After everyone was given their jobs and praised for their punctuality that day, they got their uniforms and set to work at once. Richard and Kaitlyn were Percy’s Driver and Firewoman, Amy and Teletraan were James’ Driver and Fireman, and Azuliterii was Boco’s Driver. Percy was a green Avonside Saddle Tank Engine with four wheels and a number 6 on his bunker. James was a red L&YR Class 28 Tender engine with two small wheels just under his buffers and six driving wheels behind them and sported the number 5 on his tender. Boco was a BR Class 28 Diesel Electric locomotive in green and sported the number D5702. One morning, Percy and his new crew had to arrange the trains at Knapford Station. With Percy’s guidance, Richard learned which coaches were what and went where and how many of each truck type was needed. The freight train they arranged was for James. “Nicely done,” Percy said to Richard and Kaitlyn. “Although, I must admit, you’re a little…heavy-handed with the brakes.”
“Sorry,” replied Richard.
“It’s all right. Every driver has to go through that at some point.” Just then, they heard James’ whistle. “Three, two, one.”
“Dirty trucks from dirty sidings!” grumbled James as he backed down onto his train. “Arranged by small engines!”
“I’m doing fine, James,” snarked Percy. “Thanks for asking.”
“I wasn’t!” snapped James. “For heaven’s sake, why not Edward?! At least he’d be useful and you’d be on Thomas’ branch line, out of the way of important engines like me!” The workmen were still loading the trucks with the various goods needed.
“You know he’s stuck in the shed!”
“When’s he supposed to get out anyway?! At least HE can-!”
“I actually spoke with Edward when Teletraan and I were getting you ready,” interrupted Amy.
“You have?” asked James, puzzled at this bit of news.
“You had already started grumbling about this train, so you didn’t overhear anything we said. Edward took the Special Coach to put it for later use on the Express, to see if it was up to snuff. It never arrived and Edward’s the prime suspect for stealing it.”
“Stealing?!” scoffed James. “Edward may be an old fusspot, but he’s not a thief!”
“And, if he DID steal it, I would congratulate him,” boomed a voice. A blue GNR Class A1 Pacific Tender Engine with the number 4 on his tender then rolled up to the platform with the express coaches. This was Gordon the Big Engine, the main Express Engine for the North Western Railway. “If you want my opinion,” continued Gordon, “that coach stuck out like a sore thumb and rattled too much, spoiling the sound of the wind rushing past me. The Wild Nor’ Wester is better off without it.”
“But the summer holiday season is coming up,” reminded Percy. “Wouldn’t the extra coach help?”
“If it blended in with the other coaches, I would say yes,” huffed Gordon. “Besides, it proved to be too much trouble for both myself AND Thomas.” Speaking of which, Thomas’ whistle announced his approach.
“What’s all this then?” he asked.
“We’re talking about your Special Coach,” explained Richard.
“Ah, that old thing. It’s one of those things Gordon and I can agree was too much trouble. I’m surprised they’re bringing it back for the summer holiday season.”
“You liked it well enough to fuss at Douglas about it,” reminded Kaitlyn.
“That debacle proved that we didn’t need it.” Gordon’s Guard then blew his whistle and waved his flag.
“Sorry, must dash!” called Gordon. “We’ll talk about it later!” He blew his whistle twice and left the station, picking up speed as he went further down the line. “Hurry, hurry, hurry!”
“…If only we can help Edward,” sighed Teletraan. “But none of us are Sherlock Holmes.”
“Yeah, he’d be able to solve that case in a flash,” replied Percy. James got quiet all of a sudden.
“…Sherlock Holmes,” he mused. His face then formed a grin. “That settles it! Detective James is on the case!”
“James, we’ve got a train to pull!” reminded Amy.
“But we won’t have so much work tomorrow. We can definitely solve the case of the missing coach then! It should be easy! With Percy and his crew at our side-!”
“Oh no, you don’t!” snapped Percy. “I am NOT getting involved in that!”
“Oh, come on, Percy! You won’t have so much work tomorrow either!”
“Look, I want Edward’s named cleared as much as any other engine, but any adventure with you is nothing more than disaster!”
“When have I ever caused disaster?!”
“Do you want the list alphabetically or in descending order of damage done?!”
“Percy, I think we’ve got other goods trains to arrange,” called Kaitlyn.
“You’re right, we do,” replied Percy. “Come on!” Percy set off to continue his shunting.
“But Percy-!”
“No, James!” Once Percy was in a siding, James’ guard blew his whistle.
“Oh, for pity’s sake!” sighed James. “I can’t be Sherlock without a Watson!”
“There’s nothing for it,” soothed Amy. “We’ll just have to find someone else.”
Everyone finished with their work and settled into their sheds. The Fat Controller spoke with everyone before they went to sleep. “As you all know, there won’t be as much work on the railway tomorrow, due to the incoming fog. We’re keeping all trains to essential traffic only, meaning fewer trains. We still don’t know where the Special Coach is and we’re going to need it when the fog clears up. Until then, Boco is staying here until work resumes on the Brendam branch line.” Edward, a blue FR21/K2 Class Tender Engine with four small wheels at the front and four drive wheels and the number 2 on his tender, sighed sadly. “I know it’s been a while, but until your name is cleared, you need to stay here,” said the Fat Controller.
“Yes, Sir,” sighed Edward. Richard, Kaitlyn, and Percy looked at the poor engine.
“…Maybe we SHOULD help,” remarked Richard.
“It might prove we can be trusted,” mused Kaitlyn.
“But it’s James’ idea,” whispered Percy.
“Does it really matter?” asked Richard. Just then, Boco rolled into the sheds.
“What’s all this?” he asked Percy.
“Edward’s still stuck in the shed,” explained Percy as Richard and Kaitlyn filled Azuliterii in on what was going on with the Special Coach.
“Well, if he needs help, I’ll solve this case!” declared Boco.
“I think James already decided he would take the case.”
“What’s this now?” asked the Fat Controller. The two engines and their crews jumped.
“How do you do that?!” asked Richard.
“Do what?”
“Pop up whenever people least expect it?!”
“It’s a Hatt trick.”
“…Cute pun.”
“In any event, what are you all talking about?”
“Sir, James wants to clear Edward’s name,” explained Azuliterii, “and he’s asked Percy and his crew to help.”
“Boco’s willing to take my place,” continued Percy. “I’m not so sure my place is solving mysteries with James.” The Fat Controller pondered.
“…Two heads ARE better than one,” he said, “…so imagine what three will do. Percy, you are to assist James and Boco in clearing Edward’s name in the morning.”
“ME?!” squeaked Percy. “I can’t!”
“Rubbish, Percy!” replied Richard. “It’s easy!”
“That’s settled, then,” declared the Fat Controller. Poor Percy wished it wasn’t. The Fat Controller approached James and told him and his crew the news. “I trust you’ll clear his name, James?” he asked once he finished. James was beaming from buffer to buffer.
“You can count on me, Sir!” he said confidently.
“Very good! Good luck tomorrow!” The Fat Controller returned to his car as James looked smugly at Percy.
“Well, Little Percy,” he said, “it looks like you and I will be working together after all!”
“If you call me Watson,” hissed Percy, “I’m leaving. I don’t care what the Fat Controller would have in store for me.”
“Cranky, are we? Well, a little rest shouldn’t hurt. Great Detectives, such as I, need their beauty sleep, as do their sidekicks. Good night.” James went happily to sleep.
“I think James has the right idea,” remarked Teletraan. “We all need to hit the sack. Night.”
“Good night,” bid Amy.
“Pleasant dreams,” wished Azuliterii.
“Night night,” said Kaitlyn.
“Sleep well,” bid Richard. The crews then headed off.
“Night,” mumbled Percy.
“Good night,” called Boco. He then went to sleep. Percy looked at James first, then at Boco, then he glanced upwards.
“This will all end in tears, I just know it,” he muttered to himself before he went to sleep.