The Troublesome rattled and jeered as Edward the Blue Engine exited his Branchline via Wellsworth Station and began making his way along the Mainline. His train contained tools and parts that were destined for the Sodor Steamworks. They continuously sang rude but cheerful songs, which Edward had politely asked them from refraining. They then biffed him multiple times, but they were only given an occasional mild biff in response.

They gave up on trying to entertain themselves, until an old and very ugly truck, known only as Imp, had an idea - and a very naughty one at that. He whispered it to the others, and soon the silly trucks were giggling to themselves.

In order to do it, Imp told them they had to act good, and then hold back once Edward was near the top of the Gordon's hill.

As it was with even the most wisest of engines, Edward suspected nothing. The dear old engine was too busy forcing his way up the hill with the trucks clattering behind him. Soon but quite steadily, he was approaching the brow of the hill.

At a cue of 'Now!' from Imp, who happened to be coupled up behind the North Western Railway's Number 2, the entire line of trucks dug their wheels into the line, causing everything to slow down. Edward suddenly felt the coupling stretch behind him, and got annoyed.

"Can't you ever come along quietly?" The blue locomotive huffed crossly.

"Oh, it's not us who's coming along with you." The trucks said sinisterly. "It's you who's coming along with us."

With that, the trucks let go, shrieking and laughing like the maniacs they were.

Before Edward's driver could apply the brakes, the whole train plunged downhill very rapidly, not unlike a roller coaster plunge.

"Horrors!" Shrieked Edward.

The driver scrambled for control over his engine. The fireman had thrown aside his shovel and, after doing all he could to reduce steam, came to the driver's aid. The brakes were quite stiff, for they had not been lubricated in a while.

But the two men pulled hard and long, in the hopes that Edward would be stopped before any accidents happened. Thankfully, he rolled to a somewhat jerky stop… right at the bottom of Gordon's Hill!

"Phew, thanks Sid, you were really helpful back there. I'll let the stationmaster of Wellsworth know about this and get Edward sent to the works. You stay here and check him over."

Their engine just sighed. Those trucks had never quite learned what 'common sense' was really all about.

…

"Edward! You're late, my friend! Where have you been?" Victor the Works Engine asked as Edward finally steamed into the Steamworks, over an hour late.

The old engine winced. "Sorry Victor. Those trucks decided to drag me down to the bottom of Gordon's hill." He explained wearily.

"Are you alright? You look exhausted." The small Hispanic engine noted in concern.

"That's merely it Victor," Edward assured. "Aside from stiff brakes of course, but I'll be fine."

Victor grinned. "Well, good to see you're still in top form. Now, come and have a look at what we've been working on, then we'll fix your brakes."

Edward was puzzled, as Victor would usually have been more concerned with everyone getting the job done first, but he agreed. After all, if he didn't stay too long, and so long as his brakes were fixed soon enough, he would be alright for time back on his Branchline, as he wasn't needed right now.

So after he was uncoupled from the trucks, he was led over to where a large object lay covered with a tarpaulin. It was pulled off to reveal an engine.

The new engine looked awfully similar to James, exept he had a shiny light blue livery with black stripes and had the number '27' painted on his tender. He also had number plates on the sides of his cab with the same number engraved.

"Good heavens!" murmered Edward. "You look like James!"

"Yes he does." agreed Victor. "He is of the same class as James."

The engine smiled meekly.

"Does that mean you're related to him?" Edward asked the newcomer curiously.

"Yes." admitted the engine. "He's my brother."

"Is he older or younger than you?"

"He's older." Replied the engine.

"Ah, I see. I'm Edward, by the way." He added.

"And I'm Rupert." Added the new engine. "I'm pleased to meet you, Edward."

"I'm very pleased to meet you too, Rupert." The old engine smiled.

"Rupert is here for a few days. I believe he is here to help you on your Branchline." Victor announced.

Edward smiled. "I was wondering when something would happen." He said. "BoCo will be pleased now that we have an extra set of buffers to help with all the extra goods trains."

"Who's BoCo?" Asked Rupert.

"A very dear friend of mine." Explained Edward. "I'll introduce you both to him when we get there."

"Sounds like a plan." Rupert said, and he smiled shyly.

"Indeed. Now for your brakes, Edward." Victor told him.

Edward sighed. He had always disliked going to thhe works, as he was teased for his age afterwards by Bill, Ben and the trucks, but he knew at least he was only going to get his brakes lubricated.

"Very well then." He sighed.