2002 marked two years since Thomas and the Magic Railroad came out, and it was also the year in which Season 6 started airing it's episodes on Television. That said, this folder contains my adaptation stories set in the year 2002. Some like before, are edited versions of the originals I showed before, and some are brand new adaptations of stories I have gotten into writing yet. This first adaptation features Splatter and Dodge, who in my fan-made stories and adaptations, are full time workers of the North Western Railway. I'll try to bring you more adaptations soon for the 2002 folder, currently I'm working on adaptations of Elizabeth the Vintage Lorry and Harvey to the Rescue.

The Trouble with Brothers

Based on "Twin Trouble" (2002)

Since their arrival to the North Western in the year 2000, Splatter and Dodge have proven themselves to be really useful engines. They may look old and dirty, but they always work hard to get the job done. Some even say they are dieselized forms of Donald and Douglas.

The two diesels always work together, but that wasn't the case during a week in the spring of 2002.

Splatter and Dodge were hauling oil and fuel wagons along the main line, humming out little tunes as they went along.

Down the line at a crossing, Terence had been hauling a large load of hay, but upon crossing the tracks, the cart's wheels broke off. The farmer couldn't understand it, "this cart's given us great years of service, so why now?"

"Never mind that now," said Terence. "We have to warn..."

Honk! Honk! It was too late. The farmer could see Splatter and Dodge coming, climbed back onto Terence, revved the engine and drove him away from the disaster yet to happen.

"Stop Splatter! Stop Dodge! My cart's on the line!" cried Terence.

CRASH!

The ear shattering crash proved that the warning came too late. Splatter smashed into the cart and derailed, falling to his left side in a ditch. Somehow, Dodge managed to stay on the tracks.

"You alright?" Dodge's Driver called to Splatter's Driver. Splatter's Driver gave a thumbs up.

Terence and the farmer were very sorry for what happened, and promised to help. While the situation was serious, Dodge couldn't help but find a funny side to the situation.

"Maybe I should've been on the front of the train," he chuckled. "Maybe then we would've been able to dodge the cart."

But Splatter didn't find it as funny as Dodge did. He thought Dodge was making fun of him.

"Stop your stupid laughing and get me back on track now!"

"Okay Splatter, there's no need to shout."

Terence and Dodge soon had Splatter back on the tracks, but Splatter was still cross. He hadn't suffered too much damage, so he and Dodge were able to continue their journey.

As they neared their destination, Splatter thought he heard Dodge laughing at him.

"Right!" he growled. "That's it!"

He slammed on his brakes, much to the surprise of his driver. He bumped into Dodge, making him groan.

"Oi! What was that for?"

"Stop laughing at me! The accident was not funny!"

"I was not laughing at you!" retorted Dodge. "I wasn't laughing at all. You bumped me for no reason!"

Splatter didn't believe him and continued to blame Dodge. Dodge was offended and argued with Splatter, saying he did nothing wrong.

After that run, things got no better. The diesels were so cross with each other that they refused to speak to each other, and at times they would refuse to work together. This resulted in delays along the mainline and people started complaining to the Fat Controller. He was not pleased and asked for both diesels to come to Tidmouth to explain themselves.

"I refuse to speak with him!" they both said in unison.

It was their Drivers who explained everything to the Fat Controller.

"I see." He paused and thought about what to do. Then he spoke to the diesels, "very well, if that's the way you want it, then it can be arranged. Splatter can go to work at Ffarquhar and Dodge can work on the Little Western."

"Suits me just fine!" snorted the two diesels.

"Just note it's only temporary," added the Fat Controller. "After that, I expect you two to work together again."

But neither diesel believed that would happen and after collecting a lone brake van, they set off to the two branch lines. The Fat Controller turned and shook his head, "first the China Clay twins and now the diesel brothers, what next?"

Upon arrival, Splatter worked very well with the Ffarquhar engines. He got all the trucks into the correct sidings and never held up any trains. The engines were enjoying his visit, but then things changed.

One day, he barked at Toby to hurry up as he was taking forever getting up from the quarry.

Another day, he yelled at Percy for putting the trucks on the wrong line.

"You said you wanted them on the other line," protested Percy. "I did as you asked Splatter."

"I wasn't talking about that line, I was referring to the other line," he grumbled. "Pah! Dodge would've known...oh forget it!" And he rattled away, leaving Percy rather hurt.

Then he scolded Thomas once when the blue tank engine got held up by sheep.

"I hope he works things out with Dodge soon," sighed Thomas to his crew. "This can't go on." Both his Driver and fireman quietly agreed.

Dodge in the meanwhile was doing well on the Little Western. His trains ran to perfect time and he got on well with the Small Railway Engines. But like Splatter, his attitude changed after several days, but it turned to a sad expression and he soon stopped talking.

One day, Bert the Small engine spoke to him.

"You know Dodge, when Rex and Mike have a fight, they usually avoid each other," he was saying. "But after a while, they talk it over, laugh a little bit and get on with their lives. Give yourself and Splatter a little more time, then you'll both be getting along together again."

"I guess I should, thanks for the advice Bert."

"Hey, what are friends for?" smiled the blue miniature engine.

And with his trucks loaded with ballast, Dodge rattled away, feeling just a little bit better.

That night, Dodge rattled up to the junction with a late night ballast train. Splatter was there, spending the night alone as he was annoying the Ffarquhar engines.

"Hello Splatter, I was just passing threw and..."

"Have you come to say sorry for making fun of me?" snapped Splatter.

"What?! I got nothing to be sorry for! You should say sorry to me for bumping me!"

Well, the little meeting didn't go so well and in the end, the yard manager had to come and stop the noise. Dodge shunted his trucks into a siding and left, rather crossly.

Next day, Splatter was working at the junction when he saw Dodge arriving with yet another goods train.

"Oh dear, here we go again," groaned Percy, who was waiting to go down the branch line.

Before an argument could break out, there came a loud whistle in the distance. It was James and moments later, everyone could see a line of giggling troublesome trucks running out of control. They were heading straight for Splatter.

"Watch out Splatter!" cried Percy.

But Splatter didn't move. He was frozen with fear. Dodge could see this and was worried for his brother. It was then he noticed that Splatter was close to a set of points, and that they were pointing to a siding.

"Driver, push my throttle in, now!"

His Driver didn't need telling twice. He pushed the throttle in and Dodge charged at Splatter. He bashed him out of the way, sending him onto the siding out of the way, but derailing himself at the same time. Dodge's Driver jumped out for cover while Dodge shut his eyes.

"This is going to hurt," he groaned to himself.

CRASH!

The trucks smashed into Dodge, breaking into pieces upon impact and spilling their loads everywhere.

"Dodge!" cried Splatter. "Don't worry, we'll help you out of that mess!"

Splatter fetched the breakdown train and moved it into place. When James arrived, he and Percy helped Splatter to clear the wreckage. Many trucks were smashed beyond repair, and Dodge had been damaged badly, but otherwise, he was okay.

"Thank you for saving me, but why?" Splatter asked.

"What are brothers for?" Dodge smiled. "Even though you think I was laughing at you."

The trucks groaned, "it was us, we were laughing at you."

"Well that explains everything then," said Percy.

Splatter looked down to his buffers and sighed, "I'm sorry Dodge. I shouldn't have bumped your buffers, and thank you again for saving me." He then had to chuckle, "but how come you couldn't dodge those trucks?"

Dodge chuckled and rolled his eyes.

Splatter continued to work alone on the Ffarquhar branch line while waiting for his brother to be repaired. He apologized to his friends and things returned to normal. Then when Dodge came back, the two started working together again and I'm happy to say that from that day to this, they have never gotten into another fight with each other.

Although they did teach some trucks a lesson they wouldn't forget. Hopefully they'll remember never to tease these two diesels again in future.