Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends: Into The Boob Verse.

Impulse & The Visiting Diesels

With the publication of the stories, came tourist trains. It would often cause congestion along the railway, but the engines didn't mind. Quite often, diesels from the other railway would head these trains, but sometimes engines from heritage lines would visit. That's where this story starts.

Two diesels rumbled across the bridge, and onto the island. The one who headed the train looked around, very pleased to be out of the shed he was kept in. The other's face was downcast, a bitter expression drawn on. They came to a stop at the big station, and ran into the yard.

Duck had been assisting as shunter for a few weeks, and was too busy to take much mind to them. Impulse was filling up on water, when the two rolled in.

"Hello! Welcome to the railway!"

Impulse smiled.

"I'm Impulse! Who are you guys?"

"I'm Vincent!"

The blue one smiled.

"It's lovely to meet you!"

The other diesel only huffed in reply. Impulse raised an eyebrow, he'd never had such a reception from a newcomer. It was lucky for him that Duck saddled up beside him.

"Well I never! If it isn't Bowler! Haven't seen you in what must be decades! They ever removed that hat?"

"I never wanted to return to this dull landscape of an island, but I'm afraid my owner had other plans for me. Thought I'd be the perfect fit because of my past here..."

The diesel shuddered.

"Never mind that! Why don't you two come and rest at the sheds? I'm sure we have the room!"

Vincent was very eager, but Bowler wasn't.

"I'd never go near that... Death trap! I'd rather sleep in a battle-ground!"

"Suit yourself."

Duck replied. As Vincent started forwards, his engine coughed as spluttered something fierce!

"I see why they had two engines on the train now."

Impulse murmured.

That night, Bowler spent his night in the carriage sheds. He felt awfully lonely. For some reason, it felt like something was in his air intake.

Vincent however was having a wonderful time. He'd quickly made friends with engines like Ned and Caddick, and soon was chatting like he'd known them for years.

"I've been having engine troubles for years."

He explained.

"My owner isn't much interested in me. I long for a nice run, it's what an engine really needs."

"You know how these things go!"

Caddick grinned.

"I'm sure it'll be put right in the end!"

The return train was waiting by mid-day.

"It was a pleasure to meet you all!"

Vincent honked.

"I hope we meet again!"

The engines were sad to see him off, not so much Bowler, who was oddly quiet. At last, the train set off.

"Slow down up there!"

Vincent shouted.

"Any faster, and my engine will give out!"

Bowler didn't reply.

The journey had gone well, all until they passed Edward's station. Bowler started feeling ill.

"I've got such a pain!"

He winged. They tried hard to carry on, but, as they started up the hill, Bowler found he could go no further. Vincent tried his best to keep the train moving, but found it all too much for his engine. Thick black smoke poured out from his engine. The train was stuck.

Impulse had just arrived at Edward's station, when he saw The Fat Controller, waving a red flag.

"The tourist train's stuck on the hill with two failed diesels. I need you to push the train to the works."

"Movin two dead diesels and a special train eh? Who'da thought it?"

Impulse was nervous, but smiled bravely.

"No trouble sir!"

And he quickly set off.

Impulse soon arrived at the hill, and was buffer up in front. At last, the guard blew the whistle, and Impulse set off. The train was very heavy, and the coaches almost dragged them back! After a great effort, Impulse was on his way again! 

They thundered down the line, flying through stations, and in and out of tunnels! Other engines would watch on in amazement! At last, the train arrived to the works, right on time.

"Well done!"

The Fat Controller smiled.

"A very fine performance indeed!"

He turned to the diesels.

"I've heard about the both of you! Bowler, once you've been inspected, you'll be heading home. I'm sure you'd like that."

Bowler didn't even look in agreement. The Fat Controller just smiled.

"As for you Vincent. Your owner has expressed interest in me buying you. Would you like that?"

Vincent was delighted!

"I'd be honored sir! Thank you!"

"That's good! You'll need a new coat of paint, but that won't take too long!"

Vincent smiled wider than he felt he ever had. He gave Impulse a friendly honk as the black engine set off back into the sunlight!

A few weeks later, Vincent returned to the sheds, to be met to a chorus of cheers and whistles!

"Welcome home!"

Impulse laughed.

"We're more than happy to have you here!"

"Oh it gets even better!"

Vincent added.

"I'm sure you heard this, but when they were cleaning out Bowler, they found a hat stuck in his air intake! What do you think of that!?"

The engines all laughed, Vincent finally felt like he was home.

The big blue diesel's settled in well. While new, he's still making a name for himself, perhaps I'll have more to tell about him?