Chapter 236: Crossed Lines

"I'll never understand," James said one evening over dinner, "Whatever The Other Railway saw in diesel engines. Steam worked just fine before they came around, and its worked just fine since."

"They're alright," Henry said, not really caring either way. "Just mixed traffic engines, like our engines James."

"I can't believe he's still going on about this," Gordon grumbled to Bear, having completely tuned out of the conversation as James droned on. Bear just nodded in agreement.

"Mixed up engines, you mean! They have two cabs at each end, how can the drivers know which one is which?"

"Toby's tram has 2 cabs, and he gets on just fine," Duck said.

"Yes, but his tram is just a small engine, hardly big enough to get lost in. Imagine if my engine had 2 cabs? If I couldn't figure out where to go, where would we all be."

Nobody said anything, and just went about their business. Sometimes it was best to just let James rant. Sooner or later, he'd get his.

The next morning, James had been assigned shunting in the yard, much to his anger.

"Dirty trucks in dirty sidings, yuck! I don't know why Donald or Douglas can do this."

"They're helping with ballast work on Duck's branch line," soothed Molly, who knew how much he dislike the job. "Never mind, at least we get to work together."

James smiled. She always knew just what to say.

"Well, I guess that is a perk."

A while later, James was arranging a line of wellwagons. It should have been easy, but James was still cross and wasn't really paying attention, causing the train to lurch and bump about. To make matters worse, the weather was damp and misty, only serving to worsen his mood and make the job take longer. It took a long time, but soon he had only 2 more trucks to collect.

"Almost done, then hopefully I can get back to some real work."

But trouble lay ahead. The signalman was hard at work, trying to arrange all the points so the trains could get where they needed to go. But it was so misty he could hardly see what was happening. Normally, the engine drivers would whistle to let him know they were there. James was just about to, when Molly drove up coming the other way.

"Excuse me James, but is it alright if I go first? The power plant needs these coal trucks, and I'm a little bit behind schedule."

"Of course, Molly. Go on ahead, just make sure to whistle to let Jeff know."

Molly did so, and the signalman set to work. But he was so distracted that he thought that was James's whistle, and set the points for the main line while one of James's wagons was halfway over them. One bogie went one way, and the other one went towards the main line! James tried to stop, but it was too late. With a great SMASH!, the bogie hit the signal. With a tremendous CRACK!, the signal snapped out of its support and fell to the ground, missing James by a hair. The signalman cam running up.

"James, are you alright? This is all my fault, I thought that was you..."

"I'm fine, but the signal isn't."

"Don't worry, I'll get the breakdown train!"

When Molly returned, she had not only the breakdown train, but also a very cross Sir Topham Hatt.

"I understand wanting to be a gentleman, James, but we do have the order for a reason. That signal was very important, and now we shall have to make other arrangements."

"Yes sir, I'm sorry sir."

"Don't be too cross with him, sir. I should've kept a better look out."

"I know Jeff, but this is rather inconvenient. Oh, the confusion and delay!"

James and Molly spent the rest of the afternoon helping fix the mess. That night, James was unusually silent, much to the other engine drivers' relief.

"It may be difficult knowing which way to go with two cabs," whispered a voice to no one in particular. "But to not know where to go with only one? How uncouth!"

James just seethed in fury.