Chapter 209: Percy and the Haunted Mine

Every summer, the stationmasters along Thomas's branchline hold a competition to see who can make their station look the prettiest. The stationmasters love to go all out, with bunting, banners, and flowers all along the platforms. Sometimes they even manage to get the railway to help as well.

One evening, just before Percy was ready to head home, Sir Topham Hatt came up to him.

"Just a minute, Percy. I need you to do one last job for me."

"Huh? Oh, of course sr."

"I need you to collect a small train from Maithwaite and bring it to Lower Tidmouth."

This made Percy nervous.

"Ma-Maithwaite?"

"Yes. Is that a problem?"

"Uh-uh, no, sir."

"Good. Have a good night Percy."

"Uh, you two sir."

Percy gulped nervously. Normally, he liked doing night runs, especially with the mail. But there was something about Maithwaite at night that sent chills up his spine.

Later that night, Percy was coasting down the branchline, huddling near the fire for warmth.

"I hope the signal is green. I really don't want to be stopped out here at night."

But the signal was red.

"Oh come on!"

Percy groaned as he braked the train to a stop next to an abandoned mine. All at once the eerie atmosphere made him shudder.

"Why couldn't Thomas do this? Or Toby? Or..."

His petty wining was interrupted by a sight that nearly made him jump out of his skin. One of the old chimney's slowly sank into the ground, as if by magic.

"Zoinks!"

Luckily for him, the signal then changed green and he set off once more.

The next morning, Donald and Douglas brought a goods train to the top station. Percy was there to collect it, but he had barely slept a wink last night.

"Ooch aye, Percy, something wrong?"

"Aye, you look a wee bit under the weather."

"Oh man, I just saw the scariest thing last night. I was collecting a train from Maithwaite last night, and had to stop by the old mine. All of a sudden, the chimney sinks into the ground! I was so scared I couldn't sleep."

Donald and Douglas shared a knowing grin. This was the chance for some fun.

"Oh, we know what happened. It was the naughty gnomes."

"Gnomes?"

"Aye. Wee fat man with big feet. They always love to cause mischief. If you see something that can't logically be explained, its the work of gnomes."

"Aye. Be careful, Percy. Let your eyes wonder for a second around them and they'll rob you blind. Gotta go, bye."

Percy watched the two drive off, uncertain. He didn't want to believe them, but he wasn't sure.

That evening, Sir Topham Hatt spoke to him again.

"I know you're looking forward to a rest, Percy, but I have one last job for you. There's some trucks at the old mine, and I need you to bring it back here."

"Yes sir."

Percy reluctantly drove back to the mine, where he found his train.

"Please don't let any other buildings sink tonight."

But luck was not on his side. As he got down to couple the trucks to his engine, the main mine building sunk into the ground.

"Jeepers!"

In his shock, Percy bumped right into one of the trucks. Being as old as it was, the door popped open, and out popped...

"Gnomes! Donald and Douglas were right!"

Frightened, Percy jumped back into his engine and reversed back as quickly as he could. Sir Topham Hatt was very surprised to see him back so soon.

"Percy? Where's your train?"

Percy told him everything, from the sinking buildings to Donald and Douglas's story. Then, to his shock, Sir Topham Hatt laughed.

"Oh my, Percy, I'm afraid those two were just yanking your chain. The empty mine shafts have finally gave way, that's why you saw that building sink."

"And the gnomes?"

"Those are decorations for Lower Tidmouth Station. And they're not out to cause mischief. Some people believe they bring good luck."

This made Percy feel better, and he returned to collect his train. When he got back to the mine, he stopped, expecting something else spooky to happen. But nothing did. It was perfectly safe.

"Oh. Sir Topham Hatt was right! Nothing supernatural at all going on here."

With that, he went and collected all of the gnomes that fell out and put them back where they belonged. Afterwards, he latched the door and set back for home.

The next week, Lower Tidmouth was declared the winner, and the stationmaster came to thank Percy.

"We couldn't have done it without you!"

Percy just smiled humbily.

"I guess gnomes can be lucky after all!"