#Toad break van

[locomotive-paws]

Live action Henry and Toad

Got these two in the post.

My first OO scale tender engine and let me tell you the detailing pack has so many little extra bits for customization... but it's a beautiful model.

It's funny how they always call Thomas a "little" engine, but he's fairly good size in comparison. These are the same scale.

And last off my little gronk taking off with Toad, pulling a break van ride; which gronks are commonly used for these days, apparently.

[viktuurishipper96]

This is toad the break van but the expression.

He’s talking to Oliver and he’s ready to go on an adventure

Toad sees his cousin skiff (duck and Donald’s child) when hanging out or toad is asking Douglas and Oliver to go whale watching/ snorkeling in by the water.

aka it’s Douglas and Oliver’s son

[sketch-pencilpoint]

More. Ships.

Both curtesy of @thefluffyrailway-official since they came directly from that blog.

A break van and a coach in love? Yes indeed.

- the (platonic) relationship began not long after toad was infected, as he had decided to rest near where the loaves were. He was immediately interested and started a conversation where clarabel reciprocated (Annie was still very stressed about everything).

- Toad's way of flirting was giving clarabel little gifts of flowers. Clarabel was very much smitten by this and after a while they were official.

- she calls him toadie, dear and sweetheart. He calls her loaf, honey and, surprisingly, clarabel/bel.

- their three pups are close in age, about a year and a half apart.

- they often like to have little dates of picnics, walks and watching humans do things. Clarabel usually picks but toad likes to throw his ideas into the ring.

Turns out when you're both exitable, slightly impatient and energetic it makes you very compatible.

- by jove do they love running. Physical activity is their favourite shared hobby. Racing especially

- they also have a habbit of rough housing, some others think they're actually fighting but it's all in good fun for them.

- hannah was actually infected first, so she took care of Phillip when he was infected. They started dating after a long will they won't they period.

- she calls him little box, baby and pip. He calls her lemon, lovely and babe.

- she likes to pick him up. He tolerates this.

[esperfruit]

Refs for our favorite coaches and break van

Annie Stroudley & Clarabel Stroudley

Age: 61 (Annie is older by 10 minutes)

Height: 171 cm

Twin sisters, close friends with Edward for decades and his flatmates. They also are Thomas' nannies and look out for him whenever Edward is busy. Both care for Thomas a lot and it's mutual. They are giving him good advice and are patient with him even if his impulsivity can become frustrating. Annie and Clarabel are both kind, joyful, patient, wise and supportive but Clarabel can be rather forceful from time to time.

Henrietta Holden

Age: 66

Height: 159 cm

Toby's devoted wife and caring foster grandmother of Percy. She was delighted when Toby agreed to her purposal of taking Percy in. Henrietta is a typical housewife and grandmother, enjoying regular domestic activities but also goes out a lot to meet with Emily, Annie and Clarabel. She and Toby have been happily married for decades and just as much in love as on their first day. She knows Toby better than everyone and knows how to calm him down, cheer him up and offers advice at any opportunity. Henrietta is also very hostpitable as she welcomes friends of Percy as well as Mavis, Toby's apprentice, with open arms, Mavis especially has basically become part of the family.

She has a calm and caring nature and she enjoys a quiet and peaceful life just like her husband and has a strained relationship with her reckless and chaotic sister Hannah.

Tyler "Toad" Swindon

Age: 30

Height: 165 cm

Oliver's best friend and sticks with him ever since they met during Oliver's great escape. Toad usually cheers Oliver up whenever he feels down and keeps his ego in check when it gets above his head again. Before the two met Toad was homeless after he fell into poverty when the company he worked for made him redundant. He received his nickname after he embarassingly fell into a pond during a school trip but he likes the nickname regardless and uses it to this day. Toad is overly polite, adressing everyone with Mister or Miss, considerate, appreciate and thoughtful but does not hold back at communicating his frustrations, especially when he feels left out.

[dragonclawfromspace10]

Happy (late) St. Patrick's Day!

Starring Oliver, Toad, and Duck in totally new creature forms!😃

Got the chance to celebrate Green Day with everyone's two favorite green engines and break van using colored pencils! Can't really see the faces lol, but what's going on here is Oliver stole some shiney jewelry (with a four leaf clover on his hook) and is using Toad as a high ground. Duck finds them, and is confused at what Oliver is doing while Toad is wishing Oliver would get off.

Also, I might redesign Toad's dragon-ish form.

[biggsodorcitystories]

Happy Douglas Day (+ Toad)

Happy Douglas Day everyone!

When I decided to do group pictures for every month's characters, it occurred to me that October, November, and December wouldn't have an equivalent SR or TUGS character to include.

So, instead of giving Douglas a solo picture for his day, I drew him with his (RWS canon) break van, Toad.

For those who haven't read the series as written by Awdry or have forgotten, Toad volunteered to become Douglas's brake van in gratitude after he, Isabel, and Oliver were rescued. There is evidence of this in season three of TTTE, as in Toad Stands By, Toad asks permission - and is granted it - for Douglas to let him stay in the yard to help Oliver.

I like Toad in the CGI series, but I was a little disappointed to find him back with Oliver. You could argue that Douglas may have 'released Toad from his "debt" at that point, but I think Toad would likely have stayed with him and the rest of the Arlesbrugh engines rather than latching back onto Oliver. Let's face it, Douglas's relationship with the other Sudrian brake vans isn't going to be the healthiest after he straight-up murdered one (with a smile on his face if you believe the show) when he first arrived, so Toad was probably a dream come true for all concerned.

Oliver won't be alone in November - he didn't escape with just Toad in the books - so Douglas shouldn't be either.

[thefluffyrailway-official]

Do any floofs push stuff of counters like cats? I can imagine if so Trucks as the docks make sure they have their brakes firmly on 24/7

Ohoho of course they do! Usually Steamies, as they're the most feline engines, but if they have a bad day, Diesels can also do this little jokes to the Trucks.

Also, Break Vans also try to copy this from the engines sometimes to shut the Trucks. (Bradford's the only one who could. Toad tries but he haves a little trauma with his claws-)

Also don't worry for the trucks, besides the brakes, there are also humans checking no floof wants to appear in a "Funny Cats" video.

[fandom-junk-drawer]

The Witcher Headcanon (Modern Au) - Error 404 Brain Not Found: Bonus Scene - Part 11

"Hey, Geralt, isn't that your f***ing bard?" Lambert asked, pointing towards the sidewalk. He and Geralt were on their way back from the hobby store, and were waiting for the light to change.

Geralt scanned the moderately crowed sidewalk. Yep, that was Jaskier! The bard was doing a little window shopping at the jewelery store.

"Yeah, that's him,"

"It's close to lunch time, let's see if he wants to get someting to eat!"

"He'll probably say no," Geralt said.

"Well, then we'll just have to pursuade him!" Lambert replied.

Geralt glanced at the red-haired Witcher.

He grinned at Geralt mischeviously.

Geralt grinned back.

Jaskier looked over the jewlery in the window. There was a really nice ring that had caught his eye, and he also spied a necklace that he knew Yennefer would like. Maybe he would stop on the way home this afternoon and get them.

Jaskier continued on his way, heading to the studio. He paused to check his phone...

The light changed, and Geralt floored it...

As bystanders watched, the rusty old van swerved to the sidewalk. The sliding door whipped open, and a large, red-haired Witcher leapt out and grabbed the poor man who had stopped to check his phone.

The poor man is screaming and flailing as the scary Witcher drags him into the van. Or tries to. The man is certainly putting up a struggle. He is proving to be a bit difficult to hold on to...

Jaskier is putting his phone back in his pocket when hands grab him and start dragging him away. "Motherf***er!" he snarls when he recognizes Lambert, "Let me go!"

"You're coming with us!"

Jaskier, either genuinely unaware of how he sounded or just out of pure pettiness, started screaming, "Nooooo!" and desperately trying to break Lambert's grip.

Lambert finds himself trying to hold on to Jaskier, who is twisting, wiggling, flopping, randomly going dead weight, and making all kinds of noises.

He finally gets an arm around Jaskier's waist and a hand over his mouth just as he starts screaming, "Help!", and half frog-marches, half drags him towards the van.

He's almost there when Jaskier goes dead weight, slips out of Lambert's grasp, and tries to run. Lambert's grabbing the back of his shirt and trying to swing him towards the open van door.

Jaskier grabs a lamp post and is screeching and cussing as Lambert pries him off and drags him backwards towards the van.

Geralt is getting nervous in the van. This is taking way to long, and people are staring, and...sh*t here come the police. F**k.

Jaskier was clinging to the door frame of the van as Lambert tried to yank him inside when the authorities arrived.

Lambert abruptly let Jaskier go to put his hands up as the police surrounded them.

Jaskier fell to the ground with a surpirsed little yelp and was 'rescued' by an officer and put safely in the back of a police cruiser.

They hadn't even given him time to explain before they rushed back to assist in apprehending his kidnappers.

Things were not looking good. He dialed Yennefer's number and then hesitated. Pushing 'call' was practically a death sentence. Yennefer was going to f***ing kill them all in front of the police. They would probably be safer in jail...

Geralt and Lambert were cuffed and laying face down on the sidewalk, frantically trying to explain. The police seemed disinclined to listen due to all the eye-witness testimony.

F**k.

Jaskier swallowed hard and hit 'call'.

"We know him! He's our friend!" Lambert was saying as Yennefer arrived via portal. She was immediately confronted, and not happy about having guns pointed at her

"Don't f***ing point that thing at me! I'll turn the lot of you into toads, the King be d*mned!"

"I'll turn him into a toad as well!"

"Why is my husband on the ground in handcuffs?"

"Of course I know him, you nimrod, I just told you he is my f***ing husband! The other guy? Never seen him before in my life."

Lambert: *gasp of offended betrayal*

Geralt: *hmmm!* (translation: Yen, stop f***ing around!)

"Fine, yes, I know him. He's my brother-in-law, and he's a bigger dumba** than my husband! Now someone with an IQ of more than two digits tell me what's going on!"

"Kidnapping!?"

Yennefer looked at Geralt, Lambert, and Jaskier in turn.

Geralt was suddenly very busy studying an incredibly interesting crack in the sidewalk.

Lambert was pressing his face into the sidewalk so there would be absolutely no chance they could make eye contact.

Jaskier was sitting in the back of the police cruiser. When Yennefer looked at him, he had the audacity or wave.

"You a**clowns! I should just let them take all your a**es to jail!"

"We were just trying to take him to lunch!" Geralt tried to explain.

"By pulling up in a pedo van and snatching him off the street? Really, Geralt?"

"We didn't think he would put up a fight!" Lambert added.

"Shut up, Lambert, the adults are talking!"

"I'm sorry, officers. This is all just a big misunderstanding. The man they were trying to 'kidnap' is my brother-!"

"I thought I was your Darling Husband!" Jaskier interjected from the backseat of the police car.

Yennefer turned and gave him A Look, and a very graphic mental image of what she was going to do to certain parts of his anatomy if he didn't immediately shut the h*ll up.

Jaskier quickly shut his mouth and the car door. For his own safety.

Geralt and Lambert were given a chance to explain themselves, identities and relationships were confirmed, and the detainees were handed over to Yennefer.

The witch glared at them and pointed mutely at the van. They scrambled for it like horror movie victims making a last ditch effort to survive.

They probably weren't going to survive for long, judging by the sounds that began emanating from the van after the witch closed the sliding door behind her.

The police prudently packed up and left.

[doomandgloomfromthetomb]

BOOTLEGS 2023

The year is winding down, so it's time to look back at the last 12 month's crop of live tapes. Crowd noise, tape hiss, distortion, murk ... and plenty of magic, people! As I do this year after year, I ask myself: "Why do I do this year after year?" I guess it's a habit I can't break. But I do love something about these cloudy recordings — the immediacy, the imperfections, the possibilities. Each bootleg, no matter how lo-fi, contains a glimmer of hope, a potential for beauty and transcendence. The fact that not all of them (few of them, in fact!) really deliver on that promise is part of the deal. The search continues!

Anyhoo, here's a sampling of the Doom & Gloom goods from 2023 to get you caught up ... thank you to the tapers, the archivists, the fans, the innocents.

Sonic Youth - #SonicSummer (Live 1981-2011)

Mazzy Star - The Mint, Los Angeles, California, July 15, 1993

Television - Max’s Kansas City, New York City, August 28, 1974

The Flying Burrito Brothers - Altamont Speedway, Tracy, California, December 6, 1969

Damon & Naomi - Best Video Film & Cultural Center, Hamden, Connecticut, May 12, 2023

Sandy Denny + John Martyn - Sundown Theatre, London, England, October 26, 1972

John Fahey - Carnegie Hall, New York City, Sept. 21, 1973

Neil Young with Booker T. & The MG’s - Los Angeles Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, September 11, 1993

Prairiewolf - Paradise Found Records, Boulder, Colorado, July 1, 2023

The Band - Wollman Skating Rink, Central Park, New York City, June 30, 1971

PJ Harvey - McCabe’s Guitar Shop, Santa Monica, California, September 25, 1993

Van Morrison - Harvard Square Theatre, Cambridge, Massachusetts, March 14, 1974

The Velvet Underground - The Playhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland, June 1, 1993 (Soundcheck)

Loose Fur - The Double Door, Chicago, Illinois, May 14, 2000

Stephen Malkmus - Mr. T’s Bowl, Highland Park, California, August 13, 1998

Yo La Tengo - The Grotto, New Haven, Connecticut, October 23, 1987

Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers - Town Hall, New York City, October 9, 1976

The Cramps - Toad’s Place, New Haven, Connecticut, February 20, 1992

The Dream Syndicate - Crystal Ballroom, Somerville, Massachusetts, September 18, 2022

Gram Parsons - Max’s Kansas City, New York City, March 9, 1973

Tom Verlaine - The Roxy, West Hollywood, California, October 17, 1981

Lou Reed & The Tots - Humpin’ Hannah’s, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, January 20, 1973

Elizabeth Cotten - Euphoria Tavern, Portland, Oregon, February 19, 1975

Sonny Rollins and his Jazz Ensemble - East River Park Amphitheatre, New York City, August 7, 1962

[avaford2009]

Thomas & Friends Celebrate Britt Allcroft Transcript (Part 4)

As one of the Sodor Brass Band played his piano, Oliver, Toad and one of the penguins danced merrily to it. Another penguin passed by, carrying a music sheet holder. Then Sir Topham Hatt came back in the room with his clipboard.

Sir Topham Hatt: Excuse me! Excuse me, everybody! Only a few minutes left to go! (calls out loudly) Stand by for rehearsal!

Edward: Okay, Stacy, push it in!

Stacy's Voice: Okay.

In came Stacy pushing a wooden prop longboat.

Sir Topham Hatt: What's this?

Edward: The boat.

Sir Topham Hatt: What boat?

Edward: The pirate boat. You said you wanted a pirate number.

Sir Topham Hatt then facepalmed himself.

Sir Topham Hatt: I said a biking number! You know, bikes, bicycles! As in viking?

Edward: We don't have a viking, we got a sailor.

A pirate that was in the navy, and Skiff's former owner named Sailor John then spoke to Sir Topham Hatt. Then all pirates and Edward started communicated and complaining, making Sir Topham Hatt facepalm himself once more. He then spoke to the viewers.

Sir Topham Hatt: Excuse me, but please don't watch us. It's too embarassing.

He headed over to the monitor with the clips on it.

Sir Topham Hatt: Watch the clips instead. Okay?

He left to sort things out with a worried giggle. Then we see clips of Gordon tried to jam the turntable, but he could not stop himself and ran into a ditch.

George Carlin: He hissed. He moved slowly forward to jam the table, but he couldn't stop himself and slithered into a ditch.

Gordon: Ooooosh!

George Carlin: He hissed.

Gordon: Get me out! Get me out!

Gordon's Crewmen: Not a hope.

George Carlin: Said his driver and fireman.

Gordon's Crewmen: You're stuck, you silly great engine. Don't you understand that?

George Carlin: They telephoned Sir Topham Hatt.

Sir Topham Hatt: So Gordon didn't want to take the special train and ran into a ditch? What's that you say? The special's waiting? Tell Edward to take it please. And Gordon? Leave him where he is. We'll get him out later.

George Carlin: On the other side of the ditch, some little boys were chattering.

Boys: Oh, doesn't he look silly? They'll never get him out.

George Carlin: They began to sing.

Boys: (singing) Silly old Gordon fell in a ditch. Fell in a ditch. Fell in a ditch. Silly old Gordon fell in a ditch all on a Monday morning.

Next we see a clip of Douglas breaking the van.

George Carlin: Slowly, but surely, the snorting engines forced the freight cars up the hill, but James was losing steam.

James: I can't do it! I can't do it!

Douglas: Leave it to me!

George Carlin: Shouted Douglas. The conductor was anxious.

Conductor: Go steady. The van's breaking!

George Carlin: The van was in pieces. No one had been hurt and soon Edward came to clear the mess. Sir Topham Hatt was on board.

Sir Topham Hatt: I might have known it would be Douglas.

We then see the clip of the elephant trumpeting in the tunnel.

Narrator (Michael Angelis): They stopped outside the tunnel. The workmen went inside. It was very dark and quiet. But not for long.

(Elephant trumpeting)

Workmen: Help! (Narrator (Michael Angelis): Shouted the workmen and they ran out.)

(They race out of the tunnel)

Workman: We started to dig at the block but it grunted and moved. (Narrator (Michael Angelis): One said.)

Foreman: Rubbish! (Narrator (Michael Angelis): Said the foreman.)

Workman: (correcting the foreman) It's not rubbish. It's big and alive. We're not going in there again.

Foreman: Right. (Narrator (Michael Angelis): Said the foreman.) I'll ride in the truck and Henry shall push it out.

Henry: Wheesh! (Narrator (Michael Angelis): Said Henry unhappily.)

Narrator (Michael Angelis): He had been shut in the tunnel for being afraid of the rain but this was worse. Something big and alive was inside.

Henry: Peep! Peep! I don't want to go in.

Driver: Neither do I. (Narrator (Michael Angelis): Said his driver.) But we must clear the line.

Henry: Oh, dear. Oh, dear. (Narrator (Michael Angelis): Huffed Henry.) (He goes into the tunnel)

Narrator (Michael Angelis): Then there was trouble. The block was indeed alive and very strong, it began to push the train backwards. Out of the tunnel came Henry, then the trucks and last of all a large crossed elephant.

(Elephant trumpeting)

Foreman: Well I never! (Narrator (Michael Angelis): Cried the foreman.)

Narrator (Michael Angelis): The workmen gave him some cake.

(Elephant trumpeting) He drank 3 buckets of water and was just about to drink another when Henry let off steam.

Elephant: Oh, oh! (Narrator (Michael Angelis): Cried the elephant.)

Narrator (Michael Angelis): Water went all over Henry. Poor Henry. The elephant and his keeper were so reunited, but Henry was most upset.

Henry: An elephant pushed me, an elephant hooshed me!

The pirates were watching an elephant hooshed at Henry. Percy saw this and turned to us.

Percy: Funny elephant hooshed at Henry.

James: Percy!

Percy: What?

James: Percy, Percy, where's Sir Topham Hatt?

Percy: He's in make-up for the big production number.

James: Well, listen, I've discovered who this Britt Allcroft fella really was.

Percy: (stunned) No!

James: Yes, I was back in the office when I found (pulls out paycheck) one of your old paychecks...

Percy: I always forget to cash those things. We artists and madmen are like that.

James: Yeah, well just look who signed it.

He flipped it revealing none other than Britt Allcroft's signature on the bottom, making Percy gasp.

Percy: Britt Allcroft!

James: Mm-hmm.

Percy: But that must mean he was...

James: (finishes sentence for Percy) An accountant!

Percy: (sighs) No!

James: Yes! (as drumroll sound) So, here's our tribute number, the Merill-Lunch Hunga-Dunga McCormack All-Accoutant Marching Society!

They looked and saw a line of accountants marching through the door, speaking in rhythm while calculating.

Accountants: (in rhythm) 3 million 14, 1, 8, 97

Times a current prime rate

Standing at 11

Sir tax, sales tax, X, 5, 2

Network down jones

Scooby-dooby-doo

Percy and James bobbed in rhythm.

Edward: Watch out for the--

Then they all crashed into something, all moaning.

Edward: ...set.

He, Percy and James went to help them out, as Stacy saw the clips appear on the monitor.

We see an clip of Henry crashes into the brake van and comes off the rails.

Guard: The Kipper is due.

Ringo Starr: Said the guard.

Fireman: Who cares?

Ringo Starr: Said the fireman.

Fireman: This is good cocoa.

Ringo Starr: The driver got up.

Driver: Come on, fireman. Back to our engine.

Ringo Starr: They got out just in time.

(Henry crashes into the brake van and comes off the rails)

We then see another clip of Thomas racing Bertie.

Bertie: I'll race you!

Ringo Starr: Said Bertie. Their drivers agreed to the race going ahead. The stationmaster said.

Stationmaster: Are you ready? Go!

Ringo Starr: Thomas never could go fast at first and Bertie drew in front.

Annie and Clarabel: Why don't you go fast, why don't you go fast?

Ringo Starr: Called Annie and Clarabel.

Thomas: Wait and see, wait and see.

Ringo Starr: Hissed Thomas.

Annie and Clarabel: He's a long way ahead.

Ringo Starr: They wailed. But Thomas didn't mind. He'd remembered the level crossing. There was Bertie fuming at the gates while they sailed gaily through.

Thomas: Goodbye, Bertie!

Ringo Starr: Called Thomas. After that, the road left the railway, so they couldn't see Bertie. Then, they had to stop at the station to let off passengers.

Thomas: Peep! Pip! Peep! Quickly please!

Ringo Starr: Called Thomas and off they went again.

Thomas: Come along, come along.

Ringo Starr: Sang Thomas.

Annie and Clarabel: We're coming along, we're coming along.

Ringo Starr: Sang Annie and Clarabel.

Thomas: Hurry, hurry, hurry!

Ringo Starr: Panted Thomas. Then he looked ahead. There was Bertie tooting triumphantly on his horn.

Thomas: Oh deary me. Oh deary me!

Ringo Starr: Groaned Thomas.

Thomas' Driver: Steady, Thomas.

Ringo Starr: Said his driver.

Thomas' Driver: We'll beat Bertie yet.

Annie and Clarabel: We'll be Bertie yet! We'll beat Bertie yet!

Ringo Starr: Echoed Annie and Clarabel.

Thomas: We'll do it, we'll do it.

Ringo Starr: Panted Thomas.

Thomas: Oh bother! There's a station.

Ringo Starr: Then he heard Bertie.

Bertie: Goodbye, Thomas. You must be tired. Sorry I can't stop. We buses have to work you know. Goodbye.

Thomas: Oh dear.

Ringo Starr: Thought Thomas.

Thomas: We've lost.

Ringo Starr: But he felt better after a drink. The signal dropped.

Thomas: Hurrah, we're off! Hurrah, we're off!

Ringo Starr: Puffed Thomas. As they crossed the bridge, they heard an impatient...

Bertie: Honk! Honk!

Ringo Starr: There was Bertie waiting at the traffic lights. He started with a roar and chased on after Thomas again. Now Thomas reached his full speed. Bertie tried hard but Thomas was too fast. Whistling triumphantly, he plunged into the tunnel leaving Bertie toiling far behind.

Thomas: I've done it! I've done it!

Ringo Starr: Panted Thomas.

Annie and Clarabel: We've done it, hooray! We've done it, hooray!

Ringo Starr: Chanted Annie and Clarabel as they whooshed into the last station.

Ringo Starr: Everyone was there to celebrate Thomas' victory. But they gave Bertie a big welcome too.

Bertie: Well done, Thomas.

Ringo Starr: Said Bertie.

Bertie: That was fun. But to beat you over that hill, I should have to grow wings and be an aeroplane.

Fourth part of the transcript to Thomas & Friends Celebrate Britt Allcroft.

[hunty627]

My idea for when Grant gets N scale model trains for his narrow gauge layout.

Not only he’ll soon have N scale tracks and engines such as Skarloey, Rheneas, Peter Sam, Rusty and Talyllyn with his green, red and black liveries, along with all the assorted rolling stock, he should make customs of assorted generic narrow gauge engines to be used as background characters as well as rolling stock too.

If Grant gets the Percy and the troublesome trucks set, he can customize the N scale model of Percy into Timber, a little grey engine from a story Thomas told to a little bird. The troublesome trucks can remain the way they are because the narrow gauge railway has narrow gauge troublesome trucks.

If he gets the Thomas with Annie and Clarabel set, he can turn the N scale models of Annie and Clarabel into orange narrow gauge coaches by covering up the names with the letters SR and he can customize the N scale model of Thomas into the black narrow gauge tank engine who was jealous of Timber and wanted to get rid of him.

If he gets the Emily’s passenger set, he can turn the N scale model of Emily into a generic blue narrow gauge tender engine with light green stripes.

The N scale model of Toby can be customized into a generic orange tram with sky blue pinstripes.

The N scale model of Gordon can be customized into a generic purple tender engine with yellow stripes. And the N scale model of James can be customized into a generic green engine with purple stripes.

The N scale model of Toad can be customized into a Mid Sodor Railway brake van. It’ll have the letters MSR on the sides.

And the N scale model of S.C.Ruffey can be customized into a dynamite wagon that carries explosives to break up the rocks in the quarry.

[2024vietnamcambodia]

Day 7 Hoi An to Hue

A lazy morning as the bus wasn’t picking us up until 11am. But filled productively with a leisurely breakfast, selecting seats for the next few internal flights so we can be certain we’re sat together, and doing our e-entry visa into Cambodia.

We’re driving today to Hue which is about 120kms from Hoi An. And we’re driving via the Hai Van Pass which is high so some big views back over the jungle and beaches.

We drove through Da Nang which had long stretches of white sandy beaches.

But still with quite a number of buildings that looked half built and stalled, possibly COVID collapses?

After about an hour and a bit we stopped for a quick lunch and bathroom break.

Then back on the bus for the remaining 1 and a bit hours before arriving in Hue.

The six of us met in the lobby at 4:30pm ready for a Hue discovery walk before finding a place for dinner. It’s busy with traffic as expected but not like Hanoi. The streets seem wider and a river running through the middle again makes it a pretty town. Hue’s population is around 660,000 so it’s not big.

On our walk along the river it seemed we walked past the food market - vegetables, chicken, beef, eggs, toads or big frogs, eels, snails (with a few trying to escape) and other “stuff”.

We were looking for a pagoda and had to cross a train line at one point. A train was approaching so the gates came down and motorcycles (and us) had to stop. There is no order at all, bikes all over the road!

Our walk then took us along the promenade by the river which was really pretty. This little girl was going round and round the fountain on her bike. It looked like she was practicing her bike skills.

Dinner was nice in a restaurant called Elegant Restaurant. 🤣 There are lots of street sellers hassling you constantly selling cards, sunglasses etc. You have to think that it’s a tough way to make a living.

Tired old vegemites again it was straight back to the hotel after dinner.

[xofreyak]

[ adelaide kane, cisfemale, she/her/hers ] — whoa! FREYA KNOX just stole my cab! not cool, but maybe they needed it more. they have lived in the city for THREE YEARS, working as a/an WEDDING PLANNER. that can’t be easy, especially at only 28 YEARS OLD. some people say they can be a little bit TEMPERAMENTAL and IMPULSIVE , but i know them to be TALKATIVE and LOYAL. whatever. i guess i’ll catch the next cab. hope they like the ride back to THE BRONX! — (jen, 24, EST, she/her/hers, eating disorders)

PINTREST. PLAYLIST. WANTED CONNECTIONS.

information about freya is below the cut

BASICS: full name: freya anne knox nicknames: frey, fry gender: female pronouns: she/her/hers sexuality: bisexual hometown: st. petersburg, Florida  age: 28 date of birth: july 21st zodiac sign: leo occupation: wedding planner aesthetics: inkwells on old paper, the smell of old books, watching romantic comedies all night, red wine mixed with ginger ale, a cat sleeping in the sun, a music box, an old vinyl record, blistered ankles from wearing heels all night, tattered vans

APPEARANCE faceclaim: adelaide kane height: 5’4” tattoos: a palm tree on her left ankle, a turtle on the back of her right arm, solar system on her right foot personality traits: loyal, temperamental, talkative, impulsive likes: laughing until her stomach hurts, dr. pepper, watching the sunrise, hot tubs, soft sheets, getting her hair played with, forehead kisses, watching people fall in love fears: birds hobbies: writing, trying to smuggle plants, photography, taking walks

FAMILY TREE mother: diane knox father: paul knox siblings: finnegan knox, fletcher knox birth order: baby of the family

FAVORITES color: lavender music: fleetwood mac, ed sheeran, fall out boy, paramore, jimmy buffett food: magherita pizza

ADDITIONAL pet(s): a black and white cat named toad favorite clothing item: a lavender pullover

BIOGRAPHY --

 .•°☆.⋆｡⋆☆•˚｡⋆｡˚•☆˚｡⋆.☆•°.⋆ sixteen candles (1984), dir. john hughes

Freya was nothing short of a surprise. Her parents, Diane and Paul, already had their hands full with Finn and Fletcher Knox. Having three under three was not going to be easy but Freya was here anyways.  She grew up on the shores of St. Pete Beach, spending her days running in the sand and jumping the waves. She'd flock after her brothers, organize her mother's store on the beach, and settle in her father's office as he taught classes. She'd remark that her childhood was pretty good. Her father loved her mother much like a romance movie. Kisses in the morning, flowers on his way home from work, dancing in the kitchen when they thought the kids went to bed. She compared them to a fairytale all the time. They taught Freya all she needed to know about love.

13 going on 30 (2004), dir. gary winick .•°☆.⋆｡⋆☆•˚｡⋆｡˚•☆˚｡⋆.☆•°.⋆

When Freya turned thirteen, her mother passed away in a car accident. It was quick, or at least that's what the police told her father when they showed up to their condo. It'd been raining, it was spring break, it was a red light. The words bled together, and the fabric that was there little family was ripped apart. She didn't remember what it was like to be completely honest. Her peaceful condo on the beach that she'd retreated to became dull, lifeless. Her father searched for his wife in every woman in town, Fletcher threw himself into his studies, and Finn threw himself into buying baggies on street corners. Freya threw herself into trying to keep her family together.

Her father paraded his girlfriends around their condo, but there was nothing like watching him smile at someone and realizing it was half the smile he used to give your mother. Freya called it the sort of heartbreak that the movies couldn't even begin to describe.

When she turned sixteen, her father met Johannah. She gave Freya her first job, and her first taste of the wedding planning industry. She was just as associate, helping Johannah out at the various wedding, and she fell in love with it. The love in the air, feeling the warmth and comfort, watching two people smile at eachother like they were the only two in the room. It reignited the idea that loved lived in every corner of the world, and she saw the sort of love her parents had when she looked hard enough.

.•°☆.⋆｡⋆☆•˚｡⋆｡˚•☆˚｡⋆.☆•°.⋆ 27 dresses (2008), dir. anne fletcher

When Freya was seventeen, Finn checked himself into rehab and Fletcher decided that his destiny led him outside of Florida. Johannah left shortly her father and Freya stayed behind to care for her dad. She worked her way up through Johannah's wedding planning business, eventually taking on the task of planning her own weddings and going to school nearby to get her degree in business. Finn bounced back and forth between rehab and home, and her father kept searching for his wife in flings.

She graduated from college, and continued to work for Johannah. She'd become a close confidant for Freya and was the first person to encourage Freya to leave, and find something new. Her mother would want that for her, Jo had pointed out. Jo had a friend in New York City who offered to hire Freya. And, well, Freya didn't want to be stuck in St. Petersburg forever so she told her father and her brothers when Fletcher was home for Christmas, and tried to ignore how fake her father's smile was at her.

Finn joked that the glue was moving. Freya wanted to be sick. Freya packed up her boxes, her cat Toad, and moved to New York City with promises to call often and to have her family visit her. all the best movies start this way, right?

[sketch-pencilpoint]

After a while of working I've done it. Some non engine monsters!

Harold (helicopter): legs connect in the air to look like og "legs". Eats primarily birds, fish and fruit. Took a very long time to get used to his new body, a lot longer than others. Covered in feathers, wings are metallic. While they look like they rotate still, they instead flap like a dragonfly.

Annie and clarabel (coaches): only 4 coaches were infected on the North Western since they could no longer perform they're old jobs as efficiently so a vaccine of sorts was developed. The infected being the sisters annie and clarabel as well as henrietta and hannah. The four of them now have new work carrying workmen on their backs. The coaches are herbivores.

Bertie (bus): he carries a special cab that replicates his old base, that allows him to carry his passengers as usual. Sometimes, he pulls a special carriage. He, and most road vehicles mostly eat wheat and grass but do also eat meat. Bertie likes pork specificly. Bertie is also the first non engine to have children (yes that will happen at some point I just need to solidify relationships).

Toad (break van): toad is the only (known) infected break van. He's still able to perform his old job though thanks to his claws and strong leg muscles. The fan on his head is a frill. It can stand up. He eats whatever Oliver eats, meaning cooked meat and veg.

What his frill looks like when up

Jack (front loader/digger): as expected, he's still just as strong as his vehicle form. He's also usually covered in mud. Since he's a construction vehicle, he had much bigger legs than standard cars or lorries. This makes him a lot stronger and more flexible. He eats mostly meat, but can eat plant matter as well. He and the pack huddle together for warmth.

I was going to include George but I decided last minute to remove him since I decided I didn't like the design.

[acatinafancyhat]

Watched Chess på Svenska last night since people have been recommending it! Boy it was A Lot. My family has no respect for bonkers Swedish musicals so i'm just gonna vent the thoughts i had while watching it here. Beware of spoilers (though I probably haven't even noted half of the crazy shit that happened this show is really something else).

I had only seen RAH Chess in Concert and a few snippets of other versions going into this so that was my baseline, but in hindsight these two versions aren't really comparable since they're barely trying to tell the same story...

This is a little long I apologize i had many thoughts (: Also this formatting may or may not work, I'm about to find out.

Act I

- First impression: oh wow Chess has a plot now

- So Anatoly is the protagonist? Interesting.

- I like Swedish Florence she's cute? However Swedish Freddie has been on screen for five seconds and he already Sucks

- Ok I was NOT prepared for drunk florence singing nobody's side but turns out that's exactly what this musical needed

- Oooooohhhh Florence and Anatoly running into each other in the hotel could it be?? that this version?? actually invests in their relationship????

- Jean Jaques van Boren what a name, and he didn't even need one

- This arbiter is in a show all of his own look at the little man go he's so into it. Into what, I'm not sure.

- Wait is he flying on a wire because he's above the game is this symbolism

- Did Freddie... did he just... eat a chess piece?? I... what...??

- Aww hungover Florence is trying so hard to be dignified i'm already very up for her walking out on Freddie in this one.

- "the toads fall out of your mouth" heh idioms from other languages are the best

- Um this arbiter kinda gives me the creeps?

- Florence and Anatoly hanging out! bonding! not just running off into the sunset after being in the general vicinity of each other for 5 minutes!! (No offense to RAH Mountain Duet it's great and hating on Freddie together is a hilarious catalyst for their relationship but I'm actually getting invested here)

- Someone Else's Story is literally a different song but it works

- "husband" wait are Florence and Freddie supposed to be married in this?

- Sneaking away from Molokov ahahahaha

- oh sHIT YOU LEAVE THAT CHILD ALONE!

- And they are aware that there is no embassy in Merano yes thank you i did wonder about that like these places don't grow on trees how did they all even get there in RAH?

- Coming to the conclusion that everyone in Merano is batshit crazy

- And just realized that Walter isn't even here. Does he not exist? Has Sweden canceled the CIA?

- Swedish Mountain Duet is also a different song. Anatoly is very charming yet has lowkey Bastard vibes. Florence is clearly having a minor mental breakdown here maybe don't drag her into your midlife crisis? Oh well, at least he has some respect for her, unlike chess piece munching Freddie...

- But "She's my only friend" aw fuck now i have feelings about this asshole

- Anthem is good. Anthem is always good.

Act II

- Start of this act is already looking Intense

- Swedish Freddie is such a trainwreck my god.

- How To Lose a Girl in Ten Seconds the autobigraphy by Frederick Trumper

- "So you want to break up" FUCK the look on his face just killed me

- This Pity the Child is somehow more pathetic than other versions I have seen. And i mean that in the best way. He's hugging the pillow. Just wants mommy to love him. Fuck.

- So here's Endgame showing up early hmmm

- And here's Anatoly evolving from lowkey bastard into full on piece of shit. Has Svetlana done anything to deserve this abuse? Not to my knowledge, no.

- "You're an ass!" Sveta sweetie you are absolutely correct

- But at least he loves his kid I give him one (1) credit for that.

- I have mixed feelings about Heaven Help My Heart in RAH but it works much better here in terms of both timing and lyrics!

- Oohh new Svetlana song (heard of it but never heard it). Yes Sveta you TELL him.

- Merano reprise?

- Happy Florence!!! Happy Florence!!!! Happy Florence is adorable look at her precious smile!!!!!

- Aaaaand in comes freddie to fuck it up.

- (gets his kicks above the waistline but sure knows how to hit below the belt)

- "Take it easy, little friend" omg

- *aggressively clinging to each other while singing about how they never want to see the other person again* yep i'm dead

- This Freddie really has zero redeeming qualities AND YET

- oh random acrobatics? cool. i'm no longer surprised by anything that happens on this stage.

- Jean Jacques van Boren is back. I want to compare him to something but every time i see him my mind just goes blank in quiet horror.

- Svetlana strolling in to slay that cheating motherfucker

- Ok I support Sveta's rage always but I have to say i do not love this flipping of I Know Him So Well. I mean, what's the point? Why do they have to fight? It's not like it's Florence's fault Anatoly decided to run off (at least not in this version) since it was pretty clear from the beginning that him and Sveta weren't doing,, super great. The original song has its own issues but I stand behind the concept of Florence and Sveta bonding over their shared experiences with shitty men and especially this shitty man. Now it just makes me like both of them less. And it still doesn't pass the Bechdel test. Ugh.

- Molokov gets a Tragic Backstory because everyone needs one i guess

- It is not smart to fuck with the KGB. Anatoly appears startled by this.

- Side note this act has too little Freddie in it where's my epic rivalry where is the drama

- The way the stage is set up for the final match is pretty cool though

- This match feels a little anticlimactic but in a way that sort of works? Everyone's made their choices already? This is just the inevitable end to the tragedy and you can feel it.

- It does make the whole 'singing the names of previous champions' thing seem a little out of sync. We're past that, this obviously isn't about chess anymore.

- The circular ending is neat. The Story of Chess still doesn't fit the rest of the narrative. Again, very little actual chess in this.

- At this point I don't really care about Anatoly's feelings but Florence deserves better. Normally I'd say she deserves Svetlana but this Svetlana is kind of terrible so, hm, no. She deserves to be single and recover from her breakdown in peace i honestly don't want her to see any of these people again.

Well I definitely understand why this is some people's favorite version! The story's close to solid, and even though everyone's an asshole, they all have their moments of being... if not sympathetic, then at least just pathetic (looking at you Freddie) enough that the audience can give a damn. Personally i still prefer RAH, but then I did come here by way of Rent so I'm biased.

Anyway if you haven't seen Chess på Svenska yet go watch it, you will come out of the experience a different person but you won't have wasted your time :)

[stewiemartins]

Hitting Tafe fresh from the Trailer coast-busting kombi van, my world and my own biggest fan. No worries from the glorious living sun skies and loose women. Care-free isn’t just a woman’s best friend, so are blue meanies and toad stools, Flashing lights and the oppression of the foul ball.

Healthy body sun-bleached hair, and the heroes pat on the nut, battling sharks on the streets and the beach. Folk guitar by moonlight and tribal rhythms and always lads proving the truth of it. We are the hardest men we know.

,//’==,//’==,//’==,//’==,//’==,//’==,//’==,//’==,//’==,//

Small scratches, just breaking the skin just to feel the earth move all over again.

How would you know?