Chapter 306: Little Big Engine

Loosely based off of "The Runaway Elephant"

Late one evening, Mr. Hugh called for a meeting at the engine sheds. When everyone arrived, they found a very odd contraption sitting on a turntable. It was a standard gauge flatbed, but it had all sorts of mechanisms on it. Everyone but Skarloey and Rheneas were puzzled by it. But when Skarloey saw it, he beamed.

"My old haulage wagon! Where did you find it?"

"It was sitting in the back of the Steamworks," replied Mr. Hugh. "Not much use for it nowadays, but I figured we could display it in the station yard for the passengers. FIgured they might like a little piece of railway history. Mr. Percival thinks it's a splendid idea."

Skarloey smiled, wistfully.

"Ah, the memories this brings back."

"Excuse me," interrupted Peter Sam, "But what exactly is a haulage wagon?"

"It's a very special piece of rolling stock," explained Skarloey. "With it, a narrow gauge engine could travel on standard gauge track easily."

Duke chucked fondly.

"Ah yes, I remember now! The manager of our old line thought of doing something like that. But he never had the money for it."

Skarloey sighed happily.

"Oh, the memories. I had some good times on this."

"Yeah, but not all of them were that good, ey old buddy? Remember the bend?"

Skarloey rolled his eyes.

"Please! Nothing more than a foolish mistake, we all make them."

"Oi!" Duncan snapped. "Stop speaking in riddles and tell us the story."

Skarloey chuckled.

"Oh, very well. I suppose it couldn't hurt."

A long time ago, when The North Western Railway was still three separate railways, The Sodor and Mainland Railway was struggling to make ends meet. Even after selling one of their engines, they were short on power. Out of desperation, they turned to our railway for a solution. Mr. Hugh's solution was…interesting.

"What on earth is this?"

Mr. Hugh chuckled, proudly showing off his new invention.

"It's a very special wagon," he began. "Ordinarily, your engines can't run on standard gauge track because it's too wide. But with this Haulage Wagon, it does all the running for you. While your engine provides the steam, the wagon provides the movement."

Well, Rheneas and I were intrigued. They tried Rheneas's engine first, but it wouldn't fit.

"It's no good," the men said at last. "The wheelbase is too long."

So they tried my engine. It fit perfectly, but I found it awkward. I felt like if I somehow fell out of the cab, I'd break my neck. But the men were satisfied.

"Alright Skarloey," they said. "Drive it to Rolf's Castle and back."

So I got my engine in steam and set off. At first, I was uncomfortable. But as the journey continued, I began to enjoy it. The scenery was nothing like on our line, and the slow pace of the train allowed me to take it all in. I even managed to scare one of the standard gauge drivers when I passed him!

"A narrow gauge engine running on standard gauge tracks? I must be losing my mind!"

When I returned to Crovan's Gate, I was met with a big round of applause.

"Well done Skarloey, it works great! I'll inform the manager that you can start work immediately."

And so it was arranged. Everyday my engine would be placed on the haulage wagon and be taken to the quarry. I would take the slate trains to the harbor at Kirk Ronan, and occasionally would be tasked with shunting. Meanwhile, Rheneas was left to run the railway. He hated it!

"Stop prancing about that other railway and come back to your own! He snapped one evening.

"I can't," I protested. "The big railway needs me."

"Let them get their own engine," he retorted. "Better that than to let you continue pretending like you're one of them."

That made me furious.

"You're just jealous!"

"Jealous? Of you? At least I know what railway I work for!"

We were so cross that we wouldn't speak to each other for several days. Then one day, it happened. I was at the quarry, ready to take another train of slate to the harbor. But there was a problem.

"There aren't any brakevans available," said the foreman. "The train is too heavy without one."

"Oh, what's the harm?" I said, not really thinking straight. "It's not that far, and the line isn't very steep."

"Are you sure?" Interjected Neil. "Your wee engine won't have any help around the bends."

"I'll manage!" I snapped. I hadn't meant too, but I didn't want any reminders of Rheneas and I's argument. It took some convincing, but at last the men agreed, and I set off. Everything went fine at first, but I had forgotten about the hill.

It's not a very steep one, but even so a runaway train could happen easily if the driver isn't giving the hill his full attention. I knew this, but I was so cross at Rheneas that I wasn't paying attention until I had crested the top of the hill. By the time I realized where I was, I was already speeding down the hill much too fast. Worse was too come, for at the bottom was a very sharp bend. Even braking as hard as I could, I'd never slow down enough to pass safely. Without a second thought, I leapt from the cab and rolled into some bushes, watching as the train ran right off the rails and slid into a ditch.

"Oh, what will Mister Mack say?"

I soon found out, for he and the manager of the big railway came with the breakdown train. They were relieved that I wasn't hurt, but they were still cross with me for breaking the rules.

"I hope this teaches you a lesson about the importance of brakevans," Mister Mack said sternly. I solemnly agreed. After inspecting the damage, the big railway controller shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Arthur," he said, "But I think it's best that we scrap the idea. Even without this incident, the train is too slow for the timetable."

Luckily, my engine wasn't too damaged. The wagon took the brunt of the accident, and what damage the engine took was fixed by the evening. When I got back to the sheds, I found a very sympathetic Rheneas waiting.

"I heard all about it," he said kindly. "I'm sorry I made those comments. I took my frustrations out on you, and look what happened."

"It's alright," I said. "I'm sorry for getting so caught up in it all."

"Friends?"

"Friends."

And we never spoke of the incident, or the haulage wagon, again.