The Narrow Gauge saga

Home at last

Skarloey had just returned from the steamworks feeling much better. Rusty brought him back and was helping him off his flatbed. "Rusty's different from other diesels," he thought. "I help mend the line and do other stuffs," Rusty said, "and I heard everyone's looking forward to seeing you. Shamone." Peter Sam was feeling depressed. He was still getting over his freak accident and longed to work again, but Sir Topham Hatt wouldn't let him. "Another day's rest will do you good," he said, "B-side, I's gotta surprise for you." "For me, sir? How nice, sir! Whatisit sir?" "Wait-n-C, bub." The surprise was Skarloey. "0H!" said Peter Sam, "I'm so glad you came home!" They lit Skarloey's fire, and he sizzled happily. "I feel all excited!" he said, " but what happened to your funnel?" "Cars," moaned Peter Sam, "Sir Handel pretended to be sick so I took his cars to the quarry, and some other cars thought I was him and smashed me." "Oooooooh," said Skarloey. "We also got some new coaches and a breakvan," added Peter Sam, " the old one was too small. We also have Rusty, who brought you home." "Oh, the new maintenance guy! I likes him." "So do I," replied Peter Sam, "Not all diesels are like that one that framed Duck, but Duncan doesn't get that." "Uh. Who's Duncan?" "He came as an Xtra after my accident," replied Peter Sam. "Is he useful?" "Yeeeeeaaaaaaiiiiish. He thinks he means well, but he's bouncy and rude. He used to work in a factory, and his language is often.... strong. He's got this way of vibrating his bogies more and more as he goes faster, and speeding up when he waves side to side. It's called 'Rock-n-roll' or something. All in all, I think Duncan's a bit on the eccentric side of deviant." "I understand," said Skarloey gravely. His driver interrupted. "Duncan has done it again. He's stuck at the end of the tunnel. Shamone, old man. We's gotta get him out." Skarloey was pleased. He wanted a run and looked forward to meeting Duncan. They found the new breakvan and some supplies, and ran down the line. "How nice and smooth the rails are," thought Skarloey, "Rusty sure made a difference to the line. I gotta thank him soon." Quite soon, they found Duncan. He was stuck at the other end of the tunnel, and he was very cross. His crew and passengers were dislodging rocks that were stuck between his cab and roof. "I'm a plain, blunt engine," he proclaimed, "I say what I see and I see what I say. Tunnels should be tunnels and not rabbit holes. This railway is no good at all!" "Don't be silly," snapped his driver, "this tunnel is the right size for engines who don't rock and roll." "Surely one size fits all," grunted Duncan. His fireman groaned, "Just hold still." It took a while to move the rocks and stabilize the tunnel, but at last, Skarloey was able to push Duncan out. The breakvan was left on the siding, and the workmen stayed to rebuild the tunnel. Duncan grumbled all the way home, but Skarloey payed no attention. Later Sir Topham Hatt chewed Duncan out. "Listen up, shaky! There was nothing wrong with that tunnel! You got stuck in it because you were-a-rockin-and-a-rollin. Tunnels are not nightclubs and you are not Michael Jackson, whatever those are." Then he looked at Duncan's funnel. "If it happens again," he added, "I'll have that pipe cut down half its height. So basically your career is --ha-ahem-- on the line, need I say more." Duncan thought Sir Topham Hat had said enough and remained introverted for the rest of the evening.