Episode 15

The Little Engine That Could

One day at the wharf, Mr. Percival recieved a letter from Sir Robert Norramby. He wanted an engine from the Narrow Gauge Railway to pull a train to Ulfstead Castle. Sir Robert Norramby asked for visitors, coal, cables, some letters from his friends, and family, and nails.

"We need to get this train set up right away." Mr. Percival told one of the workmen, "Find an engine to get the job done, and quickly."

"Right away sir." Said the workman. The only engine in the wharf was Makenzie, and she was shunting cars for the other engines. "Mr. Percival has a job for you." He told her, "Please meet him at the depot."

"Yes sir." Said Makenzie. She went to a turntable, and went to the depot to collect her train. "Makenzie, I need you to get two coaches, a coal car, a flat car, a mail car, and a boxcar." Said Mr. Percival. "Sir Robert Norramby has a list of things he needs at the castle."

"Yes sir." Said Makenzie, and she went to collect the cars she needed for her train. Once she got them, she waited at the depot to have her cars loaded up. The passengers got on board, the freight was loaded, and the conductor climbed into the caboose.

Now Makenzie is capable of pulling trains that weigh 12,000 pounds. Her train weighed 11,815 pounds, so it would be difficult for her to start.

"All aboard." Said the conductor as he waved his green flag. "All aboard." Replied Makenzie as she blew her whistle. She tried to pull the train, but her wheels slipped a quarter of a way, then stopped. At her second attempt of pulling the train, her wheels did the same thing. On her third attempt, her wheels spun very quickly, and went around forty times. She tried five more times, then she got it moving. "Woohoo!" Shouted Makenzie in excitement, as her wheels slipped fiercely while moving out of the depot.

It was a long way from the Wharf to Ulfstead Castle. She would arrive at the castle by nightfall. However, every signal she passed was green. "Hello Makenzie" Said Duke who was resting in a siding with the picnic. "Hello Duke." Said Makenzie.

Shortly after Makenzie passed, Sir Handle stopped by him. "Hi Granpuff. Did you see that train Makenzie was pulling?"

"Yes. That train looks very heavy for her."

"It makes you feel lucky not to pull heavy trains like that in your old age, eh granpuff?"

"Ah, shut up." Scolded Duke, and as soon as his signal turned green, he puffed out of his siding.

Meanwhile, Mr. Percival was talking about the same thing with Sir Robert Norramby.

"I hope you're bringing the supplies to me safely." Said Robert. "I am indeed." Replied Mr. Percival, "But I am concerned about the engine pulling the train."

"Whatever for?" Wondered Robert.

"It's Makenzie. She's not good at pulling heavy trains, and I'm afraid she'll get stuck on the hill to your castle."

"Not a problem. I'll have Millie help her get up."

Night came, and with it was a full moon. Makenzie soon started to go up the hill to Ulfstead Castle. However, Millie broke down, and wasn't able to help her get up. Makenzie's wheels started to slip as she went up the hill, and her driver said, "It's a long way up. Can you do it?"

Makenzie told her driver, "For Mr. Percival, I think I can."

She continued to say I think I can as her wheels slipped going up the hill. They got closer to the top, and her wheels spun faster. Her speed decreased, and so did her saying, "I think I can." Once she got to the top, her wheels stopped slipping as she put in a lot of effort pulling the rest of her train up the hill. "I thought I could, I thought I could." Makenzie puffed to herself, "Woohoo!" Then, she stopped at the platform, and the workers unloaded her train, while the visitors got off.

"Well done Makenzie." Said Sir Robert Norramby, "I'm pleased that you got the visitors, and supplies here on time. Now, I have another job for you."

Makenzie was exhausted, but she couldn't refuse the job, "What is it?"

"Take Millie to the steamworks. Unfortunately she broke down."

The End.