Author's notes: Story's fairly much the same, but I'm the guard again. I wanted to give Douglas and Oliver some added support.

Escape

Narrator: The following day after the incident with the diesels, the Main 5 drivers, the mane 6 ponies and other the ponies were teaching Mr. Hoskins the ropes of running trains on the Island Of Sodor. They all decided that the best way to start was on Edward's branch line, as Edward was so wise and kind. Mr. Hoskins listened very carefully and soon learned what he had do. He didn't mind what job he did, passengers or trucks. He did so well that the trains were on time, the coaches, trucks and even Bill and Ben behaved themselves. By the days end, Edward, Donald, Douglas, Bill, Ben, BoCo, Derek, Fergus, Big Macintosh, Braeburn, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Fluttershy along with the main 5 drivers were very proud of him. Later at Knapford Hotel, Everypony and the main 5 drivers all congratulated him.

Mr. Hawkins: You know something Dustin, you truly are the bees knees. Princess Celestia and the Fat Controller made the right choice of hiring you on my friend.

Mr. Hoskins: Wow, thanks. That means a lot.

Mr. Roberts: Anytime mate. Not to many drivers here can say they have managed to keep Bill and Ben under control on they're first day.

Braeburn: That's right, now that's a record.

Big Macintosh: Eeeyup.

Mr. Hoskins: Wow. That really means a lot.

Applejack: Yeah, and to tell you the honest apple fritter truth, the way you keep goin', your gonna be workin' the mainline, the other branch lines and the smaller railways sooner than you think.

Mr. Hoskins: Ah, thanks guys.

Narrator: One day, Edward the blue engine and Fluttershy were resting in a siding near the vicarage orchard, talking to there best friend, Trevor the traction engine, whom they helped save from scrap. Douglas, steamed up, pulling a train of heavy china clay trucks with Braeburn and Mr. Hoskins. Troublesome things had happened early that morning and Douglas was feeling a little peeved.

Douglas: (Whistles at Edward and Fluttershy) Och! Come on Edward and Fluttershy!

Narrator: Fluttershy jumped into Edward's cab, startled.

Douglas: Quit Gossipin' in the sun when there's work to be done.

Mr. Hoskins: Sorry about, that he's a bit peeved today!

Braeburn: Yeah. He didn't mean any harm, it's just this work loads really getting pretty heavy now!

Mr. Holden: That's alright we understand.

Narrator: Even though Edward knew that Douglas as always meant well like his brother, he was not best pleased with Douglas's rudeness nor was Fluttershy. Later that day, Fluttershy and Edward spoke to Douglas.

Fluttershy: Pardon me Douglas, now Edward I do realise that you were a bit frustrated about the delay this morning and we completely understand.

Edward: But, mind you, I really did not appreciate you taking your frustration out on me, Fluttershy and Trevor. Trevor and I happened to be very old friends and it just so happens that you and Trevor have a lot in common.

Narrator: He paused impressively.

Douglas: Och Aye? What, pray tell, would that be?

Edward/Fluttershy: (Giving the stare and speaking quietly) Scrap….

Narrator: Douglas gasped.

Douglas: Los sakes! Ye naever told aboot that? Och, the poor wee traction engine maun have been frighten oot of his mind.

Braeburn: Oh my goodness. Just like you and Donald were when you two were on trial trying to save one another.

Fluttershy: That's right. He was scared, the poor little thing, and even ready to admit his fate.

Edward: Indeed he was. You see, his old master no longer had any uses for Trevor anymore so sent him to Scrapyard at Wellsworth. He was going to be broken up in a week, but thanks to me, Fluttershy, Miss Ravens, Reverend Charles Laxey, Mr Holden and the vicar of Wellsworth, we managed to save him and now he has new home at Reverend Charles Laxey's vicarage orchards and is now really useful once again.

Narrator: Douglas sighed.

Douglas: Och aye. That be broad hearin. Good on ye Edward.

Braeburn: I know what ya'll mean.

Douglas: I'm sorry I was rude tae ye this morning. Me work load lately has been getting heavier lately, and me Donald have been rushed off our wheels from the mainline, tae that arlesburgh branch with Duck, tae here.

Edward/Fluttershy: Apology accepted Douglas.

Edward: And to be fair with you, I understand what you mean. The Fat Controller and Princess Celestia have stated that we do need another engine.

Douglas: Och aye.

Braeburn: And quickly too.

Narrator: One night, Douglas, along with Braeburn, Mr. Hoskins and Douglas old driver Mr. McCloud and Miss Ravens as guard, were working late they were taking the midnight goods to a station on the other railway, 4 miles away from Barrow– in–Furness on British railway's territory, where only the BR diesels worked. It was a cold, dark night and stormy night. Heavy rain poured down in thick sheets of water, as thunder echoed everywhere and lighting flashing across the sky. Douglas puffed nervously along. He knew he was now owned by the North Western Railway, but having escaped from here back in 1959 with his brother Donald as a stow away, Douglas couldn't help but feel very frightened. He did not like running on the very same rails that wanted to scrap him. Braeburn, Mr. McCloud and Miss Ravens didn't blame him for feeling scared and the storm only made things even worse for the poor Caledonian engine. But he knew his duty and was determined not to let the Fat Controller or Princess Celestia down. Mr. Hoskins was bit shaken too.

Douglas: (Scared) Och! I de nea like this at all. I hope we reach yon station soon, I dinna wanna stay on BR for another second longer than necessary.

Mr. McCloud: Now there there Doggie, yee be alright as long as we all stick taegether. (Gulp) but Yer right there me old friend.

Braeburn: (Scared) I know what you mean Douglas. This railway here does not look very friendly. The BR network gives me nothing but the jitters.

Mr. Hoskins: (Scared, gulp) I know what you mean guys, it's places like this that make me feel very glad that I work and live on Sodor with you guys now!

Miss Ravens: (Scared) I know what you mean guys. Let's just deliver the goods, and high-tender out of here.

Narrator: At last, they reached they're destination.

Douglas: Oh thank goodness we're here. Now come on. Lets get a move on. I dinnae want to stay here any longer. I wanna go home.

Mr. Hoskins: I know Douglas, I know. But we need to shunt our trucks for our return journey.

Douglas: Oh dear. Oh dear.

Braeburn: Now look here Douglas, I don't like this place as much as you do, but orders are orders and we must follow them.

Miss Ravens: There there Douglas. We'll get through this. As soon as we get it done, we'll be back on Sodor with your brother and our friends.

Narrator: At half past 7, they were shunting their trucks ready for the return journey back to Sodor when they heard a faint 'hissss….' that made them all nearly jump.

Braeburn: Great Fritters! Did ya'll hear that.!

Mr. Hoskins: Yeah I heard it too.

Miss Ravens: My word! What in the name of the North Western Railway was that?

Mr. McCloud: caull me daft but that… nae it cannae be?

Douglas: Och! Aye, yer not the only one Mr. McClood. That sounds like a steam engine!

Narrator: The 'hisss….' came again, this time it sounded almost despairing. Mr. McCloud, Mr. Hoskins, Miss Ravens and Braeburn grabbed their lanterns and hopped off Douglas' footplate and out of the guards van to investigate.

Douglas: (Nervous) Whose there?

Narrator: A whisper came.

?: (Desperate whisper.) Are you a fat controllers engine from the North Western Railway of the Island of sodor?

Douglas: Aye, and Proud of it ….

Narrator: But the voice wasn't so sure yet.

?: (Whisper) And do by anychance work with talking ponies, and that 4 of your drivers have been granted immortality and eternal youth?

Douglas: Correct again.

Narrator: Just then, Mr. McCloud, Mr. Hoskins, Braeburn and Miss Ravens followed the noise and gasped what they saw next.

Braeburn: Jumpin apple fritters! I don't believe it! It is a steam engine!

Mr. Hoskins: He's not alone. It's a complete train set.

Miss Ravens: Why, bless my soul!

Narrator: Standing next to a siding of some trucks that Douglas was to shunt, was a complete train set there was a strange was queer looking brown Great Western 20-ton brakevan that Mr. Hawkins had often nicknamed toad vans whenever he talked about his days at Swindon. Then, wearing the British Railways' maroon livery, was a Great Western Railway Autocoach. And leading the consist was very furlong Swindon built Great Western Railway standard BR green 0-4-2t 1400 Class steam tank engine.

Braeburn: Hey, this is a GWR 14XX tank engine, this is type of steam engine that Mr. Holden is fond of.

Narrator: When the little great western tank engine heard the pony in front of him talking at first he was startled but then he felt relieved.

Oliver: (whisper desperate) Oh thank goodness. I'm Oliver, and these are my friends, Isabel…

Isabel: Hello.

Oliver: And Toad.

Toad: Hello there.

Oliver: We're escaping to your railway, but we've run out of coal and have no more steam left.

Douglas: Is it from scrap yer escaping?

Oliver: (Desperate and nearly bursting into tears) Yes. Oh please help. Do help us, please. Your only chance for survival. Please.. I beg you.

Narrator: Douglas hesitated for a moment then he remember Edward's story about Trevor and about Stepney's story.

Douglas: Then its glad I'll be to help ye, but we mauns work fast.

Braeburn: But how are we gonna keep Oliver and his friends under the radar?

Narrator: Douglas thought long and hard, but it was Mr Hoskins that got the idea.

Mr. Hoskins: That's it! I've got it! We'll disguise him.

Miss Ravens: What? Disguise him?

Mr. Hoskins: Rainbow Dash had told me all about disguises whenever she read some book called Daring Do. Me and Mr. Holden often saw spies wearing Disguises when we went to the picture shows to see James Bond 007 motion pictures! We'll make it look as though Oliver ready for scrappin' and that we're taking him away to scrapyards.

Narrator: Mr. Hoskins winked to Oliver whom smiled with hope for the first time since his escape.

Oliver: (Sigh of relief) Thank you.

Isabel: We owe you our gratitude.

Toad: Thank you very much.

Narrator: Both crews all agreed on the plan everyone worked as fast as they could. They took off Oliver's side rods and placed them into Toad, tied a tarpaulin around Oliver's funnel, then they wrote down transit labels and chalked the words scrap everywhere they could. When all was ready, Douglas marshalled Oliver, Isabel and Toad to the front of his return journey train.

Douglas: Nae time to turn round. I mauns run tender first. Dinna fass aboot me. I'll be fine.

Braeburn: Okay, everything's a go.

Miss Ravens: Now, you three will have to hide in that coach of yours.

Olivers driver/fireman/Guard: Right We'll maintain silence until you say so.

Narrator: Soon everyone was ready. Oliver's crew handed Miss Ravens the transit labels and took refuge into the coach. Mr. Hoskins, Mr. McClould and Braeburn climbed aboard Douglas while Miss Ravens got into the brake van of Douglas' goods train.

Douglas: Alright, come on!

Narrator: And they started off into the stormy pitch black night. A passing diesel spotted them and raised the alarm foreman's watch dogs barked and growled.

Random BR Diesel: OY! WHERE DO THINK YOUR GOING?! (Tooting the alarm) A STEAMERS ESCAPING! (Tooting the alarm) A STEAMERS ESCAPING!

Narrator: Oliver quivered but Douglas puffed firmly on and counselled him.

Douglas: Take nae notice of him.

Miss Ravens: It's going to be ok Oliver.

Narrator: But with a blast of a foreman's whistle and the barking of a watch dog, they were stopped before they could clear the station throat. The night duty foreman's lamp shone over Oliver whilst his watch dog snarled and growled menacingly.

BR foreman: AH HA! Just as I thought! A Western steam tank engine.

Narrator: His light flickered further back as his watch dog growled and snarled even more menacingly than before foaming from in his mouth. He was also nashing his teeth and his fur raised as high as possible.

BR foreman: A Western auto coach and goods brake van too! Property of British rail! You can't take these!

Mr. McCloud: Can we noo?! I'll have ye knoo that they're all for us

Mr. Hoskins: That's just it. See, we've got permission here. Just see for yourself!

Narrator: Miss Ravens showed him the labels and papers and with the watch dog still seething, snarling, growling, and foaming, Oliver's crew hiding in the coach ducked down out of sight hardly daring to breath. The night duty foreman handed back the transit labels and paperwork. And had his watch dog give an inspection.

Night duty foreman: HUNTER, SEARCH!

Narrator: The watch dog looked and sniffed all over Oliver, Isabel and Toad, Oliver's crew wisely locked the doors.

Nighty duty foreman: HUNTER, RETREAT!

Narrator: And the watch dog, still a little suspicious, returned back to his master whom also was quite suspicious as well.

Night duty foreman: (Grudgingly) Hmmm… Seems in order….. But it seems rather queer.

Miss Ravens: Sure it is. But I can tell you queerer.

Night duty foreman: (Interrupts) Well so can I!

Narrator: The watch dog, offended by the insult directed to his master, angrily barked and tried to pounce Miss Ravens and bite her. But the Night foreman held his leash back.

Night foreman: (pulls dog back angrily) SIT HUNTER SIT! OR NO CANINE KRUNCHIES FOR YOU TOMORROW!

Narrator: Reluctantly, the watch dog subsided, still glaring at them.

Night Duty foreman: (Sigh) very well then right away Guard

Narrator: The Night Duty foreman blew his whistle and waved his green flag and the cavalcade forged ahead into the night. Everyone felt relieved. Miss Ravens could hear the others talking through some walkie talkies that they had brought with them, and was also in on the conversation.

Douglas: Whew! That was near thing.

Braeburn: Heh, your tellin me. I was scared that hound dog there was gonna bite.

Mr. McCloud: I know. Nane of the other dogs back in Scotland were that nasty.

Mr. Hoskins: Yeah. I thought that dog was gonna rip us apart. But getting passed the foreman was scary enough.

Miss Ravens: (Shudders) I know. That dog is terrible.

Narrator: Oliver smiled.

Oliver: Well, to be honest with you, we've had worse.

Braeburn: Really. what happened.

Oliver: Well….

(Flashback)

(Montage of Olivers escape)

Oliver narrating: We had to run at night to keep ourselves under the radar, starting from FairFort England to where you guys found me. Friendly signalman from my region, that being the Western Region of British railways and formerly Great Western Railway, would pass us from box to box when no trains were about, slipping us into gaps in there schedules.

Isabel Narrating: We continued in this fashion and for a while we got on well, that was until Control at BR's main office heard about a "Mystery Train" and then they tried to hunt us down.

(flashback end)

Braeburn: Sweet apple pies! Sounds like you three were sure on the run there Oliver!

Oliver: We sure were.

Mr. Hoskins: Boy how awful. If I knew that was going to happen, I would asked my engine driver friends back on Sodor to help host a preservation rally.

Miss Ravens: Your right there Dustin dear friend. Oliver, we'd do anything to help a steam engine in need.

Oliver: Oh, bless you Mr… and Miss… uh…

Miss Ravens: Miss Rachel Marie Ravens. But you can either call me Miss Ravens or Rachel.

Mr Hoskins: And Mr Dustin Hoskins. But call me Dustin or Mr Hoskins.

Oliver: Well, thank you both, and you too Douglas.

Douglas: Ah, think nothing oof it Oliver. So, back to your story, what did yer and yer friends do after control found out aboot yet?

Narrator: Oliver Paused.

Oliver: Well…

(Flashback )

Oliver narrating: When we got found out, a signalman at one of the junctions nearby warned us about the alert and let us hide on old quarry branchline. Driver, fireman and guard blocked the cutting with rubbish and levered one of the approach rails away. We stayed there for days and nights with diesel bay and growling outside like hounds, we were very frightened then.

Douglas: Small blame tae ye.

Miss Ravens: What happened then?

(Flashback)

Oliver narrator: After a few days passed and we decide to continue on.

Narrating Toad: We were almost there, knowing that we could make it one trip, when Mr Oliver's crew and the rest of us realized to our horrors that Oliver had depleted all of his coal supply and eventually we ran out of steam. I think you guys know the rest.

Narrator: Douglas Braeburn, Mr. Hoskins, Mr. McCloud and Miss Ravens all grinned.

Douglas: Well, dinna fast yerselves any more. Itt'll be alright new.

Narrator: Presently, they rumbled over the bridge and at last made safe and sound onto the Fat Controllers railway.

Douglas: We're home! They can't catch ye noo!

Braeburn: YEEEHAW! Welcome to sweet Island of Sodor!

Oliver: Oh fantastic! Oh thank you everyone! We are forever in your debt.

Mr. Hoskins: Oh, it's alright.

Miss Ravens: We're just glad we can help.

Oliver: Oh um, can you tell Isabel and Toad please?

Narrator: Douglas and Braeburn called out the news and heard a joyful, 'Tingalingaling tingalingaling!' They were surprised. But Oliver chuckled.

Oliver: Heheheh. Oh don't worry. That's Isabel. She's has bell you see. She's very clever. She has to be too, for she is what we Great Western Railway engines call an autocoach. That means she is used for push-pull trains powered by a steam locomotive. The distinguishing design feature of an autocoach is the driving cab at one end, allowing the driver to control the train without needing to be located in the cab of the steam locomotive. This eliminates the need to run the engine round to the other end of the coach at the end of each journey. For example, when we go out together, I pull one way and push another. When I pull, I can see ahead, and when push, I can't. Isabel keeps a good lookout and rings her bell to talk to me to keep me alert.

Douglas: Ye dinna say. Anyway, aboot this Toad. Is he your brake….

Mr. McCloud: Haude yer wheest! Yons Crovans Gate works! We mauns slip in unbenoonced and find a place for Oliver.

Narrator: Everyone tried to be quiet but the night duty foremen of Crovans Gate heard them and they had to be told their secret.

Foreman: (Winks) Don't worry, I have just the place. Your secret's safe with me.

Narrator: He showed them a nice empty siding nicely hidden away. Oliver, Isabel and Toad said goodbye and thank you and Douglas with a very tired but happy Braeburn, Mr. Hoskins, Mr. McCloud and Miss Ravens puffed thoughtfully away.

Douglas: Yon's an enterprising engine. I won away here with Donald; but I'd've been feared to do it on me own.

You thought that was good? Wait till part 4, 'Little Western'.