The Secret Railway (Female Controller Reader)

Chapter 14: Den and the Express

Early one morning, all the engines were getting ready for the day.......except Dick. "Hurry up Lazy Bones," said Edman, "Or you'll be late to pull the express!" "I'm not ready Edman," said Dick, "I need my air-filter cleaned out." "You're air-filter, why didn't you have it clean out last night?" asked Den. "I was too tired," replied the Santa-Fe Diesel. "Well, don't be surprised if (Y/N) lets someone else pull the express," said Lady. "Like maybe Den," said Percy. "Oh, why would she choose Den?" asked Dick. "Well, Den has pulled passenger trains before," said Diesel. "Well, the express isn't a job, ANY engine can do. No offense Den," said Dick, "But you must know when to keep the speeds, which stations to stop at, and when to leave." "Ignore him Den," said Thomas, "Dick just likes to feel like he's special." So Dick was left behind to have his air-filter cleaned.

(Y/N) looked at her watch, and at the clock. Edman pulled up, pushing the coaches, and he said, "Good morning ma'am. I'm afraid Dick is going to be a little late. He's having his air-filter clean out today." "HIS AIR-FILTER!?!?" exclaimed (Y/N), "NOW?!?!?" "I know ma'am," said Edman, as Den pulled into the other platform, "you may need another engine to take the express today, so Percy thought of Den, but Dick doesn't think he can do it." "Of course Den can take the express," said (Y/N), "Splendid idea!" "Do you," said Den, "Really think so, ma'am?" "Of course," said (Y/N), "and it will teach Dick a lesson."

So Den set off with the express. At first he was a little nervous, but he soon began to enjoy himself. He blew his horn, and said, "EXPRESS COMING THROUGH!!!!"

Soon, Dick rolled into Homestead Station, where (Y/N) was waiting for him. "Dick," said (Y/N), "It is extremely important that the express runs on time. People depend on it. Since you were 'too busy' this morning, I asked Den to do your job." Dick was then bumped by Edman, giving him, a train of boxcars. "Here you are Dick!" said Edman. "Trucks?" asked Dick, "but, I don't understand, ma'am." "Oh Dick," said (Y/N), "Now you must do Den's work." "Oooooohhhhh," groaned Dick, as he headed down to Brenton's Goods station.

Den pulled into junction, where he saw Toby and Henrietta. "Thank you Den, very comfortable journey," said a passenger. "It's my pleasure," said Den. "You're much more friendly then Dick," said Toby. "Yes," said Henrietta, "I wish you could pull passengers everyday." Den had to smile.

Dick was no where near having as much fun as Den was. "A goods train, a GOODS train," groaned Dick. Henry was surprised to see Dick. "Hello Dick," said Henry, "What are you doing here?" "Den is pulling the express today," said Dick, shunting his train into a sighting, "So I'm stuck doing his work." "Never mind that," said Duck, shunting, "you're so big and strong, I expect you'll do Den's work in half the time." "Well, I DO mind," said Dick, "I was never meant to do work like this! It's beneath me!" "Then you're gonna love this!" said Douglas. Den turned to see, "Filthy COAL trucks!?! Ooooooohhhhhh." He pulled up to the points, only to be stopped. "EXPRESS COMING THROUGH!!!" yelled Den. "What the heck!?!?" asked Dick. "Hi Dick," laughed Den, "Bye Dick!" Dick rolled his eyes as Henry rolled out of the station.

Dick then came back to Homestead, and asked (Y/N), "Shouldn't I go back to pulling passengers now?" "No Dick," said (Y/N), "I need you to go to the quarry to collect some stone to go to the mainland." "GGGGGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!" screamed Dick.

Edman was finishing the load of stone, when Dick came in. Edward then said, "Hello Dick, is you're day going well?" "Pft," said Dick, "As well as any day hulling coal and stone can be." The trucks laughed. "AND I'LL HAVE NONE OF NONE OF YOUR NONSENSE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!" "We'll give him nonsense," said the leading truck. And they gave him nonsense, by letting their brakes on. "NOT SO USEFUL, NOT SO STRONG!" they sang, before they let their brakes off. Dick raced forward, and hit the barrier. "UN-COUPLE ME AT ONCE!!" he boomed, "I'M GOING BACK TO MY SHED!!" "I only asked how is day was going," said Edward.

That night, Den found Dick already in the shed. "Hello Dick," said Den, "I had fun pulling passengers today, but I'll be happy to go back to my usual jobs." "I should never have been forced to pull goods trains!" grumbled Dick. "I think you'll find it's MY decision which jobs you do Dick," said (Y/N) as she walked into the sheds, "You didn't even finish the jobs you were given today!" Dick stuttered, but (Y/N) cut him off. "You must learn to do the jobs you're given. So tonight, I'm asking you to pull, the Flying Kipper." Everyone gasped. "I WILL NOT PULL A SMELLY FISH WAGON!!" said Dick. "Very well," said (Y/N), "but if you don't do it, perhaps Den will keep your passenger duties, forever!" "AAAAAHHHHH!!!" screamed Dick, before sneering at Den, "This is your fault Den." Dick then slipped back. "But I only took the express because (Y/N) asked me to," said Den, "All YOU have to do it take the Flying Kipper." Henry then got an idea. "But then again," he said, "Not many engines are up to the challenge." He winked at Edman. "You're right Henry," said Edman, "In fact, Penny found the Flying Kipper very difficult when she pulled it." "Yes," she said, "It was very hard for me." "I think you'll find I'm much stronger and more modern than Penny," said Dick pompously. "Even so," said Den, "I don't know if you're up to the challenge." "Nonsense," said Dick, getting on the turntable, "I can certainly pull a smelly fish train!" He then headed off to the docks. 

By the time Dick returned, it was already morning. He woke up all the other engines with his horn, and announced, "THERE! I DID IT!! I DELIVERED ALL THE STINKY FISH! And I didn't find it difficult at all!" "Oh," said (Y/N) as she came to give out jobs for the day, "You finally did as you were told? Good job. As a reward, you can pull the Non-stop express today." "Oh thank you ma'am!" said Dick. (Y/N) then took a sniff of the air, and said, "OH MY, But you should go down to the wash first!" Gordon sniffed, and said, "Feew, you could use it." "Oh my," said Dick, sniffing himself. He then rolled off to the engine wash. "Stinky express coming through!" said Den. (Start video) And everyone laughed.