The Valley Railway Series

Book 6: Hiro the Wise Engine

Something Must Be Done

Things began to change for the three Mainland engines. Every day, they saw more and more diesels crawling around the yard, and the engines had less work to do. They began to worry.
"It won't be long now," Ryu growled under his breath. "Our Controller will come any day now, and say 'Okay you lot, we're going to scrap you now, thanks for everything'."
"Don't be ridiculous," Hiro said defiantly. "We've been working for this line for far too long to be scrapped now."
"Really?" Ryu said. "Well then, why have we already been replaced in such a short period of time? If we're so important and vital for the line, why aren't we doing any work?"
"Well…" Hiro began, but as the black diesels rumbled by, he couldn't think of anything to say.

Ryu was right. A few days later, their Controller arrived. He avoided making eye contact with the engines; his face was nearly buried into his clipboard.
"So," he said, "as part of our new modernization plan, we're going to have to sell you three off."
The engines stared in dismay and disbelief.
"You two," their Controller went on, pointing at Ryu and No. 12, "already have a buyer lined up, but as for you…" he continued, his pen pointing towards Hiro, "we still need to find somebody. If nobody offers, we may have to sell you for scrap."
Hiro, for the first time in ages, looked scared. Their Controller didn't even offer a single word of encouragement or hope. He just walked away.

Ryu and No. 12 were ordered to go to the Island to the big sheds, and to bring Hiro with them, for the time being. After Hiro settled in, the other two engines hurried away to the Main Station to find the Big Controller.
It wasn't long before all of the engines on the Island knew of Hiro's plight. Smudger was talking to Edward Mann about it one morning. "It's a crime shame," he said. "Isn't there anything we can do?"
Edward Mann thought for a moment. "There's a special visitor coming tomorrow," he said, "and I've heard him grumbling about needing an engine. He might be the Controller of another railway."
Smudger was interested. "So what should we do?" he asked.

"Well," Edward Mann said with a grin, "remember how we rescued Morning Light?"
Smudger realized what he meant, and beamed. He spoke to his Driver about the idea, who talked to the signalmen and workmen. They all agreed that something must be done for Hiro, and began to make their plan.
The following morning, Smudger arrived at the station to collect his Special. Yume was there, aware of the plan, but keeping very quiet. She winked at Smudger as they coupled up.
On the platform were the Little and Big Controllers. With them was a stout gentleman, along with his wife and a translator.

Smudger was supposed to be taking them through the valley for a special scenic tour. They came to the junction where the valley line meets the dual gauge lines. These are special lines that both stand and narrow gauge engines can use, and this line was built between the harbor and the Big Sheds. Smudger came to a stop.
Surprised by the sudden stop, the Little Controller peaked out of Yume. "What's the holdup?" he asked.
"Just sanding the rails," Smudger's driver lied. When the Little Controller wasn't watching, the Driver changed the points, and Smudger puffed onto the line leading to the Big Sheds. The two Controllers were so busy talking to their special guest that they never noticed that they were going the wrong way.

Smudger stopped in a siding just outside the sheds. The group got out of Yume. They were very surprised to see where they were.
"What on Earth?" exclaimed the Big Controller. "What are we doing here?"
But the stout gentleman was looking at the sheds. There, slowly puffing out of the shed and whistling grandly, was one of the most amazing engines he had ever seen. Hiro smiled at the stout man, who couldn't take his eyes off the extraordinary engine.
"What an amazing machine!" the stout gentleman said. "An engine like this one would be perfect for my railway!"

All at once, the two Controllers realized what Smudger had done, and grinned. "Well," the Big Controller said as the translator spoke his words in English, "you should talk to his Controller. He says if he doesn't find this engine a buyer soon, he may be sold for scrap."
"Scrap?" the stout gentleman said with surprise. "Oh gracious no, that would never do! Take me to him immediately!"
As they hurried off to find Naomi, Hiro beamed at Smudger. "Thank you," he said gratefully. "You're truly one of the best friends I could ever have."
Smudger felt so proud that his boiler might burst!