[Eric Pode of Croydon]

The one saving moment here is when you go to the original article in the Guardian and read the hundreds of comments, which are +98% from normal folks with a sense of humor.

My favorite: "Suppose the producers were to bring on board a new female engine, who mopes around the depot hardly ever pulling a train. but who harangues the other engines about their opinions whenever she encounters them? Would that satisfy?? "

[MrB]

Well, as long as she’s stuck in the roundhouse for a week a month... [duck]