The Big Hero

“The Big Diesel is a big hero, after all!”

― Bill and Ben

The Big Hero is a magazine story.

Plot

The Diesel is so huge that he nearly squashes Bill and Ben as he rolls out of the shed. Just then, Henry rolls past with his log car and a log becomes loose, leading it to topple onto the track behind The Diesel. Henry is about to fetch a crane to move the log, but The Diesel has a better idea and he casually pushes the log aside with his buffers. Henry and the twins are pleased there will be no delays, but dislike The Diesel's seemingly endless boasting.

Later, Bill and Ben are double-heading a train destined for Brendam Bay. When they arrive at the China Clay works, the two engines are shocked to see Lorry 1 and 2 being filled with their loads! They are trying to prove that they can get the job done faster. Soon, both Bill, Ben and the Horrid Lorries are racing along with their loads of china clay. Unfortunately, the twins are having difficulties when they are reduced to the pace of a snail whilst going up a steep hill. Presently, The Diesel comes rolling along and the twins call out for his help. Although The Diesel doesn't generally like helping the steamies, there is no way he will let the roads beat the rails! So he pushes the twins up the hill and they speed past the lorries, arriving at the Harbour first. The future of their jobs are safe, all thanks to The Diesel.

Characters

Locations

Goofs

The Diesel's back is not painted yellow.
The Diesel is depicted as occupying more than one track in the first few illustrations.
Henry is missing his tender in the first illustration.
The Diesel's buffers are black instead of silver.
In the last illustration, The Diesel's eyebrows are missing.