Author's notes: Not much has changed, except for a small edit at the end.

Fletcher and Jennings

(Crovans Gate, 1990.)

Skarloey: Well I'll be. Falcon's Works, Kerr Stuart, James Spoon's, Baldwin, Andrew Barclay and Decauville.

Pipsqueak: Well by Jov. That's a lot of engines from different works

Sweetie Belle: Not to mention from a lot of countries.

Duke: Indeed. Like I said before, our railway was big and need a fair number of engines to work it.

Rachel: I can understand. We've had a lot of engines back on my old railway on Misty Island before I was bought. Some came from very interesting locations.

William: So um, were there other engines from different works besides those?

Duke: Yes indeed and they both treated each other like brothers. They were called Fletcher and Jennings. They were quite the rascals back then but were good non the less.

Rex: Alright. What were they like.

Narrator: Duke cleared his throat and this is the story of both Fletcher and Jennings.

(MSR days, 1928)

Narrator: The Mid Sodor Railway never seized working. The engines often had to now work day and night with passengers trains in the morning, afternoon and early evening. Goods traffic was busy too, they had to take trains around the clock day and night. The coal mines got most of the brunt of the work load. Without coal, industry and railways would have grounded to a halt. Passenger traffic too got heavier and heavier. No sooner had one train arrived then the engines had to go out again with fresh passengers in another. One morning, Duke had arrived back after the morning picnic run and was waiting for another up journey with the picnic. Mr. Holden and Twilight Sparkle were just oiling his parts, when Stuart came panting in beside him with.

Stuart: Whew! I never felt so tired in my life. This summer season has to be the busiest.

Duke: Indeed. In all my years I have never seen so many passengers or demands for goods in all my years. But we must keep going.

Stuart: Righto Granpuff.

Applejack: Yeah and I thought workin' sweet apple acres was hard work.

Twilight Sparkle: Well, don't worry. I got wind that the manager has purchased two more engines to help us run the line.

Mr. Holden: Really? That's good.

Narrator: The two engines arrived next day. One was a little 0-4-0ST called Jennings and the other and the other was a red 0-6-0 tank engine. Sadly, he had no name. He had a number 11 whilst his counterpart was numbered 12. The two engines greeted the manager warmly.

Manager: Welcome No. 11 and No. 12.

Jennings: Please sir. Call me Jennings, after my designer.

Manager: Very well No. 12. Jennings it is. Now then, we're glad to have you here to help us out. Jennings, you will be helping Millie and Rarity at the coal mines with and No. 11, you will be working goods duties.

No.11/Jennings: Yes Sir, we'll do our best.

Manager: Theres some good engines. Now then, these are the ponies and people you'll work with. Jennings, you're with Applejack and Mr. Holden at the coal mines to help Millie out. And No. 11, you'll be with Rainbow Dash on goods trains.

Narrator: Soon the two engines were at work and were good friends with Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Mr. Holden. The two engines quickly took to their new jobs like a swan takes to water. Jennings worked mostly shunting trucks in at the coal mines with Millie and Rarity.

(Jennings shunting coal trucks.)

Millie: Oh thank you Jennings. Me and Rarity could never get this job done without you, Mr. Holden and Applejack.

Rarity: Indeed. It beats being covered in coal dust.

Miss Ravens: Not to mention it saves a lot of time on our goods train runs.

Jennings: Oh, it's nothing to it.

Narrator: And No. 11 was hard at work on goods trains, this included the 'Horse and Cart', lead trains, granite trains and coal trains.

Rainbow Dash: Now you got it!

Miss Ravens: Yeah, you're doing great. Excellent job No. 11.

No. 11: (Wistful sigh.) Thanks girls.

Miss Ravens: What's the matter? Don't you like you're new job?

No. 11: Hmm? Oh yes, of course I love it. (Sigh.) It's just that the other engines all have numbers and names but me. I only have a number. I wish I had a name so I can feel part of the family.

Narrator: Rainbow Dash and Miss Ravens felt sorry for the poor engine.

Rainbow Dash: Hey there, don't worry about it. I'm sure you'll get a name one of these days. No matter what happens, you're still gonna be a part of our family.

Narrator: No. 11 smiled ruefully as continued down the line with the horse and cart. Later that same day, No. 11 talked to the others about having a name.

Duke: I know, but don't worry. I'm sure you'll get you're in due time.

Helen: That's right. It just probably will take a little time.

Proteus: That's right, plus do a very a good job. I accept you into our MSR family no matter what.

Jennings: Same here. I'm positive you will get a name. Just give it time.

No. 11: Thanks guys. You all sure know how to make a nameless engine feel welcome.

Narrator: No. 11 felt much better after this and continued to carry on without knowing that he would be named sooner than he thought. Days passed and he still got no name, but he refused to give up.

(No. 11 arrives at the port with a lead train early ahead of schedule.)

Rainbow Dash: Wow, that was awesome. You actually managed to make it with 50 minutes to spare.

No. 11: Thanks Rainbow Dash. That really means a lot. (To himself.) I do wish I had a name though. I feel so left out.

Narrator: One day, it began to rain and Jennings was out on his own. Millie was taken ill and so Mr. Holden and Applejack had to take Jennings out. Since he had no cab they had to get the brunt of the rain. As Millie was out of action, Jennings not only had to do the shunting on his own but he also had to take Millie's 5 PM coal train up the line. Jennings was worried.

Jennings: Oh dear. This train is usually very heavy. I don't know if I can do it.

Applejack: Well, we gotta try. It's like I tell my sister Apple Bloom, 'you never know unless you try.'

Mr. Holden: Well we'd better make it fast because this storm is getting worse by the minute.

Narrator: Reluctantly, Jennings agreed and once he had shunted the trucks, he ran round to the front of the train and began to pull. The trucks were too heavy for him to move on his own, but after several wheel slips, he did it at last. He was on his way to the top station. The wind and rain buffeted poor Jennings as he steamed along the line.

Jennings: I must do it! I must! I must!

Mr. Holden: Steady Jennings, steady!

Applejack: Boy, this storm is awful!

Narrator: But there worst to come. Suddenly, Jennings' wheels slipped furiously again and again. Then there was rumbling noise and suddenly a whole patch of earth fell right on top of them! Jennings was buried.

Jennings: Help! Help! We're stuck.

Mr. Holden: This is great! Real great!

Applejack: Look, you try and dig Jennings out. I'll go and get help.

Narrator: And Applejack galloped off to get help. No. 11 was working nearby at the works station when Applejack came rushing towards him, Rainbow Dash and Miss Ravens.

Applejack: We need your help. There's been an avalanche and Jennings is buried under it. We'll need you ta bring some workmen to help get him out.

No. 11: Righto, I'll do my best.

Narrator: And he set off with Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Miss Ravens on board. When they arrived, Mr. Holden was still digging Jennings out and was glad to see Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Miss Ravens and the workmen all there to help dig him out. Soon, Miss Ravens, Mr. Holden, the workmen and the ponies all worked with a will, shovelling and digging the avalanche away. At last, Jennings wheels were clear. Then, after pulling the trucks away, the workmen coupled both engines with strong chains. Applejack lassoed Jennings' back end and they all heaved and heaved.

No. 11: Hang on Jennings. We'll get you out!

Applejack: Yeah, don't worry!

Narrator: No. 11 gave a great effort and at last hauled Jennings to safety.

No. 11: Are you alright there, Jennings?

Jennings: Yeah I'm okay.

Narrator: Then the two engines went back to the works sheds at Arlesdale to rest for the night whilst Miss Ravens telephoned the Manager to tell them what had happened. Jennings was very grateful as the two ponies serviced the two engines.

Jennings: Thank you for saving me. I really owe you one.

No. 11: Oh that's alright Jennings.

Jennings: You saved my life out there and I have to give you a reward. I decided to give you a name. How about I name you Fletcher, after the part of the company that built me.

Fletcher: Oh yes. Thank you Jennings. It's better than just having a number.

Narrator: Soon they cleared the line by the next morning and both Fletcher and Jennings set off double heading down line to finish the coal delivery. The two engines enjoyed puffing up the Mountain Road and sharing seeing all the beautiful sights. At last, they reached the top station. The manager was there to greet them.

Manager: Well done. A fine piece of work Jennings, Applejack, Mr. Holden, Miss Ravens and Rainbow Dash.

Narrator: He then turned to Fletcher.

Manager: And I am proud of you too (winks) Fletcher. You've done a great service to this railway. After that, you deserve the name.

Fletcher: Oh sir. Thank you sir.

Narrator: Fletcher was proud of his new name. He and Jennings became very good friends and had worked happily together for many years.

(Skarloey Railway, 1990.)

Rachel: Aw, how sweet. I love it how friends help each other out

William: Indeed. That was very noble of Fletcher and very kind hearted of Jennings.

Duke: Like you two helped to protect one another from that evil man Jacob Ravens.

Pinkie Pie: (Singing) He's an evil enchanter
Who speaks evil banter
And if you look deep in his eyes
He'll feel like your hand burn
Then what will he do?
He'll mix up an evil goop
Then he'll gobble you up
In a big tasty soup
Sooo… WATCH OUT!

Duke: Oh… whoops. Look what just slipped out.

Peter Sam: Heh, looks like your point is correct, Granpuff.

Ward Fell: Ah yes. Just like that right.

Sir Handel: That is correct, and since then they were like brothers in a way. Like me and Peter Sam are.

Narrator: The engines all murmured there agreements.

Alright, it's that time again:

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. 8a) 1922-1926
Miney: (No. 6b) 1922-
Millie: (No. 9) 1922-
Stuart: (No. 4d) 1923-
Jim: (No. 8b) 1926-1927
Helen: (No. 8c) 1927-
Jerry: (No. 10) 1927-
Fletcher: (No. 11) 1928-
Jennings: (No. 12) 1928-

Alex and John will be coming up next. See you soon.