Double Engines
One bright and sunny day, the engines of the Fat Controller's railway were awaiting two visitors from the USA. Thomas and Percy chatted about them the most. "I heard they are bigger than Gordon, Henry and James," said Thomas.
"Don't forget Murdoch," said Percy. "Who could forget him?" asked Edward. "Sorry," said Thomas. The engines talk excited about the visitors until the Fat Controller arrived.
"Everyone," he began, "I want you to say hello to our guest on The Island Of Sodor. Meet Big Boy and Mallet. That's their names. They've come all the way from America to visit you." At that moment, two loud whistles were heard. Followed by two loud chuffing noises. "Wow!" said Gordon.
"Those engines are huge!" said Henry. "Impressive," said Gordon. The two big engines puffed into sight. Everyone was amazed. The two engines steamed into Knapford station. They were bigger than Gordon and Henry and Murdoch. Henry and Murdoch were impressed. "We're not jealous," said Henry and Murdoch to themselves.
But Gordon was. "Har-rumph!" he snorted. After the two big engines steamed to a halt, Gordon puffed away to collect his coaches for his daily express. "Hello," said one of the two big engines.
"Hello," said Henry. "I am called Big Boy," said the biggest engine of the two.
"I am called a Mallet," said the other engine who is not as big as Big Boy, but he's still a big engine. "Big Boy and Mallet," said Thomas, "Welcome to the Island of Sodor." "Thank you," said Big Boy. "We are honored," said Mallet, "To visit your railway."
"We will be respectful to everyone," said Big Boy. All the engines welcomed Big Boy and Mallet. Everyone, except Gordon, who just frowned while leaving the station. "Huge," he muttered, "Huh!" He collected his coaches and puffed off on his journey to collect his passengers at Kronk Station.
For the rest of the day, Gordon mumbled to himself. Those two engines think they're bigger than me," snorted Gordon, "And they are!" Gordon mumbled about Big Boy and Mallet, even if he didn't meet them! However, when Gordon was resting for his next journey, Big Boy and Mallet finally met Gordon.
Even though Gordon wasn't impressed. "I am called Big Boy," said the Big Boy to Gordon, "And this is my good friend, Mallet." "Hello," snapped Gordon to himself. He didn't say it directly to Big Boy and Mallet. Mallet was about to say something, but Gordon left.
James and Duck were shunting trucks as they saw Gordon leaving. "What's up with Gordon?" asked James. "I don't know," said Duck. Both Big Boy and Mallet didn't know what's up with Gordon. Every time Big Boy and Mallet got closer to Gordon, Gordon just steamed further away from the two. Later on, Big Boy and Mallet started working with goods and passengers.
The two engines proved that they could pull up to 100 trucks and 15 passenger coaches. Everyone was impressed of the two. All, except for Gordon. "Humph!" said Gordon. Rusty saw Gordon from a nearby siding. "What's gotten into his boiler?" asked Rusty.
"Who cares?" said Sir Handel as he chuffed by with a train of wool. Rusty ignored Sir Handel and continued staring at Gordon until he was out of sight. As Gordon was about to leave to pull another passenger train, Percy puffed up to Gordon. "Hey, Gordon!" said Percy, "Where have you been?" "Trying to stay away from the two big engines," huffed Gordon. "Why?" asked Percy.
"They're bigger than me!" blared Gordon. "Why are you staying away from the two engines then?" asked Percy. "I just don't like them!" said Gordon. And he steamed off. "But why?" asked Percy, "Why do you not like them?" But Gordon didn't answer Percy's question; he was too far away.
Later on, Gordon sped down the main line. "Big Boy and Mallet," he muttered, "Big engines. I'll show them who's the biggest engine on Sodor! Even bigger than Murdoch."
Gordon thought of how he could accomplish that when suddenly, there was a loud crack. "Oh no!" said Gordon. He stopped immediately, followed by a loud bang. "What happened?" asked Gordon. The driver examined Gordon as soon as he got down. He could see that Gordon's left side rods had snapped.
"This isn't good," said the fireman as he saw what had happened. "We can't go anywhere!" said the driver, "Until help arrives. "Oh no!" said Gordon, "Why now?" Then, Gordon heard a whistle. Then he heard another whistle. "Help," said the driver, "We can get help now."
The driver and firemen saw both Big Boy and Mallet approaching Gordon on the second line. The firemen flagged them down to ask for help. "Hello," said Big Boy. "You need help?" asked Mallet. "Yes," said Gordon. "So, I hear that you are Gordon, the express engine," said Mallet, getting ready to change tracks. "Yes," said Gordon. "Why were you trying to avoid us?" asked Big Boy.
"Because I thought you were trying to overshadow me in who's the biggest?" replied Gordon, "I felt like a fool." "I don't get why were you trying to do that while ignoring us," said Mallet. "Because I was jealous," said Gordon, "I just wanted to remain the best of all."
"I understand," said Big Boy, "We'll talk about it later." The driver and firemen removed Gordon's side rods to prevent further damage. Then Big Boy and Mallet helped Gordon to the works for new side rods.
In 3 days, Gordon returned to work. Before that, he puffed up to Big Boy and Mallet. "Hey," said Gordon, "Thanks for helping me." "No problem," said Big Boy. "We were glad to help you out," said Mallet. "I'm sorry for ignoring you on that day," said Gordon. "You're forgiven," said Mallet.
"Friends?" asked Gordon. "Sure," said Big Boy. "Thanks," said Gordon. So Big Boy, Mallet and Gordon became best friends. They had a good time working together.
Soon enough, it was time for Big Boy and Mallet to return to the USA. The Island of Sodor is a good place for them, but it's not big enough for the two big engines. The engines gathered around to see the two big engines off.
"Good bye," said the engines, "We'll remember you." "Us too," said Big Boy. "Thank you for welcoming us," said Mallet. After saying goodbye, Big Boy and Mallet set off for home. "Good bye!" said Gordon, "Thanks for being my friends!" "Us too!" said Big Boy. The big engines were soon out of sight. Gordon won't forget his new friends.
