SALTY'S SECRET

Based upon the episode by Robin Kingsland

Adapted by Zack Wanzer and Rachel Ravens

Down at the china clay pits, Mavis glanced around at her new surroundings.

"I've never seen anything quite like this before," she commented. "But, a quarry is a quarry, I suppose."

"Well, this isn't your typical quarry, Mavis," chuckled BoCo. "You'll have to ask Bill and Ben how they do things down here."

"Okay," said Mavis. "Thanks for the tip, BoCo."

"We hope you'll enjoy your stay here," replied the big green diesel. "Just watch out for Bill and Ben's antics."

"I was a bit of a troublemaker too," chuckled Mavis. "Don't worry, I got this."

"Famous last words…" BoCo said, quietly.


Bill and Ben were pleased to show Mavis around and explain how things around the clay pits worked.

"China clay isn't mined like most quarry minerals," said Bill.

"See those hoses over there?" asked Ben. Mavis glanced over curiously.

"Oh, yes," she replied. "That's unusual."

"The clay is washed out of the ground, and put into those trucks - we call them hoods - over there," Ben continued. "It has to settle before we take them out."

"Why? What happens if we don't wait for it to settle?" asked Mavis.

"It wouldn't be much use to anyone if it's not settled," said Bill. "Unless it goes into tankers, that is. That's where the wet clay goes."

The twins went on going to further detail about the workings of the china clay works; Mavis listened intently, hoping to catch every last detail.

"Well, that does have a lot of uses," said Mavis. "I think this stay will be a lot of fun."

"Let's see who can get the most trucks shunted by the end of the day," said Bill.

"Oh, it's on, you two," grinned Mavis. "I do this with Thomas and Percy all the time."


It wasn't long before the three engines set to work, bringing in trucks of china clay for the other engines to take up the branch line and onto the main line. On one of her runs, however, Mavis noticed that Brendam docks was busier than ever, and trucks were all over the place.

"Uh oh…" she said. "Is it always like this here?"

"It's been getting busier since I was put here," said a voice from above.

"Oh!" said Mavis. "You must be Cranky. Nice to meet you. I'm Mavis."

"Ah, so you're the china clay twins' little helper," replied the crane. "You've come a long way from the Ffarquhar branch."

"I have indeed," said Mavis. "I may be able to help here for a while, but when the branch line is mended, I'll be heading back."

"Hopefully we'll get help before the crates reach my crane arm," sighed Cranky.


Meanwhile, a little red diesel with yellow and black ends was crossing over the Vicarstown Rolling Lift Bridge.

"Argh, the sea is always an invitin' sight," he smiled to himself. "I wonder if me first job will be by the sea…"

"Well, Salty, my lad," said his driver, "islands are surrounded by the sea."

"That be true," the diesel grinned. "And I hope the engines are friendly."

Pretty soon, Salty arrived at Vicarstown station, and he went over to get refueled at the oil depot. While there, he saw an emerald green tender engine heading to the water tower.

"Ahoy there, fine lass!" Salty greeted. "Some fine weather we're having today, eh?"

Emily was a bit taken aback by Salty's greeting; she stared nervously for a moment before heading away to the water tower, much to his surprise.

"What was that all about?" Salty wondered. "Was it me paintwork? Never known a lass to run away at the sight of a hard working engine."

"That certainly was odd," agreed his driver. "Maybe she's just shy around newcomers. Never mind; we might have better luck with someone else."


As Salty continued his way down the main line, to pass the time, he began recounting some stories.

"…we heaved until the old freighter finally caught the tide," he was saying. "Argh, it's good to be useful!"

"Well, I'm glad to hear that," said Edward as Salty pulled into Wellsworth. "Welcome to the Island of Sodor. My name is Edward."

"Salty, pride of the Seven Seas," the new diesel greeted. "I've worked at Southampton docks until a fine captain decided to ship me out here."

"I think you're talking about Sir Topham Hatt," chuckled Edward. "Well, he's not much of a seabound person, but I think I understand what you mean." He then blinked. "Wait… Southampton docks? Oh my…"

"Is there something wrong, matey?"

"Er… that was where Thomas' siblings used to work," said Edward. "Rosie's too."

"Oh…" trailed Salty. "Would they happen to respectively be a Brighton E2 and an American dock tank?"

"Yes," sighed Edward. "If you see either of them, please tread things carefully. Rosie isn't a member of our fleet, but she has visited us before, and Thomas is on another branch line."

"Thanks fer tellin' me, matey," said Salty. "I just hope they won't be too upset."

Salty's signal dropped and he headed down the branch line to the china clay works.


"Oh, what shall we do with a seasick engine

What shall we do with a seasick engine

What shall we do with a seasick engine

Early in thar mornin'?"

Salty was singing sea shanties to himself as he rolled through Brendam docks. Derek was nearby waiting for Cranky to load his trucks.

"I say, he seems quite chipper to be here," smiled Derek.

"A little too chipper if you ask me," grunted Cranky. "He probably won't be there for very long."

Derek just chuckled as he observed Salty's eagerness to work. "Bill and Ben are going to have their work cut out for them!"


At the china clay pits, true to Derek's word, Bill and Ben were indeed working harder than ever.

"Good thing we've got you around, Mavis," said Bill.

"Yeah," agreed Ben. "We'll be able to get our work done in no time."

"But what do you suppose will happen when the Ffarquhar branch line is all fixed?" asked Mavis.

Bill and Ben didn't know how to answer that question. Before they could come up with one, however, they heard an unfamiliar horn.

"Ahoy, mateys," Salty called, coming into view. "I be Salty; I'm the new engine and I'm here to give you some help."

"Ah, hello," smiled Mavis. "Welcome to Sodor. My name is Mavis, and these two over here are Bill and Ben."

The tank engine twins were surprised with what Salty had just told them.

"B-but I thought we were managing just fine with Mavis," spluttered Bill.

"Yeah, four engines helping out here's a bit much!" added Ben.

"It'll be three engines again before you know it," said Mavis. "I've my own work to tend to back home."

"Argh, what do you mean by that, lass?" asked Salty. Mavis then explained about her work at Anopha Quarry, as well as what led to her working at the clay pits. Salty then observed his surroundings; everywhere he looked, he saw nothing but rock faces and dust.

"Clay pits?!" he exclaimed. "There must be some mistake. I'm a dockyard diesel!"

"For now, you're a clay pits diesel," said Mavis. "There's an important shipment of china clay that's due to go to the mainland, and there's a lot of work to do."

"I… I understand, matey," Salty said, quietly. He was disappointed that he wouldn't be working by the sea, but he knew that work came first. "Ah well; at least there be trucks," he said, rolling up to a line of them.

"Do be careful, Salty," said Mavis. "Trucks can be very troublesome. Well, unless it's a brake van named Toad, but he's not on this branch line."

"Argh, I've worked with lots of trucks back at Southampton," the red diesel chuckled. "This'll be a cinch!"

"He won't last five minutes," chuckled Bill.

"Those trucks will trip him up soon enough," said Ben.


"Yo ho ho and a bucket of prawns

The tiller spins, and the captain yawns!"

But much to the twins' surprise, the trucks seemed to give Salty no trouble at all.

"Yo ho ho and a bucket of prawns, the tiller spins," sang Salty.

"And the captain yawns!" sang the trucks.

"Wha… How in fizzling fireboxes is he doing that?!" gasped Bill.

"I have no idea," agreed Ben. Unfortunately, they were so distracted that they hadn't noticed that they were each shunting a truck towards each other on the same line.

"Bill and Ben!" cried Mavis. "Watch out!"

"What the-?! Oof!"

The twins were more startled than hurt, but the sudden impact had caused some clay to spill onto the ground, and all over them as well. Then, Bill's eye began to twitch, and…

"Ah… ah… ATISHOO!"

"Say it, don't spray it, Bill!" cried Ben.

"S-sorry…" sighed Bill. He and Ben then backed sheepishly away and back to work, Mavis following suit.

"Was I ever that troublesome with Toby…?" Mavis said under her breath.


By evening, the important job was almost done. Bill, Ben and Mavis were resting in the sheds when they saw Salty approaching.

"Here comes Mr. Showoff," huffed Bill, enviously.

"Bill!" Mavis grunted. "Behave. And that goes for you too, Ben." She took a deep breath. "You have to admit, Salty's got a knack with those trucks."

"Cranky says he'll bore the bolts off of us with his stories," Ben said under his breath.

"What was that?!"

"Nothing…" Ben whispered.

Much to the trio's surprise, Salty didn't say anything at all. In fact, he didn't come near the sheds.

"What's he doing out here?" asked Bill. "It's not as though there's no room in the sheds."

"I know," said Ben. "They've built extra berths since Derek joined the railway."

Mavis purred out of the sheds and pulled up alongside Salty. "Salty," she asked, "what are you doing out here? Don't you like company?"

"Aye, I do," the red diesel replied. "I just thought I'd get out and catch a little sea breeze, is all."

"You… really do miss the sea, don't you?" asked Mavis.

"Aye," sighed Salty. "I do…"

"I miss my quarry too," said Mavis. "And my friends on the Ffarquhar branch. Thomas, Percy, Toby, Daisy, Annie, Clarabel and Henrietta. I know they're being useful, and so am I, but it's just not the same…"

Bill and Ben hadn't said anything, but they couldn't help but feel sorry for the two diesels. Neither could imagine being away from the clay pits for a long time, and from the likes of Edward, Derek and BoCo.

"Remember when the clay pits were destroyed in that rockslide?" asked Bill to Ben. "It took ages to fix everything."

"Indeed," sighed Ben. "No wonder Mavis is wanting to go back to her quarry, and to her friends."


The next morning, Bill and Ben were greeted with unusual behavior from the trucks.

"Tell us some stories about the sea!" they said. "Just like that one where Salty fought a giant squid monster!"

"Or the one where there was a two-headed monster who ate fish and ships," said another.

"Squid monsters? A monster that eats fish and ships?" The twins were most befuddled, even more so when the trucks insisted upon a few sea shanties.

"What's gotten into them?" asked Bill. "They're usually never like this!"

"Good question," said Ben.

Just then, Salty arrived. "Ooh, hello, trucks. Have I ever told you the story of a ship who braved a cold winter out at sea?"

The trucks started talking eagerly amongst themselves, and Bill and Ben looked at Salty with surprise.


Later that day, Bill and Ben saw Salty being refueled.

"How do you manage it?" asked Bill.

"Manage what?" said Salty.

"You know," said Ben, "get the trucks to fall in line, so to speak. Not even Edward's been able to get them to behave this quickly!"

Salty laughed. "Well, me hearties," he said, "I like workin' to a musical rhythm, and so do the trucks. Why don't you give it a try, mateys?"

"Okay then," said Bill. "Anything's worth a try."

"Let's do it," agreed Ben.


Bill and Ben buffered up to a long line of trucks and began to pull.

"Here we go, here we go, here we go," they sang, but the trucks wouldn't move.

"No we don't, no we don't, no we don't, don't, don't!" they sang in a taunting manner.

"Oh my…" trailed Mavis as she came by with her own line of trucks. "Er… what's going on?"

"We're trying Salty's way of moving these trucks, and it's not working," grunted Bill.

"Yeah," agreed Ben. "'Working to a music rhythm.' Well, it hasn't worked for us."

"Hmm…" said Mavis. "Maybe there's more to it. Keep trying to get the trucks moving, you two."

The black quarry diesel moved off and on her way to getting some loaded hooded trucks, she found Salty. He was shunting more trucks into place.

"Hello, Salty," Mavis greeted as she pulled up. She saw Salty's eyes drooping and his smile wasn't as bright as when they first met.

"Ohhh… I'm a dockside diesel, Mavis," he sighed. "I need to be by the sea."

"I know, Salty," Mavis said, quietly. "It's hard being in a new environment. But Bill and Ben are warming up to you, and I like being with you too."

"I appreciate your company too, lass," Salty's smile brightened, just the slightest bit. "I'll miss you when you're back at Anopha quarry."

"I'll miss you too," said Mavis.


That evening, the engines were settling in for the night. Salty was still a bit quiet.

"Salty…" said Mavis, still trying to get him to talk. "Er… do you mind telling us a story about the sea?"

"Yeah," said Bill. "The trucks mentioned something about a squid monster."

"We didn't know what that was," added Ben. Salty looked over at the trio, unsure of what to say.

"We can tell it," said a truck nearby. "Salty was in the middle of the sea, in the middle of winter when it was freezing cold–"

"No, no, no!" cried another truck. "That was the brave ship story, remember? The giant squid had two heads and–"

"Ugh, now you're getting the story mixed up with the two headed monster!" exclaimed a third. Salty couldn't help but laugh at the mixed up tales the trucks were trying to convey.

"I guess I've told quite a few stories over the course of the past couple of days," he said, amused.

"I've never seen the trucks chatting amongst themselves like that," Mavis laughed. "The trucks at the quarry usually argue about which engine to bump next."

"You've definitely changed things here for the better," Ben admitted.

"Yeah," agreed Bill. "We were wrong about you, Salty. You're a really amazing engine to be around."

Salty couldn't help but smile at the trio. This time, he rolled into the sheds beside Mavis, and the quartet all fell asleep.


The next morning, Sir Topham Hatt and the clay pits manager came to see how the engines were getting on. They were both surprised to see that the important job had been completed.

"Well done, everyone," said the clay pits manager. "You engines have completed the job ahead of schedule."

"We couldn't have done it without Salty, sirs," said Bill. "He's been a big help since he came here."

"Well then, I've got an important task for you, Salty," smiled Sir Topham Hatt.

"Aye aye, captain," said Salty, suddenly sounding a bit uncertain. "Shall I be workin' at the quarry next?"

"Quarry?" said Sir Topham Hatt, surprised. "Oh no, Salty; I've brought you here to help out at Brendam docks."

Salty's face lit up with excitement! "The docks?! The docks are right by the sea! Arr, thank you, sir! This reminds me of a time in Bimini…"

"There he goes again," chuckled Ben, and Bill and Mavis chuckled along as well.


"…and that was also when I was told I could go back to the quarry," Mavis was telling the other Ffarquhar engines. "Amazing what can happen in just a few days, isn't it?"

"I'll say," said Toby. "Bill and Ben didn't cause you too much grief, did they?"

"Well… maybe a bit," said Mavis. "But that's another story altogether. I did have some help from BoCo, Edward, Derek and Salty to keep them in line."

Percy and Thomas hadn't said anything. The blue tank engine hadn't been too happy to hear that Salty's class was another culprit to his siblings being scrapped. The green tank engine also felt a bit envious as to how well Mavis had gotten on with Salty.

Maybe Mavis liked spending more time with Salty than me… he thought.

"Say, Daisy, what did you get up to?" asked Toby, realizing the tank engines were very quiet.

"Nothing," said the diesel railcar. "There was nothing too exciting on the…"

"Hey, what's this?" said her driver in surprise. He pulled something out of one of Daisy's passenger compartments.

"Wha… ho-how did that get in there?!"

Thomas, Percy, Toby and Mavis all burst out laughing.

"It must be a naughty gnome," Percy laughed, completely hysterical. Daisy's face flushed red with a mix of fury and embarrassment.

Must be one of those Midi tank engines… she thought to herself.


As for Salty, should you ever come to Brendam docks, you'll see him hard at work shunting trains into place, putting trucks in their proper sidings, and singing along and telling stories of the sea. He gets more work done than any three engines, and is proud to be really useful. And only the trucks know his true secret.

"Ohhh, don't take me away from the seas, boys! Don't take me away from the seas!"

Bill and Ben see him every day whenever they make their deliveries, and they're among many who come to the docks or work there and enjoy listening to Salty's stories.

"Ugh, great! Now that's another story I'll never get out of my head!"

Well, nearly everyone… but that's also a story for another day.

THE END


Author's Comments

At long last, we're introduced to Salty the dockside diesel in this retelling of Salty's Secret! This story and the next take place concurrently with each other and during the timeskip in The Sky's the Limit. Not much else to comment on, really.

Upcoming stories:

- Oh Gnome!

- Jack Owns Up

- Derek the Reliable

- It's Only Snow

- Gordon Takes a Tumble