Branch Line Blunders

Twins to the Rescue

Donald and Douglas were delighted to be the newest additions to the Fat Controller's Railway. Although promised a new coat of paint, the twins politely and respectfully asked to postpone it. They continued to work non-stop throughout the terrible winter. The snow kept piling up and so each morning they would set out before the other engines to clear the lines. Just when they finished clearing the drifts from all the lines, another storm would blow in fresh snow. The other engines offered to help so the twins could take a rest and be repainted, but the twins declined profusely.

"Jus' think of it as oor' way of saying 'than' ye'," they would say.

But as spring rolled in and the squalls subsided, the twins still made themselves busy with maintenance and goods work that had been hindered during the harsh winter months. No sooner did the engines see one twin with a works train, they would see the other furiously pulling past with goods. At last, the work dwindled and the twins could rest as the final thaws flushed and bathed the island in its warmth in the late spring. One night, as they retired to the sheds, they noticed two headboards.

"Gosh sakes what're those?" asked Donald, puzzled.

His driver laughed, "name boards for when you get repainted!"

"Don't be daft, we've got names and numbers already," said Douglas.

"They're just temporary!" soothed the driver, "The Fat Controller doesn't want another mix-up and they need to be able to paint your smokebox. These nameboards go above the smokebox front which allows the workers to remove the nameplates from the sides without confusing you two."

"Oh aye! I understand now,"

"We better get these set now to avoid the hassle tomorrow. We'll be sure to fire you up extra early for the morning run to The Works,"

But the next morning, as the twins were building steam, the Fat Controller greeted them personally.

"Donald and Douglas. I'm terribly sorry to ask," he said, "but Thomas has had an accident at Ffarquhar. Could you please take me to him and rescue him before you go to The Works?"

"No problem sir," they said and without wasting a moment they set off on their minor detour with Donald leading the pair. They were somewhat accustomed to the branch line, having plowed it during the winter. However, they had been too busy to really get a proper look around. Now would be their time to do so.

"Gosh sakes Dougie, can ya see that?"

"Don't be a daft fool! I can'ne see anything but yer tender back here. What is it?"

"It's a big viaduct is what it 'tis."

"That must mean there's a tunnel ahead."

"Aye. Oh and there's a kind ol' lassy at a cottage by the line. Giv'er a nice whistle won't ye?"

The engines gave a happy toot and Missus Kyndley waved as both engines entered the tunnel. They emerged and soon arrived at the station. It was not difficult for them to spot Thomas the garden decoration. Workmen had already finished much of the preparations so the twins only needed to move into position and pull him out. Toby and Percy were only now building steam so could only drowsily watch the rescue efforts by the twins. The workers secured a chain between Thomas and the twins. Thomas's driver, who had since arrived after the accident, gave the signal to the twins to start pulling as he slowly opened Thomas's regulator.

"Havin' yerself a nice breakfast there aye?" mused Donald.

"How 'bout ya save some for us!" joked Douglas.

Thomas could hardly respond with the bush over his face.

Soon, Thomas was back on the rails. He was glad to have that weight of the house off his smokebox, but it soon redoubled itself when he saw the Fat Controller step out of Donald's cab. The twins saw Thomas gulp and they could only laugh seeing the bush flopping about Thomas as he tried to explain himself. This caught the Fat Controller's attention.

"Thank you for your help Donald and Douglas," he said hurriedly, "You may leave now. Be quick now and have yourself that new coat of paint you've earned."

Donald and Douglas beamed as they set off back down the line.

"One blue engine back on the rails this morning," said Donald.

"Two blues engines on the rails tonight," finished Douglas contently.