//------------------------------//
// The World's Strongest Engine 
// Story: Thomas and Friends: the New Adventures 
// by The Blue EM2 
//------------------------------//

The engines of Sodor have always enjoyed feeling responsible, reliable, really useful, and virtually anything else beginning with the letter R. They always work hard to keep the trains running on time, and none of them like confusion or delay. None of them also like running backwards for no good reason, especially when the brake van is at the wrong end.

Unfortunately, the trucks don't agree. They delight in causing havoc, and accidents, and poor Henry found this out the hard way when a group of coal trucks derailed on the main line, throwing him off the rails and into the four foot. Sir Toppham Hatt came to see the engines about it, to console them about Henry's state.

"Henry," he said, "has had an accident. It's not too serious, but he'll be out of action for a few days, and as a result we have not enough engines."

"Sir, I can help!" Stepney piped up. "I don't mind the work!"

"As much as I appreciate the enthusiasm," Sir Toppham Hatt replied, "you are not powerful enough. I have made the decision to bring Diesel back to the island to help out for a few days at the docks."

"WHAT?" Apple Bloom explained. "That no good diesel and his brat of a driver are bound ta cause trouble!"

"I don't like it either, as I remember the galloping sausage incident all too well," Sir Toppham Hatt sighed. "But it's the only option we have. I tried to hire the Q1 from York but he's busy at the Bluebell, so Diesel it is."

The engines grumbled but otherwise did nothing to oppose him. But that didn't mean they couldn't privately dislike Diesel. And they had good reason to be concerned about him.

"I hope Henry's back in action soon," said Percy. "You know how hard he works; he could move more trucks than that Diesel ever could!"

"Trucks," Gordon said, "are nobody's friend, as well I know."

"Indeed you do," Edward smiled. "I had to help you up the hill, remember?"

"Only because they wouldn't come quietly, like coaches do!" Gordon spluttered.





Diesel arrived at Tidmouth the next day, and I'm sorry to say he was just as bad as his previous visit. "Oh, look at us, splendid and up to date!" he boasted, as he moved the trucks about.

Silver Spoon waved at the other drivers. "It's so nice to be back," she said, with faux niceness. "When Sir Toppham Hatt sees how efficient the diesels are, he'll replace all the steam engines."

Derek, who was nearby, disliked Diesel and his arrogant nature. "Why, I'll have you know that steam engines are perfectly fine machines. They do good work, and rarely complain. BoCo will tell you the same."

"Well, you're both traitors. I wonder if it has something to do with the fact you're the last members of your classes?"

The trucks also had an idea, as Diesel had been fun last time. They began to sing. "Is that all you can haul, Henry's loads are longer, is that all you can haul, Henry must be stronger!"

Diesel growled at them. "They were in considerably better voice last time," he grumbled. "If I can seem like I can pull more than Henry, which I probably can over short distances, they'll stop singing."

So Diesel put his plan into motion. He bustled about the yard, assembling as many trucks as he could, until they were all assembled in a long line. There were big trucks and small trucks, tankers and plank wagons, bogie bolsters and conflats loaded with containers. There must have been at least 20 trucks there, or possibly more!

Diesel coupled up to the end of the train, and readied for his attempt.

"What's going on?" Percy asked, as he shunted some more trucks.

Apple Bloom was watching from Duck's footplate, and turned around. "Want some popcorn?" she asked, offering Pinkie Pie some.

"Thank you! Why are you offering me popcorn?"

"Well, Diesel here thinks he can pull all those trucks. But he ain't knowin' that we put all the brake blocks on! Diesel don't have the tractive effort ta pull that lot. Ah reckon he'll give up after five minutes."

Silver Spoon looked behind her, to see a crowd had assembled to watch. "Behold, the wonders of modern diesel technology!" she said.

"Diesel is over 60 years old," said a bystander.

"Who are you calling old?" Diesel snapped, as Silver Spoon put his engine to full power. He was attempting to push the stock forward to the sidings, and his couplings had been left disconnected for this very reason. As he continued to push as hard as he could, the trucks wouldn't move. His wheels slipped furiously.

He stopped after a few moments, and Silver Spoon coupled him up. They would try to pull the trucks instead.

"Heave ho, heave ho, you can pull but we won't go!" the trucks laughed.

"SHUT UP!" Diesel snapped. His face was red and he looked just about ready to run something over. He was so angry he'd forgotten that behind him lay the end of the harbour line. On the other side was a sheer drop.

So he pulled, and he pulled, and he pulled. Apple Bloom suddenly jumped off Duck's footplate and sprinted across the dockside.

"Where are you going?" asked Duck.

"That couplin's gonna snap! Ah may dislike Silver Spoon, but Ah wouldn't want her ta drown!"

Apple Bloom clambered onto Diesel's cab access ladder just in time. As she did so, the coupling broke, and Diesel shot backwards. Apple Bloom pulled open the door.

"Silver! Ya have ta jump, or you'll end up in the drink!"

Silver Spoon ran over to the open door and jumped as Apple Bloom dived off the ladder. Diesel raced backwards, crashed through the buffers and fell into a drydock.

Silver Spoon looked at Apple Bloom in astonishment. "Even after all I did to you... you saved me?"

"Don't get me wron', what ya did is not cool, but Ah'm willin' ta give others a second chance. Wanna be friends?"

Silver tentatively took Apple Bloom's hand, and let her pull her up. Both of them walked over to the drydock where Diesel now lay.

"HELP! SOMEBODY GET ME OUT OF HERE! THERE'S SEAWEED!"





Sir Toppham Hatt was not pleased when he inspected the mess. "I thought that Diesel would behave himself after what happened last time, but clearly I was mistaken," he said. "However, Apple Bloom put in a good word for Silver Spoon, so I want you to work at the quarry. I will not extend this mercy a second time." He turned to Henry. "Henry, can you take the goods and make up the lost time?"

"Yes sir!" Henry replied.

"It'll also be a good opportunity to see if Henry's fully running properly," Fluttershy added.

Henry was as good as his word. He was coupled to the train, and effortlessly pulled away as if nothing was coupled to him. The other engines whistled and cheered as he set off on his way.

Diesel, on the other hand, is now at the Ffarquhar Quarry under the watchful eye of Mavis, and she and Diamond Tiara are already doing a wondrous job of improving his temprament. Silver Spoon also attended her first meeting of the Cumbrian Mountain Crusaders this past week, and save to say her snootiness is beginning to slip away.