Never Be Alone

**Never Be Alone** is the fifth special to be written, for Classic Sodor Adventures, originally posted between June 23rd-27th, 2021 on both DeviantArt and FanFiction. The story is primarily an adaption of the books The Twin Engines and Four Little Engines, with Old Iron from Edward the Blue Engine and Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree top and tailing it.. These stories were originally adapted for the second series in 1986 and the fourth series in 1995. In this series, this special is in series 2, and it takes up episodes 18-24; *Skarloey Remembers, Hullo Twins* and *The Missing Coach* excluded from the episode count.

## Chapter 1: Is This Home?

Two narrow gauge engines are nervously chatting about this being the third storm they've had that year. They get interrupted by a man, who thankfully was not their manager. He asks the two engines if they want to come back with him, and they agree. They feel that they're onto something. The man talks to the duo's manager, and convinces him to sell the engines for 25 pounds each. The man then asks the engines for their names, and they admit they haven't been called their names for a long time. At this, the gentleman dubs them after his father-in-law and father-in-law's best friend; Peter Sam and Sir Handel, respectively. Edward comes along with Judy and Jerome to tow them to the Steamworks.

Months go by, and after a run in with a troublesome diesel, Thomas, Percy and Duck are debating Edward's condition and who should run the branch in his absence. Duck is the most likely option, and Percy volunteers to handle the yards until Duck gets back (on the condition Thomas and Toby can manage without him for a while). James shows up and starts complaining about Edward being an Old Iron, and the trio of tank engines snap back at him. When Thomas says Edward can beat James in a race, James retorts that Edward isn't one to do that.

The following day, James' driver takes ill and James has to do shunting. A pair of boys fiddle with the controls and James is off. The fireman is then told by the signalman to get a wire and a shunter's pole. Surprised, the fireman gets them.

Edward has the inspector and James' fireman board his cab and he races to the rescue. Toby and Henrietta are waiting at Elsbridge, talking about Sir Handel and Peter Sam's situation, when they see James and Edward race past. The two are very surprised to say the least.

James realises he's running without a crew and Edward chases him down. The inspector tried very hard to slip the rope over James' buffer. Though a struggle, he manages to do it. James' fireman scrambles across to take control. James thanks Edward for saving him, and Edward is sent to be mended while James takes a rest.

As Edward gets to the Steamworks, he sees Skarloey and Rheneas waiting there. The two are waiting to be mended, and Edward gets them to talk about their coaches. The engines chuckle that Agnes believes she's above the others, and Beatrice is always taken along but the others are left behind. After a joke about Mrs. Last, Edward heads into the Steamworks. He sees Sir Handel and Peter Sam, now repainted blue and green respectively. They remark that they loved their new colours better than their dull grey, and they had their old numbers for their whole lives. However, there is something they are hiding, much to Edward's concern.

Duck and James took it in turns to handle Edward's jobs on the branch, while Julie and Johnson handled their work in the yards and the mainline respectively. Unfortunately, James didn't take to Bill and Ben too well, but Duck had a more pleasant first experience with them. The duo are interrupted by Gordon who believes another engine is needed; Duck believes that they need *two* engines. Sir Topham Hatt said he'll get one... but he doesn't realise what he's about to get into.

## Chapter 2: More Coach Trouble

Sir Topham Hatt realises he had *two* engines arrive when he only purchased *one*. He tries to cut to the chase, but the two engines can't remember which one of them was 57646. Frustrated, he tells the inspector to give the twins numbers. Gordon meanwhile, notes that two smokeboxes are better than one.

On the Skarloey line, Sir Handel and Peter Sam see Skarloey and Rheneas for the first time. Sir Handel insults the pair, while Peter Sam quickly sooths their ruffled feelings. The older engines compliment the younger ones on their names, and they tell them about the Peel Godred project being a nightmare. Skarloey and Rheneas aren't sure what Sir Handel and Peter Sam are hiding, but they decide to leave it be.

Back on the North Western Railway, Donald and Douglas are given numbers - 9 and 10 respectively. Douglas is very nervous, but Donald insists that coming together was the right decision. Duck arrives and the three manage to work together very nicely. Duck warns Donald and Douglas about Gordon and James, and they feel they can show them a thing or two.

Back on the Skarloey Railway, Mr. Percival sends a disgruntled Sir Handel out on his first train. He tries to get him to choose Peter Sam instead, but he doesn't. Peter Sam realises Sir Handel is missing their old railway. Sir Handel takes the old coaches out, and insults them. Peter Sam tells Skarloey and Rheneas that the reasoning was probably because the bogie coaches were sold a few years before the railway went under. Sir Handel and Gordon finally meet up with each other, and the dark blue tank engine starts bragging about how he was an express engine too. Gordon was left speechless.

Sir Handel towed the coaches along, and Agnes is still very insulted. The other coaches - particularly Ruth - aren't convinced this is a good idea. Sir Handel overhears that Rheneas had 'saved the railway', and worries about the implication of both railways failing to survive. The group come to the steep curve. Sir Handel remembered when he used to climb the side of a mountain with two bogie coaches, only to realise he was struggling with the four wheelers. The guard realised Agnes set them up, and vowed to speak to her later. Sir Handel tries again from the level part of the line and makes it over without anymore issues.

Mr. Percival scolds Sir Handel for being troublesome, and Skarloey and Rheneas think that Sir Handel being named after a knight went to his smokebox. They wondered what it would have been like if he was named after a king or duke. Peter Sam quickly suggests everyone go to sleep.

At Tidmouth sheds, Donald and Douglas' whistles make Gordon and James joke about them; much to Henry's disgruntlement. The twins cruise up alongside and firmly tell Gordon and James to not make fun of them.

A few days later, Sir Handel is set to go to the quarry to get trucks. Remembering an incident where the trucks made him loose his previous identity, Sir Handel derails himself. Peter Sam comes to put him back on the rails, and then Mr. Percival sends him back to the shed. Rheneas and Skarloey too are disappointed, and tell him that he has to give everything his all if he wants to live in his new home. The dark blue engine has much to think about.

Donald and Douglas have been settling into Sodor routine rather well, but Duck brings up that Edward was being mended and the Midland engines could go back at anytime. This gets the twins worried, as Douglas fears that he or Donald could be sent back at random. Donald firmly states that he'll take matters into his buffers should Sir Topham Hatt consider that a possibility.

Thomas then arrives at Knapford to collect coal and water, and Annie and Clarabel fall asleep. Douglas sees them, along with the old coaches, and shunts them all into the sidings. He goes to join Donald at the water column, when Thomas bustles back in. Horrified, he races out to find Annie and Clarabel. The two coaches are startled to find they are in the siding. Hilary laughs at Annie and Clarabel, but Dexter sooths their ruffled feelings.

Douglas realises his mistake when he sees angry passengers swarming the platform. Donald then devises a plan - swap tenders so he can take the blame while Douglas calms down and takes the goods. Sir Topham Hatt confronts "Douglas", and he apologises on his twin's behalf for the mix-up. "Douglas" then explains that "Donald" thought he was late, so he took off quickly. Sir Topham Hatt apologises to the passengers, and when it was just him and Donald, he accidentally drops the act. Thomas then angrily calls out his coaches' names from the sidings, leaving Donald feeling more worried than ever.

## Chapter 3: Breaking Out Refreshments

Donald and Douglas are on thin ice by Sir Topham Hatt, and Thomas lays into the twins hard for loosing his coaches. Duck quickly tells Thomas to quit it, and the group head back to their sheds or sleep at Tidmouth.

The following day, Peter Sam and Sir Handel are admiring the sunrise from their new home, and Skarloey and Rheneas are glad they're feeling a bit happier. Peter Sam's crew then get him ready for work. He's very excited, and Skarloey warns Peter Sam to calm down a bit. Rheneas is also due to leave for overhaul later that day, much to Skarloey's disappointment. Peter Sam collects the old coaches, and stuns Agnes into silence with his charms.

Peter Sam then meets up with Henry at Crovan's Gate, and the two start talking about the trials of the Scottish twins. Douglas ends up passing with the spiteful brake van, and Henry comments that it doesn't look good for him or Donald; they could be sent away. Peter Sam starts worrying about what could happen if he messes this run up, but the coaches try to assure him that Donald and Douglas' situation was different from his and Sir Handel's. The dark green engine comes to the same curve Sir Handel struggled on, and was excited to go up the 'mountain', but quickly realised it wasn't one. Though embarrassed, he continues on without much issue.

Douglas meanwhile had a massive problem - he was 15 minutes behind schedule. The Spiteful Brakevan is confident that Douglas will be sent away, and would do no harm, considering Douglas the 'softie' of himself and Donald. When Douglas tried to explain the situation to Sir Topham Hatt, he didn't believe him and stormed into his office. Thankfully, Donald and Duck *did* believe Douglas, especially when Duck recognised the brake van. Donald sends Douglas to the water column for a drink and Duck to calm him down. Then, he manages to bump the brake van into submission.

Peter Sam was waiting at the top station with the coaches. He and the coaches start worrying about Douglas' situation (even though they sometimes mistake him for Donald), and if the Midis were to leave anytime soon. In the chaos, he accidentally leaves the Refreshment Lady behind. Thankfully, she boards Lucy, but Peter Sam is in a real panic for the rest of the trip.

When he finally came to Crovan's Gate, Henry arrived. Peter Sam confessed that he was worried about being scolded by Mr. Percival for being late due to his trauma, but Henry assures him he is a good man. Henry also scolds the Refreshment Lady for berating Peter Sam for accidentally leaving her behind, and she apologises for being abrasive. When Peter Sam gets back, he realises he's missed Rheneas' departure. There was only three: Sir Handel, Peter Sam and Skarloey, but Sir Handel was about to say another name...

When Douglas returned from his latest job, he is happy to report to Donald and Duck he was a few minutes early. Douglas immensely thanks Donald for his help, but the twins aren't quite out of the woods yet...

## Chapter 4: Old Spiteful's Last Stand

The island falls into a peaceful spell, until Sir Topham Hatt tells the engines that Edward will be returning from the Steamworks that day. Percy is excited that he'll meet Donald and Douglas, but Thomas is still suspicious - which earns him a glare from Duck. Upon seeing odd behaviour from Sir Topham Hatt, the engines leave for work.

Duck overhears a conversation from Sir Topham Hatt's window. The Scottish Region manager tells Sir Topham Hatt that engine 57647 is the one with the softer voice. Realising that it was Douglas, Duck rushes off to find the twins. When Donald hears that Douglas will be sent back, he immediately comes up with a plan. Duck isn't too keen on lying, but he decides to do it for Douglas' sake. With that, Donald crashes into the signal box - accidentally on purpose.

Duck finds Sir Topham Hatt approaching Douglas, and quickly explains about Donald's "accident". Sir Topham Hatt is annoyed about this sudden hiccup. He scolds Donald for the accident, but the Scottish engine knew he had done the right thing.

Duck is calming Douglas down, when Edward finally arrives home. Duck sums up the situation - minus the crashing deliberately - and Edward asks if Douglas would like to work with him for the time being. Douglas agrees when Duck said it did wonders for him. Despite lying, Duck knew this was for the best.

The Skarloey Railway was very calm in comparison, but Peter Sam unfortunately broke down. Sir Handel asks for another chance to manage the coaches, and Mr. Percival agrees. Sir Handel takes out the old coaches, even though Agnes has her doubts. The others are more easily swayed however, and decide to give Sir Handel a fair go. Sir Handel meets up with Gordon, and he explains about the signalbox incident and Sir Topham Hatt acting strangely. Sir Handel then realises that Edward is on his way home, and Gordon realises that Sir Topham Hatt may be trying to send one of the twins back. He passes the message to Duck, and they gather up all the engines, as well as Annie, Clarabel and Henrietta.

With Gordon on the turntable, he tells everyone his and Sir Handel's suspicions. When Edward comments that Donald or Douglas could have been sent back because he was home, Douglas mentions he could be scrapped. A very guilty Thomas apologises to Douglas, as do Annie and Clarabel, and Henrietta wonders why Sir Topham Hatt can't accept both twins, if he did the same with her and Toby. Percy suggests a strike, but James admit that got him, Gordon and Henry into trouble last time. More ideas were dismissed, but a Spiteful Brake Van decides to target James again.

James has trouble getting his fire going, and though he hates goods traffic, that was the last thing on his mind. He sees Percy, who realises why James was upset, and he comments the entire Ffarqhuar team is on Douglas' side. James is glad to hear that. Unfortunately, he has a lot of trouble with his trucks.

Douglas is shunting at Wellsworth and he sees the Spiteful Brake Van. He agrees to help James up the hill and begins to bank the train. Douglas gets more cross with what the brake van did to him, and thanks to the trucks holding him back, accidentally crushes Old Spiteful. Edward then comes up to clear the mess with Judy and Jerome, and Sir Topham Hatt isn't sure what to do. He admires Douglas' determination, and does take Edward and James' words into consideration, but leaves everyone in suspense.

## Chapter 5: Fire In Your Heart

Sir Handel was taking the old coaches down the line for Market Day. Things were going well despite Agnes' grievances, until Sir Handel has to check to miss some sheep.

Mr. Percival is flustered as Sir Handel and Peter Sam are out of commission and Rheneas isn't present, but Peter Sam reminds him of Skarloey. Willing to try, Skarloey rushes to the rescue. He swiftly puts Agnes in her place, and Sir Handel is very impressed. He asks Skarloey if he can tell him the story of Agnes doing a runaround him someday, and he agrees. Sir Handel then accidentally calls Skarloey 'Granpuff', much to his shock and Skarloey's confusion. He quickly leaves before anymore questions could be asked. Skarloey takes over the train. He handles it fine, if he is a bit poorly. However, he looses a spring and decides he'd struggle with the train home, rather than wait for a bus.

James, Sir Handel and Peter Sam are waiting, as is Mr. Percival. They hear a whistle as Skarloey pulls in with the passengers. James respectfully collects them and puffs away. Sir Handel and Peter Sam are immensely pleased with Skarloey, as is Mr. Percival who sends him on overhaul early. Peter Sam is keen to tell Henry the good news, but he brings up bad news: Donald and Douglas' futures are still uncertain, and as it's now late fall, it may be until Christmas when Sir Topham Hatt gets back from holiday.

The engines one day wake up to snow falling. Donald and Douglas are eager to show their stuff as they start ploughing. The two enjoy themselves as they clear the snow, but it isn't long before they discover Henry trapped. The two quickly set about to rescue Henry and his train, and are praised by their temporary controller, Mr. Starr. Their mood is dampened when they realise Sir Topham Hatt will be home soon. The twins talk to the engines, and they realise the twins really were getting the short end of the stick. Edward preposes a deputation where someone tells Sir Topham Hatt that something's wrong and they try to put it right. Gordon elects Duck to be their deputation, and he agrees, though he's worried.

Two days later, Duck starts talking to Sir Topham Hatt, and he starts becoming more confident in the fact they could potentially save Donald and Douglas. However, Sir Topham Hatt simply tells Duck he'll speak to the engines later. Disappointed, Duck tells the others about the results. However, the engines aren't giving up anytime soon, especially with Christmas on the horizon. Despite the beautiful decorations and the carol bands, Thomas, Gordon and Henry aren't in as a jolly mood as they should have been. Gordon is to collect the mayor, Henry the letters and parcels, and Thomas the Christmas tree. Thomas had Duck look after Annie and Clarabel for the time being.

As Thomas started coming back, Sir Handel and Peter Sam call out that the snow was very thick. Thomas wishes he had his snowplough with him, but he unfortunately crashes into the snowdrift.

Back at the yards, the engines start talking about the whereabouts of Thomas. Henry mentions Thomas could have been turned down a branch line, while Gordon suggests getting stuck in a tunnel. The twins suggest he ran into a cow, much to Gordon's embarrassment. Sir Topham Hatt then reports that Thomas was lost somewhere near Wellsworth and because of a positive report from Mr. Starr, sends Donald and Douglas to rescue Thomas. They head out with determination.

After much struggling, the pair find Thomas, and manage to pull him and the Christmas Tree out of the snowdrift. A grateful Thomas follows the twins home. When they get there, Sir Topham Hatt announces his deputation with Duck. He tells Donald and Douglas they will get new coats of paint and nameplates so no more mistakes will be made. At this, the engines realise their plan had worked - Donald and Douglas were officially part of the North Western Railway. When Douglas asks if anyone would be looking for him, Sir Topham Hatt admitted he found out what would have happened if Douglas went back to Scotland. He convinced his owner to sell him to the North Western Railway, and he was going to keep it a surprise for Christmas. However, he admitted he should have been upfront about it.

Everyone goes to the Christmas party, and it's a resounding success. Harold shows up with Santa, and the children get presents. Everyone sings carols and the group retreat back to the shed. They reflect on the whole year, and gratefully fall asleep.

## Epilogue

On the Skarloey Railway, Sir Handel and Peter Sam wish Skarloey and Rheneas were present. They also miss someone else, but Sir Handel assures Peter Sam that when Skarloey and Rheneas come home, the railway will have *five* little engines.

## Characters

* Thomas
* Edward
* Henry
* Gordon
* James
* Percy
* Toby
* Duck
* Donald and Douglas
* Julie
* Johnson
* Lauren
* Katie
* Nicole
* Bill and Ben (Do not speak)
* Diesel (mentioned)
* Skarloey
* Rheneas
* Sir Handel
* Peter Sam
* Duke (indirectly mentioned)
* Annie and Clarabel
* Henrietta
* Audrey, Hilary and Mark (Only Hilary speaks)
* Dexter
* Old Spiteful
* Judy and Jerome (Do not speak)
* Algy (Mentioned)
* Agnes, Ruth, Lucy, Jemima and Beatrice
* Sir Bertram Topham Hatt
* Mr. Peregrine Percival
* Refreshment Lady
* Jacob Hockings
* Jake and Ned
* Mrs. Last (Mentioned)
* Scottish Region Controller

## Voice Cast

### Official

* John Hasler as Thomas
* Nigel Pilkington as Percy
* Keith Wickham as Edward, Henry, Gordon, Skarloey, Sir Handel, Sir Bertram Topham Hatt, Mr. Peregrine Percival
* Rob Rackstraw as James, Toby and Donald
* Steven Kynman as Duck and Peter Sam
* Joe Mills as Douglas
* Ben Small as Rheneas
* Teresa Gallagher as Annie, Clarabel and Stephen Hatt
* Maggie Ollerenshaw as Henrietta
* Mark Moraghan as Dexter
* Jules de Jongh as Bridget Hatt

### Fan Chosen

* Claire Corlett as Julie
* Lewis MacLeod as Johnson
* Linda Cardellini as Lauren
* Kristen Schaal as Katie
* Rachael Miller as Nicole
* Madison Pettis as Agnes
* Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Ruth
* Bailey Gambertoglio as Lucy
* Eden Riegel as Jemima
* Sarah Hyland as Beatrice
* Wendy Patterson as Hilary
* Jason Isaacs as Old Spiteful
* Keith Scott as Jacob Hockings

Characters who speak with no chosen actor

* Jake and Ned
* Refreshment Lady
* Scottish Region Controller

## Differences between the books, episodes and this series

In the books, *Old Iron* and *Four Little Engines* take place in 1952, while *The Twin Engines* takes place in 1959.

### Old Iron

* Edward arriving late at Wellsworth for James’ connection is not shown.
* Duck is with Thomas and Percy when standing up for Edward. In the book and model episode, Duck isn’t on the North Western Railway yet.
* The boys are mentioned to have taken off like rabbits, like the book. In addition, they are named Ned and Jake.
* Toby and Henrietta both witness James and Edward rush by, which leaves them very confused.
* Edward isn’t given a grand return when he comes home. Instead, everyone is put into a worried state because either Donald or Douglas was going to be sent back. Only Donald and Duck know that it was Douglas.

### Skarloey Remembers (Episode adaption mashed up with Old Faithful)

* Mr. Percival (replacing the Sam family as the Thin Controller) is shown to be purchasing the new engines from the Peel Godred plant, and dubbing them Sir Handel and Peter Sam on the spot. In the book, it’s mentioned that they are both sheeted up, but in this adaptation, they are in their shed, wide awake, listening to a storm.
* In addition to this, No. 3 and No. 4 mention they haven’t been called by their old names for years, and it would be depressing for them to be called by them again. How Falcon and Stuart get their names changed over to Sir Handel and Peter Sam so quickly is never explained in the book or the TV show.
* Mr. Percival dubs the two engines with the names of Sir Handel and Peter Sam because he had two friends he worked with as guards when the trio were younger. In the book, the engines are given the names of Sir Handel and Peter Sam because those are the respective names of the Owner and Thin Controller.
* Sir Handel and Peter Sam were in gray before being painted blue and green. They keep those colors from the Mid Sodor Railway per the TV series. In the book, they were repainted red. It’s unknown what colors they had in the book at the Peel Godred plant, or if their old names were revoked.
* Before Edward sees Skarloey and Rheneas, he brings Sir Handel and Peter Sam - then unnamed - to the Steamworks.
* Unlike the book or the model adaptations (barring background shots), Rheneas is present, giving the title of Four Little Engines some merit.
* Edward knows the coaches’ names in this story, but in the book, it’s implied he doesn’t.
* Skarloey and Rheneas passing by the school isn’t mentioned,

### Hullo Twins (No episode counterpart)

* Donald was bought by Sir Topham Hatt to help deal with the increasing demand for goods trains. In this adaptation, another reason for it was because Edward was being mended and the engines couldn’t keep up with the workload - Old Iron happened years before the twins’ arrival in the book. Bill and Ben’s antics in the China Clay Quarry didn’t help. In addition, Douglas was to be kept on until Edward had returned from the Steamworks.
* Some of the bits with the coaches and trucks complaining and the engines “drawing the line at goods trains” are dropped.
* The “tinpot railway” comment and Duck’s reaction to it was dropped.
* It’s established immediately that Douglas’ voice is softer than Donald’s.
* The engines are all curious as to why there’s two engines, but decide that two smokeboxes are better than one.

### (A Bad Day for) Sir Handel

* Rheneas does not take kindly to Sir Handel’s rude remarks before Peter Sam shushes the blue engine. Peter Sam also whispers something to Sir Handel which shuts him up. It’s never revealed in text, but Word of God says that Peter Sam told Sir Handel “that would never suit His Grace”.
* Skarloey heard from Edward that the new engines have had a “rough time”, and is more sympathetic to both of the newcomers. In the book and model series, it was mentioned he just felt sorry for Peter Sam.
* Sir Handel explains about the old manager at Peel Godred being abusive, which makes Skarloey and Rheneas even more worried.
* Sir Handel’s disgruntlement of the old coaches is explained by Peter Sam - their old line was deteriorating and the coaches brought back old scars.
* Agnes is the one leading the charge against Sir Handel, while in the book, all the coaches equally wanted to get back at him.
* Sir Handel has a brief flashback to his time on the Mid Sodor Railway with Gertrude and Millicent in tow.
* Skarloey and Rheneas speculate that Sir Handel’s new name went to his smokebox, and wonder how bad it would be if he was named after a king or duke or some other royal figure - this gets Peter Sam to hastily get everyone to go to sleep.
* The trucks had bumped off Sir Handel’s old nameplates at Peel Godred. This may have not meant much at the time, but shortly after this, his and Peter Sam’s old names were nullified.
* While Rheneas is angry at Sir Handel for “trying to close them down again”, Skarloey is more gentle with Sir Handel, saying that he should try his hardest no matter what.

### The Missing Coach (No episode counterpart)

* James joins Gordon in making fun of Donald and Douglas’ whistles instead of Henry, who warns against doing so.
* Rather than Thomas’ special coach being shunted away by mistake, Douglas shunts away Annie and Clarabel instead. The special coach was never seen before or after this story, making it come off as a plot device. In addition, Annie and Clarabel are shown to be anxious when they are stuck on the siding, only to be comforted by Dexter and mocked by the old coaches.
* Thomas’ frustration over the incident is expanded upon, as is his anger towards the twins.
* Instead of Douglas (with Donald’s tender) being at the yards while Donald (with Douglas’ tender) takes the goods train, the roles are reversed, with Donald acknowledging that Douglas isn’t in the best emotional state to confront Sir Topham Hatt.
* Donald imitates Douglas’ softer tone, but accidentally uses his real voice when asking if the controller is alright, which gives the trick away. It’s unknown how exactly the trick is given away in the book.
* Donald also mentions that he’ll “take matters into his own buffers” should Sir Topham Hatt consider the possibility of one of the twins going back at random.

### Peter Sam and the Refreshment Lady

* Henry doesn’t tell off Peter Sam for running late. Instead, it’s Douglas running late - no thanks to Old Spiteful - that puts the little green engine into a tizzy. The fact that Henry mentioned Douglas may be sent away and the fact the Midland engines could go back at any time doesn’t help. In the book, this story and Break Van happen decades apart while the Midland engines had long since left the island.
* The coaches start to realize that there may be more to Sir Handel and Peter Sam than meets the eye.
* The Refreshment Lady is not happy with Peter Sam leaving her behind, per the original story, but this time, Henry speaks in the little engine’s defense rather than chuckling at his naivety. The fact that Peter Sam came from an emotionally scarring past certainly does influence Henry in this direction.
* Rheneas is sent away for an overhaul by the end of this story, and Peter Sam misses the chance to say goodbye to him.
* After Sir Handel comments it’s just three of them, he breaks off in sadness, and Peter Sam’s about ready to cry. Skarloey is very concerned.

### Break Van

* Douglas constantly running late whenever he takes Old Spiteful is expanded upon, and Sir Topham Hatt, still cross over the “missing coaches” and “swapped tenders” incident, has no time for his excuses.
* Duck identifies the brake van as the same one who got him to crash into a barber shop earlier on in the year. If Old Spiteful did the same thing to Duck in the book, it would have been a few years apart.
* Right before Donald confronts Old Spiteful, he tells Duck to help keep Douglas calm.
* In the book and model series, it’s implied that Donald’s accident with the signal box was on purpose. In Never Be Alone, it’s made crystal clear that it was intentional to prevent Douglas from being sent away and possibly scrapped. Duck also helps stage the accident, despite the fact he despises lying.
* Duck is the one who overhears Sir Topham Hatt’s conversation on the phone about revealing the twin’s identities and goes to tell Donald what happened. He was trying to find Douglas too, but he only finds the older twin.
* Duck is having trouble shunting at Knapford due to the jammed points.
* Douglas joking about James’ incident with the tar wagons is held back for Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree, instead being about Gordon’s run-in with Bluebell.
* Instead of Douglas commenting about Donald crashing on purpose, he is put into a panic about Donald’s crash, not realizing it wasn’t truly an accident, and Duck is trying to calm him down.
* Edward shows up in the midst of everything and asks Douglas if he wants to work on his branch line, Duck adding it did wonders for him when he was upset. This explains why Douglas is at Wellsworth later on.
* On his express run, Gordon chats with Sir Handel and realizes that there’s a major red flag with Sir Topham Hatt’s behavior. He promptly calls an indignation meeting - code red, which means drop everything and go - and the engines and the coaches all learn about the “scrapping” situation. Thomas lets go of his grudge against the twins.
* James is more worried about the fact the twins could be sent away, rather than the fact he has a goods train. Percy also appears at Elsbridge and the two chat about the situation.

### Old Faithful (Episode adaption mashed up with Skarloey Remembers)

* Peter Sam breaking down is shown in more detail, as is Sir Handel getting a second chance.
* As mentioned, only Agnes is suspicious of Sir Handel while the other coaches willingly give him the benefit of the doubt. Agnes is also the only coach to encourage bumping the blue engine off the line when he stops in front of some sheep.
* How the coaches got back to the platform is never explained in the book or model episode, nor is Sir Handel’s re-railment and going back to the shed. Instead, Skarloey finds Sir Handel derailed in the middle of the line.
* In the book, Sir Handel calls Skarloey “the best engine in the world” at the end. In this adaptation, Sir Handel calls Skarloey “Granpuff” by mistake, likely because he saw the wise and kind side of Skarloey like he does in Duke. The episode doesn’t do either of these things.
* At the very end, Sir Handel and Peter Sam lament that Skarloey and Rheneas couldn’t be with them for Christmas, but also add that there will be five little engines when Skarloey and Rheneas come home.

### The Deputation

* Donald and Douglas are shown to be excited about the snow, while in the books and model episode it was said they were “used to it.”
* Them clearing away the snow drifts is expanded upon, as is Donald and Douglas’ rescue of Henry.
* Mr. Starr is shown to be looking after the engines.
* Thomas adds that it was a complete accident that Annie and Clarabel were shunted into the siding, and he and the coaches forgive Douglas for that. Thomas doesn’t mention the missing coach incident in the book, and in the model episode, it doesn’t happen whatsoever.
* Edward tells all the engines, not just Percy, about needing a deputation. It is Duck, again, rather than Percy, who is the engines’ deputation. This is because he is shown to be the closest with the twins throughout the story.
* No one mispronounces the word “deputation” in this take, likely due to the stakes being raised in Break Van.
* It’s mentioned in the story that it’s getting close to Christmas, but the book and model episode said that “snow came early”.
* Sir Topham Hatt asks how Mr. Starr was for the engines and he mentions Christmas decorations being put up when talking to Duck. He doesn’t say this to Percy in the book or model adaptation.
* Instead of saying “that will do”, Sir Topham Hatt just thinks that Duck’s actions complicates things further and will “talk to the engines later”.
* Like the TV adaptation, Donald and Douglas remain in their black liveries.
* When both twins were safe, Douglas tells everyone that he was the stowaway.
* Sir Topham Hatt explains that he did some serious investigation when on the mainland. When he heard that Douglas was to be scrapped, he couldn’t take it anymore and purchased him legally. As this ties in with Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree, it was meant to be a Christmas present for the engines.

### Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree

* Both book versions (RWS and Ladybird) and the model episode seem to take place after BoCo’s arrival, whereas this adaptation takes place towards the end of Donald and Douglas’ first arc, long before BoCo arrives.
* Thomas, Henry and Gordon aren’t as jolly as they are in the book or the episode, due to the time period the adaptation is set in.
* Thomas sees Sir Handel and Peter Sam on his way down to Knapford, and Sir Handel warns him that the snow’s getting thick. In the book, all seven of the Skarloey engines would have been on Sodor at the time. Skarloey and Rheneas are on overhaul in the mainland at the time of the adaptation, Rusty hadn’t been built, Duncan hadn’t been purchased from his factory, and Duke hadn’t been found yet.
* Thomas mentions that he should’ve brought his snow plow with him. This detail is not referenced or lampshaded in either book version or the model adaptation.
* Douglas jokes about the cow incident that Gordon had, having heard it from Edward. Donald too makes a nod to it, but in both book versions, both Gordon and Henry are embarrassed about it. The model adaptation leaves it out entirely due to time constraints.
* The reason Sir Topham Hatt sends Donald and Douglas to rescue Thomas is because he heard positive reports from Mr. Starr. In the book and model adaptation, it’s most likely because the twins have done many rescues in the snow before.
* In the book versions, Donald wants to stop for a rest, but Douglas insists they keep going. In this version, Donald just comments he hasn’t seen snow so thick for years.
* The book versions had Donald and Douglas inform Percy, Duck and Toby to go to Knapford - or Tidmouth - for the carols. In this version, the trio are already present.
* In both book versions, Edward and James come to assist Thomas, while in the model adaptation, only Donald and Douglas help Thomas.
* The rescue operation is expanded upon.
* When Thomas is pulled out, he sneezes from how cold he is. In the model and book versions, he doesn’t.
* James wheeshing steam in excitement is dropped.
* Douglas doesn’t know what the buzzing noise was, only for the Ffarquhar trio to exchange knowing looks. Only Toby and Percy do this in the model and book adaptations.
* Stephen and Bridget are among the children at the party. In the book, they are much older.
* Thomas tells Percy that it’s no fun getting stuck in the snow, but adds that it was worth it for the party before wishing everyone a happy Christmas. In this adaptation, Thomas tells everyone about both, adding that the year has been a very eventful one.
* The engines all fall asleep, Donald and Douglas fully content for the first time since they left Scotland.

## Trivia

* Some titles for the characters were considered, but dropped. "You Had A Bad Day" for chapter 2 and "Don't Fear the Scrapper" for chapter 4.

## Links

* Chapter 1 on Deviantart
* Chapter 2 on Deviantart
* Chapter 3 on Deviantart
* Chapter 4 on Deviantart
* Chapter 5 on Deviantart
* Fanfiction.net