The Secret Railway (Female Controller Reader)

Chapter 68: Henry's Coal Troubles

Henry is a proud engine, who works on Paradise Island. He often pulls goods, but he is also seen pulling the non-stop express service from Homestead to Beach View station. Henry wasn't always the strong engine he is today. He was once a very sick engine. It wasn't until his rebuild that he got his new found strength.

One day, Henry was getting ready to pull the local train, while Gordon took the non-stop express today. Henry backed down on his coaches, and headed off. Along the way, he started to feel funny. He then started to have black smoke come from his funnel. He then started to sputter and smoke. When he reached the first station, he was shaking, sputtering, smoking, and his face was as green as his paint work. "Oh dear," said Henry, "What's going on?" "You must've gotten some bad coal," said his driver, "We'll get you clean off."

James took over his train, while Henry was sent to the works to get cleaned. Henry felt better, and was refilled with fresh coal. He then took a goods train to New Wellsworth. But as he pulled the train, he started to feel sick again. His axles ached, his steam turned black, and he coughed the whole way. His face was so green, he didn't have any strength to pull his train. 

Henry sat in a sighting, and (Y/N) went to see him. "Are you okay Henry?" she asked concerned. "I don't know," said Henry, "The coal just doesn't agree with me anymore."

That night, the engines all heard about Henry. Gordon and James weren't that worried. "Henry is just being lazy," said Gordon. "It's like when he needed special coal," said James. Just then, a loud clanking sound was heard, and they saw Henry. He looked very sick. His face was green, his paint was sooty, and his funnel shot black smoke. Gordon and James now felt sorry about what they had said.

Meanwhile, (Y/N) was reading Henry's story within the Railway series. She then remembered something. "Special coal," she said, "It can help Henry!"

The next morning, Edward came with a large amount of coal. Henry was given it, and it helped him steam very well. He then pulled the non-stop express, and Henry was actually early. "It seems that the coal helped out," said (Y/N). "Yes," said Henry, "What kind is it?" "It's your old special coal." Henry smiled, "I thought it was familiar. I'm proud to have my coal back."

Henry was given a special hopper right next to the sheds, and he is happy to have his special coal again. He was soon the strong steam engine he was again. The other engines wonder what it is like. James and Mallard soon found out, after a mix up. "I think something's up with James and Mallard," said Diesel 10. "Man, look at all these colors!" said James. "I can see rainbows," said Mallard, "And I can see the future!" "Yeah, I think they maybe high on Henry's Special Coal," said Edward.