Troublesome Engines

Troublesome Engines was first published in 1951. It was written by the Reverend W. Awdry and illustrated by C. Reginald Dalby.

=Stories=

Henry and the Elephant
The big engines grumble after Thomas leaves to run his branch line. Although they get new coats of paint (Henry chooses green), they are still disgruntled, until a circus comes. James is chosen to take it away, and Gordon and Henry start sulking again. Later, Henry is called out to clear a blockage in his tunnel. When Henry goes in, an elephant pushes him back out! The workmen give the elephant some water, but Henry surprises it by letting off steam and it hooshes water all over him.

Tenders and Turntables
Gordon is in a bad mood and, when he goes to get turned around for his next train, unbalances the turntable and has to take it backwards. Thomas and James tease him, but Gordon gets his kicks when the wind spins James around like a spinning top on the turntable. The big engines, fed up, decide to go on strike.

Trouble in the Shed
The big engines refuse to get their coaches, so the Fat Controller asks Edward to do it for them. However, they start rejecting Edward, so the Fat Controller buys a saddletank, which he christens Percy. The big engines refuse to come out after Percy scares Henry by wheeshing, so the Fat Controller shuts them up and brings Thomas to work the main line with Edward while Percy runs the branch line.

Percy Runs Away
The big engines finally see sense, so the Fat Controller lets Thomas, Edward and Percy play on the branch line. Thomas takes Annie and Clarabel for a run and Edward takes some trucks to the quarry, leaving Percy alone. He strays onto the points, and Gordon scares him when he rushes into the junction. Percy runs away, annd eventually, exhausted, runs in a sandbank. Gordon pulls him out, and Percy thanks him.

=Featured Characters=
 * Henry
 * Gordon
 * James
 * Thomas
 * Edward
 * Percy
 * Annie and Clarabel (do not speak)