Chapter 36: The Boulder

A new quarry was being built on Sodor near the Skarloey Railway. With the old one started to run dry of slate, a new one was needed to keep freight revenue going. Standard gauge lines were also being put in so that the North Western Railway could collect slate without having to transfer it from the Skarloey Railway. Thomas and Percy were helping with the construction.

Thomas: "Is it really safe to be mining during construction?"

Rusty: "The foreman says it is, and I trust him if our controllers do. Besides, I'm more worried about that boulder up there."

Thomas and Percy looked up and saw what he was talking about. Sitting on the cliff of the site was a large boulder, looming over them like a vulture over prey.

Rusty: "With all of the vibrations from the machines I'm worried it'll topple over and destroy everything."

Just then Duncan drove up with a train of slate. He had overheard Rusty's conversation, and just snorted."

Duncan: "Dinnae fast yourself, Rusty. That thing is little more than a wee pebble compared to some of the boulders I've seen." (A/N: I apologize if I get the words or spellings wrong. This is my first attempt at writing a Scottish accent, and I am trying my best."

Rusty: "If I remember it was just a wee bit of bad track that caused your train to derail that one time. And who was it that had to come and rescue you?"

Thomas and Percy laughed, while Duncan just snorted. While he and Rusty were good friends, his personality often caused conflict between them.

Duncan: "Whatever. All I'm saying it that yae're worrying over nothing."

Before the argument could go any further, they heard a familiar whistle. Edward soon drove his engine into the site pulling an unusual load. It was a machine that no one had ever seen before.

Thomas: "What's that?"

Edward: "It's called Thumper. It's some kind of experimental machine built to collect rocks. The Foreman ordered it to help out with mining. Said it'll make things go a lot faster."

Just then the foreman came up.

Foreman: "Ah, good, our new machine has arrived. Thank you, Edward, You may carry on. Give Bertram my regards."

Edward: "Will do, sir."

And with that he left. The Thumper was soon set to work, and made everything go like clockwork. The foreman was pleased, and so the machine stayed. However, what no one noticed during this time was that the boulder was starting to lean toward the edge of the cliff. Nobody but Rusty, that is.

Rusty: "Erm, sir, maybe we should keep an eye on the boulder."

Foreman: "Don't you worry about it, Rusty. I'm sure it'll be fine."

But it wasn't. For a few minutes everything continued as normal. But then, without warning, the boulder slipped off the cliff and plummeted to the ground. The operator of the machine barely jumped out in time as it came crashing down on it, smashing it to bits. Then, it started rolling forward.

Foreman: "Everybody evacuate! We need to clear the area immediately."

Everybody scrambled like ants, trying to get away from the quarry as soon as possible. The boulder continued to roll, squashing sheds and machines until it came to a rest at the edge of the site.

Sir Topham Hatt and Mr. Percival soon came to inspect the damage. Needless to say they were not pleased with the results, and spoke severely to the foreman.

Sir Topham Hatt: "Your reckless attitude has caused the destruction of machinery and the site. It will take a long time and lots of money to repair, and you will not be a part of it. I cannot have an employee of mine be so negligent. I'm afraid I must let you go."

Foreman: "Yes sir, sorry sir."

Mr. Percival then turned to Sir Topham Hatt.

Mr. Percival: "What shall we do with the boulder, sir?"

Sir Topham Hatt: "We shall have to move it somewhere where it will not be a danger to everyone anymore. After that we shall continue to repair the quarry."

And so they did. It took a lot of time and money, but within a few months the quarry was fully operational. At first it didn't have a name, but they eventually decided on Blue Mountain Quarry, due to the unusual color of the cliffs. At first it didn't catch on, but it grew on the workers of both railways, and so the Blue Mountain Quarry it shall remain.