A/N: Hey, guys! Here's another chapter! I hope you enjoy it! Also, I went with the American title since the UK title didn't work for this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Thomas the Tank Engine.

Chapter 6: Trouble for Thomas

Eventually Henry and Gordon stopped teasing Thomas about leaving the coaches at the station and went back to focusing on their work. Thomas kept quiet too, but quickly became bored with only using his engine to shunt rolling stock around the yard, and talked endlessly about it.

"I'm tired of pulling coaches," he said, "I want to see the world."

Henry and Gordon ignored him, hoping he would eventually forget about his fantasies. Edward, on the other hand, felt sorry for him, as he remembered how he was when he first started working on the railway.

"I'll tell you what," he told Thomas, "I have a goods train first thing tomorrow. If you'll take that for me, I'll push coaches in the yard."

"Thank you, Edward," Thomas smiled, "That would be nice."

The next morning the two drivers asked the yard manager, who agreed.

"As long as it gets there, I don't care who takes it," he said gruffly.

"Oh, one more thing, Thomas," Edward said as Thomas got his engine up to steam. "If you see anyone wearing jackets with a picture of a sledgehammer on them, just ignore them. They're part of the Sledgehammers, a group of workmen who don't like being told what to do. If you mess with them, they will pay you out."

But Thomas paid him no mind as he drove his engine to the station. Now most workmen on the railway don't bother the drivers too much and do their work with little complaint. However, the Sledgehammers were not like most workmen. They had started as a union of sorts, but started getting involved with gang activity. They thought that they had the most important jobs on the railway, and would do anything to prove their point. As they were technically a union, Sir Topham Hatt could not fire them just because they were a part of the group. However, he always made sure to scold them for their behavior. It never stopped them, though, and it is likely that nothing ever will.

A group of them were preparing Edward's goods train, completely unaware of the change of plans. They were surprised to see Thomas's engine backing down on to the train. The foreman came up to the cab to speak to Thomas.

"What are you doing, Thomas?" He demanded. "This train is for Edward, not you."

"He's let me take it," Thomas explained. "Now hurry up! I don't have all day."

The workers were mad, and decided to play a trick on poor Thomas. While Thomas was busy they meddled with the trucks, adding more goods than was needed. They knew Thomas would have to go over Gordon's Hill, so they added the weight to send him flying. No one knew about this, and once the shunter had coupled the train to the engine Thomas set off.

Thomas loved the run, as he got to see sights that he never got to see in the yard. They soon came to Gordon's Hill. Thomas had to build the engine's fire up more, as it required a lot of steam to go up hill. As they reached the top, Thomas began to apply the brakes. However, the added weight pushed the train forward as it flew down hill.

"What's going on?" Thomas cried as he frantically tried to stop the train. When they approached Maron, a nearby Signalman switched him onto the siding. The train stopped just before the buffers.

As Thomas got out of the cab to collect his bearings, he turned to see Sir Topham Hatt's car pull up. Sir Topham Hatt got out of his car, looking very cross. He stormed up to Thomas, looking ready to blow.

"Thomas!" He shouted. "What are you doing here!"

"Edward let me take his goods train," Thomas replied.

"Well, you should have checked with me first," Sir Topham Hatt said, "Your little stunt has caused Confusion and Delay. The workmen and the yard told me about you bossing them around. I have suspended them, but you should not have rushed them."

"Yes sir, sorry sir," Thomas sighed. Seeing Thomas's expression, Sir Topham Hatt lightened a little.

"I know you want to take trains out, but you still have much to learn," he told Thomas. "But I know that once you do you will be a really useful engine driver."

With that, Thomas backed his engine out of the yard, where the extra cargo was unloaded. After that, he set off, saddened by the day's events. Sir Topham Hatt shook his head.

"He reminds me of me when I was his age," a voice replied.

Sir Topham Hatt turned to see Glynn behind him.

"Glynn! What brings you here?" He asked, clearly shocked to see his old friend.

"I was visiting an old friend when I heard about Thomas," Glynn replied. "He sure is a feisty one. Perhaps I can mentor him?"

Sir Topham Hatt thought about it for a minute, and then agreed.

"He could do with someone to teach him the ropes," he said, "and no one knows more about trains than you do. Very well, you may."

"Thank you, Topham," Glynn said, happy to have something to do in his retirement. "You shan't forget this."

And with that, Glynn strode away. Sir Topham Hatt smiled at the retreating figure.

"No, I won't," He thought, before he left in his car.

A/N: And, done! Sorry this took so long, but I hope you enjoyed it. I hope the way I handled the Troublesome Trucks as humans well. I debated how I should portray them, and this is what I settled on. Please let me know what you think. Bye!