A/N: Hey guys! Sorry I didn't update last week, but I was on vacation. To make up for it, here's the next chapter early. Enjoy!

Chapter 19: Coal

Henry was upset. His engine's stay in the tunnel had left it in very poor condition. It was a bad steamer before, but the soot in the tunnel had just made it worse. Sometimes he could build up enough pressure for it to pull a train, but more often than not he had no luck. No matter how much the workmen tried, they could not figure out what caused the problem.

"Oh dear," he bemoaned to James one morning, "My engine is in such a poor state. I've been driving her ever since I started working here several years ago, and I can't bear to think of what will happen to her if these problems continue."

James felt sorry for Henry, and did his best to comfort his friend. Soon Sir Topham Hatt came to see him.

"I'm sorry, Henry, but your engine is getting expensive to keep running. We've given it plenty of new parts, but nothing seems to work. If it does not improve, then I am afraid that we may have to scrap it and buy a new engine."

This made Henry even sadder. Later that day he had to take a stopping passenger train to the mainland. Sir Topham Hatt rode in the cab with him, having changed into a pair of overalls. They managed to start the train, but the fire would not settle properly. Sadly they were forced to stop at Wellsworth station, where Edward took the train on from there. Henry felt like he could cry.

"Oh, dear," he thought mournfully, "Now my engine will be scrapped for sure."

An inspector came to see if he could find anything wrong. After several minutes, he gave his theory.

"The coal is wrong, sir," he said, "The bad lot you've had lately doesn't help either. The other locomotives are fine since they have large fireboxes, but this engine has a small one. The best coal that I could recommend for this case is Welsh Coal."

Sir Topham Hatt thought about it for a minute.

"It's rather expensive," he said at last, "But Henry does deserve another chance. James shall fetch some.

The coal arrived in a few days. James interested to see if it would do any good, helped Henry get the engine ready. Although Henry was willing to try anything at this point, he did have his doubts about if the coal would do any good.

"The coal is spoiling my engine's fire," he told James, who just laughed.

"Don't you worry, Henry," said James, "If this new coal works we'll have a roaring fire."

And it did. Henry found that the engine ran like it never had before. It was almost as if it was a new engine altogether. Sir Topham Hatt met him at the platform.

"I see that you are pleased with the results," he told Henry, "Just remember now, no record breaking attempts. Safety first on this railway."

"Don't you worry, sir, I'll be careful," said Henry as he departed the station.

Henry had great fun driving his engine up and down the line. It handled the work much better now, and he no longer worried about it breaking down.

"It's almost as if she's been made anew," Henry told Thomas, "The difference is amazing."

"I'm glad to hear it," said Thomas, "Just remember not to push her too hard, okay?"

"Don't worry, I'll be careful," Said Henry just as the guard blew his whistle, "Goodbye, Thomas!"

Thomas blew his engine's whistle in response and watched happily as the train puffed off into the distance.