Thomas and Friends Fanfiction Series 7

Toby's Busy Day

Toby the Tram Engine loves to prove how Really Useful he is. He always feels the fact that he is not only a steam tram but an old steam tram too. He has been mocked by fellow engines and even some passengers in the past. But no matter what, Toby continues to prove his worth on the North Western Railway. And nobody is prouder of him than his coach, Henrietta. 

One day, Toby was delivering workmen to the quarry. Neville was working there. He had a huge delivery of stone to take to the ballast yards. 

"Hello, Toby," he whistled. 

"Hello, Neville," said Toby and Henrietta in unison. 

"I'm very busy today," said Neville, "I'm going to have to make two trips with these stone trucks." 

Toby looked at the long line of trucks, then had an idea bounce into his bell. 

"Why don't we save the time and I'll help you take the trucks?" he suggested. 

"They're very heavy," said Neville, "are you sure?" 

"Oh, yes," said Toby, "long ago, I used to be able to pull Henrietta and nine trucks. I'm sure I can still do that now!" 

"Are you sure, Toby?" asked Henrietta. 

"Yes, why?" 

"Well...we're not as young as we used to be," admitted Henrietta. 

"We're still Really Useful, Henrietta," protested Toby. 

"If you're sure we can do it..." 

And that was that. Toby and Neville agreed to work together. 

Neville buffered up to twenty trucks. 

"There are ten left, Toby, do you think you can pull that many?" he asked. 

"Of course, don't worry, Neville," said Toby confidently. 

Toby and Neville set off with their heavy loads. But as they puffed along, Toby soon found himself running short of steam. 

"I am much older than I was, but I am no less determined," he wheeshed to himself. 

Thomas and Edward were surprised to see Toby and Neville pulling the heavy ballast trucks. 

"Are you sure you can manage all those at once, Toby?" asked Thomas. 

"I could be your back engine if you want, Toby," volunteered Edward. 

"No, thank you, but thanks...for the offer," panted Toby. 

Henrietta was getting worried about Toby as he wheezed on. 

(James and Henry pass, looking worried too. Edwina and the Photographer are seen too.)

Toby soon started to fall behind Neville, who was stronger and faster than Toby. Neville was also worried about Toby, but didn't want to hurt his feelings by saying Toby didn't have to keep puffing with the heavy trucks. 

Percy was shunting some empty trucks into some sidings to clear the way for other engines. As he did, he heard Neville approach. 

Neville whistled hello cheerfully. 

"Toby is right behind me, Percy," he said quietly. 

Percy looked and listened, but Toby wasn't right behind Neville at all, and soon found that he was lagging far behind. 

"Toby, why don't you leave some of those trucks in these sidings?" suggested Percy. "Then you can come back for the rest." 

But Toby didn't want to give up part way and so he declined. 

"No, thank you, Percy, I can do it just fine." 

Percy and Henrietta were not so sure, but didn't want to upset Toby. 

Finally, Neville arrived at the ballast yards and waited patiently for Toby to deliver his share of the trucks, but Toby was far behind. His bell ached as did his axles, and his face was getting very red. 

"I can do it, I can do it, I can do it," he murmured to himself. 

And at long last, Toby did do it. He arrived at the ballast yards with all of his trucks. 

"Well done, Toby," praised Neville, "thank you for your help." 

"No...problem...at all," wheezed Toby. 

He was tired but felt proud of himself. 

"You did well, Toby," said Henrietta, as Neville puffed away. 

"Thank you, Henrietta," sighed Toby. 

Then Toby saw what time it was on the yard clock. 

"Bust my buffers!" he gasped. "I still need to collect the workmen to take them home!" 

Toby rushed away with Henrietta to collect the workers, but he was in such a hurry to get to the quarry in time, that he forgot to refill on coal and water after his exhausting delivery. 

Halfway up to the quarry, Toby began to feel very weak and soon enough, he came to a stop. He had run out of coal and water. 

"Oh no," he moaned sadly. 

Toby's Driver telephoned to inform the Fat Controller. 

Thomas was sent to collect the workmen in Toby's place, and Emily was sent to take Toby to the Steamworks to have his worn parts examined in case of repair. 

Victor decided Toby only needed some rest and a bit of repair on his axles. 

(Kevin is seen zooming around.) 

The Fat Controller arrived and saw that Toby was looking miserable. He had let the workmen down just to prove he could pull a heavy train. 

"Toby, I've heard how you helped Neville today and that is why you wore yourself out of coal and water. I am proud of you for wanting to help your friends, but you do not need to prove yourself as a Really Useful Engine by taking on more than you can manage. I do not want my oldest steam tram engine to make himself unwell." 

Toby smiled faintly. He knew the Fat Controller was right. 

And from that day on, Toby took care of himself and helped his friends to the best of his ability, but not beyond his capabilities. After all, Henrietta wouldn't let him do that twice! 

(The End!)