Author's notes: Tim has become one of my favourite fan interpreted characters. He may be pessimistic at times, but he means no harm and wants to help in anyway possible. We also get a hint of 2 other engines coming up in later stories.

Tim The Strange Tram Engine

(Crovens Gate, 1990)

William: Wow. With all the services you had, you and the other Mid Sodor engines must have been here there and everywhere.

Narrator: Duke chuckled.

Duke: You'd be surprised William. There was actually one section we weren't allowed to run on and only a certain engine was allowed to traverse it.

Narrator: William, Rachel, Pipsqueak, Sweetie Belle, the other ponies and other engines were very confused and wondered what the engine was called.

William/Rachel/Pipsqueak/Sweetie Belle: Who was this engine?

Duke: This engine was called Tim. Would you like me to tell you about him?

All: Yes please Duke.

Narrator: Duke cleared his throat and this was the story he told about Tim.

(Mid Sodor years, 1920)

Narrator: There was a tramway line in between Arlesdale Green and Arlesdale Works station. It goes for some distance along the roads through the village of Arlesdale and it is still there in service by thanks to the Arlesdale Miniature Railway. In the Mid Sodor years, the MSR engines often had to traverse the line every day. They love traveling along the line, whistling to their friends who lived in the village with they're trucks on their way to the lead mines. This line however had no fences so the engines had to take very great care when traveling along the line to the mine. It was 1920, and Duke had went off with the miners to Casy-n-Hawin mines. He was also taking a few trucks with him as well.

Duke: Oh what a lovely day it is today.

Mr Holden: I agree Duke. Birds singing in the trees and bullfrogs in the pond. (In mind) Heh, Fluttershy would love to see this. (Outloud) And how about that traction engine at the level crossing… (Realises) Oh no. Not again.

Narrator: Mr Holden applied Duke's brakes and he stopped.

Traction engine: Stupid railway engines! Typical. I was hoping for a clear run, but now I've got to wait for you to pass you old claptrap!

Narrator: Duke sighed heavily. He met the traction engine before. Unlike Trevor, this traction engine was far from pleasant.

Duke: (Sighing gravely) Oh, not again Clayton please! It's too early in the morning to hear complaining.

Narrator: Clayton the traction just snorted.

Clayton: Oh woe is me little Dukey, the flagship of this failure railway! You guys are really pushing it coming down our property. The lanes and roads belong to either motor cars, buses, road coaches, lorries and Traction engines like me! You make me feel sick seeing you running along our railway. I tell you, it'll be good riddance when the transportation board decides to ban you from this section and make way for road vehicles only.

Duke: Stuff and nonsense. They'll never go through with it.

Narrator: But Clayton just laughed as he cuffered away with a cart of limestone.

Mr. Holden: Don't listen to that arrogant traction engine. The transportation board will never approve of it.

Duke: Your'e right Mr. Holden. I'm not going to let old Clayton there rattle our railway.

Narrator: Duke chuckled happily away and the engines continued on with their work, ignoring the jives and teasing from Clayton traction engine.

(Falcon carefully traversing the tramway with some trucks and whistles cheerfully.)

Falcon: I just love coming down here. Don't you, Miss Ravens?

Miss Ravens: Heh, you know it Falcon. We have the sky, and the sun, and the traction engine at the crossing gates… uh, oh! Here we go.

(Clayton waits crossly for Falcon to pass)

Clayton: HURRY UP YOU! I can't wait all day for you to clear this stupid old tramway!

Falcon: Oh shut up! At least we're all following procedures. You should do the same or you'll end up into trouble.

Miss Ravens: Don't listen to him. That traction engine is just trying to cause trouble.

Narrator: Clayton hated the Mid Sodor engines traveling through the village along the road, so he made a plan a rather nasty plan to close the tramway. Falcon was taking a train of empty trucks down the tramway. He was being extra careful traveling down the tramway at the level crossing before the mines.

Miss Ravens: Good job Falcon. Your doing very well.

Falcon: So are you, Miss Ravens. We make a great team, you and I.

Miss Ravens: We sure do.

Narrator: Clayton was traveling down the lane with a cart full of apples, grumbling about the MSR tramway.

Clayton: Oh those stupid MSR kettles. The nerve of them traveling down our roadways. What cheek. The roads are for us road vehicles.

Narrator: Clayton's driver did not approve of his attitude.

Clayton's driver: You're pushing it Clayton! They were here long before you guys came and that's a fact! Now stow it!.

Narrator: Soon, they were near the crossing when they heard a whistle from the tramway and Clayton grinned devilishly.

Clayton: Now for my plan.

Narrator: Gradually, Clayton began to move slowly forward, much to the surprise and worry of his driver.

Clayton's driver: Hey, what are you doing Clayton! Get a move on! There's a train coming! Stop! Stop!

Narrator: Clayton's driver tried every trick he knew, but Clayton refused to cooperate. Meanwhile, Falcon and Miss Ravens were having a conversation.

Falcon: My word, the workload has picked up since Albert's dismiss, and we haven't got anyone to fill in for the number 2 spot either.

Miss Ravens: I heard manager has ordered 2 new engines to fill in those spots, Falcon. One's coming from the same works as you, and the other is coming from Kerr Stuart, Stoke On Trent.

Falcon: Heh, can't wait to meet them. I hope they will be better then Albert and… (Sees what's happening) Clayton's on the line! Oh horrors! Miss Ravens! Brake!

Narrator: Miss Ravens shut off steam and applied the brakes but the rails were slippery and Falcon's wheels couldn't grip. Falcon frantically whistled loudly.

Miss Ravens/Falcon: LOOK OUT!

Narrator: But it was too late. Falcon shut his eyes as he slammed straight into Clayton's cart with a splintering, loud crash. Miss Ravens had jumped clear before Falcon hit the cart but apples flew all over him. Falcon wasn't hurt but he was derailed on the crossing. Clayton's driver jumped down and ran over to Falcon and Miss Ravens.

Clayton's driver: Oh dear. Are you two alright Miss Ravens?

Miss Ravens: Yeah. I'm alright

Falcon: Same here, but I could use some help to get back onto the rails.

Clayton's driver: Sure. I'll help you out.

Narrator: He went to telephone for help, but it was most unfortunate that a constable had seen the whole incident on his bicycle.

Arlesdale constable: Alright. Looks like I'll have to make a note of this.

Narrator: He wrote something in his note book and bicycled off. The mess was soon cleared up and Falcon went on his way. The next morning, the manager came to see the engines and drivers looking worried.

Duke: Hullo sir. What's the matter?

Manager: Oh dear, Duke. It seems that the transportation board had heard about Falcon's incident on the crossing and have announced that engines without either a cowcatcher or side plates are banned from the tramway to Casy-N-Hawin, and that means you lot. So unless we can get tram engine or something, we may lose one of our biggest incomes.

Narrator: Falcon looked ashamed.

Falcon: I'm sorry sir. I didn't meant to cause…

Manager: It's alright. I understand that it wasn't you're fault, but the transportation board aren't convinced. They allowed Atlas and Alfred to travel down to the mines, but they can only carry so little loads. We have however a plan to fix this. We have decided to build our own tram engine from scratch. Hopefully the transportation board will approve of this.

Narrator: The other engines hoped so too. A few months passed and the little engines were struggling to keep up with the extra work of both shunting at the mines and taking trains down to the port. Clayton was fuming when he heard the transportation board had allowed Atlas' and Alfred's permission to travel down the line.

Clayton: Bother! I thought those morons would ban the MSR from this rickety old tramway!

Narrator: At last, the engine was finally finished and he emerged from the works sheds on June of 1920. The engines were surprised to see him. He had 4 small wheels hidden by side plates and little cowcatchers on his front and behind, 2 side tanks and had squared firebox. He was the most strangest looking engine that one had ever seen.

Manager: Engines and crew, meet Tim, our number seven!

Narrator: The engines greeted him and welcomed him to the Mid Sodor Railway.

Tim: (Nervous) Um, hullo everyone. It's nice to meet you all.

Manager: Now then. Tim, your job is to take trucks to and from the mines at Casy-N-Hawin.

Tim: Y-y-y-yes Sir. I'll try my best sir.

Narrator: Secretly, he felt rather nervous when he went to collect his trucks to take to the mines. He was a bit worried that he would screw up and then be taken apart, but when he reached the tramway, he found it quite peaceful and tranquil and he felt much better. Clayton was still grumbling about Alfred and Atlas being allowed on to the tramway as he Cuffered down the line.

Clayton: Curse those mine engines! Ah well. Those little runts won't even be able to keep up with the traffic and when they start breaking down, it'll be all over for them. Heheheheh…..

Narrator: Then he heard an unfamiliar whistle in the distance and what he saw next made him both shocked and angry. There, chuffing down the line was an engine.

Clayton: What the devil!? I don't believe it! He's got side plates and little cowcatchers! Bother! How could they even afford another engine! That makes me sick!

Narrator: Clayton was furious as Tim puffed happily towards the mine. Tim soon arrived at the mines and Atlas taught him what he had to do.

Atlas: And that's basically what you have to do. You just collect the trucks we bring for you and you take them down to the port at Alresburgh. Think you can manage?

Tim: (Nervous) Uh… yes I think so. I'll give it a good try.

Atlas: That's a good engine. Just do your best.

Narrator: Soon Tim's train was readied and he set off down the line. He was still nervous, but determined not to let the railway down. It was most unfortunate that Clayton the traction engine saw this and planned his next devious mood. He was going to have Tim sent packing. He was going to cause another accident with another cart. Tim was puffing happily through the village when Clayton chuffered up alongside.

Clayton: Well, well, well! Look what the wind blew in. Some strange looking enigma kettle on wheels. hahahaha

Narrator: Tim was hurt by this.

Tim: I'm not an enigma, am I?

Miss Ravens: Of course not Tim. You're a dapper looking tram engine.

Clayton: Pah! More like a freak to me. HEHEHEH

Clayton's driver: That's enough Clayton! It's traction engines like you that give all tractions everywhere a bad name!

Narrator: Tim puffed away feeling very hurt, but he carried on regardless. Duke was at the works station with 'The Picnic' when Tim slunk sadly in.

Duke: What's the matter Tim?

Mr. Holden: You don't look very happy.

Tim: It's that traction engine Clayton. He called me an enigma and a freak.

Duke: Don't take any notice of him. We all know him and he's always insulted us and our railway since he came here.

Narrator: Soon the signal dropped and Duke puffed away with 'The Picnic' and Tim puffed away down the line with his trucks. Days wore on and Clayton still kept up with his teasing and although hurt by his teasing, Tim decided to carry on. Clayton then decided that it was time to formulate his plan. One day, Clayton was taking his load of hay down the road and was snickering away as did.

Clayton: When I get to the crossing I'll slow down and then the car will be on the line and wham! No more Tim the freak! Heheheheheheh….

Narrator: If Clayton hadn't been so mean he would have never had been so stupid. His cart was tired of being used a patsy for Clayton's devious deeds and was going to put an end to it once and for all. They heard a whistle in the distance when they neared the crossing and Clayton's driver began to brake but Clayton wasn't responding.

Clayton's driver: Hey, what's going on Clayton?! Stop!

Narrator: But Clayton didn't stop and slowly chuffered on at a snails pace, but this was his biggest mistake ever. As he began to cross, his cart began to hold back.

Clayton: Oy! What's going on? Come on! come on!

Cart: No! I've had enough of you playing me as a patsy! I'm through!

Clayton: I said 'move!'

Narrator: But the cart refused to respond. Tim's whistle sounded in the distance and he saw clayton up ahead blocking the crossing.

Tim: Brakes! Brakes!

Narrator: Miss Ravens applied the brakes but the weight of the trucks pushed Tim on and on.

Miss Ravens: Hold on Tim!

Narrator: Tim's whistle of despair grew louder and louder as he came nearer and near.

Cart: Driver, Jump!

Narrator : Clayton's driver heard the whistle and the cart shouting for him to jump clear. He jumped as Tim smashed into Clayton's rear with a loud crash! Luckily no one was hurt. Tim's small cow catcher and side plates had saved him and he was still on the rails and his trucks were undamaged, but the same could not be said for Clayton. The force of the impact caused Clayton to topple over on his left side. He was in an awful mess. His rear wheels and platform were all shattered into pieces and the front half of his thresher was destroyed. Miss Ravens checked Tim all over to see if he was hurt. Thankfully he wasn't. A constable bicycled up to the scene of disaster.

Constable: What happened here then?

Clayton's driver: The foolish traction engine wouldn't stop at the crossing to let Tim pass. I tried to stop him but he wouldn't listen. Then Tim came up, brakes squealing and whistle blowing and slammed into Clayton after I jumped clear.

Constable: I see. Do you have proof?

Cart: I do Constable, sir!

Narrator: The cart then told him all about Clayton's plans to close the tramway.

Constable: I see… I believe that today's incident is not the railways fault but the fault of the traction engine. Clayton, you are a danger to the public and you sir I am sorry to announce that you're traction engine delivery business must be shut down due to this incident.

Clayton's driver: (Sad) I understand Constable sir. and I don't blame you or the railway and I never really made much anyway.

Miss Ravens: Say, if you'd like, we can give you a job on the railway. There are engines all over the line that and other railways on the island that need both drivers and firemen or firewomen.

Clayton's driver: Thank you I'd appreciate that.

Narrator: Soon the workmen came to help clear the mess. A crane arrived to lift Clayton onto a steam powered sentinel lorry and the sentinel lorry took him away to Wellsworth scrapyard. Tim felt awful about what he did. Even though the accident wasn't his fault, he had put a poor man out of business and felt very guilty and very pessimistic about his own reliability.

Tim: (Singing sadly) What have I done?
What have I done?
How could I be so blind?
All is lost, where was I?
Spoiled all, spoiled all
Everything's gone all wrong
What have I done?
What have I done?
Find a deep siding to hide in
In a million years they'll find me
Only rust and they'll scrap
That freak engine, called "Poor Old Tim."

Narrator: When they arrived back at Alresburgh, Miss Ravens told the manager what had happened and about Clayton's poor driver.

Manager: Of course I'll give him a job. He didn't mean to cause that accident. It's only fair.

Narrator: The manager was as good as his word. The next morning, Mr. Holden and Miss Ravens greeted Clayton's driver into his new work place, or should I say Clayton's old driver and now and MSR driver. Tim continued to work the tramway with the mine engines for the rest of his career on the MSR taking miners and and trucks to the mines at Casy-n-hawin to the port at Arlesburgh. But although Tim was glad that Clayton's old driver was given a new job, he felt dreadfully guilty about what he had done to his business and became a bit pessimistic about himself, but he kept it to himself.

Heh, forgot to add it to the list last time.

Duke: (No. 1) 1880-
Bertram: (No. 2a) 1880-1888
Mistress: (No. 3a) 1880-1889
Pioneer: (No. 4a) 1880-1892
Shire Horse: (No. 5a) 1880-1904
Smudger: (No. 2b) 1888-1904
Great Wonder: (No. 3b) 1892-1893
Duchess: (No. 3c) 1893-1904
Master: (No. 4b) 1893-1904
Her Sandel: (No. 2c) 1904-1919
Falcon: (No. 3d) 1904-
Albert: (No. 4c) 1904-1920
Atlas: (No. 5b) 1914-
Alfred: (No. 6) 1914-1922
Stanley: (No. 2d) 1919-1920
Tim: (No. 7) 1920-

Next one is about Proteus. See you there.