Chapter 54: Wrong Road

There are two branchlines on The Island of Sodor: one run mainly by Thomas, and one run by Edward. Both are very important, but the tracks and bridges aren't strong enough to hold the weight of the heavier mainline engines, and thus engines like Gordon's and Henry's aren't allowed on them. But to hear Gordon talk, you would think that the order had been given for a different reason.

One day, Edward was shunting in the yard when he saw Gordon in a siding, sulking.

"It's not fair," he moaned.

"What's not fair?" Edward asked.

"Allowing branch line diesel drivers oversee main line trains," Gordon continued.

"Never mine, Gordon," Edward said, "I'm sure Boco will let you take his trucks sometimes."

Gordon was indignant.

"I would never take trucks! Nor would I let my engine go on branchlines."

" Why not? It would be a lovely change of scenery."

"Sir Topham Hatt would never allow it. Besides, I am far too important to allow my reputation be soiled like that."

"Didn't you give the same reason before you drove your engine into a ditch?"

Gordon, still sulking, quickly left.

Later that evening, the two were waiting at Knapford station to take their trains. Gordon always leaves first with the evening express, while Edward leaves a few minutes later with a branchline train. As they waited, so it happened.

Gordon, getting impatient, looked back towards the platform. He thought he saw his guard wave the green flag.

"Must be time to go," he thought to himself, "About time, too."

And with that he departed for the mainland. Unbeknownst to Gordon, it wasn't the guard he saw. A woman wearing a floppy green hat was saying goodbye to his friend, but because of the distance and time of night Gordon couldn't see it properly. When he heard about his mistake, he was most embarrassed.

"Oh great," he moaned, "Thomas will never let me hear the end of this."

By the time, he had returned, Edward was already late, and thus he left first. But the signalman hadn't been told of the change of plans, and thus Edward went along the mainline, while Gordon was sent on the branchline.

"Bother! Now I'm stuck here!"

And so, he was forced to spend the night at Brendam. Fortunately, a local inn nearby had a room for him, but he was still rather cross about the whole ordeal.

The next day, he was preparing for the journey back to Tidmouth when Bill and Ben came into the yard. Spying Gordon, they saw their chance for mischief and approached him.

"Say, Bill," said Ben, "What's this machine here?"

"It's Gordon's engine," said Billl.

"But it can't be," said Ben, "Gordon's engine is far too important to run on branchlines."

Gordon pretended not to notice.

"You're right," said Bill, "It must be some scrap metal. Let's get it to Crock's scrap yard so Reg can get rid of it immediately."

"No, we shouldn't make more work for him," said Ben, "Let's just push it into the sea!"

This made Gordon jump.
"Stop!" he cried, "This is my engine."

But Bill and Ben paid him no mind, and continued to argue about what to do with "this lump of scrap iron" for several more minutes, until Boco arrived.

"Bill and Ben, stop torturing poor Gordon," he said, "The Clay Pits manager told me that you two are needed back there immediately."

"Yes, Boco," the twins said, and scampered off.

"Thank you, Boco," Gordon said, "For a second I thought that they were going to go through with it. How do you do it?"

"Ah, well," Boco said, "You just need to be firm with them."

Gordon now has great repsect for Boco, but is still wary about going on branchlines. Especially if he has to meet Bill and Ben!