EDWARD, GORDON AND THE NEW CRANE

Based upon "Edward Strikes Out" by Sharon Miller

Judy and Jerome have been part of the North Western Railway since its early days. They are a pair of breakdown cranes used for helping engines, coaches and trucks out after an accident. Whenever they're not on duty, Judy and Jerome can be found sleeping heavily at the station yard near Knapford, only waking up if there's an emergency or if they think there is.

"Emergency!" they cried together.

"Judy!"

"Jerome?!"

"Where's the accident?!"

"Is a bridge out?"

"Na, ye two," sighed Donald, who had buffered up to them. "I'm juist taking ye oot tae repair some track alang th' mainline."

"Oh," Judy and Jerome sighed together with disappointment.

"A bit of boring maintenance work for us, then," said Jerome as Donald set off with them.

"But at least it's something to keep ourselves from catching dust and cobwebs," said Judy, trying to lift her brother's spirits up. "I can still feel those spiders in my gears…"

Two of the most famous accidents that Judy and Jerome helped to clear up were when James crashed into a field after his wooden brake blocks failed and when Henry ran into another train on a siding pulling the Flying Kipper. But over time, the two cranes were beginning to feel their age; even with Harvey's arrival a few years back, there was only so much he could do, so Sir Topham Hatt brought in a new crane to supplement them.

That morning, Emily, Edward and Gordon were at Knapford station, waiting to depart with their own trains. They could see the new crane on a siding, a few lines away from Judy and Jerome. He was big, painted red with yellow hazard stripes and looked very strong.

"I'm sure that crane could even lift a big engine like you, Gordon!" joked Emily.

Gordon didn't think this was funny. "That crane might be big," he sniffed, "but he can't be as strong as Judy and Jerome. Two cranes are better than one, I'd say."

"Now Gordon," said Edward, "we should at least give him a chance."

"Pah!" huffed Gordon. "He will only get in the way."

Presently, Sir Topham Hatt arrived. "Gordon, you are to collect some pipes and take them to Brendam Docks. The pipes are heavy, so you'll need Edward to be your back engine."

"Why can't Donald and Douglas do it, sir?" protested Gordon. "They like gallivanting off on branch lines!"

"Don't you remember?" asked Emily. "They're busy on the mainland helping with another job on the Scottish railway."

"Emily is right, Gordon," said Sir Topham Hatt. "And need I remind you that really useful engines don't argue?"

"Fine," sighed Gordon.

The flatbeds were right next to the new crane, and they were loaded with pipes. Gordon backed up to one end of the train, and Edward came up behind.

"My name's Rocky," the crane smiled at the blue engines.

"Hello, Rocky," smiled Edward. "I'm Edward, and this is Gordon."

"Can I come with you?" asked Rocky. "I could help you with those heavy pipes."

Edward thought it was a good idea, but before he could say anything, Gordon interrupted.

"Certainly not!" the big blue engine snapped. "We don't need any help from new-fangled nonsense like you!"

"Gordon!" snapped Edward. "That was uncalled for!"

Rocky felt hurt after Gordon's remark. Edward felt sorry for the new crane as he and Gordon set off for Brendam docks.

"I'm very sorry about Gordon's behavior," Edward apologized as they passed. "I promise that he is the exception, not the rule."

Emily had seen what had happened and was very cross with Gordon's behavior.

"Why does he have to be so narrow-minded when it comes to new arrivals?" she huffed to herself.

As the two engines went further along the main line, Edward noticed that the pipes weren't tied down properly.

"We should slow down, Gordon!" he called. "I think the workmen forgot to tie the pipes down."

But Gordon wasn't listening to Edward. He was thinking about Rocky and was going too fast to be safe. Two cranes are better than one, he thought to himself.

Suddenly, the signal up ahead changed to red. Edward applied his brakes. "Stop, Gordon!" he called out. "The signal is red!"

Gordon slowed down as well, but there was a sharp bend ahead. Then…

Crash!

The steel pipes fell off the flatbeds and scattered all across all the lines, meaning that no engines could get by.

"Oh dear," sighed Edward. "We'll have to get Rocky to-"

"Absolutely not!" snapped Gordon. He asked his driver to telephone for Harvey instead.

"I don't think Harvey will clean up all the pipes himself," said Edward with concern. "He'll probably only clear up a few at a time, and it'll be ages before we get moving again."

"Come now, Edward," scoffed Gordon. "He's lifted Percy all by himself on his first day. Surely a few pipes won't be too big for him."

When Harvey finally arrived with a workman's coach in tow, he gawked at the mess that was in front of him. "It's going to take a very long time for me to clear all these pipes!" he exclaimed.

"It'll be fine," insisted Gordon. "Take all the time you need, little Harvey."

"And this is the same engine who insists on getting his passengers to his destination on time," muttered Edward darkly.

A little while later, Emily was passing with some holidaymakers in the opposite direction. "My passengers need to get through," she called to Gordon. "Why not have Edward go and get Rocky?"

"Certainly not," replied Gordon. "Harvey is doing a fine job. You need to learn to be patient, Emily."

"I already know that by now," retorted Emily, "but I'm worried about my passengers missing out on their holiday. They can't be kept waiting!"

Then Henry arrived with a heavy goods train, as well as James with the express.

"Come on, Harvey!" snapped James crossly, blowing his whistle. "Get a move on!"

"You're going to make us all late," added Henry.

"I'm sorry, guys," sighed Harvey. "But there's only so much I can lift."

Then things were about to get worse; Murdoch was coming back light engine on his way to Knapford. He couldn't see the pipes on the track until it was too late; Murdoch hit them with a crunch and came off the tracks!

"Ouch!" groaned Murdoch. "That really hurt!"

"I can't lift Murdoch," sighed Harvey. "He's much too heavy for me to lift."

"This could've been avoided if you'd simply let me bring Rocky to the scene!" Edward snapped at Gordon. "Are you proud of yourself, Gordon?"

Gordon didn't want to admit it, but deep down, he knew this was a disaster, and he also knew that Harvey couldn't lift Murdoch alone.

"This won't be an easy job for just one crane," said Emily. "You'll have to bring in Judy and Jerome along with Rocky."

"Very well," said Gordon. "Edward, could you go and get Rocky, Judy and Jerome?"

"With pleasure," replied Edward, and he quickly raced back to Knapford yards to find them.

Meanwhile, Judy and Jerome were talking about Rocky, occasionally glancing back at him. They had been like this since Rocky's arrival that morning, and they couldn't help but feel anxious about their future.

"You don't think he'll end up replacing us, Judy?" asked Jerome.

"Well, we are old cranes, Jerome," she replied.

"Judy! Please, don't say that about us!"

"Are you two alright?" Judy and Jerome both looked at Rocky in surprise.

"You two sound like you're fretting over something," Rocky continued.

"Us, fretting?" asked Judy.

"No, of course not!" chuckled Jerome.

"Who'd even think of doing such a thing?" As the two cranes continued chattering in denial over their worries, Edward quickly steamed into the yards, blowing his whistle frantically.

"There's been an accident near Suddery Junction!" he cried. "It's too big for just one crane, or possibly even two; we need all three of you to help clear away the mess!"

Judy and Jerome suddenly became very excited upon hearing this!

"Did you hear that, Jerome?" exclaimed Judy.

"A real emergency on our first day back!" replied Jerome.

Judy then looked at Rocky. "But what about that new crane?"

Edward smiled. "I believe we'll need Rocky's help as well."

"I'm ready and waiting!" called Rocky. "Let's go get 'em!" So Edward was coupled to the three cranes, and they all headed for Suddery Junction.

Because of the accident, a few trains had to be either rescheduled or cancelled altogether. Bertie had taken Emily's passengers to the seaside while a bus service was run between Wellsworth and Maron to get passengers on the express to the other end of the island. James was not too pleased about this arrangement.

"I should've been speeding down the line with coaches full of passengers admiring me," he grumbled. "Not giving them up to some buses!"

"We've got Arthur helping out at Maron in getting your passengers to their destinations," insisted Emily. "So at least be grateful they're getting somewhere at all."

Before James could say anymore, Edward had pulled up on the middle line with Judy, Jerome and Rocky in tow.

"First things first," said Edward. "We'll need to get Murdoch back onto the line."

"We'll fix this!" Judy and Jerome chirruped in unison. And before too long, the two cranes managed to get Murdoch back onto the track.

Murdoch was very happy to be back in motion again. "Thank you," he whistled to Judy and Jerome, and he set off for home.

Meanwhile, Rocky loaded the pipes back into Gordon's trucks.

"There you go, Gordon," called Rocky. "All ready to go!"

Then as James, Emily and Harvey took the three cranes back to Knapford, Gordon and Edward continued onto Brendam. Gordon didn't say a word all the way there; he had a lot to think about.

Gordon and Edward finally arrived at Brendam docks without further incident. Cranky looked down crossly at the two blue engines.

"Gee, it's about time you got here," he snarled. "What kept you?"

"We had a little bit of a mishap at the junction," explained Edward. Then, he added with a knowing, cheeky smirk, "Didn't we, Gordon?"

The big express engine didn't answer; he was wondering what Sir Topham Hatt would say about the delays caused by his carelessness. He found out sooner than later…

"Gordon, you are not to blame for the pipes not being tied down properly," Sir Topham Hatt spoke sternly to him that evening, "but your rushing about has given me a big headache in dealing with so many delays! And I heard that you were quite rude to Rocky that morning when he offered you and Edward some help. Did I hear that correctly, Gordon?"

"Yes, sir, you have," the big blue engine said sheepishly. Then he looked over to Rocky, who was sitting next to him. "I'm sorry I called you a new-fangled nonsense that would only get in the way. That was uncalled for on my part and I have no excuse for what I said."

"It's no sweat, Gordon," smiled Rocky. "I accept your apology. I'm just happy to help anyone out in need."

"So are we," agreed Jerome, before looking down with a mixture of worry and sadness.

"What's wrong, Jerome?" asked Judy. "You seem a bit down."

"Oh, nothing, Judy," answered Jerome. "It's just that… now that Rocky is here…"

"...it seems Sir Topham Hatt won't need us around anymore," finished Judy.

Rocky was surprised at what he had just heard. But before he could say anything, Sir Topham Hatt laughed.

"Judy and Jerome," he said to the two cranes, "why would you think I'd replace you?"

"Because Rocky is bigger…" replied Jerome.

"And newer…" added Judy.

"And stronger than us," they finished.

"But I'm not here to replace you two," Rocky broke in. "I'm here to help you out."

"Rocky is right," said Sir Topham Hatt. "Sodor has gotten busier over the past few years since the construction of the airport, and I thought that bringing in a new crane would help make your loads a bit lighter. Besides," he added, "I would never get rid of any of my engines or rolling stock."

The two old cranes were relieved to hear this news, but they still couldn't help but feel as if their days were numbered. Especially with the expansion of an emergency rescue center on the island, but that's a story for another day.

THE END

Author's Comments

I think the majority of the fandom can agree that Edward Strikes Out is the worst portrayal of the old blue engine. Of course, they are the same people who want Edward to return to the Steam Team, even though this episode is a prime example as to why that shouldn't happen. He would end up getting forced into roles that end up rewriting his personality for the sake of the story, and fans don't like that as a result. I personally feel Edward is better off as a major supporting character, and many of his best roles were when he was one; The Adventure Begins being a great example of that.

For this rewrite, Edward speaks in defense of Rocky, and I even gave Judy and Jerome roles to play, to set up their rivalry with Rocky for a couple of other rewrites I have in mind, one of them ending up in Series 13-16 Redux, which is currently being written as we speak. Mike (who helped to co-write this) even added in a bit of dialogue from Emily explaining why Donald and Douglas sometimes take absences up to Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure.