Smokeblast
On the Fat Controllers railway, some of the strongest engines work. From Gordon and Henry. From Hank and Murdoch. Sometimes, Hiro, Connor and Catilin help out as well on the island.
One particular day, the Fat Controller had an announcement for the engines. "Yes, sir," Percy said, "What is it, sir?"
"We are going to have a special visitor today," the Fat Controller announced. The engines whistled in excitement. "Wait," the Fat Controller said, "And listen." They all did. The engines heard a chuffing sound. But immediately, it became multiple chuffing sounds. "Sounds like multiple engines," said Henry.
"More engines?" Gordon called out loud. "One," the Fat Controller said. That's when the engine, or actually, the big engine chuffed into view. "Hello," he said. "Hi," the engines whistled in reply.
The engines looked at the visitor. "Another double engine," said Henry. "Like Big Boy and Mallet," said Thomas. "My name is Barrage," the big engine said, "I'm glad to be visiting today on your railway.
The engines got a full view of the engine, including his tender. "Look!" Percy called out, "More driving wheels! Underneath the tender!" Percy is right. "Holly wheels," Murdoch said, "Three sets of driving wheels?"
"Yes," replied Barrage, "I am what they call a triplex locomotive. Three sets of driving wheels." "Amazing," said Arthur. "I'm speechless," said Murdoch, "I can't say anymore!"
"There's even a smoke stack at the back of the tender!" said Emily. There is. "Yes," answered Barrage, "All the extra steam had to go somewhere and my regular smoke box funnel isn't enough for me."
"Well, now," the Fat Controller, "Enough of that, show Barrage a lot of places." "Yes, sir!" replied the engines. The engines showed Barrage many places on the Island of Sodor. Actually, they didn't show him everything. Barrage is obviously way too big and heavy to go on most of the small railway lines.
"Here is my branch line," said Edward, "It is really important that we keep it running." "Yes," replied Barrage, "I see." He did not go onto Thomas' branch line.
"What's going on?" asked Thomas. "Your branch line will not take my weight!" explained Barrage. "Oh, we understand," sighed Thomas, "Sorry." "No problem," said Barrage.
"We can tell you about Thomas' branch line instead," said Sara, "My brother runs one of the best on this railway." "All right," agreed Barrage. "I think he's too big," said Henry. "Yep," agreed Gordon. "Right there with you," said James. "James, Gordon and Henry!" a voice scolded the three. It was Satsuki.
"Don't offend the visitor!" Satsuki said severely. Soon enough it was time for Barrage to pull a heavy goods train. And this one is a really heavy goods train.
"There you go," said Donald. "Off you go," said Douglas. "Ready to go!" said Barrage. He did pull the heavy goods train. Very slowly. "What's going on?" asked Neville. "He has to pull really slowly," explained Arthur, "Otherwise, he'll pull the trucks apart." "Oh, I see," said Neville, "And wow, 300 trucks! He sure is strong!"
5 hours later, Barrage delivered his goods train to Vicarstown. "Destination, arrived!" Barrage declared. "He sure is impressive," said Mikan who was working nearby.
"Yes, I agree," said Gloria, "He sure is a big engine." "Well, he needs to do something with all of those trucks," said Gwenevere. They looked at the long line of heavy trucks.
"Sorry," said Barrage. "We can take care of this," said Gloria. It took the engines a full day to sort the trucks out. By then, the line was cleared and the engines can go on their way. "I take it that was too much," Barrage said, embarrassed.
Later that day, Barrage took on simpler jobs like taking a train of 20 coal trucks and helping other engines up Gordon's hill. "This is simple," he said.
Barrage was enjoying his time on the railway, even though his routes are limited.
One day, Barrage was on his way to a station near the mountains. "He sure is quiet today," said Percy. "Yes," agreed Thomas.
Nearby, however, there was a robbery and the criminal, who had stolen a case of jewelry and is now running from the police. At once, Barrage and the running criminal approached a bridge.
When the criminal got to the bridge, he noticed an engine approaching it and he decided to wait until the engine has passed under the bridge. He didn't want to be blasted by the black smoke coming from the engine's smokestack. When the engine's smoke box passed under the bridge, the criminal began to cross it.
But the criminal didn't see that the engine passing underneath the bridge is Barrage. So he did not pay any attention to the smokestack behind his tender. As the criminal ran onto the bridge just as Barrage passed under, the smoke from the tender smokestack completely clouded the criminal, blinding him, and leaving him confused.
When the police arrived, the bridge was covered in smoke and Barrage has already left. The criminal emerged from the smoke continued coughing. The police wrested the criminal and arrested him after they got he case with the stolen jewelry back. "What's going on back there?" asked Barrage.
The criminal had just been thrown into the police car to be taken away as Barrage continued on, not realizing what had happened. When the day came to an end, Barrage was greeted with a cheer and a whistle. "You've done a great job!" shouted Percy. "What?" asked Barrage.
"You stopped a robbery!" exclaimed Thomas. "You did!" said Henry. "You're a crook stopper!" said Billy. "What's going on?" asked Barrage. "While you were going to help someone out," the Fat Controller said, "You've stopped a robber who robbed a jewelry store with smoke coming from your tender."
"That's what I call a smoke blast," joked Murdoch. "I didn't know," said Barrage, "Well, you can say that. Even though I never knew that it had happened." "Well, now you know," said Gordon. Everyone agreed.
The next day however. "Well, everyone," said Barrage, "You've got a nice railway. I'm glad that you have taken great care of it." "Thank you, Barrage," said Edward, "For your kind words." "No problem," said Barrage, "Well, I must be off now."
"But why?" asked Percy, "Why are you leaving?" "You've got a nice railway," said Barrage, "It's just that I'm too big and heavy for your little lines. And I can pull a lot of trucks. But it's just too much for this railway. I'm going back to my home where everything is just right for me." "Well, all right then," said Thomas, "I wish you good luck."
"We all do," said Duck, "Thank you for your visit. It has been a great honor." "Thanks," smiled Barrage, "But we may meet again soon." With that, Barrage left the railway.
The engines listened to the sound of multiple engines chuffing until they can hear them no more. "Will we see him again, Thomas?" asked Percy. "Someday," answered Thomas. "He sure has proven to be a really useful engine," said Toby. "I agree," said Emily. "Take care, big guy," said Thomas, "Take care."
