Chapter 235: Old Stuck Up

Sir Topham Hatt may prefer Steam engines, but he doesn't mind Diesels either. They can pull either coaches or trucks easily, and most have a cab at each end to make turning around easier.

"Real versatile engines," he would say. Boco and Bear felt very proud of these words.

Most engine drivers on Sodor have come to begrudgingly accept diesels, but James was still on the fence. It wasn't that he hated Diesels, but most of the diesel drivers that had visited Sodor were rude and snobbish. They would boast about how modern and revolutionary their engines were, and how out of date theirs' were. Needless to say, this hadn't left a very positive impact on the Island's residents.

One day, a new diesel driver visited the island, and I'm sorry to say he was no different. When he approached the shed, he shuddered and stopped the engine when he saw who his workmates were.

"You're kidding me, right? I thought they were joking when they said this is a steam railway! Your filthy engines are not fit to be anywhere near my fine diesel."

The others just rolled their eyes. They had heard it all before.

"On the Other Railway," the visitor droned on, "drivers like you are kept strictly in their place, and steam engines aren't allowed on the main line without special permission."

"Well, if you don't like, then stay outside! Bear growled. He had been showing the visitor around, and had been putting up with this all day. "I'll stay here with my friends."

"Fine," said the visitor. "I will!"

And he scowled away. The others shook their heads, glad to be rid of him.

"Good riddance!" Sniffed BoCo. "Honestly, where does The Other Railway find these people?"

"I hope its cold tonight and the engine can't start in the morning," James snarled. "Old Stuck up, that's what he is."

Morning couldn't come quick enough for the engine drivers. As soon as the sun rose, they set off to fetch their trains, leaving the visitor on his own.

"Finally, some peace and quiet!" he chuckled to himself. "That fool Sir Topham really must get with the times."

It was soon time for him to get ready to leave. The cleaning and refueling supplies were kept in Bear and BoCo's part of the shed.

"If I go now while everyone is out," he thought, "No one will know I've gone. And that's the way I like it!"

Sneakily, he drove his engine forward. But he started too quickly, and he found the rails slick with oil. He tried to stop, but the wheels just slid on the sick rails.

"OH HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLP!"

Helpless to save himself, the diesel shut his eyes. With a tremendous CRASH! the diesel crashed through the wall at the back of the shed, creating a huge hole. The visitor was not badly hurt, but a large draft came in through the hole.

"Well, what do we have here?"

The visitor gulped, for there in front of him was Sir Topham Hatt himself!

That night, long after the visitor had made his less than graceful exit, everyone had a good laugh at his expense.

"I guess Old Stuck Up got unstuck, did he?" Laughed Gordon. "What is it that Sir Topham Hatt called you, Bear?"

"Reliable," Bear laughed. "But that's not what he called Old Stuck Up. I couldn't hear all of it, but it didn't sound very polite."