Jock's New Driver

"Jock's New Driver" is a story written by Loco123456.

Story
Mike was sulking about the yard as he got ready for the day ahead. "Pulling passengers?" teased Rex. "No. I'm to work with the Arlesdale Railway School of Railways, to help cleaners to become drivers." "But they just can't rise through the ranks that quickly," commented Duck as he shunted some trucks into a near-by siding. "They can on this railway. The driver also has to be the fireman mind you." "Oh yes, I forgot." Mike just puffed off. When he arrived at the siding where the class would take place, some students were already there. "Hello there, I see you're Mike. My name's Grace." "Leave me alone!" hissed Mike. "Behave yourself Mike," said his driver sternly. "That's alright. We'll possibly chat later? I'd like to know more about you. I'm very interested in railways." Soon the rest of the class appeared. Jock dropped off the rst of them and the teacher. "Have a nice day," he said cheekily, this was meant for Mike. "Now class, open your books to chapter one. We'll begin by talking about the controls of the engine. Mike here has kindly allowed us to take a look at his cab." The teacher spoke for a long time, but Mike could tell that the students were interested, some even excited to being learning. After the class was over Mike took the 11:57 train up to Arlesdale. He was oddly quiet for the entire journey. "Maybe these passengers are keen to know me; after all, they're comments must mean something other than rude jokes. I must have thought of passengers all wrong." As they waited at platform two for Bert to come up the line with the 12:42 train, a little boy was looking at him; he held a water bottle. "Mummy, Daddy, look at-" the boy tripped; the parents came running towards him; the water bottle flew into the air and crashed down on Mike, breaking the second it hit his boiler. The little boy was frightened. He'd heard many things about Mike. "It's alright. Go and get another water bottle. You still got time." The driver was surprised. "How kind of you Mike."

As the classes continued, Jock started to feel a little jealous. "Mike gets his picture taken; he gets into the newspaper. Everyone thinks he's special." "Knock it off," said Bert firmly. "He's obviously had a change in heart towards people. He's becoming more of a useful engine." One day a girl named Oliva kept interrupting the teacher. Jock, who was going to take them back up to Ffarquhar Road saw everything. "When will we drive the engines?" "Not until chapter six, for now we're learning about all the parts that the driver has to handle." "Can we hurry it up?" "Please, no more outbursts." Afterwards Jock was able to get his chance of trickery when she came to speak to him. "I wish I could drive you." "Come to the shed tomorrow. You can take me out for a run. For now, you're welcome to ride home in the tender to get an idea," he whispered. "Good idea. Driver, may I join you?" "Of course, er-" "Oliva." The journey was wonderful. Jock cheerfully puffed down the line. "Now I'll have the fame. Now I'll have the fame," he puffed happily. Olia didn't come to the shed the next day; it'd be a whole month before they'd meet again. "I had to understand how you operate before I could drive you. Now let's go." The real driver arrived just as Jock was leaving. "is another driver taking Jock today?" he asked the Shed Foreman. "I guess so, but Jock was the only engine available. No engine is left in th-" The Shed Foreman realized something. "He's been taken."

Meanwhile Jock sped down the line with his goods train to Ffarquhar Road. "I'm losing steam, I'm losing steam," he complained. "Right, sorry." She shovled five shovelfuls of coal into the firebox, opened the regulator more, and soon had Jock speeding again. They climbed a few hills. Then they neared a level crossing. "I'm losing steam again," complained Jock, wishing he hadn't played his trick. As Oliva was working on bulding steam they passed a warning sign, saying "ALL TRAINS WHISTLE TO WARN CARS AND LORRIES" "Oliva!" "I know, more steam." A lorry was just slowly crossing with a heavy load, when he saw and heard Jock coming. He jumped clear, and other cars, buses, and lorries rushed away, fearing a serious accident. Oliva heard the horns of warning. She looked through the cab window. "Oh dear!" She jumped clear; Jock smashed into the lorry, damaging his front. He was covered with cakes from the bakery. Frosting covered his face. The Small Controller wasn't pleased. "You'll be banned from the School of Railways. You'll only travel as a passenger. If seen elsewhere on the railway, it'll result in serious punishments." "Yes Sir." Later Jock was in the shed; the cleaners were rubbing him down before he left for the works at Arlesdale. "Look, here's the latest celebrity!" "What are you talking about?" Bert's driver left and soon returned with a newspaper, which had a picture of Jock with frosting on his face, still on his side at the scene of the accident. "Serves you right." Because of Mike's new change towards passegners, he pulled more passenger trains and became popular with apssengers, especially children. As for Jock, he soon returned to work, always careful, despite further safety measures, including gate keepers and gates, he's always careful whenever he pases a level crossing. He also isn't as jealous as he once was, and makes sure to feel proud of whoever gets the spotlight.