Thomas and Friends Fanfiction Series 7

Hong Mei and the Snow

Thomas was working on the Chinese Railway. He and Yong Bao were taking some coaches to show some visitors the beautiful countryside. 

"I hope you're ready for a busy day, Thomas," said Yong Bao cheerfully, "it's a beautiful day and that often means more passengers!" 

"I'm always ready to be Really Useful, Yong Bao," whistled Thomas happily. 

"So am I," whistled a voice. 

It was Hong Mei. She was pulling some trucks. 

"What are you doing today, Hong Mei?" asked Thomas. 

"I'm taking these trucks to the yards at the top of the mountains," explained Hong Mei. 

"Oh, so you'll be working in the snow," peeped Thomas. 

"It's never particularly warm in those mountains," said Yong Bao. 

Hong Mei smiled and steamed away. She didn't really like snow, but she equally loved being useful, so prepared to do the job as soon as possible and without delay. 

"Are you alright, Hong Mei?" asked Ling the truck. 

"I'm okay, I just hate this route. It's too chilly!" 

"I don't like it either," admitted Ling. 

As Hong Mei began to run up the mountain tracks, she saw the snow looming up ahead of her. She had a snowplough on, but was not pleased about it. Like Thomas, the Number One Engine from China hated snow and having to use a snowplough. 

"I hate this white stuff," she grumbled as she began to push through snow on her uphill journey. 

It wasn't just the snow either. 

Hong Mei's wheels kept slipping and she had to use her sandbox very regularly. 

"Icy rails, messy snow, ew!" moaned Hong Mei. 

"I agree, Hong Mei," grumbled Ling. 

Meanwhile, Thomas and Yong Bao were enjoying themselves immensely. They enjoyed the sunshine and the scenic routes they took, and all the beautiful plants along the way. 

"I hope Hong Mei isn't too annoyed," said Thomas. 

"She may not like snow, Thomas," said Yong Bao, "but she also knows how to be Useful. I promise that Hong Mei will be fine." 

But Hong Mei wasn't fine. She was heading for the last tunnel just before the journey ended at the station. Workmen and pickaxes lay everywhere and Hong Mei saw that they were clearing the tracks so that they could make some repairs. 

"Be careful in there, Hong Mei," called a workman. 

Hong Mei did so as she slowly entered the tunnel. But then there was trouble. As she entered, a piece of snow fell from the top of the tunnel and landed in her funnel. 

"Oooh!" cried Hong Mei, as she shivered from the cold feeling in her funnel. 

It was Hong Mei's shrill yell that caused...the avalanche! 

"Take cover!" yelled the workmen. 

The men dashed into the tunnel just in time. Hong Mei saw that her way out from behind was now blocked, but there was worse to come. The avalanche fell on the other side of the tunnel too and now Hong Mei and the workmen were all trapped inside the tunnel! 

"Oh no!" moaned Hong Mei in horror. 

Without a way out, all the men had to keep warm was Hong Mei's fire and the generator they had positioned in the tunnel. And they all knew that those wouldn't last for too long. 

"You'll have to start digging, and quick," cried Ling. 

The men agreed and began to hack away at the heavy drifts of snow. 

Meanwhile, Thomas and Yong Bao had finished their passenger runs. The visitors were very happy with their trip. 

But the two engines were surprised to see that Hong Mei had not returned. 

"She should have been back by now," said Yong Bao. 

"Do you think something's happened?" asked Thomas. 

Just then, the Stationmaster appeared. 

"Hong Mei has not cleared her signalbox before the mountain station," he explained, "we need you two to search for her, but be sure to wear-" 

"Snowploughs?!" cried Thomas. 

"Anything to help a friend, Thomas," reminded Yong Bao. 

Thomas sighed but agreed. 

Hong Mei's fire was already beginning to run out. She was getting very frightened. 

"Oh, help," she moaned. 

"Be calm, Hong Mei," said Ling calmly, "help will be on the way by now." 

"I hope so, Ling, I do hope so." 

Time passed and the workmen were getting too tired and cold to dig any longer. 

Then, they heard a muffling noise. Then another. And then a Toot Toot! 

"That's Thomas' whistle!" cried Hong Mei delightedly. 

Then they heard Yong Bao's whistle. 

"They're both here! Here to rescue us!" cheered Hong Mei.

"Hooray!" laughed Ling. 

Yong Bao and Thomas charged at the snowdrifts and although it took a long time, the two engines bashed their way through the avalanche and into the tunnel. 

"Hong Mei, are you okay?" panted Yong Bao. 

"I am now, thank you both!" said Hong Mei gratefully. 

"And so am I! Thank you!" cheered Ling. 

They all laughed. 

The delivery couldn't be made. The track on the other end of the tunnel was still blocked and was reported to be much deeper and larger than on the end Thomas and Yong Bao pushed through. 

And so, Thomas and Yong Bao helped Hong Mei back to her shed, while Ling told his fellow trucks about the adventure he and Hong Mei had had today. 

Hong Mei was happy to be snug and safe in her shed again. 

She was still deeply grateful to Thomas and Yong Bao. 

"We're just glad you're back with us safe and sound," said Yong Bao happily. 

And for the rest of the night, Thomas and Hong Mei spoke of all the things that they agreed on when it came to hating the snow. 

(The End!)