The engines of the Miniature Railway are the smallest engines on the Island of Sodor, but even though they're small, they are still Really Useful. They collect ballast from the old Mines for all the railways to use, but they also carry passengers. The engines carry goods too like wool from sheep which the farmers sell in the towns on Market Day. They even deliver the mail to people who live along their line whose homes are too difficult to reach by road.
One day, Mike was at Arlesburgh West waiting for the Postman to arrive. Mike usually carried the mail on his afternoon trip to the Mines. Suddenly, a post van he didn't recognize pulled up alongside the railway. "Who are you?" asked the van.
"I'm Mike. Who are you?"
"Horrace."
"Where's Tom Tipper?"
"He's taken ill, so I had to do his mail run." Horrace looked at the miniature railway and then, back at Mike. "When I heard some of this mail had to travel by train, I didn't think it would be so small."
"What does that mean?" huffed Mike.
"I mean, you're smaller than I am. I don't know why you should take this mail when I can deliver it myself."
"Why you-"
"Settle down, Mike," Bert cut in. "The reason we deliver the mail along the line is because some people live too far from the main road. It would take longer for you, and it would be very tricky."
"Pah!" snorted Horrace, 'someone as fast and efficient as me could out-perform you any day."
When the mail was unloaded, Horrace roared away leaving Mike fuming. "I'd like to show him."
"Don't bother with him, Mike," said Bert. "He's not the only one who looks down on railways, you know." But Mike still felt cross as he puffed away.
The days passed and Horrace continued dropping off letters and parcels for the Miniature Engines to take up the line. As he went about his work, he sometimes saw the engines when the road came close to the railway.
One afternoon, Horrace was finishing his mail route when he heard Mike's whistle. He followed the sound to a muddy farm road. The farmhouse looked a long way away and Mike stopped close by to deliver the mail. "What nonsense," grumbled Horrace. I could still do this job on time if I wanted to." And he started making a plan.
The next day, Horrace was early when he arrived at the Station. Now for my plan, he thought. "Couldn't we save one parcel for us to deliver?" he asked the Postman. "It's on our route anyhow and the road didn't look that difficult when I saw it." The Postman was puzzled, but agreed.
Later, Horrace left the Station just before Mike. "Come on, we can go faster than this!" he called. "Let's race him!" The Postman thought a race would be exciting and Horrace gathered speed. "Yes," he said to himself, "now I'll show that tiny teapot just how fast I can be."
Horrace raced along the road as he delivered the mail. Mike was surprised as he saw the post van fly past him. "What is that post van playing at?" wondered his Driver.
Soon, Horrace was far ahead of Mike, and he reached the farm where the parcel needed to be delivered. He turned onto the muddy road and tried going as fast as he could. The mud made him slide and slip and his paint was getting dirty, but he managed to reach the farmhouse.
The Famer was surprised. "Where's Mike?" he asked. "I was expecting him soon."
"Oh, he was delayed," Horrace replied, "but it was no trouble for me." And he raced off.
When they were back on their route, Horrace thought he heard Mike's whistle. His engine roared as he tried to go faster. "No, no, come on!"
It wasn't long before Horrace came near a crossing. He looked this way and that, but there was no one in sight. Perfect, he thought, this will show that red furnace who's best at delivering the mail.
Then there was trouble.
As Horrace approached the crossing, the Postman heard a whistle. "Woah, Horrace, slow down!" he said.
"What are you doing?!" Horrace called back. "Don't slow down! We can make it!"
Then, Rex appeared around the bend with his passenger train and gasped when he saw Horrace racing towards them. "Stop! Stop!" he called.
"Look out!" called the Driver and braked hard, but it was too late. As Horrace raced over the crossing, Rex crashed into his back end and almost pushed him off the road before coming to a stop.
Luckily, no one was hurt, and Rex was more surprised than anything. "Horrace, what were you thinking?!"
"I could've made it if I hadn't slowed down." There was no time to argue, so Rex slowly backed up and both he and Horrace were on their way.
That evening, the Small Controller and the Postmaster had strong words for Horrace and the Postman. "All road vehicles must stop at crossings when a train is coming," said the Small Controller sternly, "no matter how big or small they are. You could've hurt our passengers and look at poor Rex."
"It's not fair that I can't deliver all the mail around here," protested Horrace.
"That's no excuse," said the Postmaster. "We have an agreement to allow the Miniature Railway to carry the mail. Besides, that mud on your paint should prove to you how difficult some of these roads are. You could've had an accident yourself racing around like that." He paused impressively. "Perhaps it would be best if you helped out around the railway until you learn how to be safe and patient…if Mr. Duncan agrees, of course." As indeed, he did.
For many weeks, Horrace and the Postman worked on the Miniature Railway. The Postman helped to keep the engines, trucks and coaches running smoothly. Horrace delivered tools and supplies for the workman up and down the line and kept the track safe. He hated it and whenever the engines passed him at a crossing, they were quick to remind him, "Never overlook a little engine."