Chapter Text
Beth had been allowed out of the Wharf to pull a line of trucks to the end of the line at Elsbridge. Her line is very flat, so she doesn’t need very good brakes. There were various brake vans about the place, who were built to ensure that the trucks couldn’t get far if they broke away. Brake vans are grouchy by nature, as they usually have to deal with trucks, who can be troublesome if they are pulled by an engine who isn’t good with them. Beth first had to shunt her trucks, which complained to no end.
“We don’t want to be pulled by a truck with a boiler!” They would shout. Beth and the Brake Vans got along well, as neither would take any kind of disrespect. Nancy whistled goodbye, and Beth blew her own. Under the whistling, the trucks whispered to each other. They made a plan to hold back on the slope out of the Wharf. Soon, it was almost time to leave. Beth’s driver looked at the platform clock.
“We’ll have to leave soon.” Her driver stated. Beth puffed along the train, and noticed they didn’t have a brake van.
“We can’t leave yet, we don’t have a brake van!” Beth exclaimed, remembering Nancy’s warnings about leaving before you were ready.
The men found a brake van, and coupled it to the back of Beth’s train. Beth blew her whistle, and set off. She soon reached the ramp out of the Wharf, and the trucks giggled to each other. Before long, she hit Tidmouth, where she was told to wait for the horses. She looked down her nose at them, waiting for them to pass. The trucks decided they would do their trick now.
“Hold back, hold back.” The trucks whispered to each other. Beth set off, straining against the trucks.
“Come along, come along.” Beth puffed.
“Don’t make trouble, don’t make trouble.” The brake van argued. Beth tugged at them, causing the trucks to start rolling. From there, it was smooth rolling until she had to stop. Every time she tried to stop, the trucks tried bumping her. She always managed to stop, even if she needed the help of the brake van. Beth was good friends with quite a few of the brake vans, and neither stood for any trouble the trucks would try. The trucks would try to bump Beth, who refused to let them get to her. She knew they were just jealous that she could move on her own. The trip was mostly the same up and down, but on the ramp back down to the Wharf, the trucks finally had their chance.
“Go on! Go on!” The trucks shouted, putting all their weight into pushing Beth down the ramp.
“Whoa there!” Beth’s driver shouted, applying her brakes. But she couldn’t do much. Usually, if the guard feels a jolt, they will apply the brakes. The brake van couldn’t feel anything, so the guard didn’t put the brakes on. Beth’s driver poked his head out from around her back wall, and waved at the guard. The guard saw the driver and applied the brakes.
“Stop! Stop!” Groaned the brake van as he struggled to slow the train. Beth’s brakes screeched as she tried to stop. Her driver blew the whistle loudly, and the workmen jumped out of the way.
“I’ll stop us! I’ll stop us!” Beth groaned, as she screeched to a stop at the bottom of the ramp. The manager was there waiting. Beth waited for him to speak to her.
“Hello, Beth. Good job on taking these trucks without trouble. Well, without letting it get to you, I mean.” He greeted. Beth was overjoyed and whistled with delight. “I’ve brought with me our new Chief Mechanical Engineer. He will fit you with new brakes and keep you running as if you were built yesterday.” He explained. “Beth, this is Richard Hatt. He’s come from Swindon with a glowing review from Mr Armstrong, so I know you’ll be in safe hands.”
“Hello, sir.” Beth greeted.
“Hello, Beth.” Mr Hatt smiled. “I see you’re not quite what everyone expected. Let’s get you some new brakes, shall we?”