Douglas wasn't too happy about using wooden brake blocks like James had once had to, and he had been cross whenever either his twin or someone else brought the matter up.
However, he was enjoying his run to the Wellsworth- Brendam Branchline with some scrap metal he was taking to Crock's Scrapyard to be scrapped.
He whistled as he clattered along the line. He best preferred working with Donald, but he had come to like working by himself or with another engine better than he had previously.
He then began to hum a little tune, and before long, he began to sing a little tune to himself he remembered hearing back in his native Scotland. He also remembered an old friend through the words of the song.
"The rose, summer's emblem,
'tis England's chosen tree And France decks her shield with the stately Fleur-de-lis But brighter, fairer far than these There blooms a flower for me, Tis the Bluebell, the Bluebell On Scotland's grassy lea Where from the dark, up springs the lark The rising sun to see! Where from the dark, up springs the lark, The rising sun to see!
My land! native land!
Where afar my steps have been, Blue skies charm the eyes, And the earth is ever green. Yet dwelt my heart 'mid Scotland's glens, Where aye in thought was seen, The Bluebell, the Bluebell, Amid the bracken green, And brighter far than sun or star, The eyes of bonnie Jean! And brighter far than sun or star, The eyes of bonnie Jean!
The Thistle, Scotland's badge
Up from Freedom's soil it grew, Her foes aye found it hedg'd round With rosemarie and rue. And, emblem that her daughters were modest, leal, and true, From off the rocks, to deck their locks, They pluck'd the Bell of Blue! The Heathbell, the Harebell, Old Scotland's Bell of Blue! The Heathbell, the Harebell, Old Scotland's Bell of Blue!"
He never tired of that song, and neither did Donald. They both often sang it, as well as other songs if they were feeling melodic or just thinking of home, with the exception of 'Auld Lang Syne', which they kept for special occasions.
"We better slow doon Douglas," His driver reminded him, his heritage evident in his brogue.
"Aye- an' quick!" Douglas agreed, as they were approaching a red signal, and he didn't want to overrun it.
But just then, the trucks began to shout 'Now!' and Douglas soon found himself slowly but surely increasing in speed.
"Fit's gaun on noo?" He asked.
"I think we've become runaways!" His crew chorused. This was very high on any crew member's list of fears whilst on the job.
"Well, I hope that wooden brakes are as good as metal ones noo!" His driver tried to apply the brakes, but they just heard a horrid scraping noise.
Suddenly a whiff of wood burning burst into the fresh country air.
"Fit's happened driver?" the Scottish engine called in fright, even though he was afraid of the answer.
"It's your brake blocks- they've caught alight!"
...
Meanwhile, Kristoff was feeling miserable in the yard, and Edward was trying to cheer him up, when they saw Douglas racing through the yard with black smoke billowing from his wheels.
"I say! Douglas is in trouble!" Edward exclaimed in horror. "I better alert the foreman and tell him to warn the signalmen!"
"And I'll go to save Douglas!" Kristoff cried.
He raced out of the yard as fast as his powerful wheels would carry him and went to find Douglas.
...
He found the Scottish engine rattling through the countryside, whistling fit to burst with fright and the trucks screaming like mad maniacs.
Kristoff's driver blew on his engine's whistle, which brought the guard running from the van at the tail of the train.
"Couple me on, please!" Kristoff shouted to the frightened guard. "I'll slow the train down!"
Nodding, the guard grabbed his shunter's pole and tried to lean over the van in order to couple it onto Kristoff. However, due to the high speed of the train and the guard trembling with fright, he couldn't couple the brake van onto Kristoff.
"We mustn't give up!" Kristoff yelled encouragingly.
So another attempt was made to couple on, but just then, they both heard a loud yell from Douglas' crew up front.
"We're going too fast! We'll never be able to slow down for that bend- jump out Angus!"
Kristoff watched in despair as Douglas flew off the rails, and heard him crash into a fence. He witnessed the proud Scottish engine collapse onto his side and skid along the ground until he came to a stop near a field of grazing sheep.
"Och that hurt..." Douglas groaned.
...
Kristoff was horrified by the incident. Douglas' train was lying oddly-half of the Troublesome Trucks had landed on their side, but the rest- the ones nearer the brakevan- were still more or less upright, just derailed. He had seen the guard jump out shortly after the warning, but where was his crew?
"Douglas, don't worry- I'll go and get help!" Kristoff shouted to Douglas and he raced off as fast as he could to find the breakdown train, Jerome and Judy.
...
When he arrived back at the yard, Edward was looking worried.
"The signalmen couldn't stop Douglas in time," He said anxiously.
"I know where he is, but I'll need Jerome and Judy- he's been derailed!" Kristoff burst out, causing Edward to gasp.
Quickly spying the breakdown crane, Kristoff was coupled on to Jerome, Judy and a van filled with hastily assembled workmen at the tip of a hat and he rushed off to the rescue. Edward watched the whole thing, as did Thomas, who had just entered the yard.
"What's going on, Edward?" Thomas asked in confusion on seeing the commotion around them.
"I thought you'd be able to answer that question yourself, my friend," Replied Edward. "After all, history has an uncanny way of repeating itself, does it not?"
The blue tank engine sat there in silence realising what had happened.
...
Meanwhile, Kristoff raced towards the scene of Douglas' accident as fast as his wheels could carry him. He felt awful for not being able to stop him in time. What would Donald say when he found out that Kristoff let his twin down?
"You best worry later, old boy- we have a rescue mission to complete." His driver reminded him.
"I'll do my best," Kristoff answered bravely. He didn't like dealing with accidents, as he felt awful for engines that were in pain, but he knew it would be even worse leaving Douglas here.
So he took a deep breath, and got Jerome and Judy into position, allowing them to give easier access to the workmen, although they were tutting at the damage and reassuring a worried Douglas that he would soon be back on the rails again.
Then Kristoff noticed one man who wasn't helping with th rescue procedure. The guard and one of Douglas' crew had gone to help, but the other had a makeshift sling made from his colleague's jacket. He was standing there, shaking and looking unable to move, so Kristoff's driver got out and went to see if he required anything, and ended up bringing him back.
"It's his driver, Malcolm Macduff," He explained. "He landed awkwardly and bent his arm beneath his weight. He'll need to be taken to Wellsworth hospital immediately!"
"We can't," The fireman pointed out. "We have to stay here and help!"
Kristoff thought about it, and then he had an idea to help Malcolm.
"We could stop at Wellsworth Station and get someone to wait with him whilst they phone an ambulance. I've heard that a bus service runs there, so getting an ambulance there wouldn't be difficult."
Both his driver and his fireman agreed that the idea could work.
"But you need to go slow," His driver warned. "He could be injured somewhere else, even if we don't know it yet, and this is very dangerous, but..."
"I know, and I promise not to go fast." His engine replied seriously. "I can do it driver."
"Alright then."
...
Meanwhile, Judy and Jerome had successfully managed to lift Douglas back onto the line.
"There you go, Douglas," Jerome said. "How do you feel?"
"Och, just a wee bit battered tha's a'." Douglas replied bravely.
"Come on- I'll take you to the Steamworks." Kristoff added, and with that, he waited until both the breakdown train and Douglas were coupled back on, and then he gently began puffing.
The trucks had to wait until Kristoff came back to collect them, and they all moaned pitifully.
"Oh, be quiet!" Kristoff snapped. "If it weren't for you trucks capering around, Douglas wouldn't have derailed!"
With that, he was on his way again, leaving the silly trucks behind.
...
After dropping off Malcolm at Wellsworth, Kristoff brought a sore and mournful Douglas to Crovan's Gate for repairs.
"Ye didnae hae tae fash yersel aboot me, laddie." Douglas told him gratefully as he was gently pushed into the building.
"Well, I couldn't leave you there and retain a good conscience." Kristoff smiled, and Douglas smiled too. But then another voice joined them.
"Dougie! I came as soon as I heard!"
It was Donald, and he was reasonably upset. My crew got a call saying you were in accident on the main line! Fit happened?"
Douglas sighed patiently, and explained the whole accident in detail- from his brake blocks catching fire to Kristoff rescuing him.
"I'm just sorry I couldn't couple onto his train and stop him." Kristoff confessed sadly, once Douglas had finished his narrative. "I have a feeling none of this would have happened if I'd just been able to do it."
"It's nae yer fault, though. Accidents happen here a' the time. Aye, I'm upset my twin's stuck in here, but I'm nae mad at ye for it. In fact, I want to thank ye."
"Thank me- why?" Kristoff asked in pure disbelief. His eyebrows furrowed together in confusion, and he gave Donald a funny look.
"Well, you saw fit happened and ye were quick to respond to the situation. I would ha helped Dougie myself, if I'd been there. Thanks for helping my brother, Kristoff."
"Yes, thanks for rescuing me, Kristoff." Douglas added.
"You're welcome, Donald, Douglas." Kristoff grinned. "I'm just glad to help out." He smiled, and then he started to reverse. "I better go and rescue your train then, Douglas."
"Just go as far as Wellsworth, and then ask for BoCo." Donald told him. He'll sort it out from there- and he's an auld friend of ours, tae."
"Thanks Donald!" Kristoff called, and he raced off as fast as his wheels would carry him.
...
When he returned to the scene of the accident, the trucks were still as they'd left them. Kristoff still had Jerome and Judy with him, so soon they set to work on the trucks.
Kristoff was very cross with the trucks for poor Douglas' accident. "You should all be ashamed of yourselves!" He scolded. "You have caused a lot of trouble today, and I hope you've learned a lesson!"
The trucks all mumbled some incoherent response, which Kristoff took to be a 'yes.'
"Good to see we have the same level of understanding. Now come on- I'm taking you to Wellsworth to see BoCo." He grinned cheekily.
"Oh no, please!" They begged, but Kristoff just ignored them.
...
He was silent on the way to Wellsworth Station, affectionately nicknamed Edward's Station, and ground to a halt.
He saw a green Metropolitan Vickers Type Two Diesel on the other line. Kristoff wondered what he was like. He hadn't met a lot of diesels on the island- Mavis was nice, but Diesel wasn't. Would he be nice, or downright rude?
"Excuse me, but I'm looking for BoCo," He addressed the green diesel.
"You've found the right engine- what can I do for you?" The diesel asked kindly.
Kristoff swallowed nervously.
"Well, I need to give these trucks to you- they're scrap."
"Ah, that would be Douglas' scrap train from the Little Western. What happened to him anyway?" BoCo inquired.
"He was in an accident." Kristoff explained, unwilling to explain any more about it.
Luckily, he didn't need to, as BoCo understood. "I see. Poor engine- such a good soul. If you see him again before I do, will you pass on my regards?"
"Certainly." Kristoff answered.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
...
The next day, the Fat Controller held an announcement at Knapford Station for recognition of Kristoff's brave rescue, and all the engines attended, as well as a number of people.
"As you are aware, Douglas suffered a nasty accident taking a train to Crock's Scrapyard. It was most unfortunate to hear the news, but one engine stands here today, had witnessed the accident and acted promptly to not only rescue Douglas and bring him to the works, but he also brought Douglas's driver to Wellsworth to be transported for treatment, and ensured that his train would still run as promptly as possible. Ladies gentlemen and engines, I would like to say that Kristoff had done a brave job for rescuing his fellow engine from a time of crisis!"
Everyone clapped and cheered for Kristoff, who was lost for words.
He was given four coaches for his future trains; Grace, Lisa, Coral and Stephanie, who were very pleased to work with Kristoff in future.
"I would also like to mention that Christopher Awdry, son of the late and sorely missed Reverend W. Awdry, better known as the Thin Clergyman, would like to speak."
A round of applause and whistles witnessed Christopher Awdry to the front of the gathered crowd.
"I have been working on a new book recently, and I have written it with its stories dedicated to Kristoff." He announced boldly, making everyone clap supportively.
Kristoff felt incredibly happy, and he missed hearing what the Thin Clergyman had to say, as his friends were all talking to him.
"Well done Kristoff!" Percy whispered. "You were brilliant yesterday."
"Thanks Percy," Kristoff replied.
"You've come far, little brother." Gordon added.
"I have," Agreed Kristoff. "I feel...
"How do you feel, Kristoff?" Thomas asked.
"I feel on top of the world!" Kristoff answered happily.
...
The End.