I do not own Thomas the Tank/Thomas & Friends or I would have kept them in their models forms.
Duck felt terrible as he got to Wellsworth and Edward could see it.
"Cheer Duck, Sir Topham Hatt wouldn't be too mad about this for long and would forgive you quickly." Edward said smiling to his fellow driver trying to cheer him up. Duck knew he was trying to cheer him up, but he still couldn't help but still be feeling terrible about it.
"It's Diesel…ever since he came here he has made things difficult and he seems to be out to get me." He sighed sadly and Edward pats him on the back. "Don't worry too much about him, if he is bad as you say he is than I am sure Sir Topham Hatt will deal with him shortly." He smiled at Duck who did manage to smile back at that. "Now I could use your help getting a Goods Train up Gordon's as it is a pretty heavily loaded train."
Duck smiled and nods as he was glad he wasn't alone here at Wellsworth and Edward's words did helped cheer him up.
He and Edward went about to gather up the goods train that was needed. Duck saw Edward was right seeing judging by what was gathered and what he is taking, no wonder he was going to need help to get up Gordon's Hill.
Meanwhile back at Knapford Yards, Diesel was elated as with Duck gone he felt he could do whatever he wanted around the yard now.
And now he planned to mess with the other Steam Engine drivers to try to get them in trouble so he can try to get Sir Topham Hatt get rid of them too.
However, he didn't count on that Sir Topham Hatt is no fool and nothing gets past him on his railway.
Back at Wellsworth, Duck backs up his engine to Brake Van of Edward's goods train, he was going to push in reverse so he didn't have go in reverse down the hill as that could be dangerous. He and Edward started moving the heavy Goods Train up the hill where the weight of the train was felt by both drivers as they both worked hard to get the top.
Both drivers let out a sigh of relief when they finally did make it to the top of the hill and Edward gave signal to Duck he got it from here. Duck signalled back he got the message before pulled away from the train and started his descent back down the hill.
Duck soon let his engine coast down the hill as he always enjoyed it seeing despite his professional attitude he does enjoy an antic once in a while. He grinned as he let his engine race down the hill by gravity and he always enjoyed this as he always got good speed from something like this.
However, he would soon be joined.
As Edward continued on neither he not Duck knew that the head truck that was coupled to Edward had a faulty coupling. During the whole climb up the mountain the couple creaked and groaned as the weight of goods train pulled hard on it. Once Edward reached the top and Duck pulled away was it finally snapped.
Edward jerked when he felt his engine suddenly surge forward and he knew something was very wrong. He looked out of his cab and saw to his horror the Goods Train that was once connect his engine was now racing down the hill…right towards Duck.
Duck looked behind him and saw the runaway train coming down the same rails as him. He puts his train into full speed in hopes of outrunning the runaway train, but all that weight it had in it made it come down the hill very fast and all that moment had it catching up pretty quickly.
He grunts as he felt the runaway smacking into the back of his engine and it didn't stop or slow down at all even with Duck applying the brakes. He grunted as he tried to do anything to stop the runaway train as he and the runaway train raced through Wellsworth.
Back at Knapford, Diesel was planning to ruin Gordon's express run to make the passengers mad and turn on the railway. He started heading to the Long Green coaches to mess with the breaks, but unknowns to him he was being watched.
"Diesel!" A voice suddenly shouted and Diesel jumped in fright before turning around to see Sir Topham Hatt standing there with Marcus. "Um sir…I was just getting ready to-"
"Cut the crap!" Sir Topham Hatt shouts and Diesel straightens up in fear as Sir Topham Hatt glared at him. "I know what you been up to by trying to sabotage my employees because they drive Steam Engines. Let's get one thing this railway is a haven for Steam Engines and their drivers to work. Diesels drivers are welcome here, but not welcome here are those who want to ruin the lives of others because they think know what is best. Also, I know it was you who messed up Duck's engine and purposely provoked him to punch you, so you better pack your things and…Get. Off. My. Island!" He bellowed that last bit and Diesel ran off in fear causing Marcus to chuckle as he watched the terrified driver runaway like he was chased by a demon.
"Serves him right." Marcus said and Sir Topham Hatt sighed. "I heard he is a hard worker and he is the son of an old friend of mine, but his attitude… he better work on it if he ever wants to return here." Sir Topham Hatt sighed again than a workman came running up to the two men.
"Sir a heavy goods train has become a runaway and Duck is trying to stop it! They raced through Wellsworth too fast for them to be switched onto a runaway track!"
Sir Topham Hatt nods as head runs over to his car, he hoped Duck can get it under control and seriously hoped he doesn't get hurt. Any employee getting hurt under his management devasted him as he viewed his employees like his children and if Duck got hurt after Sir Topham Hatt had sent him there so he could deal with Diesel than he would feel tons of guiltiness.
Meanwhile Duck still was having troubles trying to slow down the runaway as they were now approaching Crosby.
He grunted as he could feel his engine's brakes grinding hard on the rails and he hoped someone at Wellsworth sent word to this station to clear it.
However, to his shock he was saw James up ahead with the Long White Express and Duck knew he was going to crash into him. Duck knew he had to do something as the signalman had no time to switch him as he was going too fast to be noticed in time.
He grabbed the shovel he used to fuel the fire with coal and hangs out the side of the cab as he knew there was a switch for the tracks up ahead. He had only one chance to hit it and stop this runaway from crashing into James.
He raised his arm up and swings it fast as he could, he was glad he hit the switch and Number 8 along with the runaway now went down a siding. He was glad that now it won't crash into James or harm anyone now.
Until he saw the buffers and knew it won't stop it in time than he saw the Barbershop coming and knew how this was going end. He threw his shovel hard as he could at the window of the building hoping it will be enough to warn those inside to get out. He knew he couldn't do anything so he jumped off his train and grunt as he hit the ground hard while feeling a lot of pain in his side.
He looked up and saw Number smash through the buffers than smash head first through the Barbershop wall while also seeing everyone that was inside had gotten out in time.
The Barber came up to him first mad at what happened, but once he saw the situation and that Duck was hurt he knew what really happened before not hesitating to call for medical help for Duck.
A few moments later Marcus and his crew were busy pulling Number 8 and the runaway back onto the rails while the Judy and Jerome used the Breakdown Train to hold up the Barbershop.
Duck was looked at by a few medical personnel while James kept him company as he had saw what happened and was worried for his fellow driver. Duck had two broken ribs, but luckily none of them had pieced his lung, but he will need to rest up and miss work.
"Duck, I heard about your act of bravery here." Sir Topham Hatt said as he came up to his employee. "Your quick thinking helped avoided harm to anyone. I am proud of you so you make sure to rest up, we will all be waiting for at Knapford."
"Sir you mean?" Duck asked surprised.
"That's right you are coming home and don't worry about Diesel, I knew he was up to something so I sent you away to make him get overconfident so I could catch him in the act and sent him packing." He explained and Duck smiled glad he was trouble at all, now he was looking forward to returning to Knapford once he recovered.
Some time passed before Duck was all healed up and was now back at working hard at Knapford where he was told he was missed there greatly. He was happy to be back at work and not have worry about Diesel there for now.
I hope you all enjoyed.
