Chapter 207: Toby's Megatrain
Toby loved taking the stone trains to the harbor. He thought it was a wonderful treat, much to the confusion of his house mates.
"They're just trucks," Percy snorted. "And its not like our Harbor is very big. Its got one pier, and that's it."
"I love it," Toby replied. "Back home in East Angelia, my fellow tram drivers and I took trains like this all the time. Reminds me of home."
Toby sighed, still mourning the loss of his old line. Seeing Toby's homesickness, Percy got an idea.
"I'll tell you what, I've got a load of stone to take down to the harbor today. Why don't you take it, and I'll handle your passenger run?"
Toby beamed happily.
"Oh, thank you Percy! I could do with a break from passengers."
"Well, don't get too happy just yet. We still have to check with Sir Topham Hatt."
Sir Topham Hatt was more than happy to accomadate the switch, so at 2:30 Percy set off for Elsbridge while Toby drove up the quarry line. Toby worked hard all afternoon, shunting trucks here, there, and everywhere. As soon as one set had been unloaded, Another one came to take its place. But Toby never complained. He felt right at home doing this kind of work.
One day, Toby had to wait in the yard. Mavis was late with her trucks, and Toby was getting anxious.
"I do hope nothing has happened to her. Its not like her to be this late."
At last, Mavis arrived, red in the face with embarrassment.
"Sorry I'm late. My diesel wouldn't start, and by the time it did I was running late, and the train still had to be shunted, and..."
Toby smiled in understanding.
"Not your fault. This things happen from time to time, can't be helped. I'm just glad nothing had happened to you."
Once Mavis had her trucks coupled to his train, Toby departed for the harbor with a friendly ring-a-ding of his tram's bell. But he was in for a surprise when he reached his destination.
When Toby reached the harbor, his eyes went wide in shock. As far as the eye could see, long lines of trucks outgoing trucks were waiting to be moved. There were so many of them that there was barely any room for the ones Toby had brought.
"Phew!" Toby exclaimed. "This will take ages to move."
Just then, an idea popped into his head. One that was so crazy it might just work.
"Why not take them all at once? Let's see, we have 48 trucks in total needing to be moved. My tram can handle that much easily!"
The harbormaster wasn't so sure, however.
"Eh, I don't know Toby. Your engine's not as young as it used to be..."
"It'll be alright. As long as I take it slow around bends and down hills I'll be fine."
The Harbormaster wasn't convinced, but agreed to let him try. It took a while, but soon Toby had rounded up all the trucks into one long train.
"Are you sure this is a good idea? Maybe you can just come back for the rest tommorow..."
"Oh, don't be such a worry wart. It'll be fine!"
And before anyone could stop him, Toby drove the megatrain out of the harbor. The Harbormaster just shook his head.
"That boy is asking for trouble."
And he was right, for Toby had forgotten two things. For one, the journey was almost all uphill. And for another, he had failed to account for his engine's low water capacity. The journey was long and tedious, with him having to stop at every water tower to refil, but still he forged on.
He was very relieved when they reached the station by the river.
"Thought I'd never make it."
But when he went to turn it on, nothing happened. He turned and turned, but to no avail.
"Bother! There's no way I can make it to the next station with this whole lot."
The signalman showed him where he could put the trucks, and Toby drove his engine to the top station for water. Percy was there, and Toby explained everything.
"I'd love to help you, but my next train leaves in just a few minutes. Sorry."
"It's alright. Now that the tank is full, I can bring those trucks back here easily."
And he did, but Daisy had a good laugh about it that night. Percy and Toby thought she was just being silly.