Old Western
Duck is a proud and friendly former Great Western Railway engine. He likes to do his jobs and talks "Great Western" to everyone. "Yes," Duck said, "It is the right way. And also, I was once called Montague."
Whenever Duck isn't doing a job, he likes to tell his stories in "Great Western" style.
Although some of his friends do like his stories, some others are annoyed by them. "Maybe they should make up a 'driving off a cliff' story," Gordon said. "A fact indeed," James agreed. "I once had the number 5741," Duck told Sara, "But then I got a new number when coming to live on the Island of Sodor."
"That's interesting, Sara agreed, "And you were once called Montague." "Right," Duck replied, "They say I waddle, but I don't." "I know," said Sara, "But you choose who you want to be." "And I have," said Duck. "Thanks for telling me your story," Sara said.
"No problem," Duck replied, "I must be off. I have a goods train to take." "Ok," said Sara, "Good luck, Duck." "Thanks," Duck replied, "Luck, Duck."
Duck chuckled and was immediately coupled up to his goods train.
At once, Duck set off. It was a heavy goods train, but Duck had no problem with pulling the train. "At least these foolish trucks had thought twice before messing with me." For most of the time, Duck had pulled his goods train without a problem. Even going up a big hill.
"All right," said Duck, "This will be a big job and I shall do it." Going up the hill was no problem for Duck on that day.
Then there was trouble as Duck went down the hill. The heavy goods train pushed him down the hill. "Oh no!" Duck cried as he began to pick up speed. "We got to slow down now!" Duck called out to his crew. "Right!" Duck's driver agreed and he slammed on the brakes.
The brakes locked Duck's wheels really hard and he skidded to a complete stop. Duck and his crew were shaken, but safe. "Let's not try that again," Duck's firemen said. "Agreed," said Duck, "Let's try and finish this."
However, when Duck moved, he wobbled. Or maybe, waddled. "What's going on?" Duck called out. Duck's crew got down and looked at his wheels. "Great!" he exclaimed, "You've really braked hard." "Yes," the fireman agreed, "Way too hard. The wheels locked and they scraped on the rails. Now you have uneven wheels!"
It is true. Duck had braked so hard that his rear driving wheels skidded on the rails, wearing them down. "Oh no!" Duck exclaimed. "You can move," Duck's driver went on, "But not smoothly." "So now I move like a duck," Duck concluded, "Which waddles."
"Yeah, that's true," Duck's firemen agreed, "Well, we have to get your wheels replaced." "Right," Duck agreed, "But I have to finish my job first!" "If you say so," Duck's driver agreed.
First, Duck's crew secured rubber blocks between Ducks' back buffers and the front truck to prevent constant banging with the wagons. And so Duck carried on with his train, but not smoothly.
Also, he couldn't go really fast as his shaking might cause serious damage to his boiler. "Now I understand what 'Old Square Wheels' was," Duck said to himself. But he carried on with his work no matter what.
In 30 minutes, he reached his destination, late, but safe.
After Duck had been uncoupled from his train, he puffed off to the repair sheds to have his wheels replace. He made it there, but he constantly waddled as he puffed along.
In 25 minutes, he made it there, safely. "Sorry," said Duck. "No problem," said the repair manager, "We'll have you back in smooth condition in no time. Looks like you've done some hard sliding." "Double agree," said Duck.
So Duck was left at the repair yards. While he waited, other engines puffed by. Some even teased him because of his condition. "Look at the real ducky!" James called out. "Now he is a waddler!" Henry teased. "Quack! Quack!" Gordon teased.
"Now he is a wobble bird!" Diesel taunted. Arry and Bert also made fun of him, too. "Well," said Duck, "Nothing can be done about that now."
Nearby, Sara had finished pulling a passenger train and she saw that Duck was unhappy. "I wonder," she thought. And so, she left.
The next day, Duck was still waiting to have his wheels fixed. That's when, he saw two engines puffing towards him. One of them is on a different railway. "Sara?" Duck said, "And?" "Hello," said Sara, "I want to introduce you to-"
"Please," the other engine said, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Iron Duke." "Yes," said Duck, "I know who you are." "Yes," Iron Duke said, "I hear that you are Duck." "Yes," said Duck. "We are both Great Western," said Iron Duke. "Right," Duck replied, "And I'm happy to meet you."
"Good," said Sara, "I'm glad for you two. Please have fun together." "Ok," said Duck, "Sorry that you had to come and see me in this condition." "No problem," said Iron Duke, then he chuckled, "At lease now we have odd wheels together." "True," said Duck.
And just before they were about to exchange stories, Thomas, Percy, Emily, Oliver and Arthur arrived. Even Jack and Alfie came to listen to some of their stories. "Now things will be Great Western," said Duck. Everyone chuckled and agreed.
Eventually, Duck had his wheels fixed and he returned to his normal jobs. This time, without waddling like a duck.
