Gordon's Careless Attitude

Gordon likes pulling the big express. He knows it's one of the prides of the railway. "Yes, I know it is," Gordon said. One evening, Gordon was resting in the shed when the Fat Controller approached him. "Gordon," he said, "You are to make a special trip to the other side of the island."

"I can do that," Gordon said proudly. "It is a heavy train, so Gloria and Mikan will help you." "Pah!" Gordon scoffed, "Me? Need help?" The Fat Controller just ignored him and left. "I don't need help, Gordon muttered. Nonetheless, his driver and firemen got Gordon ready to go.

Soon, Gordon arrived at Krikronan Station where his coaches are. The two tank engines, Gloria and Mikan were already there. "We're ready to go, Gordon," Gloria said. "Yes," Mikan agreed, "I've got your coaches ready, Gordon." "And we were given orders to help as back engines," Gloria said.

"I don't need help from you two," Gordon said huffily. "If you want to help," Gordon said to the two tank engines, "Push my train from the back and I'll do the rest myself." "If you say so, Gordon," Mikan said. "I'll show you that I don't need help from you two," Gordon said. "Well," Mikan said.

"We're going to help you anyway," Gloria said. Now, both tank engines look almost alike. They both chuffed to the back of the express train as Gordon was coupled up to them. After all of the passengers got on board, the guard blew his whistle and the train set off.

For a while things were going smoothly. "I know," Gordon smiled. However, Gloria and Mikan ended up helping less. "Uh, Gordon," Mikan said, "Should you let us help you?" "No way," Gordon called back, "I know what I am doing. I don't need help from the likes of you."

"Ok," Mikan said. But Gloria refused to accept Gordon's answer. "Gordon," she said, "I am going to help you. This is a very heavy express coach and we're traveling into unknown territories!" "I know what I'm doing!" Gordon retorted. But he didn't.

Both Gloria and Mikan started to worry. "I don't like the looks of this," Gloria said. The trouble started as set of faulty points sent Gordon, the express, Gloria and Mikan onto an old branch line. "Strange," Gordon thought to himself, "I don't recognize this place."

"Uh," Mikan said, "I don't think we're supposed to be here." "I think you're right," Gloria said. "Nonsense!" Gordon boomed, "I know what I'm doing!" "Wait!" Mikan shouted, "You don't!" But Gordon ignored her. And that's when trouble happened.

Right in front of Gordon was an old train. The locomotive and all of its trucks were rusted. It looked like it was pulling a train a long time ago and had suddenly ran out of coal and water. Gordon saw the rusted train up ahead.

"Get out of my way!" Gordon shouted. But the train did not move at all. Mikan suddenly sensed danger. "Put the brakes on!" she screamed and her wheels locked. Gloria slammed on her brakes, too.

But it was too late for Gordon as he smashed into the decaying brake van of the old train, destroying it. As Gloria and Mikan slammed on their brakes, the coupling between Gordon's tender and the express coaches broke apart and Gordon continued ploughing through the dead train, destroying every truck in his path.

As he demolished another van, it turned into a ramp and Gordon jumped into the air and landed on the dead locomotive. No one had been hurt. Gordon's driver and firemen had jumped clear and Gloria and Mikan prevented the passenger coaches from running into the wreck.

"Whew!" Gloria said with relief, "Someone could have been killed." "No kidding," Mikan agreed. They both took the express train back onto the main line and soon, another engine took the express coaches away.

Later, Murdoch brought Rocky and Harvey to clear up the mess and put Gordon back onto the rails. The Fat Controller arrived as well. He was cross. "You should have listened to Gloria and Mikan, Gordon!" he boomed, "I've told you that they were going to help you!"

"Yes, sir," Gordon said sadly. "I know that you're capable of pulling the express on your own," the Fat Controller went on, "But in this case, you should have accepted help from the two." "Sorry sir," Gordon said.

Later, Gordon was repaired and he was soon back at work. Before he was to take his next express train, Gordon met up with Gloria and Mikan. "Gloria, Mikan," Gordon said to the two, "Sorry that I refused to let you help me."

"Well," Gloria said, "You've could have gotten someone hurt with your carelessness." "I know," Gordon said, "So, do you want to help me with my next train?" "Ok," Mikan agreed.

"Fine, Gordon," Gloria said, "Just don't go crashing into another train with the express again!" "Deal," Gordon said. And so, Gordon let the two tank engines help with his next train.

Afterwards, Gordon, Gloria and Mikan are all good friends. And Gordon had decided long ago that he does need help from back engines, Including Edward.