It was almost summertime on the Island of Sodor. The engines were looking forward to all the holidaymakers that would be coming to the island.
One morning, the Fat Controller came to Tidmouth Sheds. He had exiting news. "A new bridge to the Mainland is being opened at Vicarstown," he announced. "It will allow visitors to travel to Sodor by road."
The engines were confused. Passengers from the Mainland had been traveling to Sodor for years on ships or on trains, but they had never arrived on the island by road.
"But Sir, we already have the Vicarstown Rolling Bridge?" Gordon protested.
"Not everyone likes traveling on trains and ships, Gordon," said The Fat Controller. "Once the new bridge has been completed, more holidaymakers will be coming to Sodor than ever before and that will mean more work for us. For the next few weeks, you will all help with delivering materials for the new bridge and the new road that will use it."
The engines felt better and agreed.
Later, Thomas took some flat trucks to Vicarstown and soon reached the site where the new bridge and road were being built. The Sodor Construction Company was working there and very hard.
As Kelly was loading his trucks, Thomas heard a whistle he knew all too well. There in front of him was George the Steamroller. "It's about time people started using roads to get here instead of rails," he chuffed. "Good riddance."
Thomas was surprised. "What's George doing here?" he asked.
"This new road is going to be very big," replied Kelly. "Buster can't do all the work himself." Buster was a steamroller that worked with the Pack, but he liked the engines.
George heard what Kelly had said. "Why should only this bridge and road be built? The rails should be torn up and the important work left to us. We could use their bridge easily and it would save time."
Thomas stayed silent. He knew it was no use arguing with George. At last, his trucks were unloaded. As he puffed away, George uttered his faithful words. "Railways are no good. Turn them into roads. Railways; pull them up. Turn them into roads."
When Thomas arrived at the Timber Yard, Diesel was shunting nearby. "What's the matter, Thomas? Are out of puff already?" he sneered.
Thomas wheeshed. "No, it's George. He's always saying that we're out of date.
Diesel smirked. "Most likely, he's always seen you puffballs about. I'm sure he finds diesels useful."
"No," replied Thomas. "George doesn't like engines at all. He thinks railways aren't useful." Diesel took no notice and went on his way.
Next day, it was Diesel's turn to deliver supplies. More bricks, cement and tar had been prepared for use. George was resting nearby.
"You think steam engines are old and out of date, don't you?" asked Diesel. "Well, forget them. We diesels are right up to date".
George snorted. "All you engines are the same. You think your railway will be around forever. One day, the roads will have all you're work, and you will have nothing to do but sit in an old siding somewhere. Railways are no good."
Diesel was shocked. He had not expected to hear that.
Diesel went to collect more trucks from the Smelters Yard. He told 'Arry and Bert what George had said.
"Railways, no good?" fumed 'Arry.
"Absurd!" growled Bert. "That rolling kettle doesn't know how important we are."
For once, Diesel agreed with Thomas. George was very rude.
Later that week, George was busy rolling some fresh tarmac. "Up to date, indeed. That black box on wheels doesn't know what he's talking about."
Suddenly, George's boiler wheeshed loudly. Steam billowed everywhere. George's Driver shut of steam and put on the brake. He clambered down and inspected George. "That's torn it," he said at last. "Your steam pipe is leaking." The Foreman telephoned for help.
Diesel was delivering some goods to Dieselworks. After Rocky had finished unloading, the Dieselworks Manager ran up. "George the Steamroller has broken down. Diesel, you must go and take him to the Steamworks for repairs.
Diesel grinned. "This will show George for calling railways useless."
Soon, Rocky had lowered George onto Diesel's low-loader. He was as cross as ever. "Going for repairs on out-of-date rails. It's a disgrace."
"Stuff and nonsense," frowned Nelson. "It would take all day to get you to the Steamworks myself. And then the road would not be finished on time." George went silent.
When Diesel arrived at the Steamworks, George was quickly unloaded. He still said nothing. Thomas was there delivering some new parts. Diesel rolled alongside. "I'm sorry Thomas," he said. "I should have listened to you about George."
"Now George is learning how useful both railways and engines are," smiled Thomas. "All's well that ends well."
The months past. Visitors started coming from the Mainland again and the new road did prove helpful, bringing more visitors to the island than ever before and the Fat Controller was right; the engines were busier.
As for George, he still thinks roads are better than rails, but Diesel had shown him that railways can be Really Useful too. I wonder if George knows that now. Don't you?
