Bumpy Rex

One morning, Rex had finished his first job. He later joined Jock, Frank, Mike and Bert at the little engine sheds to listen to some news from the Small Controller. He is standing to an engine whom they've never met before.

The other engines watched with amazement, happy to have a new friend join them. "This is Nikola," the Small Controller announced, "She came from a railway that had recently closed in England. I would like you all to make her feel welcome." "Welcome, Nikola," the five engines all said together.

"Hello," answered Nikola shyly, "I'm glad to meet you all. I will work hard on your railway." "Excellent," said the Small Controller, "Everyone, start work with her at once." "Yes, sir!" the small engines answered.

Immediately, Rex was chosen to work with Nikola for her first job on the railway. "I don't get it," said Mike. "It's a good start," smiled Jock. "I'm going to help you with your train," Nikola said to Rex.

"Right," agreed Rex, "My name is Rex, by the way." "Hello, Rex," Nikola reply, "You know, I'm Nikola. The Small Controller introduced me." "Rex just chuckled.

So at once, Rex and Nikola went double-header with the first goods train. At once, they set off together, blowing their whistles. For the moment, things are going smoothly for the two engines. But that's about to change.

Rex's driver suddenly felt that Rex is picking up speed. "Whoa!" called the driver, "Rex, careful! Not too fast for Nikola." "Oh," replied Rex. "Sorry!" Too late as there was a loud crack from underneath. Rex stopped suddenly. Nikola had to stop, too. "What's going on?" asked Nikola. "I'm not sure," answered Rex.

His driver examined Rex's wheels. "What was that bump?" he asked. After a few minutes, Rex's driver said, "I don't see what's wrong with you, but we'd better move on carefully." "As you say so," replied Rex.

The two engines set off again. They've finished taking the goods train to the upper station and later, both returned to take a passenger train. "Let me show you how we take passenger trains," said Rex. "Ok," replied Nikola. The two engines decided to go double-header with this passenger train.

"Ready?" called Rex. "Yes," answered Nikola. The two set off. But this journey wasn't going to be smooth at all. The moment they started past the first tree, Rex began to bounce roughly. "Huh?" thought Rex.

"What's going on?" asked Nikola. "Something," answered Rex. "Whoa, take it easy, Rex," said the driver, "Rex, slow down!" "I'm trying!" Rex answered. He did, but he ended up going really slow.

Then he grounded to a halt. "Oh no!" cried Rex, "This shouldn't happen at all!" "Something is wrong," said the driver. "We must continue on," said Nikola, "We can't keep the passengers waiting. I'll try to smoothen things back here. Rex, you carry on forward."

"Right," agreed Rex, "I'm not giving up!" So Rex started again. But as Rex picked up speed, he bounced again. His driver had to get used to being bounced for the moment. Nikola managed to keep the passengers safe and secure by keeping the train running smoothly, despite Rex's rough bouncing.

"Come on, Rex," she said, "You can make it." "I will," replied Rex in a shaky tone of voice. Finally, the passenger train reached the top station with no trouble whatsoever. Nikola pushed Rex to a nearby siding as another engine prepared to take the passenger train for the return journey.

Rex's driver looked at Rex's wheels again. This time, the problem is visible. "One of your drive wheels has a crack in the spoke," he said urgently, "It had bent your wheel." "How?" asked Rex. "Must have been from that bump in the track," said the driver, "We'd better get you to the repair yards immediately." "If you say so," said Rex, sadly.

So Nikola pushed the shaky Rex back home. "Sorry about this," said Rex, "I didn't mean for your first work day to be so bumpy." "That's all right," smiled Nikola, "I enjoyed the journey. Even if there are a lot of bumps in the road." "Actually me," said Rex.

Soon they approached the track where Rex felt a bump. The drivers examined what had happened. "Looks like a large stone somehow became loose and had hit Rex's wheel," Rex's driver said at last. "Oh," said Rex, "Should have watched out." "Yep," replied Nikola.

She finally got Rex to the repair yard and she worked with Jock and Mike for the next two days.

By then, Rex's wheels has been checked and repaired and he returned to work. "Nikola," Rex said. "Yes?" Nikola replied. "Let me please try again to work with you today," Rex said. "Of course," agreed Nikola, "But let's not make passengers bounce like peas in a frying pan." "Deal," Rex replied.

And the two engines set off for work together. From that day forward, there had been no more incidents involving large stones striking engine wheels.