Thomas and Friends Fanfiction Series 7

Thomas, Edward and the Rain

Edward was one of the first engines to come to the Island of Sodor. He was also the first engine who Thomas became friends with when he arrived. Although Thomas has made many other friends, he and Edward remain the oldest of friends. 

Edward often has fond memories whenever he sees Thomas on his branch line, pulling Annie and Clarabel. 

"And to think, it feels like only yesterday when that little tank engine was shunting trucks in the yard all day long, dreaming of seeing the world." 

Edward was one of the proudest engines when he heard of Thomas' big adventures all around the world. 

He never tired of hearing of Thomas' stories. 

One day, Thomas was telling Edward of the time he helped rescue a koala from a bushfire. 

"Your adventures get more interesting every time, Thomas," said Edward cheerfully. 

"And I still think my favourite adventure was when I first came to Sodor, Edward," peeped Thomas. 

The two friends smiled. 

Just then, 'Little' Alice puffed into Wellsworth. She looked a little worried. 

"I've just returned from the Mainland," she whistled, "and there was bad weather there. It's going to come to Sodor for sure." 

"Heavy rain, is it, Alison?" asked Edward. 

"Yes, and some areas were flooded. I hope Sodor won't get washed away!" 

"That won't happen, Alice," said Thomas. 

"No, indeed," added Edward, "but I'm sure we need to ensure that everybody knows about the bad weather report. I'm sure the Fat Controller already knows about it. He'll be making the decisions on what to do." 

Edward was right. The Fat Controller called an emergency meeting at Knapford. The engines gathered there. 

(Beyond Thomas, Edward and Alison/Alice, the other engines present are Toby, Henry, Emily, Percy, James, Philip, Bill and Ben. Percy has some Troublesome Trucks.)

"The forecast has said heavy rain. I have had a warning call from the Mainland Controller and he fears that the weather could be devastating on the Island. I need you all to be safe and careful. Passenger trains may continue, but to those of you shunting and pulling freight, you must all cease work and go to your sheds." 

The engines agreed. The last time there was a rainstorm so bad, one of them nearly got carried away by the floodwaters. 

"Tell any and every other engine you see about the weather warning," added the Fat Controller. 

And so the engines did. They parked their cargo trucks and empty trucks and even Arthur had to delay fish deliveries and keep the catches in a storage freezer at the Fishing Village. 

Soon, all the engines were prepared for the coming rain, which was clearly getting closer. The clouds loomed overhead and it was due to pour heavily at any time. 

"Hold on," said Edward, "where's Philip?" 

Philip wasn't at Knapford Shunting Yards. He was supposed to help shunt the trucks and coaches away before going to his shed at Wellsworth, but he wasn't there to help Thomas in the first place. 

"I don't know," peeped Thomas, "unless..." 

"Unless?" asked Edward. 

"Unless he went to tell other engines about the rain," said Thomas. 

"And didn't wait to hear the Fat Controller tell you and he to stay here at the yard," gasped Edward. 

"We have to rescue him," said Thomas. 

"But we must be very careful!" 

"We will, Edward!" 

The two friends set out to the rescue. 

Meanwhile, Philip was travelling up to the fenland tracks to find any engines who may not have known about the weather forecast. 

"Hello? Hellooooo?" he called enthusiastically. 

But Philip was so keen to help warn engines, that he didn't pay attention to the clouds getting closer and closer. 

And then...the rain came! 

Philip found himself fighting harsh rainfall and strong wind blowing it into his eyes, making it hard for him to see where he was going. 

Philip finally arrived at the fenlands, but as he crossed the bridge, the rain made him close his eyes and the force of the water made the track weak and the wooden supports soften. 

Then there was big trouble. 

The supports on the other end of the bridge collapsed and the bridge began to sink downward. Philip applied his brakes, but the track was sliding and the water made his wheels slip. 

"HEEEELP!" cried Philip. 

Then he heard two familiar whistles. 

"THOMAS? EDWARD? HEEEELP!" 

Thomas and Edward rushed to the rescue. 

"We're here, Philip!" shouted Edward. 

Thomas very carefully crossed over the bridge to Philip. He buffered up and quickly coupled up just as Philip's buffers began to slide into the water. 

"Now, as gently as you can, pull, Thomas!" 

Thomas heaved and hauled as gently as he could, in case the rain damaged the bridge even more. 

But then, Thomas' wheels began to slip too. The sand in his sandbox made no difference as the rain was too slippery and too heavy. 

"Oh no!" cried Thomas. 

But then Edward quickly coupled up. 

"I've got you both!" 

And with every ounce of strength and steam he had, Edward pulled Thomas and Philip off the fenland bridge to safety. 

"Phew!" gasped the two younger engines. 

"Thank you, Edward!" cheered Thomas. 

"You're both my heroes!" beamed Philip. 

With great difficulty, Thomas, Edward and Philip reached the Knapford platforms, sheltering under the station roof. 

The Fat Controller ran out of his office to see them. 

"Are you all alright? What happened?" 

Thomas, Edward and Philip explained everything. 

The Fat Controller was very proud. 

"It's good to know you two are as great a team now as you were when you first became such good friends," he said happily. 

"We always will be too, sir," said Thomas and Edward in happy unison. 

(The End!)