The Easy Way Out

"The Easy Way Out" is a story written by Loco123456.

Story
One cloudy day Frank was angrily shunting trucks in the yard. Jock was backing down onto a goods train close by. "What's up with you?" "It's Mike!" grumbled Frank. "He's been pulling goods train for one month straight now! He goes about all cheerful, while I have to deal with passengers, goods, shunting, railway maintenance. I wish I had the easy way out!" "Oh you poor thing. Overworked and no rest," teased Jock cheekily as he puffed away. But what Frank had said was true.

Mike was racing up and down the line. If there was any goods he liked pulling the most, it was ballast. It made him feel good knowing that he was helping the railway. He arrived at the yards, where Frank was finishing his work. "Morning Frank. What's wrong?" "Nothing," sniffed Frank. He just rolled off to the sheds. When he arrived Bert was being prepared for work. "Something troubling you?" Frank decided to stop bottling it up and told Bert how he felt. "It is a shame. I understand. I'd like things to be easy too." Frank was surprised; Bert was an old engine. "It would allow me to not feel so worn out. But I suppose that it's good; after all, I know how to work in bad weather. Speaking of which, I've heard a storm is coming." "Bert, could I, er-" "Talk to me about your feelings, of course you can! Can't bottle it and have yourself burst." He steamed away, with Frank feeling relieved he'd spoken up.

The rain fell heavily as he pulled his goods train up to Ffarqhuarr Road. The Yard Master stood waiting; by then the rain pounded his boiler. "All goods trains are to be delayed. We must look after the passengers. Mr. Duncan's orders." Bert was uncoupled, but he was worried. "I hope not every engine is needed."

But he was wrong. At Arlesdale Mike was angrily wheeshing steam. "I shouldn't have to help." "You'll follow directions if you want to be really useful." Mike went back down the line. He was sent into a passing loop to let Jock pass by with a passenger train of his own. "Come on Mike, we're to go." "I'm not moving! I want to pull goods trains!" "This isn't going to help you get what you want." Mike's driver tried, but Mike kept himself firmly in place. The driver went to see the guard, and together they made a plan. Frank was taking away coaches from a train that had just arrived at Arlesburgh West. The Yard Master came up to them. "You're to go and collect Mike from Marthwaite Loop Junction."

When Frank arrived he saw that Mike was all alone and looking depressed. "Having fun in the rain?" he teased as he pulled Mike home. When the two arrived Fergus Duncan was waiting. "Frank, you've done a marvelous job." Then he turned to Mike. "You've been troublesome. Because of your behavior, you shall pull passenger trains until you've learned sense."

Frank still gets jealous about Mike, but whenever he feels this way or negative about another thing, he's pleased to know that he can always go to Bert. After a chat, he's back at work with a clear mind, until something aweful comes his way.