Old Victor

"If you were me, you'd be bad tempered too."

- Victor to James

Old Victor is a magazine story.

Plot
At the harbour, James collects something large covered with a tarpaulin on his flat truck. This eventually tears slightly, revealing an old rusty engine inside. It's eyes remain closed and it's face is ghostly white. Percy, shunting nearby, remarks that he hopes he will not look like that when he gets old! The old engine's eyes suddenly spring open and he growls, causing Percy to hurry away in fright.

The old engine moans and calls James "feeble" when he struggles to start the heavy load. His grumpiness means he will not make much conversation with James, although he reveals his name is Victor. Eventually losing patience, James asks why he is so grumpy. Victor explains he is likely bound for scrap. "If you were me, you'd be bad tempered too."

Victor is dropped off in a siding, though he says nothing when James whistles goodbye. Discussing the "old boiler" in the sheds later, James admits he felt sorry for him. Victor is gone from the siding the next day, and everyone assumes he has gone for scrap. A week later, Henry tells of some new playground equipment that looks just like a real engine. It is, of course, a much happier Victor - who admits that it definitely beats the scrap yard!

Characters

 * Henry
 * James
 * Percy
 * Victor