Rusty the Little Diesel Engine works happily on the Island of Sodor. Rusty's best friends are Skarloey and Rheneas; their line runs through forests and over the hills. They love it very much and so do their passengers.

Rusty helps to clear and mend the line and does other odd jobs as well. At other times, Rusty can be seen working at the Slate Quarry. Sometimes, Rusty works so hard with one job that the little diesel forgets there's also work to be done elsewhere.

Last year, the Thin Controller, Mr. Sam, had retired and there was no one to take his place. So, the Fat Controller had taken charge of the line until someone else could be found.

One day, the Quarry was very busy, but Rusty was not there to help. Late that evening, Rusty returned and found the Fat Controller was waiting.

"Sorry, Sir," Rusty's Driver said, "we were busy clearing the Loop Line around the Lake, but it took longer than we thought.

"I'm aware of that," the Fat Controller replied, "and I'm not blaming you. I'm afraid that line is in a very bad condition and right now, it's too expensive to maintain. I'm sorry, Rusty, but until we can afford to repair that line properly, we will have to close it for a while."

Rusty was worried. "But what about our passengers, Sir? It will be harder for them to reach those towns without us and closing that line will mean less work for us."

The Fat Controller sighed. "I know, Rusty, but we can't help that." Rusty understood there was nothing they could do, but he couldn't help feeling troubled.

The very next day, the Lakeside Loop was closed and only the track to the Quarry was left open. The engines tried to be brave and cheerful and worked as hard as they could, but they still had less work to do. They felt sorry for their passengers and the passengers felt sorry for them too.

It seemed that Skarloey and Rheneas missed the rest of the line more than anyone. Rusty could see they were not happy, and Duke, Sir Handel and Peter Sam sympathized with them.

One morning, the Fat Controller came to the Quarry with important news. "We are going to be blasting for the next two weeks," he said. "It won't be safe for you here. I will have to find you other work."

Then, Rusty had an idea. "Please, Sir, may we use the two weeks to repair the Lakeside Loop? We do have less work than before."

"We can afford to make the repairs now," Rusty's Driver added, "and there are plenty of line workers available."

"Very well," the Fat Controller agreed, "but you have only two weeks to complete the job."

"Oh, thank you, Sir," said Rusty happily.

When Skarloey and Rheneas heard the news, they were happy too and eagerly volunteered to help Rusty with the repairs, but the three engines soon found out that the line was in a terrible mess. It was covered in rocks and branches, tall grass had grown underneath it, the sleepers were rotten, and the rails were rusty and broken in several places.

"Oh dear," whispered Rheneas.

"Come on," said Rusty with spirit and the three engines set to work straight away.

When Elizabeth the Vintage Lorry steamed past on her way to the Slate Tip, she thought cleaning up the line was ridiculous. "What a waste of time," she sniffed.

Skarloey was thoughtful. "I can't help but wonder if she might be right," he said. "This is a lot of work to be done in two weeks."

"We can't give up," said Rusty.

The days passed; the engines worked harder than ever, but time was running out. Elizabeth kept steaming by to and from the tip. Some days later, Rusty saw Elizabeth pass…and looked at her great big tipper box. This gave the little diesel a very clever idea.

The next day, Rusty saw Elizabeth trundling by and sighed. "If only we had a lorry to help us."

Elizabeth stopped. "Well, I couldn't possibly help you. I'm a quarry lorry," she said importantly.

"Well, we do need a special kind of lorry," Rusty teased.

"I am a special kind of lorry," protested Elizabeth.

"It requires hauling," said Rusty.

"I can haul," said Elizabeth proudly.

"And pulling heavy branches," added Rusty.

"Well, of course I can pull."

"So, you'll do it?" said Rusty.

"Well, of course."

The Quarry Manager agreed, and Elizabeth set to work at once; she was as good as her word. She hauled rubbish and pulled branches from the line. She even helped remove a fallen sycamore tree from the Cattle Creep. Elizabeth puffed up and down working just as hard as the engines.

At last, the Lakeside Loop was mended. By working together, they had finished all the repairs with a day to spare.

"Thank you, Elizabeth," said Rusty.

"We couldn't have done it without you," added Rheneas.

"You are a very special lorry indeed," finished Skarloey.

"I know," said Elizabeth proudly.

Rusty's Driver telephoned the Fat Controller, who promised to inspect the line the next morning. When the Fat Controller arrived, he was very impressed. Everything was spic and span, and the Lakeside Loop had never looked so splendid. "Well done, Rusty," he said, "and well done, Elizabeth, we will reopen the Lakeside Loop immediately." Rusty was proud and Skarloey and Rheneas were very happy.

"I suppose I'll have to help clear and mend this line now too," Elizabeth complained, but secretly, she couldn't wait to help again.

"Maybe now, Rusty will have time to work at the Quarry," said the Fat Controller and Rusty just smiled.

The next day, Rusty and Elizabeth went back to the Quarry. Elizabeth is now firm friends with the little engines, but she is always especially happy to see Rusty because she thinks the little diesel is just as special as she is. Whenever they meet, Elizabeth always greets Rusty with a friendly 'toot, toot' on her horn and Rusty always 'toots' happily in return.