Bill, Ben and Branch lines
One morning Edward came across Bill and Ben in the Yard.
"Hello!" he said cheerfully, "you need to take these slate trucks to the factory - but don't go on the branch line, it's dangerous."
Bill and Ben were annoyed. If they couldn't get to the factory via Edward's branch line, they would have to go along the Main Line and up a steep hill, which was difficult because the trucks were behaving badly.
Once Edward had left the Yard, Bill and Ben set off, the ten trucks between them, Bill pulling in front, Ben pushing behind. Soon the trucks started to misbehave. They bumped and giggled and tried to hold Bill and Ben back, but the twins were firm. Eventually, though, the trucks got the better of them, and they decided to go down Edward's branch line. "After all, it's probably only a bit of uneven track It won't cause an accident." reasoned Bill.
"And it's a lot quicker than going along the Main Line," agreed Ben.
The twins set off down the branch line, because the points hadn't been set and they could go wherever they wanted. Unfortunately, no-one had told them about Edward.
Edward usually took two coaches down Toby's branch line in the morning. However, Toby's branch line was being repaired, and Edward had had to go down his own branch instead. That was why he had warned the twins not to go on the branch line. But they didn't know this, and were trundling happily down the track when Ben saw something.
"Look!" he cried. "There's something on the track!"
"Oh, don't be silly," puffed Bill crossly, "it's just - oh!" Just a few yards ahead of them was Edward!
It was a tense moment. Edward shrieked; Bill and Ben closed their eyes; all three Drivers slammed on the brakes...
CRASH!!!!!!!!!!
It was too late. Edward's coaches had become uncoupled and derailed, but luckily the passengers were safe. Ben and the back three coaches were unhurt, but Bill, along with the rest of the trucks had crashed through a fence into a field, where a sheep was staring at him suspiciously!
Edward, meanwhile, had swerved in the opposite direction and fallen over sideways, and was now lying next to the track looking uncomfortable. Percy eventually appeared with the breakdown train, and took the damaged trucks away, and then came back to take Edward and Bill to the Works. The Fat Controller came to see him later.
"I hope this has taught you to follow instructions," he said severley. "You will have to do Edward and Bill's work as well as your own until they are mended."
"Yes, Sir," said Ben unhappily.