Author's notes: I've got to say, in terms of fan character development for Barry, this is one of the best I have seen, followed closely behind by WildNorWester's and ThomasAngryBirds' interpretations. For WildNorWester, I thought it was very creative to base Barry off a real preserved engine and send him off to said preservation railway. I will have to read ThomasAngryBirds saga again to get a better idea of it, but the basic ideas of his stories were pretty good, and the red livery at the end was a nice touch.

Dear Rachel, Mike, James, Mitch and Dustin

Although steam traction has long since faded into oblivion on the British Railway Networks, many steam engines are still being saved by the numbers, even as late as the 1980's. Thanks to the Sodor Railway Trust Society, we've managed to save thousands of engines from cutters torch. One BR Standard Class 2 is one of these engines. His name is Barry, and he was a pretty touchy go to start at first, but thanks to the help of our new friend, Miss Cheerilee, Barry has now settled down and is now is much more calm and really useful. Anyway, here are the stories about our new engine friend Barry The Rescue Engine.

Your best friend forever

William James Holden.

An Old Friend In Need

Narrator: If one was new to the Island Of Sodor, one may think that the entire railway network of the North Western Railway is all under the ownership of the Fat Controller himself and is run by his own fleet of locomotives, however this has never been the case. East of the island, there is a branch line that runs from Vicarstown to Ballahoo where two lines would interchange at the Y loop. One line heads towards Crovans Gate where the Skarloey Railway resides, and another running for some distance alongside an estuary till it eventually terminates at a beautiful seaside town on the south-eastern coast of Sodor called Norramby. This line is called the Norramby Branch line. Ever since the grouping act of 1922 to the present day, the North Western Railway has always shared a joint operation with the London Midland and Scottish Railway and later on British Railway with a suburban service between Burrow-In-Furness and Norramby pulled by foreign engines of the other railways of the United Kingdom. For a while, this operation worked out alright, the line being run by smaller tender engines like Edward, Sally, Bridget, Donald, Douglas and even Simmors before he was shipped into the war. But during the 1960's, the line began to hit hard times. BR began to change it's suburban train timetables drastically to keep a faster pace of the line. This did not go well and as a result, tourist traffic was starting to fall apart. The Fat Controller and Princess Celestia knew that something had to be done to save and revise the line, so it was no surprise that the Fat Controller and Princess Celestia held a conference at Wellsworth.

Fat Controller: Obviously, we have always had a good connection with the other railway on the Norramby line since 1922 under my grandfather's ownership. I am still grateful for their help, but with this new schedule, the tourist visitor traffic is starting to cripple. This matter must be dealt with, Princess Celestia, before things turn sour.

Celestia: I agree Sir Stephen Hatt. Whilst maintaining a very reliable suburban service is important in it's own way, tourist traffic and holiday traffic is just as important too. The regional director of this operation has agreed upon this matter as well. Unless we find a way to convince the board of directors on the British Railway Network about revising the tourist traffic, there is little hope.

Narrator: However, their chance came sooner than expected. One morning, Henry had arrived at Burrow-In-Furness with his Flying Kipper along with Mr. Holden and Applejack. They had been teaching a new pony how to operating trains on the NWR. Her name was Cheerilee, but everyone called her Miss Cheerilee because she was a teacher at Ponyville and they didn't want to be rude. The deep pink mare had helped out for a fortnight on an unnamed Standard Class 2 2-6-0 while the NWR engines were out in England, but hadn't really had the chance to work with an engine on the NWR full time.

Applejack: And here we are Miss Cheerilee. This is our BR Transfer station at Burrow-in-Furness.

Miss Cheerilee: I see. Now, I think I might need a refresher, but wouldn't this be under British Rail's control?

Mr. Holden: Well, technically yes, true be told that this is part of British rail's ownership. However, the North Western Railway has always had running powers into Barrow Central Station since an agreement with the LMS Railway in 1925. For "through" trains now owned by British Railways, NWR engines are detached and British Railway Engines take over.

Cheerilee: Oh well then, that makes sense. Thank you very much for the reminder.

Mr. Holden: Anytime Miss Cheerilee.

Henry: I hope you enjoyed your student trip on board me Miss Cheerilee. Um, sorry if this isn't a prestige passenger train.

Cheerilee: Oh that's alright Henry. Goods trains are just as important as passenger trains. I did enjoy my first student trip very much. Thank you Henry for making it possible and enjoyable.

Henry: Why thank you too, Miss Cheerilee.

Narrator: Just, then they saw Gordon, Rainbow Dash and Mr. Thompson pull up beside Henry.

Cheerilee: Oh why hullo Gordon, Mr. Thompson, and Rainbow Dash. How was the WildNorWester trip?

Rainbow Dash: It was so awesome Miss Cheerilee! We just enjoyed flying along the line.

Mr. Thompson: Indeed. It's wonderful Miss Cheerilee.

Gordon: First rate Miss Cheerilee. Heh, I love these runs.

Narrator: Everyone chuckled. But at that moment, Pip and Emma rolled into the platform looking very sad.

Cheerliee: Who are those 2?

Henry: Well Miss Cheerlie, they are Pip and Emma. They helped while Gordon was on a railtour and they are very friendly. Hullo there Pip!

Applejack: Howdy there Pip!

Mr Holden: Hey there Pip.

Rainbow Dash: Hi Emma!

Gordon: Hullo Emma.

Mr Thomson: Hey Emma.

Pip and Emma: (Sad sigh) Hullo Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Henry, Gordon, Mr Thomson and Mr Holden.

Narrator: Everyone looked worried.

Mr. Thompson: My word. Pip, Emma? Are you two alright? What happened?

Pip: (Sad) We've had to stop by Barry Scrapyard again.

Henry: Oh dear. I see what you mean.

Cheerilee: What's Barry Scrapyard?

Narrator: Mr. Holden sighed unhappily. This was one piece of information he did not want to talk about.

Mr. Holden: Barry Scrapyard is one of the many scrapyards located around the british isles. Nearly 300 British Railways steam locomotive were withdrawn and scrapped. Many preservation society members are doing there best to saving these engines from getting scrapped and so is the Sodor Railway Trust Society. But due to our island being so small, we have help by the Misty Island Railway Trust Society. Sadly, we can't save them all.

Narrator: Cheerilee felt sorry for Pip and Emma who were on the verge of bursting into tears.

Cheerilee: Oh dear Pip and Emma… I… I'm so sorry.

Pip and Emma: Thank you Miss… um… uh…

Cheerilee: Oh, it's Miss Cheerilee, girls.

Pip and Emma: Thank you Miss Cheerilee.

Pip: Oh those poor engines. I wish there was something we could to save them.

Emma: Same here my sister. Ah well. At least the preservationists are doing there best and so is the Sodor/Misty Island Railway Trust Societies. I just hope one of them save little Barry before it's too late.

Henry: Barry? Whose Barry?

Pip: He's one of the very few engines that talks to us on BR, but he's so scared sometimes of all us diesels and we are the only ones he really talks too.

Narrator: Pip and Emma thought back and this is the story that they told.

(Flashback)

Narrator Emma: A few days ago, Pip and I were taking there usual commuter to Barrow-In-Furness from Wales.

Pip: Oh Emma, I love going to Barrow In Furness. Maybe Gordon will be there with the WildNorWester.

Emma: I certainly hope so, or one of the other Sodor engines, like James, Henry, Sally, Bridget, Belle, Hank, Bear or Hero.

Pip: Indeed. Or perhaps Donald will be there with a goods for the other railway. (Giggles)

Emma: (Giggles) Or maybe Douglas.

Narrator Pip: We were hoping to get a clear run, but to our heartbreak, we had to stop at a signal to allow another HST to pass by Barry Island scrapyard.

Pip: Oh dear, not again. This signal stop is so heartbreaking to stop at.

Emma: I know my dear sister. With all these poor engines whom once were proud and strong, they are now being cut away into oblivion.

Narrator Emma: We then noticed a BR Standard Class 2 2-6-0 parked close by looking very sad and we wanted to try and help him and keep him company.

Emma/Pip: Um, Hullo there….

Narrator Pip: The engine jumped in fright.

?: AAAAAAHHHHHH! OH NO WAIT PLEASE! PLEASE DON'T HURT ME! PLEASE I DON'T WANT TO BE SCRAPPED.

Narrator Emma: The poor engine was so frightened, he was shivering nervously, hyperventilating and on the edge tears of fright as Pip and I tried to calm him down.

Emma: Whoa whoa whoa whoa. Easy there.

Pip: Just calm down, it's okay.

Emma: We're not going to hurt you.

(The steam engine slows his breathing to a normal pace)

Pip: That's it. Calm down.

Emma: Sshshssh, there there now. It's okay.

Pip: Easy now. It's okay.

Emma: We're sorry we scared you. We didn't mean too.

Pip: We just want to help keep you company.

?: You just want to keep me company?

Emma: Of course. Every time we have to stop here, it really breaks our hearts to see such fine engines being cut up, so whenever we have to stop here to let a train pass we often try talking to the engines here to keep them from feeling sad and lonely and to keep them company.

?: Oh I see, um, I… I'm terribly sorry. It's just that…

Pip: It's alright. I know how it must feel to be scared of us diesels sometimes, especially those mean ones.

Barry: (Starting to calm down) Your right about the mean ones… they scare me to death. Um by the way m-m-m-my name is Barry.

Pip and Emma: Well, pleasure to meet you Barry.

Pip: I'm Pip

Emma: And I'm her sister Emma. If it's okay with you, may we talk with you?

Narrator Pip: Barry hesitated for a moment then he saw me and Emma smiling back.

Barry: Of course. Yes.

Pip: Thank you Barry.

Emma: Um, may we ask what work you used to do?

Barry: Well, lets see. My brothers and sisters and I were built from 1952 to 1956 for British Railways as Mix traffic engines.

(Memory of Barry)

Narrator Barry: It was wonderful. We were well suited for both Mainline and branchline trains worked mostly on shunting and goods work with an occasionally passenger train or two. However, we weren't good steamers but we tried our best as we could. I personally even paid a visit to a railway called the North Western Railway on the Island of Sodor to look after the railway with several other engines. It was there I got to meet a wise, old engine called Edward and his shy, but kind pony friend Fluttershy who taught me what I had to do whilst they were away with the other engines and ponies in England.

(Memory of 1956)

Edward: Good so far, 78065. You're absolutely well.

78065: Thanks Edward. I hope you and Fluttershy and the others have good at England.

Fluttershy: Thanks. That was nice of you to say. Um… I hope you enjoy your time here on Sodor.

78065: I'm sure I will. Thank you Miss Fluttershy. You are the kindest little pony I have ever met.

Fluttershy: (Giggles)

(At Wellsworth, Barry and Edward shunt trucks)

Edward: That a boy. You're catching on very well.

78065: Thank you Edward, Fluttershy. I hope I am.

Fluttershy: Oh your doing wonderful.

78065: Oh thank you Fluttershy, Edward. (Sigh) I do wish I could stay here for always.

Edward: Don't worry youngster. Maybe you will when you least expect it.

(Barry memory)

Barry: Edward and Fluttershy really taught me a great deal about branchline work. Edward was a very good and kind teacher and so was Fluttershy. When they left for England, I worked with another pony. Her name was Cheerliee, but she was called Miss Cheerliee due to being the foals' school teacher. Anyway, when the Sudrian engines returned later on, we left back for home and continued working our usual duties until the mid 1960s, when we along with our older, Ivatt class counterparts were withdrawn from service.

(Present Flashback)

Barry: (Sad sigh) And here I am, waiting for the day for my curtain call.

Narrator Pip: Emma and I wanted to help our new friend out.

Pip: Barry… I think there maybe away we can help you out.

Barry: (Doubtfully) I don't see how.

Emma: We can see if the North Western Railway can help you out. They do have this preservation society. We'll ask one of the Sudrian engines to see if the Fat Controller or Princess Celestia can help you.

Barry: (Still Doubtful, but grateful for the 2 engines), Thank you Pip and Emma.

Pip/Emma: Hey, glad to help out a friend in need.

Narrator Emma: Soon the other HST passed. Barry jumped. Pip and I soothed him to calm down and the signal showed the line clear. Pip and I set off.

(Present)

Pip: And we wanted to ask you, if you could please talk to the Fat Controller and Princess Celestia about saving him, please.

Emma: It's his only hope.

Narrator: Gordon, Henry, Rainbow Dash, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Holden, Applejack and Cheerilee all agreed. They all now felt sorry for Barry and promised to do whatever they could to save him. Soon, the guards whistle blew and Pip and Emma set off hopefully to London whilst the two drivers, the 4 ponies took the two Sudrian engines to the sheds to get ready for the return journey. All of them were determined to help Barry at all costs.

Heh, I must say, Pip and Emma are quickly growing into 2 of my favourite fan interpreted canon characters of the RWS. I really like their sweet, sisterly personalities, and the 2 also seem to have a gift with calming down frightened steam engines. Onto part 2.