ERS Volume 53 – Hard Working Little Engines

From Sodor Island Forums

Author

BenPennock

Stories

Rusty's Passenger Train

Rusty feels sad that he hasn't been able to take passenger trains on the line. But one day an Author visits the railway, and Peter Sam (who was chosent to take it) has fallen ill. Rusty convinces the Thin Controller he can do it, but after a predicament caused by the aggravated coaches causes trouble for Rusty. He gets back home adament that he doesn't have the need to pull passengers again any time soon.

Military Engine

The Thin Controller decides that the engins need help with the workload, so he calls in another engine on trial. This engine, titled No. 33, acts bossy and ignorant to the other engines because he is older and 'more experienced', having worked in the military. Duncan then makes a plan to stop him acting this way, and fortunately it works and No. 33 apologises.

That Sinking Feeling

Sir Handel is outraged when Peter Sam is chosen to take the Lord Mayor instead of him, so he makes a plan. He tells Peter Sam that the sunk piece of line at the marsh has been repaired so he can go at full speed- however, it hadn't. Peter Sam then tells Ivo Hugh about the repair, and Ivo Hugh ends up sunk in the marsh because of this. Sir Handel, feeling terrible about what he had caused, decideds to keep Ivo Hugh company that night in the mud, and the next morning he tells everyone the truth about the plan.

Welcome Home

The engines are excited to hear that Skarloey is returning home, and even more happy to hear the Prime Minister is visiting on the same day. They plan to have a party for both, but things go wrong when the engines are told that Skarloey's boat had been delayed and the party decorations weren't delivered right. On the day, things go worse when Gertrude's coupling breaks on the way to taking important people to the party. Luckily, all ends up well, and Skarloey ends up bringing the Prime Minister to the party. After all this, No. 33 meets the Fat Clergyman decides to have the name 'Edwin Richard'.

Notes

• Featured Characters: Agnes, Beatrice, Duke, Duncan, Edward, Evan, Fred, Gertrude, Gordon, Ivo Hugh, Jemima, Lucy, Millicent, Peter Sam, Rheneas, Rusty, Ruth, Sir Handel, Skarloey, Talyllyn, Fat Clergyman, Fat Controller, Mr. Hugh, Thin Clergyman, Thin Controller
• Introduced Characters: Edwin Richard the Military Engine, The Lord Mayor, The Prime Minister
• Introduced Locations: The Marshland
• Edwin Richard is based on 'Blanche' from the Ffestiniog Railway. He wears a red livery and was previously referred to as 'No. 33'. It is said in the last story that he was given a 'proper number', so it can be assumed he was given the number 10.