The Modern Railway Series No. 26

MORE HARBOUR ENGINES

Original stories by Davey Moore

Foreword

Dear friends,

There has been quite a bit of activity up at Arlesburgh harbour. Harvey began to gain more self-confidence, Daisy found out that change can be a good thing sometimes, and Diesel had shown more and more signs of good inside him. I'd love to tell you more, but you'll have to read these stories and find out for yourself!

The author

Stuck in gear

It was the morning after a heavy storm hit the island of Sodor. Some of the trees had been damaged by the strong winds. The rain had filled the rivers and some of the lines were flooded. There was quite a bit of clearing up to do. Harvey is a cheerful engine with perhaps the most distinctive appearance of any engine on Sodor. But it's not just his deep red livery and square wooden buffers that make him stand out. It's the really useful crane mounted on top of his boiler. Even though Harvey is a one-of-a-kind engine, he doesn't like it when everyone is looking at him or making a fuss. It makes him feel embarrassed. And when Harvey gets embarrassed, he does silly things.

Harvey came up to a tree, where its branches have broken and hung low over the tracks. "Oh dear! More branches!" exclaimed Harvey. It looked too much for him to move on his own, so he decided to go and fetch Rocky. But then, he stopped. "On the other hook, I don't need to bother Rocky. He's probably busy." Harvey puffed forward and tried to squeeze under the branches. But when he couldn't go any more forward, he tried to reverse. But that did no good. "I'll have to power forward," exclaimed Harvey. "That'll get me out of this jam!" Harvey struggled as he pushed through the long branches.

Harvey made it out of the tree. "I did it! I knew I could do it!" he cried as he moved his crane arm. But then, it began to creak and shudder. "Oh, that sounds bad. Hope no one saw." Harvey felt silly for trying to push past the tree and he felt doubly silly for getting a branch stuck in his gears. Harvey decided to forget about it and act like nothing happened, so as not to make a fuss.

At Brendam Docks, Harvey was lifting crates. But it wasn't long before his crane arm stopped moving completely. It was well and truly stuck. "Have you finished moving those crates, Harvey?" asked Cranky. "Not yet!" replied Harvey hastily. "Is everything okay? What's going on Harvey me hearty?" asked Salty. Harvey didn't want to make a fuss about his crane. Harvey distracted the others by offering to play a game of 'I spy'. While Salty and Cranky searched for something beginning with 'o', Harvey tried to sneak away. But he couldn't get past the overarching building, because his crane arm was blocking the way. "Oh no!" exclaimed Harvey. "I'll have to go back!" Harvey quickly reversed and raced out of the docks.

"Oh, I don't like this," muttered Harvey as he hid in a siding. "My crane's all stuck and I don't want those teasy engines making fun of me or make a fuss…" Harvey went off to hide himself away. He noticed a tunnel up ahead. "That's it! I can hide in that tunnel! No one will be able to make a fuss or make fun of me in there!" he exclaimed triumphantly. But when he got to the tunnel, his crane blocked the way and he couldn't get inside.

Then Harvey had an idea. "I can use the tunnel wall to push my crane back the right way! I'm going to do it!" Harvey puffed forward as hard as he could. His crane arm slammed against the wall and began to move. But it didn't just move the crane arm. Harvey began to tip over. He didn't notice as he struggled, until it was too late. He fell sideways and blocked the tracks. "Now I've done it," he groaned. Then, he heard an engine approaching. His driver and fireman waved red flags. "Stop! Look out!" cried Harvey. The engine put on its brakes and came to a stop, right in front of Harvey. It was Salty. "Ocean! Was it the ocean?" he asked Harvey. "What do you mean- oh, yes," replied Harvey.

Salty brought Harvey to the Steamworks to be repaired. And soon, he was all fixed up again with very little fuss. "This is brilliant! Thanks, Victor! My crane has never ran so smoothly!" said Harvey. Harvey's crane was as good as new. Better than new even. Although it did take a bit of getting used to. And from then on, Harvey knew that a little fuss is sometimes necessary to get the job done.

A most singular engine

One day, Diesel was sent to Arlesburgh to pull trucks on the line where Ryan and Daisy were working. "Hello, Daisy the diesel!" greeted Diesel. "Diesel railcar, thank you very much," corrected Daisy. "Well, as I'm shunting trucks between Harwick and Knapford, the line will be much improved with we two diesels working here!" said Diesel. "I'm not just any diesel," retorted Daisy. "I'm unique. A most singular engine. And certainly not the same kind of diesel as you are." This made Diesel cross.

Daisy was indeed unique and one-of-a-kind. And she never tired of letting everyone know about it. Diesel thought she was very full of herself and he was fed up with her boasting. Diesel noticed a couple of engines praising Harvey. They called him unique and the most singular engine on Sodor. This gave Diesel an idea. "Hello, Harvey!" he called as he came up to Harvey. "Hello, Diesel," replied Harvey. "Did you know that Daisy has been saying she is the most uniquely useful engine on Sodor?" "Well, we're all useful in our own way," said Harvey. "Yes, but do you think she's more useful than you?" asked Diesel innocently. "With your crane? Because that's what she's been saying." Harvey couldn't believe it. But then, he began to dislike Daisy.

Diesel started spreading rumours and causing problems between Harvey and Daisy. "Hey Ryan!" called Diesel. "You'd better look out for your friend Daisy. Harvey's been saying he's much more useful than she is." Soon, all the engines couldn't stop talking about Harvey and Daisy, and who was more unique than the other. Daisy and Harvey had never even met each other, but they already began to dislike the other because of how rude they seemed to be.

Daisy was on her way to Harwick when there was trouble. A lorry dropped some crates at the level crossing, and blocked the line. Now Daisy can't get through. Presently, Harvey arrived. They noticed each other, and stared at each other intensely for a full minute.

Then they drew their attention back to the crates on the line. "Is there a problem?" asked Harvey. "These crates on the line. I guess I'm going to be delayed now," sighed Daisy. "That's not very useful, is it?" "Well, I could move the crates with my crane," suggested Harvey. "But then I would be running late, too. I have to go pick up a replacement passenger coach for one that Diesel derailed this morning." "No need for that!" said Daisy eagerly. "I can pick up the extra passengers without a coach!" "Oh, how useful is that?" exclaimed Harvey. "Very useful, but not as useful as having that springy thing," said Daisy, glancing at Harvey's crane. "Oh, you mean my crane?" laughed Harvey.

The two engines came to an agreement. Harvey moved the crates out of the way, and Daisy brought the extra passengers. When Diesel saw Harvey and Daisy together that evening, he was very surprised to see them talking and laughing. They weren't arguing and fighting, they were getting along, like old friends. "You weren't supposed to be friends!" protested Diesel. The two engines stared at him for a second, and then burst out laughing. "Why would you ever think we wouldn't get along, Diesel?" asked Harvey. "But, you're both so… different!" spluttered Diesel. "A diesel railcar and a steam engine with a crane?!" Diesel grunted as he raced away. "What's the matter with him?" asked Harvey.

Diesel was in such a grumpy mood, that he didn't notice that the points were set towards the ramp that led down towards the sea. "Oh no!" cried Diesel as he put on his brakes. He splashed into the water and his generator got wet. "Oh dear! Hold on, Diesel!" called Harvey as he rushed to the rescue. As Harvey lowered his hook and pulled Diesel out of the water, Diesel was relieved. "Why are you helping me? I wasn't very nice to you." "I know, Diesel, but I'm always willing to help," smiled Harvey. "You know something, Harvey?" called Daisy. "What make an engine really special is not how they look but what they do. Like you, Harvey, helping Diesel after he's been causing all that trouble." "But Diesel can be uniquely useful too, Daisy," replied Harvey. "When he's pulling trucks and helping on the railway!" Diesel didn't say a word.

Daisy the diesel railcar likes that her new friend Harvey is so different. And Harvey admires Daisy just for being Daisy. Even Diesel had to admit, that they were both singular engines indeed.

Daisy's perfect Christmas

Daisy the diesel railcar doesn't care too much for winter. The cold mornings just don't agree with her at all. Daisy would happily spend the whole of winter in her shed if it wasn't for one thing: Christmas. "I love the traditions, doing the same thing every year. The way they're always meant to be…"

On Christmas Eve, Daisy was feeling anxious. "I wish it would hurry up and snow. It doesn't feel like Christmas without snow. But still, I just can't wait to see the Christmas tree at Vicarstown." When Daisy entered Vicarstown, she was disappointed to see that tree was still being pulled up, and it wasn't even decorated yet. "Oh the children will be disappointed…" Daisy was very unhappy. She just wanted everything to be perfect.

When the children began singing Christmas carols, Daisy was upset that they weren't singing the proper lyrics traditionally. Daisy arrived at Arlesburgh West. The miniature engines were bright and cheerful, and decorated with Christmas lights. "Rex! Where are the presents for the children?" asked Daisy. "We're doing something different this year, so-" began Rex. "But I don't want to do something different!" protested Daisy. "I want-" but then, Daisy gasped. She noticed that it was snowing. "Oh, at last! It's finally snowing!" exclaimed Daisy with glee. Daisy caught a snowflake with her tongue. But she spat it out at once. "What is this?!" "Pretty good, eh? Just like the real thing!" said Bert. "Do you mean to tell me that this is fake snow?!" demanded Daisy. "Yes! Do you like it?" asked Mike. "No, I do not! I like real snow!" protested Daisy as she hurried away.

Daisy hoped that Vicarstown station was decorated, just like it should be. When she arrived, she was delighted to see it covered in bright lights and wonderful garland. "C'est magnifique!" But then, she gasped as the lights burned out, and wouldn't light up again. Daisy was very upset.

Finally, Daisy collected the carolers and took them to the Search and Rescue centre. Everyone was feeling festive, except for Daisy. And then there was trouble. Daisy noticed the troublesome trucks singing the Christmas carols. And Harold putting the star on top of the tree. Daisy was furious.

That night, Daisy's springs were wound up very tight. "Oh, Daisy! How were your Christmas specials?" asked Ryan as Daisy entered the sheds. "Worst. Day. Ever…" muttered Daisy. "Oh, Daisy, where's your Christmas spirit? You usually love this time of year!" said Ryan. "Yes, it's not like you to be a party pooper!" said Judy. "Or a Daisy downer!" laughed Jerome. Daisy told Ryan and the breakdown train all about the changes around her, and how everything wasn't like it was traditionally.

When she was finished, the others laughed. "Oh, Daisy, it sounds like you had a wonderful time!" giggled Judy. "I know, but it's usually so special. I just wanted everything to be like it always is," sighed Daisy. "But what about that moment with the Troublesome trucks?" said Jerome. "You've had to laugh about that!" Daisy didn't know how to reply. But Ryan had the answer for her. "Maybe it wasn't better or worse than usual, just different! After all, a few Christmases ago we didn't share a shed, and now we do!" "And we weren't based here at Arlesburgh either! Don't you like having us around at Christmas?" chipped in Judy. "Of course I do. I love being with you!" replied Daisy. "You're my friends." "So there you go!" concluded Ryan. "Today wasn't perfect like it used to be; it was a new kind of perfect!" "You're right! You're all right!" said Daisy feeling better. "Even though it didn't snow, it was perfect." "Well, it may not be snow, but we did put together a little Christmas present for you," said Judy as she turned around and flipped on a switch. In a few seconds, the sheds were covered in lovely, glowing, Christmas lights. Daisy was very grateful. "Thank you," she smiled. "Christmas is made perfect with friends like you."

Springtime for Diesel

One day, Diesel was being his usual self. He saw Daisy refueling. He decided to go and say 'hello'. By bumping her! "What did you do that for?" demanded Daisy. "I was just saying 'hello'," replied Diesel. "What do you want me to do? Say 'sorry'?" "Well, I'm highly-sprung," said Daisy. "A bump like that could be bad for my swerves." "Bye Daisy!" said Diesel as he raced off. "So rude…" muttered Daisy.

Daisy struggled on after picking up her passengers, but she didn't feel right. And then there was trouble. Something snapped inside Daisy and made her lurch to one side. Daisy's springs had finally sprung. "This has never happened before!" moaned Daisy. "But for the sake of my passengers, I must carry on. At least to the next station…" Daisy struggled, but she managed to get her passengers to Harwick station.

Ryan soon brought the breakdown train. Judy and Jerome lifted her onto their flatbeds, and Ryan pulled her to the Dieselworks. They passed Diesel on the way, who looked guilty when he saw Daisy. Daisy's springs had never sprung before and the diesel workers didn't know how to fix them.

The news spread all over the island. "Have you heard about Daisy?" Mavis told Diesel as he entered the quarry. "Den and Dart say she might be scrapped!" "Why are you telling me?" snapped Diesel as he ran off quickly. Everywhere Diesel went, engines were talking about Daisy. And he got annoyed.

But that night, when Diesel came to the dieselworks, he decided to see Daisy. The diesel railcar was up on the gantry and fast asleep. Diesel built up courage, and said these words. "I'm… I'm sorry for shunting into you the way I did, Daisy. I really didn't mean to cause you any trouble. But so what if I did give you a little bump? Other engines aren't nice to me, so why should I be nice to other engines if they blame me for everything? …but, I hope you can be fixed. I wish I could do something to make everything alright again. I like you, although after this, I don't suppose you'll ever want to be my friend…" Diesel left the dieselworks and went off to his shed. Daisy smiled. She had heard everything Diesel told her.

The next morning, a special delivery from the Mainland arrived at the dieselworks. Daisy's new springs had come. Soon, Daisy was repaired and as good as new. "I feel good as new!" chanted Daisy. "Maybe better than before…" She thanked the workers and got ready to leave, when Diesel came along. "Are you all fixed up now, Daisy?" asked Diesel. "Yes, thank you," said Daisy feeling unamused. "I know what you did and I do want to be friends with you. But I don't like being bumped. No one does! If you want to make friends, Diesel, you need to change your ways." And Daisy left Diesel, who was lost in deep thought.

The next morning, Diesel was out and about, when he spotted Daisy once again. Daisy caught up with her, and simply said, "Good morning, Daisy! How are you, today?" Daisy was surprised. "I'm fine, thank you for asking." "I didn't bump into you, Daisy. See?" said Diesel. "I've changed my ways!" Diesel passed Ryan. "Morning Diesel!" called Ryan. "You look… happy." "Daisy is my friend," whispered Diesel. Maybe Diesel can make some more friends, if he really can learn to change his ways.