Culdee's Mountain Rescue

The mountains at Culdee Fell are a popular attraction for hikers. The engines enjoy seeing them climb to the summit as they pass with their trains. But sometimes, things can go wrong.

One windy day, the Duke of Boxford held an expedition up the mountain. As they got to the top, a teenage girl began struggling for breath.
"Are you alright?" the team leader asked.
"Need... Inhaler..." she croaked. The team leader was worried.
"Wait, everyone!" he called.
"We can't wait," said a boy, "this wind is picking up. We have to find shelter immediately."
"But Shannon here is having trouble breathing. Help me get her to the station, now!" The team quickly ran to help and carried her to the station.

The stationmaster saw the commotion and hurried over to help.
"Would you like me to do anything?" she asked.
"We need a helicopter and an ambulance quickly! This girl is asthmatic, and if help doesn't come soon..." the team leader's voiced trailed off. The stationmaster understood and hurried to telephone for help.

The search and rescue centre manager got the call and raised the alarm.
"A girl's having breathing problems at the top of Culdee Fell," he called, "you'll need to take a mountain rescue team up there, Harold. There's no time to lose!"
"I'm on my way, sir!" Harold replied. The rescue team climbed aboard and the helicopter took off.

Back at summit, fog was rolling in. The deputy leader had managed to give the asthmatic teenager her inhaler, but she was still under some distress. Meanwhile, the stationmaster called the railway's manager's office and told him about the situation.
"We'll keep a train on standby should Harold not make it up to her. We can't let her anyone down."
"Thank you, sir!" said the stationmaster gratefully.

Culdee was being oiled and polished by his crew, when Mr. Richards arrived.
"Hello sir! I didn't expect to see you so soon."
"There's a problem at summit," said Mr. Richards, "and I need you and Catherine on standby should Harold be unable to get there."
"You can count on us, sir," Culdee replied.
"I knew I could," smiled Mr Richards. "Hurry now; Harold could be here any minute." Culdee's oil and polish was soon complete. He collected Catherine and puffed to the station, just as Harold whizzed by overhead.

As they climbed higher, the flight became more difficult. The wind buffeted them severely and the fog made visibility an issue as well.
"We'll have to head back to the foot of the mountain," said the pilot.
"But we can't just leave the girl there!" Harold protested, "who knows what'll happen if we don't get to her?"
"If we don't go back, we'll need rescuing, too!" As the wind roared around him, Harold knew his pilot was right, and they hurried down to Kirk Machan, hoping there was a contingency plan in place.

Unbeknownst to them, there was. And as they landed, Mr. Richards was waiting for them.
"It's terrible up there!" said Harold's pilot, "I thought we were going to be blown into the side of the mountain." But Harold was still worried.
"Please say you'll help save the girl, sir! I can't even imagine how distressing it must be for all involved!"
"Don't worry, Harold," Mr. Richards replied "Culdee will be taking the rescue team up the mountain by rail. We won't rest until she's safe." Harold felt better. The rescue team climbed aboard Catherine and Culdee puffed away.

All went well, until they reached Devil's Back. Culdee had always known how dangerous this section was in difficult weather conditions, but this was the hardest climb he'd ever attempted. Catherine was worried.
"The wind's too strong! We'll never make it!" But Culdee wouldn't give up.
"We can stand up to anything that's thrown at us. This will be no different!" His pistons pumped harder than ever, and their difficult climb continued. But as they neared the summit, they noticed something.
"The fog's clearing up!" Catherine cheered.
"And the wind seems to be dropping too," panted Culdee.

At last, Culdee and Catherine reached Summit station. The rescue team disembarked and hurried to help the girl. As they helped her into the coach, the team leader spoke to Culdee.
"Thank you so much for coming. You're such a brave little engine."
"Glad to be of service, sir." Culdee replied.

At the bottom of the mountain, an ambulance had arrived, waiting to take the girl to hospital. Her parents had also arrived.
"I hope they managed to get to her safely," said the mother, who began to cry, "I can't imagine life without her."
"Don't you worry, ma'am," comforted Mr. Richards. "If there's anyone who can rescue her, it's Culdee and Sodor's rescue team."
"I hope so," her husband thought. Just then, a loud whistle echoed round the yard. The girl's parents broke down, and everyone else cheered, as Culdee steamed in.

The rescue team, and her parents, wasted no time helping the girl to the ambulance. The parents climbed in with her and they were on their way to the nearest hospital. As Harold took off with the rescue team, Mr. Richards walked over to Culdee.
"Sorry we took so long, sir," Culdee panted, "Devil's Back is a nightmare in this weather."
"The important thing is that you brought everyone down safely, and I'm very proud of you. It's all in the hands of Killdane's skilled nurses, now."

A few days later, Edwin the Electric Engine arrived at Kirk Machan. The girl and her parents stepped out and, together, they and Mr. Richards went to see Culdee.
"We heard what you went through when you climbed the mountain to save our daughter, and we just wanted to thank you personally," said her father."
"You helped save my life, even though you were risking your own safety," Shannon added. "I'm forever grateful for what you did."
"You're most welcome," smiled Culdee. "I'm just glad that I was able to get there in time." With that, Mr. Richards guided Shannon and her parents to his office for tea before their train home, leaving Culdee feeling deep pride. He had achieved many great things on Sodor, but saving a young girl's life was, he thought, his greatest.