Chapter 262: Duncan's Wonky Whistle

Duncan waited impatiently at Crovan's Gate, waiting for Peter Sam to bring some slate trucks from the quarry to attach to his train. He was taking a new pipe organ to Strawberry Grove, where it was being donated to the boarding school. The school's headmaster, Ronald Hastings, was playing a tune on the organ while they waited.

"Bother that Peter Sam," Duncan grumbled. "I should've left by now."

"I'm sure he has a good reason to be late," Rusty said, tired of his complaining. "He's usually not this late."

At last, Peter Sam arrived with the trucks. Duncan was about to berate him for being late when he saw the state of Peter Sam's engine. Where the whistle should've been was a blank space. Duncan couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Ha! Trying out a new fashion statement, are ya?"

"Stupid branch knocked it right off. I was lucky to reach the sheds without issue, but now I can't work until they can fix it!"

"Its not safe to run an engine without a whistle," remarked Rusty sympathetically. But Duncan thought it was hilarious.

"An engine's not an engine without a whistle," he chortled. And just to prove his point, he gave the chord a good, hard tug. But instead of a sharp blast, the sound came off as a weak "wheesh!"

"Looks like your whistle needs replacing," said Rusty. "You go to the works, and I'll take the train."

"Nonsense," snorted Duncan. "Just some leftover quarry dust from yesterday, all I need to do is clear it out. Besides, thanks to clumsy Peter Sam, I'm late enough already."

And before anyone could say more, Duncan's guard blew his whistle, and he set off. Rusty just shook his head.

"Can't say I didn't warn him."

Duncan was soon on his way, grumbling all the while.

"Stupid Rusty, what does he know? His diesel has a horn, not a fine whistle like mine."

Up ahead was a level crossing. Elizabeth was approaching with her truck, on her way to deliver a prize bull to the local farmer. Duncan got a naughty idea.

"This will make her jump."

And he gave the cord a sharp tug. Once again, the whistle let out a weak sound, louder than last time but still not as loud as it should be. Elizabeth jumped when she saw Duncan coming, and slammed on the breaks. The poor bull bellowed in surprise, and starting bucking around in its trailer.

"Watch where you're going!" She yelled after Duncan. "And get that whistle fixed!"

But Duncan didn't hear, he was too busy laughing at his joke. Up ahead, he saw a farmer plowing his field.

"He'll get the biggest one yet!"

And he tugged on the chord with all his might. The whistle blew, and blew, until...

WHOOSH!

Like a rocket, the whistle popped off, flying away out of sight. Duncan was speechless!

Duncan, the guard, and Mr. Hastings all searched for the whistle, but to no avail. The guard walked back to the last station to call for help, but came back with bad news.

"No one's available to help. We'll just have to carry on."

"But we can't! Its dangerous to operate an engine without a whistle, even I know that!"

Just then, the headmaster had an idea.

"I know! I'll play the organ whenever a whistle would be needed! Its not perfect, but it'll have to do."

Duncan and the guard were apprehensive, but knew they didn't have much choice. So for the rest of the journey, Duncan didn't make a sound. But everytime they reached a station, level crossing, or saw a whistle board, Mr. Hastings would play a tune on the organ. Everyone oohed and aahed, but Duncan wished they wouldn't.

At long last, they reached Strawberry Grove. The organ was unloaded, and the headmaster thanked Duncan for his hard work.

"Just in time for the recital! Cheers!"

A while later, Peter Sam came to bring him home, a shiny new whistle where it belonged on his engine.

"An engine's not an engine without a whistle," Peter Sam chortled to himself as they drove home. Duncan just seethed in fury.