Chapter 307: Frank to the Rescue

Every day, before the first day, Frank goes up and down the Arlesdale Railway with the maintenance train. He and the workman check every nook and cranny of the line, making sure that the track is safe. It's tedious work, but he doesn't mind. He knows its important work to keep the railway running.

One morning, he was heading back to the main yards after a long morning. As he crossed the wooden bridge, he heard an ominous creaking echo around the valley. The foreman looked down and saw that the support beams were starting to give away.

"We need to tell The Small Controller right away," he told Frank, who agreed.

"I don't want to be on this bridge when that beam breaks," he thought darkly to himself.


Jock was at the station, waiting for the guard to blow his whistle when Frank came racing into the yards.

"Woah, Frank! Where's the fire?"

"Where's Mr. Duncan?"

"He's in a meeting. What's the matter?"
"It's the old bridge, it's-"

Before Frank could finish. Jock's guard blew his whistle.

"Sorry Frank, can't stop to talk! Must keep the railway running!"

"Jock, wait!"

But Jock drove away before Frank could say another word. Luckily, The Small Controller stepped out of his office at that very moment.

"Sir, can I have a moment of your time, please?"

"Certainly, Frank. What's the matter?"

Frank explained all about the unsafe bridge.

"I see. Thank you for letting me know, Frank. I'll have control let everyone know and send a work crew up there as soon as possible."


A while later, Jock arrived at the top station.

"Another run in the books!"

He went to refill his engine's tender with coal, but found the hopper empty.

"Bother!"

Just then, Bert came in with some ballast trucks.

"Bert, does the quarry have any coal left?"

"Sorry, I got the last load."

Jock sighed in frustration.

"Guess I'll have to go back to the next station."

"That'll take you half an hour, there's no way you can make it!"

"What're you talking about? If I take the bridge, it'll only take a few minutes."

"Didn't you get the radio message from Control? The support beams are giving out, you'll never make it."

Jock scoffed.

"Bah! I'm sure a little engine like mine will be just fine. I'll be across that bridge before you know it."

"Jock, please, just couple your engine to the back of my train. It's far safer."

"Yeah, right. As if your dinky old train can handle the job."

And before Bert could stop him, Jock set off down the line. Bert just sighed and picked up the radio.

"Control, you might want to send someone up here. Something tells me Jock's going to need a rescue…"


Jock whistled happily as he drove down the line.

"Bert's just an old worrywart. That bridge is just fine!"

Before long, he reached the bridge. But as he started across the bridge, his engine began to slow down.

"Oh no! I had less coal than I thought."

His engine stopped right in the middle of the bridge. But worse was still to come. A loud creaking noise filled the air, and the rails began to sag.

"Oh no, Bert was right! HELP!"

Luckily, Frank was already on the way and was on the scene in minutes.

"Don't worry Jock, I've got you!"

"Please hurry!"

Without delay, Frank coupled his engine to Jock's. Acting quickly, he reversed his diesel, bringing Jock to safety just as the bridge collapsed. Jock breathed a sigh of relief.

"Phew! Thanks for the save, Frank."

"Don't thank me yet. Mr. Duncan wants to speak with you, and I don't think he's happy."


And he wasn't.

"You knew the bridge wasn't safe but tried to cross anyway! You shall shut in the yards until I can trust you again."

"Yes, sir."

He then turned to Frank with a much kinder expression.

"Good work, today Frank. Without your quick thinking, that accident would've been much worse. As a reward, you can have the next few days off.

Frank beamed proudly.