn’t move - until Gordon forced it… …by accident.
Gordon was worried that the Fat Controller would be cross. He was, but not with Gordon. “Whoever caused this disturbance will have ME to answer to!”
The next day, Thomas and Percy saw an unhappy George in his shed. “Well, well, well,” they laughed. George groaned. “I’m not allowed out for a whole week!” he complained. “When your out,” teased Thomas, “I’m sure that you’ll be just as bad as ever!”
I hope not. Don't you?
Based on the episode by Britt Alcrofft and David Mitton
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