WIP - Carl & The Engines vol.22 (Patreon)

The stone trucks from Ffarquhar Quarry were often taken to Knapford Harbor for export. Other times they were taken to other areas of Thomas’ Branch Line to aid in construction. 

While both James and Mavis handled shunting the trucks, Mavis was the only one that the quarry manager allowed to leave for good trains. This left James alone with the other engines, usually ‘Arry, Diesel, and occasionally Toby.  

But to James’ surprise, neither ‘Arry or Diesel ever bothered him. And so, James had no reason to say an unkind word to them, either. Little did he know that Diesel had told ‘Arry not to give James any trouble, and that in due time, he’d leave the red engine in disgrace… 

A few days later, Diesel noticed that for the first time since arriving to work there, James had left the quarry with his own goods train. 

“About time he left,” he chuckled to himself and made his move. 

Close by, a line of trucks were resting in a siding that Mavis had taken them to earlier. Making sure that no one else was watching, Diesel oiled up along side them. “You know,” he said, “I must thank you for making James feel welcome here.” 

He then pretended to look sad. “It’s just a shame that he doesn’t value you at all.” 

This made the trucks curious.  

“What do you mean?” one of them asked. 

“Well, you see,” Diesel explained solemnly, “James believes that this work is beneath him and he’d rather go back to pulling shiny, fancy coaches on the Main Line instead of dirty, annoying trucks. He couldn’t stop talking all night long about it.” 

The trucks were furious! Diesel had to stop himself from smirking in triumph. Even though James hadn’t been rude to them, the gullible trucks easily fell for Diesel’s lies. 

“And on top of that, between you and me,” he continued, “James told me that he’s the strongest goods engine on the entire Island of Sodor. He said that he could haul you all out of here effortlessly.”

 “All of us?!” one truck piped crossly. 

“Effortlessly?!” another chimed in. 

“Oh yes,” Diesel said. 

“Quite so. Without breaking a sweat, even! The nerve of such a haughty engine!” The row of trucks loudly agreed. 

“Now listen, boys,” Diesel said in a low whisper, “if I were you, I’d make James prove himself. Let’s see how mighty his strength really is.” 

“How?” the trucks asked. This time, Diesel couldn’t help but grin devilishly. 

“Well…”