FanFic:How Tidmouth Was Built, Part Three: City of Wellsworth

Part Three: City of Wellsworth

Next Part: Part Four

Previous Part: Part Two

Plot

An engine from the WSK named City of Wellsworth arrives to substitute for Zachariah, and a rivalry promptly froms between him and Edward.

Script

Narrator: Our trouble began on one rainy day, not far into the beginning of construction. We four were working on the station when there was a report of a failed freight engine. As Zachariah was the strongest, he was the one sent to collect the train.

Sammy: Zachariah, are you sure you want to take that train as well as your own? As old scrap heap like you might break down.

(Zachariah glowers)

Zachariah: I can do it. Work must be done, no matter what the cost.

(Cut to Zachariah steaming up a hill with a long line of frieght cars)

Narrator Edward: Zachariah had been running smoothly until he reached what you know as Gordon's Hill. The line was slick, and it took a lot of work to get to the top.

Zachariah: This train (grunts) is heavy!

NArrator Edward: When at last he did, he started to brake, waiting for the guard to pin down the brake van.

Zachariah: Brakes, please!

Narrator Edward: But the rails were so slippery, the brake van's locked wheels just skidded. Zachariah thundered down the hill, going faster and faster.

Zachariah: Help!

Narrator Edward: The signalman at Maron called ahead to warn Wellsworth. The trains were stopped, and the points were set into the yard, and not a moment too soon. Zachariah raced through the yard. Ahead lay the buffers.

(Zachariah winces)

Narrator Edward: He left the rails at a high speed, and lurched to a stop in the thick mud. His cylinders and motion had been damged by the excessive speed and sudden stop. It was going to be a while before he could run properly again.

(Zachariah, spattered with mud, is pulled away by Abby)

Zachariah: (Wincing repeatedly) Careful, careful!

Abby: don't worry about it.

(Cut to Tidmouth,where the station is about a quarter of the way done)

Narrator Edward: Without Zachariah, the three of us had to work much harder.

(Sammy, Abby, and Edward are all pulling long lines of trucks, fatigue clearly showing on their faces)

Workman: Cheer up, you three! A new engine is coming from the WSK.

Abby: Really? What's he like?

Workman: I'm not sure.

Narrator Edward: He arrived that afternoon.

(Cut to a large, black 3700 class tender engine steaming into Tidmouth)

Narrator Edward: His name was City of Wellsworth, and we knew from the moment we saw him that he was going to be trouble. I first met him in the coach yard, where he was trying to organize a train.

(Cut to the coach yard, where City of Wellsworth is roughly bumping the coaches. Edward steams up)

Edward: Hey! Don't bump the coaches! They don't like it!

City of Wellsworth: Do I look like I care about some silly coaches?

Edward: You shouldn't ignore them. They have ways of fighting back.

City of Wellsworth: Whatever.

(Disgusted, Edward steams off)

Narrator Edward: City of Wellsworth caused trouble wherever he went. He damaged loads. . .

(City of Wellsworth stop suddenly, causing his load of stone to spill on the rails)

Narrator Edward: and was rude to the others.

(He shunts Sammy out of the way)

Narrator Edward: Not even the passengers liked him!

(Passengers disembark from the coach, grumbling)

City of Wellsworth: It wasn't my fault! The silly coaches bumped me!

(The coaches bump him one last time. He growls)

Narrator Edward: But around the workmen he was well-behaved and hard-working, even though most of his "work" ahd actually been done by the other engines.

(Edward puffs in with a heavy load of trucks)

City of Wellsworth: Here. I'll shunt those for you.

(Seconds after he is coupled up, a workman arrives)

Workman: Wow! Did you pull this yourself, City of Wellsworth?

City of Wellsworth: Yes, I did. It was nothing, really. (Wheezes to add effect)

Workman: Well done! You're such a good engine!

Narrator Edward: They all liked him, and soon he was in charge of the whole operation! Of course, he was not a good engine with power . . .

(Cut to the yards)

City of Wellsworth: Abby! Take my trucks to the workmen!

Abby: But it's your train!

City of Wellsworth: Who's in charge here? ME! So get to work!

(Annoyed, Abby collects the trucks and puffs away)

Narrator Edward: We all hated City of Wellsworth. We were dissappointed when he got to stay, even when Zachariah came back.

(Cut to sheds. City of Wellsworth is absent)

Zachariah: Stupid City of Wellsworth! The sooner we're rid of him, the better.

Sammy: I can't wait for the station to be finished, so we never have to deal with him again.

Abby and Edward: Agreed.

Characters

(In order of appearance)

• Edward
• Sammy
• Abby
• City of Wellsworth
• Zachariah