Diesel didn\u2019t much like working in the shunting yard these days. Half the sidings had sad steam engines sitting idle in them. They made him uncomfortable with their long faces and longing looks. When he rolled by to arrange his trucks, they would try to talk to him and ask about the goings on at the station.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t sit around here with you,\u201d he\u2019d say snidely. \u201cI have work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
He did <\/em> have work to do, but he also didn\u2019t want any other diesels to see him talking to the steam engines. The diesels were quite proud of how well they were replacing steam. When they worked in the Yard, most of them would leer and jeer and honk their horns at the steam engines. Steam, they said, was going to be abolished soon. Diesel didn\u2019t know what \u201cabolished\u201d meant exactly, but he could guess that the steam engines would all be scrapped because of it.<\/p>\n One night, he was putting some trucks in order for the next day when he heard something along the track out of the Yard.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ll hear us. I\u2019m all stiff.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ll smell us, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n Someone laughed quietly.<\/p>\n Diesel rolled closer to see what it was. He smelled what it was first: burning coal.<\/p>\n He peered through the gaps in the trucks until he spotted the glow of a steam engine\u2019s firebox easing past. None of the steam engines in the yard should have been in steam. They were all meant to be retired. But this one had a Driver and a Fireman and was creeping along the tracks towards the junction out to the main line.<\/p>\n This one was trying to escape!<\/p>\n Diesel considered. He should raise the alarm and try to keep the steam engine from escaping. Even if he did though, none of them would be fast enough to stop the steam engine. He was already picking up speed, chancing to chuff a little louder about it as he got closer to the junction. None of the shunting diesels would be able to catch up to him once he got going. If Diesel called everyone over and the steam engine still escaped, he might be blamed for letting it happen.<\/p>\n So what if one steam engine escapes then <\/em>, thought Diesel. No one will know I saw him do it. <\/em><\/p>\n \u201cAren\u2019t you done yet?\u201d complained one of his yardmates, another shunter, as he rolled up behind Diesel. \u201cI\u2019ve been waiting for thos- are you daydreaming over here? At night? What are you staring at?\u201d<\/p>\n The steam engine hurried along towards them on the other track. It was only once he was right upon the two diesels that he saw them. His hopeful face fell at the sight of them, but he didn\u2019t falter.<\/p>\n \u201cGo it! They can\u2019t catch us!\u201d laughed his Driver.<\/p>\n Diesel and the other shunter watched as the steam engine – a worn-looking Jinty they could now both see – flew past them.<\/p>\n \u201cA steamer\u2019s escaping!\u201d shouted the other shunter. \u201cDon\u2019t just stand there! He\u2019ll get away!\u201d He blared on his horn from behind Diesel to call the rest of the diesels, startling Diesel into moving forward. A chorus of diesel horns returned the call in the distance in long bleats that grew louder as they raced over to help.<\/p>\n Diesel went as fast as he could so the shunter behind him wouldn\u2019t bump him, but he knew it was no use. The steam engine was already at good speed and could go three times as fast as Diesel could. The other shunter behind him honked his horn impatiently and berated Diesel for blocking the line. The steam engine was very nearly past the signal, well beyond any chance of them catching him. His signal was down and he ran straight through, letting out a couple tentative victory peeps of his whistle. By the time the rest of the diesels had caught up, the steam engine was gone.<\/p>\n They all demanded to know what happened and the other shunter was happy to tell them!<\/p>\n \u201cHe let a steam engine escape. Just sat there and watched them leave!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI did not!\u201d defended Diesel. \u201cI- I\u2026 It\u2019s dark. I couldn\u2019t see what it was until he was right on us!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou hardly need to see <\/em> it to know what it was,\u201d sniffed another engine haughtily.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd he took his time chasing him too!\u201d said the other shunter to the crowd. \u201cYou\u2019d think he was trying to help how he meandered along in front of me!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can only go so fast,\u201d complained Diesel. No one cared. Everyone argued and shouted around him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s all this then?\u201d said a voice breaking through the rabble. It was the Mainland Controller.<\/p>\n \u201cHe,\u201d said the other shunter pointedly, \u201cjust sat there and watched while a steam engine escaped.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t, Sir!\u201d said Diesel. \u201cIt\u2019s just that… Well, it\u2019s dark, Sir, and we\u2019re all painted black. How could I even know what I was seeing until it was already too late to do anything about it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cToo late?\u201d screeched the other shunter. \u201cSo you weren\u2019t even trying to catch him? I knew it!\u201d The rest of the diesels joined in the cacophony again.<\/p>\n \u201cQUIET!\u201d shouted the Controller, silencing all the engines. \u201cI will be looking into this matter, but as of this moment, it no longer concerns you engines,\u201d he said. \u201cGo back to your sheds.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about him?\u201d asked the other diesels. \u201cA traitor in our Shed is certainly our business!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll hear no more of it! Off with you!\u201d ordered the Controller.<\/p>\n But he did hear more of it. The next day, none of the other engines would work with Diesel. They sabotaged his jobs, they took his cars and put them in the wrong places, and they refused to speak with him. It caused confusion and delay.<\/p>\n There was too much work in the Yard to take time out to teach all the other engines a Lesson, so the Mainland Controller made Diesel stay in the Shed instead.<\/p>\n It isn\u2019t fair <\/em>, pouted Diesel. It wasn\u2019t, but it was easier. With Diesel in the Shed, the other engines stopped being naughty and went back to work.<\/p>\n \u201cAs you can see,\u201d said his Controller, waking Diesel from a bored sleep, \u201cWe\u2019re quite strapped for motive power ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s this back here? Not so strapped then,\u201d said another voice suspiciously. Diesel squinted against the light from the open doors to see who was with his Controller. He recognized the tone in that voice just as surely as he recognized the silhouette it belonged to. There at the other end of the shed, talking to his Controller was a short, stout gentleman in a tall top hat.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, er\u2013\u201d said his Controller and then, more quietly: \u201cYes, I\u2019d forgotten. We\u2013\u201d but the stout gentleman was already walking away from him and toward Diesel.<\/p>\n \u201cYou, there!\u201d he called. \u201cAre you a working engine?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cY-yes, Sir!\u201d answered Diesel rather too quickly. And then, more cautiously: \u201cIt\u2019s nice to see you again, Sir Topham Hatt, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n The stout gentleman stopped short with a look on his face that made Diesel tremble as though he were idling, even as his engine stood cold. The Fat Controller did not look happy to see him.<\/p>\n \u201cAhh yes, I remember you,\u201d said The Fat Controller. Diesel braced for the admonishment but it never came. The Fat Controller instead walked right up to Diesel\u2019s track and started examining his buffers. Diesel watched until the silence became too much.<\/p>\n \u201cEnjoying your visit, Sir?\u201d he chanced to ask.<\/p>\n The Fat Controller did not answer. Instead, he moved on to looking at his side rods and wheels. \u201cYou\u2019ve not been in the Shed for too long, then. You\u2019re not in need of repairs, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Sir!\u201d said Diesel proudly. \u201cFit as a fiddle, I am! Our Railway is so efficient now, with all us modern engines here, sometimes the Controller doesn\u2019t need all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n The Fat Controller turned back to his Controller, who mumbled something and looked away sheepishly. \u201cThere\u2019s still work to be done in the Yard,\u201d the Fat Controller said, turning back to Diesel. \u201cWhy have you been placed in the Shed?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh\u2026 well, Sir,\u201d said Diesel with a glance towards his Controller. \u201cThe other engines and I are having a\u2026 disagreement is all. They say they won\u2019t work with me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHave you called them names?\u201d the Fat Controller asked pointedly.<\/p>\n \u201cCertainly not, Sir,\u201d said Diesel. \u201cThey think I let a steam engine escape the Yard.\u201d<\/p>\n The Fat Controller looked suddenly much more interested. \u201cDid you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026 well\u2026\u201d Diesel wanted to say he had because the Fat Controller liked steam engines, but his own Controller was also very interested in his answer. \u201cIt was dark, Sir, and we\u2019re all painted black. It\u2019s like I told them,\u201d he added with another glance at his own Controller, \u201cI couldn\u2019t know what I was seeing until it had already passed by me. By then,\u201d he added imploringly, \u201cit was too late.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see,\u201d said the Fat Controller. Diesel hoped sincerely that he did.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t have any serviceable steam engines,\u201d offered the Mainland Controller, \u201cbut perhaps we could <\/em> spare this one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know\u2026\u201d hedged the Fat Controller. \u201cThere may yet be a steam engine going up for sale soon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOr one on your doorstep,\u201d grumbled the Mainland Controller. \u201cStill, you ought to plan a contingency.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm\u2026\u201d said the Fat Controller. \u201cMy own engines aren\u2019t very keen on this one either.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease, Sir,\u201d said Diesel. \u201cI could be really Useful. I\u2019m the fastest shunter here. I could run your Yard so well, you could open more branch lines for the steam engines. They\u2019d like me more then.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll decide the Arrangements on my Railway, thank you,\u201d said the Fat Controller. He didn\u2019t look as annoyed as he sounded though.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, well, if you\u2019ll follow me back to my office then,\u201d said the Mainland Controller hurriedly. The two made to leave.<\/p>\n \u201cGoodbye, Sir!\u201d called Diesel desperately after them. \u201cGoodbye!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe saw Sir Topham Hatt come in here earlier,\u201d said one of the other diesels as he backed into the shed that night. \u201cHas he come to give you a fourth try then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat business is it of yours?\u201d snapped Diesel.<\/p>\n \u201cDoubtful!\u201d chimed in another diesel, ignoring him. \u201cNot if he finds that steamer you let escape first.\u201d<\/p>\n Diesel hadn\u2019t considered that. He had hoped the Fat Controller would buy him if he thought he\u2019d let a steam engine escape, but he might not if he found the steam engine instead.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat a shame,\u201d taunted the first diesel. \u201cIf you don\u2019t find somewhere to go soon, the Controller will have to just be rid of you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWouldn\u2019t that be a laugh?\u201d cackled the second diesel. \u201cYou gettin\u2019 soft on steamers and then getting sent to the scrap yard right along with them for it!\u201d<\/p>\n Diesel didn\u2019t think it was very funny. He found his sleep that night fitful, but he remained in the Shed the next day so it hardly mattered if he was tired.<\/p>\n He remained in the Shed for so long that he was sure the Fat Controller had found that steam engine and was not going to take him. The other diesels thought so too.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s this load of scrap still doing in our shed?\u201d They hissed when they saw him. \u201cPut it in a siding with all his scrapheap friends.\u201d<\/p>\n One morning, they did just that. A man who was not Diesel\u2019s driver came in after the other diesels had left and started to climb into his cab.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are we going?\u201d asked Diesel nervously. He knew well enough that he wasn\u2019t being put back into service. The man did not answer and Diesel supposed that he just didn\u2019t know how to talk to engines. They drove out to the far end where the steam engines were kept in the Yard. There, the man got out and left him there.<\/p>\n The steam engines were excited to see him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou there!\u201d they called out to him. \u201cYou\u2019re the one who let that Jinty go, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026 \u201c dithered Diesel, but the steam engines didn\u2019t give him much chance to decide what to tell them.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, yes, \u2018it was dark and we\u2019re painted black\u2019, say no more, say no more!\u201d they tittered. \u201cYou\u2019ve done a good turn for him, you have. He might not have made it if you didn\u2019t hold up the other diesels.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t\u2013\u201d<\/p>\n The steam engines weren\u2019t really listening. They chattered away to each other about how good Diesel was and how he ought to be an example to all diesels. Diesel pouted. Why would he have been left out with the scrap engines unless he was to be scrapped himself? And what until then? He was new and modern and yet he\u2019d just be left here to rust with these antiques? Diesel sniffled to himself pitifully.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry, dear,\u201d\u00a0 croaked an especially old engine to him. \u201cIt won\u2019t be long now.\u201d Diesel wondered what she meant.<\/p>\n Soon it grew dark. Diesel tried to sleep but he was kept awake with worry. The steam engines dozed around him. They didn\u2019t see a lantern swaying in the distance or the crunch of footsteps on the ballast as it approached, but Diesel did.<\/p>\n Was this how it happened? Did they come in the night and make off with an engine under cover of darkness? Did the steam engines just wake up in the morning to find one of them missing or cut up?<\/p>\n The lantern came closer and Diesel could see the beginnings of a shadowed form behind its light.<\/p>\n \u201cNot me!\u201d he cried. \u201cTake one of them!\u201d The lantern and the shadow holding it came closer still.<\/p>\n \u201cShhh!\u201d hissed the shadow up at him. \u201cDon\u2019t wake the others. We\u2019re trying to leave quietlike.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen take one of them!\u201d begged Diesel. \u201cI’ll stay quiet if you take someone else.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe can\u2019t use any of these.\u201d The shadow raised its lantern and Diesel saw that it was his Driver. \u201cHe bought you <\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho did?\u201d snapped Diesel. He was cross that his Driver had scared him in front of the steam engines, who were still asleep and had not seen.<\/p>\n \u201cSir Topham Hatt, of course,\u201d answered his Driver impatiently as he climbed into his cab.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course? \u2026Really?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Controller says some engine at some museum railway put in a good word for you with him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe bought me<\/i>? Outright?\u201d asked Diesel again. \u201c Really? <\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d grumbled his Driver. \u201cAnd the Controller made me come here in the middle of the night so\u2019s you leaving wouldn\u2019t cause a stir in the Yard. So get a move on.\u201d<\/p>\n Diesel rolled slowly along, as quietly as he could, until he came to the signal at the junction. When he passed under it, he couldn\u2019t help but let out a couple taunting toots of his horn on the way out.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Diesel didn\u2019t much like working in the shunting yard these days. Half the sidings had sad steam engines sitting idle in them. They made him uncomfortable with their long faces and longing looks. When he rolled by to arrange his trucks, they would try to talk to him and ask about the goings on at the station. \u201cI can\u2019t sit around here with you,\u201d he\u2019d say snidely. \u201cI have work to do.\u201d He did have work to do, but he also didn\u2019t want any other diesels to see him talking to the steam engines. The diesels were quite proud of how well they were replacing steam. When they worked in the Yard, most of them would leer and jeer and honk their horns at the steam engines. Steam, they said, was going to be abolished soon. Diesel didn\u2019t know what \u201cabolished\u201d meant exactly, but he could guess that the steam […]<\/p>\n
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