Author's notes: I do like this story quite a bit, except the fact that some of the story is way too similar to 'Bulldog'. I want to change it up so we don't have the sense of 'daja-vo', but I'm not sure on ideas. Suggests are very welcome.

The Duke and the Duchess

(Crovens Gate, 1990)

Rusty: My word. That's dark.

Duke: I know. I did try to warn him about it, but he didn't pay attention.

Sir Handel: That's alright Granpuff. You did what you could.

Rachel: Could you 3 handle the workload until 1904?

Duke: No. The manager had to get 2 more engines. One was named Master, and the other was named Duchess.

Peter Sam: Heh, Duchess eh? (Chuckles) Did you…

Duke: That'll do, young Stuart. I'll tell the story.

(Mid Sodor, 1893)

Narrator: Nearly a month had passed since Great Wonder's down fall. The Mid Sodor Railway was back to 3 engines again. Those being; Duke Shire Horse and Smudger. The workload began to increase and the engines, ponies and drivers all had to work through rain and shine around the calendar and around the clock with passenger trains shunting goods trains and mine duties. The ponies, engines and their crews all promised that they'd never let their railway down… well, Smudger on the sort of side. But as the workload increased, they began to tire more easily. The Manager understood this and spoke kindly to them.

Manager: Obviously, theirs more than enough work for the 3 of you on this railway, so I have taken the liberty of buying two more engines to help run this line.

Narrator: Twilight Dusk, Zap Apple, Sky Dasher, Jewel, Sunny, Party Time, James Holden, Marie Ravens Duke and Shire Horse were very pleased with this news and promised to give the new engines a big welcome, especially Party Time.

Party Time: YIPPIE! I know how to give them a big welcome. With a party!

Narrator: And everyone laughed But Smudger. Smudger quietly had his doubts.

Smudger: (In his mind) Those new engines better not be numbered 3 at all. No engine deserves that number but Mistress.

Narrator: Soon the day came when the new engines arrived. They looked very smart. The Manager introduced them to the ponies, Shire Horse Duke, Smudger, Marie Ravens and James Holden.

Manager: Ladies, gentlemen ponies and engines I would like to introduce you to our new Penrhyn Mainline Hunslet 2-4-0 Saddle tank engines. Duchess, No. 3 and Master No. 4.

Narrator: This was the signal for Party Time out of nowhere there was blast and bunch of confetti and streamers came pouring down.

Party Time: Yiipee! Welcome to MSR! I'm Party Time!

Twilight Dusk: Name's Twilight Dusk. Pleasure to meet you both.

Zap Apple: Well howdy do there. I'm Zap Apple and we ponies and engines here just love making new friends.

Sky Dasher: I'm the one and only Sky Dasher!

Jewel: My name is Jewel. Tis a pleasure to have 2 newcomers here.

Sunny: Um, I'm Sunny.

Shire Horse: I'm Shire Horse. (Looks at Smudger) Ahem, and this tank engine here is Smudger.

Smudger: (Trying to sound nice but very dryly) Charmed…..

Narrator: It took Duke a while to answer. He thought that Duchess was the most beautiful engine he had ever seen.

Duke: (In his mind) Golly, oh is Duchess beautiful. (To the new engines) Hullo there Master and hullo to you too Duchess. My… my name is is uh… Duke…

Duchess: Hullo to you too Duke. I'm Duchess.

Master: I'm Master. A pleasure to make all of your acquaintances.

Narrator: The manager spoke again.

Manager: Alright. Now that you're all acquainted with each other, Duke, I want you, Marie Ravens, Twilight Dusk and Party Time to show Duchess what to do. Shire Horse, I want you, Sunny, James Holden and Jewel and to show Master what he has to do. Remember to pay attention and take care.

Duke/Shire Horse/Duchess/Master/Party Time/Jewel/Sunny/Twilight Dusk: Yes Sir!

Narrator: With that, Duke, Shire Horse, the 4 ponies and veteran drivers went to show the two new engines around.

Manager: Now then Smudger, I want you, Sky Dasher and Zap Apple to work the yards, mines and goods trains.

Zap Apple/Sky Dasher: Yes sir!

Smudger: (dryly) Whatever you say.

Narrator: The two ponies climbed into the red tank engine's cab and he steamed crossly away to the yards. He couldn't believe what he had heard. Another engine who had stolen Mistress's number. He was absolutely cross. Meanwhile, Duke and Duchess were preparing to double head a passenger train up into the mountains towards Peel Godred. Duke was coupled to the coaches by Twilight Dusk and Duchess was coupled on in front by Party Time.

Duke: So is this your first time working here on Sodor?

Duchess: It's my first job ever. I'm so excited

Party Time: Oh my goodness! Are you excited? Because I'm excited!

Duke: Oh that's great. I'll show you everything you need to know about working here and you'll be as good as gold. Just remember to keep calm my dear. Try not to get too excited and you'll do well.

Twilight Dusk: That's right. Whilst feeling excited is nice, too much excitement can sometimes make you lose focus on what you're doing.

Narrator: But Duchess was so excited that she had forgot. Finally, the guards whistle blew and the engines set off. They were going very well on the first few miles before Arlesdale. The sun shone and the rails were dry. Duchess felt very happy. She had never seen a railway so beautiful in all her life.

Duchess: My word. This is a lovely line. I've never seen such a beautiful railway in all my life.

Party Time: Wow. You are easily impressed. You haven't seen the half of it.

Twilight Dusk: She's right. Not only does this railway run through woods alongside the river els but it also climbs a mountain.

Duchess: Oh boy! I can't wait!

Duke: I can't wait to show you. But be careful, the mountain road is very difficult we need to go slowly and keep a good lookout, otherwise you might end up in danger.

Duchess: Right Duke.

Narrator: But Duchess was so enchanted by the beautiful scenery that she couldn't listen. It probably would have been better if she had. Duchess gazed in amazement as she watched the changing scenery all around her along the mountain road.

Party Time: Now, steady on Duchess. Steady.

Duchess: This is just so beautiful. I can't wait to see more.

Marie Ravens: Focus Duchess. Remember, safety first. Just calm down.

Duke: Yes. Watch the track dear. Never mind the view

Narrator: Just outside the second tunnel there is a sharp bend cut in to the hillside on a ledge. A large rock that had been weakened by a rain had broken free and landed on the rails. Duchess was so busy sightseeing when suddenly, she hit the rock and derailed and hung dangerously over the edge. Party Time and Marie Ravens jumped clear.

(Duchess hits rock and derails, Marie Ravens and Party Time jump from the cab.)

Marie Ravens/Party Time: Yipes!

Duchess: What the… WHOAA!

Duke: GOTCHA!

( Duke saves Duchess)

Narrator: Luckily, a quick thinking Duke had saved Duchess. He held with all his strength with chocked wheels and Taunt couplings.

Duke: Stop shaking! I can't hold you if you shake my dear. Please, you must hold still!

Duchess: I will just please don't let go! Duke please don't let go!

Duke: Don't worry. By the name of his grace I shall not let you go down the mountain and get smashed into pieces.

Twilight Dusk: Hang on Duchess! I'll use my magic to keep you and Duke safe.

(Mid Sodor days, 1893)

Narrator: Duke refused to let go. Luckily there was a plate layer's cottage nearby. Marie Ravens and Party Time ran for the cottage. They knew what they had to do. The two of them ran quickly up explained the situation to the platelayer and his wife and they quickly got worked hard to make the two engines safe again. Then they quickly created a ramp to help drive Duchess back onto the rails. Smudger, who was waiting at the works station at Arlesdale, saw the whole situation from the bottom and smiling devilishly.

Smudger: Come on couplings, snap! Snap! Break!

Zap Apple: Who in the hay are ya talkin' too, partner?

Smudger: (Hesitantly) Uh, nothing, old partner.

Narrator: Back at the rescue scene, with everyone's help, Duke was at last able to pull Duchess back onto the rails. With a sigh of relief, Duchess felt the rails safely beneath her wheels.

Duchess: Whew! That was close one… Oh thank you Duke. You were brilliant.

Duke: That's alright. Just remember to be careful in future.

Narrator: Duchess, Duke, Twilight Dusk, Jewel, Sunny and Marie Ravens were all badly shaken the ponies and Marie Ravens were too that've been frightened too, but as soon as they got their nerve back, they started off once more. And after that, Duchess was more extra careful all day. The Manager was waiting at the top station. He apologised for the accident but the passengers weren't cross.

Passenger 1: Your engine Duke was splendid very brave indeed.

Passenger 2: You should be very proud.

Narrator: Later that night when Duke and Duchess came back to the sheds, the manager was waiting for Duchess.

Duchess: I'm sorry Sir…

Manager: Never mind Duchess. It was the rock's fault, but let this be a lesson to you about safety coming first. This means keeping a good lookout on where you're going. You were absolutely lucky that Duke was with you. And that Twilight Dusk, Party Time and Marie Ravens knew what to do. Just remember, safety always comes first.

Duchess: (Sadly) Yes sir. I will remember.

Narrator: After the manager left, Master spoke too.

Master: Duchess. I admire that you were excited about our new home, but the Manager was right. If Duke hadn't kept a good grip on you, you could have rolled down the mountain and taken Duke, the ponies Miss Ravens and the passengers down with you.

Duchess: Your right. I'll make sure to keep a very good lookout next time.

Duke: It's alright Duchess. We all make mistakes. Just remember to learn from them and you'll be alright.

Narrator: Duchess felt a lot better and she looked at Duke and smiled. His eyes shone with happiness just like hers. And with that, all the engines went happily to sleep.

Ok. Put it on the list.

Duke: (No. 1) 1880-
Bertram: (No. 2a) 1880-1888
Mistress: (No. 3a) 1880-1889
Pioneer: (No. 4a) 1880-1889
Shire Horse: (No. 5) 1880-
Sumgder: (No. 2b) 1888-
Great Wonder: (No. 3b) 1889-1893
Duchess: (No. 3c) 1893-
Master: (No. 4b) 1893-

The list will continue to grow as more engines come and go. Heh, that rhymes. Ok. Next one is about Master. See you then.