The LIttle Western Team

"The Little Western Team" is a story written by Loco123456.

Story
It was a fine summer's day on Sodor. Work was going on as usual; or at least, as usual as it can be. The Little Western Control Office, located in Arlesburgh got a call about some bad news. "Little Western Control, Ms. Jones speaking...Mike's stuck on the cut off route to Arlesburgh...Will arrive two hours later. Thank you. Goodbye." She looked at the schedule, and made a decision, in which she'd need to arrange it with the Yard Master. "Mr. Stolwn here." "Ms. Jones from Control. I've just heard from Region 3 on the Arlesdale Railway that Mike is stuck on a cut-off route due to a fallen tree. The three ballast trains, the 11:03, 11:37, and the 11:53 will be cancelled." "We have other ballast trucks loaded and waiting in sidings." "Then send them to Tidmouth via goods and passenger trains." "And the engines?" "Keep them in the yard; having extra engines will help get trains made up more quickly."

The Arlesdale Ballast, Granite, and Gravel Company had heard about news, and in order to keep up with demand had requested for extra road vehicles. Oliver was waiting with empty trucks to load when a shunter came up. "Move them to the grapple cranes." The cranes were unloading Max and Monty, along with many other lorries. "What happened to Mike?" asked Oliver. The twins winked at each other. "The Arlesdale Ballast, Granite and Gravel Company has decided to send its loads by road from now on," said Max. "We overheard them talking about it as we were being loaded," added Monty, just to make sure Oliver believed them. It worked. When Donald and Douglas arrived to take away goods to the harbor, Oliver told them about it as he shunted the trucks onto their train. "What a shame, what a shame," puffed Donald as he and his twin moved slowly away.

That afternoon the twins were late with the "Arlesburgh Flash" express. Bert's passengers waited on the platform. "We can take them," said Bulgy's driver. Bulgy too saw a chance to tease Bert. "Looks like the roads are taking over," he said. "Seeing how the ballast is going by road, and now the Arlesburgh Flash." "W-" "We're more reliable I suppose." Bert watched angrily as Bulgy pulled away. When the twins did arrive they found no passengers. "Bulgy says the roads are taking over," grumbled Bert. The twins, unsure of what to believe now, were concerned about the LIttle Western's future.

Duck had worked a late afternoon/early evening shift. He was tired from all the running around with local trains. "Duck, Max and Monty say that the ballast is being moved by road now," said Donald crossly. "And our passengers will ride in buses too," added Douglas. "Is that so?" said Duck as he was turned on the turntable. "You know, we all work as a team, regardless of our opinions." Duck was still chuckling as he puffed into the berth next to Douglas; the twins quickly caught on and went red in the face with embarrassment; they felt foolish for believing in silly lies.