Author's notes: I really like this one. It does give us an idea of what Jock is going to be like in the next story. I also corrected the 'undercoat' error. If Jock's paintwork is an undercoat, it wouldn't have red and green lining on it yet.

Jock

Narrator: One evening in the sheds of 1976, Mike, Bert, Rex, Frank and Sigrid of Arlesdale were all chattering excitedly whilst Mr. Holden, Miss Ravens, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Roberts and newly made member Mr. Hoskins we're helping the foal ponies cleaning and servicing the engines.

Bert: Guys, do you know what I think?

Mike: News to me that you could Bert hehehehehe….

Bert: I suppose it would be for you, having done little thinking yourself!

Sigrid: Alright, alright. Settle down you two.

Mr. Thompson: Yeah. The last thing we need is a complaint about disturbing the peace.

Tornado Bolt: Yeah, come on let him tell what he has to tell.

Narrator: Mike stayed quiet then he and Rex chuckled and waited for Bert to start.

Mike: Alright then, go on. Aren't going to impress us all with your thoughts?

Narrator: And he and Rex exchanged winks.

Snips: Ssssh. Mike! I want to know what it is.

Mr. Holden: Yeah, come on. Let him speak.

Bert: Something is going on in the workshop.

Rex: Work?

Snails: Rex, be quiet! Your spoiling Bert's story.

Narrator: And Mike, Rex and Frank burst into laughter until Sigrid of Arlesdale, Tornado Bolt, Twist, Shady Daze, Snails, Snips, Gingersnap and the main 6 drivers told them to stop.

Miss Thomson: Oh shut Rex and let him finish what he has to say.

Mr. Hawkins: Yeah. You too Mike. Go on Bert.

Bert: I think, that the men, women and ponies are building something.

Frank: Really? What is it?

Shady Daze: Sssh! Let him speak. You'll spoil the story.

Mr. Roberts: Yeah just shhssssh for right now.

Frank: Oh, sorry.

Bert: Ahem. Anyway, me, Twist and Mr. Holden were waiting at the platform yesterday with my morning up train, and the workshop door was open. Mr. Holden, Twist and I couldn't see much but there was something on the floor inside. It looked like boiler.

Narrator: Rex Mike and Frank were quick to remark.

Rex: What is that it?

Mike: It's probably just a spare for one us.

Frank: Or a stationary boiler to keep this shed ventilated.

Mr Thomson/Snails: Rex

Mr. Hawkins/Snips: Mike

Mr. Roberts/Shady Daze: Frank

All barring Rex, Mike, Frank and Bert: SHUT UP!

Sigrid: Go ahead Bert.

Bert: Thank you. Well to answer your question, I don't think it was a spare. There were also wheels as well. What me, Twist and Mr. Holden think is that… They're building a new engine. Mr. Holden said he heard a rumour about it.

Narrator: 5 small engines looked hopefully too.

Mike: And about time too.

Narrator: The next morning, the small engines woke up early together as the 5 of the foals, Twist, Snips, Snails, Shady Daze and Tornado Bolt and 5 of the main drivers, Mr. Holden, Miss Ravens, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Thompson and Mr. Roberts were all servicing their engines when Princess Cadence came to see them.

Cadence: Hullo guys. How's it going?

All: Pretty good actually.

Miss Ravens: Say, have you seen Mr. Hoskins or Gingersnap anywhere?

Cadence: Oh. They're helping some of the work people and ponies in the machine shops.

Narrator: Mike was the first to blurt out.

Mike: Um, excuse me, do you know the new engine's name yet Malady?

Narrator: Princess Cadence giggled.

Princess Cadence: Heheheheh. How did you all know about the new engine? It's suppose to be a secret.

Narrator: They all told her and she laughed.

Princess Cadence: Well, me and Mr. Furgus Duncan haven't really came up with a name yet, but we'll let you know when we do.

Narrator: But a few weeks later when the new engine did come out of the workshops, the small controller and Princess Cadence still hadn't decided on name. Every engine, driver and pony looked on intrigue as Gingersnap and Mr. Hoskins drove him out of the shops for the first time for tests, the engine looked very smart an distinguished. He had 2 small wheels in the front, 6 small driving wheels and 2 trailing wheels. He had a tall funnel, square cab, windows and brass squared off dome, and his yellow-green undercoat shone in the golden Sudrian sunlight.

Frank: Well I say. Impressive.

Mr. Roberts: Wow. We'll I'll be. I'll be.

Shady Daze: Man. He looks awesome.

Sigrid: How handsome.

Thompson: Quite neat looking.

Tornado Bolt: Got that right. He looks really awesome!

Miss Ravens: Boy. He does look pretty neat. I can't wait to start writing books about him.

Mr. Holden: Neither can my friend. Golly. I can't wait to see him at work.

Mr. Hawkins: Same here. I hope we keep him.

Mike: Quite a odd new design.

Rex: Yeah and what a funny colour too.

Bert: No it's not! I actually like it.

Twist: Yeah, same here. It makes him look more unique.

Snips: I agree with Bert. His paint work makes him look stupendous!

Snails: And awesome too.

Mr. Hoskins: Yeah, same. His design makes him look very distinguished too.

Gingersnap: I think the livery looks nice.

Narrator: The new engine smiled.

New engine: So do I, but my designer Mr. Ivan Farrier say's it'll be different in the end. This is just something calls an uhh….umm… An undercoat… am right?

Gingersnap: That's right.

Narrator: Soon, Mr. Hoskins and Gingersnap to give the new engine a shakedown. He puffed happily to and fro testing his speed, strength and pulling power around the yard. Duck, Douglas, Braeburn and Applejack came to look too. Douglas and Braeburn had brought in some empty ballast wagons from along the branchline. All 4 along with their drivers looked on with interest as the new engine was put through his paces.

Duck: Well, he certainly is a strong one he is.

Applejack: Your right there Duck. Heheheh. I betcha he could help transport all of our apples on there produce trains in one trip.

Braeburn: Indeed dear cousin of mine. He sure looks strong enough.

Douglas: Och. He puts me in mind of my days in Scotland. Back up on the auld Caledonian railway, there was a southward connection at Stanley junction to another railway called the highland railway. Some the engines up on the highland railway were painted Stroudley yellow, very similar tae yon colour, Jocks we used tae nickname our highland railway neighbours.

Narrator: The new engine, Gingersnap, and Mr. Hoskins looked up intrigued and stopped close by.

New engine: (Intrigued) Jocks?

Douglas: Aye and nae such a bad name for yerself eh Jock?

Narrator: He told him all about the jocks from the highland railway.

Gingersnap: Oh, that's a great idea Douglas. I'll go tell them right away.

Narrator: And she hurried away to ask Princess Cadence and the small controller. The small controller and Princess Cadence were delighted.

Small controller/Cadence: Well done Douglas well done Gingersnap.

Narrator: They then turn to the new engine.

Cadence: So what do you think about it?

Small Controller: It will mean you'll have to keep your colour to give the name some point and paint the stripes and other details onto you. Would you mind?

Narrator: The new engine smiled.

New engine: I don't mind at all. I like the livery already and the name would suit me fine.

Small controller: Excellent. That's settled then. Jock it shall be.

Cadence: We're proud to have you with us Jock. Thank you Gingersnap, and thank you Douglas for such a splendid idea.

Douglas: Och. Nae problem Sir and Princess Cadence.

Braeburn: Nice job there Gingersnap. I think I see another merit badge earned. (Winks)

Narrator: Gingersnap was so pleased that she let a little squee. With that, Duck went to collect Alice and Mirabel for his next passenger run and Douglas set off with his now loaded ballast trucks, well satisfied with his mornings work.

Aww. I am growing very fond of Gingersnap too. Her looks kind of make me think of the foal versions of Fluttershy or Coco Pommel. Next one is the last story for the Jock The New Engine saga 'Teamwork'.