Points and Rain
Zachery, the Big Boy, loved his new home on the Island of Sodor. He is always seen pulling a long line of freight trucks from Knapford yards, to the harbor, and to the scrap yards. He was a kind engine despite his big size, that Thomas and Percy teasingly call him, "a gentle giant". Murdoc returned from the works since his accident, and resumed working in Knapford yards. This left poor Zachery usually watching from the siding. The siding was his only place to rest in, due to the fact he was too big for the engine sheds. It also made it uncomfortable when it rained. This left Zachery cold, wet, and miserable. One morning, the fat controller arrived to give Zachery some good news.
"I have found work for you. Boco the diesel engine needs help on the island's newest rail yard. It's too much work for one engine, and," the fat controller said with a smile, "I also ordered a big shed for the both of you to rest in."
"Oh thank you sir!" Zachery said with a big smile on his face. When he arrived at the yard, he saw trucks and special coaches as far as the eye can see. Boco was waiting for him as Boco sounded his horn to greet Zachery. The two worked alongside each other, and told stories to each other to pass the time. At one afternoon, Zachery was telling the tale about how one time he ran into trouble with rain and was off the rails at a point that was broken.
James, the great red engine, passed by and snorted at the story, "Rain never harmed an engine like me." We all know James was lying of course. He keeps forgetting that one time he got stuck at Gordon's hill during the rain.
"Rain is dangerous to any engine," Boco said, defending Zachery.
"And," continued Zachery, "faulty points cause nasty accidents."
"Pugh," chortled James, "Won't happen to the likes of me. I am taking a slow goods train. I will know if the points on the line are faulty."
Before anyone can reply, James trundled off to fetch his train. Wise engines know that rain on the rails always cause problems for engines going uphill or downhill. It's hard getting uphill with rain, but it's even more dangerous going downhill. James, who was planning on proving Zachery and Boco wrong, was pulling his train along the line.
"Instead of taking Gordon's hill," he thought, "I'll just take a shortcut I know. That'll show them."
He didn't know that the shortcut he spoke of, was a large downhill run to a junction with many points. The signalman in charge of the points was out for tea, and the rails had been soaked from yesterday's rainfall. James tried applying the brakes but it was too late. The weight of the truck pushed James down the track at an alarming rate. He was jutted into the far right side by the points to a set of old and worn rails. These rails lead to a broken point that hadn't been mended in a long time. James skidded off the rails with the trucks flying behind. The driver and fireman jumped clear and out of the way. The fat controller arrived in the afternoon with Boco and the breakdown train.
"I am surprised, James." The fat controller said sternly. "I expect an engine to be on the rails, not trying to fly like an airplane."
"Yes sir, sorry sir." James spluttered.
Boco smiled and replied, "You sure know your points too."
James said nothing, and quietly was pulled away. I think he learnt his lesson about rain and points, don't you?