Author's notes: I really like this story. Again, just gave Annie and Clarabel some more dialogue. Not much, but I think it's a nice touch.

Thomas In Trouble

Narrator: There is a line to a quarry at the end of Thomas's branchline. It goes for some distance from Ffarquhar along a road and eventually ending at the Anopha Quarry also sometimes called Ffarquhar quarry. Thomas is always very careful here incase anyone was coming. Thomas would whistle and the people would get out of the way and he'd puff slowly along with his stone trucks and Annie and Clarabel rumbling behind him, whilst he, his crew and coaches would sing a little song.

Thomas: (Singing) I'm sitting on top of the world, Just rolling along Just rolling along

Twilight Sparkle: (Singing) And I'm quitting the blues of the world Just singing a song Just singing a song

William: (Singing) Glory hallelujah, I just phoned the parson Hey, par, get ready to call Just like humpty dumpty, I'm going to fall

Annie: (signing) I'm sitting on top of the world Just rolling along Just rolling along

Clarabel: (singing) Some people have diamonds And beautiful pearls

Twilight Sparkle: (joking) Like rarity (singing) While others have children Just kiddies with curls

Thomas: (singing) Keep all of your fortunes Keep all of your fame I just found a sweetie Who's changing her name (singing) I'm sitting on top of the world just rolling along just rolling along

Annie: (singing) and we're quitting the blues of the world Just singing a song Just singing a song

Clarabel: (singing) Glory hallelujah, I just phoned the parson

Hey, par, get ready to call

Just like humpty dumpty,

I'm going to fall

Thomas: (singing) I'm sitting on top of the world

just rolling along

just rolling along

William (singing) Don't want any millions

I'm getting my share

I've only got one suit (just one)

That's all I can wear

Twilight: (singing) A bundle of money won't make you feel gay

Thomas: (singing) A sweet little honey is making me say

Annie: (singing) that we're sitting sitting on top top of the world

William: (singing) just rolling along

Twilight: (singing) just rolling along

Clarabel: (singing) and We're quitting quitting the blues of the world

William: (singing) Just singing a song

Thomas: (singing) Just singing a song

William: (singing) Glory hallelujah, I just phoned the parson

Hey, par, get ready to call

Just like humpty dumpty,

I'm going to fall

All 5: (singing) And We're sitting, sitting on top, top of the world

just rolling along

just rolling along

Narrator: Early one morning, there was no one on the road but a large policemen constable was sitting on the grass close to the line. He was shaking a stone from his boot. Thomas, Twilight Sparkle, William, Annie and Clarabel liked policemen constables. They had been great friends of the constable who used to live in the village but he had just retired. Thomas, Twilight Sparkle, William, Annie and Clarabel expected that the new constable would be friendly too. Thomas whistled a friendly greeting and William, Twilight Sparkle, Annie and Clarabel followed up.

Thomas: Good morning to you Mr. Constable!

Constable: JUMPING CREAM AND ICED BUNS WITH COFFEE!

Narrator: He scrambled up and hopped round on one leg until he was facing Thomas. Thomas, William, Twilight Sparkle, Annie and Clarabel were very sorry to see that the constable didn't look friendly at all. He was absolutely red in the face and very, very cross. The constable wobbled about trying to maintain his balance.

Constable: DISGRACEFUL! I didn't sleep a wink last night, it was so quiet! AND NOW BLINKING ENGINES COME WHISTLING AND SINGING SUDDENLY BEHIND ME! My first day in the country too! Hmph! Wish I've never been transferred.

Narrator: The Constable picked up his boot and hopped over to Thomas, Twilight and William. Annie and Clarabel quivered at the back of the train.

William: Um, I'm sorry Sir.

Twilight: Our apologize Mr. Constable Sir.

Thomas: We only said good morning to you, Mr. Constable Sir.

Constable: (Angrily) Hmph! Comfoundit! Stupid things! I've heard that record one time too many already last night with the ruddy Mrs.

Narrator: And leaning against Thomas' buffer, he put his boot on. Then he drew himself up and pointed accusingly at Thomas.

Constable: And where are your cow catchers then?!

Thomas: (Confused) Huh? Uh… Um…. Sorry Constable… but I don't catch cows, Sir?...

Twilight: (confused) Pardon me for asking but what exactly is this thing called a cowcatcher?

Constable: (furious) OY! DON'T YOU TRIED BE FUNNY WITH ME YOUNG FELLOW ME!

Twilight: AH! Yyyy Yes Sir Mmm Mr. Ccc constable.. Ssss Sir,

Narrator: Poor Twilight jumped in fright. She had great respect for the law and was shaking violently! Then the Constable looked at Thomas' wheels.

Constable: AHA! No side plates either. No side plates and no cowcatcher.

Narrator: And he wrote in his notebook.

Constable: Engines going down tramways along public roads must have their wheels covered by sideplates on both sides of the wheels and a cowcatcher in the front and back. It's to protect people and animals from being dragged under the wheels if they stray onto the line. You have neither so you are dangerous to the public, so their!

Twilight Sparkle: (To self) Oh no! Not dangerous to the public. What if Princess Celestia finds out? I couldn't bear the thought….

Narrator: That made William cross. The constable just been rude to Thomas, frightened Twilight Sparkle and now he had had enough! He walked over and hotly argued with him too.

William: Oh! For corns sake! That's rubbish constable! I'll have you know we've traveled here a hundred times before and never had a single accident. Why even before Thomas worked here, the old coffee pot engines never had any accidents like that and they didn't have cowcatchers either.

Narrator: The constable looked angrily at William.

Constable: OH HAVE YOU NOW!?

William: Your darn right we have!

Constable: Well then that just makes it worse then. I'll just write all three of you up for that.

Narrator; and then he wrote 'REGULAR LAW BREAKERS' in his notebook as Twilight began to cry frantically.

Twilight Sparkle: Oh no no no! Please, anything but a ticket please!

Constable: (Writing the tickets) You 3 are regular law breakers and for you too Mr. Holden, for sassing a constable of the law. I shall be reporting this to the Ffarquhar police quarters. NOW GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!

Narrator: Thomas puffed sadly away with William, Twilight, Annie and Clarabel feeling as sad as Thomas.

Annie: It's shameful to treat engines and their crew like this.

Clarabel: Something must be done to put this to an end.

Narrator: Meanwhile, The Fat Controller was having breakfast. He was eating toast. He had the newspaper open in front of him and his wife had just given him more coffee. The butler knocked and came in.

Butler: Excuse me Sir. You are wanted on the telephone.

Fat Controller: Oh bother that telephone! I'll be back in a minute. Oh deary me.

Fat controller: Hullo. Topham Manor, this is Sir Topham Hatt speaking…What? What's that you say… In trouble with the law? I'll be right there right away.

Narrator: He hung up.

Ft controller: Oh botheration!

Narrator: Then he explained to his wife.

Fat controller: I'm sorry Jane my dear. But I'm afraid Thomas, Twilight Sparkle and William had a spot of bother with the police constables. I must go and sort things out at once.

Narrator: He gulped down his coffee and hurried to Knapford. At the station, William and Twilight Sparkle explained what had happen. The Fat Controller was furious!

Fat controller: WHAT! Dangerous to the public indeed! Oooh! We'll just see about that!

Narrator: He climbed into Annie and Thomas took them to Ffarquharr to where the constable was waiting. The Fat Controller spoke to him at once. A crowd gathered to listen. Other constables came to break up the ruckus and the Fat controller argued with them too. However, as much as he argued with them, it was no good.

Constables: The law is the law! And we can't change it! And that's that. Good Day Sir Topham Hatt!

Narrator: The Fat controller felt exhausted. He mopped his brow in defeat. And William paid his find, Twilight Sparkle's find, and Thomas's find.

Fat controller: I'm sorry Miss Twilight Sparkle, Mr. Holden. Oh deary me. I'm afraid it's no use arguing with police constables. We'll just have to make those cowcatcher things for Thomas I suppose.

Narrator: Thomas was horrified.

Thomas: What! But everyone will laugh sir! They'll all say I look like…. Like a tram.

Narrator: The Fat Controller stared then he laughed.

Fat controller: Uh….Like a tram… Ho Ho ho! Why yes… Well done Thomas! Why didn't think of that before?! We want a tram engine!

Twilight, William, Thomas: uh? But I don't understand Sir?

Fat Controller: When I was on holiday in east Anglia, I met a nice little engine called Toby. He sadly hasn't enough work left on his tramway in England so he needs a change. He has both cowcatchers and sideplates. Oh good boy Thomas, I'll write to his controller at once. I think I'll even call in Applejack and Miss Ravens.

Narrator: A few days later, The Fat Controller and William were waiting on the platform at elsbridge along with a very bewildered Rachel and Applejack.

Applejack: Now what in the hay are we here waitin' for Rachel.

Narrator: Rachel shrugged.

Rachel: Search me.

William: It's a surprise Girls.

Fat controller: So wait and see.

Narrator: The fat controller and William looked at each other and winked. Then at last with a puffing of pistons and the clanging of brass bell, Toby arrived.

Fat Controller: Ah that's a good engine Toby. Heheheh… I see you also brought your trusty coach Henrietta too.

Narrator: Toby blushed a little.

Toby: You don't mind do you sir? You see, when our tramway closed, the old station master wanted to use her for a hen house at his family's farm and that could never do.

Fat controller: Ho ho ho! Certainly not Toby. We definitely could never allow that.

Henrietta: Oh thank you for giving me and Toby a chance sir.

Fat Controller: Quite alright, both of you.

Narrator: He pointed to Applejack William and Rachel.

Fat controller: Now Toby, these will be new crew members. William James Holden, Rachel Marie Ravens, and over their is Applejack.

Applejack: Howdy Toby. Pleasure to meet you.

Toby: Oh wow! A talking pony. We never had those in England before.

Applejack: Well that makes sense right now. There are only 6 of us on this island. And if engines, coaches, trucks, buses and tractors can talk in this world, why not ponies?

Toby: I see. Oh, I can't wait to meet them.

Fat controller: Miss Raven's, Applejack I am proud to announce that will now have double duties with both Henry, Percy and Pinkie Pie, as you will now also work with William and Toby along the tramway. He'll teach you everything.

Narrator: Rachel and Applejack were delighted.

Rachel: Oh yes Please sir!

Applejack: Oh thank you mighty kindly sir.

Fat controller: Very good. Now your first job will be to take the workmen up to the quarry and take the loaded trucks down to Ffarquhar station for Thomas to take.

AJ/Toby/Rachel/William: YES SIR!

Narrator: And they started work. William taught Rachel and Applejack everything they need to know about running along tramways. Toby made the trucks behave even better than Thomas did.

Constable: (Riding his bicycle) Ah much better. No more dangerous engines without sideplates or cowcatchers and finally no more stupid engines whistling loudly behind me to…

(Toby clangs his bell loudly at the crossing)

Constable: JUMPING CREAM AND ICED BUNS WITH COFFEE! (Loses control of his bicycle) Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! (Crashes into a shrubbery) Doh ow! ouch! (Constable scrambles up furious and covered with brambles) OY! YOU! (Constable begins to pluck the brambles off) Oooh! Ooch! Ouch!

William: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh good show Toby my boy! Oh good show. You just made my day.

Rachel: Hehhehehahahahahs! Oh that was too funny!

Applejack: Oh haheheheh Oh good Toby!

Toby: HEHEHEHEH! I've never heard of constables jumping at the sound engines on the old line. (Breathing fresh air) You know, I think I'm going to enjoy living here.

William: Well Toby, we're glad to have as part of the NWR family.

Narrator: At first, Thomas and Twilight Sparkle were jealous but they were so pleased and happy when Toby rang his bell and made the same constable jump and crash into a shrubbery on his bicycle, that they have been firm friends ever since.

And that was 'Thomas In Trouble'. It was hilarious to see the constable jump and crash into a shrub. Next is 'Dirty Objects'. Again, it feels a bit more like a James story then Toby's. But, I can live with that.