Diesel: "An' don't worry 'bout losin' it - there's many more where that came from! Phil does like 'is cheese, and we do like catchin' 'im red 'and- ..err.. ..red-buffered..!"
And sometimes there's two cheese stealers, as some of the 'gotcha!' pictures can also have Mavis in them too.
Shunting - Both Toby and Mavis know that the former is much better at it than the latter. Mavis isn't afraid to let others know about how good Toby is and that she's still getting tips on how to do it right from him, usually after she makes a few too many mistakes while working.
Trains - While Mavis can pull a heavy load, she is more confident when there's a back engine involved to make things easier. Toby, on the other hand, doesn't find pulling heavy trains to be that hard. If he can do it in 'Half Pariah' he can do it here too.
Whistles - Mavis has two: her usual two-tone one, and a blaring one. The former isn't as loud as the latter. While the former is what she is mostly heard using, the latter is mainly used to warn everyone in the quarry if there's a landslide, so it is pretty loud. Toby has both his bell and a small whistle, with the former being used most. He makes sure it's not too loud when he rings it, as he isn't the biggest fan of loud noises.
Breakdown train - If Toby gets in bother, Mavis has found herself asking if she could take the breakdown train to him, but she has often found out that someone else got to it before she could. Toby brings it to anyone who needs it, but one day he does hope that he can bring it to save Mavis if she gets in a situation that needs it.
Coal/water/fuel - There has been numerous occasions where Toby has gone out without filling up on the steamie essentials and ran out while on his travels. Whenever Mavis hears about it, she gathers what is needed before setting off to find him. Upon doing so, she cheers him up with a joke or two before offering to push him back to the quarry. If Mavis runs out, Toby sets out to find her alongside Diesel. They proceed to have a laugh about the whole thing as they help her to get to the Dieselworks or the quarry(whichever is closest).
Cows - Toby has tried before. They wander out onto the line, he gives them a gentle bump with his cowcatcher, and he finds himself hoping and praying that they take the hint and move. If they do, hooray. If they don't, then he goes back a bit and it becomes a test of patience as he waits for the farmer to come sort things out. Mavis? She would go back the way she came and take a different route. She doesn't have the patience to handle that sort of thing.
Mavis x Frankie -
Shunting - A lifetime at the Steelworks does tend to result in an excellent shunter. Frankie brings that same skill to Sodor, where she proves to be someone who can work almost anywhere. Mavis has taken interest in learning to be that way, and is looking closely whenever Frankie is assigned to working in the quarry(although she seems more interested in the engine doing the work rather than paying attention to what's been shown)
Trains - The working life at the Steelworks does make it easy for Frankie to pull heavy loads. It was like going to the gym, but for engines. Her ability to do so did and still does impress Mavis, who, as she watches, gets quite flustered at the show of strength that Frankie puts on. Mavis does try, but she still prefers it if there's a back engine involved.
Whistles - Mavis has her two-toned horn for everyday use and her blaring one for alerts. Frankie's is quite a bit louder than Mavis'. At the Steelworks, she mainly used it for whenever she needed to be heard, such as if something went wrong, or if she was demanding attention from the other engines. Salty has compared the sound of Frankie's horn to that of ones on ships whenever she works alongside him at the docks.
Breakdown train - After either of them break down, they rush to be at each others' sides, whether or not they bring the breakdown train with them. Mavis has forgotten it on a few occassions, mainly out of worry, and the same can be said for Frankie. After realising their mistakes, they go back to get it, looking quite embarrassed as they do so. But, no matter what happens, things like that can be sorted out by some reassuring nuzzles and sweet nothings when they get back to the sheds.
Coal/water/fuel - Just like with the breakdown train, they would rush out to be at each others' sides if they ran out on their travels. Unlike with the breakdown train, they would remember to take what was needed first before they went. As the one who needs it get refuelled, onlookers can see them leaning against each other and saying how everything was going to be alright. Once they can get going again, they then decide to spend the day sightseeing. That lands them in bother later, but they would say that it's worth it if they get to be with each other.
Cows - Mavis is the same with them as she is with Toby. She would go back the way she came and take another route. For Frankie, it is an immediate 'no'. She's never had to deal with them, and isn't prepared to try, even with someone there to help her do so, she would rather leave it to those that know what they're doing.
Philip x Rusty -
Shunting - Rusty, when they're not being lookout at Blue Mountain, is quite good at it, but they are better at maintenance duty. Philip has been shunting since he was built. From his time in the USA, to when he landed on Sodor, the boxcab has got so good at shunting that he's turned it into an art form. He has said and proved that he can sort out a shunting yard with his eyes shut. Philip's skills do impress Rusty whenever Paxton needs someone to take over at BMQ and he's chosen to do so.
Trains - Rusty, being someone who works at a quarry in the mountains, has to have the ability to haul heavy loads whenever needed, but, every now and then, they do like to double-head trains with another engine to make thing easier. Philip is someone who isn't able to pull heavier loads unless there is someone behind the train who can push it to help him on his way. He often finds himself apologising after that duty is done, even if he doesn't need to.
Whistles - Everyone at BMQ, and everyone who visits BMQ, knows that the loudest noise that can be heard is the sound of Rusty's two-toned horn. Even before they got it, it was one of the loudest noises that could be produced by a small engine. Rusty was proud of it at one point, but they find themselves becoming embarrassed if they get reminded of it nowadays. Philip's own horn is not as loud, but it does manage to startle others if he sounds it upon coming up to them. He does get a giggle out of how he can make Gordon jump when he does that, as nobody else has been able to do so.
Breakdown train - Rusty makes sure not to get into accidents by making sure every bit of track that they and their friends use is maintained. If they have to, they'll bring the breakdown train to anyone who needs it(looking at you, Duncan). As for Philip - the breakdown train is a bit too heavy for him to take. He has also never been seen breaking down. It makes some of the others think that he's immortal.
Coal/water/fuel - Rusty always tops up on what they need before going out to inspect and maintain the tracks and sidings. They have shared the advice with Philip, and it has worked...for the most part. Philip has tried to do what Rusty said, but sometimes he has forgot. While Rusty is more than willing to let him borrow some, Philip has been able to show off his special party trick - that he is able to swap between diesel-power and electric-power, and keep going when he runs out. A feat that has earned himself the 'showoff' title from other engines, and the 'impressive' title from the little orange diesel.
Cows - Being an engine that has a connection with nature, Rusty is familiar with animals, and does know how to handle creatures like cows and sheep when they wander onto the tracks. They say that it's all to do with patience. Philip tends to stay away from animals, preferring to observe from a distance. Rusty has tried to get him used to handling them, but their attempts have been fruitless. Philip is not prepared at all to handle animals.
Diesel x Salty -
Shunting - Salty is the dockside's main shunter, so he has to be good at it. Diesel has tried, but he has proven that, even though he is a fast shunter, it doesn't mean that he's good at it. He does get advice and demonstrations from the likes of Philip, Paxton, Percy and Edward at Knapford yards, he has yet to improve.. Salty has also taken time to help him too, which has nearly always ended in Diesel weeping from happiness and telling him about how much he appreciates his kindness.
Trains - Salty can handle a heavier train every now and then. He has been seen doing passenger trains every now and then too. Diesel has found that, even though he can take similar trains, that other engines make it near-impossible for him to do so, often telling him that they don't trust him with them. That has led to Diesel preferring to be a back engine for others whenever the need for one gets brought up. Salty has offered to double-head trains with Diesel - an offer which has resulted in both approval and him getting quite flustered.
Whistles - Diesel's horn has quietened over the years, mainly due to age. He has had it mended every now and then, but that hasn't stopped it eventually sounding the same before the procedure. Salty has demonstrated and told others about how how horn sounds similar to that of the ships that sail past the docks. Even though it is quite loud, it is useful when he is somewhere within the docks and something happens that requires him to be heard, such as if he discovers something concerning, or gets into an accident while working.
Breakdown train - Quite similar to Mavis and Frankie, both of them will rush out to help each other. Unlike that pair, they wouldn't forget to bring it with them when they go. Salty is fast to fetch the breakdown train before other engines can, as Diesel tends to panic when he gets into accidents, so he needs to be quick when he goes out to help him. Diesel tries not to trip over himself as he grabs what is needed and speeds away to assist Salty. He calms himself as much as he can while he does so, and, while he sees him being rescued, Diesel nuzzles against him, an action the leads to many quiet reassuring sweet nothings being shared between them.
Coal/water/fuel - Salty has ran out of fuel more than once, and Diesel does not hesitate to share his with him whenever that happens. Salty does the same for him whenever he finds himself stranded. As they refuel, they can be seen admiring the landscape together, and, if it's night-time, gazing at the stars and making patterns in them.
Cows - Salty has had knowledge shared to him by different engines on how to handle animals, but he is unsure about acting on their advice. He'd rather observe when it comes down to it. Diesel loves wildlife, but he's a 'look, don't touch' sort of guy. His favorite sort of wildlife is birds(he sometimes goes birdwatching with Toby), but he doesn't mind looking at what sort of things that other animals do. As long as a certain number one tank engine doesn't show up to ruin his day, Diesel is content.
Paxton x Sonny -
Shunting - Pax works at Knapford yards with Philip, Edward and Percy, and at BMQ with the narrow gauge engines, so he knows quite a bit about shunting. Sonny is decent at best. He still makes mistakes, which often need sorted out by other engines. He does apologise, but ends up unimpressed when he sees how it gets shrugged off.
Trains - They do like to double-head trains, no matter how heavy they are. Sonny would say that it helps to not only get stuff done quicker, but also strengthen their relationship too. Paxton tends to go quiet and look away as his cheeks go pink upon hearing him say that. Sonny reassures him before they set off to where they need to go, and keeps doing so as they travel onwards. Paxton does appreciate how much Sonny cares, which makes him like him more.
Whistles - Sonny's is a high-pitched 'fweep-fweep' sort of sound, which can startle when others least expect it. It has also done that to Paxton on some occasions, which has resulted in a lot of apologies from Sonny towards him. Paxton's horn sounds similar to Diesel's, but a little higher-pitched. Diesel does get a bit jealous, due to it sounding better than his.
Breakdown train - Sonny brings it to anyone who needs it. He can also do the rescuing himself if the need arises, like that time he pulled Diesel to safety while he worked on getting his second chance on Sodor. Paxton, while he can bring the breakdown train to whoever needs it, sometimes forgets where to go, leading to others taking it from him and completing the task that was originally set. He is also known to forget how many accidents he has gotten himself into, answering that queston with 'a lot' to make things easier. That answer usually leads to other engines rolling thier eyes at him.
Coal/water/fuel - They do like helping each other out when needed. It also helps that they spend just as much time helping other engines too. Sonny sees it as a way to assist with getting other engines to trust him, and Paxton sees it as a way to make more friends(even with those who he has made friends with already). As they help each other, Sonny and Paxton share stories and jokes, and a few sweet words too. Paxton does like hearing how much Sonny cares about him, and Sonny feels the same once he hears Paxton's attempts at his own sweet words.
Cows - Sonny has knowledge on how to handle creatures. Due to his previous life on the Mainland, he has had a lot of time to get used to wildlife and what to do once it gets in his way while on his travels. Paxton tries, but he is in the same ballpark as the likes of Frankie, Philip and Diesel - he'd rather observe than try his hand at handling something that he would rather have someone who knows what they're doing deal with instead.
