BRAKE COACH
Edward arrived early the next morning to take Thomas to Crovan's Gate. Percy and Toby watched as he was loaded onto a flat-truck and securing with strong chains. Thomas looked dreadful. He couldn't speak from the uncomfortable gap in his boiler. Yet, as Edward pulled away, Percy couldn't seem to decide whether or not he should be happy, or sad. Before he could even begin to sort out his emotions, the Fat Controller arrived, accompanied by the Inspector.
"With Thomas out of service", he said gravely, "We have landed ourselves in a difficult situation. But, work must continue as normal. I am relying strongly on the two of you to assist with the construction of the new station, with or without Thomas"
"Yes sir", the two engines replied in unison.
"I would like you, Toby", he continued, "To bring the materials down from the quarry".
"But what about Henrietta sir?", asked Toby with a note of concern in his voice.
"I'll see to it that Percy takes proper care of her, here on the branch line", replied the kind railway man, "Now off you go Toby. We must make as much use of our time as possible"
Percy jumped at the mention of his name, but before he could say anything, Toby had already set off for the quarry. The Fat Controller turned to him.
"Now Percy", he said sternly, "This situation will be a test-case for you. With Thomas out of service, Daisy on the mainline and Toby at the quarry, you will be our main engine here on the branch line. I will certainly draft other engines in every once in a while to help, but for the duration of Thomas' absence, you will be in charge of his line".
"But sir", Percy squeaked in confusion, "I can't handle a branch line all on my own sir, Thomas said..."
"Thomas says many things", cut in the Fat Controller, "Maybe these next few weeks will be your chance to prove yourself. I'm certain that Thomas will feel at ease knowing that things are being kept in order by you"
Percy feel silent and looked away. He wasn't sure that that would be the case. But all the same, he could not let the Fat Controller down, nor could he let down the branch line. It was a big responsibility, but he was determined, more then ever.
"I will do my very best sir", he said at last.
"That's a good engine", smiled the kind gentleman, "Now you must listen to the Inspector here. He will be assigning your tasks to you. And do not forget, I am relying highly upon you"
"Yes sir" - And with that, the Fat Controller stepped into his car and disappeared. The Inspector stepped forwards and spoke to Percy - "I hope you understand that being in charge of a branch line is not an easy job Percy", he said, "As the main engine here, Thomas has a very busy schedule to keep to, and if that schedule goes to pieces, we could be looking at some serious trouble"
Percy remained thoughtfully silent. Thomas seemed to make such things sound so easy - "We have had to cancel passenger traffic for a few days due to the building work", continued the Inspector, "Bertie will be taking Thomas' passengers for now, but there are still tasks outside of the construction site that need doing. You will need to be prepared to help elsewhere, as well as the construction site"
"I understand sir", said Percy, but he deep down, he was beginning to feel anxious.
*
Percy's first job was to take the workmen's train from Elsbridge. He arrived promptly on time to find a long line of trucks were waiting for him at the platform - "What's going on?", he asked with confusion, as a crowd of workmen began to gather on the platform.
"This is the workman's train", explained his driver, as they rolled up alongside the trucks, "It's our job from now on to take them and their tools to the construction site every morning".
Percy backed down onto the trucks, still deep in confusion - "Why would they want to ride in dirty trucks?". He sat, trying to figure out this puzzle for some time and waited for the guard to blow the whistle. But it never came. After a while, Percy began to worry - "Why aren't they boarding the train?", he squeezed impatiently, "We'll be late!"
"Hold on a moment Percy", chuckled his fireman, "We're waiting for Henrietta"
Percy looked back to see Toby's dear old tramway coach being slowly shunted up behind at the end of the train. Once she was in place, the workmen, buzzing with early morning freshness, slowly piled in and took their seats in her comfortable compartment. The old coach groaned silently from the weight. Percy sighed with relief as the guard finally blew his whistle.
The journey to the construction site wasn't a long one. They would be travelling from Elsbridge to the site, which was off a junction near the quarry line. This meant a lot of uphill climbing, and Percy was already beginning to find it difficult. The trucks were loaded with heavy tools and machinery, and Henrietta, brining up the rear, added to the extensive weight. Percy was used to trucks, but he had never taken machinery before. "Oh dear! Oh dear!", he panted, as they slowly began to the climb the hill of the quarry line, "I don't think I can take this".
"Don't be silly", said his driver from the cab, "Your doing fine. You can handle trucks". That's what Percy thought also. By the time he arrived at the construction site, he was met with the angered expression of the chief workman. He tapped his foot angrily and spoke to Percy - "Your fifteen minutes late!", he snapped, "How do you expect us to get our work done if you can't bring my men here on time?". Percy was too puffed out to reply. Toby, who had just come back from the quarry with the materials rolled up alongside.
"It's not like you to be late Percy", he said, "Especially with such a task as keeping the branch line in order at hand"
"Neither do I", Percy sighed, finally catching his breath, "But for some reason, the train is just too heavy for me".
"Why not take Thomas' advice", muttered Toby, "He says that trains are usually much more easy to cope with once you've made the journey once or twice. I'm sure that you'll be fine with it in a few days. I must be going, but please take good care of Henrietta whilst I'm gone" - And with that, Toby clanked away to return to the quarry, leaving Percy with Thomas' advice running on his mind, and his wheels aching. Henrietta stood silently on the siding.
*
Percy was not looking forward to the return journey to Elsbridge. The tools were placed back into the trucks and the workmen, exhausted after a long day of work, climbed back into Henrietta. Percy set off without delay, but he was still worried about the journey - "There is no need for concern", soothed his driver, "The line goes downhill for a while. You can coast down instead, but keep control of the trucks"
Percy felt better, but he knew that he had to concentrate on keeping the heavy train under control. Surely enough, the line began to coast downhill as they returned to Elsbridge. Percy let himself roll casually down, the wind whistling past his boiler.
"This is much better", he smiled as they went, "We'll be there in no time"
Suddenly, there was a sudden lurch, as Percy felt the weight of the heavy train lunge into him from behind. He was taken by such surprise that he seiged forwards. It took only a moment for him to realize that he was slowly picking up speed - "Keep control!", shouted the guard from Henrietta, "Slow down!". But it was too late. Percy was overcome by sudden fright and shut his eyes. The driver applied the brakes just in time, but before Percy could open his eyes once again, a worrying CLANG sounded from the middle of the train.
The workmen got out to take a look and whistled with surprise - "Half of the train's derailed", they called to Percy's anxious crew. Percy felt an ill feeling take over his boiler. All the while, Henrietta sat silently at the end of the train. She had not come off the rails, but could not help but feel faintly responsible.
*
Percy shunted Henrietta back to the coach shed and let off steam loudly as he backed into the empty shed next-door. It was lonely without Thomas and Toby was to stay at the quarry. He was sad, but felt even sadder still about the accident that had occurred that evening. The Inspector spoke to him as his driver and fireman damped his fire.
"This cannot happen again Percy", he said with a harsh tone, "If you are to be the engine in charge of this branch line, you must learn to keep control of your trains, just like Thomas"
"But sir", Percy rebutted quickly, "I tried. The train was too heavy. I lost control"
"Weight is not an issue", the Inspector answered swiftly, "You cannot let this happen again. Delay can arise from these kind of situations" - Percy fell silent as he walked away, but could not but think. What was it that was keeping him back?
*
Percy arrived the next morning at Elsbridge, determined not to have a repeat of the previous day. But his mind was in a flourish.
"I mustn't be late", he thought anxiously, as he be backed down onto the train, so hard and inattentively that his buffers clanged against the trucks, sending them rolling slowly backwards. Percy waited impatiently for the shunter to fasten the coupling and before the guard could blow the whistle, he was on his way down the line.
"Percy!", snapped his driver, who was taken by such surprise that he was nearly knocked off his foot plate, "What is the meaning of this?"
"I don't want to be late!", Percy cried, "I can't let the workmen down!"
"You silly engine!", his fireman grumbled, "You've left Henrietta behind! How can you get the builders to the site without a coach?"
Percy stopped and rolled slowly back to the station where the workmen could only cover their months to silence their laughter. Percy felt very silly as Henrietta was coupled on and they set off once again, this time to the sound of the guard's whistle. But it was this second time running that Percy began to notice something.
"What I left a few minutes ago", he thought as they began the climb, "The train was lighter. But now, it's just as heavy as it was yesterday!". And suddenly, it occurred to him - "Henrietta!", he gasped, "She's making the train twice as heavy!"
The climb had begun and Percy took a charge at it, but the long and heavy train that rattled behind him still held him back. He took a deep breath and with several big puffs charged at it once again. But no matter how hard he tried, no matter how much thick, black smoke poured from his pistons, Percy couldn't make it. And with his wheels spinning frantically forwards, the heavy train dragged him slowly back down to the bottom of the hill. He was exhausted.
"Your getting old!", joked the workmen, as they came up to see what the matter was, "We'll certainly be late now!"
Percy went to speak, but he was too exhausted. Some time later, Lucky arrived from the quarry to help and with much more ease, Percy made it up to the construction site station. But upon arrival, he was met with a similar sight - "If this happens again", snapped the chief workman, "I'll have Sir Topham Hatt replace you! I'm sure Thomas wouldn't make these silly mistakes!"
But Percy could not hold back much longer - "It's not my fault!", he answered bluntly, his voice now full of anger, "If Henrietta wasn't holding me back, I would be on time! And I'd be able to pull my trains up the hills!". A silence fell among the yard as Percy left off steam angrily.
The chief workman didn't hold back his words for long - "Henrietta is a vital part of this operation!", he shouted, "We need her to get my men up here on time every morning and back home every evening. She is a special coach"
"A brake coach more like!", Percy spat rudely.
The trucks giggled stupidly behind him, but Henrietta didn't. She remained silent, as usual, but her silence hide her sorrow. She wanted Toby. She didn't like being called a brake coach, nor did she like being the cause of Percy's upset. But there was nothing she could do. That night, Percy refused to take the train and left early on purpose. Toby took the workmen home. He didn't mind at all, and he was glad that he could take Henrietta home afterwards.
"I hope to be back soon", he smiled as he left Elsbridge with his faithful coach rolling along behind him, "The Fat Controller says Duck will be arriving to help out, which means I can come back to the yard for a while. I'm sure Percy has been treating you well since Henrietta"
Henrietta answered him, her voice soft - "Percy doesn't like me. He called me a brake coach". Toby took a moment to think before responding - "Percy can be very quick to speak, and it is not often that he thinks before he does open his mouth. He's probably not use to you. That's all. You are always useful to me".
Henrietta felt much better after that, but she still felt sad about Percy.
*
Percy didn't stop at Elsbridge the next morning, but did not succeed in getting further then the yard before he was called back by the harsh voice of the Inspector, who scolded him severely - "I would expect such behaviour from Bill and Ben", he snapped, "If you persist on acting childishly, I will send you to the Mainline and you can stay there until the new station is complete".
Percy grumbled crossly, as he backed down onto the heavy train once again. The workmen filed into Henrietta, who was still feeling down, and the guard waved his flag. But the Inspector took a place in Percy's cab alongside the crew. Percy knew he had to be careful - "I'll show them!", he hissed silently between puffs, "I'll show them! I'm a branch line engine! I'm just as useful as Thomas!"
But little did he know that the silly trucks could hear his angered grunts. They soon began to catch on and giggling stupidly, they tittered as the word was passed back, one by one. Neither Percy nor his crew heard them, but Henrietta heard every word. She had a plan of her own.
The hill came into view and with a huge blast of steam, Percy charged it like a bull. His crew whispered words of encouragement to him as steam began to pour into the cab from his pistons, but not loud enough for the Inspector to hear. He was watching their every move.
"I won't fail!", panted Percy breathlessly, "I won't fail!"
The trucks' chance had come, and with a loud scream of delight, they held back. The train began to slow, threatening to come to a stand-still. Percy shut his eyes and held his breath, as he found his wheels grinding the rails, sparks emitting from his funnel. The trucks were winning. They laughed and screamed behind him - "Oh dear!", he wheezed, "Not again!"
Suddenly, he heard a cheer coming from the back of the train. There was a loud clang from behind and Percy felt the weight on his coupling chain lessen. The first truck screamed as it was rammed forward and seiged into Percy, sending the entire train forwards with a mighty bump - "What's going on?", pondered the driver, looking back, "This hasn't happened before!"
Percy meanwhile, was slowly beginning to gain control of the train, and with a mighty burst of steam, he found himself climbing the hill with ease, the strain on his coupling lessening at each puff - "I'm doing it!", he huffed, "I'm going to make it!"
*
Percy rolled slowly into the construction yard station. His face was red, his wheels ached and his pistons had been worked to their limit. But oddly enough, the chief workman's expression was not sour. He smiled and gave Percy a friendly nod before gathering his men together on the platform.
"At last!", panted Percy, taking a deep sigh, "I did it! I beat the trucks and the hill!"
"I wouldn't be so sure", chuckled the Inspector, who was looking back towards the end of the train. The workmen had piled out of Henrietta, but instead of setting to their work on the building site, they remained behind, buzzing around the old tramway coach and cheering loudly - "Three Cheers For Henrietta!".
Percy was overcome by confusion - "What's going on?".
"Our Henrietta is an experienced old coach", smiled the Inspector, as the workmen gave Henrietta another big round of applause, "You should never underestimate her. She's tackled trucks before back in the old days when she and Toby worked the tramway. They should learn not to play tricks on her!".
And then, Percy realized what had happened. It was Henrietta who had helped him up the hill.
*
The sun was slowly setting as Percy glided back into Elsbridge station with Henrietta. The last few workmen climbed out and thanked Percy, but took an extra moment to thank the old tramway coach before heading off to the local railway tavern. Percy waited for the last few men to leave before speaking softly to Henrietta.
"You won't believe how sorry I am Henrietta", he said, looking down at his buffers with shame, "It was wrong of me to call you a brake coach. You are really useful. You really helped me out this morning". Henrietta remained silent, but Percy knew that she was smiling warmly with gratitude. And in turn, he too could not help but grin to himself. At that very moment, Toby came rolling into the station from the quarry.
"Good evening Percy", he said, "I hope you've taken good care of Henrietta. I've finished at the quarry, so I can take her and the morning trains off your bunker from now on".
Percy chuckled - "That's alright Toby. She was really useful. She's a credit to our branch line". Just then, Percy jumped at the sound of a familiar, deep toned whistle, as Duck slowly rolled into the station yard behind Toby - "Duck?", he said with astonishment, "What are you doing here?"
"The Fat Controller has drafted me in to help for a few weeks until Thomas is repaired", explained Duck with a proud smile, "Now you can concentrate on real branch line duties".
Percy was glad to know that he was no longer responsible for the morning trains. But he would surely missing Henrietta's help whenever a heavy load of mischievous trucks were left to him. It had been a rocky start to his new role as a branch line engine.
****
Edward arrived early the next morning to take Thomas to Crovan's Gate. Percy and Toby watched as he was loaded onto a flat-truck and securing with strong chains. Thomas looked dreadful. He couldn't speak from the uncomfortable gap in his boiler. Yet, as Edward pulled away, Percy couldn't seem to decide whether or not he should be happy, or sad. Before he could even begin to sort out his emotions, the Fat Controller arrived, accompanied by the Inspector.
"With Thomas out of service", he said gravely, "We have landed ourselves in a difficult situation. But, work must continue as normal. I am relying strongly on the two of you to assist with the construction of the new station, with or without Thomas"
"Yes sir", the two engines replied in unison.
"I would like you, Toby", he continued, "To bring the materials down from the quarry".
"But what about Henrietta sir?", asked Toby with a note of concern in his voice.
"I'll see to it that Percy takes proper care of her, here on the branch line", replied the kind railway man, "Now off you go Toby. We must make as much use of our time as possible"
Percy jumped at the mention of his name, but before he could say anything, Toby had already set off for the quarry. The Fat Controller turned to him.
"Now Percy", he said sternly, "This situation will be a test-case for you. With Thomas out of service, Daisy on the mainline and Toby at the quarry, you will be our main engine here on the branch line. I will certainly draft other engines in every once in a while to help, but for the duration of Thomas' absence, you will be in charge of his line".
"But sir", Percy squeaked in confusion, "I can't handle a branch line all on my own sir, Thomas said..."
"Thomas says many things", cut in the Fat Controller, "Maybe these next few weeks will be your chance to prove yourself. I'm certain that Thomas will feel at ease knowing that things are being kept in order by you"
Percy feel silent and looked away. He wasn't sure that that would be the case. But all the same, he could not let the Fat Controller down, nor could he let down the branch line. It was a big responsibility, but he was determined, more then ever.
"I will do my very best sir", he said at last.
"That's a good engine", smiled the kind gentleman, "Now you must listen to the Inspector here. He will be assigning your tasks to you. And do not forget, I am relying highly upon you"
"Yes sir" - And with that, the Fat Controller stepped into his car and disappeared. The Inspector stepped forwards and spoke to Percy - "I hope you understand that being in charge of a branch line is not an easy job Percy", he said, "As the main engine here, Thomas has a very busy schedule to keep to, and if that schedule goes to pieces, we could be looking at some serious trouble"
Percy remained thoughtfully silent. Thomas seemed to make such things sound so easy - "We have had to cancel passenger traffic for a few days due to the building work", continued the Inspector, "Bertie will be taking Thomas' passengers for now, but there are still tasks outside of the construction site that need doing. You will need to be prepared to help elsewhere, as well as the construction site"
"I understand sir", said Percy, but he deep down, he was beginning to feel anxious.
*
Percy's first job was to take the workmen's train from Elsbridge. He arrived promptly on time to find a long line of trucks were waiting for him at the platform - "What's going on?", he asked with confusion, as a crowd of workmen began to gather on the platform.
"This is the workman's train", explained his driver, as they rolled up alongside the trucks, "It's our job from now on to take them and their tools to the construction site every morning".
Percy backed down onto the trucks, still deep in confusion - "Why would they want to ride in dirty trucks?". He sat, trying to figure out this puzzle for some time and waited for the guard to blow the whistle. But it never came. After a while, Percy began to worry - "Why aren't they boarding the train?", he squeezed impatiently, "We'll be late!"
"Hold on a moment Percy", chuckled his fireman, "We're waiting for Henrietta"
Percy looked back to see Toby's dear old tramway coach being slowly shunted up behind at the end of the train. Once she was in place, the workmen, buzzing with early morning freshness, slowly piled in and took their seats in her comfortable compartment. The old coach groaned silently from the weight. Percy sighed with relief as the guard finally blew his whistle.
The journey to the construction site wasn't a long one. They would be travelling from Elsbridge to the site, which was off a junction near the quarry line. This meant a lot of uphill climbing, and Percy was already beginning to find it difficult. The trucks were loaded with heavy tools and machinery, and Henrietta, brining up the rear, added to the extensive weight. Percy was used to trucks, but he had never taken machinery before. "Oh dear! Oh dear!", he panted, as they slowly began to the climb the hill of the quarry line, "I don't think I can take this".
"Don't be silly", said his driver from the cab, "Your doing fine. You can handle trucks". That's what Percy thought also. By the time he arrived at the construction site, he was met with the angered expression of the chief workman. He tapped his foot angrily and spoke to Percy - "Your fifteen minutes late!", he snapped, "How do you expect us to get our work done if you can't bring my men here on time?". Percy was too puffed out to reply. Toby, who had just come back from the quarry with the materials rolled up alongside.
"It's not like you to be late Percy", he said, "Especially with such a task as keeping the branch line in order at hand"
"Neither do I", Percy sighed, finally catching his breath, "But for some reason, the train is just too heavy for me".
"Why not take Thomas' advice", muttered Toby, "He says that trains are usually much more easy to cope with once you've made the journey once or twice. I'm sure that you'll be fine with it in a few days. I must be going, but please take good care of Henrietta whilst I'm gone" - And with that, Toby clanked away to return to the quarry, leaving Percy with Thomas' advice running on his mind, and his wheels aching. Henrietta stood silently on the siding.
*
Percy was not looking forward to the return journey to Elsbridge. The tools were placed back into the trucks and the workmen, exhausted after a long day of work, climbed back into Henrietta. Percy set off without delay, but he was still worried about the journey - "There is no need for concern", soothed his driver, "The line goes downhill for a while. You can coast down instead, but keep control of the trucks"
Percy felt better, but he knew that he had to concentrate on keeping the heavy train under control. Surely enough, the line began to coast downhill as they returned to Elsbridge. Percy let himself roll casually down, the wind whistling past his boiler.
"This is much better", he smiled as they went, "We'll be there in no time"
Suddenly, there was a sudden lurch, as Percy felt the weight of the heavy train lunge into him from behind. He was taken by such surprise that he seiged forwards. It took only a moment for him to realize that he was slowly picking up speed - "Keep control!", shouted the guard from Henrietta, "Slow down!". But it was too late. Percy was overcome by sudden fright and shut his eyes. The driver applied the brakes just in time, but before Percy could open his eyes once again, a worrying CLANG sounded from the middle of the train.
The workmen got out to take a look and whistled with surprise - "Half of the train's derailed", they called to Percy's anxious crew. Percy felt an ill feeling take over his boiler. All the while, Henrietta sat silently at the end of the train. She had not come off the rails, but could not help but feel faintly responsible.
*
Percy shunted Henrietta back to the coach shed and let off steam loudly as he backed into the empty shed next-door. It was lonely without Thomas and Toby was to stay at the quarry. He was sad, but felt even sadder still about the accident that had occurred that evening. The Inspector spoke to him as his driver and fireman damped his fire.
"This cannot happen again Percy", he said with a harsh tone, "If you are to be the engine in charge of this branch line, you must learn to keep control of your trains, just like Thomas"
"But sir", Percy rebutted quickly, "I tried. The train was too heavy. I lost control"
"Weight is not an issue", the Inspector answered swiftly, "You cannot let this happen again. Delay can arise from these kind of situations" - Percy fell silent as he walked away, but could not but think. What was it that was keeping him back?
*
Percy arrived the next morning at Elsbridge, determined not to have a repeat of the previous day. But his mind was in a flourish.
"I mustn't be late", he thought anxiously, as he be backed down onto the train, so hard and inattentively that his buffers clanged against the trucks, sending them rolling slowly backwards. Percy waited impatiently for the shunter to fasten the coupling and before the guard could blow the whistle, he was on his way down the line.
"Percy!", snapped his driver, who was taken by such surprise that he was nearly knocked off his foot plate, "What is the meaning of this?"
"I don't want to be late!", Percy cried, "I can't let the workmen down!"
"You silly engine!", his fireman grumbled, "You've left Henrietta behind! How can you get the builders to the site without a coach?"
Percy stopped and rolled slowly back to the station where the workmen could only cover their months to silence their laughter. Percy felt very silly as Henrietta was coupled on and they set off once again, this time to the sound of the guard's whistle. But it was this second time running that Percy began to notice something.
"What I left a few minutes ago", he thought as they began the climb, "The train was lighter. But now, it's just as heavy as it was yesterday!". And suddenly, it occurred to him - "Henrietta!", he gasped, "She's making the train twice as heavy!"
The climb had begun and Percy took a charge at it, but the long and heavy train that rattled behind him still held him back. He took a deep breath and with several big puffs charged at it once again. But no matter how hard he tried, no matter how much thick, black smoke poured from his pistons, Percy couldn't make it. And with his wheels spinning frantically forwards, the heavy train dragged him slowly back down to the bottom of the hill. He was exhausted.
"Your getting old!", joked the workmen, as they came up to see what the matter was, "We'll certainly be late now!"
Percy went to speak, but he was too exhausted. Some time later, Lucky arrived from the quarry to help and with much more ease, Percy made it up to the construction site station. But upon arrival, he was met with a similar sight - "If this happens again", snapped the chief workman, "I'll have Sir Topham Hatt replace you! I'm sure Thomas wouldn't make these silly mistakes!"
But Percy could not hold back much longer - "It's not my fault!", he answered bluntly, his voice now full of anger, "If Henrietta wasn't holding me back, I would be on time! And I'd be able to pull my trains up the hills!". A silence fell among the yard as Percy left off steam angrily.
The chief workman didn't hold back his words for long - "Henrietta is a vital part of this operation!", he shouted, "We need her to get my men up here on time every morning and back home every evening. She is a special coach"
"A brake coach more like!", Percy spat rudely.
The trucks giggled stupidly behind him, but Henrietta didn't. She remained silent, as usual, but her silence hide her sorrow. She wanted Toby. She didn't like being called a brake coach, nor did she like being the cause of Percy's upset. But there was nothing she could do. That night, Percy refused to take the train and left early on purpose. Toby took the workmen home. He didn't mind at all, and he was glad that he could take Henrietta home afterwards.
"I hope to be back soon", he smiled as he left Elsbridge with his faithful coach rolling along behind him, "The Fat Controller says Duck will be arriving to help out, which means I can come back to the yard for a while. I'm sure Percy has been treating you well since Henrietta"
Henrietta answered him, her voice soft - "Percy doesn't like me. He called me a brake coach". Toby took a moment to think before responding - "Percy can be very quick to speak, and it is not often that he thinks before he does open his mouth. He's probably not use to you. That's all. You are always useful to me".
Henrietta felt much better after that, but she still felt sad about Percy.
*
Percy didn't stop at Elsbridge the next morning, but did not succeed in getting further then the yard before he was called back by the harsh voice of the Inspector, who scolded him severely - "I would expect such behaviour from Bill and Ben", he snapped, "If you persist on acting childishly, I will send you to the Mainline and you can stay there until the new station is complete".
Percy grumbled crossly, as he backed down onto the heavy train once again. The workmen filed into Henrietta, who was still feeling down, and the guard waved his flag. But the Inspector took a place in Percy's cab alongside the crew. Percy knew he had to be careful - "I'll show them!", he hissed silently between puffs, "I'll show them! I'm a branch line engine! I'm just as useful as Thomas!"
But little did he know that the silly trucks could hear his angered grunts. They soon began to catch on and giggling stupidly, they tittered as the word was passed back, one by one. Neither Percy nor his crew heard them, but Henrietta heard every word. She had a plan of her own.
The hill came into view and with a huge blast of steam, Percy charged it like a bull. His crew whispered words of encouragement to him as steam began to pour into the cab from his pistons, but not loud enough for the Inspector to hear. He was watching their every move.
"I won't fail!", panted Percy breathlessly, "I won't fail!"
The trucks' chance had come, and with a loud scream of delight, they held back. The train began to slow, threatening to come to a stand-still. Percy shut his eyes and held his breath, as he found his wheels grinding the rails, sparks emitting from his funnel. The trucks were winning. They laughed and screamed behind him - "Oh dear!", he wheezed, "Not again!"
Suddenly, he heard a cheer coming from the back of the train. There was a loud clang from behind and Percy felt the weight on his coupling chain lessen. The first truck screamed as it was rammed forward and seiged into Percy, sending the entire train forwards with a mighty bump - "What's going on?", pondered the driver, looking back, "This hasn't happened before!"
Percy meanwhile, was slowly beginning to gain control of the train, and with a mighty burst of steam, he found himself climbing the hill with ease, the strain on his coupling lessening at each puff - "I'm doing it!", he huffed, "I'm going to make it!"
*
Percy rolled slowly into the construction yard station. His face was red, his wheels ached and his pistons had been worked to their limit. But oddly enough, the chief workman's expression was not sour. He smiled and gave Percy a friendly nod before gathering his men together on the platform.
"At last!", panted Percy, taking a deep sigh, "I did it! I beat the trucks and the hill!"
"I wouldn't be so sure", chuckled the Inspector, who was looking back towards the end of the train. The workmen had piled out of Henrietta, but instead of setting to their work on the building site, they remained behind, buzzing around the old tramway coach and cheering loudly - "Three Cheers For Henrietta!".
Percy was overcome by confusion - "What's going on?".
"Our Henrietta is an experienced old coach", smiled the Inspector, as the workmen gave Henrietta another big round of applause, "You should never underestimate her. She's tackled trucks before back in the old days when she and Toby worked the tramway. They should learn not to play tricks on her!".
And then, Percy realized what had happened. It was Henrietta who had helped him up the hill.
*
The sun was slowly setting as Percy glided back into Elsbridge station with Henrietta. The last few workmen climbed out and thanked Percy, but took an extra moment to thank the old tramway coach before heading off to the local railway tavern. Percy waited for the last few men to leave before speaking softly to Henrietta.
"You won't believe how sorry I am Henrietta", he said, looking down at his buffers with shame, "It was wrong of me to call you a brake coach. You are really useful. You really helped me out this morning". Henrietta remained silent, but Percy knew that she was smiling warmly with gratitude. And in turn, he too could not help but grin to himself. At that very moment, Toby came rolling into the station from the quarry.
"Good evening Percy", he said, "I hope you've taken good care of Henrietta. I've finished at the quarry, so I can take her and the morning trains off your bunker from now on".
Percy chuckled - "That's alright Toby. She was really useful. She's a credit to our branch line". Just then, Percy jumped at the sound of a familiar, deep toned whistle, as Duck slowly rolled into the station yard behind Toby - "Duck?", he said with astonishment, "What are you doing here?"
"The Fat Controller has drafted me in to help for a few weeks until Thomas is repaired", explained Duck with a proud smile, "Now you can concentrate on real branch line duties".
Percy was glad to know that he was no longer responsible for the morning trains. But he would surely missing Henrietta's help whenever a heavy load of mischievous trucks were left to him. It had been a rocky start to his new role as a branch line engine.
****
