Chapter 290: Rosie Saves the Day
It was a dark, damp day on Sodor. Rosie was making her way up the branchline with a produce train. As she rounded the bend,she felt the rails begin to sink. She managed to drive the train over the points, but she knew that was trouble. Cautiously, she walked back to see what the problem was. The ground beneath the rails was slowly beginning to erode away.
"This is bad," Rosie said. Her guard agreed.
"We need to tell Sir Topham Hatt immediately."
Luckily, they weren't too far from the top station. Daisy was there, waiting to pick up passengers.
"Daisy, is Sir Topham Hatt around?"
"Yes, he's having a meeting with the Stationmaster. Why, what's wrong?"
But before Rosie could answer, Daisy's guard blew his whistle.
"Oh, look at the time! Sorry Rosie, but I must get going."
"Daisy, wait!"
But Daisy didn't hear her, and before Rosie could try and get her attention she was already gone.
"Oh dear. I need to talk to Sir Topham Hatt right away!"
Luckily, Sir Topham Hatt was just walking out of the Stationmaster's office, and she was quickly able to get his attention.
"Sir!"
"Hmm? Ah, yes, Rosie. How can I help you?"
Rosie explained the situation with the sinking line. The Controller scratched his chin in thought.
"This could be a problem. I'll send a crew of workmen to check it out as soon as I can. In the meantime, I don't want anyone going that way."
"That's just it, sir! Daisy just went out that way. I tried to warn her, but she didn't hear me!"
SIr Topham Hatt sighed, and shook his head.
"Figures. Have the breakdown train on standby, just in case. I pray there won't be any trouble."
Up the line, Daisy was coasting down the line, making good time. It wasn't long before it started to rain, however. This made Daisy shudder.
"Dreadful having to be out in this weather. I can't wait to get back to the shed."
But trouble lay ahead. As she crossed over the bad section of track, the train bucked and bounced like a wild bull, giving everyone on board a very bouncy ride.
"Oof! Ow! Be careful!"
"What a bad railway this is!"
Daisy ignored their complaints, but they weren't out of the woods just yet. As they rounded the bend, she screamed in horror. A landslide was blocking the line, and before she could break they plowed right into it.
"Horrors! Help!"
Luckily, they didn't need to wait for long. Rosie soon arrived to pull her out. It wasn't easy, but soon Daisy and her passengers were safe and sound.
"Phew! Are you alright, Daisy?"
"I am now, thanks to you. Sorry I didn't hear your warning back at the station."
"Oh well, all's well that ends well. Let's get you back home."
Sir Topham Hatt was waiting for them when they got back. He apologized profusely to the passengers for the trouble, but they didn't mind. Instead, they told him all about how brave Rosie was. Afterwards, he turned to his employees.
"Well done, Rosie! Marvelous quick thinking!"
"Thank you, sir."
"Unfortunately, I'll have to close the line for now. The weather has made it too difficult to conduct repairs today. Go home and get some rest, you two deserve it."
The two breathed a weary sigh of relief.