#mr fergus duncan

[number1spongebobfan]

[ask-sentient-vehicles]

What are Miniature Bert’s favourite and least favourite parts of being a little engine?

Bert: I'm glad you asked. As a little engine I enjoy the countryside as well as pulling coaches. It's a serene atmosphere. I like to engage with the people. Us miniature engines develop closer bonds with the environment. The world is a playground for us!

There's a catch to that, though. See, for a standard or narrow gauge engine a person's face is just two lines and a mouth. For us, well - the face of The Small Controller is so uncanny that I feel as if he's staring at my soul. Don't tell him that, though.

[unpopularvivian]

What would Mr. Percival be like arriving with his friends(sir topham hatt, Fergus duncan and sir Robert Norramby)to show off his motorcycle?

Lmaooooo motorcycle Mr. Percival 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

The engines are going to be bamboozled when they see him!

Also I'm pretty sure SIr Topham Hatt is hanging on the motorcycle for dear life. 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[starsodor]

I need more content from these three

(The video is not mine, I found it, credits to its author)

[steam-beasts]

Question about your most recent post

(The skeletal structure of Thommy boy)

So they went from steam engines to actually organism so what I'd you tried to light there firebox would it cook them alive? Or there water tanks if one were to fill it with a liquid (water for argument's sake) would it affect them like would the water hydrate them or would it just slosh around weighting them down

It's ok if you don't have any answers I'm just genuinely curious

Since it’s no longer just their face that’s organic, yes, the rest of their bodies are organic. As for their original bodies (the entire engine part), the metal parts are mixed in with the flesh. If you open the smokebox door, everything will look and feel exactly how it was before the engine mutated, same goes for feeling the buffers, boiler, smokebox and the rest of the locomotive part of the body.

The infection basically gave the engines these weird abilities to bend and arch their bodies without anything important inside getting damaged, as it just bends with the rest of the body without getting dented or anything. Even when they’re all in normal engine forms, they can still do it and move around like they can in AEG, but it’s not as freaky. The workmen and the controllers have to agree that it’s a little freaky to them.

Sir Topham Hatt always winces when he sees either Henry, Gordon, Edward and Toby bend their bodies since they’re the oldest engines on his railway (I know Thomas and James were realistically built before Henry and Gordon, but their build dates are a little different in this au). Mr Percival internally freaks out when Skarloey, Rheneas or Duke bend their bodies since they’re ALSO the oldest. Mr Fergus Duncan just accepted the logic breaking bending the engines do as the new normal.

Sir Robert Norramby doesn’t mind the bending, but is a little concerned when Stephen bends since…yeah. Oldest steam engine in history.

When their fireboxes are lit, it doesn’t actually hurt them. It’s just a way to heat up their bodies and keep them warm. Their fireboxes can last much longer if they eat coal, wood or any meat since the waste basically goes up to the firebox after it’s done in the stomach. For water tanks, yes! It’s another way they can hydrate themselves like in the show, and their stomachs are now like an extra water tank so they can drink with their mouths.

[fabianvalencia561]

Here is my question

If Sir Topham Hatt has 24 apples and gives 9 apples to James and if he has 7 bottles of water for Thomas and gives him 5 bottles if we subtract the 5 watches he has in his bag

How many cups of tea do you have left for your friends? (if that counts mr percival fergus duncan and sir robert norramby)

Sir Topham: have no idea....

[hazel-of-sodor]

Day 30-Everest

Traintober 2023

Other Stories

Day 30-Middle of Nowhere

Everest

Bert watched curiously as the new engine was lowered down onto the Arlesdale tracks gently. She was a royal purple 2-4-2 with elegant gold lining on her cab and tender. She looked more like a narrow gauge engine rather than a downsized standard gauge.

"You said you found her in a barn?" He asked the small controller dubiously.

"An abandoned one at that." Mr.Duncan confirmed with some amusement. "No one knew where she had gone after the Zoo closed. We still aren't certain how she ended up there, as she was asleep when they moved her."

He approached the little engine, Bert trailing behind.

"Hello my dear, I am Fergus Duncan, your new controller."

"A pleasure to meet you, sir," she said shyly, "my old line called me Everest."

"Would you like to keep that name?"

"Yes sir, if it's not a bother."

"Not at all, Everest it is. Have they told you what you will be doing here?"

"The workmen said something about a branchline?"

The small controller nodded, "Our railway is built on the Trackbed of the old Mid-Sodor Railway. We plan to reopen the Ffarquhar Road branch line next, giving us access to the old quarries and another connection with the Standard Gauge North Western Railway. You will be helping to relay the line. Once built, it'll be yours."

She froze, "I'm...I'm getting a branchline?"

Mr.Duncan smiled, "If you behave yourself. You'll be pulling the tourist trains along the route."

"Shouldn't one of your existing engines get the line?" She asked nervously.

"None of us wanted it," Bert spoke up, "We're used to running the mainline together, and don't want to be separated."

"We need them all on the mainline as well." Mr. Duncan nodded, "it won't be long before we have to look for another engine to help during the heavy season."

He smiled at Everest, "You're better suited for the line anyway, as our four mainline steam engines would be underworked with the number of passengers we're expecting for the line. Are you up for it?"

Everest gave a small smile, "Yes sir."

[man-to-engine]

Question, if Sir Topham Hatt and Mr Percival are locomotives, the other two controllers (fergus duncan and sir Robert Norramby) What locomotives would they be, would they form a small group of four locomotives?

Good question. Respectively. They would be the class of engines in their respective railway as for what type

15-inch gauge 4-4-2 locomotive looks Fitting for Fergus Duncan

And for Sir Robert Norramby, maybe a British 2-4-0

But at the current moment, they are still human

[littlewestern]

See what happens

Bingo! Sir topham hatt/ Mr percival

Oh boy, lol.

At the risk of being the boring adult in the room once again, this is another one that just doesn't do anything for me as a romantic relationship. Far be it from me or Sir Topham to get in the way of what is clearly a very loving and robust relationship between Peregrine and his darling wife.

(I mean, goddamn. Look at all those kids.)

That said, I do think their business relationship is one that contains as many weird facets and nuances as a romantic one, and that's why I find it so fascinating. If I thought people would read them, I have more than one fic idea involving these two just sitting down and talking over tea.

See, Hatt's a real hardass, especially in the bad old days. I think part of the reason he ran the NWR the way that he did for so long was because it *was* just him, his five pains in the ass, and the zero dollars he had to split between them. Anyone else might have sought out a business partner early on to help ease the financial and operational strains of running this kind of slapdash outfit. The way Hatt was doing business though, I think he didn't trust anyone else to see his vision and to let him make the decisions he felt needed to be made. Not having to answer to investors or business partners meant he could run his railway however he liked. At a certain point, though, I think this became untenable.

There's some question as to what their business relationship is exactly. I've seen it suggested that the Skarloey Railway is Mr. Percival's and that the NWR and the Skarleoy Railway have nothing to do with each other, but I prefer the idea that Hatt actually bought all the railways on Sodor and then ceded their operation to Mr. Percival (and later Fergus Duncan). Personally, I think it's tidier if Hatt's in charge of everything and is simply delegating power where needed. In either case though, Hatt is clearly the one with the raw captial, and Mr. Percival answers to him if not strictly in chain of command, then at least in spirit, because Hatt's is the biggest and the one setting the tone for how all the other railways on the island should comport themselves in advertising and operation.

For Hatt to go through all the hardship and trouble of bootstrapping his way to that position of power, and then to put that much of it in the hands of some other guy... I think that speaks to how much trust Hatt puts in Mr. Percival, and rightly so in my opinion. Mr. Percival runs a tight ship, has a great deal of faith in his engines, and doesn't take any shit when they start acting up. We can surmise from this that he and Hatt are very much of the same mind on how engines ought to be treated, and I think that was as much a determining factor in Hatt's decision to appoint Mr. Percival as his business acumen or service credentials.

Yeah, I could go insane about these two for a while, but I'll cut it here. This is a dumb shipping bingo, after all.

That said, if you really did want to make it shippy, I will say that Mr. Percival's history is left deliberately vague and there's no reason that he and Hatt couldn't have met while both working for the GWR in some capacity. Probably as young, unmarried men... Just a thought.

[aut1sm-mess]

For Bert: have you thought about marrying Rex or do you have plans with him in your romantic relationship? :^

And Mr. Fergus Duncan also has a romantic interest or is he the one who spends his time alone at parties ?

Bert: Me and Rex are engaged and Have an official wedding date! 7/15/2024 (I'll make lots of art!!!)

-Mr Duncan: I'm single. Unlike the 2 other railway controllers, I don't have a canon wife, unfortunately.

[renee-writer]

Frank Chapter 80

AO3

The Gathering went off without to big of an issue. The worst injury Claire treated being a broken wrist after one of the clansmen fell drunk off his horse.

 

“I will miss your medicine. It has been a relief not to have to handle it.”

 

She will miss the old woman too. Mrs. Fitz has become like a mum to her. She hugs her close. 

 

“Mrs. Duncan is available for major things.”

 

“Aye still…”

 

“I will miss you too.”

 

“Your seeing my Laoghaire and her wean to safety, I cannae complain to much, eh?”

 

“We will see them back to you as soon as it is safe.”

 

She smiles. “I ken her reputation but, deep inside she is a good lass. She is an excellent mam.”

 

“That she is. We hope to find her a loving husband.”

 

“Dinna fret about her late one. She places herself there.”

 

“Yes, let’s see if we can do better this time.”

 

She bids ado to the Mackenzie men. They have all grown on her, even the rough Angus, softened by the children.

 

“You take good care of your mama,” He lectures Jemmy and Fergus, “and protect Faith and Arabella.”

 

“Aye.” Jemmy responds. Fergus, who still is awed by him, simply nods.

 

Rupert takes her hand, bows low over it, and kisses it’s back. “God’s blessings on your journey.”

 

Laoghaire is anxious to be off. They hid her and Wee Frank away through the gathering in case that beastly man sent someone to snatch him away. She craves fresh air and the open road, miles placed between her and the danger to her son.

 

“Are we ready?” Jamie, with Murtagh, joins them.

 

“Aye da.”

 

“Good Mon mhac. Let us be off then. Going home to Lallybroch.”

 

His wife and Laoghaire are placed in the wagon with the bairns. He and Murtagh will drive it.

 

The castle sees them off.

[misspeppermint2003]

Dr. Dylan Reinhart from CBS Instinct (United States of America)

Ivan Ivanovitch Sakharine from The Adventures of Tintin (Belgium)

Cezary Kujawa from Polish remake of Servant of the People (Poland)

Mr. Fergus Duncan a.k.a. "The Small Controller" from Thomas & Friends (United Kingdom)

Aziraphale from Good Omens (United Kingdom)

[nightsidewrestling]

D.U.D.E Bios: Uinseann Rhydderch

The Clurichaun King of C.R.C Uinseann Rhydderch (2020)

Kirby's uncle and the brother of Hywel, Uinseann. An Irish-Catholic living in Wales and a hard-working, tough and standoffish (at times) father. He takes his work seriously, as serious as humanly possible.

"Don't you dare call me a fuckin' Leprechaun."

Name

Full Legal Name: Uinseann Garbhán Bedwyr Ailill Rhydderch

First Name: Uinseann

Meaning: Irish form of 'Vincent', from the Roman name 'Vincentius', which was derived from Latin 'Vincere' meaning 'To Conquer'

Pronunciation: yoon-SHAWN

Origin: Irish

Middle Name(s): Garbhán, Bedwyr, Ailill

Meaning(s): Garbhán: From Old Irish 'Garbán' meaning 'Little rough one', derived from 'Garb' 'Rough' combined with a diminutive suffix. Bedwyr: Welsh form of 'Bedivere', possibly from 'Bedwen' 'Birch' and 'Gwr' 'Man'. Aillil: Means 'Elf' in Irish

Pronunciation(s): GAR-a-wan/GAR-a-van. BEHD-wir. A-lyil

Origin(s): Irish. Welsh, Welsh Mythology, Arthurian Romance. Old Irish, Irish Mythology

Surname: Rhydderch

Meaning: From the given name 'Rhydderch' from the Old Welsh name 'Riderch', derived from 'Ri' 'King' and 'Derch' 'Exalted'

Pronunciation: HRUDH-ehrkh

Origin: Welsh

Alias: Clurichaun King, Uinseann Rhydderch

Reason: This is Uinseann's ring name

Nicknames: Sean

Titles: Mr

Characteristics

Age: 74

Gender: Male. He/Him Pronouns

Race: Human

Nationality: Welsh. Irish-Welsh Mix. Dual Citizenship ROI-UK

Ethnicity: White

Birth Date: May 14th 1946

Symbols: Clurichauns, Alcohol, Crowns

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Religion: Irish-Catholic

Native Language: Irish

Spoken Languages: Irish, Welsh, Scottish (Scots Gaelic), English

Relationship Status: Married

Astrological Sign: Taurus

Theme Song: 'Wild One'- Jerry Lee Lewis (1964-)

Voice Actor: Brendan O'Carroll

Geographical Characteristics

Birthplace: Tullahought, Kilkenny, Ireland

Current Location: Llanfaethlu, Anglesey, Wales

Hometown: Llanfaethlu, Anglesey, Wales

Appearance

Height: 5'10" / 177 cm

Weight: 200 lbs / 90 kg

Eye Colour: Blue

Hair Colour: (Born Blond) Black

Hair Dye: None

Body Hair: Hairy

Facial Hair: Goatee

Tattoos: (As of Jan 2020) 10

Piercings: Navel, Ear Lobe (Double, Both)

Scars: None

Health and Fitness

Allergies: None

Alcoholic, Smoker, Drug User: Smoker, Social Drinker

Illnesses/Disorders: None Diagnosed

Medications: None

Any Specific Diet: None

Relationships

Allies: (As of Jan 2020) The Rhydderch Clan

Enemies: (As of Jan 2020) None

Friends: Naoise Rhydderch, Rhodri Rhydderch, Yorath Rhydderch, Bran Rhydderch, Delwyn Rhydderch, Fergus Rhydderch, Hywel Rhydderch, Conall Pritchard

Colleagues: The C.R.C Locker Rooms / Too Many To List

Rivals: None

Closest Confidant: Odharnait Rhydderch

Mentor: Gearalt Rhydderch

Significant Other: Odharnait Rhydderch (75, Wife, Née MacCarthy)

Previous Partners: None of Note

Parents: Gearalt Rhydderch (R.I.P, Father), Angharad Rhydderch (101, Mother, Née MacMathan)

Parents-In-Law: Duncan MacCarthy (R.I.P, Father-In-Law), Virve MacCarthy (R.I.P, Mother-In-Law, Née McQueen)

Siblings: Naoise Rhydderch (80, Brother), Rhodri Rhydderch (77, Brother), Yorath Rhydderch (71, Brother), Bran Rhydderch (68, Brother), Delwyn Rhydderch (65, Brother), Fergus Rhydderch (62, Brother), Hywel Rhydderch (59, Brother)

Siblings-In-Law: Talulla Rhydderch (81, Naoise's Wife, Née MacGinnis), Grania Rhydderch (78, Rhodri's Wife, Née Kavanaugh), Deryn Rhydderch (72, Yorath's Wife, Née Heffernan), Meinir Rhydderch (69, Bran's Wife, Née Gallagher), Rhosyn Rhydderch (66, Delwyn's Wife, Née Dougherty), Aoife Rhydderch (63, Fergus' Wife, Née Daugherty), Oda Rhydderch (60, Hywel's Wife, Née Gilchrist), Costas MacCarthy (72, Odharnait's Brother), Gyöngyi MacCarthy (73, Costas' Wife, Née Vantchev), Enikő Viktorov (69, Odharnait's Sister, Née MacCarthy), Gianis Viktorov (70, Enikő's Husband), Emilios MacCarthy (66, Odharnait's Brother), Patrícia MacCarthy (67, Emilios' Wife, Née Yordanov), Jolánka Zahariev (63, Odharnait's Sister, Née MacCarthy), Konstantinos Zahariev (64, Jolánka's Husband), Ioannis MacCarthy (60, Odharnait's Brother), Tündér MacCarthy (61, Ioannis' Wife, Née Zdravkov), Rózsa Andonov (57, Odharnait's Sister, Née MacCarthy), Panagiotis Andonov (58, Rózsa's Husband), Mihalis MacCarthy (54, Odharnait's Brother), Iglé MacCarthy (55, Mihalis' Wife, Née Cvetkov), Virág Danchev (51, Odharnait's Sister, Née MacCarthy), Charon Danchev (52, Virág's Husband), Panayiotis MacCarthy (49, Odharnait's Brother), Nijolė MacCarthy (50, Panayiotis' Wife, Née Filipov)

Nieces & Nephews: Too Many To List

Children: Kathleen Mulrennan (44, Daughter, Née Rhydderch), Sean Rhydderch (41, Son), Wyn Rhydderch (38, Son), Haf McFarlane (35, Daughter, Née Rhydderch), Tydfil McFarland (32, Daughter, Née Rhydderch)

Children-In-Law: Fachtna Mulrennan (45, Kathleen's Husband), Yvette Rhydderch (42, Sean's Wife, Née Plamondon), Ragnhild Rhydderch (39, Wyn's Wife, Née Perreault), Keaton McFarlane (36, Haf's Husband), Keith McFarland (33, Tydfil's Husband)

Grandkids: Eachann Mulrennan (24, Grandson), Aurora Mulrennan (25, Eachann's Wife, Née MacDonald), Daffodil MacDaniel (21, Granddaughter, Née Mulrennan), Grant MacDaniel (22, Daffodil's Husband), Calanthe Mulrennan (18, Granddaughter), Baggi Mulrennan (15, Grandson), Abel Mulrennan (12, Grandson), Zinnia Mulrennan (9, Grandson), Yolanda Mulrennan (6, Granddaughter), Xerxes Mulrennan (3, Grandson), Walker Rhydderch (21, Grandson), Henriika Rhydderch (22, Walker's Wife, Née MacColuim), Velvet Rhydderch (18, Granddaughter), Unni Rhydderch (15, Granddaughter), Talfryn Rhydderch (12, Grandson), Ragna Rhydderch (9, Granddaughter), Queenie Rhydderch (6, Granddaughter), Samson Rhydderch (3, Grandson), Pacey Rhydderch (18, Grandson), Ogden Rhydderch (15, Grandson), Naomi Rhydderch (12, Granddaughter), Madonna Rhydderch (9, Granddaughter), Lachtna Rhydderch (6, Grandson), Kal-El Rhydderch (3, Grandson), Jane McFarlane (15, Granddaughter), Idalia McFarlane (12, Granddaughter), Hall McFarlane (9, Grandson), Gael McFarlane (6, Grandson), Fallon McFarlane (3, Granddaughter), Easter McFarland (12, Granddaughter), Dalton McFarland (9, Grandson), Cadell McFarland (6, Grandson), Barbara McFarland (3, Granddaughter)

Great Grandkids: Eija Mulrennan (4, Great Granddaughter), Gordon Mulrennan (1, Great Grandson), Gregor MacDaniel (1, Great Grandson), Hilla Rhydderch (1, Great Granddaughter)

Wrestling

Billed From: Kilkenny, Ireland

Trainer: The C.R.C Wrestling School, Gearalt Rhydderch

Managers: Odharnait Rhydderch

Wrestlers Managed: Odharnait Rhydderch

Debut: 1964

Debut Match: Uinseann Rhydderch VS Gearalt Rhydderch. Uinseann won via pinfall

Retired: N/A

Retirement Match: N/A

Wrestling Style: Technician / Powerhouse

Stables: The Rhydderch Clan (1964-)

Teams: No Team Names

Regular Moves: Back Body Drop, Bearhug, Bearhug Into A Thrust Spinebuster To The Ring Post, Big Boot, Chokehold, Corner Clothesline, Flying Clothesline, Rebound Clothesline, Arm Twist Ropewalk Chop, Over The Top Rope Suicide Dive, Reverse STO, Running DDT, Running Elbow Drop, Running Leg Drop, Running Leg Drop To An Apron-Hung Opponent, Sidewalk Slam, Snake Eyes, Standing Dragon Sleeper, Arm Drag, Dropkick, Headscissors Takedown, Knee Lift, Running Crossbody

Finishers: Ropewalk Diving Elbow Chop, Heart Punch, One-Handed Clawhold, Elevated Powerbomb, Triangle Choke, Chokeslam, Tombstone Piledriver, Figure-Four Leglock, Flying Forearm Smash

Refers To Fans As: The Fans, The Family

Extras

Backstory: Uinseann Rhydderch of the C.R.C (Welsh Wrestling League / Cynghrair Reslo Cymru) owning Rhydderch family. Uinseann has a 1/8th ownership of the promotion and is the head 'Clurichaun Style' (Technician mixed with Powerhouse) trainer. He's Half-Irish, Half-Welsh

Trivia: Nothing of Note

[unpopularvivian]

What would it be like if the four inspectors (Sir Topham Hatt, Mr Percival, Fergus Duncan, Sir Robert Norramby) go partying for a few weeks and return to the railway drunk

(By the way you give me vibes that you are Toby, I have no proof but I have no doubts either xd)

The engines are definitely going to get a nasty surprise lol 😂😂😂

Sir Topham Hatt would absolutely start dancing on the roof while Gordon and Toby are trying to get him down. His grandkids are probably recording the whole thing unfold into madness.

Mr. Percival would be 100x more emotional than ever and the Narrow Gauge engines are uncomfortable as fuck when he starts blubbering about how his bike was stolen.

Sir Robert Norramby..... Ummmmmm..... Accidentally sets the entire castle on fire and now Millie, Glynn and Stephen have nowhere to sleep.

Don't know about Fergus Duncan but I know that he's single so he tries to get a partner by using horrible pick-up lines.

(Also. Yes. I am indeed partially Toby. I'm basically Gordon, Toby, Mavis and the Scottish twins combined together, I can confirm that. 😌)

[smol4bluengine]

Questionaaaaaaa

What would an afternoon be like if Lady Hatt left Gordon in Sir Topham Hatt's care while she was gone? Knowing Gordon would make Sir Topham Hatt call his colleagues (Mr percival fergus duncan or sir Robert Norramby or others) to help him or not.???

Lady Hatt: My husband actually handles Baby Gordon quite well on his own, om top of that he's still the controller of the railway so there are other engines he watches over as well. If he ever does need extra help with Gordon Dowager Hatt, Scotsman, and Edward are there to help. As for the railway Mr.Percival, Fergus Duncan, and Sir Robert help out when they can.

[steam-beasts]

Oh Sheep!

December had rolled around on Sodor, and the snow was at its strongest. On the Arlesdale Railway, Diesel Junior – or "DJ" as he liked to be called – was resting in the diesel sheds at Arlesburgh West. It was early morning, but the schedules were a lot more relaxed than how they were during the autumn rush.

DJ was sitting at the very back of the shed, fast asleep and trying to keep his radiator warm. Just then, the doors slowly swung open, the chilly air sweeping in. DJ's face at the cold and opened his eyes to see Mr Fergus Duncan walking towards him.

"Good morning, DJ. Apologies for waking you" He said. DJ yawned "It's alright, Mr Duncan. Do...Do you need me to do something?" He asked tiredly. Mr Duncan hummed softly in agreement "Yes, I need you to go to Arlesdale Green to collect a left behind ballast cart. Rex forgot to bring it before going to sleep" the Small Controller explained.

DJ raised an eyebrow "Not that I'm refusing to do it, Mr Duncan. But can't one of the Blister twins do that? Or...Frank?"

Mr Duncan sighed "The Blister twins are off doing a passenger run, and Frank is away taking wool bales to market" he replied with a shrug.

"Oh, well...ok. I'll go"

Mr Duncan gently smiled, giving DJ's roof a pat "Atta boy. Off you go!" DJ lightly smiled back and watched as the Small Controller turned heel and left the shed.

Eventually, the little diesel soon set off out of the sheds and into the cold himself, wincing at the bright light after being shrouded in the dark shed.

Snow had begun to fall by the time DJ reached the Arlesburgh bridge street. He glanced at the upcoming platform to see a couple of workers shoveling away snow, and a middle aged lady. This was the Stationmaster, seemingly wanting to talk to him as she waited on the platform. DJ frowned.

"Oh no, not her!" The little diesel groaned quietly "She's always pestering me about something small and unimportant..."

He was proved to be correct as the Stationmaster took out a red flag waved him down. DJ knew he shouldn't be disrespectful despite his annoyance from her, so he slowed to a stop with a fake grin on his face, plus, she had a red flag so it was probably important... this time "Is something the matter, Mrs Stationmaster?" He asked sweetly ."Yes, you don't happen to be going towards the Marthwaite Woodland area, do you?"

"Yeah, I'm collecting a stray ballast truck down at the green. Is something wrong?" He replied nonchalantly. The Stationmaster scratched her head "Well, due to a shortage of sand, the tracks beyond the Ffarqhuarr road don't have any grit, so best be careful" she warned. DJ honked his horn in acknowledgement and continued on down the line. Once she couldn't see his face, DJ rolled his eyes "Pah, 'be careful' she said. Nonsense, the rails can't be slippy! I haven't slipped on them, neither of the twins have slipped, and neither has Frank. All that comes out of her mouth is a bunch of malarkey!" He scoffed. As he said this, a few cars on the road nearby were slipping and swerving, not dangerously of course.

By the time DJ reached the Ffarqhuarr road, the snow fall was getting heavier, and more like a blizzard. DJ had to squint a little as Farmer Willie came dawdling by with a cart packed with sheep. Willie noticed DJ and came to a brief stop "Hullo' there, DJ! You alright?"

DJ gazed up at Willie and smiled "I'm F-Fine, Farmer Willie. I'm just going up to collect a ballast truck!"

Willie hummed and nodded "Ah, ok..." he said before glancing over at his sheep. Some were asleep, some were not and simply sat in the cart...not all of them were accounted for. He then heard DJ gasp "Are those sheep?!"

Willie shook out of his small daydream "Oh, uh– yes! My boss wants me to take these little guys to the barn for winter!"

A sheep then looked over at DJ and bleated, making the diesel "Aww! Hi there!" He cooed. Farmer Willie just stared at the sheep for a solid minute before realising something "Oh yeah, uh...DJ? If you see a sheep on it's own somewhere, let me know please. It, uh... got out. It has a little bell around its neck and... it's not here..." He trailed off, staring into space.

DJ wasn't listening, he was more focused on the sheep "Look at your little faces...what were you saying, Farmer Willie?"

Farmer Willie shook his head again and scratched his head, haven partially forgotten about what he was talking about "Huh? O-Oh, erm...look out for sheep! Oh crumbs, I better get going" He muttered before driving off. DJ honked goodbye to the farmer and set off once more once the gates reopened.

DJ chuckled to himself "Hehe, sheep..."

____________________________________________

The Marthwaite Woods were littered with trees and bushes. The bare tree branches had icicles dangling off of them. The bushes were piled on with snow and the rails were all icy and slippery, but DJ didn't know this yet.

DJ honked his horn and took his time to look at his surroundings "Wow, the forest looks so mysterious during winter..." he commented to himself.

He then looked forward and remembered that Arlesdale Green was a few miles ahead. He smirked confidently and went faster up the steep track "Nearly there, nearly there" He panted eagerly.

However, the little baby diesel had to come to a stop as up ahead, a lone sheep stood on the line, using its nose and hoof to dig at the snow – presumably in search for grass. DJ skidded to a halt, clenching his teeth as his wheels slipped on the rails. He was still moving (at a more slower pace now), and was getting much closer to the sheep.

DJ frantically tried calling out to the sheep and honking "Out of the way! Out of the way!". The sheep just looked up and glanced at him with vacant eyes. DJ shut his eyes tight as he couldn't stop.

Why oh why didn't he listen to the Stationmaster?!

The sheep was unfazed as the engine ahead was skidding on icy rails towards it's direction.

Just then....

BUMP!

"Baa!"

DJ gasped from feeling the bump and whimpered, fearing what he may have very likely done. Cautiously, he opened one eye to survey the damage he had done, only to see a white furry face in his vision, lazily munching on a mouthful of grass. He then opened both eyes and sure enough, he wasn't dreaming – the sheep was okay. Thank goodness.

"Dizzy diesels...that was close" He sighed with relief. He kinda forgot he's not a big monsterous engine like his big brother, or else the sheep would most certainly become wooly paste.

The sheep bleated and sniffed at DJ, its ear twitching. DJ felt his (currently) non-existent heart melt as the sheep sniffed at him.

"Ooh, sorry about that, sheep. The rails are all icy! What are you doing out here anyway? Shouldn't you be..." he then gasped, thinking back to what Farmer Willie said.

"Oh! You're the sheep that got away!" He exclaimed. The sheep bleated and went back to chewing the little patch of grass it dug up. DJ paid no mind.

"Well, come on! We gotta get you home, and collect the ballast!"

The sheep didn't move, it paid no attention to DJ whatsoever.

A few minutes went by, and DJ huffed "Come on! Get going!"

The sheep remained on the line. DJ loved the sheep, don't get him wrong – but it won't MOVE for him! DJ thought decisively, then honked at the sheep. The sheep looked over at him, but went back to eating soon after.

DJ groaned "Oh I don't have all day!"

The sheep bleated and turned to face him, its ears flicking. This sheep was stubborn, stubborn like a troublesome truck. Maybe that's why they both look alike?

A good 20 minutes passed by, you'd think that the sheep would've moved off the line by now, NOPE! It was still there, but sitting down now.

"Pleeeaaase! Move...please, sheep?: DJ begged, but no avail.

Suddenly, an ear-piercing shriek ripped through the air, alerting both DJ and the sheep. The sheep bleated fearfully and looked around frantically. DJ gulped, doing the same thing.

"Hehe...i-its alright, sheep. I'm sure it's just a..."

An echoey roar was then heard somewhere in the distance as well as crunching snow, increasing DJ's worries "B-BEAR!" He yelled fearfully. He shut his eyes tightly like he did when slipping on the rails.

The sounds of crunching snow got closer and more clearer. DJ only feared the worst...until he heard the voice of a very tired Rex.

"Are you alright there, DJ?"

DJ's eyes shot open and he looked to the side to see Rex in his beast form, gazing at him softly with very tired eyes. The baby diesel's jaw dropped upon seeing him "R-Rex?! But... you're supposed to be hibernating!"

Rex chuckled "Well, I can't hibernate if I keep hearing you honk to your heart's delight. Remember, my hearing's a LOT more sensitive and sharper than it used to be..."

"Oh..." DJ blushed in embarrassment "...sorry. I didn't mean to"

"It's ok, kiddo. No hard feelings..." Rex assured him "...now that we have that cleared up, you appear to be in one baa-ad situation" the miniature engine teased, pointing at the sheep.

DJ sighed "Yep...I think its one of Farmer Willie's. He said something about one of them escaping"

"Escaping, eh? Lots of livestock escape here all the time. They should really improve the fences but then again...me, Bert and Mike can just ram through them" He chuckled. Rex then turned to face the sheep.

He made a little chittering noise at the sheep, leaning forward. The sheep turned to Rex with interest and bleated, walking off the track at last. DJ watched in amazement as Rex continued the chittering sound, leading the sheep into the foliage. It kinda reminded him of that evil snake from The Jungle Book, except Rex isn't evil of course!

"Wow..." he whispered. DJ soon resumed to his task; collect the ballast.

He oiled through the forest, much more carefully that time.

____________________________________________

DJ had managed to make it to the Green and was making his way back to Arlesburgh West. Along the way, he saw Rex trotting along the tracks, still looking rather sleepy. He honked "hello" to the older engine, who whistled back "Did you get the sheep home, Rex?"

"Of course! It's not like I ate it, hehe!" Rex chuffed cheekily.

"Yeah, anyway...how did you hear me all the way from the sheds in the first place?" The miniature 08 diesel asked, feeling rather curious.

"I wasn't sleepin' at the sheds, I was sleepin' in a nearby cave around here! That's how I heard you!" He laughed tiredly. DJ giggled as well, then looked over at the ballast truck "Hey, Rex? Did you know you forgot to bring a ballast truck back to the station?"

Rex frowned and raised an eyebrow. He then glanced at the truck behind the small diesel and gasped with understanding "Oh! Fire and smoke, I forgot about that one!" He groaned.

"It's alright, Rex. It's easy to forget things" DJ assured him. The small green engine smiled warmly, then walked in front of the diesel, blocking his way.

"Rex?"

Rex said nothing and gave DJ's forehead a lick, probably his own way of 'kissing' him goodnight. DJ's eyes went wide, but he grinned nonetheless as Rex chirped happily before setting off into the woods "Have a good hibernation, Rex!" He called out.

As soon as Rex left, DJ oiled away with the ballast truck. Back to Arlesburgh West he goes.

Until Spring...