Chapter 72: Steamroller
Sir Handel's engine has two extra wheels under its cab. They have broad tires and hold well to the rails, making it easier to handle. Sir Handel thinks that this makes his engine the best on the line, and he boasts endlessly about it. This gets on the nerves of the other drivers, however, but Sir Handel pays it no mind.
The next week, workmen came to extend the road to the slate quarry. They tore down the wall that separated the road and rails, leaving both unprotected from each other. The workmen came with George, a rude steamroller operator who believed that the road was superior to rails. As the engine drivers drove through the site, he would shout out "Railways are no good! Turn them into roads. Rip them up! Turn them into roads. Railways are no good! Turn them into roads."
One day, Skarloey had an idea to take Sir Handel down a peg.
"Since your engine is so grand with its steamroller wheels," he told Sir Handel one morning, "I bet it can tackle George. He is such a bother, and if you could teach him a lesson we would all be grateful."
"Don't you worry," Sir Handel chuckled, "Just leave George to me."
With that, Sir Handel headed off to the quarry. He didn't see Skarloey trying not to laugh.
A short while later, Sir Handel came up to a red signal. Resting near it was George himself. George eyed him suspiciously.
"I guess you must be Sir Handel," he snorted.
"And you must be George," Sir Handel replied, "Yes, I've heard about you."
"And I've heard about you! Thinking your engine's fake steamroller wheels make it better than my real steamroller. Just who do you think you are?"
"Someone who is much better than you," Sir Handel replied cheekily, just as his signal changed, "Oh, would you look at that. Sorry I can't stay and chat, George, but I do have a job to do. Goodbye."
And with that he drove off, leaving George spluttering in fury.
Later that evening, Sir Handel was returning to the yards with a goods train when he spotted George up ahead. His steamroller was taking up almost the whole lane, with barely enough room left for him to pass. Seeing his chance to make a point, Sir Handel surged the train forward.
"Get out of the way, roadhog!" he told George. George just continued to try and block him off.
"Shove off, imitator!" he shouted back. This went on for several moments until Sir Handel managed to squeeze past. George, not wanting to lose, rammed his roller's wheel until the train, tipping its load into a ditch. Sir Handel was cross.
"Now look what you've done, you dolt!" he said crossly.
"Who's better now, huh?" George sneered.
The two argued for ages, until a policeman stopped them just before things broke out into a fight. George and the workmen were finished with the job and left for home, but Sir Handel thought that he had sent George packing.
Later that evening, Sir Handel was bragging about his escapades to the others. Skarloey was dismayed that his plan had failed. Peter Sam consoled him quietly.
"Don't worry, Skarloey," he said, "There'll be other chances."
But they didn't have to worry for long, as some schoolchildren ran up.
"Look!" they cried, "Here's Sir Handel, who tried to race a steamroller, and was nearly beaten."
Sir Handel grew quiet, and sulked in embarrassment. He doesn't brag about his engine's wheels now.
As for George, he was found to be at fault for the accident and his company was fined for the damages. His employer spoke sternly to him, and told him that if he ever did something like that again he would be canned. Hopefully, he'll head that warning.