The following morning, the Fat Controller sat in his office listening to the noise outside. The passengers were angry. "How can I work with all this noise?" he frowned. Then, the Stationmaster came in looking worried. "What is the meaning of this?"

The Stationmaster sighed. "There's trouble in the Shed, Sir. Henry is sulking, there is no train, and the passengers are saying this is a bad railway."

"Indeed," said the Fat Controller, "we cannot allow that. Will you quiet the passengers please? I will go and speak to Henry."

The Fat Controller left for Tidmouth Sheds immediately. He found Henry, Gordon and James looking sulky.

"What is this all about?" demanded the Fat Controller. The engines didn't answer. "Come along, Henry. It's time your train was ready."

But before Henry could reply, Gordon rudely interrupted. "Henry's not going. We won't shunt like common tank engines. That was Thomas' job. We are important tender engines. You fetch our coaches, and we will pull them. Tender engines don't shunt."

"Oh, indeed," said the Fat Controller severely. "We'll see about that. Engines on my railway do as they are told." And he hurried away.

Gordon sniggered; his plan was working. Henry sighed. "I don't know about this."

"Quiet, Henry," whispered James and that was that.

The Fat Controller went to find Edward, but he was having difficulty of his own. The Yard has never been the same since Thomas left to run his Branch Line, he thought sadly. He made his way to Wellsworth where Edward was shunting. "Leave those trucks, please, Edward," he said. "There's confusion at Knapford and I want you to push coaches for me in the Yard."

Edward had been doing odd jobs for a long time, but was happy to help. "Thank you, Sir. That will be a nice change."

"That's a good engine. Off you go then."

So, Edward found coaches for Henry, Gordon and James and that day, the trains ran as usual, but the next morning when the Fat Controller came, Edward looked unhappy. Gordon came clanking past hissing rudely.

"Bless me!" said the Fat Controller, "what a noise."

Edward was not the kind of engine to complain, but he felt the Fat Controller needed to know what was going on. "They all hiss me, Sir," he answered. "They say tender engines don't shunt and last night, they said I have black wheels. I haven't, have I, Sir?"

"No, Edward, you have nice blue ones. It seems that they don't agree with you working without fuss while they continue to sulk, but I'm proud of you. Tender engines do shunt, but all the same, we do need another tank engine here."

The Fat Controller went to an Engine Workshop on the Mainland and explained the situation. The workmen showed him all sorts of engines, big and small. At last, he saw a smart little green engine with four wheels. "Mmm, yes, that's the one," he said thoughtfully and looked all over it. "Yes, you seem like just the engine I need. If I choose you, will you work hard?"

"Oh, Sir! Yes, Sir!" squeaked the little engine excitedly.

The Fat Controller smiled. "That's a good engine." And he turned to the workmen. "I'll take him." The green engine's fire was lit and was soon making steam. "Now, what is your name?" asked the Fat Controller.

"I don't have one, Sir."

"Well then, I think I'll call you…Percy."

"Yes, Sir! Thank you, Sir!" said the engine and whistled happily.

The Fat Controller bought Percy and brought him back to the Yard. "Edward," he called, "here's Percy. He's come to help. Will you show him everything?"

"Right away, Sir."

Edward was pleased to meet a new friendly face and Percy felt the same way. Percy soon learned what he had to do, and they had a happy afternoon.

Then, Henry came by hissing as usual. He was cross at Gordon and James for causing such a fuss and making him part of it all.

Suddenly, "WHEEEEEEEESH!" went Percy. Henry jumped and ran back to the Shed.

Edward couldn't help laughing. "How beautifully you wheeshed him. I can't wheesh like that."

"Oh," said Percy, "that's nothing. You should hear them in the workshop. Sometimes, there is so much noise, you have to wheesh loudly to make yourself heard."

The next morning, Thomas arrived and noticed Percy. "Hullo, Edward," he said. "Who is this?"

"This is Percy," the old engine replied. "He's come to help shunt in the Yard."

"So, you're Thomas," said Percy. "Edward told me you used to shunt here."

"Yes," said Thomas, "but I have my own Branch Line now. When did you get here?"

"Yesterday."

"Where were you last night, Thomas?" asked Edward.

Thomas sighed. "I was very busy yesterday. I was too tired to come back to Tidmouth so I spent the night at Elsbridge. The Fat Controller sent for me this morning. I expect he wants help."

"Sh, sh, here he comes," replied Edward.

"Well done, Thomas. You've been quick," said the Fat Controller kindly. "Listen, Henry, Gordon and James are sulking. They say won't shunt like common tank engines. So, I have shut them up and I want you both to run the line for a while."

"Common tank engines, indeed," snorted Thomas. "We'll show them."

"And Percy will help too."

"Oh, Sir. Yes, Sir. Please, Sir," answered Percy and so, it was arranged.

Edward and Thomas worked the Main Line, starting at opposite ends and greeting each other as they passed by. Along with shunting in the Yard, Percy sometimes puffed along Thomas' Branch Line. Thomas was anxious about leaving Annie and Clarabel behind, but both Percy's Driver and the Guard promised to take care of them.

There were fewer trains, but the passengers didn't mind. They knew the three other engines were having a lesson.