Roads and Rails

Roads and Rails is a story written by Loco123456

Story
Peter Sam chuffed cheerfully around, collecting goods from the local shops at Crovan's Gate. He had one more stop before returning to the yard to shunt the trucks into lines for the engines to take away. "Why aren't we being switched towards the hardware store?" asked Peter Sam. "Don't know. Maybe they don't need anything delivered elsewhere today," said Peter Sam's driver. At Crovan's Gate the Yard Manager waited for them. "Madge has taken over the duties of making deliveries to and from the hardware store." This didn't only happen to Peter Sam. The other engines soon realized that some of their jobs were given to lorries to, or half of their work, depending on the job. That night the younger engines spoke about it. "Madge is taking our jobs away," pouted Sir Handel. "We'll show her," roared Duncan.

The next day Mighty Mac had a plan of their own. They arrived to the toy factory in Rheneas. "What are you doing here?" asked the Factory Manager. "We're helping Madge today," lied Mighty. "She'll be back tomorrow, if she's fixed by then." They quickly took off with the vans loaded with boxes of toys. Madge came at quarter past nine to find the Rheneas Toy Factory Manager looking confused. "I thought you were being repaired?" "I'm in fine shape Sir. Who said this?" "Mighty Mac." The Thin Controller son found out. "You shouldn't have taken Madge's load," he scolded. "She's taken our jobs Sir," said Mac. "W-" "Madge isn't taking your jobs. She is a part of our railway and helps you engines out!" He went away for home. Rheneas and Skarloey could tell that not much had changed. "We must help Madge," said Rheneas. "I bet they'll hurt her feelings now." "Indeed. I have a plan," agreed Skarloey.

The next day Madge arrived at the Depot to deliver tools from the hardware store. Mighty Mac saw her. They blew steam in her face. "Goods hogger!" shouted Mac. "Let the real professionals do the work," added Mighty. Skarloey came up to them looking cross. "You'll work in the yard today." "But we're to take a passenger train!" moaned Mac. "I'll take the passenger train while you stay in the yard." Skarloey winked at Madge as he puffed away.

Madge thought about what had happened as she drove to Lake Station to deliver pipes. "I shall tell the Thin Controller. I understand Skarloey's thinking, but it won't work for long." That night Madge saw the Thin Controller at Crovan's Gate. "Sir, the younger engines have been calling me names and bullying me." "Anyone in particular?" "Mighty Mac, Sir Handel and Duncan." "I'll handle the situation. Thank you for telling me Madge." The Thin Controller spoke sternly to the younger engines the next morning. "If you continue this poor behavior, you'll find yourselves in the sheds until you're ready to be really useful and respectful engines once more."

Characters
Skarloey Rheneas Peter Sam Sir Handel Mighty Mac Madge The Thin Controller Duncan (does not speak)

Locations
Crovan's Gate Rheneas Skarloey Railway Engine Sheds Transfer Yards Lake Station (mentioned)