Sir Handel

**Sir Handel (née Falcon) the Proud Engine** is one of the secondary protagonists of the Seventyverse and the third engine on the Skarloey Railway. He was also formerly the third engine on the Mid Sodor Railway and the Aluminium Works.

## Backstory

### Main Timeline

When Falcon first arrived on the Mid Sodor Railway with his brother Alfred, he originally thought of Duke as an old fusspot and a regular old fuddy-duddy. But after Duke saved him from falling off the mountainside, Falcon had a newfound respect of Duke. Sadly, Alfred would be scrapped after an unfortunate and Falcon missed him so much, he struggled to get on with Alfred's replacement, Stuart at first. However, after a mishap with some trucks, the two engines soon became friends and would give Duke the affectionate nickname of "Granpuff". Unfortunately, the Mid Sodor Railway would close many years later due to declining traffic. Duke was left behind in the shed whilst Falcon and Stuart were bought by the Aluminium Works where they were now under the cruel ownership of Jacob Hockings. This was proven when the two engines lost their nameplates and Hockings refused to give them new ones. The two engines did befriend Bertram. Freddie and Colin during their time at the Aluminium Works as well as Carole, Stevie, Lisa and Simon on the Peel Godred branchline. Unfortunately, Bertram and Freddie would both be scrapped by Hockings, Colin would be destroyed in a storm due to neglect and Stevie would be given a forced Final Firing by Hockings, which soon led to his arrest and the collapse of the Aluminium Works project.

After this, Mr. Percival would purchase the two engines for the Skarloey Railway and gave them new names. Falcon became "Sir Handel" and Stuart "Peter Sam". They were named after Mr. Percival's old friends, Sir Handel Brown and Mr. Peter Sam. Unfortunately, Sir Handel still missed Duke and his time at the Aluminium Works didn't help matters. As a result, Sir Handel was very naughty during his first days on the Skarloey Railway, leading to him being shut up in the shed. Although he was let out again when Peter Sam was unable to work, one of the old coaches, Agnes did not trust him after he previously called her, Ruth, Lucy, Jemima and Beatrice cattle trucks and a misunderstanding involving some sheep resulted in Agnes bumping Sir Handel off the rails. After Skarloey rescued the train, Sir Handel gained respect for the old engine who was later sent away to be mended.

Whilst Skarloey and Rheneas were away being mended, Sir Handel and Peter Sam agreed to keep Duke a secret until the time was right. Both engines were also reunited with Cora, Gertrude and Millicent, with Sir Handel particularly being delighted to see the latter two again. Due to the recent trouble, Diesel had caused Duck, Henry, Gordon and James, Sir Handel did not trust Rusty when he arrived on the railway. However, after Sir Handel pretended to be ill on Gordon's advice and Peter Sam was damaged by some trucks breaking away from the incline as a result, Rusty was quick to help clear the mess, thus changing Sir Handel's mind. But Sir Handel was guilty from his friend hurt and after Duncan arrived, poor Sir Handel was caught in the middle when Duncan had a feud with Rusty. When Skarloey came home, Sir Handel would learn about the early days of the line.

Although Sir Handel laughed at Peter Sam's temporary drainpipe funnel at first, Rusty scolded him for it and he stopped, especially since he caused it in the first place and was impressed when Peter Sam gained his new funnel as his friend was stronger than ever. Later, Sir Handel was given a broader pair of wheels to prevent him slipping between the tracks. Although Agnes and Duncan teased him at first, the others were more sympathetic. Unfortunately, Peter Sam returned to the sheds, feeling upset after some rude comments from George and Sir Handel decided to confront him. This lead to an incident where George collided with some vans on Sir Handel's train. Although Sir Handel became full of himself for thinking he sent George packing, when really the work on the road had been completed, Peter Sam stuck up for him after some boys teased Sir Handel.

After Rheneas came home, preparations got underway for Skarloey and Rheneas' 100th birthdays and the opening on the new loop line around the lake. Sir Handel and Peter Sam were especially excited when they learn the Duke of Sodor would be coming to open the line, thinking it was their old friend. Unfortunately, this excitement was dampened when Duck told Peter Sam that all Dukes were scrapped. Although Duck meant the engines from the Great Western Railway, Sir Handel and Peter Sam thought that Duke was scrapped. To add to the disappointment, the duke that came was a man - Sir Robert Norramby! After the two engines told the others about Duke, this soon led to a expedition to find Duke, which proved successful and the three former Mid Sodor engines were reunited.

## Relationships

### Skarloey

Sir Handel and Skarloey didn't get along at first. The latter could tell the former was troubled, but Sir Handel closed off all barriers for Skarloey. That is, until he saw Skarloey put Agnes in her place. Sir Handel now has deep respect for Skarloey... so much so he accidentally called him "Granpuff" once.

### Rheneas

Rheneas was more angered by Sir Handel's rude remarks than Skarloey was. At first, he doubted Sir Handel was hiding anything, but he slowly came to realise he was a troubled engine. Unfortunately, he had to be sent to the works before he could find out more. When Rheneas came back though, he was more patient with Sir Handel.

### Peter Sam

Sir Handel sees Peter Sam as a dear little brother. At first, their relationship was off to a rocky start because Peter Sam took Alfred's old number. However, an incident with some trucks and calling Duke "Granpuff" made them very close. He often sheltered Peter Sam from worst things of Hockings' abuse at Peel Godred, and promised Duke he'd look after him. Unfortunately, he broke that promise when Peter Sam was smashed by the trucks at the incline. Thankfully, they had patched things over and are closer than ever.

(Details regarding the Ulfstead Extras AU to be added)

### Rusty

Sir Handel used to not like Rusty, due to all the anti-diesel propaganda being spread over Sodor. However, this changed when Rusty helped Peter Sam out of the incline incident. Sir Handel started to see Rusty in a better light, and helped him mend the railway before Skarloey came home. He also heavily supports the budding romance between Rusty and Peter Sam.

### Duncan

Sir Handel and Duncan often butt smokeboxes due to their impulsive and grumpy attitudes. They were also on opposite ends on how they viewed Rusty - by the time Duncan came, the little diesel won Sir Handel over. Thankfully, that's no longer an issue, but they still have lots of other disagreements.

### Duke

Although they butted smokeboxes at first, after he saved him from falling off a cliff, Sir Handel looks up to Duke as his dear 'Granpuff'. When the Mid Sodor line closed, Sir Handel was devastated that he wouldn't see him again. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise at Peel Godred, for Sir Handel feared Duke would have been scrapped there. However, on the Skarloey Railway, Sir Handel was dying to talk about Duke. This would be easier said than done as many factors held him and Peter Sam back. When the word was spread, Duke was finally reunited with his "Granchuffs". He was hurt, however, when Sir Handel had used his affectionate nickname on Skarloey by mistake. However, the two have since patched things up.

(Details regarding the Ulfstead Extras AU to be added)

### Luke

Sir Handel finds Luke's more idealistic nature a bit annoying sometimes. However, he can't help but find a certain charm to him as well. He, along with Peter Sam, wanted to tell Mr. Percival about Luke straight away, but he begged them not to. Now Luke's officially part of the railway, Sir Handel is amazed how similar, yet different, Luke is to Peter Sam.

### Alfred

Sir Handel's dear brother, Alfred was definitely the more gentle natured, go with the flow of the pair. He was devastated when Alfred died in a horrible accident.

### Jennings

Jennings was regarded as Sir Handel's "Puffma", and he viewed her as the more gentle, yet equally as much of a jokester, as Duke. He was very upset when she went to a park on static display, but was very happy when she was on static display at the Rolling Hills.

### Bertram

Though Bertram was closer to Peter Sam than Sir Handel, Bertram often sheltered Sir Handel from worst bits of abuse from Hockings. Both Peter Sam and Sir Handel would call Bertram "Uncle Bertram", due to him being Duke's brother. Both were horrified to find Bertram's remains left in the shed, and wished he was still alive and well. They did make amends in a dream, though.

(Details regarding the Ulfstead Extras AU to be added)

### Freddie

Freddie would keep Sir Handel's mind off Hocking's cruelty by giving him little dares and making things into a race. One of them unfortunately cost Freddie his life though, as he careered off the side of a cliff. Poor Sir Handel was rattled to the core.

(Details regarding the Ulfstead Extras AU to be added)

### Colin

Not too much is known about Sir Handel and Colin's relationship, but Sir Handel was horrified when Colin was destroyed.

(Details regarding the Ulfstead Extras AU to be added)

### Agnes, Ruth, Lucy, Jemima and Beatrice

The old coaches gave Sir Handel quite the runaround, lead by Agnes because he called them "Cattle Trucks". The other coaches were reluctant to bump him, but Agnes guilt tripped them. Sir Handel also gave Agnes a firm telling off when she berated a gay couple onboard her with their daughter.

### Gertrude and Millicent

Sir Handel often takes Gertrude and Millicent out, as they were once his express coaches.

### Ada, Jane and Mabel

Sir Handel once called the open coaches "trucks", but Ada firmly said they were coaches. Sir Handel was already in enough trouble, so he remained quiet.

### Hilda

Hilda was one of the coaches that bumped Sir Handel on the Mid Sodor Railway. This was because Sir Handel was very rude to her and the other four-wheeled coaches. Sir Handel admits that it doesn't make up for what he's done, but he names the coach Hilda after one of Sir Handel Brown III's daughters.

### Buster

(Details regarding If the Roller Fits to be added)

### The Thin Clergyman

(Details regarding When Falcons Cry to be added)

## Personality

Sir Handel can be proud and stubborn at times and rather quick to temper. Despite this, he has a good heart and has a deep respect for Duke. This was shown as he found it hard to cope when he and Peter Sam were separated from him after the Mid Sodor Railway. He is also ready to defend Peter Sam when he gets upset.

## Technical Details

### Basis

Sir Handel is based on the Talyllyn Railway's Sir Haydn, a Hughes Falcon 0-4-2ST that originally worked on the Corris Railway. Alfred and Proteus share the same basis; but are based on the Corris Railway's original No. 1 and 2 respectively. The Corris Railway is currently building another "Falcon" locomotive. Sir Handel is much younger than Sir Haydn; the former built in 1878, while Sir Handel was built in 1904.

### Livery

Sir Handel is painted dark blue with red lining and brass fittings. He has red and gold name and number plates on the sides of his saddle tank and coal bunkers respectively. During his time at the Aluminium Works, Sir Handel was painted in a dull grey livery.

## Differences from the series, the TV show and the books

* Sir Handel gets proper moments to shine in this series, as opposed to the books or the show which berate him at every turn.
* Sir Handel retains his blue livery from the Mid Sodor Railway on the Skarloey Railway, and is grey at Peel Godred. In the books, he was blue on Mid Sodor, and red on the Skarloey Railway. No media ever reveals what colour Sir Handel had at Peel Godred.
* Sir Handel's past at Peel Godred is never explored, but here, he was treated very cruelly which explains some of his behaviour on the Skarloey Railway.

## Trivia

* Sir Handel is autistic. Reasons behind this speculation are:
	+ Being unable to cope with change (Alfred, Bertram, Freddie and Colin's deaths and being separated from Duke)