Thomas and Friends: The Modern Railway Series

by Denngine

A series of adaptations of seasons 17-21, or the Brenner era from Thomas & Friends, but in Railway Series format. They take place years after the original Railway Series, with new places, new faces, and new concepts altogether.

27. 27) Dockside cranes

The Modern Railway Series No. 27

DOCKSIDE CRANES

Original stories by Mark Huckerby, Nick Ostler & Lee Pressman

Foreword

Dear friends,

Brendam Docks has become more busy and bustling than ever, ever since Cranky the crane came to Sodor. But recently, he's been having difficulty keeping up with the ongoing deliveries going to and from Sodor. So a new crane was ordered from the Mainland to lend a helping hook and recruit the Brendam team. Cranky ought to be less cranky with these new arrangements. Find out if he really is or not.

The author

A Cranky Christmas

It was a cold winter day, and Thomas was delivering salt to Tidmouth Town Hall to stop people slipping on the ice. Thomas struggled to stop himself as his wheels slipped on the icy rails. "Careful, Thomas," warned Edward. Thomas couldn't believe how slippery the tracks were. "That's what the sand in your sandboxes are for. To help you grip the rails," said Edward. Then the Fat Controller came to see them. He couldn't help but slip on the ground a few times himself. "Looks like the Fat Controller might need a sandbox, too," whispered Thomas and the engines laughed. The Fat Controller had another job for Thomas. He had to pick up a Christmas crate with red straps that needed to be delivered to the town hall.

Meanwhile at the docks, Cranky was busy unloading crates. "Lift and load, lift and load," he groaned. "All this extra cargo at Christmas," then Cranky noticed a very smart-looking crate that he picked up. "What's this?" he thought as he examined it closely. A ship's loud horn startled Cranky, and the next moment, the crate had been dropped and something clattered inside. "Oh no, I must have broken it!" exclaimed Cranky. So while no one was watching, Cranky hid the broken crate from view.

Presently, Thomas arrived. "Good morning, Cranky!" he called. "I have an important delivery. It's a big crate with bright red straps on it. Have you seen it?" Cranky felt nervous. He didn't want anyone to find out what he had done to it. "Let me think…" replied Cranky. "I've unloaded so many crates today, you see. I would've remembered if I had seen one like that." Thomas was disappointed. He left the docks, and Cranky couldn't help but feel guilty.

Thomas came back to town hall and told the Fat Controller the bad news. He promised that he would search the docks from top to bottom if he had to. But as Thomas left, Edward called to him. "Thomas! Stop! Thomas!" But Thomas was too far away to hear Edward now. He didn't know, that his sandbox was running out, and he didn't refill back at the town hall.

When Thomas arrived back at the docks, Cranky grew more nervous. Thomas searched for the Christmas crate. But every time he got close, Cranky moved more crates to hide it. Salty was merrily singing a Christmas tune to himself, when he noticed the crate with red straps on it. "Ahoy, matey!" he called. "Is this the crate you're looking for?" Thomas came to Salty, and sure enough. The Christmas crate was there. "You found the crate, Salty! Well done!" said Thomas. "Yes, well done, Salty," called Cranky, and then he groaned.

Thomas hurried back to Tidmouth with the Christmas crate as fast as he could. Unfortunately, he was all out of sand. As he approached Tidmouth Town hall, he started to panic. "I can't stop! Help!" Edward gasped when he saw Thomas. He quickly dropped his own sand on the rails and reversed. "Brake, Thomas!" called Edward. Thomas put on his brakes and came to a stop. But he stopped too quickly, and the crate flew out of his flatbed and crashed onto the ground. "Oh no! It sounds like I've broken it!" moaned Thomas. He began to apologize, but the Fat Controller laughed when he saw what was inside. There was everything needed to set up an ice rink in front of the town hall. "Nothing's broken!" Thomas was relieved.

Soon, the ice-skating rink was complete, and everyone had a wonderful time. Thomas told the other engines at Brendam Docks later that night. "And when the crate fell off my flatbed, I thought what was inside had broken, but it turned out it was just all the ice skates rattling about!" Everyone laughed. "That's what I thought when I dropped it!" said Cranky. The engines looked at him suspiciously. "You dropped it?" asked Thomas. Cranky gave in and told them the truth. "But, can't we just let it go? After all, it is Christmas." "Cranky's right!" agreed Salty. "Who fancies a sing-song?" And everyone joined Salty in singing his Christmas tune.

"We wish you a Merry Christmas,

we wish you a Merry Christmas,

we wish you a Merry Christmas,

and a Cranky New Year!"

Kevin's Cranky friend

It was a busy day down at Brendam Docks. Cranky was working as hard as he could, but the cargo kept on coming. "Lifting and loading, loading and lifting, does it ever stop?" he muttered. Cranky was so busy, that whenever engines came to get unloaded, he would make them wait longer, and they would end up running late. There were soon many delays, that the Fat Controller decided to get to the bottom of it.

The Fat Controller was horrified by the chaos he saw at the docks. James and Henry were cross because Cranky was making them wait before he unloaded them. "Cranky! Look at this mess!" bellowed the Fat Controller. "What is going on?" "I'm working as fast as I can, sir," protested Cranky. "Yes, I can see that, but maybe you could do with some help," replied the Fat Controller. Cranky insisted that he didn't need any help. But a load of cabbages he was lifting ripped open and cabbages spilled all over the docks. "That's it, Cranky. I'm getting another crane to come and help you clean up this dockside," fumed the Fat Controller. "But I don't need any help!" said Cranky again as the Fat Controller left the docks.

Later, the Fat Controller made some arrangements. Thomas arrived at Brendam Docks with Kevin. "Here we are, Kevin! Brendam Docks!" Kevin was very excited to be able to work at the docks, and he was really looking forward to meeting Cranky. He introduced himself to Cranky, but the mighty crane told him firmly that he didn't need any help. "But the Fat Controller sent me here," said Kevin. "Isn't there something I can do?" Cranky smiled. "Yes, there is. Go over there, and stay out of my way!" Kevin sadly rolled over to a corner in the docks. "Oh, don't fret, matey," assured Salty. "Cranky by name, and cranky by nature! You'll soon get used to his cranky ways."

Cranky continued to work on his own, but there was so much to do, that Cranky dropped a load of pipes onto the ground. Kevin saw what had happened and rushed to help. "There you go, Cranky!" said Kevin as he loaded the last pipe into place. "All done!" But instead of being grateful, Cranky was furious. "That was all your fault, you silly little crane!" he fumed. "Watching me from over there, you're making nervous! Now, go back over there, and stop interfering!"

It wasn't long, before Cranky dropped another load. Boxes broke open, and some chickens began flapping and squawking all over the docks. Once again, Kevin hurried to help. "Don't worry, Cranky! All under control!" Kevin set to work. Soon, he had rounded up all the chickens. "Well done, young Kevin!" praised Salty. "You're a credit to the crew!" But Cranky didn't think so. He sent Kevin back to the corner once again. "Cranky ain't so bad when you get to know him," Salty told Kevin. "Under all that rough beats a heart of gold."

Then there was trouble. Cranky accidentally knocked a barrel over, and it began rolling towards the sea. Kevin didn't know what to do. "Don't worry, boss! I've got it!" he called as he rushed to grab it. But he accidentally knocked the barrel into the water, and then fell into the water himself. "Help!" he bubbled. "Crane overboard!" called Salty. "I told him to stay put, but nobody listens to old Cranky," sighed Cranky as he lowered his hook into the water and lifted Kevin out.

Then, the Fat Controller arrived. "What is going on here? I thought I could trust you with this special job, Kevin! I think you should go back to the Steamworks immediately! You're not helping here at all!" Kevin was ashamed. He only wanted to be really useful, and it had gone all wrong. Now, he was being sent away in disgrace. Cranky felt guilty, so he told the Fat Controller everything, and that it was his fault. "He's a bit reckless, but he's a hard worker, and really useful." Kevin couldn't believe it. "Cranky does like me!" he squealed. "What did I tell you? A heart of gold!" laughed Salty. "Well, it's good to see you two getting along," smiled the Fat Controller. "Carry on!"

So Cranky decided to let Kevin work at the docks. He admitted that he did need a bit of help. "He's doing a fine job, there, matey!" said Salty. "Yes, he certainly is," agreed Cranky. "But why does he have to do it so cheerfully?"

When the Fat Controller got to his office, he was lost in deep thought. "Cranky has been working so hard on his own, but another crane helped to get the docks back in shape again. I don't think one crane is enough." And the Fat Controller decided to make arrangements. But I mustn't say any more, or I would spoil the next story…

One good hook deserves another (Cranky at the end of the line)

A few days later, Edward came to the docks. He noticed that Cranky was creaking as he tried to work. "The Fat Controller was right," he thought. "He does need more help here at the docks." Edward told the engines about some big new fancy cranes on the Mainland that the Fat Controller told him about. "Big new fancy cranes?" repeated Cranky. "Who needs them?" Cranky creaked louder as he tried to move himself. "Oh…"

Later that afternoon, the Fat Controller came down to Brendam Docks for an important meeting with the dock manager. "Better not creak when the Fat Controller is around, eh, matey?" teased Salty. Cranky was worried. "Mustn't creak, mustn't creak," he muttered as he moved very slowly. But it didn't help. The Fat Controller looked up at Cranky when he heard the noise. "Oh dear," he thought. "It's just as I predicted…" "Nothing to worry about here!" hastily called Cranky as he tried to keep himself busy. But he turned himself so far, that he lowered his hook and crates into the sea. "Oops! Sorry!" he called as he lifted it back up. Then there was trouble. Cranky swung his load over the docks and knocked some barrels over. The docks was in a huge mess now. "Dear oh dear oh dear," sighed the Fat Controller. Cranky was more worried than ever.

Cranky really didn't want to get replaced by a big new fancy crane. So he decided to work extra hard and keep himself busy to show the Fat Controller how useful he really is. Cranky had worked all through the night and into the next day, and he still wouldn't stop. "Slow down, Cranky!" called Edward. "Everyone's rushed off their wheels!"

Then the Fat Controller came to the docks and Cranky panicked. "Oh dear, what on earth is going on now, Cranky?" he demanded. "Nothing, sir! Everything's fine! Just working as usual. Busy, busy, busy!" said Cranky. But he didn't notice that he lifted a workman up on his hook. The Fat Controller couldn't believe his eyes. "Sorry," said Cranky as he lowered the workman back down to the ground. "Sir! I need to speak to you about Cranky!" said the dock manager. Now Cranky sighed. He knew he wasn't going to last much longer now.

Edward met Henry at Knapford station that afternoon. "It's not looking good, Henry," said Edward. "The Fat Controller was at Brendam Docks with the dock manager and they were talking about Cranky." "I'm sure the Fat Controller won't replace him with a big new fancy crane," replied Henry. Just then, the Fat Controller stepped out of his office and came to see the engines. "Right, I have a special job for you two today," he told them. "We're off to the Mainland craneworks to look at some big new fancy cranes!" Edward and Henry looked at each other feeling worried.

That night, Cranky was so tired, that he just couldn't stay awake a second longer. While he was sleeping, Edward and Henry returned from the Mainland craneworks and they brought something back with them.

When Cranky awoke from a nightmare the next morning, he noticed the Fat Controller. "I wasn't a sleep, sir, I never sleep! I'm far too busy working, much to do," he hastily replied, but then he stopped when he noticed something beside him. "Heyup, chuk!" greeted a big new fancy crane. Cranky gasped. "Please don't get rid of me, sir, please!" he begged to the Fat Controller. "I'm not so old, and I really am a useful crane!" But the Fat Controller laughed. "I know you are, Cranky. Very useful indeed! But just lately, every time I've come to the docks, I've noticed how frantically you've been working. So I thought maybe you needed a helping hook!" "I hear you've been struggling," said the new crane. "But don't worry. I'm here now. Carly's the name! We'll soon have these docks running smoothly again!" Cranky didn't like the sound of this. "I'm sure you two will get along just fine," said the Fat Controller. "Right then. Better get a start!" said Carly as she lifted up a load with her hook. She began to creak as well. Cranky was surprised. "You creak just like me!" "Well, that's what happens when you're made of metal," replied Carly. "A spot of oil will soon fix that." "Save some for me, Carly," said Cranky. "We'll make a well-oiled team!" So now, there was a big new fancy crane on the docks.

New crane on the dock

It was early morning at Brendam Docks. And today, there was a new crane on the dock. "Good morning Brendam Docks!" she called, rushing about and twirling around. She was so loud and excited, she ended up waking Porter, Salty and Cranky up with a start. "Who's making that noise?" cried Cranky. "Oh, it's you, Carly." "Good morning, boys!" she replied. "It's my first official day at Brendam Docks and I can't wait to get cracking! So, where do I start?"

As the sun came up, Edward came to the docks. "Hi Carly! Remember me?" he called. "I helped bring you to Sodor!" "Of course I remember you!" smiled Carly. "Good to see you again. How can I help?" "I've come to collect a crate of spare parts for the Steamworks," replied Edward. "Coming right up, chuk!" exclaimed Carly. But when she turned around, her crane arm collided with Cranky's. "After you, Carly," said Cranky hastily. "You go right ahead." Carly picked up the crate from the ship and lowered it on top of Edward's flatbed. "Thanks, Carly! It's great to see everything at the docks running so smoothly," said Edward. "That's right, Edward!" agreed Salty. "Now that we have Carly aboard!"

Cranky admired Carly's determination to get work done, but he was also annoyed that all the engines were placing themselves next to her, and allowing her to handle the work. She was leaving Cranky doing nothing. "Perhaps you can tell her to ease up a bit, matey," suggested Salty. "Or, I can just nip in quick while she's still busy with Emily," said Cranky. While Carly unloaded Emily's flatbeds, Cranky was happily lifting crates out of the ship and onto the docks.

Cranky was feeling confident that he would be able to work just as much as Carly now. The two cranes worked hard all day. Lifting and loading, loading and lifting. When Cranky turned around, he noticed that Carly had loaded the crates back onto the ship. "Carly! I just unloaded those!" "Oh, sorry," said Carly. "Don't worry! I'll work harder to make up for my mistake." "Well, if you're gonna work harder than I'm gonna work even harder than that," snarled Cranky. The two cranes glared at each other.

Cranky and Carly began to work even harder. They were competing to see who can work the hardest between them. Cranky was determined to show the newcomer how it was done. Then there was trouble. Cranky and Carly's loads collided. Barrels, nets and fish flew everywhere. And when Cranky and Carly looked across each other, they were horrified to see their hooks tangled up together. They were stuck. "Carly, let go!" exclaimed Cranky. "I can't! I'm stuck!" replied Carly. "This is all your fault!" accused Cranky. "Me? What have I done?" protested Carly. The two cranes tried to pull themselves away from each other, but the strain on their hooks only caused the knot to grow tighter.

"Ahoy, me shipmates!" cried Salty as he honked his horn. "You're both pulling in opposite directions! And that's what you've been doing all day long." "But I've been working really hard!" protested Carly. "And I've been working even harder!" put in Cranky. "But you haven't been working together," said Salty. "This reminds me of an old sea fairy tale from long ago…"

Salty told Cranky a Carly a tale about a two-headed sea monster, who learned to communicate and never go hungry, when its two heads worked together. Cranky and Carly felt ashamed when Salty was done with his tale. "Maybe I was being a little too pushy," admitted Carly. "I guess I could've spoken up," agreed Cranky. So Cranky and Carly moved their crane arms closer to each other, and began working on the knot. They guided each other, moved their hooks about, in one direction, then the next. At last, the two cranes got untied the knot, and their hooks were free once again. "There you go, shipmates!" praised Salty. "Communication! Oh, it's a wonderful thing." Carly and Cranky laughed at their mishap.

Thanks to Salty's story, Cranky and Carly learned about working together and pulling in the same direction. And from then on, Brendam Docks had never ran more smoothly than when two cranes worked together in harmony.