'Aystack 'Arry
By 01Salty
'ARRY and Bert are two twin steelworks diesels who work in the scrapyards and smelters on the Island of Sodor. They can be mean and troublesome, but they work hard, helping melt down old machinery, so it can be reused. The other engines don't like them because they always want to scrap them.
They love to break down steam engines, and were delighted when a whole bunch of them were found in Bertram's quarry, while the Fat Controller was restoring it. But now they had all been melted down, and there were hardly any more old engines to break up. Pretty soon, the two diesels were getting bored.
One day the Fat Controller came to see them.
" 'Arry, Bert, I have realized that there is little work for you lately. I have decided to reassign you to a different job, since there is enough work for one of you to do it alone. This is only temporary."
"I want to stay 'ere," they both said. "One of you has to go," said the Fat Controller.
He pondered.
"I have an idea!" he said, "pick a number between 1 and 10. Whoever gets the closest number has to go."
"Three," said 'Arry.
"Q!" said Bert. The Fat Controller tried not to laugh. Bert wasn't very bright.
"Since 'Arry was the only one to mention an actual number, he will go," decided the Fat Controller.
"But sir," complained 'Arry.
"No buts," replied the Fat Controller, "You will help on Thomas' branch line tomorrow."
"Yes sir," said 'Arry sadly, as he trundled off to the shed near the ironworks.
The next morning, 'Arry arrived at the branch line sheds. Thomas, Percy and Toby had just woken up.
" 'Ello," said 'Arry sadly. Thomas jumped when he opened his eyes, "'Arry? What are you doing here?"
"De Fat Controller sent me to 'elp ya," he replied.
"The Fat Controller said something about getting someone to help," said Toby, "but I wouldn't ever expect him!"
"Well, I'm 'ere," he said glumly.
"You don't sound very happy," said Percy.
"I'm supposed ta break up steam engines, not 'elp 'em," 'Arry grumbled, "What diesel in dere right mind would want ta 'elp steam engines?"
Mavis and Daisy were passing.
"How rude!" they both exclaimed.
"Well, I'd better show you to you're coaches," muttered Thomas, as they both set off to the carriage yard.
'Arry got some coaches, collected passengers, and took them around to where they need to go.
Bert however, was working by himself. Although he had the pleasure to bring in and watch a steam engine getting broken up, he was missing his brother.
'Arry, who had worked on the branch line for a couple of days, was starting to enjoy himself. He liked the bustle of the passengers, the green country side, and the peace and quiet. Not at all like the smelly, dirty, noisy smelters. He started being nicer to the others, and Thomas and Toby were surprised!
One day Bert went passed Tidmouth Station pulling a load of scrap. He saw 'Arry collecting passengers.
" 'Ello Bert!" he called cheerfully, "I see you are pulling dirty trucks. Come and join me on dis beautiful line!"
Then Thomas passed.
" 'Ello Thomas, wonderful day!" said 'Arry.
"Err, hi," said Thomas.
Bert was stunned. His twin changed from a devious, scheming diesel, to a nice, cheerful, kind diesel!
Bert was trundling through the yard with his load. George was resting near by.
" 'Ello George," said Bert glumly.
"Why are you sad my steam engine-hating friend?" asked George.
" 'Arry's becoming all nice and fluttery," moaned Bert.
"I've noticed that too," grumbled George, "Tell you what, I've got an idea to bring him back to reality."
Bert was intrigued.
"Psspsspsspssp," whispered George.
"Are ya sure?" asked Bert,
"Of course!" said George, and trundled off.
Bert then went off with his load, worried about George's plan.
'Arry was returning home with an empty train of trucks. He was whistling cheerfully. George could see him a long way off. "Time for my plan," he said. He had his trailer full of rocks, and he rumbled over the crossing that 'Arry would soon cross. He jerked the trailer hard, and a rock fell off the back and onto the track. "Perfect," said George, and trundled off around the corner.
'Arry was approaching the crossing. As he rolled over, he hit the rock and derailed. He ran down a hill, and into a haystack!
"Oh dear," said 'Arry.
George then rolled up.
"You know," he said, "The line around here is very bumpy. This would have never happened in the smelters."
"I guess so," muttered 'Arry. He was miserable. Trevor then saw him, and got help.
Soon, Butch and the rescue team pulled him out, and put him on a flatbed. Then, they took him to the yard, where he was transferred onto a flat rail truck. Bert collected him, and took him back to the smelters.
"So, err, 'ow are ya going?" asked Bert. "Ok, I guess," replied 'Arry.
"You know, t'was George who put dat rock on de line, so he can get ya ta be your old self," confessed Bert.
"I know," said 'Arry.
"So, are ya your old self?"
"De countryside is nice, but nuttin' beats de smelters. Let's get back and melt more Steamies!"
Bert laughed, and went back to the smelter loading platform.
The next day, Thomas was resting in a siding, when 'Arry pulled up with a load full of scrap.
"Hello, 'Arry," said Thomas.
"Hmph," replied 'Arry, "I wish it could be you in me trucks o' scrap."
And he trundled away.
Thomas smiled, he was happy to see 'Arry back the way he was, even though he wanted to scrap him!
Bert took 'Arry back to the smelters.
"Come on, 'aystack 'Arry!" he laughed, "We've got breaking up ta do!"
