Chapter 153: Something in the Air

One afternoon, Thomas was collecting fish from a small seaside village. But the fisherman were using old machinery, making the job take a long time. This

made Thomas get very impatient.

"Can't you guys go any faster? If I'm late to meet Henry at the docks tonight, he'll never let me forget it. Please hurry up."

"We've still got plenty of time. Try to enjoy the sea breeze."

Thomas just sniffed. After fish found their way into his engine's boiler, he had become rather uncomfortable whenever the subject of fish came up.

But his stewing was rudely interrupted with a loud CRASH! As a crate of fish splattered over him and his engine. The fisherman laughed, but Thomas

was very upset.

"Phew! What a pong."

At last the train was loaded up and Thomas could leave. He was pleased to do so, wishing to put as much distance between him and the village as possible.

But trouble lay ahead. The lighthouse keeper flagged him down, looking rather worried.

"What's the matter, Jim?"

"High tides have been damaging the seaside route. It may not be safe. I've marked the spot."

"I'll go check it out."

"Be careful."

Thomas drove the train slowly over the damaged track. It sunk a little bit, but held as the train crossed over.

"Tank engines should be able to cross it just fine, but engines like Henry's will have a problem. I better let him know."

He left a red oil lamp to mark the spot before heading for Brendam. It was late when Thomas arrived at the docks. Henry was waiting for him, and he was not happy.

"Where were you? You were supposed to be here an hour ago."

"There was an accident at the fishing village, but that's not important. Listen, the coastal track is dangerous. Don't go that way."

"Pah! You're the only danger on the rails, Thomas. That stench of yours could knock out an elephant. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to fill my engine's tender."

"But..."

But Henry quickly stormed off, blowing steam at him as he left. This made Thomas cross.

"Humph! Try to save his life and all he does is get cross at me. I'd better go tell the harbormaster."

But Henry was already on his way out by the time he reached his office. Thomas anxiously watched the train rolled by from the office window.

"Wh-what route will Henry be taking?"

"The coastal run, of course. Its the quickest."

That was what Thomas was afraid of.

"He can't, its not safe! Call the signalman, we can't let him leave the docks."

But the signalman couldn't understand the warning. By the time he could, Henry was long gone.

Henry felt much better as he coasted down the main line.

"I'll soon make up for lost time. Thomas is nothing but a worry wart."

But disaster soon lay ahead. Fog lay low, and was as thick as pea soup. Henry soon found himself in the thick of it.

"I can't see! What's going on!"

By the time he could, he wished he couldn't. The track had eroded away, and he was on a collision course for the sea. Henry brake hard, but it was too late.

With a loud SPLASH! Henry, the engine, and the train fell into the water.

It was early morning before the mess was cleaned up. Henry sat on the deck of a salvage barge, a warm blanket draped over him and a cup of hot chocolate in one hand.

Sir Topham Hatt was there, looking rather annoyed.

"I understand that the accident wasn't your fault Henry, but next time someone tries to warn you about potential dangers on the line, pay attention."

"Yes sir, sorry sir."

"However, I can tell you've had a rough night, so I shall say nothing more about this."

Henry sat on the deck as the salvage boats towed his engine back to the docks. A crowd of people was there waiting for him, and began pointing and jeering at his predicament.

"Look, the fisherman managed to catch a whale with all of their fish!"

"That's no whale, its a monster!"

Cranky couldn't pass up the chance for some teasing.

"Gone for a swim, eh Henry? I expect you'll have some fishy tales to tell. But take my advice and have a shower first. I can smell you from up here!"

Henry was most embarrassed. Later that day, Thomas arrived to help Henry back to the sheds. Henry was still feeling sorry for himself, but Thomas was in a kinder mood.

"Cheer up, Henry. A nice shower and you'll feel much better."

Thomas was right. Henry felt good as new after a hot shower.

"I'm sorry I was rude to you last night, Thomas. I guess we've both had some bad encounters with fish, huh?"

"Its alright, Henry. But can you smell something?"

"No, what?"

"Fresh air. Smells nice, doesn't it?"

Henry could only happily agree.