Chapter 134: Thomas, Percy, and the Coal

Thomas is very proud of his branchline. He thinks that there is no better place on the Island to be and takes great pride in it and his engine.

"I tell you, boys," he told Toby and Percy one afternoon at the station, "There is no better color for an engine than blue."

"Oh, I don't know about that. I always preferred my tram engine's brown paint myself."

"I quite like green. I wouldn't want it to be painted any other color either."

Thomas just snorted.

"You're just in denial. Blue is the only color for a really useful engine."

"Don't let James hear that."

Thomas pretended not to hear that.

Later, Thomas was resting in a siding when Percy rolled in. The Coal Hopper was jammed, so he couldn't collect coal. The operator came over to him.

"I think there's something clogging the chute. Could you go and check, please? I'd do it myself but I'm too big."

"Sure thing."

Percy took a large pole and began poking around.

"Almost…no, wait…yes, got it!"

To everyone's surprise, coal began to pour out in pounds, trapping Thomas as Percy and the operator struggled to shut it off.

"Help! Help! Get me out!"

"Turn it off!"

"I can't! Now its jammed open."

At long last, the operator shut off the hopper, but the damage was done. Both Thomas and his engine was covered from top to bottom in thick, black coal dust. Percy felt sorry for him, but couldn't help but laugh.

"Your engine doesn't look so useful now, eh Thomas?"

Thomas didn't find it funny.

"You did that on purpose!"

Now it was Percy's turn to be cross.

"No I didn't! It was an accident."

But Thomas didn't care. He quickly ran back to the house to clean up at once. It took him so long that Toby had to take his next train.

"Poor Thomas," he said to himself as he left the sheds.

Thomas and Percy were still cross at each other later that night. Toby tried to lighten the mood, but it did no good.

"Fancy a really useful engine driver like Thomas becoming a disgrace to the railway."

"Just you wait, Percy. You won't be laughing for long."

"Come on, guys. Can't we just-"

"NO!"

"Well, at least you can agree on something."

Thomas felt much better the next morning, but he was still cross with Percy. Percy wasn't much better, and the two refused to talk to each other during breakfast. Toby wisely stayed out of it, thinking the two were just acting silly.

Later that morning, Percy was bringing some cars to the junction. He had worked hard all morning and was feeling exhausted.

"The tanks are getting low. Id better fill them up."

But Percy wasn't watching went right past the water column. The buffers at the end of the siding were old and weak, leading to the engine crashing right through them and into a huge pile of coal. Percy was embarrassed.

It was time for Thomas to leave. He had seen everything.

"You know Percy, I don't think that's the proper way to fill up on coal."

"Stuff it, Thomas."

Later that night the two were finally talking once more.

"You know I didn't mean to cause that accident, right Thomas?"

"I know, and I'm sorry for being so stuck up."

"Well, all's well that end's well, right."

"Right. From now on, though, we should be more careful around coal."

Percy happily agreed.