Deep Dive

Stanley is a silver tank engine on the Island of Sodor. He is usually found shunting and pulling trucks into place with his friend Thomas. One afternoon, Thomas, Stanley, and Emily were shunting coal trucks at the coaling plant. Stanley and Hector were to take coal to the other railway, but Stanley was not happy.

Stanley: I can't believe I'm doing Henry's work as well as my own. How often is Henry sick?

Homeschool Winner: Oh, he's sick quite a lot, really. Hector is to be at the front of your train, and you have to pull.

Stanley and Hector were ready to go to the other railway.

Thomas: Be careful, Stanley! The bridge to the other railway could collapse at any minute!

Emily: Last time I crossed it, I nearly fell off!

Stanley: Don't worry. I'll be okay.

Hector: {worried} I hope I'm not too heavy for the bridge!

Soon, Stanley and Hector were on their way to the other railway. But Stanley had been on Sodor for a year, and never gone to the other railway before. He found Gordon at Knapford station first.

Stanley: I don't know how to get to the other railway. Where do I go first?

Gordon: For me, you must go to Barrow, and you'll find the way there.

Stanley: Thank you!

{Stanley sets off to Barrow, where he finds Molly about to take passengers to the other railway.}

Stanley arrived at Barrow Station. Molly was taking passengers to the other railway, and she looked very worried.

Molly: The bridge to the other railway could collapse at any moment. You must go slowly as possible.

Stanley felt more nervous than ever. He went over a hill, but the trucks surged ahead.

Troublesome Trucks: ON! ON! ON!

Hector: Help! Save us!

But the rails were slippery. Stanley applied his brakes but it was no use. They were headed toward the bridge, but a sign didn't stop them!

Hector: {as they crash through} OOF!

They went over the bridge... too fast it began to crack!

Stanley: Oh no!

The bridge underneath Stanley's weight broke, and Stanley, Hector, and the trucks dived in the river wheel-deep. They were stuck.

Stanley: Oh, dear! The coal will never be delivered now.

Soon, Edward arrived with Rocky and Sir Topham Hatt.

Stanley: {alarmed} I didn't mean to go fast, sir!

Sir Topham Hatt: Don't worry, Stanley. It wasn't your fault. We should have told you about the slippery rails, and they'll be replaced in the meantime. Any trains to the other railway will be canceled until the bridge is repaired.

Stanley was soon brought home, and had the rest of the week off. And when the bridge was repaired, Stanley is now careful when he goes over it, especially when he was pulling trucks.

THE END