The sun was rising over Whitehaven Sheds when the Tall Controller arrived. "Good morning, everyone."

"Good morning, Sir," the engines replied.

"We have a very busy day today. Tracy, you are to take some animal feed to Farmer Briar's Farm. Kana, you have some passengers bound for Buttermere. Nathan, you have some new machinery to deliver near Ravenglass. Kenneth, it's the Mail Train for you today. Part of your regular route is closed for repair, so you will have to use the Express Line past Foxfield. Finally, Marcus, your first job is to take some gravel to Arnside. Laurence was going to take it, but his help is needed on the Main Line."

"Right away, Sir," whistled Marcus and he raced away. "Enjoy your jobs, everyone!" he called back…but Kana, Nathan and Kenneth were feeling bothered.

Marcus made his way to the Yard where Laurence was waiting with his trucks of gravel. "Ah, there you are, Marcus," said the old engine. "The gravel's just been loaded. You just have to shift the trucks to get the gravel to settle evenly."

"How do I do that?" asked Marcus.

"Couple up and gently move them backwards and forwards until the load is even."

The Shunter fastened the coupling. Backwards and forwards Marcus went, and he found that he liked the sound the gravel was making. "This is fun," he laughed and whistled cheerfully.

"Marcus," said Laurence sternly, "you can't whistle when settling gravel."

Marcus was surprised. "But the shifting gravel sounds like music."

"Because gravel is heavy, and the stone is loose. If you don't concentrate, there could be an accident."

"Sorry," said Marcus.

Laurence to a deep breath. "Now, mind how you go and pay attention to what you are doing."

Marcus was running on time when he took the Express Line past Foxfield, but didn't feel like his usual, happy self. Then, Kenneth whistled alongside with the Mail Train, and he could see his friend looked sad. "Hullo, Marcus. What's the matter?"

"Laurence said he didn't want me whistling when settling this gravel. He thought I wasn't paying attention, but I was. The gravel just sounded musical."

"I'm sorry to hear that," puffed Kenneth, "but as long as you are paying attention, there's nothing wrong with having a little fun."

Marcus smiled. "Thank you, Kenneth."

"That's alright. That's what friends are for."

Then, they came to a steep hill. Marcus started climbing when he noticed Kenneth going slower. "What's wrong, Ken?"

"I don't like this route," his friend replied. "This is one of the biggest hills around. It's so steep…and high."

"Don't worry," said Marcus. "It's my turn to help you." The two engines went back to a crossover. Marcus changed tracks and Kenneth was coupled behind. "Now, we can go over the hill together. We'll take it slow, and you don't have to look if you don't want to."

The two engines puffed slowly up the hill, but working together made their loads much lighter and they were soon coasting down the other side.

"Thank you, Marcus," grinned Kenneth. "I am glad you were here."

"Well…that's what friends are for." The engines laughed and were soon on their way again.

Later, Marcus was on his way back to Whitehaven with some empty trucks. He stopped at a signal at Seascale Station when he saw Kana slowly approaching from the line to Buttermere.

"Are you enjoying your passenger run, Kana?" Marcus asked.

The electric engine sighed. "Not very much. That route has so many sharp bends. I was so slow going around them that I had to go extra fast on the straight tracks to arrive at every Station on time."

"It's a shame I couldn't do your run," sympathized Marcus. "I've done that run many times and I always enjoy myself."

"Yes, but at least I won't have any trouble getting back to Whitehaven. Just then, the Guard blew his whistle and Kana raced away.

When Marcus got back to Whitehaven Yard, he saw Nathan at the Washdown. "What happened to you, Nathan?"

"I got blasted with dirty black smoke in the Drigg Tunnel," he coughed.

"How did that happen?"

"You know how my engine creates a lot of smoke when I'm working hard? That machinery was very heavy and Drigg has one of the longest tunnels around."

Marcus felt bad and wanted to help. "At least you got your goods delivered and you can have a good wash and a rest before tomorrow."

Nathan couldn't help smiling. "Marcus, you always look on the bright side."

The next morning, the Tall Controller arrived at the Sheds as usual. "It seems that you'll have to do the same jobs again today," he said. "Farmer Briar needs more animal feed, there's another order of equipment for Ravenglass, more passengers are traveling between here and Buttermere, the main mail route is still closed and the workmen at Arnside requested more ballast and Laurence isn't back yet."

Kenneth, Kana and Nathan were disappointed, but Marcus had an idea. "Excuse me, Sir, but can we switch our jobs around today?"

"What do you mean, Marcus?"

"I noticed that my friends were having trouble yesterday and I think I know how we can do our work better." And Marcus explained. "Nathan said the new machinery was heavy, but so was the gravel. I think I can manage his work while he does mine. If Tracy takes the Mail Train, Kenneth can do her passenger run to Buttermere while Kana delivers the animal feed."

Marcus' friends looked pleased with this plan. The Tall Controller pondered. "Well…I suppose that would be alright if your friends think so too."

"Yes please, Sir!" they all said at once.

"Very well then. Good luck to all of you." And the Tall Controller walked away.

"What a great idea, Marcus," whistled Kenneth. "How did you do that?"

"Well, I saw how most of you were having trouble yesterday; Nathan with the Drigg Tunnel, Kana with the sharp bends and you with the Foxfield Hill. So, I thought it would be easier if we switched our jobs around. Marcus paused for a moment. "Kenneth, I hope you won't mind Tracy taking the mail and Tracy, I hope it's alright for Kana to do your job."

Tracy smiled. "Of course it's all right. I already saw the animals yesterday and it will be nice to do something different."

"I can manage the tracks to Farmer Briar's easily," added Kana.

"And I like the line to Buttermere," said Kenneth.

"But are you sure you can handle the heavy machinery, Marcus?" asked Nathan.

"I can still try," said Marcus, "but don't let Laurence see you honk you're horn when settling the gravel?"

Nathan was confused. "What do you mean?"

"I'll explain later."

And the engines set off for work looking forward to the day ahead.