Author's Notes: Story is pretty much the same, but I changed the ending a little.

Double Header

Narrator: The Fat controller and Princess Celestia gave Gordon a rest when he came back to London and gave Rainbow Dash a day off. They asked James and Rarity to take over Gordon's and Rainbow Dash's work. Needless to say, James and Rarity were very delighted. James liked to show off his shiny red paint and Rarity liked showing off her beautiful shiny purple mane. The two of them were determined to pull the prestige passenger train, the WildNorWester, faster and better than Gordon and Rainbow Dash. They soon became very conceited about it. One day, they were at Knapford junction with the WildNorWester, Mr. Holden had just finished greasing the bearings, when Toby puffed in with Henrietta. Applejack and Rachel were working with him.

William: Hi Toby, hey girls. How's it going?

Toby: I've been better. I'm starting to clank a bit. Worn bearings most likely. I'll have to go to Crovan's Gate for repairs soon. Other than that, I'm fine.

Henrietta: I'm pretty good today. We've just been up to the quarry to drop off passengers.

Applejack: I'm feelin' sweet as an apple fritter.

Miss Ravens: Same here.

James: You know little Toby and Applejack, I'm an important engine now. Everybody knows it! They come in crowds to see me flash by.

Rarity: And they all come in bigger crowds to admire my beauty and my beautiful ensemble's add it to James's fire ruby red paint work and the site is a breath taking.

James: The heaviest of trains makes no difference, they all set their watches by me. I'm as regular as clockwork.

Rarity: And many a girl always asks, me where do you get that fine dress and the fire ruby matches you're engine.

James: Never late. Always on time.

Rarity: Always spotless always fabulous.

James/Rarity: ( sigh) That's me.

Toby/ Applejack: (Chuckle) says you.

Narrator: The 2 of them winked. The next morning, Toby, Rachel and Applejack were out on the mainline. The fat controller had sent the little tram to the works. His parts were worn and they clanked as he trundled along. Toby was enjoying his journey. He had never been out on the mainline before. However, he was a little engine and his tanks didn't hold much water, so he often had to stop for a drink. He had six small wheels so he couldn't go fast.

Applejack: Boy, I sure hope we don't hold up any trains. I heard James would be coming down this line.

Miss Ravens: Same here. Rarity and Mr Holden are driving him today.

Toby: Never mind girls. The signalmen all know me so they'll give me plenty of time.

Narrator: Toby wanted to take Henrietta with him, but the Fat controller told him no.

(Flashback)

Fat controller: what would the passengers and quarry men and women do without her?

Narrator: Toby wondered if Henrietta was lonely. Percy and Pinkie Pie promised to look after her. Bertie promised to take the quarrymen up to the quarry and Terrence's owner and Vicar of Wellsworth Charles Laxey, promised to lend Terrence and Trevor to take the stone from the quarry until Toby got back. But all the same Toby couldn't help worrying.

Toby: It's nice of Percy and Pinkie Pie to look after Henrietta, but they don't understand her like I do.

Applejack: Don 't fret sugar cube. At least some engine and pony is looking after Henrietta.

Toby: Your right there, Applejack.

Narrator: Soon, Toby began to feel very thirsty and tired. He had come a long way. He then distant signal.

Toby: Good, now I can have a nice drink and rest till James has passed with the WildNorWester.

Narrator: Rachel and Applejack thought so too. They stopped by the water crane, Applejack got out and put the hose in Toby's tank. The little tram was enjoying his drink when the signalman came up. Toby had never seen him before.

Signalman: Hey! What are you lot playing at? There's no time for that! We need to clear the up road for the WildNorWester.

Applejack: Alright. Then we'll wait in the siding.

Signalman: No good! It's full of trucks! You'll have to hurry to the next station! They've got plenty of room for you there.

Rachel: But we need to…

Signalman: We need this line clear. Now!

Narrator: Applejack and Rachel admitted defeat. Toby clanked sadly away.

Toby: I must hurry. I must hurry!

Applejack: Steady Toby! Steady! We've only got quarter of a tank left!

Narrator: And she was right. Hurrying used lots of water and his tanks were soon bone dry. Applejack damped down the fire and they struggled on but Toby soon ran out of steam. With a depressing hiss, poor Toby stood marooned on the mainline far away from the next station. Applejack trotted back placing detonator caps 20 feet per distance, then galloped back to the station.

Applejack: (Angry) Ooh! Wait till ah get my hooves on that stubborned rotten apple of a signalmen! I'll tell him something about keepin' tracks clear!

Narrator: James and Rarity were fuming with rage when Applejack explained what had happened.

Rarity: You naïve rube! Now we're going to be delayed.

Signalmen: Oopsie. My fault! I didn't understand about Toby.

(Pinkie Pie trombone fail, then gallops back to Percy.)

Applejack: Boy, is the Fat controller gonna fire you when he finds out! Celestia is a bit more patient, but ah don't know if y'all can hold your breath. Anyway, now James and Rarity, you'll need to help us push him.

Rarity: What! Us?! Push that barn on wheels!

James: What! ME! ME! PUSH TOBY AND PULL MY TRAIN TOO!

Applejack: That's right, you!

James/ Rarity: Shan't!

Applejack: By the way, Toby is a tram engine, not a barn on wheels! I told ya that a million times.

Narrator: Soon, all the passenger, ponies, Applejack and William all told them they were a bad engine and a bad mare they were.

James/Rarity: Alright alright! Fine will do it!

Narrator: James came up behind Toby and gave him a rude bump.

James: GET ON YOU!

Rachel: A bit kinder would suffice, James!

Narrator: William made Rarity and James push Toby all the way back to the works.

William: It serves you both right for being cross and rude!

Narrator: James had to work very hard and when they reached the works station at Crovans Gate, he and Rarity felt exhausted. Sir Handel was on siding on the narrow gauge wharf just as Peter Sam puffed up a passenger train. He had just stopped on the platform when a group of little boys and colt foals ran along the platform towards the double header.

Boys: Coo! The WildNorWester is late!

Colt: It's a double header too!

Boy: Do you know what I think? I think James couldn't pull the train on his own, and Toby had to help them.

James: WHOOOOOSSSSH!

Narrator: He let of a cloud of steam as Rarity seethed with rage. Toby Peter Sam and Sir Handel just smiled. Then Sir Handel whispered to Peter Sam.

Sir Handel: (Whisper) Hmhmhmhmhm. Remind you of anyone Peter Sam?

Peter Sam: (Whisper) Oh yes. Remember that one time when…

Toby: What's the story you 2? Sounds very entertaining.

(Toink)

Sir Handel/Peter Sam: Uh…

(Guard's whistle)

Sir Handel: (Quietly to Peter Sam) Saved by the guard's whistle. I'm not ready to tell them yet. Let's go while we still can

Peter Sam: (Quietly) Right. I'm not ready either. We need more time. (Outloud) Oh! That's my cue. Bye Toby, later bro! (Puffs off quickly)

Sir Handel: And I have to… take a goods train now. Later Toby. (Puffs off quickly)

Toby: Are they ok?

Rachel: Uh… tell you some other time Toby.

You know that saying 'Saved by the school bell'? Well now it's 'Saved by the guard's whistle'. What do you think the little saddle tanks were talking about that time? Try to fit the pieces together before we get to the full picture.