Chapter 52: Bill and Ben

Bill and Ben are twins who work on the China Clay Company near Brendam. They drive two identical engines, and transport china clay along the private line to the Docks, where it is shipped off to be made into pottery, paper, paint, etc. Although they are separate from The North-Western Railway, they are good friends with the engine drivers of Sir Topham Hatt's railway, although they are rather mischievous, which often gets them into trouble.

One day their trucks in a siding and left to fetch more. They returned to find that the previous lot had mysteriously vanished.

"That's odd," said Ben, "I don't remember a train being scheduled to take our trucks away. Do you, Bill?"

"No," said Bill, "But look."

Bill was pointing at a patch of oil on the rails.

"I've seen this oil before," said Bill, "I think it's called diseasel. Yes, that's right. There's a notice about in the shed. Coughs and Sneasels, bring diseasels."

"You were coughing and sneezing all of last week," said Ben, "It's your fault that this Diseasel came."

"It is not."

"Is too."

"Is not."

"Is too."

"IS NOT!"

"IS TOO!"

"Look, all of this arguing won't get our trucks back," said Bill, "Now I've got a plan. You and I are hard to tell apart without our nametags on, so we'll take them off…"

He whispered the rest to Ben, who sniggered mischievously. With that they left in search of their train.

They found it near at Wellsworth station in the goods yard. Ben hid behind, while Bill drove his engine alongside. He found an unfamiliar engine at the head, with a stranger sitting in the cab with a window down.

"Excuse me," Bill said, getting the man's attention. He looked down at Bill with a glare.

"May I help you," he said, clearly not in the mood for games.

"Yes, those are my trucks," said Bill crossly, "Now give them back."

"This is my train," said the stranger, "Now be off with you!"

Bill pretended to be frightened.

"You're a big bully," he whimpered, "You'll be sorry."

And with that he drove away. Seeing his brother retreat Bill advanced. The man was surprised to see what he thought to be the same person and train on the opposite side of him.

"Truck stealer!" Bill said, then rushed back.

This went on for several minutes, with Bill and Ben changing everytime, and the diesel driver having no idea what was really going on. At last, the two drove up at the same time.

"Stop! Stop! You're making me dizzy!" the man shouted. After collecting his bearings, he looked back and forth to see the two twins.

"Th-there's two of you?" He asked incredulously.

"Yes, we're twins," Bill and Ben said in unison.

"I might have known," he chuckled.

At that time Edward drove in.

"Bill and Ben, what are you two doing," he asked.

"Getting our trucks back," said Ben.

"Even you don't take our trucks without asking, unlike this bully," said Bill.

"There's no reason to be rude," Edward scolded, "This man is a new employee for the railway. If you had bothered to stay a few minutes more, the dock manager would've told you that a new train had been scheduled as not to clutter up the yard."

Bill and Ben did feel foolish.

"We're sorry,erm…"

"Call me Boco," said the man, "And I'm sorry as well. I should've explained what was going on."

Bill and Ben then left to collect more cars, while Edward and Boco stayed to chat.

"They mean well," said Edward, "But they are maddening at times."

"Yes," said Boco, "Maddening is the word."