The Sudrians: The Archive Collection

Thomas & Toby

~1951~

"It's not fair!" complained Thomas crossly.

"What isn't fair?" asked his driver.

"That this tram engine comes in and takes my work on some of my line!"

His driver chuckled. "Is someone jealous?" he quizzed teasingly.

Thomas looked insulted. "I am not jealous!" he said firmly, "But it just, isn't fair though. That policeman had no right to make me a regular law breaker, because I'm not a regular law breaker, I'm not!"

It had been a few weeks after Thomas got in trouble with the police, Toby arriving and taking his place with going to the Anopha quarry on the little tramway.

Now Thomas, was please to have another set of buffers on his branch line, it had been a while since from when he last had help on the rails instead of the roads. But he wasn't please with how well Toby was actually doing. None of the trucks played tricks to him, the passengers enjoyed him dearly, and even The Fat Controller's children, Charles and Bridget, will come and see the tram engine hard at work. Even riding in his cab, making the tank engine fume his already burnt coal in his firebox.

Toby was a kind engine. But if something isn't done right he wouldn't be very happy with you. So, on one sunny day, Thomas was waiting shunting some trucks at the junction where his branch line connects to the mainline. He was ordered to shunt a train for Toby when he arrived, but Thomas had to be persuaded for a very long time and when he was doing it, Toby had already arrived with his coach, Henrietta.

The tram engine wasn't best please with this. "I thought my train was ready?" he said to Thomas as the tank engine banged the empty trucks into each other.

Thomas growled. "Sorry," said Thomas sarcastically, "This line is yours after all."

Toby sighed. "Well, I was told that my train would be ready when I would get here," he said, "I'm quite surprised Thomas. I thought you were the leader of this line and would work super hard on it-"

"I do!" exclaimed Thomas angrily, "You've only been working on this line for what? Four weeks! You make it sound like I never do anything on this line!"

"Well currently, you are," said Toby.

"And neither are you," retorted Thomas. Wheeshing steam he puffed away. Grumbling angrily to himself.

"You can finish your train," he said, "I'm done here."

And Thomas puffed away to find his coaches, leaving Toby being very annoyed.

Toby found the rest of his trucks, and waited until he was allowed to leave.

"I just don't understand him," grumbled Toby to Henrietta, "He's so moody all the time with me. He doesn't even allow me to talk when he's around!"

"He's probably just upset about losing some of his line," replied Henrietta calmly, "After all, he had gotten in trouble with the police and isn't allowed to go to the quarry anymore. It he just misses it."

Toby tried to believe it. But couldn't since Thomas had been like this ever since the tram engine had arrived. Soon, Toby was allowed to leave. Thomas, looking from the station, watch intently.