Chapter 206: Washout
Eventually, the weather warmed up and the snow melted, but this was not without consequences. All of the melted snow had caused the Hackenbeck River's water level to rise dangerously. This made Percy worry.
"I don't know about you guys," he said one evening, "But every time I cross that bridge I feel like its going to collapse right out from underneath me. My train's been in the water twice now, and I really don't want it to happen a third time."
"Don't worry, Percy," Toby soothed, "The water level's supposed to be dying down, and with the last of the snow melting, everything should be back to normal by the end of the week."
"And not a minute too soon," Daisy sniffed, "Snow is nothing but trouble, that's what I always say."
Percy and Toby just rolled their eyes. That was one conversation they didn't want to have.
One day, Percy was at the top station talking to Henry.
"I hope Thomas and Emily get back soon," he moaned. "Work's starting to pile up around here."
"Oh, I don't know," Henry said cheekily. "From what I've heard they're appearance has been a real bang over there. They may just ask them to stay permanently!"
And off he drove laughing. Percy rolled his eyes and left with his train, not at all amused by Henry's joke.
The journey went well, but they soon came to the bridge. Percy cringed as he saw the water surge beneath him.
"Alright Percy, you've done this a million times before. Nice and easy..."
But as they neared the middle of the bridge, he felt the bridge sink beneath the train's weight. A loud creaking noise spooked Percy. Immediately he opened the throttle fully, forcing the train forward with a hard jerk. Luckily, they managed to get across, but not without noisy complaints from the passengers. The guard came up to the cab, most annoyed.
"What the heck, Percy? You know better than to accelerate like-"
A loud CRASH! interrupted his rant. Turning back, Percy and the guard watched as the remains of the bridge were swept downstream.
"Woah. If you hadn't done that..."
"Lets not think about that. Lets just get to the next station and call for help. We'll need a bus to get the passengers home."
Bertie gave everyone a ride home, but the bridge would take weeks to repair. In the meantime, passengers would have to get off at the station before the bridge and get on a bus, and no one liked this arrangement at all.
"Our passengers shouldn't have too put up with such horrid accomadaitons," Daisy sniffed. "After all, who'd want to ride on a stinky bus over-"
"DAISY, SHUT UP!"