Chapter 2
Tyler and Joe both came to the Island of Sodor as soon as possible and arrived in Phil's office hours later. Tyler was a tall, somewhat lanky boy with somewhat shaggy brown hair. Tyler wore a green shirt and brown pants. He almost had an uncanny resemblance to Shaggy Rogers from Scooby Doo. Joe was unusually short for his age, and he had spiky brown hair. He wore a white shirt and a red necktie and carried a briefcase full of stock market quotes.
"Hey, Tyler. Hey, Joe," said Phil. Both of his friends returned the greeting. "Guys, we have to go to Tidmouth sheds to talk to the engines. A revolution is about to occur," Phil said in a devious tone. Tyler and Joe looked at each other with concern.
Phil then walked out with Tyler and Joe following him. They walked all the way to the sheds, where the engines were waiting to meet the new leader.
"I heard he's big," said Edward.
"Even bigger than Sir Topham Hatt?" Percy asked.
"Much," said James.
"Is it true that there's going to be some changes on this railway?" Henry asked.
"I hope not," said Gordon. "Last thing we need is some twerp who tries to interfere with Sir Topham Hatt's railway.
Just at that moment, Phil, Tyler, and Joe arrived. All three stood on the turntable. The engines were a bit frightened. Phil looked dangerous. "Greetings, engines," Phil said. "My name is Phil Harris, Jr. These are my assistants and best friends, Tyler and Joe." Tyler and Joe waved to the engines. "Let me tell you about myself," said Phil. "I am a diesel mechanic, and I have lots of experience with mechanical related stuff."
Phil blabbed for nearly five minutes about his experience and physical strength. "I don't like this guy at all," snorted Duck. "He's so arrogant, and he even mentioned…the 'D' word!"
"Now," said Phil, "as you might have heard, there are going to be a lot of changes on the railway. That rumor is true. Steam engines are old-fashioned and undependable. They are also slow and inefficient. That is why I am turning each and every one of you into diesel engines!"
"Diesel engines!" gasped Thomas.
"You are corrupt!" snapped Gordon. "We refuse to turn into diesel engines!"
"Oh yeah, wanna bet?" Tyler challenged.
"What can you three possibly do?" James snorted.
"Joe, remove the engines' coal supply immediately," directed Phil.
"You got it, Phil!" said Joe. He hurried off to destroy all the coal stockpiles.
"Now you steam engines can go play for a while to burn off the rest of your coal," said Phil. "Tyler, Joe, and I will be at the works to arrange for your new diesel engines." Then, Phil and Tyler walked off to take a car to the works.
"We've got to stop them!" said Thomas. "Who's with me?" The other engines cheered in agreement. "I saw we race after them and stop them from removing our coal supply!" The engines blew their whistles and cheered even louder than before. Thomas was about to lead the revolt by crossing the turntable. Unfortunately, his fun was going to end shortly.
Phil suddenly ran over to the turntable and spun it in a direction where the engines could not use it. They all groaned and complained and shouted loudly. Phil smiled proudly and left.
Hours later, each and every engine was forcibly sent to the works. The already-diesel engines, Diesel, Boco, and Daisy, hauled the steam engines with the breakdown van.
"Ha ha ha," laughed Diesel. "We told you all that diesels are far superior. And you all denied that statement. And now look what's happening."
"Shut up, Diesel," said Duck. "The other steam engines and I are planning a rebellion against Big Phill and his crew."
"Maybe we should tell him, Diesel," Boco said.
"There's no point in it," said Diesel. "They won't win anyway." In protest, the steam engines blew their whistles angrily at the diesel engines. However, the diesels weren't threatened at all. They laughed their heads off.
When the engines arrived at the work, Phil dedicated days and days to convert all the steam engines to burn diesel fuel. It wasn't an easy job, and it took nearly all of Phil's strength, sweat, and blood, but he eventually got the job done.
A week later, when the conversion was complete, the engines all felt very strange by running diesel. They didn't need firelighters anymore, as they turned on within a split second. Also, they didn't have warm boilers full of water. The engines all looked the same as they did before, but they were now designed to burn diesel. And needless to say, they were not happy about it.