A Bear and Kippers
7101 and Henry were both at the Works being mended. Henry was being fitted with a new regulator while 7101 was being fitted with a new injector. Henry lost his regulator thanks to Duck's trick of pulling six dirty boiler slugged tenders. But he was able to help both Spamcan and 7101 in a super rescue that earned him the title of enterprising engine. Spam Can was a horrid diesel like the two others that came before, but 7101 was like Boco. A friendly diesel. Henry had taken a liking to 7101 since he was humble and kind.
"I never got the chance to thank you for rescuing me." Said 7101.
"Oh it was nothing." Henry said. "Emergency you know."
"Your controller was right about you. You are indeed an enterprising engine."
Henry chuckled.
"And I never got the chance for thank you for shutting up Spam Can the other night." Henry said.
"He deserved it. And he also deserved what happened to him." 7101 growled.
Henry noticed the passion in his eyes.
"Do you like steam engines?" Henry asked.
"Yes I do." He answered. "I think they are magnificent. In my mind they are the most powerful on the land. Being able to pull goods and passenger trains. I can't help but look in admiration."
Then 7101's happy face went grim.
"But the thought of our kind, us diesels, abolishing steam. It makes me sad and guilty. I feel really guilty for being part of the cause." He said in a sad tone.
"Rubbish!" Said Henry crossly. "You're not part of the problem. "It's those idiots at the head office from the mainland! They can't run a railway to save their careers! They make hasty decisions to make money and it always ends up in disaster!"
"But all the same…" Said 7101. "...I wish I was made into a steam engine. That way I can live the glory days."
He paused.
"... and maybe be accepted."
"Nonsense!" Henry said. "There is nothing wrong with you. You are fine as you are."
7101 felt better after that. He liked Henry and wanted to learn a lot from him. Later that day 7101 was all repaired and ready to go. Henry however wasn't.
"What's wrong?" Asked Henry and 7101 to the workmen.
"Sorry Henry." Said one. "A lorry carrying your regulator has had a flat and won't be here for a while. We've sent another to get the regulator while the primary one is getting repaired."
"Bother!" Henry said. "The Kipper is due early tomorrow and I must pull it."
"Sorry old boy." Said his driver. "We'll just have to let the other engines pull it."
"What about me?" 7101 said.
Henry looked over at 7101 in surprise.
"You? Are you sure you can do it?" Henry asked.
"I'll give it a jolly old try." Said 7101 with spirit.
Henry smiled happily. 7101's driver came and took him to the harbor.
At the seaside key the men were already hard at work making preparation for the Flying Kipper. 7101 arrived and shunted the truck vans into their proper sidings so that the cranes can place the crates of fresh kipper from the ships to the docks so that the workman can load them. 7101 was delighted to be working. He worked alongside Duck and Edward, you helped him. And of course there was James and Gordon who were busy with other work at the harbor.
"Well done!" Said Edward. "You're a natural at this!"
"Thank you, Edward." Said 7101.
7101 pushed the last of the vans into place. There was growling sound that could be heard. The men jumped in horror.
"What was that!?" They yelled.
"Sorry!" Called 7101.
The other men saw it was 7101. They all sighed in relief, then they laughed together before getting back to work. Just then Duck pulled alongside the diesel with a worried look on his face.
"Is something wrong?" Asked Duck thoughtfully.
"What do you mean?" 7101 asked.
"You sound cross. I was worried if you were in trouble and needed help." Said Duck kindly.
"Oh, that." 7101 blushed. "No, I'm not cross. It's my engine. It makes a growling noise. I can't help it really."
Both Duck and Edward chuckled.
"That's a relief." Edward said.
"All the same, do tell us if anything is wrong." Duck said.
"I didn't know we had a bear at the harbor!" James teased and chuckled. "Maybe we should call animal control to take him to the zoo!"
7101 felt embarrassed.
"Shut up, James!" Bellowed Duck.
"Don't pay them any mind, 7101." Edward said. "They're just being silly."
"If I'm being honest, I'd really like to have a name rather than a number." 7101 said. "Having
a name would make me feel like I belong."
"Maybe it's because you DON'T belong." Huffed Gordon indignantly.
Both Edward and Duck blew their whistles loudly and fiercely in anger at the hurtful remark. This made 7101 sad.
"Maybe… maybe I should just leave." He said.
"Rubbish!" Duck said. "You've only just started this job. Why not see it through to the end."
"Exactly so." Edward said. "If you pull the Flying Kipper nicely, you'll earn your stay."
"Remember." Duck continued. "A really useful engine brings the train home even if on one cylinder."
This cheered up 7101. Now he was determined to prove himself.
Night came fast and the docks were already quiet with lamps shining brightly. During the night shift the ships carrying the crates of kippers arrived. Docking at the key, the cranes got to work unloading the crates and setting them on the key. Hours went by and the last ship of Kippers was almost done being unloaded. The vans were all lined up properly and almost done being loaded. 7101 arrived at 5:00 early in the morning to see the last ship leaving port and the vans were now ready to be pulled. The shunter facented the coupling, the last door slammed shut, the guard showed his green lamp and blew his whistle. 7101 then pulled the Flying Kipper gently and smoothly left the docks and out of the harbor.
Out on the mainline the sun was rising slowly in the horizon on one side of the skies while the stars continued to twinkle in the night sky on the other. 7101's head lambs were on and bright, lighting the way for their journey. Everything he saw before him was like a marvel of magic. He stared in awe and admiration of his journey.
"This is incredible." He said to himself. "This must be what Henry feels like when he pulls the Kipper."
Of course he didn't know of Henry's mishaps with the Flying Kipper, but it was neither here nor there. For now 7101 enjoyed the run. He made sure to stop at each station that needed the kippers, unloading them on each of the platforms. 7101 was feeling like a really useful engine at this point. After many successful stops, they then approached Gordon's hill where the last station was. 7101 was able to climb up the steep hill with ease.
"I can do this." He said. "Just one more effort and I'll be a really useful engine."
But just then, the growling in his engine began to get louder. Both he and his crew heard this noise and began to get worried.
"That doesn't sound good." Said his driver.
"Not to worry." Said 7101. "Just a little more and we'll-OH! OW!"
He groaned mournfully as he coughed, faltered, choked, shook, spluttered, and stopped half way up Gordon's hill. His driver quickly stopped him completely and set the brakes on. The crew inspected the damage.
"This is not good." Said the driver. "Your regulator is jammed. We're not going anywhere now at this rate. We're stuck. We'll have to call for a fitter for this one."
7101 felt dreadful and ashamed. He had felt like he had let everyone down. But then he remembered what Duck had said.
"C'mon Driver! Let's keep going!" He said.
His crew all looked at him in surprise.
"We can't!" He said. "You parts are not working!"
"I can still move!" Persisted 7101.
"But you'll be in pain! I don't want that to happen to you!"
"I understand. But trains must get through."
His crew were reluctant at first. But they soon saw how late it was getting.
"Alright." Said his driver reluctantly. "But if anything happens we stop immediately. No tales. Understand?"
7101 smiled. With a mighty roar of his couching engine, 7101 pulled the Flying Kipper hard against the jamming of his gears. The sounds he was making were louder and alarming than ever. But he wouldn't stop.
"I must get through. I must." He panted.
The climb was hard work, but 7101 managed to make it to the top of the hill. But the journey wasn't over yet. They still had plenty of ground and miles left to cover. It wasn't a lot but it felt like forever. 7101 groaned in pain as his jammed gears grinded against him. He wanted to stop and rest, but he knew he couldn't. He kept on going. His driver and crew wanted to stop as well, but they were amazed by 7101's determination.
"I can do it. I can do it." He panted.
The pain from his jammed gears seemed to be getting worse. 7101 knew he couldn't last long for another mile. But he did. And another. And another. And another. But he refused to give up.
"I'll reach the last stop or burst." He fumed. "I can do it! I can do it! I can-I-I-I've done it!"
He sighed with relief as he made the last effort and arrived at the last station. 7101 rested happily at the station while the men began to unload the last of the kippers. His crew came to aid.
"You were marvelous!" Said his driver. "We're proud of you!"
7101 smiled.
"Did you hear that?" Said a workman. "We thought a bear was loose around here? But it's a really useful engine that brought us Kippers."
The workmen thanked 7101 for a job well done. As the sun rose at 8:00, Henry was mended and came to take 7101 back to the works.
"This is the second time I'm rescuing you." Chuckled Henry. "One might think you get a kick out of it."
7101 chuckled too as the big green engine pulled the tired but triumphant diesel to the works.
The Fat Controller came to see him at the works being mended once more.
"Well done 7101." He said. "I've heard all about it and I am very pleased with you. You definitely have earned a place here on my railway."
"Thank you, sir." Said 7101.
"After you're mended you shall also receive a new coat of paint. What color would you like?"
"Green sir!" Said 7101. "I would like to be painted green like Henry!"
Henry, who was with him at the works, was surprised and happy to hear such a compliment.
You can probably guess what happened next. After Donald came back with a rescued Oliver, Isabell, and Toad, 7101 was mended and good for service. Henry spoke a good word for 7101 and the others gave him a welcome. He had good manners for a start so Henry didn't find it hard to teach him their ways. 7101 finds them different from those of the other railway but much more interesting. He is now quite a useful engine. They teased him at first because
of his growls. They said he was like a bear. He still growls not because his cross but because he can't help it.
"Watch out! The Bear is loose." Teased James.
But the diesel didn't mind it at all. His name Bear has stuck. He likes it.
"Are you sure you don't mind being called that?" Henry asked.
"It's nicer than just a number." He said, smiling. "Having a name means that you really belong."
