At the End of My Shovel

"At the End of My Shovel" is a story written by Loco123456.

Story
The Fat Controller was choosing engines to take with him to this year's Great Railway Show. "How about looking at engines on Edward's Branch Line?" suggested Winston. "Good idea." As they drove along the line they noticed the China Clay Pit twins pulling a long train at a steady speed. They secretly followed them to Brendam. "You two did a fine job back there. You know, with your good behavior, I'd like to take you both with me to take part in the Double Header Race. If the Quarry Master agrees." Once the Quarry Master gave the Fat Controller permission, the twins worked harder than ever before. "Please be careful; long trains like this may damage something inside of you," warned Marion. "You're not tender engines mind you!" "We know, we know!" said the twins.

When the day came to race the twins were ready. In the Great Railway Show's main yard they were coupled to a mixed goods train, with a total of 26 trucks, plus a brakevan. "And let the race begin!" The twins dropped sand and started puffing away, making sure it looked as though they'd been helped first. "The China Clay Pit twins Bill and Ben are ahead of everyone else it looks like!" Once the rest of the trains had gone the shunters came to see the diesels. "Which one of you decided to give the Clay Pit twins a head start?" "We were all here Ma'am." The shunter looked at the rails were the twins had started. She saw sand. "Those engines are disqualified." At the finish line the Fat Controller looked extremely cross. "You've shown poor sportsmanship!" he bellowed. "I won't tolerate it. I shall punish you immediately when we return to Sodor!"

After the races the twins were kept in their sheds for a few weeks. But when they returned to work they were still naughty. "Who pushed those trucks away as I was loading them?" said Marion crossly. "Sorry," mocked Bill. "Didn't see them. I was too busy making sure I was being really useful." Later Marion was sent to work and load clay trucks in the northern part of the quarry. The twins had been asked to bring trucks to her. "Timothy, have you seen the twins?" "Yes. They just left for Wellsworth." "But they were supposed to bring empty trucks for me!" Timothy went to collect the trucks. "I just don't get it; why don't they listen?" grumbled Marion to no one in particular as she loaded the trucks. "You can't control anyone but yourself," reminded Timpthy. "I suggest talking to the workmen; they'd know what to do. After all they are higher in power than you are."

Marion decided to take Timothy's advice. When the twins returned the Shed Master was waiting for them. "I've heard that you disobeyed orders." "We just-" began Ben. "Silence! You shall not get away with this behavior. Because of this, you'll do simple jobs until you've proved yourselves worthy of working on other jobs again." The twins' first job that night was to load the hoppers with coal. "This isn't what I would call simple work," grumbled Ben. "It's boring." "Yard-keeping too," agreed Bill. After a month of doing this sort of work they were allowed to return to their old duties. They are still troublesome, but they make sure to spread it out over time so that they aren't in disgrace most of the time.