Making a Splash
"I am sorry sir, but I don't quite understand what you're saying."
It was midday, and the sun was reaching its hottest temperatures in what had already a boiling day. Edward and BoCo were waiting down at Wellsworth Station, both about to embark on their journeys, when the Fat Controller had arrived with some news.
"What I am saying is that due to the increase of workload on the Main Line, I am going to require BoCo to work there for the rest of the summer," the Fat Controller explained.
"Sir, I understand that the renovations to the Main Line and the rest of the railway are important," Edward said, trying to keep his tone normal, "but the workload here is not getting any lighter, and we need two engines running the trains."
"I understand that Edward, and I will look into getting a replacement engine," the controller said, "but BoCo's strength is better suited to the Main Line. Bill and Ben can help with more trains, but my decision is final. Good day," and with that, the two engines were left alone at Wellsworth. Edward sighed and looked across at his friend, who was managing to keep a smile on.
"At least we will still be able to see each other," BoCo said, and Edward nodded, "and you still have Trevor for company… and Bill and Ben, I guess." Edward began to laugh
"I don't think Bill and Ben will be able to provide much intelligent conversation," the old engine said, and the two friends continued to laugh. It wasn't until a guard's whistle sounded for each of them did they stop and farewell for now, Edward heading back along his branch and BoCo taking a train to Vicarstown. It was a sad sight to watch the green diesel slid away, and Edward knew that soon his friend would be gone and he would find his line a little less friendly.
The Fat Controller was working with many companies, business and the other railways across Sodor to revolutionize the railway and do dramatic extensions and rebuilds. Old lines had been done up and reopened and were going to be extended, whilst a new line was being built in the North while extensions would occur for Thomas and Duck's branches, the Arlesdale and Skarloey Railways and the Peel Godred Branch. It was a massive project, and many engines were ready to get involved.
However, Edward's Branch did not have much space nor need for to be extended. The Fat Controller had promised repairs would be made to Brendam Bay to bring it up to speed with the other ports on the island and in the United Kingdom, but nothing had started yet and Edward's line was staying ignored.
Edward's temper about BoCo leaving and his line getting ignored was not helped by the scorching summer they were going through. It was one of the hottest seasons Edward had ever been through, and he had been through a lot of summers. His shed felt stuffy when he went to sleep and when he woke up was no better, and the tracks were getting so hot Edward was afraid that one day soon they were going to expand, and he wasn't in the mood for any accidents.
It was late in the day when Edward arrived at Brendam Bay after doing several passenger trains, and the sun was still at excruciating temperatures. The blue engine face was going as red as his stripes, and he was looking forward to moving under shelter and having a long drink.
But Edward wasn't expecting what he saw as he pulled in.
"What's happened here?" The old engine gasped, coming to a steady halt. In front of him appeared to be a rather organised mess: the tracks were blocked with rows and rows of trucks, their contents varying but every one seemed to be full. "What is going on here? There shouldn't be any trucks here!"
"I'll go ask the Dock Manager," his driver said, and leapt off the footplate and ran towards the office building. But as he left, two whistles sounded and Edward found Bill and Ben pulling up alongside. Edward was in no mood for any of their tricks, and stared towards them, hoping for answers to why this had happened.
"Why are all these trucks here?" Edward asked without saying 'Hello'. "Are you two playing a trick?" The twins looked rather taken aback by Edward's accusations, their expressions showing it wasn't their fault.
"Haven't you heard?" Bill said, sounding surprised.
"Haven't you seen more like it!" Ben said from behind. Edward was confused, but he followed their eyeline and saw what they were talking about: a container ship on an angle right in the bay, blocking any other boat from getting in and coming alongside the dock. Tugboats and rescue crews were milling around the ship, but it didn't seem as if it was going to budge.
"Are our supplies stuck here until that boat gets moved?" Edward asked, and the twins both nodded, causing the old engine to let out steam angrily. "That is not useful at all! Summer is one of our busiest times to get supplies out. What are we going to do until that thing is moved?"
"Don't ask us," Ben said.
"We're not in charge," Bill replied. Edward simply scowled at the trucks in front of him, wondering if this day could get any worse.
It was two days before something was done about the trucks, and the container ship was still blocking the way into port. It had reportedly run aground an old breakwater that had struck the hull, and it couldn't be moved until it was made safe. Until then, the supplies would all be sent to the other ports and harbours around Sodor.
Edward was running his wheels the hardest he had for years as he carted between Brendam Bay and Wellsworth Station, where Donald, Douglas, Arthur or Bear were waiting to take them to another station. BoCo helped when he could, taking the trains directly from Brendam Bay to Tidmouth where another train was waiting for him. Bill and Ben were suppose to help arrange the trucks to clear a path, but they were busy with their own trains for the China Clay to arrange things, and the mess simply got worse as supplies piled high around the tracks and the trucks giggled and complained about the hold up.
"I am not sure if I can take any more of this!" Edward puffed as the third day began, another train of china clay being collected by Bear. BoCo was at the opposite platform, taking one of James' passenger trains whilst the red engine was doing work at Tidmouth Harbour.
"They must be making some ground with that container ship?" The green diesel called.
"If you ask me, that ship is probably even more stuck than was the other day," Edward growled, and let out a sad, low wheesh of steam. "I have to collect some passengers and bring them back here, and than do another round of freight! I need a rest!"
"Wasn't the Fat Controller getting another engine?" Bear asked as he was coupled to the China Clay trucks.
"Not until BoCo leaves I believe," Edward said sadly. A guard waved a green flag to signal his crew it was time to leave, and Edward gave a short toot of his whistle. "Bye for now," he called, and trundled back onto his line. BoCo watched him leaving, feeling bad for leaving his friend in the lurch. But as his guard blew a whistle, the diesel suddenly had an idea.
"Yes… that just might work!" He thought aloud as he set off down the Main Line, an idea forming that just might give Edward a break.
Later in the day, BoCo was back on Edward's branch line, but this time he was heading down towards Brendam Bay. His driver had called the Fat Controller when they arrived at Vicarstown, and he had agreed that BoCo could spend the next few days clearing away the backlog of trucks and let Edward rest.
He will definitely appreciate this, BoCo thought as he rattled down the tracks, the sun shining in his eyes and reflecting off his green paint work. Hopefully this will make up for me leaving him in the lurch. If we can clear all these trucks away, than at least I will be leaving things in order.
The beautiful green countryside quickly morphed into dull grey concrete and misshapen buildings as BoCo entered the harbour and the surrounding buildings. The area definitely needed an upgrade, but BoCo knew that wouldn't happen any time soon with the major extensions happening everywhere else.
And staring at the rows of trucks, BoCo decided that more sidings definitely seemed a necessity: the trucks had been roughly shunted and left in about four rows, the noise coming from them enough to drown out Tidmouth and Vicarstown combined. BoCo had no idea where to start working as the row of trucks seemed to stretch on forever, but several workers quickly came over as he came to a stop.
"There is a lot of fish and produce that needs to be taken care of immediately," one of them told BoCo's driver. "The points are set and you just need to move forwards."
"Cheers," BoCo's driver called back, and the diesel shuddered back into life. "At least we have somewhere to start," he called, and BoCo could only agree as they moved forwards. The fish and produce were being kept in vans the same shape as BoCo, though a lot smaller, and he felt comfortable buffering up to them, wondering if he could clear about half of these trucks before the end of the day. However, they waited for a shunter to come forwards, but after five minutes no one came.
"There are more trucks up ahead!" A worker shouted, pointing towards one of the other rows. BoCo should have known things wouldn't be that easy, and once again began to move forwards, the vans in front of him getting shunted forwards.
Unbeknownst to BoCo and his driver, they were supposed to be sent to another line where the rest of the train was waiting, but the operator hadn't been noted about this in all the calamity and confusion the backlog was causing. BoCo simply rolled straight forwards, not able to see the trucks and front and if they were vans or not.
"You'd think they could left the trucks closer together," BoCo grumbled as he kept rolling, wondering when the rest of his train would appear. Shouts rose up behind them and BoCo's driver turned backwards to see what was happening, but this meant he wasn't focussing on what was happening ahead of him. BoCo felt the thump as they hit some trucks, but it took a moment to realise he was still moving.
"Shouldn't we have stopped now?" He called out, not one to usually question his driver. His driver suddenly worked out what the shouting was about, and went to apply the brakes. They slammed on just as there was a loud crack, followed by several thunderous splashes. BoCo gasped and heard his driver curse as he leapt out and ran towards the end of the train. The diesel looked to the side to see the water splashing up against the sides, and could see the very edge was only a few metres away.
"Well, I guess that's one way of getting rid of the trucks," BoCo mumbled to himself, and simply remained there as workers came rushing forwards to see just how many trucks had been pushed into the sea.
