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

Stuck In The Middle

One thing all the engines commonly detest, is being a middle engine. When you're sandwiched in between trucks, it means you have to go much slower, and it can feel rather uncomfortable. All engines agree it's no fun being stuck in the middle.

One morning, as James arrived to the radio station, he found himself rather short of breath.

"I could do with a rest."

He panted meekly. He was just backing down onto his next train, when the station master approached.

"Some of Horace's trucks became uncoupled up the line. You'll have to push them to the next station."

She told them. James tried to protest, but it did no good.

"Come on old boy."

His stoker grumbled.

"The sooner it's done, the better."

They found the trucks a bit further down the line. James hated the idea of being a middle engine, but they hadn't any other choice. The train started off again, travelling slowly.

The other engines snickered and smiled as James came trudging by.

"Thon's a queer lookin truck!"

Douglas teased.

"You wouldn't be laughing if you were stuck in the middle!"

James snapped in reply. Although he tried not to show it, James wasn't feeling very well.

The other engines weren't so kind that night, they teased and taunted the exhausted red engine. Douglas however found himself growing rather worried.

"Ye leuk chastly lad! awthing alricht?"

"Never been better!"

James replied, trying to sound brave. His crew talked quietly with Douglas' driver.

"Something's clearly up with him, but I guess he doesn't want to look weak with all this teasing?"

His guard speculated. Douglas' driver agreed.

"We'll mention it to The Fat Controller when we get the chance."

But the next morning, The Fat Controller was busy, so James wasn't looked over.

While The Red Engine worked as hard as he could, by 2 o'clock, he found he couldn't carry on.

"I've got such a pain! I've got such a pain!"

James cried! Quickly, his crew brought the train to a gentle stop, right in the middle of the line.

"We should've had you inspected."

His driver sighed.

"I'll call for help."

Douglas was waiting at the works station, when the station master approached his cab.

"Hey Hunter, Kristina, hate to bother you, but James has stalled down the line, you'll have to push him to the big station."

Douglas whistled in alarm!

"Doun the line!? Push him tae the big station!?"

He gasped.

"Ma trains already heavy, A canae be a middle engine!"

But he didn't have a choice.

"We can't leave James."

His stoker softly reassured.

"No matter if you'll be a middle engine or not."

As much as Douglas hated being a middle engine, he always put others first. Without any more complaints, he set off, the stationmaster waving as they left.

"Good luck!"

She called.

Much like James the day prior, they found the stricken goods train. James thought Douglas would laugh at him, but The Scottish Twin didn't.

"Dinne fast yourself!"

He called.

"We'll have ye movin i a jiffy!"

At last, the guard blew her whistle, and Douglas snorted into life! His wheels slipped, trying desperately to get the heavy train into motion! At least, with one mighty great effort, the train started again!

"We can dae it! We can dae it!"

And he did.

Other engines watched as Douglas snorted past. Instead of laughing and teasing, they'd whistle and cheer!

"Well done old boy! Keep going!"

Phil cheered, as the cavalcade passed! James even helped when they climbed the hill. The train arrived to the big station, right on time! The Fat Controller watched from his office, immensely proud.

That night, the others praised the two engines!

"The way they took the hill!"

Rodger marvaled.

"It was like magic!"

The comment's subsided, when The Fat Controller arrived. He stood proudly on the turntable.

"Over the last few years!"

He began.

"I have been shown time and again how lucky I am to run the finest railway in the world!"

He paused impressively.

"I have never been prouder in my life, and I'm honoured not to only call you really useful engines, but the world's greatest family!"

"Three cheers for The Fat Controller!"

Thomas interrupted, bursting into a flurry of whistles! Everyone joined in, the sound was deafening! This lasted well into the night, and once subsided, the engines happily chatted into the night about all their adventures! Douglas' crew watched from the shed doors.

"Well!"

His stoker giggled, lightly poking her partner in the arm."

"Doesn't this feel like the ending of a book?"

His driver thought for a moment, before smiling.

"Hmm, no."

He spoke at last.

"If anything, it feels like the next chapter is only just beginning."

And I sure do hope I'm right.