Kana is a high-speed engine who works on the Tall Controller's Railway. She was built by inventor Ruth Larson on the Island of Sodor and is the most modern engine on the Mainland. She is an electric engine, but instead of using electric cables above the line, she has a special electric battery that she must keep charged. While built for high-speed, Kana is a mixed-traffic engine and can even shunt when no other engine is available.
One evening, Marcus was helping Kana back to Whitehaven Sheds. "What happened, Kana?" asked Laurence.
Kana looked sad. "I forgot to stop to charge my battery and ran out of power before I could finish my last delivery."
"I'm sorry to hear that," sympathized Laurence. "We all know what it's like to get stranded with no steam, diesel fuel or electricity, but cheer up. We have a special visitor arriving tomorrow morning and she's coming here to see us."
"Who is it, Laurence?" asked Marcus excitedly.
"Wait and see," the old engine grinned.
The next morning, the engines awoke to find that Laurence was not around. As they were getting ready for work, they heard a familiar whistle and Laurence puffed into the Yard. "Good morning, everyone," he called. "Our visitor has arrived."
"Indeed, she has," replied a familiar voice.
The Tall Controller climbed down from Laurence's cab…followed by someone Kana knew all too well. "Ruth!" she cried.
"Hello, Kana," smiled the Inventor. "How have you been getting on since you started working here?"
"Great! I've made so many knew friends and I've been working as hard as I can."
"So, I heard."
"What are you doing here, Ruth?" asked Marcus.
Ruth smiled. "Well Marcus, I have been asked to help with a very special project, and you and Kana will be helping me."
"Electric!" tooted Kana.
"What fun!" whistled Marcus.
First, Marcus, Kana and Ruth made their way to the Port in Barrow. "Are we collecting a delivery here?" asked Kana curiously.
"Only part of it," said Ruth, "but every piece is very important."
The engines watched as long metal poles were loaded onto their flatbeds. "Where are we going next?" puffed Marcus.
"The Foundry near Dalton," Ruth replied.
Marcus and Kana were excited. The Foundry was new and was built behind the Waste Dump and Recycling Plant. It was where old metal parts could be melted down and used again.
Marcus was very happy. "We have the first delivery," he wheeshed.
"What is it, Ruth?" asked Kana.
"Screws, nuts, bolts and other special parts."
"They must be for something very big," Marcus chuffed. "I can't wait to see what it is."
The trucks were waiting when the engines reached the Foundry. "Now, we're off to the Factory in Newby Bridge," said Ruth.
When they arrived, Marcus was puzzled as they saw some vans being filled with large metal boxes. "What are these?"
"I think I know," said Kana. "Ruth, are these gearboxes?"
"They are. It's the part of an engine that makes things turn, Marcus. Kana and Nathan both have gearboxes that turn their wheels. By the way, how is you're battery, Kana?"
"She is running a little low," replied Kana's Driver.
"You should recharge while you have the chance," said Ruth thoughtfully, so Kana did, and Marcus took on more coal and water. Soon, the vans were coupled up and Ruth climbed back onboard. "Alright, you two. Our last stop is Farmer Briar's."
Marcus was confused. "What does he need with all this?"
"You'll see," smiled Ruth.
By now, the train was very heavy. "I'm glad we refueled when we did," Marcus panted. Kana knew what her friend meant. Hurrying or working hard needed more power than usual.
Soon, they arrived at Farmer Briar's. Workmen were waiting with Sandy and Loni, and even more parts were lying about.
"Sandy, Loni, are you helping Ruth too?" Marcus asked.
"We are," said Loni. "I'm here to unload your trucks."
"And I'm here for safety…as usual," put in Sandy.
The parts were loaded onto big lorries, and they drove up to the hills nearby. "What are they doing?" wondered Kana.
"We'll soon see," observed Loni.
At last, Ruth came back. "The first one is done. What do you think?"
High on the hill were three large blades attached to one of the metal poles. "It looks like a windmill," said Sandy.
Kana gasped. "It's not a windmill. It's a wind turbine!"
"A what?"
"The wind makes the blades spin, just like a windmill's sails," explained Ruth. "The blades spin the gearbox which powers the turbine and makes electricity."
"Ruth's Workshop has a windmill that works the same way," added Kana, "and the electricity powers all sorts of things like the crossing gates nearby."
"Exactly," said Ruth, "using wind turbines is also an easier way to make electricity. We're building them all over the Railway and with more electricity available, Kana will have more places to charge her battery."
"Oh, thank you, Ruth," cried Kana.
It wasn't long before the first set of wind turbines were finished and now, if Kana forgets to recharge her battery, she has more places where she can stop. She was sorry to see Ruth leave, but she was very happy to be the one to take her to Vicarstown and Kana couldn't be happier for what Ruth the Inventor has done for both her and the Tall Controller's Railway.