Thomas & Friends. Season fan-made

Tramway Wars

It was a crisp autumn morning on the Island of Sodor, and the leaves were beginning to change colour.

Mavis, the little quarry diesel, was busy at the quarry, shunting trucks full of stone. Although she loved her work at the quarry, today was different. Flora, the bright and sunny tram engine, had been sent to the Works for repairs after a minor accident involving one of those Horrid Lorries, and Sir Topham Hatt had asked Mavis to take over her duties on the tramway.

"But what about the quarry sir? Surely It would be better to send Toby. After all, he knows how to handle passengers." Mavis protested. However, Topham knew what he was doing. "I'll have Toby come up to take over shunting at the quarry. I'm sure Billy wouldn't mind leaving the yard to help out on the branchline." Mavis wasn't sure, but she knew it wouldn't be a good idea to go against Topham's orders. "Alright sir, so long as my owner agreed." And they did. So, Mavis was soon sent off along the line, she had never seen so many sights, and was quite exited to meet new faces.

As Mavis made her way to the tramway, she passed Bulgy the Bus, who was parked at a crossroads. Bulgy had once tried to replace the railway with his bus service, and although he had been put back in his place, after an incident with a bridge later named after him on the Little Western, he still held a grudge against the engines.

"Well, well," sneered Bulgy as Mavis rolled by. "If it isn't Mavis, the quarry diesel, trying to play passenger engine. Don't you know this isn't your place? Why don't you stick to the dusty old quarry where you belong?"

Mavis ignored him and continued on her way, but she couldn't help feeling a little uneasy. Bulgy had a reputation for causing trouble, and she had a feeling he wasn't going to make her job any easier.

The next day, Mavis set out to run her first passenger service on the tramway.

The line was peaceful, with its tracks winding through the town. It may have been a little boring seeing the same sights all day but she didn't mind. Mavis was enjoying the new scenery when she heard a familiar, obnoxious horn. It was Bulgy, speeding along the road parallel to the tracks.

"Out of the way, slowpoke!" Bulgy jeered, swerving dangerously close to the lines. His passengers looked alarmed, but Bulgy didn't care. He was determined to make Mavis's job as difficult as he could possibly make.

Mavis tried to focus on her work, but Bulgy continued to cause trouble. At every stop, he would arrive just ahead of Mavis, blocking the road and causing delays. He even encouraged some of his passengers to switch to his bus, claiming he was faster and more reliable.

The passengers on Mavis's tram began to grumble. "This tram is so slow!" one complained. "Maybe we should take Bulgy next time," another said.

Mavis felt disheartened, but she refused to let Bulgy win. "I won't let him push me around," she thought determinedly.

The next day, Mavis came up with a clever plan.

She knew that Bulgy liked to show off how fast he could go, so she decided to use that against him. At the start of the day, Mavis set out on her usual route, but this time she made sure to slow down every time Bulgy came into view, letting him zoom ahead with his passengers.

"Ha! See how slow she is!" Bulgy called to his passengers. "You're much better off with me!"

But Mavis had a trick up her sleeve. As Bulgy sped down the road, he didn't notice the sharp bend ahead. Mavis, however, knew the tramway well. She had learned from Flora that the next bend was tricky and that it was important to slow down.

Sure enough, as Bulgy zoomed around the bend, he lost control. He skidded off the road and slammed right into a vegetable stand! His passengers screamed in surprise as they were jolted from their seats.

Mavis calmly rounded the bend, her passengers safe and sound. She stopped when she saw Bulgy stuck under the wooden rubble. His passengers were climbing out, covered in cuts, bruises and none of them looked happy.

"I guess speed isn't everything, Bulgy," Mavis said with a smile.

Bulgy was too embarrassed to respond as the passengers climbed onto Mavis's tram. "We'll take the tram from now on," they said, grateful for the safe and smooth ride.

Later that day, Sir Topham Hatt arrived at the scene.

He wasn't pleased with Bulgy. "You have caused enough trouble for today," Sir Topham Hatt scolded. "You'll be taken to the repair yard, and I expect you to behave yourself from now on."

Bulgy, still battered and bruised, could only look away miserably.

Sir Topham Hatt then turned to Mavis. "You've done a fine job today, Mavis. I know the tramway isn't your usual work, but you've proven that you can handle any challenge."

Mavis beamed with pride. "Thank you, Sir," she said. "I'm glad I could help."

From that day on, Mavis continued to run the tramway until Flora returned, and Bulgy stayed far away, too embarrassed to cause any more trouble. The passengers enjoyed their rides, knowing they were in safe hands with Mavis.

And as for Mavis, she learned that even when faced with bullies, staying calm and clever could always save the day.