It was another fine morning when the Tall Controller came to see the engines. "Marcus," he said at last, "they're running low on food supplies in Kirkby Stephen and there may be a storm coming tomorrow. I need you to deliver trucks of sugar, flour, butter, milk and eggs for the town."
"Is someone having a party?" asked Kenneth excitedly.
"No, Kenneth, but they are having a Baking Competition today. It was supposed to be tomorrow, but they had to have it today because of the storm."
Marcus was excited; he had never carried a load like this before. "You can rely on me, Sir!" he whistled.
"Thank you, Marcus," said the Tall Controller, "but you must be very careful, just as you are with animals, otherwise the eggs could break, the milk could spill or turn to butter or something could tear open."
"Yes, Sir," said Marcus, but now, he was worried.
Kenneth could see his friend wasn't happy. "Can I help, Sir? Two engines can be more careful than one."
"That's a wonderful idea, Kenneth," the Tall Controller replied. "I need you to deliver some roofing supplies to Kirby Stephen anyway."
"Thank you, Kenneth," puffed Marcus gratefully.
At the Shunting Yard, Kenneth collected his supplies and was coupled behind Marcus' trucks and when the signal showed 'clear', they set off as slowly and steadily as they could. They were just about to cross to the Main Line when signal went red.
"There's been a rockslide along the coast," said the Signalman. "You'll have to take the north route to Kirkby Stephen."
"Oh dear," said Marcus, "now we'll be late."
"Not if we go as soon as possible," smiled Kenneth.
The two engines turned around in the Yard and chuffed on towards Workington Junction. The journey was taking longer, but they remembered what the Tall Controller said about being slow and careful.
Then, they passed through Penrith Junction. "Marcus," said Kenneth slowly, "you do know what track this is, don't you?"
Marcus gulped. "…Shap Cutting, but it's the only way we're going to get to Kirkby Stephen on time."
Marcus and Kenneth reached the Cutting and puffed as quietly as they could. They were almost through…when there was a deep rumbling sound.
"Falling rocks!" cried Marcus' Driver.
The engines didn't want to get stuck or damage their load, so they started to speed up. The food started to bounce around in Marcus' vans. The engines went faster and faster as the rocks began to fall…but everyone made it through without getting hurt.
Then, there was trouble.
The next signal turned red as they approached. "Stop, Kenneth, stop!" Marcus cried.
The engines braked as hard as they could…and stopped just in time. The vans shuttered violently…and Kenneth's eyes went wide. "Marcus…did you hear that?"
"Bust my buffers!" gasped Marcus. "We've damaged our cargo!"
"It wasn't your fault," said his Driver. "The important thing is that we didn't have an accident in the Cutting." And he and the Guard went to check the vans. Luckily, only a few eggs were broken, two bags of flour had ripped open, and none of the milk hadn't been spilled or turned to butter.
"Now I see why we had to be slow and careful," sighed Kenneth.
"Yes," agreed Marcus, "so let's keep moving."
At last, Marcus and Kenneth reached Kirkby Stephen. "Well done," said the Tall Controller, "you both managed to get here safely and smoothly."
"Not that smoothly, Sir," wheeshed Marcus and his Driver explained.
Finally, all the food and roofing supplies were unloaded. "Well, Marcus and Kenneth," smiled the Tall Controller, "you may not have had the smoothest journey, but you did what you had to and delivered most of the supplies safely and there's still plenty for the Baking Competition." Marcus and Kenneth were pleased.
Two days later, after the storm had passed, the Tall Controller came to the Sheds as usual. "Marcus and Kenneth, the Baking Competition was a big success," he said. "Everyone thanks you for your hard work and the judges wanted me to give you these." And he presented two blue ribbons.
"Wow!" Kenneth grinned, "even we each won a prize."
"And I don't think either of us could've done it without our best friend by our side," added Marcus and all the engines and tooted whistled with joy.