Sir Handel is an engine who works in the hills of Sodor. He's a dark blue colour and has the number 3 painted on his side. Sir Handel is also known as one of the smoothest engines on the Thin Controller's Railway. That's because his big sturdy wheels have broad tires that hold well to the rails.

A long time ago, Sir Handel was a very boastful engine and usually misbehaved. One day, the Fat Controller had had enough and sent him to work in the Slate Quarry until he was a better engine. Sir Handel was miserable and caused even more trouble. It was only when the Fat Controller said he would have to keep him in the shed that he tried to be a better engine.

Years went by and Sir Handel had made progress. He learned that he wasn't as important as he thought and to be patient and careful. The Thin Controller was pleased with him and said he could pull trains on the railway again. Sir Handel was very happy indeed.

When summer was over, Sir Handel came back. The other engines were very pleased to see him and so was the Thin Controller. "Welcome back, Sir Handel," he said. "For your first job, I want you to collect some trucks of apples. You must pull them very carefully or the apples will bruise."

"Yes, Sir," wheeshed Sir Handel and off he chuffed. He used to not like pulling trucks, but right then, anything was better than working in the Slate Quarry.

At the Orchard, Sir Handel was coupled to the trucks and pulled them away very carefully. He pulled them around the lake at Woodland Way, across the Stone Bridge and then, he started to puff up a hill.

"This is lovely," Sir Handel sighed to himself.

Then, there was trouble.

Sir Handel's pistons popped, his traction rods rattled, and his boiler bubbled and bounced; he couldn't go on.

"What was that?" cried his Driver.

"It wasn't my fault," exclaimed Sir Handel.

Then, Peter Sam puffed up from behind. "Why have you stopped, Sir Handel?" he wheeshed.

"I don't know what happened," Sir Handel frowned. "I started climbing the hill when I started to rattle and rock and then, I had to stop." Peter Sam felt sorry for his old friend. "Can you help me up the hill?" puffed Sir Handel.

"Of course, I can," smiled Peter Sam. He buffered up behind and pushed Sir Handel and the trucks of apples all the way up the hill.

When Sir Handel arrived at the Station, the Thin Controller was very pleased. "There's not one bruise on those apples," he said. "What a smooth engine you are."

Sir Handel was happy the Thin Controller was pleased, so he didn't tell the Thin Controller about his problem. He didn't want to get sent back to the Slate Quarry again.

"Now, I have another job for you," the Thin Controller continued. "I want you to pick up sheep from Hill Farm.

"Yes, Sir," puffed Sir Handel, but he was worried. He knew there was a hill on that route too, but he was still too worried to say anything and puffed away quickly.

"Why didn't you say anything?" asked his Driver.

"There's work to do," Sir Handel insisted. "We can't let the Thin Controller down."

When Sir Handel arrived at Hill Farm, the Farmer was waiting. "Be careful; sheep need a smooth ride."

"Yes, Sir," chuffed Sir Handel and he puffed away with determination, but soon, Sir Handel came to the hill. Sure enough, his pistons popped, his traction rods rattled, his boiler bubbled and bounced, and he couldn't go on.

This time, Duncan came up behind and Sir Handel told him about his problem. Duncan felt sorry for his friend, but he was happy to help. Thanks to Duncan, Sir Handel delivered the sheep safely to their new field.

When Sir Handel arrived at the Transfer Yards, the Thin Controller and Mrs. Percival were waiting. "Sir Handel, I am very pleased with your work today," smiled the Thin Controller, "and now, I have a very special job for you." Sir Handel beamed. "Today is my wife's birthday. You are to take us to the top of Culdee Fell Hill for a picnic."

"Yes, Sir!" replied Sir Handel, but then, he remembered that the tracks near Culdee Fell were very steep. Now, was more worried than ever.

"Excuse me, Sir," said his Driver, "I think-"

"We would be honoured to do the job!" Sir Handel cut in. "We will do our very best, Sir."

"Splendid," said the Thin Controller and he and his wife boarded the carriage. The Driver could only sigh.

Sir Handel puffed towards Culdee Fell. The track was even steeper than he remembered. "I can do it, I can do it! To the top, to the top!" he chuffed bravely. Then, it happened; his pistons popped, and his traction rods rattled.

Inside the carriage, the picnic hamper burst open, and the Thin Controller and Mrs. Percival were juddered and shuddered. Sir Handel shuddered to a stop.

The Thin Controller stepped down and walked over to Sir Handel. "What happened?" he asked. Sir Handel didn't know what to say. "Well," said the Thin Controller firmly, "you're a hard-working engine, Sir Handel, but you're no longer a smooth engine. I'll have to send you back to the Slate Quarry. That's the place for bumpy engines."

"No, Sir!" cried Sir Handel. "Please, Sir, I can be a smooth engine! I've only been shuddering and shaking when I go up hills. I don't know what's wrong."

The Thin Controller pondered. "…I see."

"Please, don't send me back to the Slate Quarry-"

"Thank you, Sir Handel, that will do." The Thin Controller made a telephone call; he looked very serious.

Later, Sir Handel was helped back to the Transfer Yards by Mighty Mac. Sir Handel was very worried; he was sure that the Thin Controller was going to send him back to the Quarry. I'll never see the railway again, he thought sadly.

When Sir Handel and Mighty Mac arrived at the Transfer Yards, they saw Thomas and the Thin Controller. "Hullo, Sir Handel," whistled Thomas. Sir Handel said nothing. "What's the matter?"

"I'm not a smooth engine anymore," Sir Handel replied sadly. "Now, I'll never work on this railway again."

"What nonsense," smiled the Thin Controller, "I've asked Thomas to take you to the Main Works for repairs. You're a special engine, Sir Handel, and you need special attention."

Sir Handel beamed from buffer to buffer. "Oh! thank you, Sir!" He had never felt happier.

Sir Handel was soon fixed and now, he could chuff cheerfully up every hill easily. The children in his carriages whooped and cheered and Sir Handel gave the smoothest ride of all, but what made him happiest was that he could be Really Useful on the Thin Controller's Railway once again.