Author's Notes: This is definitely one of the better characterisations Sir Handel has gotten in the RWS canon. In a majority of the fan work, everyone seems to abuse his character and make him a punching bag or act very immature. I really don't like that. Anyway, here's the story.

Old Faithful

Narrator: Sir Handel stayed shut up in the sheds for several days, until one market day Peter Sam had an accident. The Thin controller was waiting on the platform at Crovans Gate as Peter Sam emerged from underneath the road bridge He was just approaching the point frog when. With a lurch a bump and loud clang. The whole train ground to an abrupt halt.

Thin controller: (Disbelief) I…I Don't believe it!

Narrator: Peter Sam stood dazed and confused, derailed in between the points.

Peter Sam: Cinders and ashes! What just happened?!

Narrator: Rachel and Apple Bloom got out and examined the damage. Startled passengers got out and crowded around.

Rachel: Oh dear. I was afraid this would happen.

Apple Bloom: Oh yeah. That's torn it.

Peter Sam: Well, what happened?

Rachel: One of your trail wheels has sheered it's flange that's what caused you to derail.

Peter Sam: Oh no. What are we going to do?

Apple Bloom: Ah know. How 'bout we just remove the trailing wheels and run him as an 0-4-0st?

Rachel: That won't work without the trailing wheels. Peter Sam will have to suffer rocking motion and that will also cause the coaches to be jolted about. I'm sorry Peter Sam old boy, but I'm afraid you'll have to be side lined until we fix you up.

Peter Sam: (Tear running down his face) As you wish Rachel.

Rachel: (Quietly) It's ok. You'll be fixed up. It's nothing like that other place. I know it's not your fault.

Peter Sam: (Cheering up slightly) Thank you Rachel.

Thin controller: Well it's time for Sir Handel's punishment to end.

Narrator: William and Sweetie Belle along with Babs Seed were just fixing up Sir Handel when the Thin Controller came up to them.

Thin controller: Sir Handel, we need you to take the morning passenger train up to the lake and back. Peter Sam just sheered his trailing wheel flange.

Sir Handel: Oh dear. I hope he's alright. Yes Sir. Thank you Sir.

Narrator: William, Babs Seed and Sweetie Belle all climbed on to the footplate and William opened the regulator. Sir Handel puffed happily away to fetch Agnes, Ruth, Jemima, Lucy and Beatrice. Unfortunately for all 4 of them, the coaches were being troublesome. Sir Handel tried to be kind but the coaches wouldn't trust him they were awkward and rude to him. Sir Handel and the crew even tried singing songs. But it was no good.

Sir Handel: (Sigh) It's no good these coaches don't trust me.

Bab's: Yeah, and who's fault was that Sir Handel!

Sir Handel: Oh put a piece of coal it!

William: Just remember Sir Handel: First impressions always count.

Narrator: As they puffed along, Sir Handel took William's words into consideration. But the little unicorn filly in his cab interrupted his thoughts.

Sir Handel: (To self) He's right. My 1st encounter with…

Sweetie Belle: Don't worry. If we just treat them nicely, we'll be fine.

Sir Handel: (Snaps back to reality) Oh, yes of course Sweetie Belle.

Narrator: It was most unfortunate that Sir Handel had to check suddenly to avoid running over some careless sheep that had strayed on the line.

Sweetie Belle: STOP WILLIAM! STOP!

(Flashback)

Babs Seed: We're going too fast! Brake!

(A red war department engine, breaked hard to avoid hitting sheep but ends up damaging himself in the shadows)

Voice through flashback: Babs Seed!

(End flashback)

Sweetie Belle: Babs Seed! Look.

Babs Seed: THERE'S SHEEP ON THE LINE!

William: BRAKE! BRAKE!

Narrator: They stopped just in time.

Agnus: He's bumped us!

Ruth: Let's pay him out!

Narrator: Fortunately, Applejack and Fluttershy came along to help Farmer O'Casey clear the she sheep of the line. Soon the train was on its way again. The coaches knew that all trains must go carefully at a place near the big station, but they were so cross with Sir Handel that they didn't care what they did.

Beatrice: ON! ON! ON!

Narrator: And banging their buffers, they surged into Sir Handel making him lurch off the line.

Sir Handel: Whoa! (clang) Oof! Oh no! Not again!

William: Oh come on!

Babs Seed: You gotta be kiddin me!

Sweetie Belle: (sigh) this just isn't our day.

Sir Handel: Your telling me.

Narrator: Luckily, no one was hurt and they soon brought the train back to the station. Sir Handel limped sadly to the shed. The Thin controller inspected the damage.

Thin controller: (Sigh) Well that's done it! No more work for you today. Bother those coaches! (Sighing, annoyed) Well this is great, just real great! First Peter Sam sheers his trailing flange, and now this.

Babs Seed: Well this is a fine predicament! We still need to fetch the tourists to take them to the lake and back!

Sweetie Belle: And take the village people home.

William: But all without an engine?!

Applebloom: I've got it! All 4 of us can use a harness and pull the train ourselves.

Scootaloo: Be practical Apple Bloom. Those 5 coaches are way to heavy to pull on our own.

Babs: She's right you know cousin!

Rachel: I'm lost for ideas. How are we going to take the last train without an engine?

Skarloey: What about me, everyone?

Narrator: Everybody and everypony looked in amazement.

Thin Controller: Skarloey?! Can you do it? You're pretty old and you really can't pull trains like younger engines.

Skarloey: Only one way to find out. And I'll try Sir. We need to keep the trains running.

William: He's right Sir. We really don't have a choice here. I'll get him ready and start him up.

Rachel: I'm coming with you too.

Scootaloo: Same here. I'm not giving up on this railway.

Babs Seed: I'm with you too Scoots. If you're going along then we both go along.

Thin controller: Suit yourselves.

Narrator: So they all climbed into the little the old engine's cab. William eased open the regulator and Skarloey puffed off to the station. The coaches were waiting at the platform. They were surprised to see Skarloey advancing on them, hissing crossly with angry scowl on his face.

Skarloey: I am completely ashamed all 5 you! Such bad behaviour! You've might have severely hurt your passengers! On market day too!

Coaches: (Nervously) Www we're sorry Skarloey ww we didn't think… It's that rude Sir Handel. He…

Skarloey: NO TALES! I won't have any tomfoolery from you on this railway! You'll never let this happen again! Don't even dare think about trying any tricks on me!

Narrator: The coaches quivered meekly.

Coaches: (Gulp) No Skarloey.. Oh of course not Skarloey, It'll never happen again Skarloey..

Narrator: Scootaloo and Babs Seed gaped in wonderment. Skarloey maybe old and have dirty paint, but he was certainly an engine that stood no nonsense. Skarloey's friends crowded round him and Babs Seed had to shoo them away before they could start. The mane 6 were also on the train to to visit there friends.

Twilight Sparkle: Hey guys!

Rachel: Twilight! Girls! Didn't know you were riding with us.

Applejack: We've just came to see how you guys were doing!

Pinkie Pie: And we wanted to send you a care package.

Rainbow dash: Well that was mostly Pinkie Pie's idea.

Rarity: It's good to see you back in service, Skarloey.

Skarloey: Oh how kind of you Miss Rarity.

Fluttershy: Oh I'm so excited about this trip. It's going to be wonderful.

Applejack: I hear Scootaloo and Babs Seed are working together on the footplate today.

Scootaloo/Babs Seed: You heard right Applejack!

Applejack: Well that's good to hear that's a chip of the old block Babs.

Rainbow Dash: Heh, that's my little sister. (She playfully ruffles the orange pegasus' mane.)

Babs Seed: Okay people and ponies, back to your coaches ladies, gentlemen, fillies and gentlecolts! You 6 might want to get into Agnes, our first class coach, so don't miss the trip.

Applejack: Well then, good luck to y'all. We'll be cheerin' for ya all the way.

Narrator: The passengers got back in, the guard waved the green flag and blew the whistle and their journey began. Skarloey felt very happy, he remembered all the gates and stiles where he had to stop. He whistled to his friends as he went by. The sun shone and the rails were dry.

Skarloey: (Takes a deep breath of fresh air sighing happily) This is lovely I've missed the smell of the fresh Sudrian air. And what a lovely day it is too. Oh what a lovely day. Just like the good old days.

William: I know what you mean old boy. This reminds me of when me, my father, and grandfather all came down to visit.

Rachel: As it does with me, my mother and grandmother. This is so much fun. It's so wonderful to have you back in steam Skarloey.

Skarloey: It's good be back Rachel.

Scootaloo: This is really pretty scenery here.

Narrator: Presently the began to climb and Skarloey felt short of steam.

Skarloey: (Panting breathlessly) Oh dear….Bother.. .my tubes….

Rachel: Oh dear guys, you better have a look at this.

William: Uh oh! I don't like the look of it. The steam pressures dropping.

Scootaloo: That can't be good.

Bab's Seed: Take your time Skarloey old sport! Your losing steam, just pace yourself!

Skarloey: Don't worry. I'll manage! (gasp) I'll manage! I maybe old and tire more easily but I'll never let my passengers down.

Rachel: Don't worry, will be with you every wheel turn of the way.

Narrator: Pausing for rests at the stations, Skarloey gallantly struggled on. After a good rest at the top station, he ran round his train and was now ready to start back.

William: Ready Skarloey?

Skarloey: I'm ready. Don't worry. It'll be much better going downhill.

Narrator: Skarloey started off confidently and was making great time. The coaches ran nicely but he soon began to feel tired again. His springs were weak and the rail joints jarred his wheels.

Scootaloo: Steady Skarloey! Steady! We don't want you to break something.

Narrator: But it was too late! With a loud ear piercing crack, a front spring broke!

Skarloey: (painfully) AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!

All 4: SKARLOEY!

Narrator: William, worried and horrified like the others quickly stop the train.

Skarloey: (cough) (cough) Oh bother… That wasn't a pleasant experience I feel all crooked. (cough)

William: Oh dear lord! I was afraid this was going to happen. One of your his springs has shattered Skarloey.

Narrator: The fillies, William and Rachel all sighed sadly in defeat.

Babs Seed: (Sigh) That's torn it! It's.

Scootaloo: It looks like its all over now.

William: We'll need a bus now for our passengers.

Rachel: Your right I'll the passengers know.

Narrator: But then Skarloey pleaded and objected.

Skarloey: Ugh! NO, WAIT! I'd be ashamed to have a bus take my passengers!

Scootaloo: What are you talking about? We can't leave the passengers stranded here!

Skarloey: Indeed we cannot, because we're not going to abandon them!

Babs Seed: (nearly speechless) WHAT?! WHAT ARE YOU CRAZY?!

Skarloey : I know I'm pretty damaged here, but I along with my brother Rheneas have sworn an oath never to let our passengers down no matter what and I'm not breaking that oath! Not now and not ever!

Rachel: Well, moving a train in your condition is going to be pretty darn difficult.

Skarloey: Don't worry I'll get them home or burst trying. Please let me try again. I know I can do it!

William: (sigh) Alright, have your way then. We'll be with you every wheel turn of the way.

Narrator: Babs and Scootaloo sanded the rails, climbed back into the cab, Mr. Holden gently eased open the regulator and the train lurched and began to move as Skarloey forged ahead. The thin controller looking at his watch paced the platform impatiently. Whilst James and his train waited impatiently too.

Thin controller: (Sigh) Their going to be late! Oh dear. I told them not to take poor Skarloey out… I just hope their alrig…

Narrator: But the thin controller hadn't finished his sentence when he, James heard a painful horse whistle in the distance. Then from underneath bridge clanking and clanging, Skarloey crepted into site the Thin Controller couldn't believe his eyes and spectacles.

Thin Controller: I don't believe it!

Narrator: Skarloey was tilted to one siding and making awful ear piercing noises but he struggled bravely on, gasping between the clanks and groans.

Skarloey: (Painfully) I'll do it! I'll do it! I'll do it! I'll… (sigh) I've done it!

Narrator: At last winded and worn out, Skarloey sighed thankfully as the train stopped where James was waiting. James said nothing, he just collected his passengers, Rarity jumped into his footplate, and then he respectfully puffed away, very impressed. The Thin Controller then walked over to the engine and crew. Skarloey, William, Rachel, Scootaloo and Babs Seed stood nervously.

Thin controller: I really don't know what to say about this. I'm going to have to talk to the Owner about today's events.

Narrator: Then the Thin controller walked thoughtfully away leaving Skarloey, Scootaloo, Babs Seed, Rachel, and William sighing unhappily.

Skarloey: (Sighs) I'm glad the passengers got here safely.

Babs Seed: (In tears) It was nice knowing you Skarloey.

Scootaloo: (In tears) We'll… miss you.

William: Now fillies, let's not jump to conclusions.

Narrator: Later that evening, the owner came to see CMC, Rachel, William and Skarloey at the sheds that evening. Sir Handel and Peter Sam were there too, all were looking very worried.

Sir Handel: (To Peter Sam, quietly) You don't think that history is repeating itself, do you?

Peter Sam: (Quietly) I-I hope not Sir Handel.

Skarloey: (Sighing sadly) You were right Sir. (A tear trickles down his face) Old engines can't pull trains like young ones can.

Narrator: The owner smiled.

Owner: They can if they are mended, Old Faithful, and that's what's going to happen to you.

All: (Surprised) Did you say Skarloey is going to be mended, Sir?

Owner: That's exactly what I said. Some of the passengers on board Skarloey's train were some friends of mine who work at Gibbons Brother's Brierly Hill engineering works. After that heroic effort today, they have decide to mend you Skarloey. You deserve it Old Faithful and I am very proud of you.

Skarloey: (Sigh happily) Oh Sir. Thank you very Sir.

Sweetie Belle: THREE CHEERS FOR SKARLOEY, THE OLD FAITHFUL!

Sir Handel: (Admiringly) Well I'll be Peter Sam.

Peter Sam: (Admiringly) Well I'll be.

Narrator: Everyone cheered. Then Peter Sam and Sir Handel whispered to each happily.

Peter Sam: Does he remind you of anyone?

Sir Handel: (Chuckles) Very much so, but, (Expression turns to a worried/serious one) do you think we'll be able to trust everyone on this railway enough to…

Peter Sam: Maybe. We just need time to get to know everyone properly 1st, then we'll make the decision.

Narrator: Skarloey is now at Gibbons Brother's engine works and is now being mended. Sir Handel is longing for Skarloey to return! He along with his brother Peter Sam think he is the best engine in the world… well, equal to someone else they knew. Sir Handel does his fare share of the load now and the coaches never play tricks on him because he always handles them in the Skarloey way.

And that was '4 Little Engines'. Look out for next round where we see Percy get the spotlight and meet Harold and Duck for the 1st time. We also meet a new driver and pony for the team. Not going to say which ones.