Extra passenger trains on the island are inevitable whenever the holidays roll around. But something that is just as inevitable are all the extra freight deliveries as well. During this time of year, one of the busiest places to be is Brendam Docks. With more ships and cargo arriving and departing, Salty, Porter, Cranky, Carly and Big Mickey always have their work cut out for them!
Cranky: Here's the tire shipment for Ted's Garage…
Carly: ...the Christmas decorations for that general store near Wellsworth…
Big Mickey: And the sandbags bound for The Little Western are...are...oh dear, where are they?!
Cranky: I saw some sandbags in that ship over there, Big Mickey. Check and see if they're the ones you're looking for.
And Big Mickey did just that. He smiled as they were indeed the sandbags he was looking for.
Big Mickey: Ah, there they are!
Big Mickey quickly picked up the loads of sandbags and lifted them into some waiting freight cars. Porter came by not long afterwards and shunted them into a siding.
Big Mickey: Who's meant to be taking these sandbags to The Little Western, Porter?
Porter: Rupert's meant to be taking them...although he should've been here by now.
At last, Rupert arrived at the docks.
Rupert: Phew! Sorry I'm late, Porter; I was at Knapford Harbor helping Percy push behind engines and their trains to help them start! These icy tracks aren't playing fair at all!
Porter: Never mind that, Rupert. You're here now. Your cars of sandbags are waiting for you on Siding 3.
Rupert puffed into the siding and retrieved his freight cars.
Rupert: Thanks, Porter! Well, I better leave you, Salty and the tower cranes to finish your work. It seems like you'll be kept busy for a while!
Porter: You said it, Rupert. I haven't been this exhausted since I was in charge of Brendam Docks a few months ago.
Rupert: Haha, I bet. Maybe you could ask Sir Topham Hatt to send some of these ships to the harbors on the island. I bet they'd be thrilled to have some extra work to keep them busy and you lot wouldn't have to worry about your workload piling up here.
Porter: Hmm...I'll keep that in mind, Rupert. Thank you.
And with that, Rupert left Brendam Docks and made his way towards Duck's Branch Line. He was amazed at what The Little Western had to offer in terms of scenery. Chilly air passed through his wheel spokes and snow was sprinkled all over the ground and rock formations. Despite all of that, the view of the route was still breathtaking.
Then, Rupert passed Tidmouth Beach. As he did so, he saw a very peculiar sight.
Rupert: Hey! What's he doing there?
Rupert soon found out. As he shunted his cars into a siding at Tidmouth Hault, he saw Oliver and Toad, who were picking up some crates that needed to go to Haultraugh.
Oliver: Hello. You're Rupert, right?
Rupert: Yes. And you're Oliver, aren't you? And you're here with your brake van, Toad?
Toad: That's correct, Mr. Rupert; hello! What brings you here; I thought you worked on Mr. Thomas' Branch Line?
Rupert: Hello, Toad! You're right; I do work on Thomas' Branch Line. It's just that I came to bring the sandbags the stationmaster wanted.
Oliver: Oh, that's wonderful!
Toad: Yes indeed. Those will certainly come in handy!
Rupert: Yes, well, there's that and...I was wondering if you two could answer a question I have.
Toad: Sure thing, Mr. Rupert. Ask away!
Rupert: Well, as I passed Tidmouth Beach, I saw this barge that was...well, beached on the sand. Do you know who he is?
Oliver and Toad frowned.
Oliver: Oh, that's just Bulstrode. He's a grumpy old barge that used to work at Knapford Harbor until some cars loaded with stone fell into his hull many years ago. He's been on that beach ever since.
Rupert: Yikes. Do you think he can be fixed and brought back into service?
Oliver: Pfft, doubt it. If the workmen didn't bother to repair Bulstrode after his accident, what makes you think they'll consider doing it now? It's probably for the best that he stays on that beach, considering how rude and impatient he is. Then again, Bulgy was brought back into service, despite all of the trouble he's caused, so...anything is possible, I guess...
Just then, the workmen finished loading up Oliver's cars and he heard the guard blow his whistle.
Toad: We have to go now, Mr. Oliver!
Oliver: Yes, yes; I heard the whistle, Toad. See you around, Rupert!
Rupert: Seeya, Oliver. Bye, Toad!
Toad: Bye, Mr. Rupert!
Rupert turned around and made his way back down the line. As he passed Tidmouth Beach for the second time, he could hear Bulstrode say something. Rupert was about to dismiss it as just grumbling, but then he listened closely. The "grumbling" sounded more sad than cynical.
Bulstrode: Rotten weather...rotten beach...I'd do anything to be back in the ocean carrying cargo…
Rupert returned to the junction and filled up on coal and water. Percy and Mavis were in Elsbridge Yard, doing some shunting.
Mavis: Hello, Rupert. You do look glum.
Rupert: I am.
And Rupert explained why he was feeling that way.
Percy: Tsk, he's still on that beach? Good. Don't even bother with Bulstrode, Rupert; he's nothing but a grumbling waste of space. Trust me, I should know.
Rupert: But that was years ago, Percy. Don't you think he could've changed his ways since then?
Percy: Or maybe he's still the same grumpy old barge he's always been?
Just then, Toby puffed up.
Toby: That's enough, everyone; we still have more work to complete before the day's end and talking about something else isn't going to help.
Percy and Mavis quietly went back to shunting. Toby was about to join in until he saw Rupert looking upset. He stayed behind to console the red tank engine.
Toby: What's up, Rupert?
Rupert told Toby all about Bulstrode.
Toby: Oh, I see. Although, surely, you can understand why the other engines are hesitant to give him a second chance.
Rupert: I guess...
Toby: I will say this, though: If Bulstrode really is genuine about wanting to change his ways, I'd say he should be given the chance to prove himself.
Rupert: You really think so, Toby?
Toby: I know so, Rupert. Now, I don't suppose you could help me take these freight cars to the quarry?
Rupert: Sure thing!
Rupert and Toby were coupled up to the cars and they made their way to the quarry so they could be loaded with stone.
Toby: Thanks for the help, Rupert! Now I'd better take this lot to Brendam.
Rupert: If you want, I can help you again, Toby. I don't have any trains to take for a while.
Toby: Splendid! Speaking of help, I heard from Stanley that The Brendam Docks Crew are sure to need all the help they can get today. I wonder how they're coping with the extra loads of cargo they've been getting.
Rupert: Hmm, me too...
As it turns out, The Brendam Docks Crew were able to manage their extra workload for a bit. But by evening, the docks were starting to pile up. Consists were clogging up the sidings and the tower cranes were running out of space to unload their cargo.
Salty: Shiver me axles! I've never seen the docks pile up this much!
Carly: What are we going to do?
Porter: We're going to need a few more engines helping us here...and maybe sending some of the ships and their cargo to the harbors wouldn't hurt, either. Gotta thank Rupert for that suggestion the next time I see him.
Rupert: Well, here he is! Now, where's my thanks?
And so it was arranged. Sir Topham Hatt arranged for some engines to help out at Brendam Docks, some to help out at Arlesburgh Harbor and anywhere else on the island that would accept cargo from ships. Everyone worked through the night to get the freight out to their destinations on time. And it wasn't too long before the stress put on The Brendam Docks Crew had diminished.
But there was more trouble on the eastern side of the island. Murdoch was taking a train to The Mainland, but he had to wait at The Vicarstown Bridge to let a tugboat pass through.
Murdoch: C'mon, c'mon! This has to get to The Mainland by morning!
At last, the tugboat, with its barges in tow, was clear of the bridge and Murdoch waited for it to lower back down for him. But it never did. At last, the bridgemaster walked out of the bridge's control tower and walked out to see Murdoch and his crew.
Bridgemaster: Sorry, Murdoch, but the cold weather isn't allowing the bridge to lower back down for you. I'm afraid you'll have to take your train back to Vicarstown.
Murdoch was about to argue, but knew that he didn't really have much of a choice. After getting permission from the signalman, he carefully reversed his train down the line and into Vicarstown Goods Yard. The stationmaster then called Sir Topham Hatt to inform him of what happened.
But Sir Topham Hatt wasn't in his office at Knapford. But Andrew was and he transferred the call over to Arlesburgh Harbor, where Sir Topham Hatt was in the lighthouse, watching the engines hard at work with Captain Joe. They were very concerned once they received the news.
Sir Topham Hatt: How are we supposed to get that last delivery out if we can't do it by rail?
Sir Topham Hatt and Captain Joe walked out of the lighthouse, still trying to think of a way to solve the problem. At that moment, Rupert puffed in with Mr. Perkins riding in his cab. Brendam Docks had managed to deliver all their cargo and they were now going around the island to see if anyone else needed assistance.
Mr. Perkins: How's everything here, sir?
Sir Topham Hatt: Everything's fine here, Mr. Perkins. But Murdoch can't get his delivery to the mainland. The Vicarstown Bridge has to be closed for repairs; this cold weather really isn't agreeing with it!
Mr. Perkins: Oh my, that is a dilemma, isn't it? Surely, there's another way to get all that freight to the mainland, right?
Rupert: I'd suggest Harold, but the wind seems a little strong for him to fly safely in. Hmm...
Just then, Ryan puffed into the harbor, hauling some empty cars behind him.
Ryan: Sorry to barge in like this, sir, but can I leave these freight cars here for now?
Rupert: Wait...barge...barge. *gasps* Ryan, that's it!
Ryan: What's it?
Rupert quickly explained the dilemma up at Vicarstown and how a certain barge could be of assistance.
Ryan: That sounds like a great idea. I just hope Sir Topham Hatt will agree.
To everyone's surprise, Sir Topham Hatt did, in fact, agree to the idea.
Sir Topham Hatt: You know what? I will allow Bulstrode to help.
Rupert: Wait, really?
Sir Topham Hatt: Yes! He's been on that beach for years and I feel he deserves a second chance. I'll send Captain to Tidmouth Beach so he can pull him back into the ocean.
Captain Joe: And I'll gather any spare parts and tools I can find. Surely some of them can be used to fix Bulstrode. Goodness knows what time on that beach has done to him...
Ryan's empty cars were loaded with all the tools and spare parts that Captain Joe could find. And together, Ryan, Rupert, Captain Joe, Sir Topham Hatt and some workmen made their way to Tidmouth Beach.
When they arrived, Bulstrode was still there, grumbling and feeling sorry for himself. He was confused when he looked back, saw Ryan and Rupert pull up behind him and then felt worse when saw Sir Topham Hatt, Captain Joe and the workmen climb out of the brake van and onto the beach towards him.
Bulstrode: Oh, dear. What have I done now?
But, of course, the news Sir Topham Hatt had for Bulstrode was anything but negative.
Sir Topham Hatt: Good news, Bulstrode! You're going to be put back into service. There's a job that we need your help with!
Bulstrode: Really? Even after all these years, you still see some use in me? Oh, thank you, sir!
Sir Topham Hatt: Don't thank me. Thank Rupert. He saw you beached here and thought that it was possible that you changed your negative attitude, that you could be of use and, if given the chance, maybe even change the way the engines think of you.
Bulstrode looked back and saw the red tank engine smiling at him.
Rupert: Hello, Bulstrode. Hope you appreciate the good word I've put in for you!
Bulstrode: Hello, Rupert! Yes, I do appreciate what you've done. It's nice to know that one engine sees me in a positive light. The others just think I'm an impatient, grumpy old barge when all I wanted to do back in those days was to get myself loaded up and shipped out as quickly as possible so I wouldn't end up running late.
Captain Joe and the workmen, who had already started repairing Bulstrode, were surprised to hear this.
Captain Joe: Is that what happened? That's not how the engines tell the story of what happened to you...
Sir Topham Hatt: Well, after tonight, I'll make sure they all know the truth. I wouldn't be surprised if the story was changed over the years to make it seem bigger than it really was...
At last, Bulstrode's repairs were finished. Surprisingly, he hadn't suffered too much damage over the years aside from some gaping holes in his hull that had been filled in to prevent any leaks.
Bulstrode was also covered in rust and dirt, but he refused to have it cleaned off. He insisted that, for the time being, at least, he was satisfied with just being repaired enough to go back into the ocean. Just then, Captain arrived to pick Bulstrode up.
Captain: Wow, Bulstrode, you're looking great!
Bulstrode: Thanks, Captain! They only fixed my hull though; my paintwork is still very much a mess.
Captain: All the same, I'm glad to see that you're ready for work. Now then, we better head over to The Vicarstown Bridge and retrieve Murdoch's cargo!
A strong rope was fastened between Captain and Bulstrode. Very carefully, the little lifeboat hauled the barge back into the ocean, making it the first time Bulstrode felt the ocean underneath his hull in years!
When they arrived at The Vicarstown Bridge, Murdoch had already brought his train back for them. Harvey helped to move the freight from Murdoch's cars into Bulstrode's hull. Any cargo that didn't fit either went into Bulstrode's cab or Captain's deck.
Captain: I can't carry any more cargo!
Bulstrode: Neither can I!
Murdoch: Don't worry about it; another ship will be coming down soon to collect the rest of the cargo! All the same, I can't thank you two enough for coming to help me out!
Captain: Thanks for the heads up, Murdoch! And you're welcome!
Bulstrode: Yes...you're very welcome indeed...
With the cargo safely loaded, Captain and Bulstrode sailed across the sea to The Mainland. Despite the extremely frigid weather, Bulstrode felt very warm as he and Captain traveled through the night. It was the kind of warm feeling that made someone feel happy that they were being really useful...
At last, Bulstrode and Captain arrived at a port on The Mainland. After the cranes unloaded their cargo, they spent the night at a dock the workmen had left open for them. As they went to sleep, the other ship that carried the rest of Murdoch's cargo pulled into port...
They all returned to Arlesburgh Harbor the next morning. A large crowd of people and engines greeted them back home with cheers and whistles.
Sir Topham Hatt: Well done, Captain! Well done, Bulstrode!
Duck: Without you, we'd still be in the middle of a backlog. But you really came through by helping to carry all that cargo to their final destination!
Captain: Thank you all!
Bulstrode: It was nothing really. We were just being really useful...it's a very nice feeling...
Oliver: By the way, I think apologies are in order. For years, we thought you were just a disagreeable barge who never stopped complaining. But when you were gone, we were told the real story.
Percy: Yeah. Now we know that really, you were just a barge that wanted to get your work done as quickly as possible...but unfortunately, got caught up in some antics caused by the Troublesome Trucks.
Bulstrode: Thanks, Oliver. Thank you, Percy. All the same, I'll try to be a bit more patient when waiting to be loaded up with cargo in future...
Oliver: Glad to hear it, Bulstrode.
Ryan: Erm, I don't mean to interrupt, but...what's this?
Ryan came in, shunting some flatbeds with some cargo on them.
Rupert: Oh, no! We missed a delivery!
Sir Topham Hatt: Don't fret, Rupert. I wanted this cargo to be sent here. It's some new barge parts and cans of paint for Bulstrode. If he's going to be put back into service, then he should look presentable!
Bulstrode grinned as he was put in dry-dock. Workmen spent all day properly restoring, mending and painting the barge. Everyone who could come to Bulstrode's relaunch party some time afterward had to agree that the barge was looking better than he had ever looked in his life.
Bulstrode is now back working at Knapford Harbor, but sometimes comes to work at other places on Sodor like Arlesburgh and Brendam. He does his best to move all the cargo he can to wherever it's needed on the island. And instead of bemoaning his arrivals, everyone is now very pleased to see him.