Chapter 69: Oliver Owns Up

Oliver and Toad greatly enjoyed their new lives on Sodor. Oliver and Duck got along splendidly, and were soon talking like old friends. However, Oliver does like to go on about how he got to Sodor, which annoys Duck, but he humors him by listening to it.

"I honestly don't know what would happen if Douglas hadn't helped us," Oliver said, "That man is a hero."

Everyone else enjoyed having Oliver with him, and could listen to his stories all night.

"Truly remarkable," said Henry.

"Indeed," James agreed, "Oliver definitely has resource."

"Not to mention Sagacity," continued Gordon, "he is an example to us all."

Oliver enjoyed their compliments, although I am sorry to say that they went to his head. He thought that he knew everything there was to know, and became very conceited.

The next day, Sir Topham Hatt met him at the station.

"Some supplies are waiting at Brendam Docks and need to be taken to Maron yards," he told Oliver, "I need you to collect them for me."

Oliver was delighted, and drove off to the harbor.

"This will be easy," he thought to himself, "Just another job to show how trustworthy I am to Sir Topham Hatt."

However, there was one thing he had not accounted for: The dock workers. On his old railway, the workmen were quiet and did their work without much fuss. However, the workmen on Sodor were often members of The Sledgehammers, who were delighted to stir up trouble whenever it was possible for them. Oliver had been warned by the other drivers about them, but he thought that he could order them around.

When he arrived at the docks, he found the workmen still loading his trucks.

"Come on, you lazy lot," he complained, "This lot should have been loaded already. What's taking you so long?"

"It's not our fault," said the foreman, "The ship was delayed, and we were understaffed."

"That is not my concern," Oliver snapped, "If that is the case, then you should have worked harder and faster. Sir Topham Hatt is counting on me to get these supplies to the yards, and I will not let him down. If you can't keep to a schedule, then perhaps you should be replaced."

Duck and Donald were nearby and overheard everything.

"I wouldn't act like that around them if I were you," Duck warned him, "The workmen on our railway have been known to play nasty tricks on engine drivers who order them about."

"Nonsense," sniffed Oliver, "They need to know their place. Besides, a Sagacious engine driver like me should not keep Sir Topham Hatt waiting. It wouldn't be right."

"You may be Good gracious," said Duck, "But- "

"Save yer breath, Duck," Donald interrupted, "He'll learn soon enough."

Unbeknownst to the three of them, the workmen had been meddling with the train while they were talking. When Oliver had to stop he would be in for a nasty surprise.

To make sure nothing spilled out during the journey, Oliver drove the train backwards. All went well for the first part of the journey. That was, until they reached Gordon's Hill. As they crested over the top, Oliver gently tried to apply the brakes. However, the workmen at the docks had tampered with the brakes on the brakevan, and the heavy trucks surged against his engine, sending it, the train, and Oliver flying down the line. Oliver fought hard for control, but it was not easy. At last, as they came into the yard, the train started to slow.

"Yes," Oliver thought, "I'm winning."

But it was too late. With a crash, the back end of the engine fell into the turntable well. Bill and Ben were in the yard shunting, and could not help but laugh at his predicament.

"Having fun, are we Oliver?" Bill asked teasingly, "Doesn't look like that's very fun to me. What do you think, Ben?"

"Oh, definitely not," Ben agreed, "Now the tender engine drivers won't be able to use that turntable. They won't be happy, and neither will Sir Topham Hatt.

Oliver was embarrassed.

It took a long time to clean up the mess. Sir Topham Hatt soon arrived, and he was not happy.

"While I understand that you did your best to prevent this accident, Oliver," he said sternly, "I understand that you were pushing the workmen around. Now normally I do not stand the behavior of the sledgehammers, I cannot say that they were completely in the wrong here. They were behind due to circumstances beyond their control, and you snapped at them for no reason. For that reason, both you and them shall be suspended for two weeks as punishment for your actions. I do hope that this will teach you to not let compliments go to your head in the future.

Oliver just said nothing. He knew that he had a lot to learn in the future.