Christmas Kipper

It was Winter on the Island of Sodor and all the engines were working hard to get their jobs done. Passengers, goods and mail had to be delivered and the big station in Vicarstown was crowded with people from England, Scotland and Wales all coming to the Island to visit family and friends. The workload had increased dramatically and as a result engines from all over the island had to be called in for help. Thomas was put on shunting duty at Vicarstown goods yard as Rosie couldn't handle all the work on her own and BoCo was temporarily stationed at Vicarstown to help out with the extra goods work. Even though the engines liked being at work some do complain about the extra work, in particular; the big engines, Gordon, James and Henry.

One morning, on Christmas eve. The engines were standing ready outside their shed in Tidmouth to start their work. Their drivers were just oiling them up and were going through the schedules when the Fat Controller arrived.

"Good morning everyone.", boomed Sir Topham Hat

"Good morning Sir!",replied the engines in chorus.

"Now then, today is your last day of work before you'll have your two days off. As a result though, this is going to be one busy last day. Gordon, I want you to take some extra coaches with the Express and later you shall take a goods train down to Knapford harbour! James, I want you to help Edward clear snow on his Branchline. And Henry, I want you to take the Flying Kipper tonight! Well that is everything for now! Tscherio!", he turned away and got into his car.

When he was gone, the engines found their voices!

"More work again? Well, we don't fear work but we draw the line at goods trains!",said Gordon indignantly.

"Sending a shiny, splendid red engine like me on to a branch line?!", snorted James, "Mainline Engines aren't supposed to go on such relicts of the past! That tinpot Edward is over 60 years old! He'll know how to handle his own branch line. Pah! My talents are always wasted!"

"I wonder why I'll have to make an extra run with the Flying Kipper...?", asked Henry to himself.

"Oh, don't remind me of that smelly fish train! Ugh!", James pouted, sticking his tongue out, "That stinky fish has gotten to your smokebox! How can you accept this train, it's undignified!"

"James is right! How can a big engine like you pull this fish train? I mean, how many times were you involved in an accident with it?", Gordon laughed mockingly, "First you crash into the back of another goods train, then you release the fish back into the sea-"

"That was because of the snow! It forced the signal down and the points were frozen!", he interrupted, "There was nothing I could've done! Anyway, after that I got my rebuild at Crew and finally wasn't in need of special welsh coal anymore. And the other one wasn't my fault either! Nobody warned me about the flooded line!"

"Well then do me a favour Henry, do take a wash down before you come home, it'd be disgraceful if you wouldn't.",he laughed loudly as he puffed off to Knapford station.

"Yes and do say 'hi' to the fishes for me!", chuckled James teasingly.

Henry rolled his eyes, annoyed by his friends. He sometimes wished if they'd just forget about that incident that happened that fateful night. He remembered how he swerved into the siding out of nowhere and how loud the crash into the brakevan was. And how he suddenly found himself laying on his side, derailed, cold and miserable! He still feels grateful to this day that the driver, fireman and guard of the other train had gotten out just in time and that his own crew had jumped clear. They all laugh about it now, but sometimes, Henry wonders what else could've been.

He was suddenly shaken out of his thoughts when his driver said: "Come on old boy, time to get today's work started! Don't tell Gordon, but if we pull the Flying Kipper well, I'm sure the Fat Controller will let us pull the Express."