Work Text:
The small railway was bustling with activity. A book had recently been published about the little engines, making it more popular than usual.
One day, Ryan puffed up to the junction where the standard and miniature gauge railways met, so he could collect some ballast.
“Look out below!” called Rex. In an instant, the ballast poured down into his cars. Ryan looked off to the other engines.
“How’ve you lot been?”
“Remember those visitors who came to the railway to take pictures of us?”
“Sure did!”
“Well, as it turns out, a book about us has recently been published!”
“A book?!” exclaimed an unfamiliar voice. Ryan looked to see a small diesel on the miniature gauge line.
“Oh… Ryan, this is Frank.” Rex awkwardly said.
“He was brought here to help with maintenance.” added Mike, “But he can tend to get a little-”
“Am I in it?”
Bert chuckled, “Sadly not. You weren’t here when they came.”
“It’s got pictures, hasn’t it,” muttered Frank, “I’m not in them either, I suppose.”
Before any further discussion could commence, Rex hooted, “Come on, Ryan, you’re all set.”
After Ryan puffed off, Frank was still grumbling. His driver interrupted, “Come on, Frank, it’s teamwork that counts on a railway, not books.”
“I don’t care!” growled Frank, as he started off again. Just then, Frank reversed, and rolled over the tracks before crashing into the wall of the back of a shed. Rex, Bert, and Mike all stopped and gasped at the sound.
Seeing all eyes on him, Frank instantly felt remorse. To make matters worse, there was the Small Controller, Fergus Duncan.
“Oh, deary me,” he groaned, “Frank, off to work you go while I inspect the shed!”
“Yes, Mr. Duncan,” sheepishly replied Frank, “Sorry, Mr. Duncan.”
A little while later, Rex pulled into a station with a train of coaches. His consist was longer, to confiscate for the extra passengers.
Just then, Duck pulled up.
“That’s a lot more passengers than you usually get, eh, Rex?”
“It’s been like this ever since those visitors published that book about us.”
Duck chuckled, “Us on the standard gauge line know that feeling all too well.”
In no time at all, Rex’s coaches were loaded. The guard blew his whistle and Rex set off.
“See you later, Rex!” called Duck.
During his journey, Rex went up a hill. His driver watched the steam gauge anxiously.
“We’ve got a steam leak somewhere,” he said.
Before long, Rex stopped in a loop to allow Mike to pass. The red engine whistled and once he’d passed, Rex continued on his journey.
The short stop helped, but Rex was exhausted by the time he reached the green. He hardly noticed Frank working in the siding.
“I think we can make it to the top,” urged his driver, but they couldn’t. Climbing the hill, Rex found himself getting slower and slower.
“Oh no,” he groaned, “It’s getting worse!”
“Just make it over the hill and then we can rest.” encouraged the driver. Rex used all of his strength, but was out of breath by the time he’d made it over. He puffed into a nearby loop.
~~~
Back at the junction, Duck returned to collect Rex’s passengers for their return trip. He looked around, but couldn’t see Rex anywhere.
“That’s odd,” he said.
“You can say that again,” said Duck’s driver, “Rex should’ve been back by now.”
~~~
Not many of the passengers had problems with the sudden stop, but one was complaining.
“This is a railway?!” he growled, “I demand a refund!”
“Oh dear,” grimaced Rex.
“Don’t worry, old boy,” assured his driver, “I’ll call control.”
Recently, the miniature engines had been fitted with radio-telephones, allowing their drivers to communicate with control to ensure safe runs for the engines.
“Rex’s steampipe is leaking badly,” explained Rex’s driver, “We’re all right on our own, but the train is too much for us. Can you help us, please?”
“We’ll get you out somehow, don’t go away,” responded the operator.
“Very funny,” muttered Rex, “The chance would be a fine thing.”
Just then, Bert came down the line from the other direction, “Overworked, that’s what we are,” he sympathised, “We need another engine.”
Ten minutes later, Rex heard a cheerful toot from behind. It was Frank.
“Wonderful things, these radios,” he said, “Control says you need help, so I’m to take the train and let you go home. Teamwork, that’s what my driver calls it.”
Rex smiled, “Thank you, Frank.” and he puffed off for home. Frank coupled to the train and set off for the top station.
Rex hurried home. Once there, his driver went to mend the broken steampipe. The job took a long time.
“If only we had a spare engine,” grumbled the driver.
Once reaching the top station, Frank’s driver apologised to the passengers for being late.
“I don’t care about the setbacks,” complained the same grumpy passenger, “Lateness is lateness, regardless of the reasons.”
However, before he could say another word, his voice was drowned out by the other passengers.
“We were expecting a walk home.” they said, “You put things right very well.”
Mr. Duncan was pleased, too, “Well done, Frank.” he congratulated.
Frank sheepishly looked down, “You’re not cross about what happened with the shed, are you?”
“Not at all,” assured the controller, “It wasn’t that badly damaged. I say forgive and forget.”
Frank beamed and headed off for home. While doing so, Mr. Duncan eyed the little diesel.
“Frank shouldn’t have to do rescue acts,” he said to himself, “We need another engine.”