Author's notes: I needed that shorter story after the last 2 excursions. This time, it's staring Jerry.

Jerry And The Traffic Jam

Narrator: Jerry was a little green tank engine who worked on the MSR. He had two side tanks on each side and 6 small like his sister, Helen. Jerry was a good engine always glad to help anyone at all. He was also strong too, and could pull coaches and trucks with the greatest of ease. He was proud of working on the Mid Sodor Railway.

Applejack: Well, I must say you make everything run like clockwork, come rain or shine.

Jerry: Well, thanks. That was kind of you.

Narrator: Soon the ponies began remarking how good Jerry's report cards were.

Rarity: Amazing job with that one stop express service Jerry. You truly are quite strong and versatile.

Jerry: Uh, well, why thank you Rarity.

Rainbow Dash: And you truly are so awesome!

Pinkie Pie: Yeah, you make it look so easy. You're pretty useful engine.

Narrator: I'm sorry to say that this made Jerry puffed up in the smokebox and he soon began to get very cocky.

(Jerry pulling a long train of trucks with ease.)

Jerry: Rarity says I do an amazing job. She's right.

Narrator: And he swooshed along the line. He was very proud and Mr. Holden and Miss Ravens found him hard to handle sometimes.

Jerry: Coaches or trucks, what does matter? I can handle them all with no trouble.

Narrator: Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Mr. Holden, Miss Ravens and the other Mid Sodor Engines soon began to see that Jerry was becoming to big for his wheels.

Jerry: 3 Punctual trips without a hitch, I'm am truly the pride of the line. Regular as clockwork, never late, always on time. That's me.

Falcon: Hmph! Stuff and nonsense. We're all useful and all the pride of the line.

Stuart: That's right and manager thinks so and he's in charge of this railway.

Twilight: Stuart and Falcon are right. I think you're starting to get a little puffed up in the smoke box

Applejack: Yeah, I know. You're proud to work here but you need to tone it down.

Jerry: Rubbish, I am the most reliable engine on the line and never let the railway down at all.

Falcon: Listen old sport, you need to remember that teamwork is what count's on a railway, not pride.

Fluttershy: Yeah cause that… um can sometimes lead to trouble.

Duke: They're right youngin'. You need to calm down. We're glad that you are happy to work with us, but you need to learn to be calmer. Too much puff and not enough common sense can lead to trouble.

Jerry: Pah! I can take care of myself.

Helen: That's what I'm afraid of brother. You need to listen to Duke and the others. I don't want to see you end up in trouble.

Jerry: Don't worry sister. I can handle myself..

Narrator: And Jerry grew more and more conceited everyday, much to the annoyance of the other ponies and the two drivers.

(Jerry speeding along the line with the Flying Falcon)

Miss Ravens: Steady boy. Steady!

Jerry: This is an express train. You don't go slow!

Applejack: You're pushing it Jerry.

Narrator: But jerry didn't listen and he grew even more cockier than ever before. Then one day in April, Jerry was due to take a heavy passenger train up the mountain road. Duke then pulled up next to him looking anxious.

Duke: Mind how you go. The mountain road could be difficult and you need to have you're wits about you.

Twilight: That's right and we've had a pretty nasty storm that could make it treacherous too.

Mr. Holden: They're right Jerry. You need to be careful.

Jerry: Oy! I don't need help on climbing the mountain road. I've done it many times before.

Miss Ravens: Don't worry. Applejack and I will keep a good eye on him.

Applejack: That's right and that there is the apple fritter truth.

Narrator: The guards whistle blew and Jerry went off in huff.

Jerry: Sheesh. Duke thinks he knows everything.

Miss Ravens: Jerry, don't push it! Duke's been here longer than you and you'd best heed his warnings.

Applejack: That's right. He's the original No.1 engine on the line.

Narrator: But Jerry just snorted kept on going. He saw Tim with Fluttershy waiting at the passing siding.

Tim: Oh please Jerry, be careful. It's very tricky running on a railway during a dry spell. Please. Oh I thought I was going to derail or maybe fall of the rails. What if I damaged myself I could be scrapped and….

Fluttershy: There there now. Calm down Tim… It's okay. You didn't derail and that's what matters. You'll be fine, you're being very careful so you have nothing to worry.

Narrator: Tim felt better.

Tim: Oh thank you Fluttershy… you're my best friend. I don't know what I'd do without you.

Fluttershy: It's alright Tim. Now Jerry, you might want to be careful too.

Jerry: And not be a worry wart. I know how to run through dry-spells.

Narrator: And he steamed away huffily. But Duke and Tim were right. The storm from earlier had caused the River Alres to overflow and sweaped rocks and and soil near the rails outside Arlesdale works station near the Mountain Road. Although the storm had passed and the river had calmed down, Miss Ravens and Applejack knew that it would be important to take care along. But if Jerry hadn't been so conceited he would have never have been so careless. They reached the works station and left it in good time. Jerry was thinking how clever he was when it all happened at once. Jerry saw to his horror that there several rocks right on his line.

Jerry: OH HORROR'S! STOP! STOP! STOP! THERE ARE ROCKS ON THE LINE!

Narrator: Miss Ravens set the reverser hard over full steam whistling and set the brakes hard on, but the wet rails made him slip!

Applejack: YAAAAHHHHHH WE'RE NOT GONNA STOP IN TIME!

Narrator: With wheels spinning backwards and brakes screeching, Jerry shut his eyes and slithered helplessly on. He hit the rocks with a loud CRASH! When Jerry opened his eyes he found himself tilted the right, dazed and surprised derailed on the roadway. It was good thing the river Arles was now calm and that Applejack and Miss Ravens were good swimmers. The two of them had jumped clear before Jerry derailed and had landed in the river. Luckily, no one was hurt and the coaches remained on the rails. But Jerry had come off the rails and was now blocking the road.

Miss ravens: You silly engine. Not only have delayed our train you've no gone blocked the roadway. You silly great… ah….AHCOO! Ugh… Applejack, can you watch him for me? I'm going back to the station to get help.

Applejack: Bless you. Ya'l can count on me Miss Ravens I'll keep eye on him for ya… AHCOO!.

Miss Ravens: Thank you, and bless you top.

Narrator: So with that said, Miss Ravens shivering and sneezing went back to the works station to get help whilst Applejack made sure that Jerry wasn't hurt. Duke had arrived a few minute's later with a stopping train and was being serviced by Mr. Holden and Twilight Sparkle, when Miss Ravens came in looking cold, tired and soaking wet.

Twilight: Hullo there Miss Ravens. What happened to you? You look as though you've ran and swam a marathon.

Miss Ravens: Very funny Twilight Sparkle… achoo!

Twilight: Bless you!

Miss Ravens: Jerry's derailed we need you're help to get him back on the rails

Duke: Righto. I'm on my way.

Narrator: Mr. Holden uncoupled Duke and they set off to the rescue. They Found Jerry and his coaches a few miles further up. There was a line of cars and buses on both sides of the road trapped in front of Jerry tooting angrily whilst the workmen propped up Jerry with strong pulls. They created a road of sleepers underneath his wheels. Duke pulled the coaches back to the works station, and then fetched the breakdown crane to haul Jerry back on the rails. Duke finally spoke.

Duke: I think it would have been better if you had listened to us young Jerry.

Narrator: Jerry felt ashamed.

Duke: Ah well. We all live and live and learn just like I have.

Jerry: Yes Duke.

Narrator: Soon, Duke hauled him back to the works station where the manager was waiting.

Manager: I am very disappointed in you Jerry. You blocked the roadway causing a traffic jam and not only that, you've also delayed the stopping train.

Jerry: (Ashamed) Yes Sir. I'm sorry sir. I should have listened to the other's advice. I don't feel like the pride of the line anymore. I just feel silly.

Narrator: The manager could see that Jerry was truly sorry.

Manager: Well, maybe not the pride of the line, but I think you've learned a good lesson. Now, you know what it means to be a really useful engine. But we'll have to clear Duke's train before we can get you moving again.

Narrator: As soon as the line was clear, Duke set off first. Then, as soon as the signal dropped and the guards whistle blew, Jerry started off again but after the accident Jerry was extra careful all day. Miss Ravens and Applejack were most impressed. That night when the engines had all arrived home, Jerry spoke to the ponies and the other engines.

Jerry: Duke, Twilight. I want to thank you for rescuing me. And I'm sorry I was so swanky to all of you.

All engines and ponies: That's alright Jerry.

Jerry: I'd rather be a useful engine than be the pride of the line. How bout we all be friends.

Narrator: Everyone was quick to agree.

Not much to say here, other then to look out for Fletcher and Jennings. Fletcher is the name for the unnamed red engine on the MSR layout BTW.