Thomas and Friends Fanfiction Series 4

Neville's Special Talent

All the engines on Sodor like to show off what they can do. They are uniquely special in their own ways. 

Some engines boast about their speed, some boast about their strength, and some boast of their unique appearances. Some engines with different looks include ones with cow catchers instead of couplings, like Connor and Caitlin. Then there are engines who can put out fires like Belle and Flynn. But there are also engines who have a unique appearances that they don't feel proud of. 

Such an engine is Neville the Black Engine. 

Neville came to the Island of Sodor a long time ago, but because he had a square body, similar to a diesel engine, and because he had been seen working with some diesels upon arrival, the other engines had judged him as a steam engine who preferred to be friends with diesel engines. 

Neville sometimes thinks that he is less liked by the other engines because of his square body. 

One day, Neville was taking some coal trucks to the Docks. He had to stop at Knapford to let James' passenger train in first. 

(Percy and Toby can be seen passing through.) 

When James arrived, he sneered. 

"If it isn't Diesel's tendered twin!" teased James. 

Neville looked sad. He knew James could be a teasing sort of engine, but being compared to a diesel again was very upsetting. 

The Fat Controller had a job for Neville. He had to take some heavy pipes from the Docks and bring them to the depot with Henry. 

Before James could tease him again after the Fat Controller had left, Neville steamed quickly away with his coal trucks. But James was quick to complain. 

"Keep those dirty trucks away from my paint! But then again, what can be expected for a diesel-shaped engine to be pulling?" 

Neville was an engine who was specially built for pulling and pushing heavy loads, particularly trucks and he was usually proud of it. But James seemed to find a way to make him feel more like a diesel than ever. 

Neville delivered his coal trucks and soon found the long line of pipes chained down on flatbeds. Henry was already waiting for him at the front of the train, but he didn't look very happy. 

"What's wrong, Henry?" asked Neville. 

"I think my tubes are leaking. This hasn't happened in a while, but last time it did happen, I was very unwell." explained Henry weakly. 

"If you're ill, you shouldn't really be pulling such a heavy train." said Neville worriedly. 

"I'll be alright." said Henry. "I'm well known to be one of the strongest engines on Sodor. I can manage this. The only reason I need you as a back engine is to make it less straining for me and my tubes." 

Neville sighed. He was a strong engine too, and he had a feeling that the train was going to be heavier with a poorly engine at the front, but he knew Henry wanted to feel special with his talented strength. 

Soon enough, Neville was coupled up behind Henry and the pipes and the two engines set off, though Henry had to go more slowly than he would normally, even with a heavy load. 

Neville pushed with as much strength as he could but Henry wasn't co-operating as much as he usually would. He tried his best, but as they came to Gordon's Hill, both Henry and Neville knew that they had their work cut out for them. 

Then it happened. 

Halfway up the hill, Henry's tubes leaked all the more water onto the line and he grew more and more feeble. He came to a stop, despite Neville's efforts. 

"I'm sorry, Neville." groaned Henry. "I can't go any further." 

Neville sighed sadly. 

Henry's Driver called for help. 

Just then, James puffed down the hill with some empty coaches. He slowed down. 

"Ha!" he laughed. "Did you cause Henry to break down? Did you bump into the back of him too hard?" 

Neville was suddenly very cross...and also determined. 

"I may look like a diesel and I may be black like Diesel. But I'm still a Really Useful and very strong Steam engine. I'll show you, James!" he said crossly. 

Neville pushed up against the flatbeds of pipes and with all of his strength, he started to push. 

His wheels juddered and his axles ached, but using the strength in his traction rods, he started to move along with Henry and their train. 

James gasped as Neville passed him pushing the heavy train before him up the steepest and highest hill on the Island of Sodor. 

When Edward arrived from Wellsworth to be Neville's banker engine, he was surprised and amazed to see Neville pushing Henry and the pipes. 

"Well done, Neville! Keep it up, boy! Keep it up!" he whistled proudly and excitedly. 

Even James couldn't help but to whistle in support, and that made Neville very happy and proud. Henry was happy too. He and the pipes were going over the top of the hill. 

"Well done, Neville!" he called. 

Neville and Henry braked gently to steer round the bend, then Neville pushed them both all the way to the depot. The workmen were pleased to see the pipes from the train. They were just in time. 

Neville needed a long drink and a rest after his heavy work, so Emily came to take Henry to the Steamworks. 

"The Fat Controller is very proud of you, Neville." she said. "He says that tomorrow, you will be rewarded with a new coat of paint, and you will be pulling passengers for the rest of the week!" 

Neville was delighted. It turns out that despite what he looked like, his strength in his traction rods powered through to make him a Really Useful and talented steam engine! 

(The End!)