Chapter 321: Arry and Bert's Fishy Adventure

Arry and Bert are two of the meanest engine drivers on the Island of Sodor. They work in the Ironworks and around the various scrapyards, collecting broken up engines and other vehicles. They loved their grim job, and would always tease the steam engine drivers about cutting up theirs next.

"Your engine's clanking about an awful lot these days," Arry sneered at Edward. "Better hope it doesn't break down. Otherwise it'll be the next to go."

"You'd better call the museum," Bert shouted. "Someone stole an exhibit! Oh wait, it's just the old steam tram."

And they'd both howl with laughter. The others would just roll their eyes and leave, but the two wouldn't let up.

One afternoon, the two of them had just shunted a train of scrap into the smelting shed when the foreman walked up.

"I've just gotten a call from Sir Topham Hatt," he explained. "The fishing village in Norramby has a massive order to ship out by sundown, and Arthur can't handle it all on his own. He requires you two to go and assist."

Arry and Bert were horrified!

"What? Work with fish? And with a steam engine driver?"

"Forget it! Tell him to send Thomas, or Percy! They'll love it."

"He sent for you," the foreman said sternly. "Now go!"

They did, but grumbled the entire way.

When they arrived, they found siding upon siding of fish vans waiting for them. Bert sniffed the air, and gagged.

"Phew! What a pong!"

"Ugh, this is going to suck," Arry groaned in agreement. "I'd much rather be collecting scrap."

Arthur arrived shortly.

"Thanks for coming," he said. "As you can see, we've got lots of trucks to deliver."

"Yeah, yeah, cut the chit chat," Arry sneered. "Let's just get this over with so we can go home."

"It won't be that quick!" Arthur laughed. "We'll have to take plenty of trips. There's too many to take all at once, after all."

Arry and Bert just moaned.

All afternoon long, the three of them shifted fish vans from the fishing village to a larger port. The work was long, tedious, and smelly, and the iron twins hated every minute. But before long, the end was in sight.

"We'll be done by nightfall!" Arthur said. "Only a few more trips left."

"Can't we just take the rest all at once and be done with it? Arry said, wanting nothing more than to leave.

"You're kidding, right?" Arthur chuckled. "You do that, and you'll go flying down the hill and crash. Trust me, as bad as the smell is now, it'd be worse if the vans break."

With that, Arthur left with his train of five vans. Bert made sure he was long gone before turning to his brother.

"We're going to take all of them, right?"

"Duh! Who's he to tell us what to do?"

Sniggering, the two of them set about shunting their train. It took a while, since all of the vans were in different sidings, but at long last they had a long, heavy train. Arry was at the front, while Bert sat at the back.

"Alright, let's get this over with already!"

"Agreed!"

The train was heavy, and their progress slow, but all they cared about was getting the job done. Before long they reached the hill. The heavy train slowed them down, but they didn't give up.

"Come on Bert, put some more power into it!"

"I'm giving it all she's got!"

"Hold on, we're almost at the top! Full speed ahead!"

"Right!"

At long last, they crested the top of the hill, but then there was trouble. As they began their descent, the train picked up speed rapidly. Arry tried to slow them down, but the train was too heavy for him to do it alone.

"Come on Bert, brake! I'm losing control!"

"I am!"

As they reached the bottom, they took the bend too fast. Arry's engine toppled off the rails, the man just barely managing to jump from the cab as the crash unfolded. Wood splintered, the vans crumpled, and fish lay everywhere. Bet came running up.

"Arry, are you alright?"

"Yeah, but I realized something."

"What?"

"Arthur was right, the smell is worse."

It wasn't long before Arthur arrived with the breakdown train, and a very cross Sir Topham Hatt.

"I told you not to take all of them," Arthur sighed.

"Just look at this mess!" Sir Topham Hatt boomed. "Do you two have anything to say for yourselves?"

They did not.

"As soon as Arry's engine is back on the rails, you will help clean up this mess." He continued. "Afterwards, you'll work in the fishing village for the next month. Perhaps THEN you'll learn some sense."

The two of them could only groan in response.