Chapter 50: Old Iron
One day James was waiting at the station for Edward, who was five minutes late. At last, Edward's engine pulled into the station with its train.
"This is the second time this week!" James snapped, "Why would Sir Topham Hatt ever keep that junk engine around."
Edward paid no mind. James was always complaining, but he had a good heart.
Later that day James stopped in the engine driver's common room for a break. Thomas and Percy were also their eating lunch.
"Hello, James," Percy said as the door slammed, "Enjoying your day."
"No I am not, and do you want to know why?" James asked grumpily.
"Not really, but I have a feeling that you're going to tell us anyway," Thomas said rather annoyed.
"It's Edward!" James snapped, "It's too old and slow, and clanks about whenever it's on a train. Sir Topham Hatt should retire it before it goes to pieces!"
Thomas and Percy were horrified.
"Edward's engine may be slow, but it's as useful as any of our engines," Thomas said crossly.
"That's right," Percy continued, "Just you wait. Edward will show you just how useful it is."
"Pah!" said James crossly, "I should like to see him try."
Sometime after lunch James was shunting in the yard. He hated it, and made his engine bump the trucks hard. After a while he exited the cab to talk to the signalman when it happened. One minute his engine was parked in its siding, the next it was rolling down the line.
"What the…" James said bewildered. Just then the telephone range, and the signalman answered.
"Hello? Uh huh, I see. What? Alright, I'll tell him."
He then turned to James.
"Some troublesome boys got into the cab and fiddled with the controls," he told James, "They ran off once it started, and now it is out of control. A workman has alerted the police, but we need to stop your engine. Meet Edward in the yard with a shunter's pole and some wire rope."
"What for?" James asked.
"Search me, but I would do as they say. Apparently Edward has some kind of plan."
And so, James did. Edward soon pulled up to collect him.
"Good job," said Edward, "Climb in."
Soon enough they had managed to catch up to the train on the mainline. It was then that Edward explained his plan.
"Alright, I need you to take the controls," Edward said, "I'm going to use the rope and hook to snag the engine's buffer and attach the other end to my engine's buffer. Then I'm going to jump over and bring the train to a stop."
"Are you crazy?" James said, "You're more likely to miss and injure yourself."
"Maybe so, but it's a chance I'll have to take," Edward said. Slowly but Carefully, Edward slid his way onto the footplate as they pulled alongside the engine. With one hand holding onto the train and the other hand holding the pole he slid the rope onto the left buffer of James's engine, then did the same to his engine's right buffer. Next, timing his jump, he leapt to the other side and slid his way to the cab, breaking the train to a stop.
"Looks like my engine is more useful than it looks, eh James?" Edward asked teasingly.
"I am sorry I was rude to you, Edward," James said sheepishly, "You both were splendid."
They pulled into the next station, where a huge crowd had gathered to cheer for them. Sir Topham Hatt was there as well.
"Well done both of you," he said, "James, I understand that this was not your fault. The boys have been caught and have been grounded for their stunt. You may have a rest before your next train."
"Thank you, sir," James said tiredly.
"As for you, Edward," Sir Topham Hatt said kindly, "Your engine shall have a complete overhaul. It'll run as good as new."
"Oh, thank you, sir," Edward beamed proudly, "It will be lovely not to hear that awful clanking noise whenever I'm in the cab."
A/N: Hope you guys liked this chapter. Thank you all for supporting this story for 50 chapters, and here's to many more! Next week will be a special chapter. See you then!