Pilot Problems
The Big Station has always had a pilot, whether they were permanent or temporary. Percy was the first pilot at the Big Station. Thomas had piloted Vicarstown before being allocated to Wellsworth yards before getting his own branch line. After Percy left to work on Thomas's branch line, Duck came to the yards to help shunt trucks and pilot the Big Station. In 1957, the Fat Controller had brought Diesel from the Other Railway to trial as the pilot. After the fiasco that resulted in Duck being sent to Edward's Station, the Fat Controller sent Diesel away.
Later, when Donald and Douglas arrived, they helped pilot the Big Station. Soon after their Christmas Deputation, they often piloted the Big Station in their spare time, when they aren't out on the Little Western, Edward's branch line, the main line or shunting trucks around the yards.
However, the railway was expanding and more engines were needed to fill the roles of shunters, express, heavy goods and local passenger engines. When Misty Island was discovered and along with it, three engines, the Fat Controller took it as an opportunity to have three additions to his railway, and a specialized railway to help with any repair jobs.
It was summer and the engines were busier than ever. Trucks and coaches rattled about the yards, being prepared for their journeys. The big engines were complaining.
"It isn't fair," James protested, "Why should a splendid engine like me shunt?"
"We all have to shunt, so get over it," Neville snapped, after listening to James's nonstop whinging.
The trucks were making things worse. They slipped their brakes on to slow the engines down and make them late with their trains. This often caused trouble for the Fat Controller.
It was high time that the Fat Controller did something. The next day, he went to see Bash and Dash at the Sodor Search and Rescue Centre and explained the problem.
"We'll be glad to help when we're not busy," Dash piped up.
The Fat Controller was pleased with the decision made.
"You start tomorrow," said the Fat Controller, "Duck will teach you everything he knows and everything that you need to know when shunting the yard."
The next day saw Bash and Dash being towed to the Big Station's yard by Hank on his slow goods. When they arrived, Duck, the little pannier tank engine was waiting for them.
Both were soon on good terms with Duck and he soon taught them everything he knows about station piloting and he even had special arrangements to come down every so often to see how the little logging loco twins were getting on.
As for the trucks, they soon found playing tricks on Bash and Dash a mistake. Two days later, when Duck came in to see how the logging loco twins were getting on in their new job, he noticed Dash backing up from a line of empty coal trucks that were playing up.
"You can't win this game, weakling," the trucks giggled.
"We'll see," Dash smirked. With that, Dash charged at the trucks at top speed. With a clang, the trucks began to move, despite having their brakes on. The trucks were surprised.
"Keep on the right side of those two," they whispered to each other.
Dash smiled. The trucks had learned not to mess with them. They didn't know what other tricks Bash and Dash had up their funnels.
That'll teach those trucks. We can only hope.
