- Donald and Douglas are well-loved especially since they're a big help in winter, but worry that they will be sent away and turned into scrap. Edward suggests someone should talk to the Fat Controller, and the hard job falls to Percy.
- Heavier than normal snow has fallen on the Island of Sodor and while the other engines hate it, Donald and Douglas are used to the conditions and clear the lines. They soon encounter one snow drift which is deeper than the rest. Just as they're backing to charge it a second time, they hear a whistle and find Henry nearly buried; they promise to get him out.
Henry's rescued and returns to the shed very grateful to Donald and Douglas, but the twins are upset. They know the Fat Controller will be returning soon and after backing into and wrecking a signal box and destroying the Spiteful Brake Van between them, are worried that he'll send them back to Scotland, which would lead to them being scrapped. The other engines agree that Donald and Douglas both deserve to stay and decide something has to be done; however, no-one can think of what.
Percy talks to Edward about the situation and he suggests that the engines nominate someone to talk to the Fat Controller, a deputation. Percy relays this to the others that they need a "disputation" and they agree to this. After a long silence, Gordon nominates Percy to do the job, much to Percy's horror.
The Fat Controller returns and a nervous Percy stammers through his speech about allowing the twins to stay. The Fat Controller realizes what's going on and tells him that he understands.
Later in the sheds, the Fat Controller responds to the engines' request. He begins by telling them that, although he understands their feelings, he doesn't approve of them interfering with his decision making. He then surprises everyone by awarding Donald and Douglas with new coats of paint as a result of their good work in the snow, and announces that their names will be painted on them and warns them not to make any further mistakes. The engines realize that the Fat Controller's allowing both twins to stay and are overjoyed, drowning out the rest of his speech with happy whistles.
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