Traction Trouble

Emily is engine number twelve on the Island of Sodor. She is a Great Northern Railway Stirling Single with two large wheels and a shiny brass dome. One morning, Emily was getting ready for work.

Emily: This is going to be a better day than the day before.

And she steamed off to fetch her two coaches, Martha and Jennifer. They were given to her after she rescued Oliver on the crossing. When she arrived, the passengers boarded her coaches. The guard blew his whistle, and away Emily went. She puffed along the coastal route towards the busy junction. At the junction, Henry was taking on water.

Henry: Morning, Emily!

Emily: Hello, Henry, lovely day isn't it.

Henry: Not as lovely as you. {Emily goes red in the face.}

Emily blushed a bright shade of red. As she approached the hill, she lost grip on the rails.

Emily: Come ON! Come ON!

She went faster until she shot up the hill and stopped. Wendy and Bebe examined her for a few minutes.

Wendy Testaburger: Your traction is going, so you will have to go carefully the rest of the way.

Emily: Oh, no! What will I do now?

When she arrived, Thomas and the passengers were waiting.

Thomas: Emily, you look glum. What's with that?

Emily: It's my traction – I'm losing grip on the rails.

Homestar Jr.: {thoughtful} Uncle Homeschool will have to get you a new set of tyres to sort out your problem.

Emily was still miserable. She chuffed away to the main station to see Sir Topham Hatt, but was worried about her traction. Presently, she saw Oliver on the crossing.

Oliver: Oh, great! I'm in deep trouble.

Oliver was stuck on another crossing - this time, it was bigger. Suddenly, Oliver looked up. Gordon was thundering down the line with the express.

Oliver: HELP! I don't want to be a heap of scrap!

Craig Tucker: Oh, my god!

Tweek Tweak: Oh, god! WE'RE GONNA DIE!!!

Emily: {puffing forward} I'm coming!

Oliver: Hurry!

Bubs: {looking from the cab} Clear the line, quickly!

Emily charged at Oliver, and bumped him hard on the buffers. She took a deep breath and pushed as hard as she could. Wendy was very worried for her engine, and Bebe crossed her fingers, preparing for the worst. Emily pushed and pushed until she felt Oliver move forward across the track... just in time!

Gordon: {passing by} You did it! {He blows his whistle.}

Coach Z: That was a close shave!

Emily was upset, she tried to go forward, but it was no use. Gordon backed down alongside.

Gordon: If it hadn't been for you, I would've smashed into Oliver!

Oliver: {sadly} I am sorry about your traction, Emily...

Just then, Sir Topham Hatt arrived.

Sir Topham Hatt: Emily, you are a very special engine.

Emily: {sadly} Thank you, sir, but now I'm useless to help the other engines.

Homeschool Winner: Don't worry! I'll fix you up.

Sir Topham Hatt awarded Emily with two traction tyres for saving Oliver. Now she is happy and is more faster than she was, and Neville felt slightly envious.

Neville: Your tyres do look smashing Emily!

Molly: I like the finish on them!

Emily doesn't mind what the other engines say about it. And let's hope that Oliver won't break down again.

THE END