Emily is one of the hardest working engines on the Fat Controller's Railway. She can go almost anywhere and do almost anything, but Emily is also a good problem-solver and knows how to keep an eye-out for trouble. That is why the Fat Controller has appointed her as the railway's safety engine.
Every day, Emily would wake up early, collect a Works Coach and travel around the whole railway looking for problems, but she doesn't work alone. Harold the Helicopter almost always patrols the island from the air, and he helps Emily by looking where her rails won't reach.
After her inspection, Emily starts her jobs for the day, but no matter what she does, she still watches for trouble as she goes about her work.
One morning, Emily was tired when she woke up. She had been busy helping with the summer visitors and had been working late.
"Come along, Emily," said her Driver. "It's time to get to work."
"Yes, Sir," Emily yawned. "Right away." She collected the workmen and their Coach, and she set off.
When Emily reached the Search and Rescue Centre, Harold was getting ready to leave. "I say, Emily, are you alright?" he asked. "You look rather tired."
"Just very busy the day before," Emily replied. "I'll be fine."
That afternoon, when Emily arrived back at Knapford Station, the Fat Controller was waiting for her. "Emily," he said, "I'm very pleased with how hard you have been working lately. The railway has been running very smoothly thanks to you."
Emily smiled. "Thank you, Sir."
"That is why I would like to make a change to your routine. Along with your usual morning inspections, I want you to inspect the railway at night once you have completed your jobs."
Emily wasn't sure. She was still feeling tired, but she didn't want to disappoint the Fat Controller. "Of course, Sir," she said. "I'd be happy too."
"Splendid, you will start tomorrow night."
The days past. Emily woke up early, inspected the lines, worked hard during the day and checked the railway again in the evening.
Some days later, Harold was getting ready to leave when he saw Emily looking very tired. "Emily, are you feeling alright," he asked.
Emily let out a big yawn. "Yes, Harold, I'm fine." She still didn't want the Fat Controller to be disappointed and think she couldn't handle her new job.
By teatime, Emily was taking a heavy goods train to Vicarstown when she started to drift off. She was suddenly shocked when her Driver applied her brakes hard. "Emily! we almost passed a red signal! What happened?"
"Er, nothing! Sorry!" Emily spluttered.
That night, Emily was exhausted. She felt like she didn't have enough steam to make it back to Tidmouth. So, Emily decided to stop on Thomas' Branch Line and went to sleep in the Shed beside at Hackenbeck Station.
The next morning, Emily's Driver and Fireman came early as usual, but Emily's fire had gone out during the night, and it wouldn't light again. No matter what they did, Emily wouldn't wake up.
The workmen were confused. They didn't know where Emily was; nor did the other engines. The Foreman telephoned the Fat Controller at once.
Later that day, Thomas was approaching Hackenbeck with Annie and Clarabel when he saw a surprising sight. "Emily? What's she doing here?"
"She was very tired last night," said her Fireman, "but now, we can't wake her up."
"I think I know what to do." And Thomas whistled as loudly as he could.
Emily woke with a start. "What?! What's going on?!" she cried. She quickly noticed the clock. "Oh no! I'm late!"
"Emily, calm down," said her Driver.
"What happened?"
"That's what I'd like to know," said a voice. It was the Fat Controller. "I had to send Belle to help Harold this morning and then, I heard you were asleep here. What is going on?"
Emily felt bad. "I'm sorry, Sir," she said sadly. "I was tired from inspecting the railway every morning and evening as well as doing my regular jobs during the day. I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to think I couldn't handle being the railway's safety engine."
The Fat Controller smiled. "Emily, you are a very hard-working engine, but you should always speak up if you have too much to do."
"Does that mean I'm still the safety engine?" Emily asked.
"Of course. Now that you have told me you've been working too hard, I can make other arrangements to help you out." Emily smiled; she felt very silly.
Now, Harold patrols the island early in the morning and occasionally, Emily helps inspect Sodor in the evening whenever she can. Emily felt sorry for Harold, but he didn't mind. Being a rescue helicopter, he was used to waking up early.
Emily still keeps a watchful eye-out for trouble during the day when she is working. After all, she is still the North Western Railway's official safety engine.