Author's notes: I really like this one. Proteus has turned into one of my favourite fan-interpied characters because... well, see for yourselves.

Proteus

(Crovens Gate, 1990)

William: Poor Tim. Did he ever improve?

Duke: He did get better overtime, but he was still pessimistic. I didn't see him since 1936 though, so I don't know what happened since then.

Rachel: No worries Duke. You might get to see him some other time. (Winks at Mr Holden and Miss Ravens)

Duke: Maybe we will.

Pipsqueak: Now, you mentioned something about 2 engines being built at Loughborough and Stoke On Trent respectively. When did they arrive?

Sir Handel: Proteus arrived in 1921, actually. He was built at the same works I was.

Rachel: What was he like?

Duke: Proteus is very hardworking, but he did let the strain get to him during a certain Summer rush.

Sweetie Belle: Oh, do tell!

Duke: Alright. Calm down Sweetie Belle.

(Mid Sodor Years, 1921)

Narrator: One year had finally passed since Tim's arrival to the Mid Sodor Railway and Albert's and Stanley's downfall, and as a result, only 5 engines were left running the line. Atlas and Alfred would head down to Casy-N-Hawin to shunt trucks at the lead mines, whilst Tim would collect the trucks full of lead that the mine engines had collected and would either take them to Arlesdale Work station for another engine to take down to Arlesburgh port or take a loaded train down himself. Duke and Falcon had to handle the mainline's goods and passenger train services, the 'Horse and Cart', 'The Picnic' and 'The Flying Falcon'. They worked hard, but the engines got extremely tired when they got to the sheds at night.

Atlas: Phew! The railway's work is getting extremely high.

Duke: I second that motion Atlas. But, we must carry on with it. It would never suit his grace if we slack off.

Tim: I hope manager gets another engine soon. What if one of us breaks down?

Alfred: Oh stop being a whip, will you Monsieur Tim?

Atlas: That'll do, Monsieur Albert! Now know your place.

Falcon: There are 2 engines coming actually. Miss Ravens said something about another engine being built at Kerr Stuart, Stoke On Trent, but that engine is not due in until 1923. The other one is being built at the same works as I was, and he or she should be coming tomorrow.

Atlas: Well, that will take a load off our buffers. I can't wait to meet these new engines and exchange stories with them.

Duke: We'd better get a good nights rest then.

Narrator: The next day in April 5th of 1921, Duke was resting in the sheds at Arlesburgh. Simmons, one the North Western Railway engines pushed a flat truck with the new astride it and Duke was sent to bring the newcomer to the MSR rails. Rarity was there too. She had met Duke before and was helping Duke get the new engine onto the rails with her unicorn magic.

Duke: Hullo Rarity, Simmons. It's nice to see you again.

Rarity: Thank you Duke. It's nice to see you too.

Simmons: Likewise my old friend.

Duke: Hullo. My name is Duke and welcome to the Mid Sodor Railway.

Proteus: My name is Proteus. Nice to meet you too Duke, and thank you.

Narrator: At last, Proteus and was on the rails and Mr. Holden went and got him lit up. He was sizzling happily.

Proteus: (Sigh) It's lovely to be here at last and in steam.

Narrator: Just then, the manager came to see, Duke, Proteus, Miss Ravens and Mr. Holden and introduced himself to Proteus.

Manager: Now then Proteus, Mr. Holden, Miss Ravens and Duke will show you around before you start work.

Proteus: Righto sir.

Narrator: Soon Mr. Holden climbed into Proteus as Miss Ravens climbed into Duke and they went off together. Proteus enjoyed himself and was soon friends with Duke.

Proteus: This is just like being on holiday.

Duke: Heheheh. Well, as the old saying goes, 'a change is as good as rest.'

Proteus: Heheheheheh. True words Duke. True words.

Narrator: Soon, Proteus was now busy at work. He didn't mind what job he did. He tackled goods trains and coaches easily. It was all the same to him. He was just happy to help.

Falcon: Well, I must say, you've been as regular as clockwork Proteus and you make you're work look like a holiday.

Proteus: Heheheh. Oh, nothing to it Falcon old sport. It's all work. If no one does, it then it wouldn't be done.

Narrator: Falcon marvelled at this.

Falcon: Well I say, you make us Loughborough engines very proud.

Narrator: The two Loughborough engines became good friends and he soon became good friends with the rest of the MSR fleet, with the exception of Alfred who was rude to Proteus. Soon, Proteus and the others were busier than ever. The summer holiday season had begun and the workload increased. Lots of extra trains were needed and the engines felt rushed off their wheels. Proteus kept getting his jobs done on time and without fuss. But, as the days wore on, the MSR began to get busier than ever, and Proteus tried his best to tackle passengers, holiday trains and goods all together as best as he could, but he soon began to feel the strain of the extra work load and this sometimes resulted in him overworking himself and that resulted in him feeling stressed and exhausted. This drew the attention of the other engines and the drivers. One afternoon, Falcon and Miss Ravens had arrived back with the down 'Flying Falcon' to see Mr. Holden working on Proteus. Proteus looked more tired out than usual. He was short of steam and glad of a rest. Mr. Holden had just finished cleaning his tubes when Falcon sidled up.

Falcon: Hey Proteus. Are you alright? You look tired out.

Proteus: (Yawn) Yeah. I'm fine…. I'm just a bit tired, that's all.

Narrator: But Falcon wasn't convinced.

Falcon: Are you sure? You don't seem like your usual self.

Proteus: (A bit annoyed) I already told you. I'm fine. Just a bit tired, that's all.

Narrator: Miss Ravens and Mr. Holden spoke to each other.

Mr. Holden: I feel bit worried about Proteus. He seems to be getting more stressed and exhausted than usual.

Miss Ravens: Perhaps it's because of the increased workload that's causing it.

Mr. Holden: You may be right there.

Miss Ravens: I'll go speak to the manager about this when our shifts over. In the meantime, try to take it easy with him.

Mr. Holden: Right. I'll keep an eye on him.

Narrator: Soon, Mr. Holden climbed back into Proteus and they went to collect their train and to Mr. Holden's relief, it was the 'Horse and Cart'.

Mr. Holden: Oh thank goodness we're taking the 'Horse and Cart' today. Perhaps the slow journey might be easy on him.

Narrator: Soon they started off. At first, things went well as they left Arlesburgh and went along the estuary and through the woods. But as they left the works station and began to climb the mountain road, things grew tough when they entered the second tunnel. Proteus began to feel very short of breath and began to struggle with the train. He began to feel exasperated and frustrated and pulled harder and harder.

Mr. Holden: Steady boy. Steady!

Narrator: But Proteus didn't listen.

Proteus: Must be on time! Must be on time!

Narrator: Soon after he left the third tunnel, he began to realise what Falcon had said. Suddenly, with a loud crack and wheesh of steam, Proteus began to feel weaker and weaker. Steam was hissing out of his left cylinder in an alarming way and Mr. Holden stopped him at Ulfestead Road.

Proteus: (Cough, cough) Oh dear… (Cough, cough) Whatever happened (Cough, wheeze)

Mr. Holden: Oh dear. Your cylinder has failed. It must have seized up on us we began to climb. We'll never make it to Peel Godred and get the visitors and villagers home with the down passenger train.

Narrator: Proteus knew that it was important to get the villagers and visitors home, and he was not planning on leaving them stranded.

Proteus: But we've got to get the village people and visitors home. Mr. Holden, unfasten the rods and let me try again. I think I can do it.

Mr. Holden: (Dumbfounded) What? You, getting the 'Horse and Cart' to the station and taking the passengers home on one cylinder? Do you really think you can?

Proteus: I'll give it a good try. Passengers are urgent.

Narrator: So with that said, Mr. Holden unfasented the rods and placed them inside Cora the guards van. Then, pouring sand on the rails and in between Proteus' wheels, Mr. Holden climbed back into the cab and eased open the regulator. The train jerked and began to move.

Proteus: I must do it! I must do it!

Narrator: Proteus did his best.

Proteus: It's painful but I'll do it! It's painful but I'll do it!

Narrator: Proteus pulled and puffed and puffed and pulled as hard as he could, but was careful not to puff to hard so not to damage himself. At last with a mighty effort, he made it to the station.

Proteus: Made it. That's one train down… Now one more to go…

Narrator: Mr. Holden drove Proteus to the water column and gave him a good topping off, then after coupling him up to the waiting coaches at the platform. He went inside the station then came back out with news for Proteus.

Mr. Holden: I just called the work station and Falcon is there. Now we only have to take the coaches as far as the workstation at Arlesdale Think you can manage?

Proteus: Yes sir I'll try.

Narrator: After sanding the rails and a little wheel slip, Proteus started off.

Proteus: I can do it! I can do it! I can do it!

Narrator: The journey down was easier, but Proteus still had to work hard. Proteus was soon starting to feel weak again but he struggled bravely on.

Proteus: I must do it! I must do it!

Narrator: He made one more big effort and at last, battered, exhausted but triumphant, Proteus reached Arlesdale work station.

Proteus: I've done it! (Sigh with relief)

Narrator: The passengers cheered and thanked Mr. Holden and Proteus for bring them to the station. Falcon was there to take the train on when Proteus was taken off and taken to the works sheds.

Falcon: Well done Proteus! You truly are a credit to the railway!

Narrator: The manager came to see Proteus.

Manager: You are a brave little engine and you truly are a really useful engine. We shall mend you give you and a fresh coat of paint and once the tourist season has ended we'll give you an overhaul so that you'll have more strength for your work.

Proteus: Thank you sir. it'll be lovely not to tire out anymore and to feel useful once again.

Narrator: Proteus went happily to sleep, thinking about what he would be doing once he was mended.

List 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-
Proteus: (No. 2e) 1921-

I think Proteus is going to have a great life on the MSR, don't you? Next one is about Freddie. See you there.