Chapter Six: Edward Takes a Gamble

11:37

Barrow-in-Furness

The weather was threatening to turn into a blizzard as Edward struggled back up the tracks towards Sodor. With the weight of the fireworks vans adding to the already heavy Rocky Edward was pulling, it didn't help when they tried moving across particularly icy patches of track. Twice Edward had to stop in order for snow drifts to be cleared before they could pass safely, and he couldn't help but think about what would happen if they became trapped by a large drift.

Well, I'm sure Gordon would find it funny. Edward thought angrily, and continued along the tracks in silence, hoping that the wind, which was getting stronger and more brutal, didn't blow the aging engine off the tracks.

"I think someone has already been along these tracks." Edward's driver said, and he pointed at several shovels lying discarded in the snow banks along the tracks.

"I didn't know any other trains would be coming this way." The fireman mumbled, and they looked out for more signs of life. Edward thought of the two diesels that they had passed back at the Port of Barrow, but he continued his vow of silence and didn't say a word. His headlamp came on in order to help them see in the dimming visibility, so Edward watched as clumps of snow swirled around in the yellow spotlight being created. He could see footsteps in the snow now, and more shovels were lying very close to the tracks.

"Shouldn't Gordon be in his siding?" Rocky boomed. Edward looked to his right, angry at the mention of Gordon, but it disappeared as soon as he looked into the siding. Snow had definitely been cleared from this area, the shape of the banks too irregular to have been created naturally. And where the proud express engine had been a short time ago now stood an empty section of track, with the wind howling through it ghostily.

"Look there!" Edward's fireman exclaimed, and he pointed to a large patch at the front of the siding: it was black, clearly frozen, and its position between the tracks made them know it was diesel fuel.

"This isn't good." Rocky mumbled, and they began to slow down as they got closer to the station. Gordon's coaches remained there, twittering loudly and shaking in the cold. As several men leapt off the snow covered station, their worst fears were confirmed: Gordon must have been taken. Edward suddenly felt a horrible sensation: it was a mixture of shock, regret and guilt. He was shocked that Gordon had been taken, and couldn't help but feel bad about what he had said. What if Gordon got scrapped, how could he forgive himself?

"Thank god you're here!" Gordon's driver was leading the pack of people rushing towards Edward's train, which slowly came to a stop.

"What happened, where's Gordon?" Edward's driver shouted.

"We realised he was tricking us, so we decided to just leave him in the siding during the cold." Gordon's fireman explained. "But then we heard the coaches shouting, and we rushed out just as Gordon screamed for help. We watched as two diesels took him off into the snowstorm."

"They are two Class 14 Diesels called Bark and Wood." The stationmaster explained. "A local businessman owns them for doing his deliveries. I've already called him and he is shocked at what his crew is doing and has contacted the local scrap yard."

"I know these ruthless sort of diesels." Edward explained mournfully. "Even if the scrap yard is blocked to them, they'll find another way to get rid of Gordon." There was silence at these depressing words, and the only noise came from the wind howling around them and the chattering coaches.

"Why don't we try and catch them?" Rocky suggested, but the crews and stationmaster didn't look too happy with this idea.

"If the weather was better we could, but there is just a big risk of yourselves getting damaged as well." The stationmaster said, and Edward turned and looked at him.

"Are you saying I won't be able to rescue Gordon?" The old engine asked crossly. The stationmaster just stuttered and mumbled, and Edward and Rocky both glared at him. "I may be old, but I'm just as capable of chasing after some malicious diesels, thank you very much!"

"But your train looks heavy, and the tracks are icy…." The stationmaster added, but he stopped under the angry glare he was receiving. Edward's crew boomed with laughter, and even Gordon's crew managed a smirk.

"Nothing stops our Edward!" His driver said, and they all chuckled.

"Exactly!" Edward boomed. "So let's go and save Gordon!" The stationmaster sighed and nodded, and then rushed inside to sort things out. Gordon's crew gave Edward's crew their luck, and then followed the stationmaster inside. Edward looked at the path ahead, imagining that he could see the back of the mossy coloured diesels, with Gordon wailing in front, begging Edward to save them.

"Are you sure you can do this Edward?" Rocky asked. Edward looked around at the snow that was battering him, and the frosty tracks his wheels rested on. It was going to be a tough journey to try and save Gordon, but it would be worth it: he couldn't just let a fellow steam engine be destroyed so cruelly.

"Of course I can do this!" Edward boomed. "Besides, if I do manage to save Gordon, he is going to owe me big time." Rocky and Edward's crew chuckled with laughter, and a few moments later they were ready to go.

"Good luck, make sure he is safe!" The coaches called, and Edward smiled reassuringly at them. The stationmaster and Gordon's crew waved at them, and Edward's crew waved back, and a few seconds later Edward began moving forwards, quickly gathering speed and heading off into the storm, ready to save the day.