The Skarloey Railway: Book 1: Chapter 1

If you were to visit the island of Sodor, you will see a lot of narrow gauge engines working there. Two engines named Skarloey and Rheneas work together and are the best of friends. Mighty and Mac, the double fairie engines, take passengers from here to the mountain. Duncan takes trucks on this railway, and he needs a banker, so....in the back of the trucks is Peter Sam, otherwise known as Staurt in the old days. Sir Handel, known as Falcon in the old days, works hard with Andia, the chirpy narrow gauge engine, and known as Granpuff, it's Duke to the rescue. Miller, alongside of Duke, is also to the rescue. Ivo Hugh is new on this railway, but he's proud to be an offical engine. And Rusty the little diesel engine helps mend lines. The others are just numbers and they speak. Mr. Peregrine Perival is the controller of this little railway. One beautiful spring day, the engines were just resting in the shed. They always talk about the day's adventures, just like the steam engines and diesels.

"I wonder what jobs we have," said Sir Handel. "It better not be pulling trucks." Not long ago, Sir Handel was being stubborn and went for a dive with the trucks, and he doesn't like pulling trucks like the big engines.

"Now, don't you mind the trucks Sir Handel," Duke said importantly. "We'll just have to see when our controller knows it, just like we always do."

"Not me." came a reply. Just then, Mr. Perival arrived. He give the engines their jobs for the day. "Now, that only leaves with Sir Handel. You will take trucks up and down the line, be back in time for Sir Topham Hatt's refreshment party."

"Oh, darn!" he groaned. His hope was dashed. He didn't want to pull trucks and complained about it to his driver, fireman, the guard, and the engines.

"I hate shunting!" he growled for the third time. "My boiler aches so much from them, and the trucks don't even like me!" The driver shook his head without a word, the fireman slapped his forehead with his hand. "It's almost time to go," he said gravely. Mighty Mac grinned triumphantly. Duncan was trying not to laugh. Skarloey and Rheneas both sniggered.

"What? What?" asked Sir Handel, annoyed. "I haven't done one thing yet!"

Duncan coughed, then spoke up,"Your fireman slapped his forehead, what a laugh." Then he burst out laughing and couldn't stop until his driver scolded at him.

Sir Handel left to find the trucks at the platform, all eight of them waiting for him.

"Ooooh, that's clever!" a truck groaned. "Sir Handel's going to take us today, let's play a trick at him instead."

"No no no!" insisted an old truck slowly. "He's probably takin' us to the other railway!"

As soon as the guard was ready, he blew the whistle and Sir Handel puffed away.