Rain On The Parade
Storyteller: The coach stock on the Skarloey Railway had grown considerably since the railway's
flagship engine had gone to be mended.
Gertrude and Millicent had the honour of being the line's first bogey coaches.
Cora served as a symbol of days past, and as a way of keeping the memory of the Mid-Sodor
alive.
Of course, the most peculiar were Ada, Jane and Mabel. They had no roofs, and were mainly
used as coaches for the quarrymen.
However, they proved a favourite amongst visitors, and were often included on regular services.
Popular as they were with tourists, they were not so popular with the other coaches.
They boasted endlessly about how unique they were, and how much the passengers loved and
preferred them. Although Cora did her best to mediate any
disputes, tensions were high, and the covered coaches grumbled dreadfully.
Of course, the coaches weren't the only ones grumbling.
You'd be hard pressed to find another engine on Sodor with as many grievances as Sir Handel.
Working too much, working too little. Working too early, working too late!
Motions not oiled, paintwork's not pristine. But one peculiar morning, his source of contempt
was a certain group of three!
Skarloey: Morning Sir Handel! How does the day find you?
Sir Handel: Irritable! Taking trucks doesn't exactly bring about my sunny side!
Skarloey: News to me he had a sunny side!
Truck: *Laughs*
Skarloey: Er, now wait a moment! I thought you were rostered for passengers today?
Sir Handel: Oh I think you'll find I am indeed taking trucks today - horrid things!
Ada: I say! Jane: The utter disrespect!
Mabel: Skarloey dearest, can't you take us today?
Skarloey: Oh, well, erm... I'm sorry girls, but I've got much to do in the yard! This
lot won't shunt themselves after all!
Sir Handel: Enough chat! If I must take you three today, I'll at least be on time!
Skarloey: Phew! That was close! Today's not the day for boastful coaches if you ask me!
Truck: *Laughs*
Storyteller: The three coaches attracted many passengers, particularly photographers, and
today was no exception. The station was full of people, waiting with cameras in hand. Once
on board, they set off up the line.
The clickety-clack of train wheels was accompanied by the clicks and flashes of the cameras.
Ada: Such a pity, dears, our passengers just want to photograph us and our beautiful railway,
but how can they? All this horrid steam getting in their shots: How rude!
Sir Handel: If you were proper coaches, they wouldn't have to worry!
Mabel: And if you were a proper steam engine, you wouldn't make all this smoke!
Sir Handel: I think you'll find you have a grave misunderstanding of what being a steam
engine entails... Anyway, if you ask me, they're pointing their
cameras the wrong way. The real attraction is back here, pushing them along!
Jane: No one's asking you though, are they? I think they've seen enough of you for one
lifetime! Its time for the most prestigious coaches on the railway to be in the spotlight.
Ada: And about time too! So often overshadowed by those ancient caravans...
Jane: That smelly Cora...
Mabel: Not even Gertrude and Millicent compare-
Sir Handel: Gertrude and Millicent are the kind of coaches you three only dream of being!
Bogeys, comfortable seats, not to mention roofs! They just slapped benches in you three
and called you done!-
Passenger: Oi! Quiet back there! How can I perfect my shot with you yammering away?
Sir Handel: Well, I never!
Jane: This man asked you to be quiet. You wouldn't want to go about disrespecting the
passengers now, would you?
Passenger: Sensible coach you've got there! I'd listen to her if I were you!
Storyteller: Further up the line, Sir Handel pulled into the loop to allow the down train
to pass.
Peter Sam: *Laughs* Lucky we're not on the Great Western! They wouldn't call it "The
Sunshine Line" with your sour mug sulking about!
Sir Handel: Huh! Says the one pulling real coaches... Your counting skills getting away
from you, Peter Sam? Did you lose the others?
Peter Sam: I should think you'll find them waiting for you at the top station. Permanent
way has been mending the line! Bring them home on your way back, won't you?
Storyteller: Soon, they arrived at the top station. The passengers disembarked, and set
off into the wilderness.
Ada: Ta ta!
Jane: Enjoy your afternoon!
Mabel: Looking forward to our ride back!
Jane: *Sniffs* I say, does it smell... musty to you girls?
Ada: No fear, its only Cora! *All Three Laugh*
Cora: Keep calm girls... They'll get theirs in due time.
Storyteller: Little did Cora know this would happen sooner than expected!
Now technically, Peter Sam wasn't wrong... Sir Handel had meant to bring the workmen
home. What he didn't mention was that a group of school children were also at the top station
on a field trip.
Teacher: Richard, stay on the path! Darleen! Do NOT touch what's in that bush! You children
are driving me MAD!
Storyteller: The children had a lovely afternoon! But as soon as they made their way back to
the station, dark clouds crept across the sky. Soon, rain was dancing down upon them.
Teacher: Oh, what a perfect way to end the day! Come on children, out of the rain at
once!
Storyteller: Now, the issue with the line's top station is that it isn't a station at
all... More of a small hut. As Sir Handel got himself an unwelcome washdown, his crew
and the disgruntled passengers huddled under the tiny structure to keep dry.
Passenger: I hope you don't expect us to ride those open top coaches home!
Passenger 2: How could you not have a back up for a rainy day?
Passenger 3: I hope you plan to replace my camera if it gets wet!
Stationmaster: Now, now, listen! There's plenty of room in the covered coaches for all of
you and the workmen to share!
Teacher: Ah-hem... I think not! We paid for tickets in a COVERED carriage,
and that is exactly what we'll be getting!
Passenger 1: There's no way we can fit everyone in two coaches!
Guard: Ah-hem, now then, how do you lads feel about riding in Cora with me?
Workman: Well, we've got tools and equipment to bring back down with us. We were hoping
we could leave them in the van - no trucks up here to spare!
Sir Handel: *Chuckles* Oh yes, perfect! Ah-hem... Er, pardon me but, I believe I have
a solution!
Sir Handel: *Chuckles* Come along now! Time for you to be put to proper use!
Ada: What's HE on about?
Jane: I-... Impossible! We're modern coaches!
Mabel: We won't be used like common trucks!
Ada: Its undignified!
Sir Handel: Well, I suppose you'd better tell your passengers they'll be having a wet journey
back down the line. That'd earn you quite the reputation, wouldn't it? *Laughs*
Sir Handel: *Laughs* Its all too rich! What an honour to be pulling the nicest trucks
on the line!
Jemima: How nice the passengers get to ride on the most prestigious coaches on the line,
wouldn't you agree Lucy?
Lucy: Oh, indeed dear. You holding up alright back there, Cora?
Cora: Just fine, loves! Although... *Sniffs* Do you smell that? A bit musty... Oh yes!
Its unmistakable! The smell of wooden seats growing mold and rotting away!
Mabel: Mold?!
Jane: Wooden seats?
Ada: No, not us, it can't be dears! We can't be rotting away!
Sir Handel: *Laughs*