WORK AT LAST

Coco is a circus engine. He has an important and interesting job of pulling the Grand Circus Express, a special train of animals, people and props from island to island, and location to location. He is a cheerful engine, with a smartly decorated coat of paint, red with golden stars and shining brass railings. Coco loves his job. He sees many wonderful places on his travels, and wherever he goes, the circus goes with him. The train he pulls is very long and heavy, and so he needs to rest frequently, but he is a strong engine and can tackle any hill or mountain climb with ease.

But not everything in Coco's life is happy and cheerful. He loves his work, but found that after he had hauled the train to the next location, they no longer had any use for him. So, he would be left on a nearby siding for the duration of the stay, with only his driver and the empty circus train for company. Sometimes, trains would pass him by on his siding. He would try to give them a friendly toot, but they would cast him grim looks. They didn't approve of engines with bright colours and decorated in golden stars, parked on sidings. This upset Coco more then anything.

The circus train arrived on site at Elsbridge quite early in the morning. The sun wasn't up yet and the signal lights still shone brightly. Coco hauled the long train into a siding near a large empty field. He hissed loudly as his buffers made contact with the wooden block at the end of the siding, thankful that his long journey was finally over. It had been very long and tiring. They had come from England via a special ferry, and he had been covered in a tarpaulin to protect his paint from the rain that tackled them as they crossed to the Island of Sodor. Upon arrival, he didn't seem welcomed as he stayed the night in a cold shed of diesels, who turned their noses up at him as be backed into the shed that evening, the rain pouring down his boiler. He had tried to sleep, but he couldn't with the amount of whispering and horrid insults thrown his way by the diesels. He had been glad when he finally left early the next morning. A shunter had already marshalled the circus train into a long line along the docks, but even he gave Coco a strange look as he passed, despite the circus engine's grateful whistle of gratitude.

As the train was slowly unloaded, Coco sighed sorrowfully, looking down at his buffers. This had not been a good start and he was already feeling uncomfortable. If the engines at the docks on the Other Railway didn't like him, he was sure that the others wouldn't either. He was not looking forward to the long and uneventful wait of two long weeks, as that was the length of time in which the circus would stay on the island. Suddenly, without warning, a train rolled past Coco on the opposite line. It was pulled by a smart green Great Western Tank Engine, who pulled two beautiful auto-coaches along behind him.

"Welcome to Sodor!", called Oliver.

Coco smiled for the first time upon reaching Sodor. He wanted to return this friendly greeting but before he even had a chance to blow his whistle, Oliver was out of sight.

"So there are some nice engines on this railway", he thought, "I wish I could join them. It would be so much more fun, helping out as a spare engine instead of sitting here on this siding, letting my coal and water go to waste".

But then a thought struck him.

"What if they don't like me?"

The smile faded from his face as the workman continued late into the morning, unloading the circus tent from his train. By midday, a bright blue and red tent had been set up in the middle of the field. Surrounding it where many other smaller tents for the performers, including a cannery yellow caravan for the ring master and several other large tents for the animals to stay in. Coco found it humorous when early in the morning during feeding time, he would see the animal tamers trying to settle the animals who were just too excited about the upcoming events to eat a scrap. But today, he could only stare on in silence. It was going to be a long day.

"I suppose all I can do is sleep", he muttered, "It will help pass the time away".

The first performance wasn't until that evening. By then, the tent would be lit up and spot lights had already been set up to illuminate the sky. Coco closed his eyes and tried to sleep. A short while later, he was awoken by a whistle.

"Hullo there", said a voice.

Coco opened his eyes and looked around. A blue tender engine was standing beside him at the water tower, a long train of cattle trucks behind him. It was Edward.

"Hello", said Coco happily, "I'm Coco"

"Pleased to meet you Coco. I'm Edward. Welcome to Sodor"

Coco was surprised that for the second time during his stay, he had been greeted warmly. He hadn't expected this at all.

"I see your the circus engine", continued Edward, "It must be a very interesting job to pull such a colourful train from place to place"

He stared up ahead in a dream way.

"I'm too old to pull circus trains", he mumbled.

"It's nothing special", sighed Coco, "Whenever we stop, I'm parked on a siding and can't move until we leave. Sometimes, that isn't for an entire month. I wish I could come out of this siding and work. I get so lonely and my fuel goes to waste".

"I'm sure Sir Topham Hatt won't mind you coming to work with us whilst your here", suggested Edward, "We always welcome a new face"

"Really?...", asked Coco happily.

"Of course", smiled the old engine, "I'll ask him when I arrive at the Main Line station. He's waiting for the express"

Coco whistled happily.

"Oh thank you ever so much", he tooted, "Finally I can do some work"

Edward's driver finished filling his tank and jumped back up into his cab.

"Alright Edward", he said, "We'd better get on our way"

Edward hissed and gave Coco a friendly peep of farewell.

"Goodbye Coco", he called, "I hope we can have you on our line"

"Me too!", muttered Coco secretly.

*

Edward arrived at the Mainline station to find Percy and Gordon waiting to leave. Percy was heading for the branch line with a goods train of vegetables for the market and Gordon for the big city with the Express. A crowd of passengers had gathered on the platform to observe a poster that had been put up on the station notice board.

"What's going on?", asked Percy, "Why are all those people here?"

"It's a circus!", cried a little boy nearby, "They've come all the way from England. They are famous nation-wide"

"Wow!", tooted Percy, "A circus! Here on the island! That means a parade, a clowns, and animals..."

"And more passenger traffic", sniffed Gordon pompously. He didn't approve of the situation at all.

"I met the circus engine just down the line", said Edward to Percy, "He seemed like a nice fellow. His name was Coco"

Percy was far too excepted to keep himself from letting off steam - "A real circus engine! I've always wanted to meet one before!"

"A circus engine?", Gordon cut in, "Pah!"

"What's wrong Gordon?", asked Edward with a slight grin.

"Firstly", the bigger engine boomed, "Circus's are nothing but big and loud things that just attract more attention. And that means more work for us" "I'd say we were helping the Fat Controller", put in Percy, "More passengers means..."

"And", Gordon cut in once again, "Circus engines are unreliable! They spend too much time being resting and not enough time working!"

"Don't be so pompous Gordon", snapped Edward, "Coco seemed like a very nice engine. Besides, he gets lonely and wants to find work"

"If he does", grumbled Gordon, "Then he'd better not get in my way. Circus? Circus Engines? Nonsense! Utter nonsense!"

And with a large puff of smoke, he steamed hastily out of the station with the Express with a very tempered look on his face. Percy watched him worriedly.

"Don't worry about him Percy", soothed Edward, "Gordon's too big for his wheels. I'd say it were jealousy"

"I'm worried about Coco", whispered Percy softly, "I couldn't stand to see a poor engine like him being left without work. It's almost like..." - he paused for a moment - "...like being scrapped!"

"I'll talk to the Fat Controller", said Edward after a moment of thought, "I'm sure he can help us"

*

Summer on the Island of Sodor often brought heat waves. Today was no exception. Gordon panted for breath as he rolled over the bridge, the sun bursting out from behind the trees. The day was growing hotter and hotter and he needed to stop for rests frequently to take on water.

"Bother this heat! Bother this heat!", he grumbled to himself, squinting to block out the sun.

Elsbridge lay up ahead and just beyond the station was the circus grounds. Preparations were still well underway and passengers had gathered to watch as the circus crew went about setting up for the first show of the season. Coco was sitting on his siding when Gordon steamed past. He cast the circus engine a grim look and let off steam as he passed.

"Circus Engines", he snorted, "Pah!"

Coco was too depressed to reply. He was used to these insults. He was hoping that Edward would return soon with the news from the Fat Controller, but time was catching up on him. Gordon chuckled to himself as the Express cleared the grounds and was rocketing through the countryside.

Some way up ahead, the line maintenance crew were checking the line for cracks. Due to the heat, the rails often buckled, making it very dangerous for engines. It was a long and time-consuming process, but they knew what they were doing was for the best. At present, they had decided to take a break and a rest from the heat. For safety, they had set up a warning flag on the line to stop trains from running onto the dangerous part of the line which had buckled that morning. However, they were unaware that Gordon was approaching fast not far down the line...

*

Edward arrived at the countryside station at Little Elsbridge, just beyond the main town. Sir Topham Hatt was standing on the platform with the many important passengers who rode with him aboard the Express. This was one of the few stops that Gordon had to make. He was examining the clock anxiously.

"Where is Gordon?", he fumed, "The Express is due to in a matter of minutes"

The angry buzzing of the passengers did not settle his mood. Edward pulled up alongside.

"Excuse me sir", he asked, "May I ask a question?"

"Of course Edward", said Sir Topham Hatt half consciously. He was too busy looking up and down the tracks for Gordon. Edward began to ask him about Coco, but he was suddenly interrupted by the squeaks of Percy's whistle. The little green saddle tank engine backed into the station, panting and sweating with his train for the market.

"Percy!", fumed the Fat Controller, "What are you doing here? You are blocking the line for the Express!"

Percy caught his breath.

"I'm sorry sir", he panted, "But there's been an accident! I was sent back for help. Gordon's had an accident!"

Sir Topham Hatt gasped.

"So that's why the Express has been held up", he pondered, "Where abouts has the accident occurred?"

"Somewhere near Elsbridge!", replied Percy, "Near the empty fields"

"Right", said the Fat Controller importantly, "Percy, I'd like you to leave your train here and fetch the breakdown train. Then go immediately to the scene. Edward, you must go with Percy and take the Express from where Gordon has left it"

Percy hurried away, but Edward was sad.

"I'm sorry sir", he muttered, "But I'm too old to pull long trains like the Express" "In that case, we will have to call for another engine", hesitated the Fat Controller. He was about to run off to his office when Edward blew his whistle in triumph.

"That's it!", he tooted happily, "Why didn't I think of that before? Sir! There's no need to get another engine, there's already one there?"

"What do you mean Edward?", asked the Fat Controller, confused as to what he was hearing.

Edward smiled happily.

*

Coco looked sadly around as the crew began to prepare for the evening's performance. He watched as merry-go-rounds and ferris wheels were slowly put together, lights were tested, ropes fastened and tickets counted. It was turning into a mad rush, and that usually led to even more mayhem. The line beside him had been clear for a while now Gordon has passed.

"I wonder if I'll ever see another engine again", he thought to himself.

But he spoke too soon. A set of whistled blew loudly in the distance. He looked up in surprise as around the corner came Percy the Small Engine, shunting along in front of him the Break Down Train, followed enthusiastically by Edward the Blue Engine.

"Coco!", tooted Edward, "We need your help!"

Coco stared at them with misbelief. Percy disappeared up ahead as Edward pulled up alongside.

"Has there been an accident?", he asked.

"Yes", explained Edward, "The Express Engine has been derailed, and we need a strong engine to take his place and pull the train to the Main Line. The Fat Controller said that he would be delighted for you to help us out"

Coco couldn't believe what he was hearing. He let off steam that attracted a lot of attention from the nearby workman.

"I'd love to help!", he tooted happily, "I'm sure my driver will agree"

And he was right. The manger of the Circus was a little reluctant to letting his engine go, but both Edward and Coco put in a good word, and finally he agreed. Coco's driver stoked his fire and built up steam. Before long, Coco was coasting happily along behind Edward to the scene of the accident. He had never felt so happy. He had only been on the siding for a day, but it felt as if he'd been their for months. He was relieved to finally stretch his wheels.

The accident was only minor. Gordon had been so distracted by the heat that he had not seen the warning flag set up by the maintenance crew and had rolled over the buckled rolls, derailing himself and ploughing front first into a field. He was most annoyed and felt humiliated. Percy had arrived with the break down train and the workmen slowly set to work.

"Blast the infernal heat!", he fumed as his driver and fireman began to check him over, "These rails should be railed for service! If it were not for this heat-wave none of this would have happened"

"You should have watched were you were going", said Percy, "Engines have to learn to handle the weather any day of the year"

Gordon rolled his eyes. Suddenly, Edward pulled up, followed by Coco.

"Are you ready Coco?", he asked.

Coco was too excited to reply. He simply blasted away at his whistle as he backed excitedly down onto the line of Express Coaches. They were quite shocked at having a new engine pull them. Percy found it amusing, but he was silenced by Edward. Gordon's mood wasn't lightened either.

"No!", he spluttered, "I won't allow it? Send for another engine at once!"

"Shut up!", Edward snapped, "Coco may be a circus engine, but that doesn't mean he can't pull coaches. He's just as strong as you - and he can handle the heat!"

Gordon hissed loudly. Edward was worried that Coco would take this to offence, but he was too excited to even listen to the big engine's rants.

"Be careful Coco", whistled Percy.

"I will", smirked Coco confidently. He had never felt so ready in his life. His driver patted him on the boiler.

"Here we go old fellow", he whispered, "We'll show this place what we are made of!"

With a hiss of steam, a puff of thick smoke and a toot of his high pitched whistle, Coco, slowly but surely chuffed away, the Express Coaches rattling along behind him. As they cleared the accident site, they began to pick up speed, coasting along happily. Coco was a strong engine. He managed to haul the heavy circus train to many places, so the Express was just as easy, if not more easier. They thundered past the circus site, whistling loudly, as the workman cheered him on.

"Good old Coco!", they waved.

"I feel useful again!", laughed Coco, as he made his way along the line, through the countryside and en-route for the Big City.

*

It had been fifteen minutes since Edward and Percy's departure, and the Fat Controller was beginning to feel tense. The passengers of the Express were rioting like angry bees, some bombarding the ticket office, demanding their money back.

"This railway is a disgrace!", they fumed, "We paid a lot of money for this train and it hasn't arrived!"

All seemed lost, when in the distance, a pale red coat of paint glinted in the sunlight. Everyone turned and gasped in surprise, as Coco the Circus Engine glided professionally into the station, the Express rolling along behind him. For Sir Topham Hatt, it was like the arrival of a miracle. The passengers seemed to loose their anger in an instant.

"What an interesting engine", they said, "And how quiet and smoothly he runs!"

As soon as Coco came to a halt, he was meet by a mob of happy faces, all impressed at his golden features and colourful paint work. He smiled as the sunlight shot through the roof and made his paint sparkle. After long, the guard had ushered the passengers into the train and Boco had arrived just in time to take over from Coco, who has warn out. He hadn't had a chance to take on water after his journey. He was about to leave when he was stopped by Sir Topham Hatt.

"Coco I presume", smiled the Fat Controller.

"Yes sir", muttered Coco gloomily, "I'm sorry for intruding sir. I'm not one of your engines. I'll be heading back now"

The Fat Controller laughed. Coco looked at him, confused.

"What a funny engine you are", he smiled, "Coco. I am very pleased with the help you have provided. Your driver tells me you are looking for work, am I right?"

"Indeed sir!"

"In that case, we would be delighted to have to come and stay with us here on my railway, until the time comes when you must leave to join the circus again".

"Oh", sighed Coco dreamily, "Oh sir. Thank you ever so much!"

"That's settled then", said the Fat Controller, "I must be going now, but I'll have Edward show you around as soon as he returns"

As Boco rolled out of the station, giving Coco a welcoming blast of his horn, the circus engine had never felt so happy and over joyed. He finally had work at last!

*****