Both At Fault

"Both At Fault" is a story written by Loco123456.

Story
Wintertime had arrived. The only passengers that travelled on the trains were people going from one part of the railway to another. Sir Handel had arrived at Crovan’s Gate. Passengers got on and off, yet it seemed as though he wouldn’t leave on time. “I don’t understand it,” he grumbled. “There are less passengers than at peak time.” “But they still need help loading their luggage,” reminded his driver. The guard blew his whistle just as some passengers that had arrived late stepped onto the platform. The waved his red flag and the porters set to work to load their luggage. Once the train started to its way Sir Handel was four minutes late.

After he finished his service from Crovan’s Gate to Skarloey and back again he went to the Depot to help shunt trucks. His good friend Peter Sam was there. “Good afternoon!” he said cheerfully. “What’s good about it?” said Sir Handel crossly. “Some passengers arrived late and the porters and guard decided to help them, which in turn made me late! We should have just left them there. It would’ve served them right!” “Being nice to others is the right thing to do,” said Peter Sam kindly as he went back to shunting trucks into sidings. Sir Handel’s mood wasn’t changed because of this. He had hoped that his friend would have validated his feelings. The next day Sir Handel had problems with the trucks as he took them to the Wharf. Peter Sam was working there picking up parts for the Steamworks. “Rotten trucks! Rotten trucks!” said Sir Handel angrily as he bumped them one last time before being uncoupled. “What’s wrong this time?” asked Peter Sam. “The trucks nearly pushed me off the rails.” “It must have been due to you bumping them too much.” Sir Handel had had enough. He wanted to get away from the negativity of his friend and made a plan.

That afternoon he had to take trucks of coal from the Coal Yard to the goods depot at Vicarstown. Part of the plan was to not tell his driver that he needed more sand. Half way there he had to climb Culdee Fell Hill. He bumped his trucks very hard. When they reached the top and started to go down the other side the trucks pushed him all the way down. His driver tried to use his sanding gear. “We forgot the sand!” wailed his driver. They neared Middle station. They were switched into the small yard. His crew jumped clear as Sir Handel was accidentally switched into a shed. He crashed through the back wall, breaking his funnel and his buffers.

That night Rusty waited for Peter Sam at the Depot’s Sheds. “Do you know about Sir Handel’s accident?” he asked. “I heard his crew forgot to refill his sandboxes. Is there anything else?” “I spoke to him as I took him to the Steamworks. He caused the accident because he wanted to get away from you.” “Me?” “Yes. He said you didn’t validate his feelings and he didn’t know any other way to deal with it.” Peter Sam started to cry instantly. He didn’t mean to play a role in causing an accident, especially one that was skillfully planned. “Rusty, will you help me change my ways? I must be a different engine before he returns.” “Of course I will,” said Rusty kindly. Just then Duncan puffed crossly into the sheds. “Here’s your first lesson. Let Duncan know that you are willing to help him if he wants it.” “Duncan, I see you’re…er-what’s th-“ “Nothing! I don’t want to talk about it.” “Sorry Duncan. I’m trying to help Peter Sam out with something. I apologize if we added to your anger.” “That’s alright Rusty.”

At the Steamworks Sir Handel was feeling very upset. Although he was away from his friend, he had felt more hurt when he ran through the back wall rather than his feelings not being heard. “If you’d like anything else, please let me know,” said Victor kindly. “I do. Please help me control my temper.” “I’ll try my friend. But I can only do so much.” Like Peter Sam his first chance of changing his ways came quickly. “I need to be repainted,” said Jock. “But I was here first!” protest Sir Handel. “Sir Handel, what you can do in ties of frustration is let off steam slowly.” Sir Handel tried but he couldn’t resist let off steam hard and making big clouds of it. “I hope I can be different for my own sake before I’m repaired,” he sighed.

A few days later Peter Sam was assigned to pull a stopping train from Crovan’s Gate to Skarloey and back. Agnes, Ruth, Lucy, Jemima, and Beatrice were his coaches for this journey. “Agnes I noticed that you seem upset. I want to let you know that if you need anything that I’m here for you,” said Peter Sam kindly. “Thanks Peter Sam. I’d actually like to talk about it. Some naughty boys ran into the carriage shed last night and found it fun to scrape me with the shunters’ poles and stones at me.” “Did the w-“ “How terrible!” interrupted Ruth. “Would you like us to help you solve the problem?” asked Lucy. “I already told the workmen about it. They’re investigating. Sounds like I’m not the only coach that gets beaten.” Peter Sam felt terrible that yet again he couldn’t help. Yet at the same time he noted that he was slowly starting to change. A few days later he was filling up with water at the Transfer Yards. Sir Handel had been mended and puffed quietly up alongside. “Hello Sir Handel.” “Hello Peter Sam.” The two friends looked at each other in silence. “I’m sorry for causing you to plan an accident. I’m trying to change my ways in order to validate everyone’s feelings, especially yours.” “And I’m sorry I planned the accident. I know now how to control myself in times of anger.” They went back to just looking at each other. Sir Handel broke the silence with a grin. “Come on. Let’s shunt these trucks into line and get the coaches in the sheds.” “I’m right behind you.” Together the two friends went off to work. Ever since Sir Handel’s return Peter Sam has been very good at listening to other’s concerns and being able to help solve their worries and Sir Handel has been able to keep himself in check.

Characters

 * Peter Sam
 * Sir Handel
 * Rusty
 * Duncan
 * Victor
 * Jock
 * Agnes
 * Ruth
 * Lucy
 * Jemima (does not speak)
 * Beatrice (does not speak)

Locations

 * Skarloey Railway
 * The Wharf
 * Sodor Steamworks
 * The Depot
 * Crovan's Gate