Hector the giant coal truck used to be angry and fierce. He didn't want to be filled with coal and scared away any engine who tried. He had bullied Bill and Ben when they brought him to the quarry, then he had frightened Rosie so much that she ran away. He had even tried to intimidate Thomas, who was brave enough to stand up to him. Hector had shouted, "Keep away!" but Thomas didn't. The brave little tank engine was furious at Hector's treatment of Rosie and shunted Hector so violently that Hector fell off the tracks. It was only then that Hector confessed to Thomas that he was scared. He was a new truck and had never been filled with coal before. He didn't know what it felt like! Thomas instantly forgave him and even confessed that he was sometimes scared too, when he had to do something new. The kind little engine had shown Hector that coal was nothing to be afraid of. He had demonstrated this by filling his own bunker with coal, and emerging from the cloud of dust with a smile on his face. Hector was excited to try it for himself, and let Thomas pull him underneath the coal hopper. As the first lumps of coal poured into him, he began giggling. It tickled! It felt wonderful! The coal gave him extra weight and he stood firm and heavy on the rails. Thomas was very pleased with him. Later on, when James and Edward arrived to take their trains, Thomas had called "Good luck!" to Hector as he rolled away, beaming with happiness. Thomas had changed his whole outlook and now he was eager to prove his worth.

But lately he had a new problem to deal with. The other trucks took a dislike to him and began to call him a traitor and a spoilsport. They wanted him to interfere with the running of trains just like they did, using his size and weight to bump engines off the rails for their entertainment. They mocked him for wanting to be friends with engines, and whispered loudly so that he would know they were gossiping about him.

"I don't want to be friends with engines," Hector said sadly. "I just want to do my job."

"I just want to do my job," they mocked in silly voices. "You think you're better than us!"

"No I don't!" said Hector sadly. "I'm just a coal truck, like you."

"Not like us," they replied. "We don't like you anymore."

Hector stood in silence while the trucks chattered and laughed. It had been a few days since he'd last been needed, and suddenly he longed to see Thomas, anyone, who would fill him with coal and take him away. But no one did, and he grew sadder and sadder as his fellow trucks continued to scorn him. It seemed they didn't have anything better to do than be as horrid as he once was. Maybe they were right. He was just a truck, and he had no business being happy to be useful. Maybe it was a truck's lot to be sour and miserable. He certainly felt miserable now.

Finally the day came when he was needed again. But instead of being happy to see Thomas and Rosie, he gripped the rails and scowled as they drew near.

"Keep away!" he growled.

"Oh no!" cried Rosie and tried to scamper backwards, but Thomas stopped her.

"No, Rosie. This isn't like Hector. We're going to find out what's wrong."

Thomas rolled towards Hector. The other trucks cackled in delight, prompting Hector to draw his features into an angry scowl.

"Attaboy, Hector!" one of them shouted. "You show him!"

Thomas glanced over at the trucks, then at Hector. The big coal truck was baring his teeth, but his eyes looked dull and listless.

"What's the matter, Hector?" Thomas asked, searching the coal truck's face for answers.

"Nothing," Hector hissed. "Just keep away."

"Rosie, take those trucks to the coal hopper. I need to talk to Hector," Thomas instructed. Rosie moved forward hesitantly and tried not to look at Hector as she began shunting the trucks into line. Emboldened by Hector's behaviour, they giggled nastily at her but she persevered. She wanted to get as far away from Hector as possible. Thomas waited until Rosie had pulled the line of trucks away, then fixed Hector with a steely glare.

"Now tell me what's wrong," he demanded.

Hector's face fell. "It's them. They hate me. They've been nasty to me ever since the day you taught me not to be scared. They think I've got ideas above my station. Have I, Thomas? I might be bigger than they are but when all is said and done, I am just a truck. I have no right to think I'm anything special."

"You have every right," said Thomas. "You are special. You're not afraid of coal, and you're not afraid to admit when you're wrong. Don't listen to them. They could be special if they wanted, but they have no ambition. They're nasty to everyone, even each other. I was so proud of you the other day. Everyone was. Why, James talks about you all the time, and James knows better than anyone how awful trucks can be."

"Really?" Hector's eyes brightened. "I like James. He's fun!"

"James is a one-off alright," chuckled Thomas.

"The trucks accused me of wanting to be friends with engines," said Hector. "They made me doubt myself. But I do want to be friends with engines, especially really useful ones like you and James and Edward!"

Thomas smiled gratefully. "I'm sorry you were left alone with the trucks. You deserve a lot better. I'm going to ask Sir Topham Hatt to make sure you're always kept busy and useful, just like us. You'll make lots of new friends. Every engine likes a helpful freight car!"

Hector was so happy he broke into a broad grin. "Thank you, Thomas. I'm very sorry I tried to be mean again. It felt awful." The sparkle came back to his eyes as he looked across the yard at Rosie. "Do you think Rosie might want to help me get filled with coal? I haven't made a very good impression on her and I'd like to make amends."

"I'm sure she'll be honoured," said Thomas, peeping his whistle at Rosie. "She's a very brave engine but nobody likes being shouted at."

"I'll never shout at any engine again," said Hector proudly. "But I might just shout at trucks and show them what I'm made of!"

And from that day on, Hector became a most valuable member of Sir Topham Hatt's railway. Rosie, having eagerly accepted his apology, soon became one of his closest friends and confidantes. Hector and James had many adventures, and even the trucks grew to respect Hector as he had learned to keep them in line by using the weight they once wanted him to use against the engines. Hector could often be seen travelling the rails with a smile, but the biggest smile of all was reserved for Thomas, the little tank engine who had once stood up to him and then stood up for him. Thomas was more than a really useful engine, he was a really good friend, and Hector meant to keep it that way for as long as he lived.