Rock 'n' Roll

When it was Skarloey's turn to take out the coaches he was happy. He met up with old friends as he puffed down the line, and soon met Rusty with Mr. Hugh and Dopey. They were mending some more broken tracks.

Skarloey: You know. If I couldn't see these old places, I would've thought I was on a different railway.

Rusty (Laughing): Well we hoped you would. It was actually Mr. Hugh and Doc's idea to repair the rails as soon as I came along. I remember them saying, "Rusty, Skarloey will be coming home soon. Let's mend the tracks so well that he won't know where he is."

Dopey nodded while agreeing with Rusty.

Rusty: And we did and you didn't. If you take our meaning.

Skarloey chuckled and continued down the line. He liked this hard working friendly little engine.

They spoke again later that evening.

Rusty: There's still one bad bit. It's just before you reach the first station. We're trying to find the right time to mend it.

Skarloey: Never mind. It's much better now than it was before.

Rusty: It may be better, but it's still a bit dangerous. An engine is bond to come off there. I know you take great care and so do Peter Sam and Sir Handel, but it's Duncan I'm worried about. I know he's going to do rock 'n' roll on that line. I don't want him to hurt passengers.

Duncan: What's that aboot me? I'm a plain engine and believe in plain speaking. Speak up and stop whispering in corners!

Rusty warned Duncan about the bad bit of line. Duncan snorted.

Duncan: I know my way aboot, thank you! I don't need a deaf boy and a smelly diesel telling me what to do!

Rusty and Dopey looked a little hurt.

Skaroley: Never mind him. You boys are doing a wonderful job.

Duncan: Hey smelly diesel! Where's my morning train?

Rusty: Sorry, Duncan, but we have a lot of work to do. We have to mend more broken tracks today.

Duncan: Then what am I going to do!?

Rusty: You got four wheels and a driver and fireman don't you? Find them yourself.

Duncan snorted as he banged about in the yard to find his coaches, then he clattered crossly to the station where James was already there, waiting.

James: You're late!

Duncan: I know! It's that smelly diesels fault! He thinks he can teach aboot staying on the rails and then he goes off leaving me to find my own coaches!

Jock: Be careful, laddie. We once had a diesel visiting us about a week ago, and he causes major trouble for us.

James: Yes. He crept into our yard and ordered us about, but luckily I saw threw him and sent him packing.

Jock: Yep… He'd- Wait, what!?

But before Jock to say anything, James puffed away, leaving Duncan gazing at him admirably. He didn't know that James can be quite boastful and sometimes didn't tell the truth.

Duncan: Send him packing, send him packing!

He climbed the first hill, furiously.

Sneezy: Well done, boy. Keep it up!

Soon they reach the bad bit of line before the first station. Duncan was pleased.

Duncan: Nothing's happen, nothing's happen! Silly old diesel, clever me!

Soon Sneezy started to smelled something from Duncan's cab.

Sneezy: Oh no. Duncan, you're not doing your rock 'n'- n-n-n-n-n-n-n…. AHHH-CHOO!

Duncan: Sleepers and ballast, I'm off the rails!

And he was.

Rusty was at the shed when he heard the news.

Rusty: I warned him. "Duncan," I said, "you be careful on that bit of line." But he decided to call me and Dopey names instead.

Mr. Hugh was trying to start up Rusty, but Dopey was blocking his way.

Hugh: Come on, Dopey. He have an engine to rescue.

Rusty: We're sorry, Mr. Hugh, but we're not going to help that Duncan. He can just stay where he is for all we care.

Doc: Rusty! We're a bit shock. Now I know what Duncan said to you and Dopey was inexcusable, but he's not the only ones in trouble.

Skaroley: Yes. Think about the passengers and Duncan's crew, what are they going to do now?

Dopey looked a Rusty and both felt ashamed.

Rusty: Yeah, you're right. We're sorry, Mr. Hugh. Let's go help Duncan and the passengers.

And Rusty roar into life.

Duncan just stood where he was. He felt embarrassed now.

Duncan (Thinking): Oh dear. Everyone will know how silly I am.

Soon Rusty met with Duncan and Mr. Hugh and Dopey brought some sleepers and together with the passengers, they carefully leveler Duncan back on the line.

After that Duncan was careful all day and at last evening came.

Duncan (Whispering): Rusty. Thank you for helping. I'm sorry I was rude to you and Dopey.

Rusty: That's alright, Duncan.

Duncan (Whispering): I wish all diesels were like you. Let's be friends.

Rusty: Suits me. We'll mend that bad bit of line, first thing tomorrow.