Old Stuck Up
Original story by Christopher Awdry
Adapted by SteamLocoLtMtn 

The Fat Controller/Sir Topham Hatt prefers steam engines on his railway on the Island of Sodor, but he found diesels useful as many of them can pull either coaches or trucks. “They’re versatile,” he would say, “Real mixed traffic engines.” Boco and Derek are proud of this, many of The Fat Controller’s/Sir Topham Hatt’s engines have accepted diesels but James is not impressed; he liked Boco and Derek but he treated other diesels with deep suspicion. “Diesels don’t use coal and water,” he would grumble to the other engines, “How can you trust an engine who is different with their habits?” Visiting diesels sometimes boasted how superior they are, usually Boco and Derek have to spend the next day soothing hurt feelings.

One day, Diesel came from The Other Railway to help shunt in the yards, when he found out that he had to share the sheds with steam engines, he stopped outside with disgust. “Why on earth does The Fat Controller/Sir Topham Hatt keep such out-of-date objects?” He growled rudely “Dirty, filthy slow things, ugh!” Diesel shuddered as the engines glared at him. “On The Other Railway,” Diesel continued in an oily way, “Steam engines are kept strictly in their place. And they’re not allowed on the mainline without ‘special permission’.” Boco lost patience, “Well, stay outside if you’re so proud about it.” “We’re going to join our friends,” added Derek. Diesel sniffed and oiled away. “I hope it’s cold tonight and he can’t start tomorrow,” said James, “At least someone might want to preserve us. Who would need him, Old Stuck Up!” 

The engines were glad when morning came, they left the sheds as early as they could to collect their trains. Diesel is left alone. “That’s better,” Diesel purred to himself, “How can an engine rest with all that hissing and clanking.” As soon as his driver arrived, Diesel went off to work. Whilst shunting coaches and trucks, hauling heavy loads and boasting his superiority to the other engines, Diesel became so full of himself that he nearly forgot that he needed to be cleaned and refueled. The cleaning equipment and fuel supply are in part of Tidmouth Sheds where Boco and Derek shared. “If I go in while the shed is empty,” Diesel thought to himself, “No one will know where I’ve been.” He scuttled forwards quickly, well too quickly. The rails where Boco stood were oily and when Diesel tries to stop, his wheels skidded on the oily rails. With a despairing yell of horror, Diesel crashed at the back of Tidmouth Sheds. Diesel isn’t badly damaged but a dreadful draft came through the hole of Tidmouth Sheds.

Donald and Douglas arrived to clear up the mess while Derek pulled Diesel out of the wreckage, The Fat Controller/Sir Topham Hatt inspected the damage and had quite some stern words for Diesel. The story soon spread later that night when Derek, Donald and Douglas told the other engines all about it. “Well what would you know!” chortled Henry, “Stuck-up Diesel came unstuck!” “I say Boco,” said James, “What does The Fat Controller/Sir Topham Hatt called you and Derek?” “Versatile,” replied Boco, “But that’s not what he called Diesel. Derek told me about it, but it doesn’t sound very polite!”

The engines laughed about the events, but what about Diesel? He was repaired but The Fat Controller/Sir Topham Hatt sent Diesel packing again as Diesel is sent back to The Other Railway in disgrace. But I doubt he’ll ever learn his lesson, do you?