Chapter 88: Useful Railway

Mike drove into the yards late that night, looking rather cross.

"Oh, dear," groaned Rex, "Here we go."

"I was bringing some ballast down from the mines," Mike grumbled, "When out of nowhere a flock of sheep strayed onto the line. I had to help the farmer corral them. I swear, Willie needs to get his act together, or he's going to cause a serious accident. Sheep are nothing but trouble."

"Not so, Mike," Rex said, "I'll admit sheep can be a nuisance, but they can also be useful as well."

"Oh really? And how is that?"

"Their wool is handy. Take that shirt your wearing now. That's made of wool, isn't it? Well, if the farmers didn't shear the wool off sheep and sell it, you wouldn't have anything to wear. So, like it or not, Mike, sheep are something you can't live without."

"Quite right, Rex. I'm glad to see you know so much about wool, because you're just the person I wanted to talk to."

Bert, Rex, and Mike all turned to see The Small Controller standing at the shed door.

"I've recently won the contract to pick up the farmers' wool and deliver the market for the railway. I was going to assign Mike the job, but I see that he's had enough of sheep for a while. So, Rex, would you like the job?

"Yes sir, please sir. This will be easy."

"Very good. The job starts tomorrow at 6 AM. Don't be late. You know how some of these farmers can get."

"You can count on me, sir."

"Good."

And with that, The Small Controller turned on his heel and left for home. Mike snorted.

"Fine by me. I'd rather deal with passengers than sheep anyway. Be careful out there, Rex. These farmers can be quite finicky."

"Please. This will be a piece of cake."

Rex got up bright and early the next morning. After a quick breakfast of eggs and toast, he set off to collect the first load of wool. He arrived right on time, and even helped the farmer's load the wool into the train. He did this for every other stop on the line.

"I said this was easy. I said this was easy."

But danger lay ahead.

Willie the farmer was in a hurry. He had overslept that morning and had to hastily gather his wool on a trailer and drive his tractor to Arlesdale Green crossing. He was still half asleep and wasn't paying attention to his load.

"Willie! Your load is slipping."

"Huh? Oh! I can't stop now. I'll just have to secure it once I reach The Green."

But he never got the chance. A sharp turn lay ahead, and as Willie took it, his load came loose, tumbling onto the rails.

"Crumbs! I've got to the next signal box. Rex will-"

A sharp whistle cut him off. Rex was approaching the site, still chanting to himself.

"It was easy, it was easy."

"Rex! Look out! The line is blocked!"

"It w- Huh! Oh!"

But it was too late. Rex jumped clear as his engine hit the bales of wool, tumbling off the rails, with its train following suite. Fortunately, Rex wasn't badly hurt, and the bales of wool that were on his train remained intact. But a large mess was left behind.

The Small Controller soon arrived. Rex was sure that he was about to get a scolding, but Willie spoke up.

"Don't punish Rex, sir. It was my fault. I'll help you guys clean up."

"Very Well, Willie. But don't let it happen again."

"Yes, Sir."

It took along time to clean up the mess. Bert and Mike would pass him constantly. Bert would just wave hello, but Mike would just laugh and say, "Serves you right."

At last, the mess was cleaned up and Rex set off for the top station. He was rather embarrassed.

That night, he returned to the sheds to find the Small Controller waiting for him.

"You did good today, Rex," he said, "The farmers were pleased with your work, and you managed to make up for lost time. You are a really useful engine driver."

Rex just smiled proudly.