Deputation Race
Zachery the Big Boy thundered down the mainline. Work on the Island of Sodor was always busy, and Zachery wanted nothing more than a good long run with a heavy load of trucks. The fat controller always smiled to see Zachery working hard and was always pleased to see him on time delivering goods and freight all over the island no matter the weather. One day however, as the fire lighter and fireman was having Zachery ready for his morning run, his driver had a glum look on his face. "What's the matter Driver?" asked Zachery, "You don't usually look this glum."
"I have some bad news, ol' boy." said his driver, "Our manager called to say he needs us back home." Zachery was no longer in a bright cheerful mood either and was worried. "But why?" he asked. What came next from the driver's mouth was even worse, "Our contract with the Sir Topham Hatt is now null and void. Our manager back home in America says you are too costly to run and deems you for scrap." Zachery's heart sank even more as he trundled away to Knapford yards. Thomas was getting Annie and Clarabel ready when he saw Zachery backing up to his train of trucks.
"Cheer up lazy bones," laughed Thomas, "today is a great morning." Zachery said nothing and just pulled his train away. Thomas felt rather hurt, "Well...he didn't have to be rude about it." Thomas' driver told Thomas what he over heard from Zachery's driver, and Thomas too also couldn't help but feel sad and worried, "Scrap?! Oh no, not Zachery! He's helped us with the main line freight trains. It's just not fair!" Thomas told the other engines and they tried to tell the fat controller, but it was no use.
"I'm sorry." said the fat controller, "There is nothing I can do. Zachery has done his job, and I am proud to have seen him make our railway freight trains run like clockwork. However, I do not hold the rights to his keeping so therefore, I can do nothing." The engines were sad. Edward spoke up, "But who will take his place when he's gone?" The fat controller replied, "All that was available was a diesel. D251 to be precise." The engines were not only cross, they were shocked as well. D251, or Bowler as the engines have teased, came to their railway long ago and left because an inspector's bowler hat got stuck in his air intake. The thought of him coming back was just sickening to an engine's boiler.
Zachery returned from his long journey, but instead of returning to his shed, his driver drove Zachery to the docks and at a siding where a ship would come to take Zachery the next evening. Next morning, the engines were greeted with a horn as Bowler arrived. "Hello again, engines, it's been a while. I heard one of you is going away, and I was called to help. Oh this is the day." He chuckled and sneered. The engines glared and took no notice. With that said, Bowler was off to fetch the morning freight. A line of trucks were waiting for him as he coupled onto them and waited for the yard manager to give him the go ahead. One the points were set, and the signals dropped, bowler left with a growl and roar as he blowed his horn.
At the docks, Zachery was feeling sadder and sadder. To him, time was ticking away and he didn't want to leave knowing he would be scrapped. Just then Bowler arrived and was as smug as ever. "So YOU'RE the engine they are taking away to scrap. I am pleased," sneered Bowler. Zachery said nothing for he had no steam to answer. "Well I can't stay around all day, that's for fussy steam engines like yourself. I have important work to do." Bowler pulled away. Bowler was impatient and so eager to show off, he forgot to couple his train to a line of trucks that was supposed to be a part of his train. The dock yard manager was furious and telephoned the fat controller immediately to send for another engine. "There's only Zachery available sir," said one of the yard workers.
"Right," said the dock yard manager sternly, "Send word for his crew at once!" Zachery's driver and fireman arrived shortly and started lighting Zachery's fire. Zachery, now full of steam, was happy to be running again. He coupled onto the train and waited for the line to be clear. The points were set and he was off. "Let's make up for lost time!" said his driver, "We can't let that diesel win. If this is going to be our last day, old boy, then we'll give that diesel a run for his money, and a race he will never forget." With such kind words, Zachery's fire roared with life, his pistols pumped, and his steam whooshing in the air. The sound of his whistle echoed throughout the island as he thundered down the line. This was his last stand. The race was on. Zachery never went fast before, but his speed was checked by the driver as the train ran along the line with the line of trucks following along.
"Hurry up, hurry up!" sang Zachery to the trucks as he swayed and lurched, pounding the rails. "We will, we will, we'll beat that diesel yet." sang the trucks. Soon enough, they heard a familiar horn, there was Bowler pulling his train on the other line. He was enjoying himself until he heard the sound of Zachery's whistle. Zachery pulled up alongside as Bowler glared at Zachery. Zachery glared at Bowler as the two raced down the straight of the mainline. "Go it, Zachery, you're beating him!" his driver cheered him on. "Grrr," growled Bowler, "you are not beating me!"
"Yes I will, yes I will!" huffed Zachery as the two ran alongside one another. The signal box up ahead saw the locomotives racing on the line and the signal man set the points accordingly as he telephoned the next station to what he just saw. At the next junction, Thomas and Henry were waiting as the signals had been halted for them. "I can't understand it," said Thomas, "to think that we will be working with bowler from now on is just horrid." "Despicable is more like it" fumed Henry, "I wish there was some way we can help poor Zachery out. He's now resting gloomily at the docks, waiting to be shipped home to be scrapped." Suddenly Thomas noticed people getting on the platform bridges. More and more came, each ready to take pictures and notes.
"What are they doing here?" asked Thomas, "There's no special train being pulled today." Henry and Thomas jumped when they heard an angry diesel's horn and a loud but just as angry whistle. Before their very eyes, they saw Zachery and his train whooshing past them at high speeds with Bowler not trailing far behind. Thomas and Henry whistled as their cheers were drowned out by the people on the platform. The final stretch of the race was at Knapford yards. The points had been set for both Zachery and Bowler to park along the main sidings. The fat controller was told of the race and was waiting for the two engines along with a disgruntled american contractor. Soon enough, the two engines was in plain view as Zachery's driver shut off steam and got ready to apply the brakes. It was close, but Zachery emerged triumphant as his driver applied the brakes and had him stop just where he needed to be. Bowler sulked as he parked alongside in defeat.
The fat controller was cross, "Bowler. I am displeased with you. You were too busy showing off you left some of your work behind." Bowler said nothing and was very quiet. The contractor spoke up and was cross to see Zachery here, "Why is our steam engine here? He was supposed to be at the docks" The fat controller turned to the contractor, "Your engine, helped deliver the rest of this diesel's train, and proved he is a really useful engine." The contractor retorted, "Really useful or not, he is expensive to our company and must return immediately." The fat controller pointed his finger at the contractor and sternly replied, "If money is the issue, then have your administrator send me the paperwork. The Sodor Railway shall buy this engine from you and will be in my custody and care." Zachery beamed happily as he was met with whistles of joy from Percy, Edward, and James. Zachery was here to stay.