Main Line Engines

"Main Line Engines'" was first published in 1966. It was written by the Reverend W. Awdry and illustrated by Gunvor and Peter Edwards.

=Stories=

The Diseasel
Bill and Ben are tank engine twins that work at the China Clay Workings on Edward's branch line. One day they leave some trucks on a siding and go away for more, but return to find them all gone. Their drivers determine it was a "diseasel" that took them, and when Bill recalls a sign saying "coughs and sneezles spread diseasels", in his words, Ben blames him. Their drivers shut them up and formulate a plan. They find the diseasel on a siding, and manage to confuse so as to make him giddy, when Edward comes along. When he tells them off, they apologise to the diseasel, who calls himself Boco, and Edward sends them away.

Buzz Buzz
Duck and Boco are talking about Bill and Ben. Duck tells Boco he has nicknamed them "The Bees", and James, who comes in, claims he would just blow smoke at bees to shoo them away. The next day, two porters are pulling a trolley with a beehive on top when it falls off and bees swarm out. They decide to rest on James' boiler, but when one burns its feet, it stings James on the nose, and James runs away. In the end, Boco takes the Express, and that night the engines talk about a red beehive on wheels.

Wrong Road
Although the big engines are forbidden to go on the branch lines because of their weight, Gordon claims he won't go on them because they are "vulgar", and leaves to take his late train. He misses his path after a lady with a large floppy green hat confuses the fireman into thinking the guard has waved his flag, and Edward's train leaves ahead of Gordon. However, this creates a huge mess as the signalman at Wellsworth wasn't informed, and Gordon is left on a siding on Edward's branch line. The next day, Bill and Ben come into the yard, and tease him by "mistaking" him for scrap, and arguing over whether to take it to the scrapyards or drown it. Gordon thinks they're serious, and when Boco arrives, he asks him to save him. Boco sends the twins away with his trucks, and Gordon has had great respect for diesels ever since.

Edward's Exploit
Edward is set to take some Enthusiasts home, but finds it hard to move the train. Although the big engines say he should be "Preserved", Duck and Boco shut them up.

After meeting up with Bill and Ben, Edward takes the Enthusiasts away, but stops when a crank-pin breaks, battering his splashers and frame. His crew take both crank-pins off, and Edward manages to struggle home. Edward is sent to the Works, and Boco does his work so well that he single-handedly changes Donald and Douglas' opinion about diesels!

Featured Characters

 * Edward
 * Henry
 * Gordon
 * James
 * Duck
 * Donald and Douglas
 * Bill and Ben
 * Boco
 * Thomas (cameo only)
 * Annie (cameo only)