Author's Notes: This is how it should have gone. But then again, how do you tell Sharon Miller that? Heh, anyway, it's a rewrite of 'Skarloey Storms Through'.

Stuart Storms Through

(Crovans Gate, 1990.)

William: That was so nice of Miney to help Tim out.

Duke: Indeed it did, William.

Pipsqueak: So, who came after Miney and Millie?

Duke: Well after them came our new No. 4 built from Kerr stuart locomotive works...

Narrator: Peter Sam bubbled over.

Peter Sam: ME!

Rachel: Oh, it was you Peter Sam. (Giggles) Your so cute when you get excited. (Kisses Peter Sam and blushes)

Peter Sam: (Blushes red) Golly! Thank you Rachel.

Ponies/Engines/Drivers: Aaawwwww...

Duncan/Fred/Ward Fell/Scootaloo: EEEEEWWWW! GIVE ME A BREAK!

William/Sir Handel: Oh stow it you 4.

Rex: (Sighs) Oh dear. (To the Ex Mid Sodor engines.) So anyway, what happened on Peter Sam's 1st day on the Mid Sodor line?

Narrator: Duke cleared his throat and this was the tale that they told them. It happened when Peter Sam was new to the line in 1923. Now, do you all still remember he was called Stuart and Painted green. (Everyone nods.) Oh good you have. Now, we can begin.

(Flashback, Mid Sodor Railway, 1923.)

Narrator: The Manager had ordered in a brand new Kerr Stuart Tattoo class steam locomotive to help Duke, Falcon, Tim, Proteus, Freddie and the mine engines Millie, Miney and Atlas run the line. He went to see Duke to tell him about the newcomer.

Manager: Duke, I've got some news for you.

Duke: Of course sir. What is it?

Manager: We are expecting a new engine to arrive to help out with the extra work tomorrow. He's from the Kerr Stuart works and I want you to help him to show him the ropes around the MSR. Think you can handle it?

Duke: Of course sir.

Manager: That's a good engine. I knew I can count on you.

Narrator: The new engine arrived the next morning.

Manager: What's your name?

Stuart: I'm Stuart, named after the company that built me.

Manager: Welcome to the MSR Stuart. You are to be a mix traffic engine, that means you can pull coaches and trucks, but you need to learn the route.

Stuart: Yes Sir. Thank you Sir.

Manager: That's a good engine. There's nothing like determination.

Narrator: Just then, Duke and Falcon came up to the transfer wharf.

Falcon: Oh hello there. You must be the new engine that we heard about. My name is Falcon.

Stuart: Hullo there. My name is Stuart. Nice to meet you Falcon.

Duke: And I'm Duke.

Manager: Now Stuart, Falcon and Duke will help you by teaching you what to do.

Narrator: Then, a young girl came out of Duke's cab.

Manager: Ah, Stuart, this is your driver Miss Rachel Marie Ravens.

Miss Ravens: Hello Stuart. Pleasure to meet you.

Stuart: Oh it's an honour to meet you Miss Ravens.

Manager: Great. Now then, Falcon, Mr. Holden, would you please help Stuart off his flat truck? And Miss Ravens, please lite his fire.

Falcon/Mr. Holden/Miss Ravens: Yes Sir!

Narrator: They soon got busy. When Stuart's fire was lite, he was sizzling happily.

Stuart: Ok. What's my 1st job?

Manager: Duke must teach you the road so you'll be double heading the picnic together.

Stuart: What's 'The picnic'?

Duke: The picnic is one of our railway's summer holiday train that I usually pull, but on occasions, others engines pull it as well. Now then, before go, we must get our train first. Since one of our brake coaches is in the shops at Arlesdale being repaired, we'll need to use another brake van.

Stuart: Fair enough. Safety first.

Duke: Exactly. Your a quick learn Stuart...

Narrator: So the two engines went to arrange the train. Whilst Duke was getting the coaches ready, Stuart went to find a brake van. He eventually found one sitting in the yards. She was a bit small, but Stuart did mind.

Stuart: Hullo there what is your name?

Cora: Oh, my name is Cora. You are?

Stuart: Oh um my name is Stuart. it's very nice to meet you. I'm very glad I found you the brake coach for the picnic is under repair and so we need to find a brake van to take its place, so I was thinking would like to come along with me and Duke?

Cora: Yes please, Stuart. I've always wanted to travel on 'The Picnic'.

Narrator: Stuart was excited.

Stuart: Great, and that makes two of us.

Cora: Two of us? What do you mean?

Stuart: Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot to mention this is my first day here, let alone my first day running.

Cora: (Chuckles) Oh, that explains why I've never seen you before.

Stuart: Heheheheh... I guess your right there Cora.

Narrator: Miss Ravens was impressed.

Miss Ravens: Well this is really great start Stuart. I'm very impressed.

Stuart: Oh thank you Miss Ravens.

Narrator: Soon the shunter coupled Stuart to Cora and Stuart pulled her gently out of the yards and to the station. Cora was very impressed.

Cora: Your doing well Stuart. This is a smooth run.

Stuart: Oh Thank you Cora. I really want to make a very good impression with not only the other engines and the manager, I think it's also important to make a good impression on Rolling-stock as well. do you agree?

Cora: Oh yes of course.

Miss Ravens: My my, you are learning very fast Stuart.

Narrator: Stuart felt very happy and couldn't help but grin. At last, he arrived at the station where Duke was waiting.

Duke: Ah well done young Stuart your right time. I see you chose Cora to be our guards van.

Stuart: Um yes I did uh… you don't mind do you sir. She's told me that she's never been on the picnic excursions before sir, and I thought that it would be nice change of scenery, sir.

Narrator: Duke smiled broadly.

Duke: That was very thoughtful of you, young Stuart. She will make a great brakevan for 'The Picnic'.

Narrator: Cora was delighted.

Cora: Oh thank you Duke and thank you Stuart. Oh thank you so much.

Stuart: Oh anytime Cora my dear...

Narrator: This of course made Cora giggle.

Cora: (Giggles) He called me his 'dear'. Such a handsome young engine too. It is a pleasure to go out with him.

Duke: Looks like you've got a way with coaches there, Stuart.

Miss Ravens: You sure do Stuart. Your gonna fit in just fine.

Stuart: Oh well thank you Duke sir, and Miss Ravens.

Duke: Oh that's alright young Stuart, but you call me Duke. You only call the manager sir.

Stuart: Yes si... I mean, sure thing Duke.

Duke: Heheheheheh. Oh, such a good mannered engine.

Miss Ravens: I think we can get used to having him about, Duke.

Duke: I think we can too.

Narrator: At last the guards whistle blue and the green flag waved. Soon, they were off. Stuart was excited, as was Cora. Stuart had never been out on an excursion before and Cora had never been on the picnic excursion before.

Stuart: This is so amazing. I've never seen such breath taking scenery in my life.

Duke: Indeed and this is such a beautiful day.

Stuart: So Cora, your brake van right.

Cora: Uh huh.

Stuart: So what trains do you work on?

Cora: Oh, I work on the 'Horse And Cart' mostly. But, I remember one engine that was taking it in 1920, and he and his little pony helper weren't very nice.

Stuart: Oh my. I am sorry to hear tha... wait a minute, a pony?

Duke: Oh, we forgot to mention. There are little ponies that work on the North West Railway and we occasionally meet them at Alusbrugh. They are earth ponies, unicorns and pegasus ponies. One of them mentioned something about alicorn ponies, a mix of the 3 pony types.

Narrator: Stuart felt worried.

Stuart: Oh dear. They're not all mean... are they?

Duke: Not all of them. That little filly was just a bad apple. From what I heard from Miss Ravens and Mr Holden, the ponies that work on the North West Railway are very polite and kind.

Miss Ravens: Oh yes. I'm sure you'll become fast friends with them when you meet them, Stuart.

Stuart: Oh thank you Miss Ravens. I sure hope so.

Narrator: At last they reached King Orry's Bridge station in good time and Duke was most impressed with Stuart's performance, and so were Cora and Miss Ravens.

Duke: Well done Stuart. You've done well for your 1st trip.

Miss Ravens: Agreed. You're learning very quick.

Cora: You'll pass your trials for sure Stuart.

Stuart : Oh thank you both.

Narrator: Days went by and Stuart soon learned the ropes with trucks with Falcon and the two worked happily together alongside with Duke.

Falcon: Well I'll tell you now Stuart. Duke was right about you. Manager definitely knew what he was doing when he bought you Stuart.

Stuart: Thanks Falcon.

Narrator: Miss Ravens and Mr. Holden were very impressed.

Miss Ravens: (To Mr Holden) They sure are getting along very well.

Mr. Holden: Heheheh no kidding there Rachel anyone would think they act like brothers eh Rachel?

Miss Ravens: Got that right. Stuart's getting on well with Duke too. Heh, Duke might have another 'grandson', if you take my meaning.

Mr. Holden: Oh yeah no doubt about that my dear friend. And even Freddie has taken a shine to them both as well.

Miss Ravens: Oh yes. Freddie might get a new nephew too.

Narrator: And two friends laughed and went back to work with Stuart and Falcon. Stuart worked very well on the railway and handled the coaches and trucks. The manager was so impressed, he sometimes Stuart was often put in charge of the horse and cart and other goods trains with Cora the guards van. Stuart was very gentle when working with Cora. Cora was growing very fond of Stuart.

Cora: Another smooth run, Stuart. Well done.

Stuart: Thank you Cora. I'm very glad your happy.

Narrator: But one night, a storm came. Rain came pouring down in thick sheets of water thunder echoed across the valley lightning flashed across the sky. Stuart felt rather nervous when it came down.

Stuart: Oh my. Guys, I'm scared.

Duke: I know Stuart I know but we've got to keep the trains running efficiently whatever the weather.

Narrator: Stuart still felt nervous.

Miss Ravens: It's ok Stuart. I'll be driving you and Cora will be at the back of the train. Don't worry boy.

Stuart: (Gulp) Thank you...

Narrator: With that Stuart puffed nervously out of the sheds to collect the horse and cart. He went to the yard and collected his trucks and was just collecting Cora when there was a large clap of thunder. Stuart jumped forward and nearly battered into Cora by mistake.

Stuart: AAAHHH!

Cora: Oh my! Stuart, are you ok?

Miss Ravens: Easy Stuart, it was just thunder.

Stuart: Oh uh... yy..yes Miss Ravens. Right Miss Ravens. I'm so sorry Cora. I didn't mean to jump like that. Are you hurt?

Cora: Not at all.

Stuart: Thank you Cora and I'm sorry for nearly bashing you there.

Cora: Oh, that's alright. You didn't mean to.

Miss Ravens: And even so we need to keep trains running like Duke said.

Cora/Stuart: Your right.

Stuart: Come on then Cora. Let's get the Horse and Cart ready.

Cora: Are you ok, Stuart?

Narrator: Stuart decided to come clean.

Stuart: I... I'm a bit scared of this storm...

Narrator: Cora understood.

Cora: I understand. I was and still am a bit afraid of storms too.

Miss Ravens: So am I, but all the same, like Duke said, we must keep the trains running whatever the weather.

Peter Sam/Cora: Your right Miss Ravens. We'll do our best.

Miss Ravens: That's a good engine and brake van. Now then, let's go get the horse and cart ready.

Narrator: And so they puffed away to collect the trucks. At half past 6, Stuart and Cora were coupled up. Stuart in the front and Cora at the back. Soon, the guard waved his green flag and blew his whistle and Stuart gave a nervous 'peep!' on his whistle as he set off with his train. By the time Stuart was rounding the Mountain Road, a huge bolt of lightning lit up the entire sky!

Stuart: YIPE!

Miss Ravens: Easy now Stuart. We're on the Mountain Road, take it easy.

Stuart: Uh…y-y-yes Miss Ravens.

Cora: Don't worry Stuart. I'm right behind you.

Stuart: Thank you Cora.

Narrator: So Stuart puffed nervously, but cautiously through the storm along the Mountain Road. By time they cleared the Mountain Road, Stuart was now running well he reached all his destinations on time and when he reached Arlesburgh. Station he was feeling very relieved.

Miss Ravens/Cora: Well Done Stuart. You did great despite your fear.

Stuart: Really? Oh thank you Cora and Miss Ravens.

Narrator: Though he was still nervous, he eventually shunted his trucks for the up Horse and Cart to take back up the line. At 7:00, Stuart reached Arlesdale works station. He had just finished shunting his train was just being refuelled when the stationmaster came running up looking worried.

Miss Ravens: Hello sir. What's wrong?

Station master: There's been an accident up the Mountain Road just beyond Cas-Ny-Hawin. A climber has just got injured. We need your help right away to go and save him.

Narrator : Stuart was still scared. of storm as lightning crashed and thunder clapped but the thought.

Stuart: If I'm scared of this storm, then that poor climber must be really petrified. Yes Sir, we'll go and rescue him! we must!

Stationmaster: That's a good engine. Now off you go and god speed to you all.

Miss Ravens: Thank you. Let's go Stuart.

Narrator: So with a brave blast on his whistle, Stuart set off to the rescue. The rain was pelting, the lightning crashed and thunder clapped even louder, but he still kept on going. He was determined not to let his fears beat him.

Stuart: I maybe scared but if I give up now, that climber might not make it. We must save that climber, we must we must.

Narrator: So doggedly, Stuart struggled on until he found the man.

Miss Ravens: Alright, I'd better get you into Cora

Climber: Ugh... thank you Ma'am.

Miss Ravens: Guard, take care of him until we reach Peel Godred.

Guard: Right!

Narrator: And soon, the man was lifted carefully in Cora. Miss Ravens climbed into Stuart and they set off as fast as they could to King Orry's Bridge Station at Peel Godred, but they were very careful at Falcon's Leap so not to fall of the mountain road.

Stuart: I can do it! I can do it!

Narrator: Stuart pulled and puffed as hard as ever he could. Then at last, they rolled triumphantly into King Orry's Bridge Station at Peel Godred. and an ambulance whisked him to the hospital.

Stuart: We've done it! We've done it!

Narrator: Miss Ravens and Cora were very impressed.

Miss Ravens: Great job Stuart.

Cora: Well done! You were very brave Stuart.

Narrator: This made Stuart very proud.

Stuart: Thank you Cora and Miss Ravens, that really means a lot.

Narrator: Later that evening, Stuart and Cora went home to Arlesdale works sheds. The next day the manager came to the sheds to see Stuart.

Stuart: Hullo Sir What brings you here?

Manager: Well Stuart, I am very pleased with what you have done in getting that climber to the station so that the ambulance could get him to hospital. I am also glad to say that he is recovering very well.

Stuart: Oh thank you Sir. And, can I ask you something?

Manager: Sure thing Stuart. What may that be?

Stuart: May cora and I work together on some of the trains? she's really been a great support for me.

Narrator: The manager smiled kindly.

Manager: Of course she can, Stuart. I've seen how the 2 of you get on well together. She can be your guards van.

Stuart: Oh thank you Sir! She and I will work really well together.

Manager: I know you will.

Narrator: After the manager left Duke, Falcon and Freddie whom were in the sheds with Stuart. were very pleased with him.

Duke: Well I must say, that is really impressive young Stuart.

Falcon: First you pass trials on goods work shunting and passenger workings.

Freddie: Then you went out and braved a storm to carry on with the trains, regardless of the weather.

Duke: And you saved a person's life. I'm proud of you both.

Freddie: Same here.

Falcon: Um, Uncle Freddie, Granpuff.

Duke/Freddie: Yes Falcon?

Falcon: May Stuart join our little family please? I think he's earned it as much as anyone has.

Duke: Of course he can. I'd like to have another grandson.

Freddie: Yes indeed Falcon. He can be my second nephew.

Falcon: Say Stuart. I've talked with Freddie and Duke and we were wondering, how would you like to join our little family?

Narrator: Stuart was delighted.

Stuart: Oh yes please. I would love that.

Falcon: Oh how fantastic! Thank you so much Stuart now I can have a brother.

Freddie: And I can have a second nephew.

Duke: And I can have a second grandson. Welcome into our family Stuart.

Stuart: Oh thank you very much Granpuff, Uncle Freddie, and you too my new brother.

Narrator: Stuart couldn't recall when he had felt so happy in his life. The Manager was as good as his word. Now Stuart and Cora work happily together on the heaviest of goods trains or run stopping passenger trains together. Stuart and Cora are always happy to work together.

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. 6a) 1914-1922
Stanley: (No. 2d) 1919-1920
Tim: (No. 7) 1920-
Proteus: (No. 2e) 1921-
Freddie: (No. 8) 1922-
Miney: (No. 6b) 1922-
Millie: (No. 9) 1922-
Stuart: (No. 4d) 1923-

Next up is Jim The Jinx. See you there.