Author's notes: Upon further research, I realised that the J15s (The type of engine that Toby helps to the station), is in fact older then Toby, the 1st one built in 1883, last one being built in 1913 (This would also mean that some of the 1st batch of J15s are older then Edward). Our tram engine friend here was built in 1914. That is why we changed the engine that Toby helps to the station to a T77 instead. The J15 is still there, but he is a close friend of Toby. We also see a familiar face from the TVS. See if you can spot him/her. Anyway, lets go.

Toby's Seaside Holiday

Narrator: One morning Toby was resting alone at Ffarquhar sheds with Applejack and Trixie when Percy came in with some empty trucks and Flora arrived with Henrietta, Fiona and Elsie. Mr. Roberts, Pinkie Pie and Miss Ravens were with them as well.

Flora: Phew! That was a lot of passengers.

Fiona: I know. Me, Henrietta and Elsie only just managed to fit them in.

Henrietta: I tell you, it was a good thing the passengers didn't need to ride on our balconies Fiona.

Elsie: I know. It's a good thing I can carry some passengers when you 2 are too full.

Miss Ravens: Indeed girls. That was lucky.

Percy: It was a busy day today at Knapford harbour too….

Mr. Roberts: Yeah, lots of ships came in today!

Pinkie Pie: And lots and lots of trucks to shunt.

Narrator: Toby shut his eyes and smiled, remembering the days when he had worked at a harbour too in Britain.

Toby: Speaking of harbours, I actually used to work at harbour before I even met the Fat Controller. I was a shunter down there.

Flora: Oh yes. I remember you telling me about that on our tramway line.

Pinkie Pie: Really?

Applejack: Wow! What was it like?

Toby: Heheheheh. It was pretty busy there, but I was younger back then so I managed pretty well. Now I'm too old to dash about like I did back then. Backwards and forwards between the port and the big station I went, with never chance for a holiday but… heheheh. I did get to visit the seaside once at least for a little bit.

Trixie: Oh, do tell us about it.

Narrator: And here was the story that Toby told them.

(Flashback, grouping era )

Narrator: Now as many of you may remember that Sir Topham Hatt the 1st Fat Controller and his grandson Stephen Hatt the 3rd Fat Controller first met Toby the tram engine and his coach Henrietta in 1951 whilst on holiday in east Anglia. Afterwards, when the line was finally closed of that same year, Sir Topham Hatt the 1st brought them to Sodor to work on NWR railway along the Ffarquhar quarry line. Before that, Toby worked had worked at Great Yarmouth Docks, in Norfolk England with several of his brothers and sisters from the pre group era and most of the post grouping era during the 1920s to 1931. Great Yarmouth was a busy harbour. Ships came in and out of port around the clock. The little J70s were kept bustling about backwards and forwards shunting coaches and trucks to and fro. Even so, Toby never had a chance to really exercise his wheels properly until he had his own tramway to run on. He and his brothers and sisters often had to work with in the harbour limits and the nearby station. At the big station, he often met other engines from the mainline of the Great Eastern Railway, then later on the London North Eastern Railway. He knew only 3 of these engines. 2 Claud Hamilton express engines called Claud, a D-16 4-4-0, and Molly, a D56. Then there was Alexander, an old wise J15 0-6-0 goods engine. The four engines were all good friends and sometimes they would stay the night with Toby at Yarmouth.

Alexander: Hullo Toby. How was your work today?

Toby: (Sigh) Same old, same old Alexander… Just nothing but shunting all day long.

Molly: What's the matter? You don't seem very happy about it.

Toby: Well, don't get me wrong, I understand completely that the dockside shunting is a very important job, but I just wish that maybe once I uh…..

Claud: It's alright Toby. Go ahead and tell us.

Toby: (Sigh) That just once, maybe that I could have a little holiday.

Narrator: Another J70 heard this and laughed

J70: Oh, it's always the same with you isn't it little Toby? Maybe once take a holiday! Hahahahaha! Retirement is what you need you dusty little runt!

Claud: Oh put a piece of coal in it Archie and leave the poor engine alone!

Archie: Oh Claud, can't you take a joke? I was just playing with my brother.

Claud: Not if their taken too far. Now Archie, go get Alexander's goods train ready!

Narrator: And Archie scuttled away.

Molly: You shouldn't let your brothers tease you like that Toby maybe you will get your chance some day.

Narrator: Toby still felt glum.

Toby: (Sigh) I don't see how. You guys have it easy. I'm just stuck here shunting back and forth between the big station and Yarmouth harbour and always getting laughed at by my brothers and sisters for wanting just one little holiday. Nothing more.

Claud: Heheheh. Toby, believe or not, we mainline engines feel the same way.

Molly: Yes, and Claud, Alexander and I too have been teased by the other mainline engines. From B-12's to B-17's and even A-1's and A-3's but don't worry little Toby, I'm sure you will get a holiday one or another.

Toby: (Sigh) Maybe, but still I shouldn't complain.

Alexander: Well don't you worry young Toby. Maybe your opportunity will come before know it. I'm sure of it.

Narrator: Toby felt a little better, and the next morning his friends from the mainline were right. Toby's driver and fireman came to work that day looking very excited.

Toby: Hullo driver, fireman, you look cheerful today.

Fireman/Driver: We've been promised a trip to the seaside.

Toby: (Surprised) What do you mean?

Driver: There's a seaside village near Yarmouth and every year there is big festival. One of the organisers has a display of engines as an extra special attraction every year.

Toby: Really? So who are the lucky engines?

Narrator: The fireman grinned broadly. He was ready to answer that question.

Fireman: Well this year, it's going to be Claud, Molly, Alexander and you Toby!

Narrator: Toby could hardly believe what he had heard.

Toby: (Surprised) Me?!

Driver: That's right. This year Toby, you're to be one of them.

Narrator: Toby was delighted beyond words. A few minutes later, Toby went to sheds at the big station where he was given knew paint a new bell and his brass work was polished until it shone his driver could see himself through it.

Driver: (Whistle) Toby old boy, you haven't looked so smart in years. I almost didn't recognise you. Well, lets be off now.

Narrator: And with cheerful clang of his bell Toby and they set out to the junction were the branchline met. As they arrived, they had to wait for goods train which was running late. A few minutes later, an astronomical racket was heard and a the goods train came in from branch line. The engine was T77 class 0-6-0 Tender engine. He was younger than Toby but he was dirty. His rods clanked and steam leaked in all directions and at last, wheezing badly, the engine finally came to a depressing stop at the station and could move no more. Toby was worried.

Toby: Oh dear. The poor engine. Excuse me station master, may I help that engine pull his next train to the seaside?

Station Master: Of course. Go right ahead. We'll have another engine there to take him home once you get there.

Narrator: So it was arranged and Toby was coupled.

Toby: Don't worry, we'll get you home. You all set there youngster?

T77: Ready!

Narrator: And they set off together to the seaside.

T77: Thank you very much. Sorry for causing you a delay.

Toby: That's alright youngster. I'm always glad to help an engine need.

T77: Your name's Toby, isn't it?

Toby: Why yes it is how did you know uh…um…

Stratford: Oh sorry old boy. I'm Stratford. I've heard all about you from your friends Claud, Molly and Alexander.

Toby: Well, pleasure to meet you Stratford.

Stratford: Same to you Toby. So tell me, what brings you out here?

Toby: Oh well, I've been invited to a festival at seaside village near here. And my driver says that every year they have a very special attraction for all visitors, and this year they're having an exhibition engines and Claud, Molly and Alexander and I have been chosen.

Narrator: Stratford smiled.

Stratford: (Sigh) Good for you Toby. Festival time is the best time of the year. Lots of extra trains come in and they bring extra visitors. I expect that you Molly, Claud, and Alexander will be standing in the long carriage siding for the exhibition.

Toby: I see. Well thank you for the information Stratford. I'll make sure to keep that in mind.

Narrator: They soon reached the seaside station where the station master came out to greet them.

Toby: And here we are Stratford

Stratford: Oh thank you Toby. I couldn't have made it without you.

Narrator : The stationmaster was surprised to see Toby with Stratford in tow. The drivers told them what had happened, and stationmaster agreed to do something for Stratford, but he stared at Toby, frowned and went away shaking his head. Toby was soon uncoupled and placed in the long carriage siding with Alexander, Molly and Claud and another engine helped Stratford. Molly, Alexander, and Claud were very impressed.

Molly: Well that was kind of you to help poor Stratford.

Claud: Indeed Toby you truly are the most kindest steam tram engine.

Alexander: You have the fine makings of a really useful engine.

Narrator: Toby blushed with pride and they went happily to sleep. The next day, Toby and his friends were very excited. The 4 woke early to see the sea sparkling in the distance with only tramp steamer in the back heading out to see. White birds flew and swooped overhead making mewing noises.

Molly: (Sigh) It's so beautiful here.

Toby: I know what you mean Molly. I wonder what those birds are.

Molly: Search me.

Alexander: I haven't a clue.

Claud: Perhaps they're seagulls.

Toby: Well I'll ask driver when he gets here.

Narrator: But his crew arrived looking glum and furlong.

Fireman: (Sad sigh) Well if that doesn't take the biscuit!

Toby: What's the matter?

Driver: (Sad sigh) It's all off Toby. They say that they've run out of room and that there's no where for you to stand.

Narrator: The 4 engines were shocked.

Alexander: WHAT IN THE ZAM HILL!?

Claud: WHAT!

Molly: NO!

Toby: But what's wrong with where I am? I'm not in anybody's way here am I?

Molly: Certainly not Toby!

Alexander: Bless you no Toby!

Claud: Heavens no Toby!

Narrator: His Driver and fireman agreed too and lowered there voices darkly.

Driver: I reckon it's just an excuse. They said that the real problem is that your too smart Toby and they're afraid that you show there branchline up. (Sigh) I'm sorry old boy, but we've got to go home to Yarmouth Harbour.

Narrator: Alexander, Molly and Claud felt very sorry for poor Toby.

Claud: The nerve of those men!

Alexander: Toby, I'm sorry that happened.

Molly: Same here. I'm so sorry Toby.

Narrator: Toby sighed sadly.

Toby: So am I.

Narrator: And Toby trundled sadly away.

(Present day)

Narrator: The engines, ponies, Mr Roberts and Miss Ravens felt sorry for Toby too.

Flora: Oh dear Toby. I'm sorry you didn't get your place in the parade.

Toby: Well, it's not your fault there Flora. It just happened.

Mr Roberts: (Checks his watch) Percy, Pinkie, we have another goods train in 10 minutes.

Miss Ravens: (Checks her watch) Oh my. Flora, Fiona, Elsie, Henrietta, we have to get the next passenger run done.

Percy: Right. See you Toby.

Flora: Bye Toby.

Henrietta: We'll be back soon.

Narrator: With that, the others left. Toby felt tired.

Toby: Ah well. Better get some sleep before my next run.

Applejack: Alright. Trixie and ah will leave ya ta rest.

Narrator: Just, then a door banged and Toby Applejack and Trixie Jumped.

Mr. Holden: Wake up Toby! Time to get back to work.

Narrator: Mr. Holden, Applejack and Trixie climbed into Toby's cab and Toby sighed as left the sheds.

Toby: Well I did get to the seaside, even if it wasn't for long but I think that the Fat Controller would have handled that festival business much better.

Can you figure out who that familiar face was? Anyway, next is Bulstrode. We also have another pony working with him for a bit. Not going to say.