IAIN KELLY

A VERY USEFUL ENGINE

Weary Thomas trundled down the track.

It had been a busy day on the island of Sodor.

All the children had been to visit and have their photo taken with the No. 1 engine.

The Fat Controller had been very proud of Thomas.

Left alone at the end of the day each engine puffed away quietly from Tidmouth sheds to the tunnel. Thomas rolled in. James puffed smoke, Edward had cracked open a barrel of the black stuff and Emily was stoking Gordon’s pistons.

‘Another day,’ Percy said, as Toby injected him with a chilled smack of water.

‘Over 70 years of this,’ Thomas groaned.


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Copyright Dawn M. Miller

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

When I was a kid, I read and played and watched ‘Thomas The Tank Engine’, 35 years later I’m getting to know them all again with my kids. I do wonder how Thomas and Friends have coped with it all over all this time… Thomas The Tank Engine Wikipedia


My new novel, ‘A Justified State,’ is now available in Paperback and on Amazon Kindle – An ideal Christmas gift!
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110 responses to “A VERY USEFUL ENGINE”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar

    A fun read, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  2. Sandra Avatar

    Emily sounds like a bit of a go-er, if you’ll pardon the expression. Trains, hey? Never give up do they. Fantastic take on the prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Sandra 😉

      Like

  3. neeltheauthor- author of WHEN LIFE THROWS THOSE CURVE BALLS Avatar

    The lure of trains, isn’t it! Lovely nostalgic story, Kelly

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It certainly is, thanks Neel

      Like

  4. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    I guess even smiley ole Thomas has his limits. 😉 Fun take on the prompt.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Rochelle – he does seem impossibly happy on camera, surely on his downtime he can’t be like that too!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    Good to hear the Fat Controller hasn’t retired yet! Delightful Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Keith, he’s still going strong, and in charge of more trains than ever!

      Liked by 1 person

  6. J Hardy Carroll Avatar

    This is funny. My buddy and I just were riffing on this the other day, questioning the slavery of Sir Topham Hat and making fun of Gordon, whom we believe is closeted and would very much like to cut loose. Well done.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I reckon all these children’s characters would love to cut loose, I like to imagine what they would all really be like when the cameras stop 🙂

      Like

  7. Tina Stewart Brakebill Avatar

    Love this! Tommy getting old and cranky! 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Tina 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Liz H Avatar

    This is the scene between sets the kids should NEVER see. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I like to imagine with all these children’s programmes – what would the characters be like when not playing to the audience!?

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Liz H Avatar

        Elmo smoking a skinny spliff…

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        He must do, surely.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Liz H Avatar

        How else does he chill out at the end of a long shoot with a bunch of kids screaming & waving their arms abut as he does? LOL

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Shweta Suresh Avatar

    Took me back to my childhood. Good one, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Shweta 😉

      Like

  10. lisarey1990 Avatar

    Very inventive!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Lisa

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar

    Delightful story! I didn’t realize Thomas is over seventy years. Good memories for you kids too. =)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  12. pensitivity101 Avatar

    Charming post Iain. My nephews loved Thomas and his friends.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It seems to be one of those programmes that all children just love!

      Liked by 1 person

  13. James Pyles Avatar

    “and Emily was stoking Gordon’s pistons.” Yikes (blush).

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yep, the X-rated behind the scenes version.

      Liked by 2 people

  14. granonine Avatar

    All my grands went through their Thomas the Tank period. We live near Strassbourg, PA where Thomas makes an appearance now and then. So I truly enjoyed your story as it evoked some most pleasant memories.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  15. @breakerofthings Avatar
    @breakerofthings

    Wrong wrong wrongity wrong… you might like this -> http://thecultofme.blogspot.com/2016/04/gustav-railway-gun.html

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks for the link!

      Like

      1. @breakerofthings Avatar
        @breakerofthings

        You’re welcome!

        Liked by 1 person

  16. scr4pl80 Avatar

    Did you watch when Ringo Starr was the conductor on Shining Time Station? Cute show.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Not aware of that show, but did love Ringo narrating the ‘Thomas stories.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. scr4pl80 Avatar

        Yes, that’s the same thing.

        Liked by 1 person

  17. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar

    I’ve never read about Thomas the Tank Engine! But you caught the character’s “off” time very well.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      You have missed out a treat 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar

        I’ll put it on my library list!

        Liked by 1 person

  18. jillyfunnell Avatar

    I so enjoyed this – particularly reading about whatever Emily was getting up to.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Oh yeah, she was the only female engine for a long time, so I assume ‘serviced’ them all…

      Liked by 1 person

      1. jillyfunnell Avatar

        Oh Matron!!!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        🙂

        Like

  19. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar

    I do love the voices of those engines… it’s a huff and a puff but they go on… I can understand it wears you out.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Bjorn – it gets to the best of them!

      Like

  20. ceayr Avatar

    No criticism of your story, Iain, as well crafted as always, but I can’t stand Thomas and co.
    I always found the books deadly dull compared to, for example, Julia Donaldson’s works.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Oh, you’re cold-hearted! Certainly the writing is nowhere as good, although they were written a long time before Julia Donaldson and co. came along. Nowadays ‘Thomas’ seems to be more of a TV and film (and toys) creation rather than literary. Big fans of Julia Donaldson in this house too.

      Like

      1. ceayr Avatar

        How old are your bairns now, Iain?
        Contact details on my About page if you prefer to keep this private.

        Like

  21. plaridel Avatar

    oh, those were the days. thanks for reminding me. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      You’re welcome, you’re never too old to enjoy Thomas 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Dale Avatar

    This was such a hoot.. ummmm a toot! I read this story countless times and even made a cake in the shape for my son. I’m sure I didn’t contemplate just how they spent their time after hours… 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Dale, I have been revisiting a lot of my own childhood favourites with my own kids – nostalgia, but at the same time you realise how ridiculous a lot of these programmes are!!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale Avatar

        Some of them… man. Yet others… brilliant!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        The best ones are the ones that sneak in little references and jokes that only the adults will get.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Dale Avatar

        Yes! Love those ones.

        Liked by 1 person

  23. Kestril Trueseeker Avatar
    Kestril Trueseeker

    I’m not familiar with Thomas (my kids and I watched different shows when they were little) but I certainly recognized the weary, end-of-the-day feeling and the dread of knowing it starts up again in the morning.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      All parents can relate to that feeling. Thanks for reading 🙂

      Like

  24. JoHawkTheWriter Avatar

    LOL I always wondered what those trains did in their off time. Nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Wonder no more 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  25. anuragbakhshi Avatar

    Awww, such a nostalgic little piece. I too took a retro childhood TV route… Kind of 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Sascha Darlington Avatar

    And now for something completely different….well done, Iain. Always expanding!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Sascha – it’s nice to write something completely different now and then.

      Like

  27. Magaly Guerrero Avatar

    This one filled me with good old nostalgia, makes me one to find out what my own childhood characters might be like after all this year… if they had to live them in real time.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It’s a good way to watch kid’s shows and make then entertaining for the parents too 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  28. Abhijit Ray Avatar
    Abhijit Ray

    All in a day’s work in the life of locomotive.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      And an evening to relax 🙂

      Like

  29. Kalpana Solsi Avatar
    Kalpana Solsi

    Trains are interesting and full of experiences.

    https://ideasolsi65.blogspot.com/2018/12/journey.html

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Oh yeah, he gets all the gals! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  30. draliman Avatar

    Fun! Maybe it is time for the poor engines to have a bit of a rest 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      They certainly deserve it 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  31. liz young Avatar

    Lovely nostalgic story with a humorous twist!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Liz

      Like

  32. pennygadd51 Avatar

    Great take on the prompt. Fun to imagine the engines’ back stories!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Penny – it’s often the only way to make watching these kid’s programmes bearable! 🙂

      Like

  33. Laurie Bell Avatar

    OMG! I will never think of that as PG again! Lol very funny Iain. Gosh Thomas’s friends get up to some interesting relaxation!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Laurie, we all have to find a way to unwind, even children’s entertainer trains!

      Liked by 1 person

  34. Alice Audrey Avatar

    I never really got into the Thomas the Train stuff, though I’ve seen the TV show a time or two. I love the barrel of oil.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Alice 🙂

      Like

  35. jwdwrites Avatar

    Ha ha, Reverend Awdry would be rolling in his grave! I read all of them to my children when they were small but they were never as funny as this. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you – I wonder what he would think about what his little stories have now become – never mind my intervention!

      Like

  36. Violet Lentz Avatar

    Very fun read. I’m betting this one isn’t you’ve shared with the children!! haha..

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Not until they’re a bit older 😉

      Like

  37. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    It sounds like you are writing the adult version of life in an engine shed

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I mean they’re all over 70 now – they must have done some naughty stuff in their time!

      Liked by 1 person

  38. Jade M. Wong Avatar

    A nostalgic read! Thank you for bringing back some lovely memories, Iain 🙂 Great story!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      You’re welcome Jade 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  39. James McEwan Avatar

    A charming reminder of days gone by.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks James

      Liked by 1 person

  40. Russell Avatar

    Sound like a party in the tunnel! Great read Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Russell 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  41. Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist Avatar

    That last line brings home how many people feel about their work. Why not Thomas too?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Exactly Irene

      Liked by 1 person

  42. magarisa Avatar

    Poor Thomas! It’s about time he retired.
    A fun take on the prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He’s earned the pension by now surely 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  43. subroto Avatar

    Ha! Ha! I now await your take on the Telly Tubbies 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Oh, well now, all sorts of weird and sordid things going on there, let me tell you!

      Like

  44. Dawn M. Miller Avatar

    Your story made me smile.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Dawn 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  45. Woman walking Max Avatar

    A quirky, witty take on the prompt – the inside story of Thomas the Tank Engine & his pals. Nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you. Those backstage exposes would reveal all sorts I’m sure 😉

      Like

  46. Russell Gayer Avatar

    Interesting. Connie and I recently bought a 70 year old pick-up truck that we are working to get back on the road. It’s had plenty of rest (close to 50 years in a barn). Hopefully, it will be happy to get a new engine and be back on the road.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      How Thomas would love a 50 year rest!

      Like

  47. Fatima Fakier Avatar

    Brings back some memories, although a side I never saw! Nicely done

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      LOL, thanks Fatima 🙂

      Like

  48. Kira Avatar

    Definitely brings back memories, but with a fresh twist! Great take on the prompt!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Kira 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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