Author's notes: Like with 'Trucks!', the main problem I have with the story, is that an accident happens to a character that doesn't deserve it. If I was doing the book, I would have swapped Peter Sam's and Duncan's stories around. Other then that, the original by Christopher was... ok. I like this version better because it does acknowledge Duke's return to steam better and that Duncan is actually given some stern words at the end. With that said, let's go.

Peter Sam and the Prickly Problem

Narrator: At last, Duke was finally mended and returned to work. He now had buffers, the number 8 painted on his sides and the SkR red with blue stripes livery. The engines, ponies and drivers were so pleased to seem him again that all the engines whistled, tooted and cheered with delight.

All engines, ponies and drivers: Oh welcome back into service again Duke!

Duke: Heheheheheh. It's good to be back. And I have wonderful news for you all. Sir Handel, I hear you and Pipsqueak along with Mr. Holden are going to visit wales. So I asked Princess Luna and Thin Controller if you me, Freddie and Peter Sam would join me in a reunion journey along the Skarloey Railway.

Narrator: Peter Sam Sir Handel and Freddie were delighted.

Peter Sam/Sir Handel: Yes please Granpuff!

Freddie: Sure, brother!

Narrator: Soon, everything was ready. Freddie was coupled nearest the train with Featherweight and Mr. Roberts, Peter Sam in front of Freddie with Mr. Hawkins and Apple Bloom, Sir Handel behind Duke with Mr. Holden and Pipsqueak, and Duke in the lead with Sweetie Belle and Miss Ravens. The guards whistle blew and they started off happily. Skarloey, Rheneas, Rusty, Duncan, Scootaloo, Babs Seed, Mr Thomson and Mr Hoskins stared awe as the cavalcade set out on their happiest voyage under clear signals. They whizzed through Cros-ny-curin station and then charged through the tunnel beyond Glenlock. They steamed triumphantly across the viaduct, photographers lined up along the line side snapping photographs as they passed. After pausing for a rest at Lakeside more photographers than ever were snapping photographs, and finally the guards whistle blew and they were off again. They never stopped until they came back to Crovans Gate in fine style.

Duke: Oh my word, that's the most fun I've ever had.

Miss Ravens: Heheheh. Your telling me. Just like the good old days.

Mr Holden: You got that right.

Sir Handel: Oh boy that was fun. This is definitely worth doing before I leave for wales.

Peter Sam: Indeed. It looks like the good old days are back and here to stay.

Freddie: They sure are Peter Sam. They sure are.

Pipsqueak: Quite an amazing Journey.

Sweetie Belle: (Hugging Pipsqueak) It sure was dear.

Apple Bloom: Ah agree. It sure was fun.

Featherweight: (Hugging Apple Bloom) You said it.

Narrator: And Sweetie Belle and Pipsqueak kissed each other as did Apple Bloom and Featherweight.

Scootaloo/Duncan: Oh for the love of pete…

Skarloey/Rheanes/Rusty/Freddie: Duncan….

Babs Seed/Duke/Sir Handel: Scootaloo.

Skarloey/Rheanes/Sir Handel/Rusty/Freddie/Duke/Babs Seed: SHUT UP!

(Peter Sam looked longing at the 2 foal couples, and remained quiet.)

Duke: You look a bit down Peter Sam. What's the matter?

Peter Sam: Oh Granpuff… it's… nothing really. Just a little tired is all.

Narrator: But that wasn't the real reason why Peter Sam was down. He managed to cheer up the next day as the ponies, engines and other drivers came to see Sir Handel, Pipsqueak and Mr. Holden off. They went away on Henry's special train. The ponies, engines and drivers missed them a lot but they soon had so much work to do that they hadn't enough time to miss them. The closure of the quarries at to Balladwail had caused the Skarloey Railway to build a loop line to keep passengers traffic afloat, however there is still goods traffic on the Skarloey Line. Since 1964 the railway had now been transport hay and produce for the local farmers of that resided around the area. Now the SKR had now obtained a new goods revenue. Lately this year, gangers had been busy too, cutting hedges and trimming trees beside the railway so that not only the passengers could see the view better, but to also keep the bushes and trees from growing too close to the line. Every evening, Rusty with Mr. Hugh and Apple Bloom would take some trucks up the line, stop where they have been cutting and the men load the wagons and Rusty would take as many cuttings away as they could. The other engines and ponies helped too, but they could only manage a few at a time. As fast as they moved the cuttings, unfortunately, more took they're place. The next morning, it was Peter Sam's turn to take the morning train. The coaches were full, well, save for Beatrice. But the rails were dry and Peter Sam didn't mind the extra load.

Peter Sam: (Sigh) what a wonderful day this is,

Sweetie Belle: I know. I've never seen a bluer sky

Miss Ravens: Oh yes. It is very beautiful.

Narrator: Peter Sam puffed happily along, until just beyond the tunnel they found that in the night a high wind had blown hedge clippings across the rails. Peter Sam stopped and Miss Ravens and Sweetie Belle got down.

Sweetie Belle: Well, that's torn it.

Miss Ravens: Your right there. We'll never get through there.

Peter Sam: Poh! There only little branches. We'll just push them aside. Nothing to it.

Miss Ravens: Well, if your so sure about it, have your way then.

Sweetie Belle: Yeah, and if we try to clear up properly we'll be here for ages. Some of the passengers might miss their train at the bottom station. I'll help out with my unicorn magic as best I can.

Narrator: Peter Sam started off bravely. They went carefully and at first, the branches slid away easily. Sweetie Belle's unicorn magic pushed a lot out of the way. But then came a stretch where the cuttings were brambles. Sweetie Belle tried her best but because she was a young filly and the heaviest thing she has lifted before was a small broom, she could only manage few at a time. Peter Sam began to regret his boasting. Not only were thorns prickly, but they caught in each other and the branches stayed firmly put. Suddenly, with yelp of pain, Peter Sam stopped.

Peter Sam: OUCH! I CAN'T MOVE!

Miss Ravens/Sweetie Belle: (Worried) Peter Sam!

Narrator: Sweetie Belle and Miss Ravens got down.

Miss Ravens: That's done it. It's no good. You've got brambles stuck in your valve gear and steam can't get into your cylinders. It looks like we'll have to cut you out with a knife.

Sweetie Belle: And I'll trying use my unicorn magic but we'll still need to cut you out.

Peter Sam: (Shuddering) Oh dear! I can't look!

Narrator: Peter Sam shuddered and prepared for the worse. Whilst Sweetie Belle tried to clear as much as she could with her unicorn magic, Miss Ravens, whom had pulled on thick gloves, went and asked the guard if he had a knife. Some of the passengers had knives too in there camping packs which were all stored in Beatrice for safety reasons. With the guards permission and supervision, they went and helped too. Even with everyone's and everypony's help, the job took a long time. By the time Peter Sam was free ,there was no hope of getting the passenger round the lake and back before James' train had left. Miss Ravens and Sweetie Belle apologised to the passengers. But they said they didn't mind.

Passengers: We enjoyed the adventure.

Narrator: Miss Ravens telephoned the Thin controller and Princess Luna. When they reached Rheneas station, Peter Sam ran round the coaches and pulled the train back to Crovans Gate. On the way home, they saw Rusty with Apple Bloom and Mr. Hugh pulling a long train of trucks. Rusty, Apple Bloom and Mr. Hugh worked hard and by afternoon the line was clear for trains to run normally. Peter Sam's front felt very uncomfortable for several days, and Duncan and Scootaloo laughed and teased him.

Duncan: Take a snowplough with you next time! Hahahahaheheahaha!

Scootaloo: Hehahahahahahahehehehe. Do have a sharp knife in your cab?

Narrator: The teasing went on and on until at last, when they came back…

Skarloey/Rheneas/Freddie/Rusty/Duke: Duncan and Scootaloo!

Duncan/Scootaloo: What?

Rusty: Well you be quiet?!

Skarloey: Yeah, I mean, Peter Sam did try to get the passengers home.

Rheanes: Rusty told us about it on the way back here.

Freddie: Just shut up about it you 2.

Duncan: I don't see what all the fuss is about. They were only little branches after all. Nothing to get all prickly about.

Duke: That's enough young Duncan! Your behaviour today would have never suited his grace. Do I need to bring up the story of when Mid Sodor's number 2 was turned into a pumping engine?

Duncan: (Gulp) Uh… no Duke.

Narrator: Although Peter Sam was glad that Duke was back and that he, Skarloey, Rheneas, Rusty and Fearless Freddie were standing up to him, he couldn't help but feel a bit lonely and empty inside. But I'm sorry to say that would be another story another saga.

And that saga will be 'The Alumium Works Caper'. Instead of the usual 4, that saga will have 10 chapters as it is a feature length. But that one will have to wait until more of these stories come up. Also, I wanted Duke to have the same colour as his friends as well as buffers for safety reasons. Now, let's go on with 'Pop Special'.