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Bust My Buffers Mystery Cache

Hidden : 10/17/2006
Difficulty:
4 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Where has Thomas and his friends hidden the cache?

The above co-ordinates are for the Seymour train station. There is no cache there although you can watch lots of trains go by. The story below will get you started on an amazing journey.

From the information below find what you need to complete S37 0_._ _ _ E145 0_._ _ _ to start your adventure.

BUST MY BUFFERS
The Island of Sodor is a very busy place. There are the docks, the quarry, the heliport, the sheds and many stations. Sir Topham Hatt, the Fat Controller is kept busy making sure that the engines on his railway are being useful.

Thomas the Tank Engine lives on the Island of Sodor. He is a little blue steam engine with six small wheels, a short stumpy funnel, a short stumpy boiler and a short stumpy dome. One morning Thomas wakes to find his front axle is squeaking and making such a terrible sound. He tries going faster to see if it stops squeaking, but no luck. He goes very slowly, but it still squeaks loudly. Sir Topham Hatt hears the noise as Thomas goes by and stops him, “Thomas, an engine on my railroad should not make such a terrible sound. Please see the mechanic on the east side of the island and get that axle fixed”. Thomas is worried, he has not been to the mechanic before, but he understands what it is to be a useful engine so off he goes.

Thomas doesn’t get far before he runs into James, the big engine with a shining coat of red paint. James is a special mixed traffic engine, which means he can pull either coaches or trucks. James was off the track and in a field surrounded by cows. He had been pulling some troublesome trucks when they refused to slow down on a bend, pushing James off the track and into the field. “Don’t worry” says Thomas, “I’ll get help,” and off he goes. James calls after him ”I think you need help Thomas, you sound terrible”. “I know,” says Thomas, but he has to be useful first and reports James’ situation at the next station.

Just as Thomas leaves Knapford Station, he spies Bertie the Bus with a cloud of steam billowing from his hood. Thomas whistles hello. “Oh Thomas, I am glad to see you,” says Bertie. “Although you sound as bad as I feel. I’m overheated and unable to get back to the garage.” Thomas’ driver offers Bertie some of Thomas’ water to refill his radiator. Bertie is very thankful. Thomas toots goodbye as he squeaks off to find the mechanic.

As Thomas passes the docks he sees Bill and Ben the orange twin quarry engines hard at work. They are helping Cranky the Crane unload a large freighter that has just arrived from the south island. “Thomas!” call Bill and Ben in unison, “would you mind helping us unload this big freighter.” “I’d be glad to help,” says Thomas. “You will just have to put up with my squeaky axle though,” he laughs. Thomas helps move the dockside cars until the freight is unloaded. “Many thanks to you,” call Bill and Ben as Thomas squeaks loudly off.

Around the next bend Thomas comes upon Henry, the big green heavy engine. Henry is pulling a long line of eight cars over the biggest hill on the Island of Sodor. “You look like you could use a hand,” asks Thomas as he approaches. “I would appreciate some help,” says Henry. “Would you give me a push?” Thomas gets behind the last car in the train and begins to push. With both engines working together, soon Henry is at the top of the hill. “Thank you, Thomas!” toots Henry as he begins down the downhill run. “For a little engine with a terrible squeak, you certainly are a big help!”

Thomas does not get far before he finds Percy, the little tank engine and one of Thomas’ closest friends. Percy had run off his track and through a buffer. This certainly was turning out to be an action packed day. “Can you help me, Thomas?” asks Percy. “I am feeling a little stuck.” Thomas backs up and pulls Percy up onto the track. Thanks, Thomas!” exclaims Percy with a whistle. “Being back on track feels great!” Thomas goes to leave and Percy exclaims,” Sounds like you should have your axle fixed!” Thomas remembers he must visit the mechanic and feels worried again. “I Know,” says Thomas. “I’m on my way right now.”

As Thomas passes the quarry he hears Mavis. “Thomas, Thomas!” calls Mavis. Mavis is a friendly diesel engine and works at the quarry. Today she is shunting trucks with Duck, the Great Western Engine. “What is it?” Thomas asks her. “Would you be a dear and help us with these troublesome trucks? They’re always bothersome, but today they are being very bothersome.” “Certainly, Mavis,” says Thomas. When the trucks hear Thomas’ squeaking axle they begin to chuckle. “Never you mind them,” says Duck. “A really useful engine like yourself can work with all axles squeaking.” Thomas gives the trucks a big bump and they move for Thomas without any trouble. Soon Mavis, Duck and Thomas have moved all the trucks to their proper places. “Thank you, Thomas,” says Mavis. “If you ever need any help, just ask,” says Duck. “I would ask you to go to the mechanic in my place,” moans Thomas, “because I really don’t want to go. But I must. Goodbye.”

Thomas is moving past the quarry when Harold the Helicopter flies overhead. “Thomas, come quickly! I’ve spotted a broken bridge on the line and I need your help to fix it.” Thomas is glad for an important job to do, and happy to put off his visit to the mechanic. “Mighty Mac and Skarloey, are bringing the workers from the far side of the island,” says Harold. “We have to get the supplies to fix the bridge and meet them there.” Thomas hurries with Harold back to the sheds to get the supplies. At the bridge, Harold and the men get right to work. They have to work quickly as Donald, the black Scottish twin engine is on the other side of the bridge with a load of coal that has to get to the docks. Bullstrode, the disagreeable barge was waiting for him and would make life difficult for all the engines if he was kept waiting too long.

Mighty Mac, the dark blue engine with two faces, was just leaving the bridge after dropping off the supplies to fix it. His two faces, Mighty and Mac, are arguing with each other as usual. Skarloey, the very old little red engine, stays behind to see if he could help. Skarloey sees that Harold is lowering a heavy beam toward a worker on the bridge who doesn’t see it. “Look out!” calls Skarloey and blows his whistle, but the worker is too far away to hear. Luckily Thomas, who is closer to the worker hears Skarloey’s warning and whistles as loud as he could. The worker hears Thomas’ whistle just in time and jumps to safety. “That was close,” says Thomas. The worker thanks Thomas and Skarloey for saving him and Thomas sets off once again to find the mechanic.

Thomas arrives at the repair shed and is starting to feel a little nervous. He wonders if fixing his axle is going to hurt. The mechanic sees that Thomas is a little afraid. “Well, Thomas,” smiles the mechanic, “Sir Topham Hatt said you were coming today, but I thought you would never get here. Lets have a look at that squeaky axle of yours.” The mechanic looks at Thomas’ axle. Thomas is still a bit worried, so he asks, “Will it hurt to fix my axle, Mr Mechanic, sir?” “Why don’t you ask some of your friends Thomas,” says the mechanic as he points to the rear of the shed. There, Thomas sees Fergus the little traction engine. “Are you broken, Fergus?” asked Thomas. “Its my flywheel,” replied Fergus. “It always sticks after I work in the dusty quarry. I have it fixed all the time without a problem.” Next, Rusty the little orange diesel speaks up, “My whistle is broken and we are waiting on a part to arrive from the docks. I’m not scared at all!” With that, Thomas lets the mechanic look at his axle again. “Are you sure it won’t hurt?” Thomas asks again. “Hurt?’ the mechanic laughs. “Not only will it not hurt, but it didn’t hurt! Your axle is fixed already – you didn’t even feel a thing. See, give it a try!” Thomas eases out of the mechanic’s shed, his axle make no sound. Thomas is very happy and thanks the mechanic.

Thomas returns to Tidmouth shed. Sir Topham Hatt and Percy are waiting for him. Sir Topham Hatt tells Thomas, “My, you have had a big day. I’m pleased you got your axle fixed. A really useful engine like you, Thomas, should never squeak like that.” “I really was a silly little engine to have put off visiting the mechanic like I did,” admits Thomas. “I shouldn’t have been so afraid. He was only going to help me.” “Just like you helped me and all the others today, Thomas,” Percy adds.

Island where it all takes place.


Island where it all takes place.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

[nothing yet]

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)