Once upon a time there was a railway known as the Settle and Carlisle Railway. The route crosses the remote, scenic regions of theYorkshire Dales and theNorth Pennines and runs betweenSettle Junctionon theLeedstoMorecambeline andCarlislenear theEnglish-Scottish borders. One of the smallest engines working on the mainline is called Lisa. She is a Midland 2P tender engine that helps shunting coaches and trucks in the yard for the bigger engines. One of the big engines was called City of Carlisle. He was an express engine. But he didn't like doing goods work.
City: A goods train! What a disgrace!
Lisa: Oh, come on City. It can't be that bad?
City: Oh yes, it is Lisa. I'm an express engine. I was never designed to pull trucks. I was meant to compete with the LNER's streamlined trains.
Lisa: Oh, not this again.
City: Ha! Thankfully I won't have to pull trucks after that new engine gets here.
Lisa: New engine? What new engine?
City: Haven't you heard? Madam Rachael is bringing in a new engine to help with the passenger trains I hope. That last one she brought in was too small to be useful.
As City of Carlisle was about to pull away with his goods train, another engine puffed in front of him. It nearly leaded to collision. City of Carlisle slammed on his brakes.
City: Oh! KEVIN!!!
The engine that had puffed in front was a tank engine.
Kevin: I'm not small City. I may not be as big as you or Lisa but I'm big enough to be useful. And there's nothing wrong with pulling trucks either.
City: Unless they're misbehaving. Now could you please get out of my way. You're blocking the line.
Kevin rolled out of the way and City of Carlisle steamed away with his trucks. As he rolled along the line the trucks began to laugh at him. But City of Carlisle took no notice of them. Soon the line started to get steeper and City of Carlisle started to feel the weight of his 25 trucks.
City: OH, COME ON! I CAN DO IT! I CAN DO………. OHH I've give up!
City of Carlisle came to a stop. His crew was puzzled. They climbed down from his cab.
Driver: What's he up to now?
Firewoman: Come on City. You're not even trying.
City: HA! I can't do it. These noisy trucks are holding me back. Now if they were coaches, now that would be different.
Driver: Now where have I heard that before?
Firewoman: We better call control. Miss Rachael is not going to like this.
Back at the big station in Carlisle, inside a little office, a phone began to ring.
Miss Rachael: Hello?
The lady in charge of the Settle and Carlisle was Rachael. But the engines usually call her miss Rachael, madam or ma'am. It was her job to make sure all the trains were on time.
Miss Rachael: Oh dear. Yes, I'll deal with it. Thank you. Bye.
Meanwhile in the yard Lisa was shunting in the station yard when she noticed Miss Rachael walking towards her.
Miss Rachael: Hello Lisa. I'm afraid City of Carlisle needs your help.
Lisa: My help Ma'am?
Miss Rachael: Yes, he can't continue up the long climb with his goods train apparently.
Lisa: Ok Ma'am. I'm on my way.
Lisa puffed away towards the mainline. She found City of Carlisle two miles outside Carlisle. He was very cross.
Lisa: Hello City. I've come to push.
City: HA! No use what's so ever. A small engine like you could not possibly push me as well as 25 trucks.
Lisa buffered up and started to push.
Lisa: Oh, come on City. Just try and work with me here.
City: Alright alright.
Both Lisa and City started to push and pull the trucks up the line. It was hard work but they didn't give up. Soon Lisa felt the weight on her buffers loosen as City began to pull ahead.
City: I've done it! I've done it. I knew I could do it!
City rushed away leaving Lisa behind.
Lisa: Not even as much as a "Thank you"?
Lisa then headed back to the yard.