Gordon and the Engineers
(Rewrite of Season 11, episode 6)
The Island of Sodor is covered by railway lines. With the railway lines, there are points and signals, which have to be kept in full working order. If one part of the machinery breaks down, then there are men sent out to mend it to keep the railway running efficiently.
One cold morning, the shed master came to see Gordon, at Barrow Sheds, who was being readied for the first stopping passenger train of the day.
"There's been a points at Knapford Junction. It's delaying traffic and the Fat Controller wants you to collect some engineers to fix the points," he said.
"Right away," said Gordon.
Once he was steamed up, Gordon made his way over to his coaches, where the stationmaster told him that the engineers were waiting at Maron Station with their tools in box vans, and that several carpenters are going to the harbour on Edward's branch line.
"Your driver will need to ask the stationmaster where the engineers are, and your to wait if they are delayed," the shed master said.
Gordon and his driver agreed. The shunter coupled Gordon to his four coaches, two vans five empty wagons and brake-van, then the guard blew his whistle and the train was on the way.
As they raced along, Gordon began to wonder what the men would look like. Meanwhile, at Maron Station, Duck was sitting "wrong road" to allow Gordon access to the signal box at Knapford Junction. He was feeling rather uncomfortable, seeing as signalmen were not always reliable..
This, however, added to the confusion when Bertie arrived. The stationmaster, a trainee, was unfamiliar with the change of plans and sent the engineers onto Duck's train and told the carpenters to wait for Gordon's service to Brendam.
"That isn't right!" Duck called to the stationmaster. "I'M going to Brendam! Gordon's taking the engineers to mend the points!"
The stationmaster, however, ignored Duck's protests and when Gordon arrived, the men were making their way to the train when the driver stopped them.
"Excuse me," he said. "Are you the engineers that we're expecting?"
"No, we're the carpenters on our way to Brendam by your service," one said. "Now, we must catch out boat or we'll be delayed for a very important contract abroad."
The driver and guard explained, in vain, that Gordon's service was for the engineers that were going to mend the points. However, they boarded.
"I'll take the engineers onward," Duck said. "Leave your wagons and I'll handle it. You take them as far as Edward's station, where BoCo will take them on their journey to the boat."
The signalman at Maron arranged with Wellsworth Stationmaster and Control the proposed plan. Duck set off first, bound to make lost time. Gordon followed ten minutes later, and after being switched over, attacked the climb of his own hill. Once at the top, Gordon's driver eased him off and Gordon coasted slowly down his hill and into Wellsworth, where BoCo was waiting.
Gordon was taken off and set into Siding, then BoCo was placed in front of the train and carried them onward. No sooner was the rear coach out of sight, the station master came to see Gordon.
"There's a small works train in the siding," he said to the bright blue Pacific. "There are two vans with barriers loaded in them, a four plank wagon with some crates of supplies, a small crane and a search light wagon. This is going to take a lot longer than expected. You're the fastest engine here and can make up for lost time."
Gordon beamed. Soon, Timothy arranged the wagons while Gordon was moved to the platform. Once the train was arranged, Timothy brought the wagons over to Gordon. A workman coupled Gordon to the train while another uncoupled Timothy.
Gordon found it hard to start the train, but with Timothy's help, he got it going. Timothy went back to shunting China Clay wagons. Soon, Gordon arrived with the needed supplies. Duck was waiting and so was Ferdinand, who was being used to help shunt the wagons around. Duck was waiting to take the broken parts to the scrap yards where Reg works.
It took the engineers a long time, but they soon had a load of scrap. Just as Duck was getting ready to couple to the wagons, Gordon backed onto the scrap wagons.
"You take the engineers back to Brendam so they can catch their boat, I'll take the scrap load to make up for the chaos at Maron," Gordon said.
Duck was surprised, but agreed to the plan. Gordon was sent on his journey with the heavy scrap wagons. At Wellsworth, Donald was waiting with Gordon's Mid-day express, as Gordon steamed through.
"Weel, I never," the Caledonian puffed. "Gordon taking trucks? Tis is a change fer the books."
Gordon ignored him and huffed on. Soon, he reached the scrap yards. Norman, who was working there, took the scrap laden wagons away and moved along side Gordon.
"A special load is needed at the junction. It's a flatbed of girders, a load of coal that was accidentally delivered here, two four plank wagons full of pipes and some empty wagons for the quarry," the diesel said.
Gordon agreed and Norman arranged the wagons. Once the little diesel had the train ready, he shunted the wagons up to Gordon and the big blue engine puffed away. For the rest of the day, Gordon was kept busy with odd jobs to "make up" for the mishap at Maron earlier that day.
When Gordon returned to the sheds for the night, there stood the Fat Controller.
"I've heard about everything," the Fat Controller said.
"I'm sorry about earlier, sir," Gordon replied. "Duck had to take my men and I had to take the carpenters, so I did extra work to make it up to you and…"
"That'll do, Gordon," the Fat Controller chuckled. "I know all about that. I'm glad that the signals and points at the junction are working. I congratulate you on using what resources were available."
As a reward, Gordon and Duck were sent for fresh coats of paint. When the two engines returned, they looked even smarter than before. As for the stationmaster at Maron, he got a warning about following orders from the Fat Controller.
"We're human after all, so I expect you'll learn from your mistakes," he said to the stationmaster.
I don't think he'll make the same mistake again, don't you?