Author's notes: Ready for saga number 2? I sure am. It's called, "Trials And Tests". Also, Rachel becomes an apprentice driver this time around.

Dear Rachel,
You remember how Gordon and Rainbow Dash aced that trial run back in 1920? Well, a year later, 2 other engines managed to ace their tests and are now apart of the Fat Directors railway too. However, I am sorry to say that Gordon and Rainbow Dash got a little bit carried away. Anyway, these are the stories and I will tell you all about it.
Your friend, William James Holden.

PS: Your doing well as an apprentice driver. Maybe one day you will become a full time driver like me.

Henry and Applejack

Narrator: Back in 1920, a greseley A-0 prototype pacific from GNR called Gordon had passed his trial runs on the NWR and was now a part of the NWR family. At that same-time 6 special talking ponies had just discovered the island via a magic portal through a magic railway. It was also because of this, that two friendly teenage humans named Rachel Marie Ravens, and William James Holden helped them to get acquainted with the sudrian way of life. They soon became friends with everybody... For the most part. It was now 1921 and the ponies and engines were now well acquainted with each other. William even asked the Fat Director if Rachel Ravens could be put into training as an engine driver for the NWR as an apprentice driver under William's guidance. One morning, all the engines were sleeping soundly when Twilight Sparkle and the other ponies woke them up.

Twilight Sparkle: Good morning engines! I have the now gotten the check list of what needs to be done today.

98462: (Grouchy) Oh for heaven's sakes. It's 6:00am in the bloody morning you dumb pack mule.

87546: (Grouchy) Good grief. Don't you know when to let engines sleep you darn….

Narrator: Just at the moment, William and Rainbow Dash both stepped into view, each wielding a soapy foamed brush.

William: Ahem…. Oh dear 98462, is that the plack of bad manners I see in your teeth? (Grinning grimly) what do you think Rainbow Dash?

Rainbow Dash: Ah. He's not only one, looks like 87546 has been shirking his dental hygiene too. (Grinning grimly two as she and William exchange winks) Mwah Hahahaha.

Narrator: Even Twilight Sparkle joined in too as she levitated a soap foamed brush too.

Twilight Sparkle: Mind if I join in too? That looks like fun and I can reach in between the gum lines.

William: The more the merrier Twilight. The more the merrier.

Narrator: Then William burst into a quiet but psychotic laugh. 98462's and 87546's eyes widened with horror, they glanced nervously from side to side.

98462: (Nervous) Uh I mean…. Nice pretty pony. Very smart and so intelligent…Aheheh thank you for w-w-waking us up, for work today.

87546: (Nervous) Uh yeah, what my brother said…. Um… so uh... um... how 'bout we get onto that chores list, huh, Twilight?

Narrator: After successfully hiding there laughters', William Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle went back to normal.

Twilight Sparkle: Well now, that's more like it. Lets see... hmmm. Rarity, you will be working with Mr. Bennett on Simmons, taking a stopping passenger train to Knapford.

Simmons: Yes ma'm.

Rarity: No problem, Twilight dear.

Twilight Sparkle: Applejack will work with Rachel Ravens and William Holden on Henry today. You'll be taking a slow goods train to Killdane Junction, then return.

Applejack: No problem Twi.

Henry: Sure thing.

Twilight Sparkle: I'll be working in the yards with Pinkie Pie and Mr. Perkins on Thomas.

Thomas: No problem. I was hoping you would chose me.

Narrator: Twilight Sparkle grinned.

Twilight Sparkle: And Fluttershy, you will work with Mr. Awkright on 98462 taking a passenger train to Wellsworth.

Narrator: 98462 glanced devilishly at her making the poor pegasus winch. William noticed and felt worried.

Wiilaim: (In his mind.) Oh dear. I can't let Futtershy suffer at the regulator of that wretched B-12. He'll tear her apart.

Narrator: William then quickly stepped in.

William: Um, Twilight, can't someone else take 98462's job.

Narrator: Twilight then looked puzzled as 98462's face fell.

Twilight Sparkle: Well alright. Mister Arkwright was suppose to take 98462's passenger to Wellsworth Station, but I guess I could find someone else to do it.

Narrator: Fluttershy quickly stepped in.

Fluttershy: Oh that's okay, I can just um... clean the sheds and get some tea ready .

Narrator: And she gave a nervous squee.

Twilight Sparkle: Right, I'll just assign Mr. Arnold with 87546's goods train to Tidmouth. (To self with her quill, ink and checklist in her magic) Just make some changes here, cross that, and... There. (Outloud) Ok, got someone else to work with 98462 and I'll inform the drivers on the change. Fluttershy, you get to cleaning up.

Fluttershy: Right Twi. (Flutters off to get the cleaning supplies)

Twilight Sparkle: That leaves you with Gordon and the Wild Nor Wester for Rainbow Dash with Mr. Conrad.

Gordon: Yes ma'm!

Rainbow dash: Alright! I was hoping you'd let me work with him.

Narrator: So everyone set off to work. At that time, Henry's class was an enigma to everyone. Henry was built in 1919 using plans stolen from Sir Nigel Gresley around the same time. Ironically, that was the same design used for Gordon until Gresley revamped the design after the theft. The thieves however, stole a prototype which turned out to be something of a cross between a GNR/LNER Class A1 and a GNR C1 Atlantic and complete failure due to having a shorter firebox the locomotive was a shy steamer. Although the design was a failure, Henry was sold to the Fat Director, whom at the time was so desperate that he would take anything. However, these problems had gone unnoticed even by Henry. Meanwhile, Applejack, Rachel Ravens, William Holden and the old green engine were working hard.

Applejack: So Henry, what kinda locomotive are yah?

Henry: Hmmm… Well don't know to be quite honest. Let's see, old Edward is a K-2 Larger Seagull from the Furness Railway. Gordon came from the GNR and is an A-0 prototype engine, Simmons is a Midland Railway 3f locomotive, of course those two troublemakers are B-12's from GNR too, little Thomas is a LB&SCR E-2 tank engine… and as for me, I really wasn't given a class when I was built, I don't know why.

Applejack: I see. Hmmm…. I feel kinda sorry for ya Henry.

Narrator: Henry tried to lighten the mood.

Henry: Ah well. At least I'm working here.

Applejack: (Smile) That'a boy Henry.

Rachel: Good on you Henry. As long as you try your best, you'll do fine.

William: Yeah, and Rachel here is new to this job so I think you both are going to be alright.

Henry: Aw. Thank you guys.

Narrator: By the time Henry exited the Ballahoo tunnel, Applejack looked concerned. Henry's water gauge was gradually dropping.

Applejack: What in tarnation? I thought we filled you up back at Vicarstown. How did the gauge drop that low?

Rachel: Oh dear. That doesn't sound good at all.

William: Your right Rachel. Without water, Henry's boiler might burst. Listen, take the controls whilst I keep an eye on the water gauge. I know you can do this Rachel, just try not too use much steam.

Rachel: (Nervously) Yes William.

(William and Rachel swap duties.)

Applejack: Henry! How are you holding up there partner?

Henry: (Panting) Whew… I don't know… Applejack… (Panting) but I think we'd better fill up at Crovans Gate. I'm starting to feel very thirsty…. (Panting).

Rachel: Alright, we're almost there Henry… Just hang in there.

Narrator: They soon reached Crovans Gate and filled up with water. Applejack made sure he was filled to the brim and his coal load was piled high. Soon, they started off again. The extra water stop helped, but Henry's water gauge soon began to dwindle again.

Applejack: What in they hay? (Taps the water gauge to make sure it's not going haywire, to which nothing was wrong with it) That can't be right. Henry! Are you doing alright?

Narrator: Henry was by now feeling even more thirsty than before.

Henry: (Panting)…. I…. Don't know…. but we'll make it Killdane.

Narrator: Applejack, William and Rachel all felt even nervous more than Fluttershy would have felt.

William : All the same, we'd better stop at Kellsthorpe Road. Once we top you off again, we'll check to see if there is any leak in the pipes.

Narrator: When they arrived, Applejack was shocked to see the water in Henry's tender was nearly at the bottom.

Applejack: What in tarnation?! How did you manage to use up that much water already?

Narrator: William and Rachel then inspected Henry with Applejack. All three gave a bewildered sigh when they had finished.

William: It beats me Henry. We've checked you all over, and found nothing wrong with you.

Applejack: And strangely enough, the water in his tender was almost bone dry. There was no leak in the tender either.

Narrator: Henry felt even more worried.

Henry: But what about this goods train to Killdane junction? We can't just leave it standing. Let me try again, I'm sure I can do it.

Rachel: Alright Henry. We'll be with every wheel turn of the way. Just do your best.

Narrator: Henry then set off again, this time to with much determination. He was careful not to puff too hard so not to waste any water.

Henry: I can do it! I can do it! I can do it!

Narrator: He made one more brave effort. At last exhausted, thirsty, but unbeaten, Henry made it to Killdane junction and another engine took his train. Once Henry had been uncoupled and ran round via the Peel Godred crossings, he was then serviced and watered to the brim again. The station master ran up looking worried.

Station Master: One of the midland engines pulling a stopping train has failed at kellsthorpe road. Applejack, William and Rachel, I'll need you three and Henry to pull it to Vicarstown. Another engine from the other railway will take it from there.

Narrator: William, Applejack and Rachel were just about to decline, when Henry interrupted.

Henry: Yes Sir. We cannot allow our passengers to be stranded.

Narrator: Applejack, Rachel and William were gobsmacked with both amazement and worry.

William : What the Devil?

Rachel : What in thunderation?

Applejack: Huh?! What in tarnation? Henry, you can't be serious.

Henry: I'm dead serious. Emergency you know. Trains must keep going.

Applejack: Suit yourself. I'll be with you all the way.

Narrator: Rachel, William and Applejack all climbed aboard. They soon set off to the rescue. Fortunately, Kellsthorpe wasn't too far away, so Henry didn't waste that much water. All the same, once Henry arrived to the stranded train, Rachel backed Henry down and William coupled Henry to the train. Applejack immediately refilled Henry's tender with water it was low but not at a dangerous rate though, much to her bewilderment. Then when guard blew the whistle and waved the green flag, they set off again.

Applejack: Do your best Henry. That's all we can ask for you.

Henry: Right. We need to go as quickly as possible.

Rachel: (Nervous) Alright... here we go...

Narrator: But pulling passengers is very different then pulling a goods train. Henry wanted to stop for water at Crovans Gate, but the guard objected.

Guard: We need keep to schedule.

Applejack: Why you two legged toadded…..

Henry: Don't worry Applejack. I'll manage. I heard from Gordon that passenger trains are fairly easier than goods trains.

Narrator: So they carried on. Henry water gauge was dropping again, but he soldiered bravely on.

Henry: I must do it! I must! I must!

Narrator: Henry made one more effort. Then at last, terribly tired, nearly dry, but unbeaten, Henry clanked into the vicarstown yard right under the water column. Applejack quickly refilled Henry and ran him back to sheds as the other railway engine took the train on.

Applejack: Yeehaww! We made it back Henry! I'm proud of ya ol boy.

Fat Director: And so am I.

Narrator: The Fat Director, whom was on the failed train, came to sheds to congratulate Henry, William, Applejack and Rachel.

Fat Director: I am so proud of all of you indeed and especially Henry. I must admit, at first I thought you're teething troubles would cause me nothing but grief, but after your bravery in both your work and rescuing a stranded train, I shall have you remain as member of my railway fleet.

Narrator: Needless to say, Henry felt very proud of this acclamation. However I am sorry to say that this eventually made him puffed up in the smoke box. And I'm afraid for you and me that that's another story for another saga.

And that saga will be the next one after these next few stories. Keep a good look out for the next part of the saga. It's about Gordon and Rainbow Dash.