Go here for the New Duncan story for 2007. The Town Christmas Tree
"Duncan's Christmas Rush", Chapter 1
Christmas 2004 story by Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Bruce
Here comes Duncan back from the locomotive shops far away. He got his new red pilot for Christmas last year. The railroad workers are happy to see him and complement his snazzy new look.
Over at the Roundhouse. "Where are all my locomotive friends?" Duncan worries. "All the locomotives have gone to bring back trainloads of Christmas toys for the children," says Mr. Roundhouse Foreman. "Only one problem," he continues. "Some freight cars have derailed and have blocked the main line! You happen to be the only locomotive here at the Roundhouse to take the Work Train out to rerail the cars." He barks orders "Duncan, get that red Caboose and GO!"
Duncan immediately moves the Caboose over to the work train. "What an oddball Caboose you are," Duncan exclaimed. The Caboose told Duncan, "My name is Tex. None of the other trains want me because I look different." "Will you carry the crew for the Work Train?" Duncan asks. "Sure will," the Tex replies!
Duncan remembers how Mr. Hook set him on a flat car for for his trip to the locomotive shops last year. Mr. Hook is the heavyweight of the railroad. At 250 tons, he can pick up any locomotive with ease. Duncan worries if he can even pull Mr. Hook to the derailment?
Duncan gave a pull on the coupler, but he could not move the Work Train. "It's too heavy to pull!" Duncan cried.
This time Duncan, with his saftey valve lifting at his maxium boiler pressure, gave another pull. And the Work Train began to move ever so slowly.
"MORE SPEED!" Tex and Mr. Hook encouraged Duncan while leaving the yard.
Duncan keeps the Work Train moving at its restricted speed of 25 miles per hour for the long journey to the derailment.
Along the route several water stops were needed for Duncan to quench his thirst to make steam.
Arriving at the derailment, Duncan is exhausted. But he finds himself between Mr. Hook and the derailed cars. "How will Mr. Hook get to the cars?" Duncan asks.
Duncan was uncoupled from the Work Train and Mr. Hook and his crew took over. As was done before, Duncan was picked up from the rails and set on a flat car behind Mr. Hook.
Duncan watches as Mr. Hook picks up the derailed cars one by one and sets them back on the track. "He makes it look so easy" Duncan says to himself.
You see, Mr Hook can move under his own power, however this is done very slowly and only for only a short distance. Within hours Mr. Hook finishes rerailing the last freight car and the Work Train moves back onto a passing track to clear the main line.
With green signals lighting the way, the freight trains with the carloads of Christmas toys begin their run. And run they did, one after another in a rush to the city.
With the Christmas Rush over and tracks quiet again, Mr. Hook sets Duncan back on the track. Mr. Foreman tells Duncan, "Take Tex the Caboose with the crew aboard back home in time for Christmas with their families."
Duncan follows the freight trains ahead of him all the way home.
Later at the Roundhouse, Duncan meets his locomotive friends to celebrate Christmas Eve together. All the toys are on time for Christmas morning.
The End
Duncan's Fan Mail
Other Duncan stories
New Duncan story for 2007. The Town Christmas Tree
Go to The Christmas Tree Train
Go to NEW! Duncan and the Christmas Relief Train, 2005 Story
Duncan's Christmas Rush
Go to Duncan's Christmas Gift
Go to Duncan and the Lost Toy Factory
Go to Duncan and the Toy Car
Go to Dunsmuir Model Railroad Club
