After Duck was sent to Edward's station, Percy was called from Thomas' branchline to assist Diesel in the yard. A tank engine from the other railway, whom Percy knew well, filled in for Percy in the meantime. The Fat Controller felt Diesel still needed a more experienced engine to show him the yard. The railway had a few late trains prior to Percy's return to the yard, for instance. Despite this, Diesel still paid little attention.
"He's discreditable!" Percy fumed that first night. "He barely pays attention to me, clearly has little respect for my advice and he thought I was supposed to take a train out! How do you even put up with him?"
"Watch your tongue, little Percy!" Gordon grunted. "Don't want to go Duck's way now, do you?"
Percy grumbled to sleep, determined to get to the bottom of all this. Diesel, on the other side of the shed, ignored them. He was too busy thinking about his next move.
Henry pulls a local passenger train after the Flying Kipper. He then lets Gordon and the express by at one of his stops. Later that week however, Diesel put his plan into motion. He sidled up next to Henry, who was prepping for his morning train.
"There's been a change of plan." He announced greasley. "The Fat Controller wants you to take the express for the rest of the month. It seems you've been putting in runs better than Gordon."
Before Henry could raise any questions, Diesel purred away. What he didn't know though, was Percy was out of his sight and had overheard everything.
"Orders are orders." sighed the driver. "At least you get more time to rest inbetween trains."
Henry couldn't deny that.
Gordon wasn't as forgiving when he heard the news. What neither of the big engine knew was that Diesel told them differently. To Gordon, it sounded like Henry had stolen his train. Unseen by Diesel though, Percy overheard this too.
Still Gordon was so upset by this, he blocked Henry's path to his next train.
"Out of my way!" Henry Huffed. "The Express needs to go out soon!"
"Not behind you!" Gordon Snorted.
A quarrel soon followed, until The Fat Controller came to stop the noise.
Henry was first to speak. "Sir, tell Gordon you left me in charge of the express for the rest of the month."
"Preposterous!" snapped Gordon. "It's Henry You Should Be Talking To!"
"You Are Both At Fault!" The Fat Controller said sharply. "Percy has told me the Diesel has made up that change. I never said who pulls the express better. What's more, it was him who made up those names and framed Duck for them."
The big engines felt sorry at once.
"Now Gordon," The Fat Controller continued. "Go and take the express. And Henry, Your next local will be ready soon. I will deal with Diesel myself soon."
And he did too. He sent Diesel back to the other railway pulling a goods train, but didn't tell him whether he'd be coming back or not. He was then called to a Barbershop. James happened to be there and he spoke severely to the red engine before turning his attention to the barber. When Diesel arrived at his destination, a thin but well dressed gentleman was waiting for him.
"Where's my return train?" Diesel asked.
"What return train?" the man asked. "You are to be returning to shunting in this yard."
It was right then and there Diesel realized The Fat Controller had given him a taste of his own medicine. But it would be quite some time before he would return to Sodor.