Chapter 271: Gordon Takes a Tumble

It was a busy day at Brendam Docks. Gordon was there collecting passengers for a non-stop express to Vicarstown when Salty drove up with a line of coal trucks. Gordon scrunched his nose up in disgust.

"Ugh! Keep those dirty trucks away from me, you filthy fisherman!"

Salty laughed heartily, not fazed at all by his insult.

"Pulling trucks is a dirty job, Gordon. Not that you'd know anything about that."

"Of course not! An Express engine shouldn't be caught pulling trucks. It wouldn't be dignified!"

"Dignifried? Percy asked curiously. Gordon groaned in annoyance.

"DIGNIFIED. It means-"

"That someone's getting too big for his britches!"

And before Gordon could respond, Salty took off laughing. Later that night, a heavy fog hit the Island. It was so thick that work at Brendam Docks had all but slowed to a halt.

Sir Topham Hatt came to see Gordon with one last job.

"Gordon, Henry's stranded on the mainland, so I need you to take The Flying Kipper tonight."

Gordon was speechless!

"Trucks? B-bu-"

"No buts! Really Useful Drivers don't argue, now go."

Gordon did so, but he wasn't happy about it. At the docks, he waited impatiently while he waited for Salty to shunt the vans onto his train.

"Hurry up! I shouldn't be up this late working, and especially not working with trucks!"

Salty just laughed as he pushed the last vans into place.

"Be careful on the mainline. Fog is a real danger on the railway."

"I know how to handle fog, thank you!"

And as soon as the guard had blown his whistle, Gordon took off, not wanting to indulge this conversation any further. Still, as much as he hated the early morning run, he couldn't help but admire how beautiful the sunrise was as he got up to speed.

"Hmmm, at least there are some perks. Smelly as the job is, you can't beat the sunrise."

But little did he know he was headed for trouble. Up ahead was a signal box, and a fork in the track. One track continued along the main line, while the other continued along an old, worn out branch line. The signalman was supposed to set the points, but had fallen asleep and forgotten about it. By the time he had remembered, Gordon had disappeared down the line and out of site.

"Oh no! Oh man, I am so fired."

Gordon hadn't noticed any significant changes, though he did see a sign warning him to slow down.

"Huh? But this is the mainline!"

Still, he complied with the notice and reduced speed. It wasn't long though before he noticed the track begin to buckle.

"What the-"

His thought was cut short as the line gave way, his engine toppling over and going down the hill. Gordon just barely managed to jump clear, and could only watch in horror as his engine and its train skidded down the hill, crates of fish spilling out of the wrecked vans and littering the countryside.

"Bother!"

Soon, James arrived with the breakdown train, with Sir Topham Hatt in tow. Gordon was worried he would be cross with him, but luckily he was rather understanding.

"This incident wasn't your fault, Gordon. Needless to say, that signalman won't be working here any longer. Once your engine is back on the rails, you can head back home and get some rest. I'm sure you could use it."

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."

The next day, Gordon was back at the docks, trying his best to avoid Salty. Their paths did inevitably cross though, and Salty gave him a warm smile.

"Ahoy, me hearty! Sorry for teasing ye' yesterday. All in good humor, you understand."

Gordon smiled.

"And I'm sorry I got too big for my britches!"

And the two of them had a good long laugh.