The engines of the Arlesdale Railway were excited. After many years languishing in publishing limbo, Mr Awdry and Mr Boston's book about the railway was finally going to be published, and there was a special launch ceremony taking place that day. Since we last visited the Arlesdale Railway, they had acquired a new engine. He was a squat, grey diesel with a tall cab and four wheels. His driver was a chap about the same age as the other drivers who worked on the line. He had grey skin, purple eyes, and black hair, and wore a black T shirt with white lining, orange slacks, and black boots. His name was Ryan, though he usually went by Rumble.
"Am I in it?" the diesel asked. His name was Frank, a name that was most apt if you think about it.
Mr Fergus Duncan shook his head. "Terribly sorry Frank," he said, "but the research and photography for the book was completed before you arrived on the railway. This, sadly, means you are not in it."
"What a shame," Rex said. "Being a moving picture in a book is quite fun, apparently."
Bert glared at him. "Don't remind me!"
"Alright, calm down!" Featherweight said. "I know this morning is a bit of a downer, but all this hot air isn't going to put a dent in the cold."
"I thould know about it," Twist said. "I can feel the cold, even with my jacket on. It'th freething!"
"Can't that girl talk properly?" Frank asked. He was in a bad mood.
"Frank!" Rumble snapped. Rumble had just arrived to start for the day. "That's not an appropriate thing to say. Twist can't help her speech impediment."
"Whatever," Frank replied. "I'm not in the book, and she is."
Rumble shook his head. "Honestly. It's only a book."
"But it has moving pictures in it!" Frank protested. "How will people know I exist if I'm not in a book!"
Rumble sighed. "No, no. The book has pictures in it. The moving pictures were released on DVD, and there were also some things written about them on the internet. Besides, it's not books that count on a railway. It's working together."
"I don't care," Frank grunted. With a roar, his engine started suddenly, and he shot backwards.
"Woah! Easy!"
It was too late. Frank smashed into the back wall of the shed and came to a sudden stop. He was undamaged, of course. But the back wall of the shed had a crack in it, and one of the supports was damaged in the impact.
Mr Duncan was not pleased, to say the least. "Frank," he said sternly, "that was very childish and silly of you. I will not tolerate such behaviour on my railway. There's a maintenance train with your name on it. Go and take it. Now."
Frank rolled away, grumbling all the while, whilst Bert looked over. "There's a maintenance train called Frank?"
Pipsqueak facepalmed. "No! That's an expression meaning 'it's intended for you'."
"Oh." Bert felt silly.
Later that day, Rex was making his way back towards Arlesburgh West with a heavy train of coaches. As he started to climb the first big hill out of the station, there was a strange sound, which caught Pip's attention. He looked closely at the steam gauge and looked worried.
"This doesn't look good," he said. "The pressure gauge is continuing to drop no matter how much I adjust the controls or the blower. I think we have a steam leak somewhere."
Rex continued to wheeze onwards as he rolled towards the loop halfway down the line. He didn't even notice Frank working in the adjoining siding, and by working I mean doing the bare minimum he could to avoid getting in trouble with Mr Duncan.
Rex ground to a halt in the loop whilst Mike rattled past with a ballast train. "Need a push?" he called.
"No thanks," Rex wheezed. "I think I'll be fine."
"I wouldn't count on it," Pip replied, and switched on his radio. "Arlesburgh West Control, this is Train Green, over?"
"Train Green, this is Arlesburgh West Control, please state your message, over?"
"Arlesburgh West Control, this is Train Green, Rex has a badly leaking steam pipe and we have stalled in the loop, over."
"Train Green, this is Arlesburgh West Control, understand Rex has a badly leaking steam pipe and has stalled in the loop. Will assistance be required, over?"
"Arlesburgh West Control, this is Train Green, assistance required, over."
"Train Green, this is Arlesburgh West Control, please hold position until assistance arrives. Out."
Rex sat there for several minutes. The rescue engine couldn't get into position until Bert had passed with his train, and the loop was clear. At long last, their saviour rolled into view, and Frank rattled to a stop.
"These radios are magnificent!" he said. "They allow us to stay in contact with control at all times, and to get around quickly too. Speaking of which, I hear you need a tow. I'll take the coaches home, and you can rest in the siding until later."
"Thanks," Rex said. "You seem oddly cheerful."
"I've had a while to think about what I did," Frank replied. "And holding grudges against photographers really isn't worth it. I'll be glad to help out."
Once Rex was off the train, and Frank was off and away with the coaches, Pip set to work at least trying to plug the leak, or at least get it to hold until they got back to the shed. They would follow down the line once the passenger train had cleared the section.
Rumble apologised to the passengers for the delay, but they didn't mind. They'd been expecting to walk, after all, and Mr Duncan was happy. "Excellent work, you two," he said. "The shed is repaired too, so we'll say no more about it."
Just then, Rex limped into the yard with Pip, blowing steam everywhere. "I have no idea what went wrong!" he said.
"It's probably just age," Pip replied. "If only we had a spare engine who could pick up the slack!"
"Preferably another steam engine," Rex commented. "One who doesn't damage shed supports."
"You," said Mr Duncan, "are right. We do need another engine to help out with the work, and I think I know how we can get one."