Events

Inside the Gloucester shed, Gordon was not a happy engine. –I am a large, strong blue engine, he moaned, whilst his driver fussed around him, oiling his joints and polishing his brass with a greasy cloth, –I know what is best for me and I simply wish to be treated with respect. Gordon was ‘on loan’ to the Great Western, as they were suffering from a locomotive shortage. –Oh, stop moaning, said his driver, –the other engines will think you’re getting too big for your wheels. And what do you mean about being treated with respect? You’ve been asked to pull the Cheltenham Spa Express, after all! Gordon rolled his eyes, and hissed gently from his valves. –They keep trying to make me burn their horrible coal. But I have told them, your coal may be all well and good for green engines– Gordon said the word ‘green’ with such disdain that the other locomotives in the shed narrowed their eyes and muttered under their breath –but I am a blue engine and I burn only Sodor coal. Burton Agnes, a large Hall-class engine, shining in polished green, with gleaming brass chimney and numbers, let out a snort. –You’re as daft as your are blue. Welsh steam coal is the best coal in the world! Gordon shuddered –Dreadful stuff, he said haughtily –I am a finely-tuned express locomotive. I have very sensitive firebars. –Oh, give it a rest now, you old fusspot said his driver, cranking the wheel that released Gordon’s handbrake, then pushing his reversing lever forward and gently opening his regulator. With a rather huffy chuff, Gordon...