Edward to the Rescue!

“Get in the pond with the other ducks!”

― The trucks teasing Duck

Edward to the Rescue! is a magazine story illustrated using photographs from the television series.

Plot

Henry tells the engines that he is working with Edward today, but he is unsure whether Edward will be strong enough to push him up the hill. Gordon agrees and declares that Edward is useless. Percy was upset; he thought that Edward was still a useful engine. His driver agreed.

When Percy reached the station, he spoke to the Fat Controller. Percy told him what Henry and Gordon had said. The Fat Controller started to think of a plan. Later, he went to see Edward in the yard. He orders Edward to go and teach Stepney how to run the new loop-line.

Henry and Gordon were very pleased when Edward went away and Duck took over his jobs. Gordon did not think he needed a back engine anyway. Edward was enjoying teaching Stepney, but Duck was not enjoying doing Edward's jobs. The troublesome trucks played silly games. Up the hill, the trucks held back until Duck stopped moving completely. Gordon pulled up behind Duck and had to stop on the hill too. The driver decides that they need a back engine and sends for Edward.

Edward raced to the hill to help out. He was very excited; he had never pushed two engines, trucks, and carriages all at once before. Edward pushed the heavy load up the hill with ease. As they rumbled into the station, a small boy shouts out that Edward must be the strongest engine of all. Gordon went red with embarrassment.

Later that day, Gordon puffed up beside Edward. He apologizes for being so rude and admits that Edward is very useful after all. The Fat Controller's plan had worked; there was no more talk of Edward being too old.