Chapter #4: Devious Problem

Planet Earth, location UK island of Sodor 

Henry has had an accident pulling a goods train thanks to some Troublesome Trucks and is sent to the works.

At Tidmouth Sheds, Fat Controller tells the engines that Diesel is the only spare engine available.

The engines are not very happy about this, knowing how much trouble Diesel is. Percy and Thomas both hope that Henry is mended soon, claiming he moves more trucks than three diesels put together.

Percy: I hope Henry's mended soon.

Thomas: He moves more trucks than three Diesels put together.

Gordon: Trucks are no one's friends...

The next morning, at Brendam Docks

Diesel was working at the docks.

Diesel: When The Fat Controller sees how good I am...

He bragged to the trucks.

Diesel: ...he'll get rid of steam engines once and for all.

This gave the troublesome trucks an idea. As Diesel was shunting them together, they started to sing.

Troublesome Trucks: (singing) Is that all you can haul? Henry loads are longer. Is that all you can haul? Henry must be stronger.

Diesel was cross. He was sure to be stronger than Henry.

Diesel: I'll push you all at the same time.

The trucks giggled.

Troublesome Trucks: (singing) Push us all, that's the longest, push us all, you'll be the strongest.

Diesel: That's me. The world's strongest engine.

And Diesel shunted five trucks together, then ten, then fifteen. Soon he had an enormous line of twenty trucks.

Percy: What's Diesel doing?

Thomas: He thinks he's the world's strongest engine.

Jaune watching from the cab of Wilbert seen the black diesel. Actually thinking that he's strong enough to take care of loading that much amount of a trucks.

Diesel didn't know the shunters had set the brakes on the trucks. The troublesome trucks knew, but encouraged Diesel to push anyway.

Troublesome Trucks: Push! Push! Push!

And Diesel pushed and he pushed and he pushed, but the trucks didn't move. So Diesel decided to pull the trucks instead.

Troublesome Trucks: (singing) Heave ho, heave ho, you can pull but we won't go.

Sang the trucks. This made Diesel very cross. He pulled and he pulled and he pulled.

Diesel: HEELLLLP!!!!!

(Diesel falls into a barge)

Diesel: Grease and oil!

Jaune Arc, nestled comfortably in the cab of Wilbert, watched the scene unfold with a mix of amusement and concern. As Diesel struggled against the troublesome trucks, Jaune couldn't help but chuckle at the antics of the engines around him. He had always dreamed of being a hero, and maybe today would be one of those days when he could help out.

Jaune: (leaning closer to Wilbert) Looks like Diesel bit off more than he could chew, huh? 

Wilbert, the blue Bagnall 0-4-0ST, let out a cheerful whistle in agreement.

Wilbert: He certainly did! Those troublesome trucks are a handful, that's for sure. 

Diesel sulked as the trucks laughed and laughed. The Fat Controller looked down crossly at Diesel.

The Fat Controller: I thought you would be a proper dockyard diesel, but I was wrong.

The Fat Controller looked at Henry the big green 4-6-0 LMS Stanier 5MT

The Fat Controller: Can you make up for lost time, Henry?

Henry: Oh, yes, sir.

As Henry backed up to the trucks and the shunters released the brakes. Then Henry pulled away as easy as pie.

Henry pulls the lined trucks away

And the engines cheered. Diesel was sent home in disgrace, but the engines had learned a lesson.

Thomas: Even troublesome trucks can do you a favor sometime.

Percy: Like getting rid of a smelly old Diesel.

With Diesel sulking away, Jaune couldn't hide his excitement. This was the kind of adventure he had always yearned for—seeing the dynamics of teamwork and the camaraderie amongst the engines. He turned to Wilbert, who was watching the scene with a keen interest.

Jaune: Do you think Diesel will learn his lesson?

Wilbert: I hope so, Jaune! Sometimes it takes a bit of a tumble to understand the value of teamwork. 

As they made their way back to Tidmouth Sheds, Jaune spotted Thomas and Percy chatting animatedly.

Thomas: I can't believe Diesel thought he could out-muscle us! 

Percy: He really should know better than to trust those troublesome trucks.

Jaune laughed, feeling a sense of belonging among these engines.