Chapter 240: Thomas Gets Bumped
One afternoon, Thomas was taking a passenger train along his branchline as he passed through a station. Ordinarily, this station was only for goods, so he was surprised to see the stationmaster flag him down. As he got closer, he saw a group of children on the foot bridge overhead.
"What's the matter? I'm not supposed to stop here."
"I know, Thomas, but this is an emergency. Their bus has broken down, and its too far to the next station for them to walk. Could you please give them a ride home? Their parents will be worried sick."
Thomas considered his options. On one hand, he had a time table to keep, and the passengers wouldn't like the delay. Nor would Sir Topham Hatt. But as he watched the children give him the biggest puppy dog eyes they could muster, he knew what he had to do.
"Alright, I'll take them home. I just hope I can make up for any lost time."
"Don't worry, I'll let Sir Topham Hatt know."
Thomas felt a little bit better, and gladly helped the children aboard. At the next station, Bertie picked the children up to take them home, and they all gave Thomas a big hug before leaving. Thomas was happy to do the right thing, but he was also behind schedule. Despite his best efforts, he was late to the junction, and James let him have it.
"And you always complain about us delaying you! We have timetables to keep too, you know. If you can't keep to time, then perhaps Sir Topham Hatt should get someone else to run the branchline!"
And with that, he stormed away. This made Thomas nervous.
"Sir Topham Hatt wouldn't do that over one delay...would he?"
He dreaded coming to work tomorrow. But luckily for him, Sir Topham Hatt was nowhere to be seen the next morning, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness! With any luck, he'll forget all about it."
All the same, he vowed to keep to time exactly all day. He was confident that he could, because he knew the line like the back of his hand, but trouble lay ahead. The recent heat had warped a section of line, and by the time he saw this it was too late. Slowing the train down as much he could, the train bounced off the rails. No one was hurt, but there was no way he could go any farther.
"Bother! So close, yet so far."
While workmen repaired the line, the engine drivers were sent elsewhere. Thomas was shunting at Knapford when Bertie drove up.
"I heard about your accident, Thomas. Need a hand?"
"Yes, please, Bertie. Could you look after my passengers for me?"
"Of course! Don't worry, they'll be in good hands."
Thomas smiled, but was secretly worried that the passengers would prefer riding in a bus than in his coaches.
Bertie was as good as his word. For 2 weeks, the bus company ran a replacement bus service for all trains, and made all the same stops. Sometimes Bertie would even drop passengers off closer to their homes when it was possible. Needless to say, everyone was happy.
At last, Sir Topham Hatt came to see Thomas. Thomas was worried.
"Sir, if its about the delay, or the accident, I-"
"Say no more, Thomas, I understand. I've heard all about it, and I'm very pleased with you. I came to tell you that the branchline has been repaired, and you can return to it. Also, I'll be rearranging your timetable so that you and Bertie can work together more often!"
Thomas was delighted. And much to his relief, he had just as many passengers as usual for his morning train.
"We're glad to have you back, Thomas!" They told him. "Bertie's nice, but he can't beat your reliability!"
This made Thomas smile.