Author's Notes: I really loved this story. It's the 1st of a long line of fan stories to be based around the Mid Sodor Line. I also threw in another little joke in there. See if you can find it.

Dear Rachel

Remember when we all went on those railtours 3 years ago back in 1925, 1926, and 1927? Needless to say, I think we all had the time of our lives. Well anyway, I recorded all our adventures on those railtours. These particular stories well tell you all about our adventures on the Mid Sodor Railway, The Culdee Fell Railway and the Skarloey Railway. I am so glad you enjoyed it.

Your friend, William James Holden. December 31st 1928.

A Mid Sodor Picnic

Narrator: It was 1925, and William, Rachel and the Mane 6 ponies were waiting excitedly at knapford station for Edward to take them to their first excursion for the year.

Rachel: I'm so excited. I can't wait to see the Mid Sodor Railway again.

Pinkie Pie: Oh thank you so much, William, Rarity and Rachel.

Rarity: Why it's no problem at all darling. After all, generosity is also my specialty.

William: Indeed, I'm actually quite surprised about this whole rail tour myself.

Rachel: Quite alright everyone.

Twilight Sparkle: Oh. I can't wait. This should be very educational.

Rainbow Dash: Yeah! I know it's gonna to be so awesome! I've never had a real holiday here before.

Pinkie Pie: I can't wait to see where we're going.

Applejack: I bet the scenery will be mighty pretty.

Fluttershy: Um... I wonder what kind of trains there will be.

Rachel: Oh you girls are just going to love it.

Narrator: Just then, Edward arrived. He was being driven by newly made driver, Charlie Sands.

Edward: Ladies, Gentlemen and ponies. (Wink) Get in quickly please.

Fluttershy: (Giggle)

Narrator: Everyone got in. The guard's whistle blew and Edward steamed out. Slowly, Edward's train moved out of the station, picking up speed as he headed west. The ponies each looked out the compartment window, amazed at stunning scenery. They passed through white sandy beaches, through quaint fishing villages and seaside towns. The ponies couldn't believe their eyes. Compared to what they normally saw on both Sodor and in Equestria, this looked like paradise.

Rarity: (Sigh) It so beautiful William.

William: I know. We traveled this line many times with Edward.

Twilight Sparkle: It's amazing. I've never seen anything like it.

Rainbow Dash: It's so awesome!

Pinkie: Why it's as colorful as rainbow. Eh, just don't eat a rainbow. I know what I'm talking about.

Fluttershy: Oh, it looks so peaceful around here.

Narrator: As William opened the carriage window, all 8 were treated to wonderful smell of the sea breeze

Applejack: Well I'll be. This here's a mighty pretty view here Willy boy.

Rarity: (Smelling the sea breeze) Oooh, the aroma of the sea air is just to die for. The beautiful white sandy beaches are as bedazzling as a diamond, mixed with the sparkling blue sudrian sea which itself looks as sparkling as a baby blue sapphire. Oh and these quaint little seaside towns just complete the ensemble. (Sigh) I am simply delighted to have decided to wear organdie for this trip along the coast.

Narrator: They soon arrived at the top station called Arlesburgh where they disembarked at a small wharf station. There was a small bit a track which was smaller than the mainline, and on it was a little passenger train with a brown tender engine attached to it.

?: Ah hullo again Miss Rarity. I haven't seen you in 5 years, good to see you again you young William and Rachel.

Narrator: Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash gaped with wonderment. But Rarity, Rachel, and William smiled. They knew who he was.

Rarity: Ah, good to see you again your grace. Ahem, Twilight.

William: Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash.

Rachel : Fluttershy, Applejack.

William, Rarity and Rachel: This is Duke.

Mane 6 (barring Rarity): You three know him?

Rarity: Why certainly I do. We met back in 1921 when I was still working with Simmons and he was the one whom taught me that goods trains do have their uses.

Twilight Sparkle: Good for you Rarity.

William: And Rachel and I have Known him since we were children during the great war of 1915 to 1919. Our grandparents and Rachel's mother used to take us to this railway for a fortnight at Arlesburgh Inn.

Rachel: Them, we went on an excursion on Duke or the other engines' trains either up to the summit of Peel Godred. Sometimes, we'd ride a special excursion that stopped at each station or even a beautiful picnic spot.

Duke: I call it 'The Picnic'. It's one my special excursion trains that I take full of visitors both from Sodor and from the help of boat steamers from the isle of man.

Manager: Quite right Duke.

Narrator: Rachel, William and the ponies turned to see the manager of the Mid Sodor Railway.

Manager: Ah there you are William and Rachel. Longtime, no see old friends.

William: Too long Sir.

Rachel: Good to see you too Sir

Manager: Heheheh definitely. It seems only yesterday that you're grandfather Angus Holden and you're grandmother Elizabeth Ravens along with your mother Marie Ravens took you two here for a fortnight when you were just children.

Narrator: So William and Rachel introduce the manager to the mane 6.

Manager: Ah a pleasure to meet you all. Now, before we start our excursion, would like to meet our current fleet of engines since all already know Duke?

All: Sure Sir. Thank you Sir.

Narrator: So the manager took them to the sheds at Arlesburgh to meet the engines. At that time, there were only 9 engines on the railway.

Manager: Morning engines! We have some rail enthusiast here visiting today and they here to meet you all.

Narrator: William, Rachel and their pony friends walked in and the engines introduced themselves to the ponies.

Falcon: Greetings younglings. My name is Falcon. I'm MSR's #3 locomotive and I came here with 3 my brothers, Proteus and another engine that was scrapped a long time ago. His name was Albert, and I never knew him that well since I mostly used to work in the mines for most of my working life, but soon I was promoted to work the line after my brother Albert disappeared for some strange reason. Well, anyway, I do odd jobs, but my favourite job is to pull our express train no stop to Peel Godred from Arlesburgh.

William: Ah yes I remember that one. 'The Flying Falcon' right?

Falcon: That's right.

Rainbow dash: "The Flying Falcon" eh? That sounds so awesome.

Falcon: Thanks. I thinks pretty awesome too.

Proteus: I'm Proteus, The MSR's 4th Number 2 engine.

Twilight: What do you mean by that Proteus?

Proteus: Well before I came to this railway, me and my brothers were sent to work at the Arlesdale Tramway Quarry Line to replace some old privately owned tramway locomotives. We never saw them, but Duke told me that they were old vertical boiler engines in those days. Now, as Falcon had mentioned, we were originally used for quarry work at Arlesdale, but as time went on, so many engines came and went along the railway that the Manager allowed us all to work on mainline. And thus, we got to pulling goods trains at first, then shifting duties to passengers. (To himself) at least two of us.

Applejack: Beg your pardon?

Proteus: Oh nothing Applejack. Sorry about that.

Fredrick: Greatings there whippersnappers. My really name is Fredrick, but you can call me Freddie. Everyone does.

Pinkie Pie: wow your quite a little stumpy engine.

William, Rachel and rest of Mane 6: Shooosh!

Twilight Sparkle: Your going to offend him.

Pinkie Pie: (blushing) Oopsie. Sorry Freddie.

Freddie: Heheheh, its alright youngin'. I'm not offended. I was actually rebuilt this way.

Twilight Sparkle: Why's that?

Narrator: Freddie smiled.

Freddie: Well, originally I had taller funnel when I came to this railway and taller cab. I was mainly used for goods trains and the railway's slow goods train. We call it, 'The Horse And Cart'.

Narrator: Rainbow Dash took offense to that .

Rainbow Dash: (Angered) WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT! ARE YOU SAYING I'M SLOW?! ARE YOU SAYING THAT WE'RE ALL SLOW POKE OLD TIMERS THAT MOVE AS FAST AS SNAIL?! IS THAT WHAT YOUR SAYING!? (Pause) THAT'S IT!

Narrator: Freddie and the other engines coward quickly. Rainbow Dash was about to beat the metal out of them when William and Rachel both grabbed her tail to stop her but they were lifted into the air. Luckily, Applejack saved them by grabbing her tail too.

Applejack: (Rainbow Dash's tail in her mouth) Simmer down sally.

Rachel: Easy Rainbow Dash, easy!

William: They didn't mean to offend any of you. Besides, that train was created long ago with no intention of insult, so just simmer down and calm yourself.

Rainbow Dash: (Sigh heavily) Sorry about that you guys. I tend to get a little carried away sometimes.

William: (Panicking) Oh okay Rainbow. It's all good. All is forgiven now.

Rachel: (Panicking) Yeah. That's right. All's well that ends well.

William and Rachel: (Panicking) Okay. Um, Rainbow Dash? Could you please let us down now?

Rainbow Dash: (Blushing) Uh oops. I guess I over did it.

Narrator: Rainbow Dash then let the two humans down safely and the introductions continued.

Tim: Um. H-h-hullo there. My name is Tim. Your not here to buy us are you… I don't want leave my home. Please. I like my railway line. Please, I beg you.

Miney: Oh for petty sake Timothy! If you can't speak to people without freaking out then put a piece coal in it.

Narrator: Everyone stared as a little cabless engine scolded Tim.

Miney: Sorry about him felllas. Young Tim here means well. He can be a little timid and pessimistic. But he's good sort really.

Narrator: Fluttershy came up closer to a now even more timid Tim and patted him on the boiler making him calm down. (Author's note: Tim's boiler was cool by the way.)

Fluttershy: It's alright Tim. We're not going to take you away from your home. We just came to visit your railway line. That's all.

Narrator: Tim felt better after that.

Tim: Whew! Thank goodness. Well… um... anyway, my job on the railway is to work on the Roadside Tramways that head towards the mines at Cas-ny-Hawin, taking miners to and from the mine and um... taking trucks to and from the port here at Alresburgh and um... over to uh Cas-ny-Hawin.

Atlas: Bonjour there. My name is Atlas. Me and my sister Miney and my brother Alfred were brought here from France to work in the mines. Originally, we were fitted with cabs, but because due to terrible accident with our brother, our cabs were removed to help us negotiate the mines better without hitting any support beams.

Fluttershy: Oh my. How awful. I am sorry for the loss of your brother Atlas.

Atlas: It was a sad day for everyone. May he rest in peace.

Miney: Bonjour youngin's. Although I don't have name, you can just call me Miney. I pretty much do the same thing as my sister Atlas here.

Narrator: Just then Rachel noticed a little green 0-4-2 saddle tank engine sitting quietly. She immediately went over to see the engine followed closely by the others. She beamed brightly as she recognised him.

Rachel: Why hullo there Stuart. I almost didn't see there.

Narrator: The little green engine looked up.

Stuart: Hm… Oh Hullo there Rachel. I didn't see from this corner of the shed. And good to see you too William. (To the ponies) Anyway, my name is Stuart. I just do odd jobs along the railway. Goods trains, passengers, shunting, holiday trains once in while. It's quite honor and a pleasure to meet you. Um... What are your names?

Narrator: The ponies were so intrigued by the MSR engines that something had slipped their minds.

Ponies: Oh dear. Please forgive us. We've forgot to properly introduces ourselves.

Twilight Sparkle: l'm Twilight Sparkle.

Applejack: My name is Applejack.

Rainbow Dash: Rainbow Dash is the name.

Rarity: I am Rarity.

Fluttershy: I'm, um... Fluttershy.

Pinkie: I'm Pinkie Pie!

Stuart: Oh well, it's a really pleasure to meet you all. I hope I can see you again soon.

Twilight Sparkle: Of course. Me and friends here are staying a fortnight.

Narrator: This made Stuart and the others feel very happy. The friends soon decided to ride the picnic all the way over to Peel Godred to find a perfect picnic spot. A couple of hours later William, Rachel and the ponies were all seated inside the boogie carriages of 'the picnic'. At 10:00am, the guard blew the whistle and Duke soon started off. Slowly, the picnic soon gathered speed and head to the outskirts of Peel Godred. The ponies, Rachel and William gazed out the windows. As Duke and 'The Picnic' puffed along the line, they stopping at each station. By the time they left Ffarquhar Roads, they village scenery soon changed to a beautiful dense forest. Fluttershy loved this portion a lot.

Fluttershy: (Sigh) This reminds me of my cottage at home with so many lush green trees and cute little animals. This looks like a good spot.

Rachel: I know what you mean Fluttershy. If there is one thing I love, it's the cute little bunnies, ducks, birds, every little critter in the forest.

(Rachel and Fluttershy both giggle.)

Narrator: By the time they departed Arlesdale Green, the landscape changed to rolling foothills as they stopped at the works station to refill on coal and water.

Applejack: This area looks mighty pretty for a picnic. It reminds me of the rollin' plains of appleoosa.

Twilight Sparkle: Well, we haven't seen every spot yet.

Narrator: Soon they were off again, this time the landscape changed to the rugged mountains. Twilight Sparkle favoured Cas-ny-Hawin.

Twilight Sparkle: Oooh. That would look nice for a picnic. Plus, we could visit the research centre.

William: That's great idea Twilight….

Narrator: But they soon saw everyone giving them inquisitive looks, making Twilight Sparkle and William both blush.

William: Ehh, well we should continue searching. There might be other picnic spots up the summit.

Narrator: Soon they began to climb the mountain road. Rainbow Dash gazed admiringly down below as they came into Ulfstead Road.

Rainbow Dash: This place is going to be so awesome for a picnic. It's like you're on top of the world.

Narrator: After stopping at Ballomoddey, they soon rolled into the outskirts of Peel Godred at the end of the line. As the ponies and Rachel and William rested at the station, Twilight Sparkle noticed that both William and Rachel were writing something in their journals. Curious to what they were writing, Twilight Sparkle walked over.

Twilight Sparkle: Excuse me Rachel and William, but I was wondering, if you don't mind me asking, what your writing about?

Narrator: William and Rachel smiled kindly.

William: Oh me, I'm just writing some notes down for historical facts.

Rachel: And I'm just writing some ideas down for some books I plan to write. I sometimes work alongside William.

Twilight Sparkle: What do you mean? I always thought authors do writing alone.

Rachel: Well, not always Twilight. You see, me and William here always work together to write them.

William: I go out to different locations around the island, sometimes alone or with Rachel. I locate the history of set area, and I research the information of the area's landscape, culture and history through my notes, sketches and photographs.

Rachel: And then he shares all his findings and research to me so that I can write the stories out.

Twilight Sparkle: But I'm still a little puzzled. I thought book writers always worked alone.

William: Lots of writer's work together with someone.

Rachel: Me and William have a Reverend friend in England called Wilbert Awdry, whom works alongside another close friend of his Revrend Edwin Boston. He likes to be referred to as Ted for short. Anyway, they do the same thing.

Narrator: Twilight Sparkle was now intrigued.

Twilight Sparkle: Fascinating. I never knew writers could work together.

Narrator: At half past 3, the ponies all piled back into the train, all except Rachel and William, whom took to the footplate of Duke.

Duke: Just like old times William and Rachel. Ready?

William: Sure thing Duke.

Narrator: And with a blast of the whistle and pull of the regulator, Duke soon started off tender first back to the port. They made stops along the way to pick up passengers. They were making excellent time and soon arrived back at the port at ten past five. As the ponies piled out of the train, they saw William and Rachel talking to Duke. Though they couldn't hear what they were saying.

Duke: Well done William and Rachel. You make your parents very proud.

Rachel: Thanks Duke. That really means a lot coming from you.

Narrator: Then Duke whispered something to William and Rachel that made them smile.

William: Oh thank you Duke. That will make their day.

Rachel: Indeed it will.

Duke: Thank you all for traveling along the MSR. I hope you do find your picnic spot soon.

William: I hope so too Duke.

Narrator: They all walked backed to Arlesburgh Hotel for High-Tea. Rarity spoke first.

Rarity: So, has anyone decided on where to go?

Narrator: They all gave their ideas, but sadly no one could agree on anything. The next morning, whilst the ponies accompanied by William went to get their tickets, Rachel whom was already waiting on the platform with her ticket was looking glum, when Stuart bustled in with a train of granite trucks near Marthwaite. He saw Rachel and was worried.

Stuart: Excuse me, Rachel. Why the long face, if you forgive me for asking?

Narrator: Rachel looked up and sighed.

Rachel: Oh. It's just that me and my friends can't decide on which place on the line would be good for a picnic.

Narrator: Stuart pondered the problem, and then it struck him.

Stuart: (Excited) That's it! I'll ask the engines in the shed on their opinions and then we'll see what they think is the best spot.

Rachel: Hhmmmm. That could work.

Stuart: You never know unless you try.

Narrator: Soon Stuart consulted with to the other engines about their friends' situation and they all voted. Then he asked Duke.

Stuart: Excuse me Granpuff. I hope don't mind me asking, but I was wondering could I take this picnic train today.

Narrator: Duke smiled kindly.

Duke: Of course young Stuart. For such an act of kindness, I would be honored to have you pull todays picnic.

Narrator: That made Stuart even more excited.

Falcon: Lucky you Stuart.

Duke: Hey, you took it once before too, remember Falcon?

Falcon: Oh, right.

Duke: But, if your good, I might give you another chance to take it too.

Falcon: I will be. I promise.

Freddie: Where have I heard that one before?

Falcon: (Sighs) Uncle Freddie.

Narrator: Soon, William and the ponies came out of the booking office when Stuart puffed in with the picnic and the manager and another driver in his cab. Everyone was surprised.

William: That's strange. I thought Duke would be taking the picnic instead of Stuart?

Narrator: The manager smiled.

Manager: Not today. Duke told me that this time Stuart should have chance to take it.

Narrator: And he turned to Rachel.

Manager: And as for you Rachel, I would be honored if you were to manage the footplate of young Stuart here up to your first picnic spot to Arlesdale Green.

Rachel: Yes Sir. Thank you sir. Me and Stuart will manage wonderfully.

Manager: I know you'll do great.

Narrator: Rachel climbed into Stuart's cab ready for the journey. The last passenger got in, the guard waved his green flag and the picnic was ready to go.

Stuart: Oh I'm so excited. My first picnic excursion ever.

Narrator: Rachel smiled broadly. She was excited too. Secretly though, Stuart was a bit nervous.

Rachel: Don't worry. I know you're going to do great.

Narrator: Stuart blushed modestly.

Stuart: Golly, why thank you Rachel.

Narrator: They soon started off. They had a wonderful time. Stuart felt more confident, cheerful and determined to do his best. They stopped at all the right stations on schedule, they were making very good time and they reached Arlesdale Green in record time.

Rachel: Well done Stuart. You did absolutely wonderful.

Stuart: Oh thank Rachel. I had wonderful time working with you.

Narrator: Both blushed bright red. The manager even congratulated her too.

Manager: Well done Rachel. For such a great job driving Stuart, would you and friends like to drive some of our engines during your stay.

All: Oh yes please Sir!

Manager: Very well, I shall go make the arrangements.

Narrator: And he boarded the train and Stuart puffed away happily. All 8 friends had wonderful picnic at the green and soon Stuart arrived back to pick them up as Rachel took the footplate and drove them safely home. The manager was as good as his word. The ponies and the two humans all got drive the engines. William took Duke with the picnic, Rarity accompanied Proteus on mineral trains, Rainbow Dash took Falcon with his express, Twilight Sparkle took Freddie with local goods and the horse cart, Pinkie Pie and Applejack worked at the mines with Miney and Atlas, Tim worked with Fluttershy and surprisingly he felt very calm working with her. As for Rachel, she was happily working alongside her friend Stuart, taking passengers and goods and even the picnic once in a while with duke's permission. No ever felt happier than the mane 6 ponies, William James Holden and Rachel Marie Ravens.

Ok. What did you think of that? Next up is a Culdee Fell railway story. Be on the lookout for that.