Far north of the branch line was a narrow gauge line. The line had ten engines, only four of which were important to the story. Jack and Sam were the large steam engines. They would take passengers and freight whenever they needed. Then, there were the shunters. Cleo worked at the coal mine, and Katie, who worked at the station. One evening, the four engines were in their shed. Jack was boasting about a special train he was to take.

“There will be British visitors,” Jack said snootily, “And a mayor! I bet none of you have even met a mayor.”

“I haven’t,” Cleo rebutted, “And I don’t need to.”

“It’s just a person,” Katie droned, “What makes him more important? Anyone can ride a coach.”

“But this is a Mayor,” Jack replied, “He could help our line if he chooses. So I must give him a good ride,”

“Then why are you taking him?” Sam asked, “I give smoother rides.”

“But you go off track!” Jack answered, “Your wheels aren’t fit for these rails, so you go off-roading. That’s why you don’t do the mountain pass.”

“I never go off-roading,” Sam spluttered, “If anyone goes off the track it would be the shunters!”

The engines argued through the night. They kept the other engines up.

Jack was the first out of the shed, needing to be washed down before he could even start his ride. Sam came to the water tower next to him.

“You have the goods at work today,” Jack taunted, “What is it today? Potatoes?”

“No, those are coming here by truck,” Sam replied in a monotone voice.

“Then you must be taking something, so tell me what!”

“Empties,” Sam said, “I’m taking empty cars down to the mine.”

“All of this effort for empties? That’s why I’m taking the mayor!” Jack chuckled as Sam left. 

Around noon that day, a truck driver was delivering his potatoes. He wasn’t used to the mountain road, so he kept braking. Eventually however, the brakes stopped working. The truck, otherwise known as Lolly, was worried.

“We’re going to fast for this hill,” she said.

“I know,” said the driver, “The brakes are having trouble.”

“Well the stop!”

“We’re close enough to town, it’s not worth the extra stop.”

However, he could have taken caution.

Jack was filling up with coal and water. His boiler was warming up, so his driver went away. He felt awfully proud of himself when he heard a horn. Before he could find where it came from, a truck came through the fence and crashed right into Jack’s tender. It was heavily damaged, and was even off the rails.

“Oh dear!” Said Lolly, “We’ve crashed!” Her voice was muffled by the coal and water spilling all over her. Her driver got out of her cab, shaken but unharmed

“We’ll have to get another engine to do the passenger work,” said the manager, “Everyone is okay, so we’ll clean this up later.”

People from around the town came over to see the commotion. Potatoes lay everywhere! One boy picked one up and took a bite.

“It’s perfectly cooked!” yelled the boy, “All it needs is some butter!”

The rest of the townsfolk surrounded the truck and started to take potatoes. Jack was humiliated, and stayed that way until Lolly was removed. 

By the time Jack was repaired, the Mayor and the Tourists had gone home. Jack was most upset about this. 

“It’s a great shame,” Sam said, “That while you tease me for off roading, you’re the only one here seriously damaged by it.”

The engines laughed and teased Jack the whole night. Jack however, stayed quiet.