The Narrow Gauge saga

Old faithful

One day, Sir Topham Hatt sent Edward to the works to be mended. A surprise awaited him. "That's Skarloey," he thought, "what's he doing here?" The standard gauge engines often bring passengers to the narrow gauge section. Skarloey was pleased to see Edward. "I've been sent here to rest," he sighed, "I was put in this open shed so I could see everything and not be lonely. But I miss Rheneas. He's getting some major repairs. I wanna pull more coaches." "So what happened since it was just the 2 of you?" asked Edward. "Mr. Percival sent 2 more engines for Sir Topham Hatt," Skarloey replied, "Sir Handel is being punished for extreme naughtiness, and Peter Sam is helping me on his own, bringing us back to square 1." Just then, some workmen came along. "We's-es gunna takes youse to the works now, Edward." "Goodbye, Skarloey," said Edward, "your railway is pretty." "Yes it is," the little guy replied, "thanks for talkin to me. You really cheered me up. G'bye." After that, Peter Sam popped a piston. so Sir Handel was given a probation run. He tried to be kind, but the coaches didn't trust him. They wuz awkward and rude. Then there was trouble. Some sheep strayed onto the line after breaking through a rotten fence. Sir Handel stopped too abruptly to avoid running over them. "He's bumped us!" screamed the coaches, "Let's pay him out!" They surged into Sir Handel and pushed him off the rails. Luckily, no one was hurt, but Sir Handel limped sadly to the shed. "No more work for you today," said his driver, "you upset those coaches more then we thought on your first day. You're super grounded! Now how do we pull a train without a locomotive?" "I can do it!" Skarloey piped up. "Skarloey," exclaimed Sir Handel's driver, "can you handle it?" "I'll try," answered the old locomotive. The coaches stood at the platform. Skarloey bumped them hard. "I'm ashamed of you girls," fumed Skarloey, "You might've hurt your passengers!" "We're sorry Skarloey," shook the coaches, "but Sir Handel," "No excuses!" Skarloey groused, "Everything he did is water under the bridge, and don't you dare play trucks on me." "We won't." Skarloey was old, but he didn't eat nonsense for breakfast. The conductor blew the whistle and Skarloey started too quickly with a jerk. "How do you like it, huh?" grumbled Skarloey, "does that feel good?" Skarloey remembered all the gates and stiles where he had to stop. The sun shone, and Skarloey's friends came to see him. "This is lovely," he thought. Presently, they came to a hill, and Skarloey felt short of steam. "Take your time," soothed his driver. "Fuggedaboudit," he wheezed; and, pausing for breath at the stations, he gallantly struggled along. After a rest at the top station, Skarloey started again. "It'll be better downhill," he thought. But it wasn't. He was still tired though the coaches ran nicely. His springs were weak, and the rail joints jarred his wheels. At last, a front spring broke. "YOW!" screamed Skarloey, "I'm leaning!" "That bites it," said his driver, "I'll call Bertie the bus." Nooo!" pleaded Skarloey, "I'll get them to the station or die trying." James was waiting impatiently at the gauge transfer station. Skarloey steames in, scraping the metal on his forward-leaning side on the rail. "I'll do it!" he gasped, "I'll do it! "he groaned, "I did it!" he sighed thankfully as he stopped at the platform. James collected his passengers and respectfully puffed away.  Everyone was pleased with Skarloey, but he was losing hope. "Old engines can't pull trains like the young ones can." "They can if they're mended, Ol' faithful," said his driver, "and that's what's gunna happen to you. You deserve it." Sir Handel is now back at work now that Skarloey tamed the coaches, but he still wants him back.