Marion the Steam Shovel is very special indeed. Most steam shovels, like Ned, travel along the ground, but unlike him, Marion runs on rails. This means she can travel long distances very quickly, which is why the Fat Controller usually asks for her help if there is digging to do around the Railway.
One day, Marion was widening an embankment along the Branch Line to Harwick. She had been resting during the workmen's tea break when Daisy stopped alongside, waiting at a signal. "Oh! good morning, Daisy!" bubbled Marion.
"It was." Daisy wasn't fond of Marion, especially her stories.
"Well, what has you down in the dumps today?" Marion asked. Oh! how about I tell you a story? Did I tell you about how I once dug up a time capsule? What about-"
"No thank you, Marion!" fumed Daisy. "I don't have time for your silly stories. How many of those tall tales are true anyway? Silly nonsense. The signal dropped and Daisy flounced away leaving Marion feeling surprised and a little hurt.
That afternoon, Marion was travelling through Elsbridge Junction when Thomas puffed in. "Hullo, Marion. What's the matter?"
"It's Daisy. I don't think she likes me. She says my stories are silly and made up."
"That's nonsense," Thomas huffed. "Your stories are fun, and I know the one about Captain Calles' pirate treasure is true. I was there and so was the Sodor Construction Company."
Marion felt better. "Thank you, Thomas. Talking with you is always fun." And she set off again for her next job.
Thomas met Daisy at Knapford. "Daisy, was there a problem with Marion this morning?"
"That Marion is a problem," she snorted. "She never stops talking and what is she anyway?"
"She's a steam shovel," said Thomas plainly.
"Pah! steam shovels should not run on rails. Those big buckets of theirs could damage something. Bumps and dents are bad for my swerves."
"What about Harvey and the Breakdown Cranes?" Thomas protested.
"That's different. They help with accidents and have far finer control over what they carry."
"Marion's helpful too. She helped build the Branch Line to Harwick and found that pirate treasure."
"Oh, not that again," Daisy groaned. "Why couldn't that Ned have helped? He's a proper steam shovel and he's nice and quiet."
"He needed repairs," explained Thomas. "Besides, Marion doesn't have as many accidents as he does." Daisy said no more; she was thinking about what Thomas had said. "You should get to know her better," Thomas added, but what he didn't know was that Daisy's chance would come sooner than expected.
A week later, the weather changed. Grey clouds covered the sky, rain pelted down, and the ground became very wet.
Daisy met Toby at Haultraugh when the Stationmaster walked up to her. "Toby's leaking steam," he said. "We need you to make the return trip along his Line."
"But what about my own passengers?" Daisy asked.
"We've sent for Duck to collect them, but Toby's passengers must get home as soon as possible in case the weather gets worse."
Toby went onto a siding while Daisy purred away with his passengers. The rails were damp, and her wheels slipped as she made her way along the Line.
Then there was trouble.
Daisy was making her way along the hillside when she felt left rail sink underneath her. "Oh!" she cried.
"Woah, Daisy!" cried her Driver and applied the brakes, but it was no use. Daisy's front wheels left the rails, and she stopped on the edge of the bank.
Luckily, no one was hurt, and Daisy had managed to stay upright, but everyone was worried.
"What do we do, now?" Daisy quivered.
"I'll have to go for help," said her Driver.
"And no one else gets out in case it does more harm," added the Guard.
Daisy sat where she was for a long time. She had managed to calm herself, but she was still worried. "I don't like this."
"Neither do I," said the Guard, "but we must keep still."
Suddenly, Daisy heard a whistle…and Marion puffed around the bend. Daisy was surprised. "Marion?! what are you doing here?"
"The Fat Controller sent me to look out for landslides."
"It's risky having her here," said Daisy's Driver, "but there's no one else."
"Don't worry, Daisy," said Marion. "I'll have you back on track in no time."
Their Drivers attached a large chain between them. Marion gave a determined whistle and pulled and puffed as hard as she could.
Daisy started to move, but then, she felt the ground sink beneath her. "Oh! this is the end for moi!" she cried.
"Hold on…Daisy," panted Marion.
Her Driver felt the rails sink beneath them too. "Steady, Marion," he said and checked his controls, but Marion wouldn't stop. With the biggest puff she had ever huffed, Marion finally pulled Daisy and her passengers to safety.
Marion was red in the face. "Hurray! you're safe now, Daisy!"
The passengers and Guard were very grateful, but Daisy was so shaken, she couldn't say anything.
"Let's get back to the last Station," said Daisy's Driver. "It could get dangerous around here." And everyone agreed.
Marion and Daisy made their way to Knapford and waited for the storm to pass, but by the time the sky was clear, it was morning.
By then, Daisy had recovered, and their Drivers soon arrived to start work.
"Thank you, Marion," said Daisy at last. "You saved me, and my passengers, from a terrible disaster."
"That's alright," said Marion. "I was just trying being useful."
"I'm sorry I was rude. I can see now that you are Really Useful indeed."
Daisy and Marion are now good friends, and they are always happy to see each other. Daisy likes Marion's stories now and admires how cheerful she is most of the time. That shows you, doesn't it?