Edward is a very hard-working engine; he pulls trucks and coaches and sometimes shunts in the yards. When he isn't doing those jobs, he can be seen working as a back engine. Sometimes, when other engines have heavy loads, Edward buffers up behind and helps push, usually on Gordon's Hill, but Edward is old, and some engines think this makes him unreliable.
One day, Henry returned to Tidmouth Sheds feeling tired. His train had been heavy, and Edward had to help him over Gordon's Hill.
"Edward is a useless old steam pot," Gordon sniffed. "He should be retired."
"But he doesn't have tyres like Bertie," Percy said.
Thomas couldn't help smiling. "No, Percy, in this case, 'retired' means 'being taken out of service'," he explained.
"And not a moment too soon," said Gordon.
"Gordon," frowned Henry, "you know better than that. Edward is as useful as he ever was. Remember when he brought those important visitors home after breaking his crankpin?"
"Pah!" huffed James, "that happened years ago. Edward couldn't do anything like that again, even if he wanted to. He'd rattle himself to bits."
Percy was very upset. Later, his Driver asked him why he looked so glum. Percy told him about Edward. "Gordon and James don't think he's useful anymore," he said.
Percy's Driver saw the Fat Controller at Maron Station and told him what Percy had said. "Not this again," the Fat Controller sighed. "I will attend to the matter immediately."
Before the Fat Controller left his Office for the night, he checked his timetables for the next day. By the time he left, he had made a plan.
Next morning, Edward was at Callan Station when the Fat Controller arrived. "The new loop line is completed," he said to Edward. "I want you to teach Stepney how to run it properly."
Edward was puzzled. "But Sir," he asked, "who will look after my trucks?"
"Duck will do your work," the Fat Controller replied. Edward couldn't understand it, but orders were orders, and he left at once.
When Gordon and James heard that Duck was going to help them, they were pleased. "Duck is very reliable," said Henry, "but he's still no match for Edward, especially when helping us up the Hill."
"It makes no difference to me," said Gordon pompously. "I don't need a back engine." And he wheeshed away.
Stepney had been helping with the summer holidaymakers and Edward enjoyed working with him. It was great fun delivering passengers to stations in the beautiful countryside.
Meanwhile, Duck was busy doing Edward's work, but he was not happy; the trucks were heavy and playing their silly games.
"Duck should play with other ducks,
Cos he's no good at pulling trucks!
Quack! Quack! Quack! Quack!
Hold back! Hold back!" the giggled.
As he chuffed along the line, Duck pulled as hard as he could, but as he started back towards Knapford Station, he found himself going slower…and slower…and slower. Halfway up Gordon's Hill, his wheels stopped altogether. Duck was stuck.
"Oh no!" said his Driver, "this is Gordon's line!" And he phoned the Signalman to warn him.
"It's too late to switch Gordon to the middle line," said the Signalman. "You'll have to flag him down."
Soon, Gordon saw Duck's Driver running along the line waving a red flag. Then, he saw Duck stopped on the Hill in front of him. "If I stop on this Hill, I'll never get started again," he said crossly and he buffered up to Duck without stopping. Gordon tried to set off again…but his wheels spun and spun.
"It's no use; we need a back engine," said the Driver. Gordon was cross.
Edward and Stepney had finished their work, and Edward was on his way back to Knapford Station when he heard the news. He was excited; he was going to be the back engine for two trains. "Hullo, Gordon! Hullo, Duck!" he whistled. "Do you need some help?!"
"Yes, please, Edward!" called Duck. Gordon said nothing.
Edward cheerfully buffered up and the strange train set off. At last, they chuffed gently into Wellsworth Station and Gordon waited for Duck to be switched to another line.
"Look at that!" laughed a boy. "The back engine must be the strongest and the best!"
"And Really Useful," said another passenger.
Gordon was embarrassed…and there watching was the Fat Controller; he spoke severely to Gordon. "I hear that you and James have been saying rude things about Edward again," he said. "Once more, he proved today that he is still useful, reliable and very helpful." Gordon felt very ashamed.
Later, the Fat Controller explained his plan to Edward. He knew all about the heavy trucks and knew that any engine would've needed help on Gordon's Hill, but he hadn't expected Gordon to get stuck behind Duck and apologized to the passengers. Luckily, they were very grateful for Edward's help and couldn't be cross.
The next morning, Gordon apologized. "Thank you for helping me, Edward," he puffed. "You really are a useful engine."
James was nearby and looked sadly at Edward. He didn't say anything, but he didn't need to for Edward knew exactly what he meant.
"It was nothing," Edward chuffed happily, "but it's good to be back in your good graces again."
The Fat Controller's plan had worked. Soon, everything was back to normal and there was no more talk about Edward retiring. After all, everyone knew that, while he was old, he was still one of the best engines on the Island of Sodor.