Chapter Two: Bridge over Stormy Waters

08:23 AM

Vicarstown

While Gordon was enjoying his picture-perfect English countryside, things weren't as nice on Sodor.

The storm clouds that Gordon had seen were bringing rain instead of snow and high winds instead of gentle breezes. A large Christmas tree on the Skarloey Railway had to be reinforced as it was endanger of being blown over, and many trucks and supplies were being battered around the multiple yards. Leaves and branches covered the tracks, delaying trains as the Pack were used to help clear the tracks to make them safe. Harvey was racing across the island, using his large arm to move larger things like trees or flatbeds that had been blown across the line.

But things were bad up near Vicarstown.

A single bridge connected Sodor to Great Britain, stretching across the Walney Channel between Vicarstown and Barrow-in-Furness. The bridge had recently been updated to include a better points and signal system, making it safer and easier for engines to cross the bridge.

However, today the issue was the signals.

Edward and Rocky were helping out today with clearing away large things from the track while Harvey was busy. And they happened to be nearby when the call came up from Vicarstown. A signal had been blown over due to the strong gales, and it was holding up several trains.

"This is going to be a tricky one." Edward said to Rocky as they moved alone the open line. The wind was already threatening to flip them over, and the rain was making it cold and difficult to see.

"I just hope I don't have an accident!" Rocky cried back, and Edward just smiled nervously. He continued to push the crane in front, and for several minutes they travelled in silence, the loud wind make conversation very difficult. But soon the two could see something: a man standing in bright yellow, waving a red flag that stood out dramatically against the grim grey backdrop.

"This must be us." Edward's driver announced, and the short train slowly came to a stop, the man in yellow rushing over.

"The signal is just over there, it's covering two of the lines so we need to have it moved!" He yelled over the roaring wind. The operator inside Rocky nodded, and Edward's driver slowly moved them forwards so they were closer to the signal. The signal didn't appear to have damaged the tracks, it simply lay on top with mainly the signalling parts on the tracks.

"This shouldn't be too hard!" Rocky boasted. His supports were pulled out so that the wind didn't cause too much trouble, and Edward, his crew, and several men in yellow watched as his arm was slowly raised and turned to the right. But this simple movement was too much: Rocky wailed as he was sent turning rapidly by the wind, nearly whacking into Edward behind him!

"This isn't good I take it." Edward sighed, and Rocky laughed nervously. Edward and Rocky had been working together for several years now, with Rocky kept at Wellsworth so he was in a good position between accidents. Despite Edward's initial uncertainties about the crane, the two now got on superbly, and Edward was usually the first one asked to take Rocky out.

"Hmm…." Edward pondered, and he examined the situation. Being older than anyone else in the area, he was able to use his wisdom to his advantage, and his several years of expertise with Rocky. "Rocky, why don't you get your chains around the end of the signal, and then hoist the signal backwards by retracting your hook from where you are?"

"I think they might work!" Rocky said happily, and he quickly relayed this idea to his operator. The operator seemed to think it was a good idea, so he shouted towards the men in yellow, who Edward and Rocky had worked out had to be signalmen. The men rushed over and helped attach the chains around the end of the signal's pole. Rocky's hook was then hooked to the chains, and his operator got back inside the cab.

"I really hope this works, this wind is starting to annoy me." Rocky chuckled, and he heaved on the end of the chain. His hook was retracted, and the chains managed to hold. The signal was pulled backwards, moving through thick snow, ice and deep puddles. Everyone cheered as it fully left the tracks, and Rocky was able to raise his arm up sot he signalmen could move the signal over the snow more.

"Told you." Edward said proudly, and Rocky smiled at him. Now the two could head back to Vicarstown and wait there until things died down enough to carry on back to Wellsworth. Edward waited patiently as they sorted Rocky out, and they were only a few minutes away from departing when a man rushed towards them out of the storm.

"What now?" Edward's fireman moaned, and Edward's crew greeted the man, who explained something quickly to them.

"I have a feeling we aren't going to get a rest." Edward sighed, and Rocky moaned as well as he was finally straightened out. Edward's driver came up to him, looking grim.

"The fireworks for tonight's party can't be brought here by boat like initially planned." The driver explained. "They asked Gordon to bring the trucks over, but apparently he's fallen ill, so they urgently need us to go and collect them." Edward and Rocky exchanged looks, both not sure what to do.

"It might be cool to save the day." Rocky chuckled.

"You save the day every day!" Edward laughed. "But you do have a point: if Gordon won't do it, I guess we'll have too!"

"You'll have to leave straight away, it's very important to get those fireworks back to Tidmouth, so take Rocky with you." The signalman explained, and Edward's crew nodded. Half of the signalmen rushed back to make the appropriate calls, and Edward was soon ready to set off.

"Come on then Rocky, let's go save New Years!" The blue engine chuckled and surged forwards in a cloud of steam. The two headed out onto the bridge, instantly beaten by more wind and rain, but heading steadily on towards the other side.

They had to collect the fireworks.