Chapter 292: Don't Touch That Handle!

Based on "Thomas and the Emergency Cable" and "James's Traffic Jam"

Each passenger coach on the railway is equipped with a cable to be pulled in an emergency. When it's pulled, a bell in the guard's compartment rings, alerting the guard that there is danger on the train. At that moment, the guard applies the breaks and goes to investigate. However, not every case is an actual emergency, and this causes confusion and delay. Henceforth, anyone who pulls the cable without actual reason will be fined.

One day, Thomas was running his usual afternoon service. As he carried on down the line, he couldn't help but notice a rather unusual passenger. At every station, he would get off, bring his binoculars to his eyes, scan the area and then get back on. Thomas couldn't help but wonder what he was doing.

At the top station, just as the train was about to head back the other way, Thomas decided to speak to the man.

"Excuse me, but what is it you're looking for? Are you some kind of station inspector?"

The man chuckled.

"I've never been called that before! No, I'm a birdwatcher, and I'm looking for a very rare bird: The Green Woodpecker. I've heard rumors that it's been spotted somewhere along the branchline, so I bought a round trip ticket. No luck so far, I'm afraid."

"Oh! Well, good luck then."

"Thank you. I'm getting closer, I can just feel it!"

Just then, the guard's whistle blew.

"Oh, look at the time! Nice to meet you, Thomas!"

At first, the journey went well. The sun was shining, and they were making great time.

"At this rate, we'll reach the junction early," Thomas thought to himself. But he spoke too soon, for no sooner had they passed a signal did the breaks on the coaches come on. Alarmed, Thomas brought the train to a stop. Both he and the guard got down and went to the coach right behind his engine, opening the doors. There was the birdwatcher, looking very sheepish.

"Is everything alright? Someone pulled the emergency cable."
The birdwatcher nervously chuckled.

"Well, uh, you see, I thought I saw the rare bird I was looking for, and I wanted to get a closer look at it. So, I pulled it without thinking. Sorry."

Thomas and the guard were not amused.

"Seeing a rare bird is not an emergency," the guard said sternly as he pulled the man out of the coach. "Just you wait until Sir Topham Hatt hears about this. You'll be riding with me until then."
After that, the train started back up again. They managed to make it to the junction without further issue, but they wound up being five minutes late, something Henry was more than happy to make fun of him for.

"Now who's a slowcoach? He chuckled before driving away. Thomas ignored him, too upset about the delay to bother. When Sir Topham Hatt arrived, he had stern words for the birdwatcher.

"That cable is for emergency use only, not for birdwatching! You have caused confusion and delay."
"I understand, sir. I promise it won't happen again."

"I should hope not! However, you still need to pay the fine."

"I know, sir. I'll more than happily take care of it now."

As Sir Topham Hatt led the man to his office, Thomas couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

"It was just a mistake," he thought to himself. "Hardly seems worth the trouble."

It didn't take long before news of the incident spread. Gordon thought it was hilarious, and spent the whole night teasing Thomas about it.

"Of course it would happen on a branchline train," he said pompously. "So uncivilized."

"It could happen to anyone!" Thomas said crossly.

"Not to me," Gordon said proudly. "The passengers on my express know better than to pull a silly stunt like that."

"Famous last words," Thomas muttered to himself. But if Gordon heard, he didn't bother to reply.

The next morning,Gordon was racing down the line with the express. As the train rushed past Elsbridge, he gave a sharp whistle, startling Thomas.

"Make sure your passengers know about the emergency cable!" He called, laughing at his own wit. Thomas just rolled his eyes.

"Pompous git," he muttered to for him, karma was soon to come for Gordon. He hadn't even left the station before the guard threw the brakes on.

"Trouble," Gordon thought to himself, and brought the train to a stop. Meanwhile, in the coaches, the guard made his way to the commotion. There, he found a group of four foreign passengers. When one of them saw the guard approaching, he waved them over.

"Yes," said the guard. "What seems to be the problem?"

The man, who didn't know very much English, responded in his native language. His accent was so thick, however, that the guard could not understand him.

"I'm sorry, but I don't understand?"

This time, the man took a coffee mug and mimed drinking from it. This time, The guard got the message.

"Are you telling me that you pulled the emergency cord because you wanted a cup of coffee?"

The man nodded, then held up four fingers. The guard sighed, and left. He'd get a translator at the next stop, but for now they needed to get going. When Gordon heard about what the holdup was, he could only splutter in disbelief.

"Oh, the indignity!"

Thomas, who had heard everything, chuckled as he left the station.

"It would never happen on the express, huh?"

Gordon remained silent.

The next day, Thomas saw the birdwatcher again, looking most apologetic.

"Again, I'm truly sorry about causing that mishap. I just got so excited that I wasn't thinking."

"It's alright, we all make mistakes. By the way, did you ever find your rare bird?"

The birdwatcher smiled, and proudly held out a photo of the Green Woodpecker.

"Would you believe it? After paying the fine, I went for a walk in Knapford Park, and there it was, making a nest in a tree! What're the odds?"

Thomas chuckled, impressed.

"Ah well, all's well that ends well!"