Chapter 59: A Bad Day for Sir Handel

If one day you were to take the express, the only stop before the mainland would be at Crovan's Gate. Here the North-Western Railway meets the Skarloey Railway, a narrow- gauge line that runs into the hills and vallies. It is run by two engine drivers named Skarloey and Rheneas, who are as old as Toby. Their engines are old and in need of repairs, but they love them very much.

One day, Mr. Percival, the controller of the line, came to the engine driver's house to speak to them.

"Rheneas, your engine is due for an overhaul," he said, "Luckily, I have recently bought some new engines from the Mid Sodor Railway which closed down a while ago, and hired the old drivers from there to work as well. They shall do your work, while you may have some time off."

Rheneas was pleased, but Skarloey was sad.

"But sir," he began, "what about my engine? It needs an overhaul as well."

Mr. Percival sighed sadly.

"I'm sorry, Skarloey," he said sadly, "But I'm afraid we don't have the money to spare for two overhauls at the time. For now, we shall keep you and your engine on standby in case we need extra help. Until then, enjoy a paid vacation."

Skarloey was sad, but understood. The next day he saw Rheneas to the station. Rheneas had decided to go to Whales while on vacation and visit his twin, Dolgoch, who worked on the Talyllyn Railway.

"I hope to see you soon," he told his brother, "Say hello to Dolgoch and Talyllyn for me, will you?"

"Of course," said Rheneas, "and cheer up. I'm sure your engine will be in the works before you know it."

Soon Gordon drove into the station with the express. Rheneas boarded, and the train soon set off. As Skarloey waved goodbye, he couldn't help but feel that there would soon be trouble.

His worries proved to be true the next day, when the new engine drivers arrived. Their names were Peter Sam and Sir Handel. Peter Sam was a nice lad, but Sir Handel was rude and impatient.

"What a small house," Sir Handel snorted, "This will never do. And do they expect my engine to stay in that shed?"

"I think it's nice," said Peter Sam, "besides, they don't need a large house for three people, do they?"

But Sir Handel continued to complain.

"And who is that over there? They're so dirty. Keep away from my engine, will you?"

"Sssh! That's Skarloey, he's famous," said Peter Sam, "I am sorry, Skarloey. He's usually not like this, but we've lost somebody close to us recently, and it's been very hard for us since the old line closed down.

Skarloey felt bad for Peter Sam. Just then the yard manager came up.

"'Sir Handel, you're to take the next passenger train to the top station," he said. Sir Handel was livid.

"What? But I've just gotten here," he snorted, "Have Peter Sam do it, he'll love it."

"Sorry, Mr. Percival's orders," replied the yard manager.

Sir Handel crossly drove his engine to the carriage sheds. However, he was not pleased with what he saw.

"What is this?" he scoffed at the old coaches, "They expect passengers to ride in these cattle trucks? Whatever is the world coming too?"

There were several others in the shed who were getting the coaches ready for the run. They were Agnes, Ruth, Lucy, Jemmima, and Beatrice, other employees of the railway. The first three were stewardesses, but Beatrice worked as a guard. They loved the old coaches and brakevan, and were offended to here Sir Handel say that.

"Oooh!" They cried, "What a horrid man!"

Sir Handel just grunted apathetically.

"It's just not what I'm used to," he huffed. After coupling the couches to his engine, he set off for Crovan's Gate.

Gordon was waiting for him when he arrived.

"Hello," said Sir Handel, "Who are you?"

"I'm Gordon, who are you?"

"My name is Sir Handel. Yes, I've heard about you. You're an express driver, aren't you? So am I, but I prefer nice bogie coaches, not these old cattle trucks you see here. Do you have proper coaches? Yes, I see that you do. We must chat again some time, but I must get going. Goodbye!"

Gordon was speechless!

The run went well for the first part, but then they reached the final hill. This was the steepest part of the line, and where Beatrice enacted the plan. She gently applied the brakes and kept them hard on, slowing the train to a slow stop. Sir Handel felt the train start to slide down the hill.

"Oh no you don't," he grumbled, "It took too much effort to get this train up the hill, and I won't go through it again."

It took a lot of coal and water, but at last they reached the top and coasted to the last station. Sir Handel was hoping for a rest, but the Stationmaster came up and derailed his plans.

"Leave the train here," he said, "Peter Sam will be along to bring the passengers home. You are to go to the slate quarry and bring a train to Crovan's Gate."

This sent Sir Handel over the edge.

"Trucks!" he roared, "TRUCKS! FIRST I HAVE TO PULL CATTLE TRUCKS, THEN THAT GUARD ALMOST MAKES ME LATE, AND NOW YOU EXPECT ME TO PULL TRUCKS! NEVER! SO THERE!"

He was so caught up in his tirade that he accidentally hit the throttle, opening it up all the way. His engine shot off like a rocket, derailing at the points.

"Uh, told you?" Sir Handel said meekly.

Skarloey arrived with the breakdown train, while Peter Sam collected the passengers. Mr. Percival was there, and he gave a short but blunt message to Sir Handel.

"We shall discuss this later."

That evening, as Sir Handel drove his engine into the shed, he found Mr. Percival was waiting for him, looking rather cross.

"I don't know how you did things on the Mid Sodor Railway," he said, "But on my railway, my employees do as they are told. Your behavior today was most unprofessional. As punishment, you are hereby suspended for a week. Perhaps that will be enough time for you to think about how to improve you attitude."

And with that, he walked sternly away, leaving Sir Handel to stew in his thoughts.