Speed

"Speed" is a story written by Loco123456.

Story
The Small Controller was riding around the railway on as many trains as he could. "Alright driver, please go at the maximum speed on all parts of the route you take to Arlesburgh West," he ordered. Mike went flying along the line with his ballast train. "Looks like you're a rocket now," called Rex in a passing loop. "Be careful not to blow up! Mistakes like that can't happen on a busy railway!" Mike just ignored him. They soon arrived in the yard. "Fifteen minutes earlier than usual," noted the Small Controller as he wrote down his observations in a little notebook he had brought with him. Mike and his driver were curious; what was he up to? A couple of weeks later the entire railway found out. "He's trying to tighten up the schedule as much as possible," said Rex's driver. "Then our wool train will be faster than ever before!" "Not really. We still have the same schedule." "Slow wool, eh Rex?" teased Mike. "Looks like you're an important engine if you're not a part of the new timetable." "Rubbish!" hissed Rex. "We're all important and you know that!"

Rex was soon puffing slowly along the line. He didn't arrive at Arlesburgh West until 11:47, as usual. "Now for a rest and then time for an express passenger train up to Marthwaite." But as they went to the sheds, they heard a clanking noise. The moment they were in a berth his driver examined him. "Some loose parts holding your coupling rods to your wheels," noted his driver. "We'll need another engine to take the train." A fitter was called upon to mend his coupling rods. Meanwhile Mike had been asked to take over the train. "Poor Rex," he chuckled as he sped along the line, "he's not meant for these fast trains. No wonder why he doesn't have a role in the new timetable!" At Marthwaite the Yard Manager came to see them. "Some dynamite needs to go to Arlesdale. You must collect it from the Factory."

Soon Mike was carefully backing down onto the vans filled with dynamite. He knew that this was a serious job; one little mistake and it was likely he wouldn't pull a train like this for a long time. The Small Controller had made sure that all his engines understood that safety is important. "What will happen to us," asked Mike, "since I assume this isn't a scheduled train." "Arrangements must have been made," said his driver, "we've been allowed to speed through green signals and others have waited in the passing loops." Mike grinned; the driver realized what was going on. They were nearly at Arlesdale Goods Yard; they just had to go around a sharp bend, and then jog a mile. SNAP! His driver jumped clear just in time. "What happened?" exclaimed Mike. Once he was lying on his side his driver inspected him as best as he could. "I can only guess that one of your wheels broke." When Frank arrived with workmen and a breakdown train, the discovery was a broken piece of one of Mike's right-hand side driving wheels. Rex had to take him to Arlesdale Works. "I guess you're not meant for fast trains," teased Rex. Mike knew he deserved it due to showing off so much.