Winter Rush
One winter's night Gordon returned late to the sheds. He was exhausted from pulling a nonstop express run.
As he back into his burth he groaned. Next to him was an all too familiar face.
"My my, if it isn't my out-of-date cousin." Spencer mocked. "Tired from pulling a single express run? Such a shame. I can go for five before I'm worn out."
"For your information, my express run was nonstop."
"Pah, child's play. Any up-to-date engine can do a nonstop run with ease and never get tired."
The other engines groaned all except for Emily.
"I knew an express engine who said the very same thing." she chuckled. "She was the newest member of her class and needless to say it went straight to her smoke box. Whenever she was about to pull the express or had just finished a run she would brag about it till the cows came home. One day she was tasked to do a nonstop run. Her older sister offered to help but she won't have it. It came back to bite her in the tender. She got tired and ran out of steam. Her sister had to come and rescue her. She never heard the end of it, but she did learn a valuable lesson."
"Well, unlike that old-fashioned engine, I will never run out of steam during an express run." Spencer boasted. "Now if you don't mind I'd like to get some sleep." He shut his eyes and began to doze off.
"Was that engine nice?" Gordon asked her.
"She is."
"Is?"
"I. She's me."
"You? You were boastful?"
"I was in my youth but after that day I matured." She explained before her tone turned to sorrow. "Wish Elsa could see me now."
"Was that your sister's name?"
"It was. She was the best big sister you could ask for."
"What happened to her?"
"I'm not sure. We were sold to different railways. We never got a chance to see each other again."
"I know how that feels," Gordon stated. He explained about his brothers and how Scotsman was the only survivor.
"You're lucky to know you have one of your siblings still around." She said. "I'd just wished I knew what happened to her."
Then without another word, the two fell asleep.
Over the next few days, Spencer's bragging got worse. Every second of his free time he was lecturing everyone about how magnificent he was.
"Does he ever get tired of talking about himself?" Percy asked.
"Speaking from personal experience." Oliver admitted "Bragging comes back to bite you." and he was right.
It was Christmas Eve and Spencer had been tasked to pull a special nonstop Christmas train.
Gordon was just pulling into the station with the express just as the time turned to six. He looked at the line of seven coaches. He was concerned, he knew from personal experience that many coaches were hard to pull, especially for a nonstop run.
"Would you like help?" He offered his cousin. "I've just finished my express run for the day and don't have any other trains today."
"Help? From you?" Spencer laughed. "This is nothing for an up-to-date engine."
"That's a lot of coaches for even you to pull nonstop."
"Well unlike you Gordon I don't tired easily."
"This isn't about getting tired! This is about making sure that the train is on time."
Spencer just snorted. The guard blew his whistle and Spencer left the station with great speed.
He zoomed through the snow-covered countryside with great effect, however about halfway through the journey he began to feel the weight of the coaches against his coupling. He turned red in the face as felt more and more tired until…
"Why have we stopped?" He asked.
"You've run out of steam." His driver clarified.
"Drats."
The passages began to complain.
"I thought this train was nonstop?" A woman asked rhetorically.
"We're going to be late." A man stated crossly.
"Alright everyone settle down." The guard said. "There's a signal box not too far from here. I'll go and phone for help." He left the scene leaving them with held breath.
After nearly twelve minutes he returned and told them that an engine was on their way.
Spencer was relieved until he saw who it was.
"My my Spencer what happened here? Did you get tired?" Gordon teased as he coupled up in front. Spencer didn't say anything he just grumbled under his breath.
Gordon pulled with all his might. It was hard work and he got tired but he kept going for the passengers.
Emily was waiting at the station when Gordon arrived just in time. The passages rushed out and thanked him and his crew before heading off.
"Well done Gordon you have proven yourself to be a really useful engine." The Fat Controller proudly stated before turning to Spencer. "I have heard complaints from my engines that you have been boasting about yourself and calling others outdated. I hope situations will teach you a lesson."
"Yes Sir. Sorry, Sir."
"I knew it would come to bite him in the tender." Emily chuckled.
That evening the story of Gordon's rescue had spread to the others. They all congratulated him and some took jabs at Spencer who said nothing, but between you and me I think he deserved it, don't you?
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.