Author's notes: I really adore this story. It dives a little deeper into the Peter SamXRachel relationship and blossoms PipsqueakXSweetie Belle as a couple too. I hope we get Apple BloomXFeatherweight in the series as well. And we also meet Freddie again as well as newcomer William, (The engine, not the driver) I also must note that while some people abuse Sir Handel's character and more often then not make him a punching bag, I love Sir Handel's performance in this one. I must say, atsf really knows his character inside and out. Anyway, here we go.

Icy Reception

Narrator: 2 days had passed had passed since Peter Sam's successful run with the hay traffic and the produce trains. Soon work began on the construction of the loop line. Rusty, Babs Seed and Mr. Hugh worked hard take construction trains up and down the line, whilst Skarloey took the morning passenger train with Pipsqueak and Mr. Hawkins. Rheneas worked alongside with Featherweight and Mr. Roberts helped Peter Sam, Scootaloo, Duncan and Mr. Holden with there passenger trains and the farmers trains. Duncan complained bitterly about the hay traffic.

Duncan: I don't understand it! Those trains are so boring. I can't even get one good run without having to stop at each place where the men have been cutting. They call this a revenue?

Narrator: Sir Handel was fuming.

Sir Handel: I AM ASHAMED OF YOU DUNCAN! I'll admit that I really don't fancy the job either, but it is essential job. I learned a long time ago that goods services, weather small or big are non the less important. You just be lucky that we have a revenue at all!

Narrator: Mr. Holden, Miss Ravens and Peter Sam were surprised and very impressed. Normally, Sir Handel didn't like the job either, but never had they seen him stand up to Duncan like that. Needless to say, Peter Sam, though surprised himself, actually understood and smiled at his B.B.B.F.F. The new engines finally arrived later that morning. Peter Sam and Sir Handel were on early shift and were sent to pick up the new engines. The two of them were delighted. Standing there were Rachel the little diesel, and a big grey 2-6-2t steam locomotive. But as much as they wanted to, they couldn't yet reveal the true identities to him just yet. The two little engines helped pull Rachel and the grey tank engine off and neatly onto their on rails. Peter Sam was delighted.

Peter Sam: Oh Rachel. I had no idea you were one of our new engines.

Rachel: Neither did I. Oh this so wonderful. Now regularly on daily basis. I love you Sammy.

Narrator : Rachel and Peter Sam just grinned. They were so happy to finally be together again that they kissed each other on the lips, just as Duncan came up with hay train with Scootaloo. Duncan and the little pegasus filly cringed.

Duncan: Oh brother!

Scootaloo: Eeeww! Give me a break!

Sir Handel: Oh shut up you two!

Narrator: Sir Handel then pulled the grey tank engine on to the Skarloey rails.

Rachel: Hello Duncan, Scootaloo. I know you don't like romance, but a couple's gotta do what a couple's gotta do. Oh, and thanks for the backup Sir Handel. Hello to you too.

Sir Handel: No problem sister in law. Hello.

Freddie: Hullo there youngster, I'm Fredrick. But you can call me Freddie.

Sir Handel: (hesitant) It's a real pleasure to meet you too Freddie. I'm Sir Handel and this is Peter Sam.

Freddie: I see. (Hesitant) Ah I heard a rumour of talking ponies here. (Back to normal) So, what are your names.

Sweetie Belle: Hullo Freddie. I'm Sweetie Belle.

Scootaloo: Name's Scootaloo. Nice too meet you Freddie.

Apple Bloom: And ma name's Apple Bloom.

Freddie: Are there anymore?

Sweetie Belle: Oh yes, all around this island.

Freddie: I think that sounds wonderful.

?: And so do i.

Narrator: the ponies and engines all then looked at the third new engine. He was a small short blue saddle tank engine with 4 wheels. Peter Sam went up to get the new engine on to the rails.

Peter Sam: Why hullo there. What is your name?

?: Well, I really don't have one yet.

Peter Sam: Um, if you like, I can make an suggestion?

?: Certainly. I'd like that.

Peter Sam: Great, I've got the perfect name for you.

Narrator: He already named Rachel since Miss Rachel Ravens was one of the first of the main 4 drivers he had met, barring Mr. Holden…

Peter Sam: That's it! How about William?

William: Oh yes please! That's wonderful name, umm…

Peter Sam: Oh oops. Heheheh, silly me. Forgot to introduce myself. It's Peter Sam. This is one of my pony friends, Apple Bloom.

William: Hullo there Apple Bloom.

Apple Bloom: Hullo William.

Narrator: William was surprised.

William: Oh my. a talking pony. I knew there were rumours of talking ponies on certain island, and all those other engines from the quarry line just laughed at me, but now the joke is on them. heheheh.

Sir Handel: Heheh glad to prove those mean engines wrong for you.

William: Oh thank you, um…

Sir Handel: Oh whoops. Now I've gone and done it. It's Sir Handel, and this is Sweetie Belle.

Sweetie Belle: Nice to meet you William. Your a cute engine.

William: Oh, uh… thanks Sweetie Belle. Nice to meet you too. Are there anymore talking ponies?

Sweetie Belle: Oh, there's masses of them.

William: Ah smashing. That's great. I can't wait to get start to work.

Narrator: The main Skarloey roster already knew Rachel and soon William and Freddie got acquainted and friends with Skarloey, Rheneas, Duncan, Rusty, Featherweight, Scootaloo, Babs Seed and Pipsqueak. After some friendly gossip, The Thin Controller and Princess Luna came up to meet the new engines.

Luna: Ah welcome to thy new home on the skarloey railway No. 7, No. 8, and No. 9. We are pleased to have thee on thy railway. We have ordered you all in to help out with increase work load and to help with the construction of the new loop line extension. If you all do well, you will each receive a name plate.

Thin Controller: No. 8, since you are familiar with the line, you will be triple heading with No. 7 and No. 9 on a construction train up to the construction site to show them the line.

Rachel: Yes Sir.

Narrator: So the next morning, Rachel with Miss Ravens and Babs Seed, William with Mr. Holden and Pipsqueak, and Freddie with Mr. Hawkins and Featherweight were all coupled together to the construction train. Rachel in front, William in the middle and Freddie in the back. William and Freddie sighed happily.

William: (sigh) This line is beautiful. I've never seen anything more beautiful than this.

Freddie: I have. It reminds me of my old railway before being sent to work for an industrial line, I must say.

Rachel: Really? Where was your old railway.

Narrator: Freddie hesitated. He was thinking about the industrial line. It was very hard for him.

( flashback )

(A manager of an industrial line is yelling at 3 engines)

?: DON'T LIE TO ME! I KNOW YOU THREE WERE TALKING ABOUT THAT PATHETIC JUNK HEAP OF A RAILWAY NO. 6!

No. 6 : I'm sorry sir…

?: NO EXCUSES! NO.6! YOU KNOW THE PENALTY OF TALKING ABOUT THAT MONEY BLEEDING LINE!

No. 6: Please sir. I know what you're going through… but, do you think he'd like to see what you have beco….

?: DON'T YOU DARE BRING HIM UP IN MY FACE!

No.3: Oy! It wasn't the railway's fault! You should have been keeping a better eye on him! It's not our fault, it's your fault!

?: THAT DOES IT! FOR SPEAKING BACK AT YOUR MASTER I'M TAKING AWAY YOUR NAME PLATES!

No.4: No sir, please!

?: ALRIGHT, NOT ONLY THAT BUT YOUR ALL GOING TO SAY HULLO TO YOUR FRIEND MR. SLUDGE HAMMER! HE'S FEELING VERY HUNGRY FOR BULGING LITTLE ENGINES LIKE YOU!

(Flashback ends)

William: Freddie, are you alright old boy?

Freddie: Huh? Oh yes. Fit as fiddle, uh… don't worry. I'm sure you all mean well with your questions about the old line, but I prefer not to talk about it, please.

Rachel/William: I understand.

Pipsqueak: Well then, how about we change the subject. Where were you two built at?

William/Freddie: Hunslet works… Wait you were built in Hunslet! Ah capital! Capital!

Rachel: Heheheheh. I take you two are from the workshops then.

William: It seems that way.

Babs Seed: but how come you two have never seen each other.

William: Simple Babs Seed. I was built 1904.

Freddie: And I was built 2 years after him in 1906.

William: Heheheh… I guess it is a small world after all. Same shops, and same decade.

Featherweight: If you don't mind my asking, where did you used to work William?

Narrator: William smiled.

William: Oh I don't mind at all. Let's see. I used to work back in Wales on old quarry line. I think it was called the um… oh yes the Dinorwic slate quarry, one of many large slate quarries in all of wales. It was a fun, but kinda of dull at the same time since our traffic was nothing but trucks, trucks and more trucks of slate. I didn't mind a bit, for I knew it was important to have some income rather than no income. When I heard about the rumours about an island with talking ponies that operated on the railways there, I was intrigued but was also the subject of teasing and bullying by the other quarry engines. But I didn't take any notice.

Babs Seed: Heheheh. That a boy William. (To herself ) Heheh. I bet Diamond Tiara couldn't even penetrate him even at her worst. Heheheh.

Rachel: So, how did you come to Sodor?

William: Well when my quarry line closed down, a nice man and beautiful pony princess came by and bought me. Heheheh… needless to say that made the other engines jump. Before I was taken to Sodor, they decided to trial me on a heritage railway called the Llanberis Lake Railway to see if I could handle passengers. After all, I was quarry engine and could handle goods trains, but they need to see my potential as passenger engine too.

Miss Ravens: Ah yes. I knew you looked familiar. I was there on you trial run when I was on holiday there. You did wonders.

William: Why thank you Miss Ravens.

Mr. Holden: Especially from an engine whom worked in quarries most of his life.

William: I know what you mean. The coaches were very scared of me knowing I was a quarry engine, but I handled them carefully and they grew fond of me. Not only that, but the railway also bought several of my brothers and eventually even more bought and saved my brothers and sisters.

Mr. Hawkins: Now that's wonderful William.

William: So where did you work Rachel.

Narrator: Rachel paused.

Rachel: Well, I used to work on a railway line on a different island neighbouring to Sodor. It was called Misty Island and I worked on quarry line called the Blue Mountain Quarry. There was a lot of steam traction, I can't remember too much since I came during the late 50s and since then used to be a diesel ambassador for the Skarloey railway whenever the work load was heavy. It wasn't until this year when I was bought as permanent resident of SkR.

Narrator: The 3 engines soon reached the worksite. They soon knew what to do and set happily to work. William and Rachel would take it in turns to take the cranes, tool van and construction train up to the site in the morning whilst Freddie handled the heavy material trains. William would shunt them to a temporary siding that was to be ready on hand. Rachel then took the trucks along with the crane and tool van to where the workmen needed them. The other engines and ponies helped too whenever they could. Then by evening William, Rachel and Freddie would take the trucks and work train home to Crovans Gate. All three new engines worked so well together, that work was proceeding at a record breaking speed and the Thin Controller, Mr. Hugh and Princess Luna were pleased.

Thin Controller: Well I must say we're all very impressed. You 3 are definitely the bee's knees.

William/Freddie/Rachel: Thank you sir.

Luna: Thou has definitely proved thy money's worth. We are now have way done. Keep upith the good work thou grateful workers.

Narrator: All the engines and ponies were very impressed too, but Peter Sam couldn't help but feel a bit jealous.

Peter Sam: I don't understand it. Me and Rachel always work good together. We've worked the quarries, the yards, heck we even worked the television train together and what happens next? The Thin Controller and Princess Luna have the nerve to have her work with William for most of the time on that construction project. I honestly don't understand what possessed the Thin Controller or Princess Luna such an order. That William will most likely take her away from me.

Narrator: Skarloey, Rheneas, Rusty and surprisingly Sir Handel were shocked and so were the ponies.

Skarloey: Peter Sam. I'm surprised! You know as well as we do that Princess Luna, and the Thin Controller had very good reason to. William is new to this railway and so is Freddie and need to learn the line.

Rheneas: That's right. Rachel is the only newcomer that knows the line properly, so it is was only natural that they all learn the line together with her.

Rusty: What's gotten into you Peter Sam? This isn't like you.

Sir Handel : Honestly Peter Sam. I would have thought better of you. You need to learn to give the little guy a chance.

Sweetie Belle : Yeah. Besides, I doubt William is going to steal Rachel from you Peter Sam. Rachel is still going to love you no matter what. Really, you need to give the new little guy a break.

Narrator: Peter Sam said no more but he thought a great deal about it. Winter come and with it was snow frost and ice. The engines have to take very great care. There were a few steep bits but Cros-Ny-Curin was the worst of all. Engines such as Rheneas and Sir Handel had always had trouble there. It the reason why everyone had to take great care when traversing it. Peter Sam was in the yard being coaled and watered by Apple Bloom and Miss Ravens for his passenger train. Rusty also arranging two covered vans to transport the farmers milk to the top station when William with Pipsqueak and William pulled beside him.

William: Hullo there Peter Sam. How's it going?

Peter Sam: (Darkly) Fine. Just fine!

Narrator: William was taken aback.

William: Oh well that's nice um… Uh… pardon me for asking, but is something wrong?

Peter Sam: No. Well, not yet…

William : What do you mean?

Peter Sam: You may be a nice engine now, but if you cause any funny business between me and Rachel, there will be trouble.

Miss Ravens: Now Peter Sam, that was very rude. You know he isn't that bad! I'm so sorry William. He's just a bit rattled today.

Apple Bloom: Peter Sam that was very uncalled for. Now, you owe him an apology right now!

Narrator: Peter Sam grunted and went about his work leaving a very bewilder and rather hurt William behind.

Pipsqueak: It's alright William. It's just that Peter Sam is Rachel's boyfriend and he can be a bit overprotective of her sometimes.

William: Oh! So that's why he's upset. Well then, next time I see him I'll apologise and tell him that I have no intention of taking her from him.

Narrator: But all the same, he was still worried. Today, William was shunting in the yards with Rachel. This gave him a chance to speak to Rachel. Rachel looked worried.

Rachel: Hullo William. You look upset.

William: Um… Rachel, I'm worried about Peter Sam. Don't get me wrong, I think he's a great engine, but he seems to think I'm going to be replacing him as your boyfriend. I have no intentions to do so at all.

Narrator: Rachel smiled.

Rachel: Don't worry. I know you aren't. He must have seen us working together on the loop project and got a bit jealous that he wasn't working with me on it. I wouldn't worry about it.

Narrator: This made William feel better. Since it was the dead of winter, most produce and hay traffic had ended for the season. The only goods traffic the Skarloey Railway offered at this time of the year was milk. After leaving the coaches at the top station for Skarloey to take, Peter Sam had to take the vans down the line collect the milk. He was making good time, but was still cross about William.

Peter Sam: If that half pint weakling William thinks he can steal Rachel's love from me, then he's got another thing coming.

Miss Ravens : Your starting to push it Peter Sam. Give him a chance.

Apple Bloom: Ya don't mind Freddie so why can't you give William the chance he deserves?

Narrator: But Peter Sam took no notice. The trucks saw there chance for trouble.

Trucks: Lets show Peter Sam who's real half pint.

Narrator: and as soon as they reached the Gradiant of Cros-ny–curin. They began to hold back, making Peter Sam's wheels slip furiously. Apple Bloom tried to sand the rails but it was no good. The sander was frozen solid. And the train stopped on the hill.

Peter Sam: Oh great! We're stuck!

Trucks: Heheheh! Now who's the half pint?

Peter Sam: Shut up!

Miss Ravens: Oh dear. I'll go for help. Apple Bloom, stay here please.

Apple Bloom: Ya don't have ta tell me twice.

Narrator: And Miss Ravens headed off. She found a telephone and called for help. William was sent to go and rescue Peter Sam. He was happy to help and set off to the rescue. At Cros-Ny-Curin Peter Sam looked furlong.

Peter Sam: (Sighs) Rachel won't like this.

Apple Bloom: And who'd ya think got us in this mess, hmm?

Narrator: Peter Sam heard a loud whistle and then saw William coming bunker first to rescue him. Peter Sam was very cross but before he could shout his profanity, it was William spoke up first.

William : Peter Sam! I just want to apologise if we had a misunderstanding. Pipsqueak told me all about it, and I just want to tell that I have no intention of stealing Rachel from you. I've talked with her about this because I was worried for you. She was too. She told me that her heart is still for you Peter Sam. So come on now. I'll help you get home.

Narrator: Peter Sam felt ashamed.

Peter Sam: I'm sorry for that icy reception, it looks like the ice got me instead of you.

William: That's alright Peter Sam. I'm just glad we can now be friends, right?

Peter Sam: Of course.

Narrator: The two engines, the two drivers and the ponies all laughed and headed back to the shed. Later that night when the days work was over, Rachel went over to see the two engines whom were chatting and laughing together like old friends.

Rachel: I'm glad you two finally sort things out. Peter Sam, I just want you to know that even if I do work with other engines, my heart is only to you and you alone.

Narrator: Peter Sam smiled

Peter Sam: Of course, and I have new friend William to thank for that.

Narrator: Soon, Peter Sam and Rachel kissed again in the beautiful winter's night.

Sweetie Belle: Aww! Don't they look cute together.

Pipsqueak: Oh, definitely .

Narrator: Then, the two little foals looked at each other and grinned. They're eyes were sparkling and they smiling at each other and for the first time in years, they hugged each other underneath the beautiful Sudrian winter night.

Such a cute ending. Also, Freddie's, Rachel's and William's numbers aren't permeant. They will change in future stories to stay consistent with the RWS.