Author's notes: This really gets you to feel for Barry here. He is a bit touchy, but no doubt that he will get better.

A Low Self Of Steam

Narrator: At Crovans Gate, the volunteer workmen and ponies were all working hard day and night to restore Barry to his former glory. but the work took a long time.

(At Crovans Gate Hotel)

Miss Ravens: Whew! I tell ya, repairing an engine is not an easy thing.

Mr. Holden: Yeah, but thank goodness it's not impossible.

Rainbow Dash: Whew! I thought…. That the repairs would only be 10 seconds flat.

Sweetie Belle: Well, not always.

Pipsqueak: That's right, and it's not easy either, especially in Barry's case. The BR Standard Class 2 2-6-0s which is what Barry is were bad steamers at the time, so we've had to also make adjustments to his steampipe injectors, firebox and superheater tubes. It's not easy (Sigh) But all the same, it's still worth it.

Narrator: Miss Cheerilee, who was spending the night with them at Crovans Gate Hotel, was amazed.

Cheerilee: Well I must say, I'm very impressed with you Pipsqueak. I didn't know you knew about locomotive maintenance.

Sweetie Belle: Even better Miss Cheerilee. He's even helped Mr. Hugh, the Skarloey Railway's chief mechanical manager fix a washout with the bridge, repaired Peter Sam, Skarloey's Number 4 engine's funnel after the old one broke off. He's even regauged Sir Handel, Skarloey railway's number 3 so he doesn't derail anymore and he even helped repair SKR's number 8, Duke, after being lost for 22 years.

Narrator: Pipsqueak blushed happily.

Pipsqueak: Ah well, I … I….

Cheerilee: Did you really?

Narrator: Pipsqueak nodded, still blushing.

Cheerilee: Well, I must say you are truly gifted young Pipsqueak. So are all of you. My students, you've all taught me a lot about railways, I'm very proud of all of you, both big and small.

Mr. Hawkins: Aw, it's nothing. We've been teaching them for years.

Mr. Roberts: That's right. We've all got to start somewhere. I can't wait to finish with Barry. I'm so excited.

Rarity: Me too. I can't wait to start repainting him.

Sweetie Belle: Same here sister!

Apple Bloom: And me and Applejack are very excited about getting his steam up.

Applejack: That a girl Apple Bloom.

Rainbow Dash: And me and my sis Scootaloo can't wait to set his paces.

Scootaloo: You know it Rainbow Dash. (Hoof bumps Rainbow Dash)

Narrator: All the ponies and engines were very excited and every day they would continue to work with a will. At last, in 1988, Barry was finally ready. All the engines of the Skarloey Railway and little foals were their and the mane 6 ponies and the main 6 drivers and some of the Fat Controllers engines were too. Princess Luna, Princess Celestia and The Fat Controller and Thin Controller were also waiting. Barry steamed happily out of the shops for the first time under his own power. Edward was delighted to see his old student again.

Edward: Why hullo there Barry. It's good to have you back with us.

Barry: Well bless my firebox! Edward, good to see you again.

Fluttershy: Same here Barry. It's good to see you too.

Barry: Same to you Fluttershy.

Cheerliee: Oh welcome back Barry. You look fantastic!

Barry: Miss Cheerliee! I remember you working with me when Edward and Fluttershy left for England. Great to see you again.

Narrator: Soon, the Fat Controller and Princess Celestia stepped up

Celestia: Welcome back to service Barry. You look marvellous. Now, the Fat Controller and I are planning on reorganising a branchline that is a joint service between the NWR and BR. Because of a change in the BR's suburban commuter, tourist traffic is starting to dwindle. That is why you have come.

Fat Controller: However, before you can run this branchline, you must be put through paces first.

Barry: Yes Sir and Malady. I'll do my best Sir and Malady.

Celestia/Fat Controller: That's a good engine.

Fat Controller: Right then, to put you through your paces you will be working along Edwards branch line to reacquaint yourself with Branchline traffic. You will be working with Miss Cheerilee and Mr Thompson.

Barry: Yes Sir…

Narrator: Much as he was very happy to be working with Cheerliee again Barry still felt dreadfully nervous inside. After all, his class was prone to be shy at steaming, but he was willing to do his best.

Edward: Alright now, we'd better get moving if you want to get back into the swing of running branchlines.

Mr. Hoskins: That's right and with Edward, you'll be as right as rain.

Fluttershy: Now, come along now.

Cheerilee: Alright Barry, it's time to go now.

Barry: (Nervously) Yes Miss Cheerilee.

Mr. Roberts: Right then. Off we go.

Narrator: Mr. Roberts opened the regulator and Barry set off, following Edward to his branchline. Barry couldn't help but feel a bit anxious. When they arrived, Edward introduce Barry to Emily, Cherry Jubilee, Fergus, Prim Hemline, Derek, Thunderlane, Salty, Pipsqueak, BoCo and Big Macintosh.

Emily: Hullo Barry and hullo Miss Cheerilee. Welcome to the Wellsworth Branchline.

BoCo: I hope you do well your shake down.

Derek: Just do your best.

Salty: Indeed matey. You'll be sailin' down the line in no time, so to speak.

Narrator: Barry wanted jump in fright but he didn't dare incase he upset BoCo, Derek and Salty.

Barry: (Nervous ) Uh… Y…Yes. I hope I will too Mr. BoCo, Mr Derek and Mr Salty, sirs.

Fluttershy: Um, Barry, are you alright? You seem a little shakey.

Barry: Oh, Y-yes. I'm alright.

Fluttershy: Well okay then… but watch for the tank engine twins Bill and Ben and their friend Charlie. They can be quite mischievous.

Barry: (Nervous ) Uh, yes, uh, thank you Fluttershy.

Narrator: Barry nervously puffed away. One of Barry's first jobs was to take some empty china clay trucks down to Brendam Harbour for Bill, Ben and Charlie to take. He had to be there before lunchtime and before Bo-Co's train. Barry was worried about his steaming trouble. Cheerilee and Mr. Roberts were worried for Barry.

Cheerilee: Barry, is something bothering you?

Barry: Um…

Mr. Roberts: Go ahead. Tell us. You can tell us anything.

Cheerilee: Yeah go ahead. Just be honest.

Barry: Well, there are 2 things bothering me. I'm just a little worried about my trip with the trucks today. My class has been known for being shy steamers.

Cheerilee: Well don't you worry. We'll just do our best. Okay?

Barry: Uh… alright Miss Cheerilee, but other thing was….

Narrator: But then the guard blew his whistle and Barry, feeling very nervous, set off. They left wellsworth and started to run very nicely. They were making progress and left Suddery in fine style. The sun shone and the rails were dry.

Cheeriliee: This lovely, isn't it Barry.

Barry: Yes this very lovely Miss Cheerilee.

Mr. Roberts: Good show, keep it up Barry. Your doing great.

Narrator: Presently the line grew steep and poor Barry was feeling very short of steam.

Cheerliee: Easy now Barry, take your time and pace yourself….

Barry: Oh dear…. I hope I make it….

Narrator: Almost completely out of steam, Barry reached the top and coasted gently down.

Barry: Whew much better it's much better going down hill .

Narrator: At last, they made it to the port just in time.

Cheerliee: Alright Barry. Lets go and shunt these trucks into that siding for Bill, Ben and Charlie to pick up.

Barry: Right Miss Cheeriliee.

Narrator: Soon he began backing the trucks into a siding for Bill, Ben and Charlie to take, when suddenly he heard the sound of a diesel's horn, followed by the sound of pipes being dropped by a crane into some flatbeds with a loud clang.

Barry: AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!

Narrator: Barry had such a fright that he jumped and lurch backwards suddenly. One his trucks hit the buffers and burst open and china clay flew everywhere.

Mr. Roberts: WHOA BARRY! WHOA!

Barry: OH NO! NO! Please don't hurt me, please!

Cheerilee: BARRY! Calm down! It's alright, calm down!

Narrator: Barry opened his eyes and saw what had happened he felt very upset. To make matters worse, Bill, Ben and Charlie crept into yards and had seen everything. They laughed and laughed, much to the annoyance of Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Rumble.

Bill: Hohohohoo! Hey look Ben and Charlie, there's a been an accident there has…

Apple Bloom: Bill, you knock it off right now!

Ben: Quite right Bill. It's downright carelessness at its finest.

Scootaloo: Ben! Cut it out!

Charlie: Yeah. It was just the clatter of pipes!

Rumble: You are out of line Charlie!

Narrator: But Bill, Ben and Charlie just went on teasing.

Bill: Fancy jumping at the sound of diesel horn!

Ben/Charlie: And at a silly old crane.

Bill/Ben/Charlie: (Singing) Barry is a scaredy engine, scaredy engine scaredy engine, Barry a scaredy engine, all on a Saturday morning! Hahahahahahaha

Narrator: Poor Barry felt very upset. Not only had he had worn himself out, but he also embarrassed himself. He felt smaller than ever. Luckily, Fluttershy, Salty and Edward were at the port.

Edward: (Giving the stare) Shame on you Bill!

Fluttershy: (Giving the stare) Shame you Ben!

Salty: (Giving the stare) Shame on you Charlie! That is no way to treat our new friend!

Edward: (Giving the stare) You should be ashamed of yourselves!

Fluttershy: We will not tolerate bullying on this branchline!

Salty: (Giving the stare ) You three apologise right now!

Mr. Hoskins: You alright there Mr. Rorberts?

Mr. Roberts: Yeah I'm fine, thank you for asking. Just a little jolt,

Narrator: Soon, Charlie and the twins apologised and after a very weary Barry puffed away to the water column, Bill, Ben and Charlie puffed away. Poor Barry had a very low self of steam. BoCo, Salty and Derek rolled up alongside. they were worried for Barry.

BoCo/Derek: Um, Barry are you all….

Barry: AAAAHH….

Cheeriliee: Barry, calm down. It's just BoCo, Salty and Derek. Just relax.

Salty: You alright meharty? You seem more shaken then a ship that's about to sink.

Barry: Alright. I'll confess. With the modernisation plan, my brothers, sisters and I were all being towed away to scrapyards by diesel engines from British Railways, and ever since I've been Barry Scrapyards many diesels would rattle passed me, teasing me about being scrapped, saying that my time is running out. I was scared and they kept jiving and teasing me as I watched as other steam engines being cut up.

Cheerilee: Oh dear. I'm so sorry to hear that happened to you Barry. But don't worry remember your safe now

BoCo: Same here Barry. Cheerilee is right.

Derek: There maybe a few diesels on this island but we're not bad at all, we just want you to know that we diesels here on Sodor love seeing steam engines run about properly.

Salty: Even though there are some nasty diesels on BR, not all diesels are bad. We just want you to know that you have nothing fear from us or any other diesel on Sodor.

Barry: Uh, uhh, okay…

Mr. Thompson: That's right we're all your friends here Barry.

Barry: Okay… Thank you BoCo, Derek and Salty.

Narrator: BoCo, Derek and Salty could still see that Barry was still shaken so, they asked Edward Fluttershy to help the weary Barry home. Emily, who was at the port too, promised to look after Edward's Wellsworth Dragon, while Derek promised to look after his trucks. Edward and Fluttershy spoke kindly to Barry. Barry felt very grateful, but deep down, he felt that he had let everyone down.

Onto part 4.