Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends: Into The Boob Verse.

Rust & Bolts

One afternoon, a special load of fuel was ordered. The Fat Controller decided that extra tankers would be added onto the train, in order for the higher demand to be met. The only tankers were old ones, which hadn't been touched in a long time.

"We've inspected them."

The oil manager spoke softly.

"They'll be fine for one last run, but have been sent for scrap tomorrow."

BoCo took the train onwards, without any trouble.

As the train of tankers passed Edward's station, BoCo spotted Caelen, fetching a few trucks for his own train. BoCo gave the orange Scottish engine a friendly toot, and carried on. Bolts, the hopper truck, had been trying to sleep, and was woken up by the almighty noise! He eyed the tankers, as they rattled past.

"I didn't think they used such dilapidated trucks!?"

He fussed. Caelen only snorted.

"Doesnae explain why they still use ye."

Bolt's simply huffed.

"Thae ones are most likely aboot tae get scrapped, wi hou old an rusty they are, A dinnae blame The Fat Controller ane bit!"

"Poo!"

Sniffed Bolts.

"I'd never get scrapped! I'm still in my prime!"

His faded paintwork, and patchy frames didn't convince Caelen, so he just ignored him. But Bolts continued to gloat for the rest of the day.

Early the next morning, The Fat Controller arrived at the sheds, to speak to Caelen.

"I need you to add the rusty tankers onto your train to the works. One of the diesels will take them on. Your train will be waiting."

"Ay sir."

And Caelen rolled away.

Unfortunately, it wasn't smooth sailing. Chattem was neck deep in work by the time Caelen arrived.

"I'm afraid you'll have to shunt your own train."

The yard manager told him.

"Chattem's too busy, it must be done."

Caelen was fuming!

"Tender engines dinnae shunt!"

He huffed, as he banged his trucks all around the yard. What made it worse, was when he found a smug looking Bolts, sat neatly in a siding.

"Worse an worse!!"

He grumbled. Bolts didn't pay him much mind, outside of when he was bumped about!

"Watch it!"

The horrid truck bellowed.

"Trying to knock me to bits again!?"

Caelen ignored him. At last, he shunted the rusty old tankers onto the train, right in front of Bolts. They creaked and groaned under the strain.

"Careful."

His driver whispered.

"Don't want to tear them apart."

Once they were ready, they set off.

At first, the train ran well, but Caelen was so cross that he soon started bumping the trucks

"Na trickery today!"

He barked. Bolts was having an awful time.

"If we get bumped one more time, let's hold back!"

He shouted. It didn't take long for the threat to take effect. As they rattled past the radio station, the trucks took their chance.

"Hold back! Hold back!"

Caelen felt the coupling between he and the old trucks tighten.

"Oh na ye dinnae!"

It seemed to be a state-mate. Suddenly, the old tankers began to crack and moan! They couldn't take the strain!

"Whit's gang on!?"

Caelen whistled, but it was too late. As they rumbled over the junction, it happened. The trucks finally collapsed! Bits of metal and frames scattered the line like a broken lego set! Bolts was jostled off the line, straddling the rails like a defenseless bird.

"Help!"

He whaled!

"I wished we never thought of this!"

Caelen stopped a mile further on, feeling rather embarrassed. Quickly, they phoned for help.

Soon the workmen arrived to inspect the accident. Douglas took the trucks on, while The Fat Controller scolded Caelen severely.

"Tender engines don't shunt is a long forgotten ideology. While we do have a shunter, it's very important you sometimes will have to collect your own, you should know that by now."

"Ay sir. A'm sorry sir."

The Fat Controller was about to leave, when one of the workmen cried.

"Have a look at this!"

She pointed to Bolts' frames. They were basically falling apart, and clearly hadn't ever been mended properly.

"Looks like it wasn't just the tankers about ready to fall apart."

"Sae much for still i yer prime!"

The orange Scottish engine laughed. Bolts a deep shade of red.

The line was cleared, and trains ran back to time. Bolts was mended, and sent back to the main line. He's still the same hopper, that much will never change. However, he's not so boastful now. Or that's what he'll want you to believe.

"I'm the best looking truck around, and nothing can change that!"

He'll never learn, will he?