Spencer, the duke and the duchess had returned to Boxford, but the silver engine's relief was the talking point soon after.

"It's Not Fair." Grumbled Crovan.

"What isn't fair?" Asked BoCo.

"Letting Branch Line Engines Pull Main Line Trains."

"Never mind, Crovan. I'd be willing to let you take trucks today in fairness."

Crovan Spluttered Furiously. "I Won't Pull Those Dirty Trucks Of Yours! I Won't Run On Branch Lines For That Matter!"

"Why not? It would be a nice change?"

"The Fat Controller Would Never Approve!" Huffed Crovan. "Gordon was Right! Branch Lines Are Vulgar!"

Crovan puffed away. BoCo chuckled and went back to his work.

As always, signalmen are important. They help engines, coaches and trucks run safely, on time and to their correct destinations. Without them, the railway cannot run smoothly.

On that day, the signalman at the big station by the sea wasn't feeling too well. He managed to last the morning, but by lunchtime he could hardly concentrate. His relief was on the job by half past, but the relief wasn't told who would come in first and he left the points switched to Duck's branch line.

Crovan was still grumpy after his talk with BoCo, even as he was coming in with the return goods. He was so grumpy he didn't notice himself directed the wrong way, until it was too late.

Fortunately, Duck's line is a little stronger than the other two branches, but Crovan still wanted to stop.

But his driver wouldn't let him. "The only yard big enough for these trucks in these parts is at the end of the line." he insisted.

Crovan was running at medium speed so it didn't take as long as most trains on the line to reach the yard by the small railway, but to Crovan it felt like an eternity. He was too long for the turntable, so the crew went to find a phone. Soon the blisters came to work the ballast chute. However, they saw the opportunity to tease the bigger engine.

"It'll be much better fun." they insisted.

"What's that?" asked Blister 1.

"Shush," whispered Blister 2 "it's only Crovan."

"It looks like Crovan, but it can't be. Crovan never goes on branch lines, he thinks they're vulgar.

Crovan was ignoring them for the time being.

"If it isn't Crovan," said Blister 2 "it's just a pile of old iron..."

"..which the scots better take to the scrap yard on Edward's line."

"No B1, this lots useless for scrap. They'll take it to the port and dump it in the sea."

This got Crovan's full attention. "I AM CROVAN! STOP! STOP!

The twins ignored him and continued bickering. Crovan shut his eyes and prepared for the worst.

It was only a few minutes, but to Crovan it felt like a lifetime before he heard a whistle and peaked.

"Neville! My dear engine!" he gasped "Save Me!"

Neville was quick in understanding the situation, and sent the small diesels about their business. They tried to retaliate, but Frank arrived and threatened to tell The Small Controller. They knew they wouldn't like what he'd do to them if that happened and quickly subsided to their work. Neville left the trucks listed for the chute as well as any other trucks for the branchline and took Crovan and the rest of his train back to the yard at the big station.

Crovan was silent with awe throughout all this, but when at last he could speak to Neville he thanked him.

"Those little rats." he went on. "How do you two do it?"

"Edward taught me," said Neville "and Frank was taught by Duck and Rex. After a while, it becomes a knack."

Crovan still believes that Neville saved his life, but we know the blisters were only teasing, don't we?