Chapter 135: The Runaway

Thomas was in a foul mood. His engine was acting up, and he was feeling very ill. Sir Topham Hatt came to see him.

"I think you need a vacation, Thomas," he told him, "A change of scenery will do you some good. Duck shall do your work while you are away and your engine is at the works."

"But sir, Wha-AA-CHOOOOO! What about Annie and Clarabel? Their school year doesn't let out for another month."

"Don't worry, Thomas," said Toby, "Percy and I will take care of them. I'm sure Henrietta will enjoy having a sleepover."

"Thanks, Toby. Make sure Duck doesn't get carried away. I don't want to come back to find everyone rambling about the "Great Western Way."

Thomas left the next morning for the Isle of Man, while Duck arrived that afternoon. Duck took to the work like it was second nature and ran his trains without fuss. He already knew Percy, and soon became fast friends with Bertie and Toby as well. One day he was stopped at a signal. Terence was nearby plowing a field.

"Good morning. Haven't seen you around before. What's your name?"

"I'm Duck. Thomas isn't feeling well, so I've come to help while he gets better."

"Poor lad. I hope he gets better soon. Make sure to keep an eye on Annie and Clarabel for him. They mean the world to him."

"Will do. Take care."

Annie and Clarabel admired Duck, and they soon became fast friends. They told Duck many stories about life on the branchline, like how Thomas left his guard at the station or when he got stuck in a snowdrift. Duck couldn't help but laugh at these.

A month later, Thomas returned from his vacation feeling much better. Everyone told him all about how nice Duck was and how hard he worked. Thomas was so glad to be back that he wasn't even jealous.

"Thanks for helping out, Duck."

"Don't mention it, Thomas, but I better get back. Oliver's had his work cut out for him, I'm sure." Thomas was soon back at work the next day, but he soon realized something was wrong. The works had left the handbrake on his engine very stiff, making it seem like the brakes were on when they weren't. As a result, the engine would often overrun the platform, forcing Thomas to reverse. He found this most embarrassing but overtime he had grown accustomed to it. But every now and then he would forget it.

One afternoon, he brought his coaches down and waited on the platform for Henry's train. Annie and Clarabel sat in the coaches drawing.

"Not long now," he thought as Henry came drove his train into the station. No one knew that the engine's brakes were not on.

"Good afternoon, Thomas. How are you today."

"Doing fine, yourself Henry?"

"Can't complain. Erm, Thomas?"

"What is it, Henry?"

How is your engine moving while you're at the platform?"

"Oh, Henry, that's a good one."

"No, I'm serious turn around."

"Alright, but only to prove to you that- MY TRAIN IS LEAVING!"

And it was. Slowly but surely the train slipped out of the station, a frantic Annie and Clarabel pounding at the door in terror. Thomas tried to run along the platform to catch it, but he tripped and fell. He got up just in time to see the train disappear into the distance.

"I have to catch that train. Annie and Clarabel are inside. If anything were to happen to them…"

"Need a lift, old chap."

Thomas turned around to see Harold standing outside of his helicopter.

"Harold, oh am I glad to see you. I need to catch my train, its become a runaway."

"Say no more, hop in."

The signalman sent the message down the line to halt all traffic to allow the runaway through. Thomas hopped in and the helicopter rose up into the sky.

They landed near the middle station and waited. It wasn't long before the runaway engine came into view, slowing down as it ran out of steam. Thomas ran along the platform and jumped into the cab, gently braking the engine to a stop.

As soon as he made sure the brakes were on, Thomas ran to the last coach and flung the door open. Annie and Clarabel tackled him in a big hug.

"Are you guys alright?"

"We are now. We were so scared."

"Its alright. The nightmare is over now."

He then turned to Harold.

"Thanks so much for your help, Harold. If anything happened to them…

"Think nothing of it, Thomas. I'm always ready to help, but we must never let this happen again."

Thomas could only wearily agree.