Chapter 23: The Miniature Engines

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On Paradise Island, Jack and the Pack were finishing building the miniature railway. The rails were very small. "I have never seen rails this small before," said Oliver. "They seem like baby trains," said Max. "Hopefully we won't need to change their diapers," said Monty. Just then, Oliver the Great Western Engine came with flatbeds and three very small engines.

 Just then, Oliver the Great Western Engine came with flatbeds and three very small engines

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"Hello everyone," said the blue engine, "I'm Bert, and this is Mike and Rex

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"Hello everyone," said the blue engine, "I'm Bert, and this is Mike and Rex." "I can't believe there are such dinky little engines like this!" said Max. "I know!" said Monty, "they might as well be children's to-" "AH-HEM!" boomed a familiar voice. It was (Y/N) with Jeffery, Betty and the Can Do Crew. "They are just as useful, if not more, than you two! For one, really useful machines don't bully others." "Yes ma'am," said Max and Monty. "You two will go back to the yard now, and I will talk with you later." "Yes Jeffery," said Max and Monty, and the rolled back to the yard. "I'm very sorry about that," said Jeffery, "They're just troublesome at times." "It's alright," said Rex, "We often get things said about us a lot." "Well then," said (Y/N), "It's going to get hard to control three railways now. I'll be sure to talk with Jacob about controlling the Narrow-Gauge railway when he graduates."

Soon, Rex, Bert and Mike were all put to work, and they were happy to help. At the quarry, they saw Duck, Toby, Bill, Ben, Timothy and Mavis shunting, while Marrian digs. In the countryside, they saw Travis and Terrance plowing, and Trevor pulling his cart with supplies, while Spud stands in a field, and gives a friendly hello to the engines passing by. Soon, Thomas came by with some empty trucks, and he saw Mike. "Mike?" he asked, "Is that you?" "Thomas!" said Mike, "You're here!" "Yes, this is where all the machines of Sodor now live." Mike pushed up his trucks, and he emptied them of quarry dust. "It may take a while Thomas, but Rex should come with the next load." "Is Bert here too?" asked Thomas. "Yes," said Mike, "And we're all being really useful." Just then, Dick came along, and he eyed the smaller engines. "Pah," he said, "How can such little engines be as useful as me? They're just as useful as toy engines." Thomas then retorted, "They work just as hard as you!" Dick just rolled his eyes, and said, "They are just silly little engines, just like you Thomas." Thomas wheeshed steam, and puffed away. Dick then saw Mike looking right at him, and Mike said, "You big engines and your egos!" Dick then sniffed, and he rattled away.

Mike spent the rest of the day hulling goods, while feeling a bit hurt. "That diesel!" he said, "He thinks he's so modern, well, I'll show him!"

The next day, Mike saw Dick at the station again, but his engine was smoking. "What's happened?" he asked. "Dick was going too fast, and he blew a gasket. Now, the passengers will be late to get to the other side of the island!" Mike then had an idea. "The miniature line makes a stop at the Narrow-Gauge Railway. The passengers could go there, and catch a train heading there!" The station master thought for a minute, and said, "Alright, but you'll have to be quick." He then headed off to make the arrangements. 

Soon, Mike had coaches behind him, and even though he despised pulling passengers, he knew they had to get to the station. He soon headed off. Along the way, he saw Spud as usual, and he waved, and Mike whistled. Mike was pleased with himself. At the Narrow-Gauge Station, he found Duncan there with a passenger train. "Nice timing," said Duncan, "I was said to wait a bit longer just as soon as you blew your whistle." Mike smiled, "It's good to be useful."

The next day, Dick came back, and he said, "I'm sorry for saying that your railway was just a toy one. You proved you are all really useful." "Never underestimate a smaller engine!" said Rex. The engines laughed, even Dick. They then talked, and became good friends. Dick still teases them from time to time, but he is never rude to say that Rex, Mike, and Bert are toys.

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