THOMAS AND THE CRICKETERS

A strong, cold wind is blowing as Thomas puffs to work one morning. Luckily for him, some cricket players save him from a nasty accident when a tree falls on the line near their playing field.

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HOSEPIPES AND SHUNTERS

Whilst Mavis is away for repairs, Percy has to go the harbour in an emergency. The Ffarquhar stationmaster calls Terence to help with the shunting. Toby has problems of his own up at the quarry. In his absence, the water tower has been removed, and he has to take on water by way of a hosepipe connected to the tap in the quarrymen’s restroom.

N.B. This story probably takes place around the time of Toby, Trucks & Trouble.
 

OLD SQUARE WHEELS

In the first of three annual stories that take place during Duck and the Diesel Engine, Diesel begins to plot at how to get back at Duck for the making trucks laugh at him. Then, one day, Henry’s trucks push him down a hill. The brakes are applied, but Henry’s wheels lock. He slides down the hill and into the Junction, where he finally manages to stop.  Later, the driver discovers the sliding on the hill causes a flat place to be worn on each of Henry’s drive wheels. When Diesel hears, he is delighted and starts making a plan…

 

DONALD AND THE BREAKAWAYS

One day, Donald is bringing some loaded trucks back from the Other Railway. Whilst the empties behave well, the loaded trucks are visitors to the island and very badly behaved. During the journey one truck gets a hot axle-box and another slips it’s brakes on on purpose. More delays follow, and Donald becomes cross. Worse is to come when a coupling snaps at the top of Gordon’s Hill and the last ten trucks chase Donald down the other side…

 

POINTS OF NO RETURN

James remarks to the others that he would like a branch line to himself.  James’ wish comes true sooner than expected when he is switched to the branch line platform of Edward’s station. Unfortunately, the points behind James have jammed, and he cannot reverse back onto the main line. He is trapped and has to do odd jobs in the goods yard until they are fixed.