One Or The Other
Narrator
Diesel has been on and off Sodor many times in the past. His visits are never long, however due to his habit of causing trouble when ever he comes to Sodor. When he does come, he is always rude to the other engines and causes confusion. And they don't like this at all.
One day, the engines gathered at the sheds to discuss Diesels recent chaos.
Gordon
He said I was a galloping blue sausage.
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...the big express engine complained.
Thomas
He was so rough with Annie and Clarabel, their buffers are badly damaged. Now the poor girls have to be repaired.
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...fumed Thomas.
James
SEND HIM AWAY! He's no good to anyone.
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...shouted James. And the other engines agreed.
The next day, Diesel was shunting in the yards. He was very rough with the trucks as he shunted them around the yard.
Truck
HEY! Watch it, you big black box!
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...they shouted. Just then, Sir Topham Hatt arrived.
STH
Diesel, I have heard many complaints from the engines that you are causing confusion and delay, and teasing them.
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...he said. Diesel gulped, Sir Topham Hatt didn't sound happy
Diesel
I am sorry, sir. I-
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...he started, but Sir Topham Hatt interrupted.
STH
I have heard enough of your excuses!
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...he thundered...
STH
You have done nothing but make more work and cause trouble! I will send you away, but this time, I will not let you back on these rails. This is your last day on Sodor track, Diesel.
Narrator
He then strolled away. Diesel slowly finished his work, and rolled away towards the mainland. As he did, the other engines whistled in joy to see Diesel roll away. As he passed Mavis, she could see he was unhappy. He came to a stop at a signal and she rolled up next to him.
Mavis
Diesel, what's wrong?
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...she asked.
Diesel
I'm going back to the mainland, Mavis. But, I don't want to.
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...he said, sadly. But before Mavis could say anything more, the signal dropped, and Diesel rolled away into the distance.
Days passed, and work got harder for the engines. The trucks were crowding every siding, and passangers were stuck on crowded platforms. They all started saying what a bad railway it was. Thomas, Percy, Bill, Ben, Mavis and Toby were exhausted. They had to run the mainline trains, as well as their own. Sir Topham Hatt came to see them.
STH
I understand that you are all trying your best, and I appreciate your effort. But you can't be everywhere at once. I have sent away for a new engine to help you with your work.
Percy
Will it be Wilbert?
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...asked Percy.
Thomas
Or Stepney?
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...asked Thomas.
STH
Sadly, they are all busy on their own railways. So another engine will be coming to help instead. He will be arriving later this afternoon at Wellsworth, so please be there to meet him so you may show him the line.
Narrator
...Sir Topham Hatt said. Then he got in his car and drove away.
That day, the engine came. He was long and green, with six drive wheels. Gordon was at Knapford when the engine came.
Gordon
Hello. Are you the new engine?
Engine
Yes, you big blue menace. Havn't you seen me before? No? Didn't think so. Hello Gordon. Don't recognise me? I guess your color on me must be confusing.
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...the engine snapped. Gordon was furious when he suddenly realized who the engine was.
Gordon
Alfred. What brought you back?
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...fumed Gordon.
Alfred
The fat man brought me here. I see you look different from when we last met. Rebuild? Nice look, even though I bet your still as slow as last time.
Gordon
Listen Alfred, you may be older than I am, but don't think Sir Topham will let you stay here if you cause confusion.
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...he said. Alfred took no notice and puffed away.
Later, Thomas was waiting at Elsbrige for the James to pick up his passengers. Just then, Alfred came. Thomas was surprised to see him.
Thomas
Alfred? Is that you?
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...he asked.
Alfred
Of course it is! What are you doing pulling a train of beat up coaches? You should be shunting them for real engines like me to take, not playing with them, pretending to be as good as I am.
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Thomas, Annie, and Clarabel were cross.
Thomas
First off, I am a real engine. And secondly, your blocking the line, James is coming with my passengers. So move please.
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...he said. Just then, Percy arrived with a goods train.
Alfred
And what is a little green bug doing here?
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...Alfred said. Percy was hurt.
Percy
Pulling a goods train.
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...he said meekly.
Alfred
Your too small to do any real work. Someone call lost and found, some boy lost his toy train.
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...Alfred jeered. Percy was cross.
Percy
I am not a toy! I'm a really useful engine. And I have places to be. Why don't you leave and do some work for once?
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And Percy left fuming. Alfred just ignored Percy and left.
Later that day, the engines held another meeting.
Gordon
This engine is the worst yet!
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...fumed Gordon.
James
He should have stayed sent away.
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...put in Henry.
James
Diesel was more tolerable than Alfred. I miss him.
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...said James. All the other engines agreed.
Percy
We need to get Diesel back. It's the only way we are going to get any of our jobs done.
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The engines all thought about ways that they could get Alfred sent away again, but none knew what they could do. Their chance came sooner than expected.
Gordon was sitting in Knapford, waiting for Henry to come up with his passengers. Suddenly, Alfred came along side him.
Alfred
What's the matter, Gordon? Feeling tired?
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...he sneered. Gordon was cross.
Gordon
I am waiting for my passengers. It's a full train, and Henry isn't due to arrive for another two minutes.
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...he said. Alfred looked at Gordon's train.
Alfred
Only three coaches? That's all your carrying? I'm pulling six frieght cars and I'm not even straining. You must be weakening.
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...he said, loftily. Gordon was furious.
Gordon
I am not weak. I bet that I could beat you in a race to Maron Station.
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Alfred grinned.
Alfred
I accept your challenge Gordon.
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...he said. Just then, Henry pulled into the station, and the passengers got out.
Gordon
Get in quickly, please.
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...Gordon said. The passengers got in quickly, and when the gaurd blew his whistle, the race was on.
The two engines rocketed along the rails. Alfred puffed and panted, but Gordon just puffed past him. Alfred tried to go faster, trying to beat Gordon.
Then there was trouble, the switch at Wellsworth was set to a siding, the same one Alfred was supposed the put his goods train. Alfred shot into the siding, and crashed into the buffers. His train spread itself all over the rails and Alfred ended up in a shallow stream.
Alfred
BOTHER!
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...he exclaimed. Gordon puffed past, chuckling as he went.
Later, as Alfred was put back on the tracks, Sir Topham Hatt was there.
STH
I am very disappointed in you, Alfred. I thought you'd be a better engine after I sent you away. But I was wrong. I'm am not going to allow you back on my railway, ever.
Narrator
...he said to the big LNER engine. Alfred just wheeshed steam sadly.
A few days later, Diesel came back to a chorus of whistles and horns.
Thomas
Welcome back, Diesel. It's good to have you back.
James
Welcome back!
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Diesel was so happy, his engine purred.
Diesel
It is nice to be back, somewhere safe. I'll try not to be so mean like I was before. But you know, I can't promise that.
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...he said. The engines agreed. Diesel might be difficult to deal with, but anything was easier than that ex-NWR engine: Alfred the B12.