Author's Notes: I had to make some quick changes to the timeline due to the fact that Simmors (Or, the red engine) cameos in 'Henry's Sneeze'. This particular story happens in 1939, which explains why Simmors is still on Sodor.

Dear Rachel

Well it look like we've now entered into another world war and against the Germans again. But aside from that, here's what's new on the NWR As you may have notice, all of our engines are now numbered. Thomas naturally is No.1, Edward No.2 Henry, No.3 Gordon is No.4, James is No.5 and Percy No.6. I am sorry to say also that Simmors is gone. He had left in the autumn of 1944 to aid England in the war effort after some of their engines have been bombed. Anyway, do you remember how Henry had steaming trouble? Well our detective skills have finally paid off and now he has had rebuild and is now in good working order. These stories tell you how we did it.

Your friend, William James Holden. 1944.

Coal

Narrator: Henry the green engine was bigger than James and smaller than Gordon. Henry was also known for being a problematic steamer. Sometimes he could pull trains very nicely, but at other times he felt that he had no strength at all.

Henry: (Sad sigh) I suffer dreadfully and no one cares…

Narrator: The other engines and some of the ponies, mostly Rarity and Rainbow Dash were less sympathetic.

James: Pah! Rubbish Henry! You just don't work hard enough!

Rarity: I couldn't agree with you more James darling. So quit sulking Henry and work hard you lazy good for nothing hypochondriac!

Applejack: Goodness Rarity. Henry can't help it. Why don't ya just accept that?

Rarity: I simply can't. In truth, Henry has been nothing but an absolute pathetic hypochondriac since he came to the railway. I don't know why the Fat Controller won't send him to scrapyards and be rid of that worthless whining hypochondriac once and for all. Hmph!

Simmors: Just be quiet! You have a goods train to take anyway.

James: Again?! Oh come on!

Rarity: (Sighs) Right. Better go.

(James and Rarity set out to take it.)

Narrator: It was bad enough that the other engines and Rarity and Rainbow Dash spoke rudely to him. But to make matters worse, the Fat Controller was becoming impatient with him too.

Fat Controller: Your too expensive Henry! You've had lots of new parts and new paint but they've done you no good I'm afraid. Henry, if we cannot make you better, we must get an engine to replace you.

Narrator: This made Henry, Fluttershy, William, Rachel, Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie very sad. Pinkie Pie's cotton candy mane had deflated upon hearing this.

Pinkie: Oh no. If they can't make him feel better, than the Fat controller will send Henry away and then we'll never see him ever again.

Narrator: The news hit Fluttershy even harder than Henry and Pinkie Pie as the poor yellow pegasus burst into tears. Rachel wanted to cry too.

Rachel: What are we going to do? We can't have Henry be scrapped.

Narrator: William and Twilight Sparkle looked at each other. They knew what they had to do.

William: No we're not going to lose our green engine friend. I've got a plan. Meet back at Knapford hotel at 5:30pm. Don't be late.

Narrator: Rachel and the ponies all agreed on the plan. Later at 5:30 P.M everyone made it on time. Fortunately, the hotel was empty. William took out some plans for an engine just like Henry.

Twilight Sparkle: Where did you get those plans? I've been looking for them everywhere!

William: (Whisper) Sssh! Keep your voices down! I borrowed them from crovans gate workshops.

Rachel: You what!

William: (Whisper) Rachel, for goodness sake, whisper! We need to keep this a hush now quiet now meeting.

Fluttershy: (Whisper) So um, what is your plan?

William: (Whispering) Okay here's the plan. I checked the plans for this type of engine. They appear to be a cross breed between an Ivatt C-1 atlantic and an A3/A1 pacific with 4-6-0 wheel arrangement. I checked the label and the plans originated from Sir Nigel Greseley. I called him up and asked him if he had ever built or sold this engine.

Pinkie Pie: And what did you find out!

Twilight Sparkle: (Whisper) SHH! Pinkie Pie! Keep it down. Continue William.

William: (Whisper) Well, I made the call and Mr. Greseley said that he had never built an engine of that sort. So that's why Henry's class was such a mystery. So anyway, I also found out that these plans were actually a failed prototype of Greseley's which in fact were stolen by a rival company. The original plan of the theft was to get plans of what they thought would be an innovation of Gresley's so that they could use it against him, but they accidentally got the rejected plans.

Narrator: All faces barring William's were shock.

Twilight: What?! So that means Henry was stolen engine!? Oh my goodness. If Princess Celestia finds out I've been working alongside a stolen engine I… (William covers her mouth) mmmmmmmm.

William: (Whisper) For pete sake Twilight Sparkle! Keep it down. I don't want anyone to hear this. Anyway, I have however a plan to fix this.

Rachel: So what do you plan to do?

William: I've contacted a friend of mine whom worked at Swindon workshops. And…

Narrator: He whispered something to girls.

William: And that's what me and Fluttershy will do, when we take the next Flyer of Vicarstown.

Twilight Sparkle: Are you sure this will work?

Fluttershy: She's right, it sounds pretty costly.

William: Well we don't know unless we try.

Applejack: While ya work with Henry, Fluttershy, I'll work with Edward.

Fluttershy: Ok. Be sure to say hi to him from me.

Applejack: Course.

Narrator: The next morning, William and Fluttershy went to get henry ready for his passenger run with the flyer of vicarstown. The Fat Controller was on the platform too he had taken off his hat and coat, and put on overalls. He climbed up to the footplate and Fluttershy drove Henry out the station. Henry managed to start, but William was not satisfied.

William: (Sigh) Henry's a bad steamer Sir. I've built his fire but It doesn't give enough heat.

Narrator: Henry tried very hard, but it was no good. He didn't have enough steam and grounded to halt outside Edward's station. Henry burst into tears.

Henry: Oh dear… I shall have to go away… Oh dear. Oh dear.

Fluttershy: (Trying hard not cry) There there Henry. You gave it all you had (whisper) And besides, me and William have a plan to save you.

Narrator: All he could do was be shunted onto siding whilst Edward and Applejack took charge of the train.

Applejack: (Whisper) Don't worry Henry. We have this plan under control.

Edward: What plan?

Narrator: Applejack knew she could trust Edward enough to tell him what happened.

Applejack: Tell ya later. Let's get the passenger train to the next station.

(They depart.)

Fat controller: What do you think is wrong with him, Mr. Holden.

Fluttershy: Um, excuse me sir but um… We've analysed Henry's plans and the fact is that the coal is wrong.

Narrator: The two of them told The Fat Controller all about Henry's mystery.

William: And since the start of this Second World War, we've had very poor lot of this coal and today's lot has been worse. This coal caused more dust build up in the fire boxes. Now, the other engines are alright cause they have big enough fireboxes but sadly Henry's is small and unable to make heat. We have a solution though. I've telephoned one of my friends who works at Swindon. They told me that in Henry's case, he will need to use welsh coal just like the Great Western Railway. That coal burns better than the normal slack coal or any other provider and has very good reputation.

Fluttershy: So what were saying, is that with welsh coal, Henry will be a better steamer.

Narrator: The Fat Controller looked thoughtfully.

Fat controller: Hmm. It's expensive, even without the wartime shortages. But Henry must have a fair chance. James and Rarity shall go and fetch a shipment from burrow in furness.

William: YYYYYYYYYEEESSSSS!

Fluttershy: (taking deep breath) Yay! You rock! Whoohoo!

Narrator: When the welsh coal did come, Henry, Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle, William, Pinkie Pie and Rachel were all excited. They were ready for this day.

William: Now we'll show them Henry old fellow.

Rachel: That's right, now that we've got you what you need.

Pinkie Pie: That's right. Lets do this.

Narrator: Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle and Applejack had arrived early to work with Percy, Thomas and Edward and decide to help prep Henry. For the first time in weeks, Henry give a small smile. So Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, William and Rachel carefully oiled Henry's moving parts and polished his brass until it shone like gold. Fluttershy had already lit his fire, so William made it carefully. He put large lumps of coal like a wall around the outside and then filled the glowing middle part with smaller lumps.

Henry: (Annoyed) Hey! Your spoiling my fire!

William: No I'm not Henry. Just wait and see. We'll have a roaring fire just when we want it.

FLuttershy: Just do your best Henry.

Narrator: William was right. As Henry Entered the platform, the water was boiling nicely. He had to let off steam to show how happy he felt. He made such a noise that the Fat Controller came out.

Fat controller: How are you Henry?

Henry: Oh Sir. I feel fine.

Fat controller: Have you a good run up here Fluttershy?

Fluttershy: Never better Sir and plenty of steam.

Fat controller: No record braking. Don't push him too hard.

William: (Giggle) Henry won't need pushing. I'll have to hold him back.

Narrator: And soon they took the Flyer of Vicarstown out of Tidmouth. Henry had lovely day. He had never felt so well in his life. He wanted to go fast but William wouldn't let him.

William: Heheheh! Steady old fellow. Theres plenty of time.

Narrator: They arrived early at the the junction at Knapford. Thomas soon arrived with Twilight Sparkle in his cab.

Henry: Where have you been lazy bones? Oh I can't be kept waiting for dawdling tank engines like you. Goodbye.

Narrator: And soon he took off like a rocket.

Thomas: Whoosh! Have you ever seen anything like it!?

Annie: No Thomas. We haven't seen anything like that before.

Clarabel: I agree. I'm glad that Henry has got his strength back.

Narrator: Twilight Sparkle didn't say anything. She just grinned.

Ok. So Applejack is now with Edward and Fluttershy with Henry. This is an occasional change to the series, as it doesn't happen too much. I'll see you for 'The Flying Kipper'. I know it's one of the fan favourites so I will do my real best on this one.