Chapter 56: Percy and Harold

Percy loved his work on Thomas's branch line. A new harbor was being built, and the workmen needed stone for their building. Toby helped as well, but sometimes the stone cars were too heavy for his tram engine to take, leaving Percy to collect them himself. Percy didn't mind this, however, as it made him feel really useful. Sometimes Thomas would be there as well, but he was usually away taking care of the passenger trains.

"Well done, Percy," he would say to him when they met up, "Sir Topham Hatt is pleased with the progress we've made so far. Keep up the good work."

Percy was pleased.

However, not everything went smoothly. An airfield was nearby, and Percy could hear airplanes zooming to and fro, making an awful lot of noise. Percy got used to them in time, but the one he couldn't stand was the new helicopter.

"Silly thing," said Percy, "Why can't it go somewhere else."

One day, Percy passed by the airfield on his way to the harbor. As he waited for the signal to drop, he spotted man in a pilot's suit standing next to the helicopter.

"Hello," said Percy, "My name is Percy. What is your name?"

"Pleased to meet you," said the man, "My name is Harold."

"If you don't mind my asking," said Percy, "What are those things on top of your helicopter?"

"Those are its arms," said Harold, "They allow my helicopter to hover. It really is an amazing feeling. Don't you wish you could hover?"

"No thank you," said Percy, "I quite like my engine. Besides, I don't think I could handle it."

"Well, if you ask me," said Harold, "Railways are slow and out of date. Oh, look at the time! Nice to meet you, Percy, but I must go on patrol. Ta ta!"

And with that he climbed into the helicopter and hovered away. Percy was cross.

"Railways aren't out of date," he said, "We're too useful. Sir Topham Hatt says so."

Later, Percy was sent to help Toby at the quarry. He told him what Harold had said.

"Oh, those newcomers are always like that," said Toby, "Thinking they're better just because they have some new machine. Don't you worry, Percy, he'll settle down eventually."

Percy was still mad. Later he passed the airfield again. Harold was there, loading up supplies for the new harbor.

"Hey, Harold!" Percy called.

"Oh, hello there, Percy" said Harold, "What can I do for you?"

"How about a race to the harbor?" Percy asked, "If railways are so slow and out of date, then you should have no problem beating me."

"You're on!" said Harold. When Percy's signal went down, the two set off, and the race was on.

For the most part, the race was even, with neither one of them holding the lead for long. With the entrance to the harbor approaching, however, Percy decided to open the regulator all the way, and with one final whoosh of steam, he raced into the harbor.

For a second, Percy didn't know what to think.

"Oh dear," he said, "Have we lost? Now Harold will never stop teasing me."

But just then, he heard a familiar buzzing. He looked up, and sure enough Harold's helicopter came in and landed. Harold came and shook his hand.

"Congratulations, Percy," he said, "And I'm sorry for calling your railway slow. Maybe it's my helicopter that needs a tune up."

The two shared a laugh, and became good friends. Later that evening, Percy was at a pub when a man clinked his glass. Everyone turned to him in anticipation.

"I hear that Percy here beat a helicopter in a race," he said, "And I've come up with a little song. I call it The Ballad of Percy and Harold:"

Said Harold to dear old Percy

You are slow,

Your railway is out of date

And not much use,

You should know.

But Percy, and his stone cars,

Did the trip in record time,

And, he beat the helicopter

On the old branch line.

Everybody cheered, and Percy just smiled sheepishly. He loved the last line best of all.