Chapter 205: Snow Problem
While Thomas, Emily, Annie, and Clarabelle were in York, Percy, Toby, and Daisy were left to run the branchline. They managed well, with Toby and Daisy running the passenger trains and Percy taking care of goods work. They were busy, but worked without complaint.
One morning, they looked outside to find the yard covered in a thick blanket of snow.
"Wow!" Percy exclaimed. "It's so pretty!"
"Yes, and very dangerous," Toby said solemly. "Our engines will have to have their snowploughs fitted on, I suppose."
Daisy just scoffed. She thought her engine was too grand for a snowploughs.
"Snow is just silly soft stuff. It won't stop me."
"I'd watch what I say if I were you," warned Toby. "We all know what happened to Thomas when his engine didn't have it's snowplough."
"Thomas drives a simple tank engine. I drive a grand diesel rail car. Why, it's almost as if the snow knows I'm coming and clears the line all on it's own."
"Like bulls?
Daisy said nothing and huffed away as Toby and Percy snorted with laughter. Fortunately, the line was clear, so the snowploughs weren't needed. A week passed by without incident, with Daisy growing more and more cocky, much to her housemates' annoyance.
One day, Daisy was at the junction with the fast train that connected with Gordon's express. But heavy snow had delayed the train on The Other Railway, and the storm was slowly making it's way across Sodor. The stationmaster eyed the line worriedly as snow swirled all-around them.
"I don't know Daisy, I really think you should have a snow plough. It's supposed to be a Blizzard by tonight."
"Honestly, you're as bad as Toby. I'll be at Ffarquhar before the worst of it, so it'd just be a waste."
The stationmaster wasn't convinced, but Daisy was adamant so he let the matter drop. At last, Gordon arrived, and Daisy could set off.
At first, the journey went well, with the gently falling snow giving a magical feeling to the landscape. But it wasn't long before the weather turned harsh, with Daisy struggling to see the line ahead. Snow began to pile along the tracks, making the trek even harder. When they reached the next signalbox, the signalman gave her the bad news.
"Just got the news from Central: all trains cancelled. Whole valleys covered in snow, too dangerous to proceed. Back your train to the last station, and we'll find a way to get the passengers home."
With an annoyed grunt, Daisy got in the other cab and begun the trek back. But it was tough going, and it wasn't long before the engine began to splutter, snow clogging the air intake. Soon, the train shuttered and ground to a stop, leaving them stranded. As the passengers began to complained, Daisy slumped in her chair.
"Oh dear, Toby will never let me hear the end of this."
The guard made his way through the thick snow back to the signalbox and call home, but there was no telling how long they would be stuck. Everyone huddled together for warmth, the passengers still grumbling as the snow continued to fall. Daisy continued to sulk.
After several hours, there was a large enough break in the storm for Harold to land. Everyone climbed in, where they were lifted to Dryaw Airfield to be looked after and given hot food and drinks.
When Daisy finally reached home, she found Toby waiting for her, a mischevious grin on his face. He had heard everything.
"So much for the snow clearing itself, eh Daisy?"
"I don't want to hear it."
"Hey, I stopped by the sweets shop earlier, and I bought some Bulls Eyes. Want some?"
SHUT UP!"