Chapter 283: Trevor Helps Out

Trevor was feeling miserable. His beloved Traction engine was acting up, making completing the work even more difficult. Being a skilled mechanic, Trevor took a look to see if he could figure out the problem.

"Something's wrong with the boiler," he told the Vicar. "Probably needs an overhaul. Wouldn't be surprising, considering the last one was before she was sold for scrap."

The Vicar shook his head sadly.

"I'm sorry Trevor, but I can't afford that at the moment. Do what you can, and we'll keep it on light work until I can find the money."
One morning, the phone rang, and The Vicar came out looking more cheerful.

"The old girl should be able to manage this job. Farmer Trotter has a tree down, and needs your help sawing it."

Trevor was delighted, and once the traction engine had enough steam they chugged off. Once there he got to work sawing wood. It took a long time, but Trevor didn't mind. He was just enjoying the sunshine when he heard a familiar whistle. Rounding the bend was Thomas with a passenger train. The signal was down, giving him a chance to talk.

"Hello, Thomas. What're you doing on Edward's branchline?"

"I've been relocated here while my branchline undergoes maintenance. Edward let me take his morning passenger train."

"Ah, I see. How do you like the line so far?"

"It's a lovely branchline, but not as nice as mine. Of course, I could do without the terror twins."

Trevor laughed in agreement. Before the conversation could continue, the signal dropped and Thomas was on his way, leaving Trevor on his own. He didn't mind, however, and continued to doze in the sun.

A while later, Edward was traveling on the same stretch of track with a train of China Clay Trucks. Just as he was approaching the field, however, he felt the rails beneath him begin to sink and bounce.

"Hmm, looks like this section could do with some maintenance. I'll let the stationmaster know when I get back to Wellsworth, it should be fine for the trip back."

But he was wrong. As he traveled over the bad bit of track on his way back up the line, the truck in the middle of his train began to shift as the track bent beneath it before the coupling finally gave way, leaving half the train behind. The guard tried to whistle a warning, but Edward was too far ahead to hear.

Trevor, who was just getting ready to leave, saw everything.

"Edward, stop!"

But he wasn't loud enough, and Edward just blew a whistle in greeting as he passed. Acting quickly, Trevor began to blow his traction engine's whistle, and a few of the men began shouting as well. This finally got Edward's attention, and he brought the train to a stop. He was just about to ask Trevor what the problem was when he noticed half of his train was missing. All he could do when he found it was shake his head.

"Stupid maintenance crews."

It took a while before he could get moving again. A few of the trucks had derailed, and they had to set them right before they could leave. Trevor helped as much as he could, but even with him and the farmhands working together it was ages before Edward could leave. All the same, he made sure to thank all of them before he left.

The next day, Trevor was surprised to see Sir Topham Hatt had come to see him.

"Edward told me about your quick thinking, and I wanted to thank you in person. Charles here tells me that your engine is in need of an overhaul that he can't afford. Well, I assure you Victor will do a fine job of fixing it up, free of charge of course."

Trevor smiled broadly.

"Oh, thank you sir!"