The Secret Railway (Female Controller Reader)

Chapter 20: Couplings and Coaches

(Y/N) and Thomas were absent for a while, and Elizabeth had managed to get a temporary controller. His name was Jacob, and he was a student learning about business organization. Running the railway had really helped him learn all about the railway and the running of it. During that time, Edman was in need of a new engine, and he was sent to works to wait until it came. "Lady," said Jacob, "I want you fitted with a Buck-Eye coupler to your front to help shunt the trains for the American Engines." "Yes sir," said Lady.

Later that day, Lady returned with her Buck-Eye coupler, and she went to get Dick's coaches. When she was coupled up to them, they were very heavy! Much heavier than she thought. She decided to take half of them. They were still too heavy for her. She then decided to bring them to the platform, in pairs. Lady made five trips total. Dick was waiting impatiently. "I should've left by now!" he said, "I'm late!!" Soon, Lady pushed Dick's coaches into place, and she said, "They're heavier than I'm used to!!" Gordon then puffed in and said, "Pah, you're just a little tank engine. If I had Buck-Eye Couplers, I would pull those coaches with no trouble what so ever." Lady then got a naughty idea. "Well, tomorrow, why don't you prove it? You and Dick switch couplings and see what they are like?" Gordon wheeshed steam and said, "Very well, I'll show you, that YOU are just being lazy!"

That night, Jacob made the arrangements, and Gordon's coupling hooks were replaced with Buck-Eye couplers, and Dick's back coupler was replaced with a set of buffers and a coupling hook. Gordon waited at the station, and Lady shunted his coaches in pairs. Gordon then said, "Now, I'll show you how I can pull these coaches! I can pull any kind of coaches!" The guard then blew his whistle, and Gordon started, but he strained. His wheels slipped, but he soon puffed out of the station. Dick followed with Gordon's usual coaches behind him. He pulled a little too hard, and the passengers flew from their seats. 

Gordon was soon on the mainline, and he was puffing as hard as he could. He was used to heavy expresses, but not as heavy as this. His pace was like he was pulling a slow goods train. He was regretting deciding to pull this train, but he didn't want to prove Lady right. "Must keep going, must keep going!" he said. 

Dick was having trouble himself. Gordon's coaches were lighter than what he was used to. He went fast, and he bumped the passengers around. He stopped, and the coaches bumped into him, making the passengers fly out of their seats. "Sorry," said Dick, "These are just lighter than what I'm used to." He was also used to having the coaches brake the same time he did, so that they all stopped at the same time.

Gordon came to a hill, and he puff up it. The hill was steep, and the train was heavy. Poor Gordon was late already. "Must keep going! Must keep going!" he said. Then, it happened. Gordon burst his safety valve, and steam shot out from it. Soon, he came to a stop, right on the hill. "Oh the indignity." 

Dick arrived at Sir Topham Hat Station very early, and the passengers climbed out grumbling. Dick then thought he shouldn't have done this. Just then, the station master arrived, and said, "Gordon's safety valve has burst! We need you to rescue him Dick." "But Gordon has Buck-Eye couplings," said Dick. "So do you," said the station master, pointing to his front. Dick then smiled, "I forgot they left that one on!!" He then headed to the turntable, and headed off to get Gordon.

Soon, Dick was coupled up, and said, "I think we both learned that we're made for specific rolling stock." "Indeed," said Gordon, as Dick rolled away with Gordon.

Soon, Edman was back, and he was back to shunting the American Engine's trains, and Lady was fitted with a front coupling hook, painted gold. After that day, they never talked about couplings and coaches again. Gordon and Dick were thinking of a way to trick Lady, but that's another story.