Author's notes: I added some small details in here. Thought I'd include my family in the legacy of great engine drivers. With that said, let's jump into part 2 of "Sodor Rail Tours"

Mountain Rescue

It was November of 1926. William, Rachel and mane 6 ponies: Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie were riding on board Edward's train for an eastbound journey to the one and only rack railway on Sodor, the Culdee Fell Railway.

Pinkie Pie: So what kind of railway will we be visiting?

Rachel: The Culdee Fell Railway. Named after one of the mountains too.

Narrator: Fluttershy looked worried.

Fluttershy: Oh my. Did the railway fall to the ground? I hope It didn't.

Narrator: William and Rachel explained to Fluttershy what fell meant.

William: Heheh. No Fluttershy. The railway didn't fall to the ground. Its just the name of the type of mountain railway. A fell railway is type of mountain that uses a third-rail system for climbing steep grade railways that are too steep to be worked by a locomotives' adhesion on the two main running rails alone.

Rachel: It uses a raised centre rail between the two running rails to provide extra traction and braking, or braking alone. Trains are propelled by wheels or braked by shoes pressed horizontally onto the centre rail, as well as by means of the normal running wheels.

Narrator: Fluttershy mopped her brow relieved.

Fluttershy: Whew! Thank goodness. I thought it meant that the railway fell down.

Twilight Sparkle: (Amazed) How extraordinary!

William: Some of the men whom built this jokingly said that that railway could reach the moon.

Narrator: Everyone laughed. Pinkie Pie laughed so hard she rolled on the carriage floor laughing.

Pinkie Pie: Oh my William. That is too funny…

Narrator: Soon they arrived at Killdane, the station leading up to the Peel Godred electric branchline. Edward whistled goodbye and then went back to work. After taking a ride on Janna's train, they got off at Loey Machan, the bottom station for the Culdee Fell Railway. After Janna left, the ponies gazed up at the mountain in amazement. They had never seen such a tall mountain before.

Rainbow Dash: Wow! I can barely see the top through the clouds.

Narrator: Just then the Manager walked up.

Owner: Ah. Welcome William, Rachel, you made it. I see you brought some friends.

William: Good to see you too Sir.

Rachel: The pleasure is all ours.

Narrator: The ponies were surprised.

Twilight Sparkle: William, Rachel, you also know the Culdee fell manager?

Owner: Indeed. I've known them since they were 8 and 9 years old, their family legacy is well known around the island. Every bank holiday, they, William's grandfather and Rachel's grandmother, whom used work alongside William's father and Rachel's mother on the NWR, have always had great railway reputations. Anyway. I'm Lord Harry Barrane. First Chairman of the CFR.

Narrator: Soon the mane 6 introduced themselves.

Owner: A pleasure to meet you, girls. Now follow me please to booking office.

Narrator: So William, Rachel and the ponies went in to booking office and purchased their tickets for the ride up to the summit. Then the owner introduce them to the manager.

Owner: Well this here is our new general manager, Mr. Walter Richards.

Manager: Pleasure to meet you all, we've heard a lot about from Sir Topham hatt.

Applejack: Wow I guess news here travels fast.

Manager: (Chuckle) Indeed it does my little pony. Anyway would you career to meet our four mountain engines?

Mane 6: Yes please Sir.

Manager: Very well follow me.

Narrator: So they went with the manager to the engine shed where the four remaining mountain engines resided. Like at the Mid Sodor Railway last year, the engines introduced themselves.

Ernest: Hullo there, my name is Ernest. I'm one of the oldest mountain engines on this railway. If any of my friends here need any advice, I am always happy to lend a wheel to them, (wink) if you get my meaning. I know a lot about the history of this railway too.

Twilight Sparkle: Wow. That is amazing. I'd sure would like some lessons from you sometime.

Culdee: I am Culdee, CFR's #4 mountain engine. Ironically, I am named after the mountain that we climb.

Rarity: Wow. That must be a real honor for you Culdee.

Culdee: (Blushing) Oh thank you miss um…

Rarity: Oh just call me Rarity.

Culdee: Well then um… Thank you Miss Rarity.

Rarity: (Giggles)

Shane Dooniey: I'm Shane Dooniey, and like Culdee, I too am named after a Sudrian mountain myself.

Twilight Sparkle: How fascinating, I didn't know you and Culdee were both named after mountains.

Applejack: That's a new one ta add to the records.

Wilfred: And I am Wilfred, the #3 engine of CFR. I was built around the same time as Culdee and Ernest. Now, as you all probably are wondering, this is mostly a tourist railway. Most the traffic here is consists of passengers, but we often take a supply train, a store train, and works train along the line with a single truck, they help to supply the some of the shops along the mountain with supplies.

Rarity: How astounding. I had no idea that rack railways could make revenue with goods trains.

Pinkie Pie: Wow. You guys must pretty strong to tackle a hill this tall.

Wilfred: Indeed, it's very hard work because of how steep the line is. It's not too much trouble for us. Besides, it's very good exercise.

Narrator: Rainbow Dash was impressed.

Rainbow Dash: Ah yeah. Boy I can't wait start racing you guys.

Narrator: But Wilfred gave stern look.

Wilfred: Well now listen to me Miss... Um... What are your names?

Twilight Sparkle: My name is Twilight Sparkle.

Rarity: My name is Rarity.

Applejack: Names Applejack.

Pinkie Pie: (Blows a party whistle making everyone jump ) I'm Pinkie Pie!

Rainbow dash: And I'm the one and only Rainbow Dash!

Fluttershy: Um... I'm Fluttershy. Um was it something I said Wilfred?

Wilfred: Oh no. You're okay Fluttershy. But Rainbow Dash, racing up a steep and difficult mountain is not only very foolish, it can be very dangerous.

Rainbow Dash: Pah, and how can climbing a mountain be dangerous?

Wilfred: Well, the lines are very steep and can often be very dangerous if you don't take care, plus there are many mountain and nature walkers that often climb the line adjacent to our line, not to mention there are many mountain goats. So we often have to whistle frequently to warn people we are coming.

Fluttershy: Oh my. I very glad that you all take safety very seriously.

Rainbow Dash: Pshha! Safety, shamefty. I bet you I could climb that mountain faster than any of you, tomorrow!

Applejack: No you don't Rainbow Dash.

Rarity: Be more sensible. We're here as William's guests.

Rachel: Your right Rarity. Rainbow Dash, you need to show William here some respect.

Twilight Sparkle: I agree. He got us these holidays for us to all enjoy. The last thing he needs is to be embarrassed in front these mountain engines.

Narrator: Rainbow Dash said no more, but she was feeling sulky. The next morning, the ponies, Rachel and William all woke up early. They caught the up train being pushed by Culdee in his coach, Catherine. Soon, the guard blew the whistle and Culdee started up. The first 3 miles towards Skarloey Road were fairly smooth, and they managed to negotiated that making good time, even Rainbow Dash behaved while starting. When they reached Skarloey Road, a telephone rang and the station master came up looking worried.

Station master: There's been accident. A man climbing the mountain has hurt his leg really bad. A doctor and recue team rescue lorry are coming up at once via Skarloey Road in an ambulance, but the mountain terrain is too rough for the ambulance to negotiate.

Pinkie: Oh no no no no no! Not good not good Not good!

Rainbow Dash: Don't worry. I'll go up and see if I can help him down.

Narrator: But before anyone could stop her, Rainbow Dash flew out of Catharine and up to the summit.

William: Wait Rainbow Dash! It could be to dangerous.

Narrator: But it was too late. She was gone faster then you can say "Sonic Rainboom".

Twilight Sparkle: (Groan) Rainbow Dash, why do you have to pick today to be cocky?

Rachel: I hope she and that climber will be alright.

William: So do I Rachel.

Applejack: But how are we going to get the rescue team up there. It looks like it's also snowing.

Driver: Well that's torn it. We can't go up there in that snow storm. It would be too dangerous.

Narrator: William was furious with that drivers remark!

William: TOO DANGEROUS!? LISTEN NUBEY! If you think it's too dangerous to go up there in train, how do you think those climbers are fairing?

Narrator: Obviously the driver was new, and was still protesting in fear.

Driver: But sir. The temperature is plummeting rapidly.

Rachel: That's right, and our friend and an injured climber our out there in the summit!

Driver: The train will derail before you guys even reach the summit!

William: Fine then. If won't you go up, I will. But get us some sand bags and water, and put them in the coach.

Narrator: Reluctantly, the driver did so, much to the ponies surprise.

Rarity: What's all this for.

William: Ponies, were going up to the summit and taking the doctor and rescue team with us.

Twilight: Uh…But..I….What!? What, are you crazy?

William: No I'm not Twilight. Our line is the only way to make up there.

Rarity: My mane will get frost bite though.

Rachel: STOW IT RARITY! This is no time to be thinking of yourself! This is an emergency!

Narrator: Rarity, ashamed, remained respectfully quiet.

Fluttershy: But those winter winds will surely knock us off the rails!

Rachel: No they won't Fluttershy. The sandbags and water inside the coach will help to keep us stabilized.

Applejack: Rachel's right Fluttershy. We're the only ones that can get them down safely.

Rachel: Now, we need to get going. Whose all with me and William?

Fluttershy: Um I…I…I … I am with you.

Applejack: You can count on me!

Rarity: Well since this is an emergency, I'll join you.

Pinkie Pie: Count me in!

Twilight Sparkle: I'm with you too.

Narrator: The driver, fireman, and guard were all speechless.

Guard: Fine then. It's your funeral!

Narrator: Fluttershy whimpered like hurt puppy. But Rachel patted her reassuringly.

Rachel: Don't worry, the water and sandbags will keep us on the rails.

Narrator: Fluttershy felt a little bit better. Soon, the rescue team and the doctor arrived and boarded the train. William took over as driver, as Rachel took fireman, or should I say, 'firewoman' duties, with Twilight Sparkle as the guard. As soon as the rescue team and the doctor were on board, Twilight blew the whistle waved the green flag, William opened Culdee's regulator and Rachel fed Culdee with coal and water.

William: You ready Culdee?

Culdee: I sure am William, we'll get those climbers down safely.

Rachel: That's the spirit Culdee. Just do you best.

Narrator: Soon the rescue train lurched forward, out of Skarloey Road station.

Culdee: I'll do it! I'll do it!

Narrator: They reached Devils Back and left it with good time, but then the full force of the winter winds hit them like an artillery cannon from World War One!

Culdee: Ooer!

Rachel: Culdee, are you alright?

Culdee: I'm alright! Just got taken by surprise by the high winds.

Catherine: Culdee! I'm Scared.

Culdee: I know Catherine my dear, so am I, but we must make it through.

Narrator: Another blow from the highwind struck them nearly derailing Catherine.

5 Ponies: WHOA!

Narrator: But thankfully, Rachel was right about the sandbags and water. They kept her from derailing.

William: You doing alright Rachel!?

Rachel: Yeah I'm alright! How bout you William!?

William: Same here. I'm hanging in there.

Rachel: I just wish Rainbow Dash didn't run off like that!

William: I know what you mean! But don't weaken. We're almost there.

Narrator: So they bravely forged ahead. Meanwhile at the summit, things went from bad to worse. A climber had gotten his leg stuck on rock and Rainbow Dash did manage to move it out the way but unluckily it landed on her wing. She tried in vain to free herself but the wait of the rock and power of the winds made it very difficult. The injured climber couldn't do anything either.

Rainbow dash: I 'm doomed! Doomed I tell you!

Narrator: And she soon was starting to cry. But the injured climber, whom just had enough strength, crawled over to her and patted her reassuringly.

Injured Climber: Don't worry Rainbow Dash. I'm sure that help will be here soon.

Narrtor: Rainbow Dash was greatful for the climber's optimistic look on the situation. She still couldn't help crying though. Then, from far away she heard a whistle, followed by the sound of steam pistons pumping, the noise gradually got louder and louder. At last, Culdee and the rescue train made it to the summit.

Rainbow Dash: WAHOO! My prayers have been answered.

Narrator: William, Rachel and the ponies all joined in the rescue. They carefully placed the injured climber on board the train and then with the aid of Twilight Sparkle's magic and strong metal poles, they carefully levered the rock off Rainbow Dash's wing and placed it safely out of the way. Soon, they came down safely into Skarloey Road and the ambulance whisked Rainbow Dash and the climber to hospital. The driver, fireman and guard were speechless. Soon they went back down to the bottom station at Kirk Machan where the manager was waiting.

Manager: Well Done Culdee! I very proud of you! You truly are a really useful engine.

Narrator: He turned to William, Rachel, and the ponies whom were all as winded as Culdee and Catherine.

Manager: I too am very proud of you all, you went all went up their to rescue a climber and one of your friends in trouble, regardless of the danger. For such a heroic deed, I hereby grant you all life long passes to ride and operate on my railway. There's one for each of you and even one for Rainbow Dash.

William, Rachel, and 5 ponies: Oh thank you Sir.

William: Wait till Dash hears this. She will be pleased.

Narrator: The manager was not impressed with the guard, fireman and driver whom chickened out, and fired them in disgrace. Rainbow Dash had recovered from hospital with very light injuries, and is now flying better than before. She told them that the man's leg was put into a cast but he would heel up within a week. Although the manager thank Catharine for her assistance in the rescue, he was still concerned that she was too light for rescues, even with sand bags and water. He decide to invent a special utility truck for maintence trains, supply trains, and rescue trains. Later on, Rainbow Dash apologized to Wilfred and the other mountain engines.

Rainbow Dash: Hey guys, I'm sorry for being so rude earlier. Culdee, you and my friends really saved my wings out there on the summit. I only left because I thought it would take to long to reach the climber in time. But I realize now that that wasn't the case, thank you for rescuing me.

Narrator: Culdee smiled.

Culdee: That's alright. Even the best of ponies, engines and people can sometimes make mistakes. We just live and learn. Friends?

Rainbow Dash: Friends.

Narrator: William, Rachel, Twilight Sparkle and Wilfred looked over smiling.

William: Well… Rachel, do you think she's learned her lesson?

Rachel: I thinks so. How 'bout you Twilight?

Twilight Sparkle: I definitely think so

Narrator: They all turned to Wilfred, whom just smiling happily.

Wilfred: Well, I think it's safe to assume that the lesson has been learned.

Narrator: All they could do was just grin.

Ok. Janna is the electric engine on the Peel Godred branchline. BTW, that name was the 1st thing that came to mind at complete random, and is subject to change when I consult my collab partner about it. What did you think of the story guys? Well, look out for the final part of the "Sodor Rail Tours" saga. It's going to be about the Skarloey Railway.