Thomas & Friends: All Stars: The Movie/Transcript

This is a transcript for Thomas & Friends: All Stars the Movie.

Regular Version
[Universal Pictures logo 2024]

[HiT Entertainment logo]

[Destination Films logo]

[Gullane Pictures logo]

[The Britt Alcroft Company logo]

[Fade to an ocean background with steam flying.]

Text: Universal Pictures, HiT Entertainment, Destination Films, and Gullane Pictures present

Text: A Britt Alcroft Britt Alcroft

''[The title shows up: Thomas & Friends: All Stars The Movie. The text fades away. The steam turns into a starry night sky. The moon is shown as a wolf can be heard howling from deep in the forest. Instruments music is heard, along with Carlos Torress singing Never Never Never Give Up, along with the Kids from the Sandlot the Classic Movie.]''

Part 1: Bus Trip and Seafood
Kids and Carlos: If you climb the highest mountain,

Cross the river deep,

Maybe you'll find it's never as easy

As it first appears

Carlos: As it first appears

Just remember not to worry,

Or get down at heart

Never lose faith in positive thinking

You'll be amazed when you achieve

All the things you start,

(All the things you start.)

''[A black and yellow Volkswagen Bus drives past. Carlos is shown in the bus.]''

Scott: So,

All: Never, never, never give up, even though the going's tough

Don't stop trying, when you're tiring, and you're out of puff

''[Allison Toress is shown driving the bus with Carlos right next to him. Allison is fumbling with a road map.]''

Carlos: No!

Allison ...Route 59, where's Route 59?

''[Carlos inadvertently whacks Allison in the back of the head with the guitar's neck. The wife cries out in pain and glares at Carlos.]''

All: Never, never, never give up, even though you're feeling rough

If at first you don't succeed, never, never, never give up

If at first you don't succeed, then try and try again

Nothing in life is ever as easy

But you get there in the end

(Get there in the end)

So blow your cares and woes behind you

Start a brand new day

Nothing can stop you reaching your goal

If you're determined, you can do it

You will find a way

Scott: You will find a way.

Carlos: So,

All: Never, never, never give up, even though the going's tough

Don't stop trying, when you're tiring, and you're out of puff.

Never, never, never give up, even though you're feeling rough

If at first you don't succeed, never, never, never give up

[Carlos accidentally hits Allison again, hard enough to smack his face in the dashboard, sounding the horn, and shutting off the headlights.]

Allison Aah! Lights! AAAAHH!!!

Some things seem impossible, answers hard to find

Allison: Whoa! Lights! Lights! Where is that button?

No matter how improbable, you won't know until you try

You can do whatever you choose it just takes a little luck

Allison: Switch! No! Where is it?

So remember: never, never, never give up

Never, never, never give up even though the going's tough

Don't stop trying, when you're tiring, and you're out of puff

Carlos: No!

All: Never, never, never give up even though you're feeling rough

If at first you don't succeed, never, never, never give up

Never, never, never give up, even though the going's tough

Don't stop trying, when you're tiring, and you're out of puff

Scott: No!

Kids & Carlos: Never, never, never give up, even though you're feeling rough

If at first you don't succeed, never, never, never give up

[''As Allison turns the lights back on, Carlos still plays the instruments while Allison is stressed. Benny looks down at her ticket, smiling.]''

Benny: (whispers) I get to meet Sir Topham Hatt.

''[Scott looks at Benny, unamused. The bus passes a porcupine sign. Camera switches to the front of the bus.]''

All: Never, never, never give up!

(Billy Joe McGuffrey ends.)

All: Yay! Twippo!

Ham: Let's do another Twippo song!

Squints: I love Twippo.

Scott: Me too!

Benny: But I'm the one who gets to meet him because I won the Twippo sweepstakes.

Scott: You don't have to rub it in.

Carlos: It's great that you won the contest, Benny. But let's try not to brag about it. Nice one with the lights, Allison.

Allison: My pleasure, for the next song maybe I can drive into the river!!

Kids: ''Yeah! Drive into the river, Allison! Oh, drive into the river, Allison!''

Allison: Or maybe you could help me with the MAP!!!

Carlos: Oh. I'm sorry.

Benny: Is there anything you want me to tell Twippo, when I meet him?

(Carlos gets shocked, and turns to Benny, inadvertently whacking Allison in the face with his guitar.)

Carlos: Benny!

Allison: Ow!

(Allison loses his concentration, and the bus swerves, making Benny's ticket fly out of her grip.)

Benny: (gasps) MY TICKET!!

Carlos: Aah! Quick get it!

(Carlos tries to catch the ticket, but gets in Allison's way.)

Allison: The map!

Carlos: Sorry.

(Allison screams in horror as the ticket flies out of his open window of the bus.)

Benny: MY TICKEEEET...!

(The ticket lands on the side of the road. Cuts back to the veggies in the bus. An annoyed Allison tries to get Carlos out of his way.)

Allison: Do you mind?!

Carlos: (his guitar is stuck in the steering wheel) I'm stuck!!

(Carlos tries to pull the guitar out of the steering wheel, but he accidentally rips the wheel off of the dashboard. Allison gasps in horror. Carlos frantically shakes his guitar to try to get the wheel off of his guitar. The veggies all cry out in fear as the bus swerves all around the road. Meanwhile, in the forest, a mother porcupine is walking with her two babies. Cuts back to the bus, which is still driving like crazy.)

Allison: (takes the steering wheel off the guitar) Get it! (tries to put the steering wheel back on the dashboard) We gotta fix it! Put it! Stick it in! Put it!

(Cuts back to the porcupines, who are now walking on the road. Suddenly, the bus careens around the corner. Allison sees the porcupines and is horrified.)

Allison: PORCUPINE!!!

(The mother porcupine jumps in front of her babies and aims several quills at the car tires. The front tires are both deflated. As the bus heads toward the porcupines, Allison steers to the left. The bus then starts rolling down a steep hill and approaches a...)

Carlos: Tree! (Allison steers right. Now they're headed for a...) Cabin! (Allison steers left. Finally they're headed for..) Underwear!

(The clothesline holding the underwear stops the bus. Allison looks past the underwear to see the river below.)

Allison: (chuckles) Well, I'm glad that's over. (A line snaps. Allison turns to Carlos.) Did you say something? (Carlos shakes his head. Another line snaps.) Oh...

Carlos: Dear.

(Three more lines snap and the bus continues down the hill toward the river. The bus then hits a stump and the airbags activate.)

Allison: Am I in heaven?

Carlos: (sniffs) It smells like... Wisconsin.

(everyone jumps out of the car.)

Allison: Well, nobody got hurt.

(A quill comes out of nowhere and hits Allison in the behind)

Allison: Aah!

(The porcupines look down happily.)

Carlos: Wow! What a shot!

(Allison groans.)

Scott: Hey, what's that?

(They all notice a restaurant that reads SEAFOOD with the D light out.)

All: Ooh.

Squints: What's seafoo?

Ham: Maybe it's like tofu?

Carlos: Only saltier!

(The D lights up.)

All: Ahh.

(cut to inside the restaurant, with the sound of arguing from outside)

Allison: Oh yeah, well if it wasn't for you we wouldn't be in this mess!

Carlos: I said I was sorry. I'll do better next time.

Allison: Well, there probably isn't gonna be a next time!

Squints: Mrs. Toress, how are we going to get to the Topham Concert?

Ham: Yeah, we're going to miss Toby's song that I remembered.

Allison: I don't know! I don't know about...Toby!

Ham: North of the Island, there lives a dear old train, A little tram engine, Toby is his name. Benny: (while Ham continues singing) Even if we do make it to the concert, I can't get in because I lost my ticket.

Scott: Serves you right! It's your own fault for waving it around in my face!

Squints: I have to go to the bathroom.

Carlos: I'm not usually that bad as a co-pilot.

Allison: Two flat tires!!

Carlos: Usually, I'm quite dexterous!

Allison: How in the world are we going to change two flat tires? Where's the phone?

Benny: I lost my ticket.

Scott: If you hadn't been teasing me, we wouldn't been in this mess, Benny!

(Benny looks depressed.)

Timmy Timmons Pea: (clears his throat after a pause)

The French Peas: May we help you?

Allison: The Asparagus whacked me in the head with a guitar and our bus got taken out by a mad porcupine, then another one got me... here.

Ham: (singing) Toby, oh Toby, What will become of you? The world's much nicer whenever we see you. Toby, dear Toby, There's still lots that you can do

Oldies but Goldies, we still care about you. All of the children came to say goodbye They clapped and cheered as Toby rang his bell, "Bye bye."

Carlos: Maybe it's because I'm used to the ukulele, The neck is so much shorter... Yeah... that's why. Say, I need to call my wife!

Scott: Benny was teasing me with her "special ticket," and then it flew right out the window and she screamed and made the bus crash.. (Scott turns to Benny) ..and now none of us get to see Twippo!

Squints: May I please use the bathroom?

Philippe: Down the hall, first door on the left.

Squints: Thank you.

Ham: Ooh, captain, they have Mario Bros.! My favorite! (He hops up to the game.)

Timmy Timmons: What do you want?

Allison: Well, sirs, my husband hit me in the head with a guitar, and an angry mother porcupine shot out our tires, and one of her babies got me.

(Allison shows a thorn stuck onto his back, while Carlos tries not to look.)

The French Peas: Ooh!

Carlos: And I need to use your phone to call my-

Allison: A tow truck?

Carlos: My wife!

(Allison is not amused.)

Timmy Timmons: I see.

Philippe: Next to the Moby Blaster.

Carlos: Thanks.

(Carlos proceeds to walk to where the phone is.)

Timmy Timmons: Well, in the meantime, would you like to have a seat? Maybe enjoy a nice...combo platter?!

The French Peas: Steak, steak, eat it, eat it!

Shrimp, shrimp, need it, need it!

Steak and shrimp, steak and shrimp!

Need to, need to, eat it, eat it!

(scatting portion)

Philippe: Got to, got to, got to get the steaky, wakey, shrimpy! Do you prefer poking or non-poking?

Allison: (sarcastically laughs) Non.

The French Peas: (laughing)

Timmy Timmons: Good one, Philippe! You are one clever pea, no?

The French Peas: (laughing)

(Philippe takes the torn out of Allison's back)

Allison: Aaahh!

Philippe: Voila! A skewer for the scampi!

(The French Peas leave while Allison looks unamused. Everybody then looks back to hear singing)

The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: We are The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything

We just stay home and lie around

Timmy Timmons: Please, make yourselves comfortable. I will be back to take your order.

Allison: Why don't you two wait here? I'm gonna go call a tow truck. Maybe we'll still make it to the concert on time!

(Allison leaves. Cut to Benny looking depressed over what Scott said.)

Benny: Yeah, everyone but me.

Scott: Hey, it's your own fault for teasing me. You're just getting what you deserve.

Benny: Hmph, I'm coming with you, Mr. Allison.

(Benny leaves. As Scott looks at the menu, he sees "Thomas" written in it. Suddenly, Jim Burgin starts talking to him.)

Jim Burgin: Hey, excuse me.

Scott: Aaahh!!

Alec Baldwin: How's it going?

Pierce Brosnan: Hey, what's up?

Scott: Who are you?

Jim Burgin: Who, us?

Scott: Yeah.

Jim Burgin: Oh, we are The Conductors of The Island of Sodor.

Pierce Brosnan: Oh you know that's right.

Alec Baldwin: Nothing.

Pierce Brosnan: Zilch.

Alec Baldwin: Nada.

Jim Burgin: Didn't you hear our song?

Scott: Well, yeah, but-

Jim Burgin: Look, Sonny, can I call you Sonny?

Scott: Scott.

Jim Burgin: Eh, pretty close. Look, uhh..Scott, we couldn't help but notice you were havin' a little thing with your friend over there.

Pierce Brosnan: Yeah. You weren't being very nice.

Scott: Well, it's her own fault. She was teasing me, and now he's getting what she deserves!

(brief pause)

Jim Burgin: Right. Scott, we've seen these types of situations before...

Pierce Brosnan: ...happen all the time.

Jim Burgin: What you need is a little compassion.

Alec Baldwin: And maybe some scampi.

Scott: Hey, I saw that in the menu! (looks in the menu) What is that? What's compassion?

Pierce Brosnan: Ooh, that's a hard question.

Alec Baldwin: Mmm-hmm.

Jim Burgin: Well, compassion is when you see that someone needs help, and you wanna help them. (Scott looks confused) That's what I thought you'd say.

Pierce Brosnan: They all do.

Alec Baldwin: Yep.

Jim Burgin: So we find it helpful to illustrate with a little story.

Scott: A story?

Jim Burgin: Yep. You know, we call ourselves The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything, but that's not entirely accurate.

Pierce Brosnan: Remember when we did that one thing with that one guy?

Jim Burgin: Oh, do I ever.

Alec Baldwin: I remember it like it was yesterday.

(Alec Baldwin sips his root beer, cuts to The Knapford Station while Alec Baldwin puts his root beer down. The Conductors are standing at a booth selling their favorite snacks.)

Sir Topham Hatt: Are you guys still doing that "pirate thing"?

Pierce Brosnan: Aargh! Watch your tongue, matey, or we'll have to... what will we do?

Alec Baldwin: We won't do anything. We're The Conductors, get it?

Pierce Brosnan: Oh, that's right. Aargh! you got off easy today!

Alec Baldwin: We need more Mr. Twisty's Twisted Cheese Curls!

Jim Burgin: Yeah, and root beer!

Sir Topham Hatt: I told you boys - no more cheese curls until you pay your tab! You still owe me from last week!

Pierce Brosnan: But, you'll take away out chance to win the "Mister Twisty's Twisted Cheese Curl Sweepstakes!"

Sir Topham Hatt: Come again?

Jim Burgin: Inside one of those bags of cheesy goodness is a golden ticket that'll change our lives forever!

Sir Topham Hatt: Well, you could work here for me. That way you could earn more cheese curls.

Conductors: (overlapping in agreement)

Sir Topham Hatt: So, uh... Whadaya know how to do?

Jim Burgin: Well, I'm pretty good at lawn darts.

Alec Baldwin: Ping-pong! I can play ping-pong!

Pierce Brosnan: Croquet is my spe-ci-al-ity.

(beat)

Jim Burgin: When do we start?

(Sir Topham Hatt closes the booth.)

Jim Burgin: Monday's good for me!

Jim Burgin (narrating): We were short on cash. It seems not doing anything didn't pay very well.

Pierce Brosnan: So, what do we do now?

Alec Baldwin: Uh...nothing!

Pierce Brosnan: You are a genius.

(As the pirates are walking, as Alec Baldwin sees the fish market.)

Joppa citizen: Uh, are these fish fresh?

Timmy Timmons: You bet!

Tommy Timmons: Oh yeah!

(The citizen smells it and falls back, due to the bad smell.)

Joppa citizen: Ooooh!

Timmy Timmons: What? They were fresh when they caught them.

Tommy Timmons: That's right.

Timmy Timmons: ...two weeks ago!

Timmy Timmons and Tommy Timmons: Ho-ho-ho! He-he!

(The French Peas start slapping each other with their fish while Alec Baldwin is concerned.)

Alec Baldwin: Hmm, Kids.

Jim Burgin (narrating): Beside the fact that we were low on funds, this was a memorable day because he showed up: Thomas! (The Conductors meet Thomas riding through the town.) Now Thomas is a tank engine who lives at the big station on the Island of Sodor. He's a cheeky little engine with six small wheels, a short stumpy funnel, a short stumpy boiler and a short stumpy dome. He's a fussy little engine too. Always pulling coaches about ready for the big engines can take on long journeys. And when trains come in, he pulls the empty coaches away so that the big engines can go on rest. Thomas thinks no engine works has hard as he does. He loves playing tricks on them, including Gordon the biggest and proudest engine of all. Thomas likes to tease Gordon with his whistle.

Part 2: Thomas & Gordon
Thomas: Wake up, lazybones. Why don't you work hard like me?

Jim Burgin: One day after pulling the big express, Gordon had arrived back at the sidings very tired. He was just going to sleep when Thomas came up in his cheeky way.

Thomas: Wake up, lazybones. Do some hard work for a change. You can't catch me!

Jim Burgin: And off he ran laughing. Instead of going to sleep again, Gordon thought how he can back at Thomas. One morning, Thomas wouldn't wake up. His driver and fireman couldn't make him start. His fire went out and there was not enough steam. It was nearly time for the express. People were waiting, but the coaches weren't ready. At last, Thomas started.

Thomas: Oh dear, oh dear!

Jim Burgin: He fussed into the station where Gordon was waiting.

Gordon: Hurry up, you!

Thomas: Hurry up yourself.

Jim Burgin: Gordon the proud engine began making his plan to teach Thomas a lesson for teasing him. Almost before the coaches had stopped moving, Gordon reversed quickly and was coupled to the train.

Gordon: Get in quickly, please!

Jim Burgin: Thomas usually pushed behind the big trains to help them start, but he was always uncoupled first. This time, Gordon start so quickly they forgot to uncouple Thomas. Gordon's chance had come.

Gordon: Come on, come on!

Jim Burgin: The train went faster and faster. Too fast for Thomas, he wanted to stop, but he couldn't.

Thomas: (whistles) Stop, stop!

Gordon: Hurry, hurry, hurry!

Coaches: You can't getaway, you can't getaway!

Jim Burgin: Poor Thomas was going faster than he had ever gone before. He was out of breath and his wheels hurt him, but he had to go on.

Thomas: I shall never be the same again. My wheels will be quite worn out.

(Gordon continues to speed ahead)

Jim Burgin: At last, they stopped at the station. Thomas was uncoupled and he felt very silly and exhausted. Next he went on to the turntable thinking of everyone laughing at him.

(Thomas is on the turntable as it turns around)

Jim Burgin: And then he ran on to a siding out of the way.

Gordon: Well, little Thomas. Now you know what hard work means, don't you?

Jim Burgin: Poor Thomas couldn't answer. He had no breath. He just puffed slowly away to rest and had a long long drink.

Thomas: Maybe I don't have to tease Gordon to feel important.

Jim Burgin: Thomas thought to himself. And he puffed slowly home.

Jim Burgin: Yep. It sounded like Thomas wanted to offer Edward to the People.

Allison: The tow truck is on it's way. You know, Scott, I love your dad and all, but that's the last time I pick him for a co-pilot. (Sees the Conductors; Pierce Brosnan sips his root beer.) Heh, wha-what's going on?

Jim Burgin: Ahem. We're telling a little story. You should listen too. As I was saying, it sounded like God wanted to offer mercy to Jonah's enemies.

Benny: Who's Edward?

Pierce Brosnan: He's the number 2 Steadiest Engine on Sodor.

Scott: I thought it was about Thomas. Remember? The name?

Pierce Brosnan: Oh, ye-yeah, well there's that too.

Jim Burgin: Better check your menu again, we got two specials today, and they go hand in hand.

Alec Baldwin: Thomas, is the number 1 engine on Sodor. Edward is the number 2 Blue Engine. and Gordon is the fastest..

Jim Burgin: That's right, my friend. You can't work together without Thomas, but Edward is even more important. Thomas was afraid Gordon was gonna get the express, and that he was gonna help them, even though he went home.

Benny: So, what did he do?

Part 3: Edward and Gordon
(Back to the story.)

Jim Burgin: Well, One day, Edward was in the sheds where he lived with the other engines. They were all bigger, just like Edward, and boasted about it.

Gordon: The driver won't choose you again.

Gordon: He wants strong engines like us.

Jim Burgin: But the driver and fireman felt sorry for Edward.

Edward's Driver: Would you like to come out today?

Edward (Season12 Version): Oh, yes, please.

Jim Burgin: So they lit his fire, made lots of steam, and Edward puffed away. The other engines were very cross at being left behind. Edward worked hard all day. The coaches thought he was very kind, and the driver was very pleased.

Edward: I'm going out again tomorrow.

Jim Burgin: Edward told the other engines that night.

Edward: What do you think of that?

Jim Burgin: But he didn't hear what they thought, for he was so tired and happy that he fell asleep at once. Next morning, Edward woke to find nothing had changed. Gordon was still boasting.

Gordon: You watch me, little Edward, as I rush through with the Express. That will be a splendid sight for you. Goodbye, little Edward. Look out for me this afternoon.

Trucks: Oh!

Trucks: Whatever is happening?

Jim Burgin: Edward played till there were no more trucks, then he stopped to rest. Presently, he heard a whistle. Gordon was very cross. Instead of nice shining coaches, he was pulling a lot of very dirty trucks.

Gordon: A goods train! A goods train! A goods train!

Gordon: The shame of it, the shame of it, oh, the shame of it!

Porter: Gordon can't get up the hill.

Jim Burgin: The porter called to Edward's driver.

Porter: Will you take Edward and push him, please?

Jim Burgin: They found Gordon halfway up and very cross. His driver and fireman were talking to him severely.

Gordon's Driver and Fireman: You're not trying.

Gordon: I can't do it.

Gordon: The noisy trucks hold an engine back, so.

Jim Burgin: Edward's driver came up.

Edward's Driver: We've come to push.

Gordon: No use at all.

Edward's Driver: You wait and see.

Jim Burgin: They brought the train back to the bottom of the hill.

Edward: I'm ready.

Gordon: No good.

Jim Burgin: They pulled and pushed as hard as they could.

Gordon: I can't do it, I can't do it, I can't do it!

Edward: I will do it, I will do it, I will do it!

Jim Burgin: Edward pushed and puffed and puffed and pushed as hard as ever he could, and almost before he realized it, Gordon found himself at the top of the hill.

Gordon: I've done it! I've done it! I've done it!

Jim Burgin: He forgot all about Edward and didn't wait to say "thank you". Edward was left out of breath and far behind. He ran on to the next station, and there, he found that the driver and fireman were very pleased with him. The fireman gave him a nice long drink, and the driver said.

Edward's Driver: I'll get out my paint tomorrow and give you a beautiful coat of blue with red stripes. Then you'll be the smartest engine in the shed.

Part 4: The Sad Story of Henry
Jim Burgin: Once an engine attached to a train was afraid of a few drops of rain. It went into a tunnel and squeaked through its funnel, and wouldn't come out again.

(Edward's whistle blows)

Jim Burgin: The engine's name is Henry. His driver and fireman argued with him, but he would not move.

Henry: The rain will spoil my lovely green paint and red stripes.

Jim Burgin: He said.

(The conductor's whistle blowing)

Jim Burgin: The conductor blew his whistle till he had no more breath, and waved his flag till his arms ached, but Henry still stayed in the tunnel and blew steam at him.

Henry: I'm not going to spoil my lovely green paint and red stripes for any of you.

Jim Burgin: Then, along came Sir Topham Hatt, the man of charge of all the engines on the Island of Sodor.

Sir Topham Hatt: We will pull you out.

Jim Burgin: Said Sir Topham Hatt. But Henry only blew steam at him. Everyone pulled except Sir Topham Hatt.

Sir Topham Hatt: Because...

Jim Burgin: He said.

Sir Topham Hatt: ...my doctor has forbidden me to pull.

Jim Burgin: But still, Henry stayed in the tunnel. Then, they tried pushing from the other end. Sir Topham Hatt said...

Sir Topham Hatt: One, two, three, push!

Jim Burgin: ...but he didn't help.

Sir Topham Hatt: My doctor has forbidden me to push.

Jim Burgin: He said. They pushed, and pushed, and pushed, but still, Henry stayed in the tunnel. At last, Thomas came along. The conductor waved his red flag and stopped him. Everyone argued with Henry.

Everyone: Look, it has stopped raining.

Jim Burgin: They said.

Henry: Yes, but it will began again soon.

Jim Burgin: Said Henry.

Henry: And what will become with green paint with red stripes then?

(Thomas arrives at that moment)

Jim Burgin: Thomas pushed and puffed and pushed as hard as ever he could.

(Thomas attempts to push)

Jim Burgin: But still Henry stayed in the tunnel.

(Thomas continues to push but fails)

Jim Burgin: Eventually, even Sir Topham Hatt gave up.

Sir Topham Hatt: We shall take away your rails...

Jim Burgin: He said.

Sir Topham Hatt: ...and leave you here until you're ready to come out of the tunnel.

Jim Burgin: They took up the old rails, and built a wall in front of Henry, so the other engines wouldn't bump into him.

(Everyone locks Henry in the tunnel with bricks)

Jim Burgin: All Henry could do was to watch the trains rushing through the other tunnel. He was very sad, because he thought no-one would see his lovely green paint and red stripes again. As time went on, Edward and Gordon would often pass by. Edward would say...

Edward: Peep, peep! Hello!

Jim Burgin: And Gordon would say...

Gordon: boop, boop, boop! Serves you right.

Jim Burgin: Poor Henry had no steam to answer. His fire had gone out. Soot and dirt from the tunnel had spoilt his lovely green paint with red stripes anyway. How long do you think Henry would stay in the tunnel before he overcomes his fear of the rain, and decides to journey out again?

Part 5: Edward, Gordon, & Henry
Jim Burgin: Gordon always pulled the big express. He was proud of being the only engine strong enough to do so. It was full of important people like Sir Topham Hatt and Gordon was seeing how fast he can go.

Gordon: Hurry, hurry, hurry!

Coaches: Trickety-trock, trickety-trock, tricktey-trock!

Jim Burgin: In a minute, Gordon will see the tunnel where Henry stood bricked up and lonely.

Henry: Oh, dear. Why did I worry about rain spoiling my lovely coat of paint? I'd like to come out of the tunnel.

Jim Burgin: But Henry didn't know how to ask.

Gordon: I'm going to boop boop at Henry.

Jim Burgin: He was almost there when... And there was proud Gordon going slower and slower in a cloud of steam. His driver stopped the train.

Gordon: What has happen to me?

Gordon: I feel so weak.

Driver: You burst your safety valve.

Driver: You can't pull the train anymore.

Gordon: Oh dear. We were going so nicely too. And look, there's Henry laughing at me.

Jim Burgin: Everyone came to see Gordon.

Sir Topham Hatt: Huh.

Sir Topham Hatt: These big engines are always causing me trouble. Send for another engine at once.

Jim Burgin: While the conductor went to find one, they uncoupled Gordon who had enough puff to slink on the siding out of the way. Edward was the only engine left.

Edward: I'll come and try.

Gordon: Huh.

Gordon: That's no use. Edward can't push the train.

Jim Burgin: The kind Edward puffed and pushed and pushed and puffed but he couldn't move the heavy coaches.

Gordon: I told you so.

Gordon: Why not let Henry try?

Sir Topham Hatt: Yes.

Sir Topham Hatt: I will. Will you help pull this train, Henry?

Henry: Oh yes.

Jim Burgin: When Henry had got up steam, he puffed out. He was dirty and covered with cobwebs.

Henry: Oh, I'm stiff, I'm stiff.

Sir Topham Hatt: Have a run to ease your joints and find a turntable.

Jim Burgin: When Henry came back, he felt much better. Then they coupled him up.

Edward: (whistles).

Edward: I'm ready.

Henry: Pip pip pip.

Henry: So am I. Pull hard, we'll do it! Pull hard, we'll do it!

Jim Burgin: They puffed together.

Edward and Henry: We've done it together! We've done it together!

Coaches: You've done it hurray! You've done it hurray!

Jim Burgin: Sang the coaches. Everyone was excited. Sir Topham Hatt leaned out on the window to wave at Edward and Henry. But the train was going so fast, that his hat blew off into a field where a goat ate it for tea. They never stopped til they came to the station at the end of the line. The passengers all said thank you, and Sir Topham Hatt promised Henry a new coat of paint. One their way home, Edward and Henry helped Gordon back to the shed. All three engines are now great friends. Henry doesn't mind the rain now. He knows that the best way to keep his paint nicely is not to run into tunnels, but to ask his driver to rub him down when the day's work was over.

Part 6: Thomas' Train
Jim Burgin: Thomas the Tank Engine was grumbling to the other engines.

Thomas: I spent my time pulling coaches about ready for you to take out on journeys.

Jim Burgin: The other engines laughed.

Thomas: Why can't I pull passenger trains too?

Gordon: You're too impatient. You'd be sure to leave something behind.

Thomas: Rubbish! I'll show you.

Jim Burgin: One night, he and Henry were alone. Henry was ill. The men worked hard, but he didn't get better. He felt just as bad next morning. Henry usually pull the first train and Thomas had to get his coaches ready.

Thomas: If Henry is ill.

Jim Burgin: He thought.

Thomas: Perhaps I shall pull his train.

Jim Burgin: Thomas ran off to find the coaches.

Thomas: Come along, come along.

Coaches: There's plenty of time, there's plenty of time!

Jim Burgin: Thomas took them to the platform and wanted to run round in front at once. But his driver wouldn't let him.

Driver: Don't be impatient, Thomas.

Jim Burgin: Thomas waited and waited. The people got in, the conductor and stationmaster walked up and down, the porter banged the doors and still Henry didn't come. Thomas got more and more excited. Sir Topham Hatt came to see what was the matter, and the conductor and stationmaster told him about Henry.

Sir Topham Hatt: Find another engine.

Both: There's only Thomas.

Sir Topham Hatt: You'll have to do it then, Thomas. Be quick now.

Jim Burgin: So Thomas ran round to the front and back down on the coaches ready to start.

Driver: Let's not be impatient. We'll wait till everything was ready.

Jim Burgin: But Thomas was too excited to listen. What happened then, no one knows. Perhaps they forgot to couple Thomas to the train, or perhaps the Driver pulled the lever by mistake. Anyhow, Thomas started without his coaches. As he pass the signal tower, men waved and shouted, but he didn't stop.

Thomas: They're waving because I'm such a splendid engine.

Jim Burgin: He thought importantly.

Thomas: Henry says it's hard to pull trains, but I think it's easy. Hurry, hurry, hurry!

Jim Burgin: He puffed, pretending to be like Gordon.

Thomas: People had never seen me pulling a train before. It's nice of them to wave. (whistles)! Thank you.

Jim Burgin: Then he came to a signal at danger.

Thomas: Oh, Bother! I must stop, and I was going so nicely too. What a nuisance signals are.

Jim Burgin: He blew an angry "(whistles)!" on his whistle. The signalman ran up.

Signalman: Hello, Thomas. What are you doing here?

Thomas: I'm pulling a train. Can't you see?

Signalman: Where are your coaches then?

Jim Burgin: Thomas looked back.

Thomas: Why bless me. If we hadn't leave them behind.

Signalman: Yes. You better go quickly and fetch them.

Jim Burgin: Poor Thomas was so sad he nearly cried.

Driver: Cheer up. Let's go back quickly and try again.

(Thomas reverses back to the big station)

Jim Burgin: At the station, all the passengers were talking at once. They were telling Sir Topham Hatt what a bad railway it was. But when Thomas came back, they saw how sad he was and couldn't be cross. He was coupled to the train, and this time he really pulled it.

(Thomas pulls the coaches away with ease at all)

Jim Burgin: Afterwards, the other engines laughed at Thomas and said...

Henry: Look! There's Thomas, who wanted to pull the train, but forgot about the coaches.

Jim Burgin: But Thomas had already learned, not to make the same mistake again.

Part 7: Thomas & the Trucks
Jim Burgin: Thomas the Tank Engine wouldn't stop being a nuisance. Night after night, he kept the other engines awake.

Thomas: I'm tired of pushing coaches. I wanna see the world.

Jim Burgin: The other engines didn't take much notice, for Thomas was a little engine with a long tongue. But one night, Edward came to the shed. He was a kind little engine and felt sorry for Thomas.

Edward: I've got some freight Troublesome Trucks to take home tomorrow. If you take them instead of me, I'll push coaches in the yard.

Thomas: Thank you. That would be nice.

Jim Burgin: Next morning, Edward and Thomas asked their drivers, and when they said "yes", Thomas ran off happily to find freight Troublesome Trucks. Now the freight Troublesome Trucks were silly and noisy. They talk a lot and don't attend to what they are doing. And I'm sorry to say they play tricks on an engine who is not used to them. Edward knew all about the freight Troublesome Trucks. He warned Thomas to be careful but Thomas was too excited to listen. The shunter fastened the coupling and when the signal dropped, Thomas was ready. The conductor blew his whistle.

Thomas: (whistles).

Jim Burgin: But the freight Troublesome Trucks weren't ready.

Freight Troublesome Trucks: Oh! Oh! Wait, Thomas, wait!

Jim Burgin: But Thomas wouldn't wait.

Thomas: Come on come on.

Freight Troublesome Trucks: All right, don't fuss! All right, don't fuss!

Jim Burgin: Grumbled the Troublesome Trucks. Thomas began going faster and faster.

Thomas: Wheesh!

Jim Burgin: He whistled, as he rushed through Henry's tunnel.

Thomas: Hurry, hurry.

Jim Burgin: He was feeling very proud of himself. But the Troublesome Trucks grew crosser and crosser. At last Thomas slowed down as he came to Gordon's Hill.

(Thomas is at the top of Gordon's Hill, but is all exhausted)

Thomas' Driver: Steady, now, steady.

Jim Burgin: He began to put on the brakes.

Thomas: We're stopping, we're stopping!

Jim Burgin: Called Thomas.

Freight Troublesome Trucks: No, no, no!

Jim Burgin: Answered the Troublesome Trucks bumping them to each other.

Freight Troublesome Trucks: Go on! Go on!

Jim Burgin: Before the driver could stop them they had pushed Thomas down the hill and were rattling and laughing behind them. Poor Thomas tried hard to stop them from making him go too fast.

Thomas: Stop pushing, stop pushing!

Jim Burgin: But the Troublesome Trucks took no notice.

Freight Troublesome Trucks: Go on! Go on!

Jim Burgin: They giggled in their silly way.

Thomas: There's the station! Oh dear, what shall I do?

Jim Burgin: They rattled straight through and swerved into the goods yard. Thomas shut his eyes.

Thomas: I must stop!

(Thomas comes to a halt)

Jim Burgin: When he opened his eyes, he saw he had stopped just in front of the buffers. There watching him was...Sir Topham Hatt.

Sir Topham Hatt: What are you doing here, Thomas?

Thomas: I brought Edward's freight Troublesome Trucks.

Sir Topham Hatt: Why did you come so fast?

Thomas: I didn't mean to. I was pushed.

Sir Topham Hatt: You've got a lot to learn about freight Troublesome Trucks, Thomas. After pushing them about here for a few weeks you'll know almost as much about them as Edward. Then you'll be a Really Useful Engine.

(Thomas reverses into the same station as we start the next story)

Part 8: Thomas & the Breakdown Train
Jim Burgin: Every day, Sir Topham Hatt came to the station to catch his train.

Sir Topham Hatt: Hello. Don't let the silly freight Troublesome Trucks tease you. Remember, you have an important job as a special helper in the train yard.

(Thomas' whistle toots)

Jim Burgin: There were lots of freight Troublesome Trucks and Thomas worked very hard pushing and pulling them into place. There was also a small coach and two strange things his driver called cranes.

Thomas' Driver: That's the breakdown train. The cranes are for lifting heavy things like engines and coaches and freight Troublesome Trucks.

Jim Burgin: One day, Thomas was in the yard. Suddenly he heard an engine whistling.

James: Help! Help!

Jim Burgin: A freight train came rushing through much too fast. The engine was James and he was frightened. His brake blocks were on fire.

James: They're pushing me, they're pushing me.

Troublesome Trucks: On! On!

Jim Burgin: Still whistling...

James: Help! Help!

Jim Burgin: Poor James disappeared.

Thomas: I like to teach those freight Troublesome Trucks a lesson.

(We hear an alarm ringing)

Jim Burgin: Soon came the alarm.

Signalman: James is off the line. The breakdown train quickly.

Jim Burgin: Thomas was coupled on and off they went. Thomas worked his hardest.

Thomas: Hurry, hurry, hurry!

Jim Burgin: He wasn't pretending to be like Gordon. He really meant it.

Thomas: Bother those freight Troublesome Trucks and their tricks. I hope poor James isn't hurt.

Jim Burgin: James' driver and fireman were feeling him all over to see if he was hurt.

(Cows mooing)

James' Driver and Fireman: Never mind James. It was those silly troublesome trucks and your old wooden brakes that caused the accident.

Jim Burgin: Thomas pushed the breakdown train alongside. Then he pulled away the unhurt freight Troublesome Trucks.

Troublesome Trucks: Oh, dear. Oh, dear.

Thomas: Serves you right, serves you right.

Jim Burgin: He was hard at work puffing backwards and forwards all afternoon.

Thomas: This'll teach you a lesson, this'll teach you a lesson.

Jim Burgin: He told the freight Troublesome Trucks. And they answered...

Troublesome Trucks: Yes it will, yes it will.

Jim Burgin: They left the broken Troublesome Trucks. Then with two cranes they put James back on the rails.

(The cranes lift James away from the field. An o-face Thomas watches as James is put back to the rails)

Jim Burgin: He tried to move, but he couldn't so Thomas helped him back to the shed. Sir Topham Hatt was waiting anxiously for them.

Sir Topham Hatt: Well, Thomas. I heard all about it and I'm very pleased with you. You're a really useful engine. James shall have some proper brakes and a new coat of paint and you shall have a branch line all to yourself.

Thomas: Oh thank you sir.

Jim Burgin: Now Thomas is as happy as can be. He has a branch line and two coaches called Annie and Clarabel. He puffs proudly backwards and forwards with them all day. He is never lonely. Edward and Henry stop quite often and tell him the news. Gordon is always in a hurry but never forgets to say...

Gordon: Boop Boop.

Jim Burgin: And Thomas always whistles...

Thomas: (whistles).

Jim Burgin: In return.

(Thomas' whistle toots)

Part 9: James & the Coaches
Jim Burgin: James was enjoying his life on the Island of Sodor, but he still had a lot to learn.

Sir Topham Hatt: You're a special mixed traffic engine. You can pull coaches or freight Troublesome Trucks quite easily, but you must learn by your mistakes.

Jim Burgin: James knew what Sir Topham Hatt meant. He could well remember that dreadful accident on his first day.

Edward: Be careful with the coaches James. They don't like being bumped.

Jim Burgin: Everyone came to admire James.

James: I'm really a splendid engine.

Jim Burgin: He thought and suddenly let off steam.

James: Wheesh!

Jim Burgin: A shower of water fell on Sir Topham's nice new top hat. Just then, the conductor blew his whistle and James thought they had better go.

James: Go on, go on!

Edward: Don't push, don't push!

Jim Burgin: The coaches were grumbling too.

Coaches: Don't go so fast, don't go so fast!

Jim Burgin: But James wouldn't listen. When at last they stopped at the next station two coaches were beyond the platform. They have to go back to let the passengers out. But no one seems to know about Sir Topham's new hat so James felt happier. Presently they came to the station where Thomas was waiting with his two coaches.

Thomas: Hello James. Feeling better? That's good. Oh, that's my conductor's whistle. I must go. I don't know what Sir Topham Hatt would do without me to run this branch line.

Jim Burgin: And he puffed off importantly. Edward and James passed the field where James had his accident. The fence was mended and the cows were back again. They ended their journey and rested before setting off for home. James was still wondering what Sir Topham would have to say about his new hat. Next morning, he spoke severely to James.

Sir Topham Hatt: If you can't behave, I shall take away your red coat and have you painted blue.

Jim Burgin: James didn't like that at all. He was very rough with the grumbling coaches as he brought them to the platform.

James: Don't talk, come on! Gordon never fetches his own coaches.nAnd he's only painted blue.

Jim Burgin: To make James even more cross, this time no one came near him.

James: I'll show them. They think Gordon is the only engine who can pull coaches. Hurry, hurry, hurry!

Coaches: You're going too fast, you're going to fast!

Jim Burgin: James laughed and tried to go faster, but the coaches wouldn't let him.

Coaches: We're going to stop, we're going to stop!

(James soon comes to a complete halt)

James: What's the matter?

Driver: The brakes on on, leak in the pipe most likely. You banged the coaches enough to make a leak in anything.

Conductor: How shall we mend it?

Driver: We'll do it with newspaper and a leather bootlace.

Conductor: But where's the bootlace coming from?

Driver: Ask the passengers.

Conductor: You have a leather bootlace there. Please give it to me.

Man: I won't.

Conductor: Then I'm afraid the train will just stop where it is.

Jim Burgin: The passengers all said what a bad railway it was. Then they told the man how bad he was instead. Everyone was very cross. At last, he handed his laces over. The driver tied a pad of newspaper tightly round the hole in the brake pipe, and James was able to pull the train. But he was a sadder and wiser James, and took care never to bump coaches again.

Part 10: Troublesome Trucks
Jim Burgin: James had not been out to push coaches or freight Troublesome Trucks in the yard for several days. He was feeling miserable.

James: Oh dear. I wonder how long I shall have to stay in the shed would anyone else see my coat again? Why did I go so fast that I made a hole in one of my coaches that had to be mended with of all things a passenger's bootlace.

Jim Burgin: At last Sir Topham Hatt arrived.

Sir Topham Hatt: I know you are sorry, James, and I know too that you want to be a useful engine. People are laughing at my railway and I do not like that at all.

James: I will try hard to do my best.

Jim Burgin: Said James.

Sir Topham Hatt: That's a good engine. There's nothing like determination. I want you to pull some freight Troublesome Trucks for me.

Jim Burgin: James was delighted and puffed away.

Thomas: Here's your freight train, James. Have you got some bootlaces ready?

Jim Burgin: And he ran off laughing.

Troublesome Trucks: Oh, no!

Jim Burgin: Said the freight Troublesome Trucks.

Troublesome Trucks: We want a proper engine, not a red monster.

Jim Burgin: James took no notice and started as soon as the conductor was ready.

James: Come along, come along.

Jim Burgin: He puffed.

Troublesome Trucks: We won't, we won't.

Jim Burgin: Screamed the Troublesome Trucks. But James didn't care and he pulled the screeching Troublesome Trucks sternly out of the station. The Troublesome Trucks tried hard to make him give up but he still kept on. Sometimes their brakes will slip on and sometimes their axles will run hot and each time the trouble had to be put right and each time James will start again, determined not to let them beat him.

Troublesome Trucks: Give up, give up! You can't pull us! You can't, you can't!

Jim Burgin: Called the Troublesome Trucks.

James: I can and I will! I can and I will!

Jim Burgin: Puffed James and slowly but surely, he pulled them along the line. At last they saw Gordon's Hill.

Driver: Look out for trouble, James.

Jim Burgin: Warned his driver.

Driver: We'll go fast and get them up before they know it. Don't let them stop you.

Jim Burgin: So James went faster and soon they were halfway up.

James: I'm doing it, I'm doing it.

Jim Burgin: He panted.

James: Will the top never come?

Jim Burgin: Then with a sudden jerk, it all came easier.

James: I've done it, I've done it. Hooray! It's easy now.

Jim Burgin: But his driver shut off steam.

Driver: They've done it again. We've left our tail behind. Look.

Jim Burgin: The last Troublesome Trucks were running backwards down the hill. A coupling had snapped. But the conductor stopped the Troublesome Trucks and got out to warn approaching engines.

James: That's why it was easy.

Jim Burgin: Said James as he backed the Troublesome Trucks carefully down.

James: What silly things freight Troublesome Trucks are. They're might have been an accident.

Edward: Shall I help you, James?

Jim Burgin: Called Edward.

James: No thank you. I'll pull them myself.

Edward: Good, don't let them beat you. You're doing well!

Jim Burgin: Whistled Edward as James slowly struggled up the hill.

James: I can do it, I can do it.

Jim Burgin: He puffed. He pulled and puffed as hard as he could.

James: I've done it, I've done it!

Jim Burgin: He panted. James was resting in the yard when Edward pulled up.

Edward: (whistles)!

Jim Burgin: He whistled. Then, James saw Sir Topham Hatt.

James: Oh dear, what will he say?

Jim Burgin: He asked himself. But Sir Topham Hatt was smiling.

Sir Topham Hatt: I was in Edward's train and I saw everything. You made the most troublesome train on the line behaved. After that performance, you deserve to keep your red coat.

Part 11: James and the Express
Jim Burgin: One night, Henry and Gordon were alone with James. Although Sir Topham Hatt was beginning to think well of them. Whenever a chance came the other engines would talk of nothing but bootlaces.

Henry: Remember when they had to use a bootlace to get you out of trouble James?

Jim Burgin: They would tease. James tried to get back by talking about Henry who got shut up in a tunnel and Gordon who got stuck on a hill. But they wouldn't listen.

Gordon: You talk too much little James. A fine strong engine like me has something to talk about. I'm the only engine who can pull the express. When I'm not there, they need two engines. Think of that. I've pulled expresses for years, and have never once lost my way. I seem to know the right line by instinct.

Jim Burgin: Every wise engine knows that the signalman sets the switches to make the engines run on the right tracks. But Gordon was so proud he had forgotten.

Gordon: Wake up, James.

Gordon: It's time for the express. What are you doing? Odd Jobs? Ah well. We all have to begin somewhere, don't we? Run along and get my coaches. Don't be late.

Jim Burgin: James went to get Gordon's coaches. They were all shining with new paint. He was careful not to bump them and they followed him smoothly into the station, singing happily...

Coaches: We're going away, we're going away.

James: I wish I were going with you. I should love to pull the express and go flying above the line!

Jim Burgin: Gordon with much noise and blowing off steam, got ready to back on to the train. Sir Topham Hatt was on the train with other important people and as soon as they heard the conductor's whistle, Gordon started.

Gordon: Look at me now! Look at me now!

Jim Burgin: He puffed and the coaches glided after him.

Gordon: Boop boop boop boop boop! Goodbye, little James, see you tomorrow!

Jim Burgin: James watched the train disappeared and then went back to work. He pushed some freight Troublesome Trucks into their proper sidings and went to fetch the coaches for another train. James had just brought the coaches into the platform when he heard a mournful noise. There was Gordon trying to sneak into the station without being noticed.

James: Hello Gordon. Is it tomorrow?

Jim Burgin: Gordon didn't answer. He just let off steam feebly.

James: Did you lose your way, Gordon?

Gordon: No, it was lost for me. I was switched off the main line onto the loop. I have to go all around and back again.

James: Perhaps it was instinct.

Jim Burgin: All the passengers were shouting at the ticket window.

Passengers: We want our money back!

Jim Burgin: Sir Topham Hatt climbed onto a cart and blew the conductor's whistle so loudly that they all stopped to look at him. Then he promised a new train at once.

Sir Topham Hatt: Gordon can't do it. Will you pull it for us, James?

James: Yes sir, I'll try.

Jim Burgin: So James was coupled on, and everyone got in.

Sir Topham Hatt: Do your best, James.

James: Come along, come along!

Coaches: You're pulling us well, you're pulling us well!

James: Hurry, hurry, hurry!

Jim Burgin: Puffed James. Bridges and stations flashed by, the passengers cheered and they soon reached the station. Everyone said thank you to James and Sir Topham Hatt was very impressed.

Sir Topham Hatt: Well done. Would you like to pull the express sometimes?

James: Yes please.

Jim Burgin: Next day when James came by, Gordon was pushing freight Troublesome Trucks.

Gordon: I like some quiet work for a change. I'm teaching these Troublesome Trucks manners. You did well with those coaches I hear. Good, we'll show them.

Jim Burgin: And he gave his Troublesome Trucks a bump. James and Gordon are now good friends. James sometimes takes the express to give Gordon a rest. Gordon never talks about bootlaces, and they are both quite agreed on the subject of freight Troublesome Trucks.

Part 12: Thomas and the Guard
Jim Burgin: Thomas the Tank Engine is very proud of his branch line. He thinks it's the most important part of the whole railway. His two coaches Annie and Clarabel agree with him. Annie could only take passengers but Clarabel can take passengers, baggage and the conductor. They were both old and need new paint but Thomas loves them very much. As they run backwards and forwards along the line, they sing songs to each other. When Thomas starts from the station he sings...

Thomas: Oh, come along, we're rather late. Oh, come along, we're rather late.

Jim Burgin: And the coaches sing...

Annie and Clarabel: We're coming along. We're coming along.

Jim Burgin: They don't mind what Thomas says to them because he know he was trying to please Sir Topham Hatt, and to know to that if Thomas is cross, he's not cross with them. One day, they had to wait for Henry's train which made Thomas very cross.

Thomas: How could I run my line properly if Henry is always late? He doesn't realize that Sir Topham Hatt depends on me.

Jim Burgin: He wanted to leave, but he have to wait for Henry's passengers. At last Henry came.

Thomas: Where have you been, lazybones?

Henry: Oh dear, my system is out of order. No one understands my case. You don't know what I suffer.

Thomas: Rubbish! You're too slow. You need exercise.

Jim Burgin: The conductor blew his whistle and Thomas started so quickly that he left him behind. The conductor waved his red flag to stop Thomas, but Thomas was on his way steaming out of the station.

Thomas: Come along, come along.

Jim Burgin: but Clarabel didn't want to come.

Clarabel: I've lost my nice conductor, I've lose my nice conductor.

Jim Burgin: Annie tried to tell Thomas what had happened.

Annie: We haven't a conductor, we haven't a conductor!

Jim Burgin: But he was hurrying and wouldn't listen. Annie and Clarabel tried to put on their brakes, but they couldn't without their conductor.

Annie and Clarabel: Where's our conductor? Where's our conductor?

Jim Burgin: but Thomas didn't stop till they came to a signal.

Thomas: Bother that signal. What's the matter?

Driver: I don't know. The conductor will tell us in a minute.

Jim Burgin: They waited and waited but the conductor didn't come.

Thomas: (whistles) peep, where's the conductor?

Annie and Clarabel: We've left him behind!

Jim Burgin: Everyone looked, and there he was running as fast as he could along the line, with his flags in one hand and his whistle in the other. He was very hot, so he had a drink, and told them that Thomas had left him behind.

Thomas: I'm very sorry.

Conductor: We all made mistakes. Look, the signal's down. We can go. Let's make up for lost time.

Jim Burgin: Annie and Clarabel were so pleased to have their conductor again, but they sang...

Annie and Clarabel: As fast as you like, as fast as you like!

Jim Burgin: ...to Thomas all the way. They reached the end of the line quicker than ever before.

(Thomas arrives at the last station)

Part 13: Thomas Goes Fishing
Jim Burgin: When Thomas puffed along his branch line, he always look forward to something special. The sight of the river. As they rumble over the bridge, he would see people fishing. Thomas often wanted to stay and watch, but his driver said...

Driver: No! What would Sir Topham Hatt say if we were late?

Jim Burgin: Every time he met another engine he say...

Thomas: I want to fish.

Jim Burgin: But they all had the same answer.

James: Engines don't go fishing.

Thomas: Silly stick in the muds.

Jim Burgin: Thought Thomas. One day, he stopped as usual to take him water at the station by the river. Out of order.

Thomas: Bother! I'm thirsty.

Driver: Never mind. We'll get some water from the river.

Jim Burgin: They found a bucket and some rope and went to the bridge. Then the driver left the bucket down to the water. The bucket was old and have 5 holes, so they had to fill it, pull it up, and empty it into Thomas' tank as quickly as they could several times over. They finished at last.

Thomas: That's good, that's good.

Jim Burgin: Suddenly, Thomas began to feel a pain in his boiler. Steam began to hiss with his safety valve in an alarming way.

Driver: There's too much steam!

Thomas: Oh dear! I'm going to burst! I'm going to burst!

Jim Burgin: They damped down his fire and struggled on.

Thomas: I've got such a pain, I've got such a pain!

Jim Burgin: Thomas hissed. They stopped just outside the last station, uncoupled Annie and Clarabel and ran Thomas, who was still hissing fit to burst, on a siding right out of the way. Then, while the conductor telephoned for an engine inspector, the driver found notice in large letters, which he hung on Thomas in front and behind. Danger: Keep Away. Soon, the inspector and Sir Topham Hatt arrived.

Inspector: Cheer up, Thomas. We'll soon put you right.

Jim Burgin: The driver told them what had happened.

Inspector: So the feed pipe is blocked. I'll just look in the tanks.

Jim Burgin: He climbed up and peered in, then he came down.

Inspector: Excuse me, sir, please look in the tank and tell me what you see.

Sir Topham Hatt: Certainly, inspector.

Jim Burgin: He clambered up, looked in and nearly fell off in surprise.

Sir Topham Hatt: Inspector. Can you see fish?

(Thomas is horrified upon hearing this)

Sir Topham Hatt: Gracious goodness me! How did the fish get there, driver?

Driver: We must have fished them from the river with our bucket.

Sir Topham Hatt: Well, Thomas, so you and your driver had been fishing. But fish don't suit you. We must get them out.

Jim Burgin: They all took turns and fishing into Thomas' tank while Sir Topham Hatt looked down and told them how to do it. When they had caught all the fish, they had a lovely picnic supper of fish and chips.

Sir Topham Hatt: Mmm. That was good. But fish don't suit you, Thomas, so you mustn't do it again.

Thomas: No, sir, I won't. Engines don't go fishing. It's too uncomfortable.

Part 14: Terence the Tractor
Jim Burgin: Autumn had come to the Island of Sodor. The fields were changing from yellow stubble to brown earth and a tractor was hard at work as Thomas puffed along. Later Thomas saw the tractor close by.

Terence: Hello. I'm Terence, I'm plowing.

Thomas: I'm Thomas, I'm pulling a train. What ugly wheels you've got.

Terence: They're not ugly, they're caterpillars. I can go anywhere. I don't need rails.

Thomas: I don't want to go anywhere. I like my rails, thank you.

Jim Burgin: Winter came with dark clouds full of snow.

Driver: I don't like it. A heavy fall is coming. I hope it doesn't stop us.

Thomas: Puh! Soft stuff, nothing to it.

Jim Burgin: And he puffed on feeling cold but confident. They finished their journey safely but by now the country was covered.

Driver: You need your snowplough for the next journey, Thomas.

Thomas: Puh! Snow is silly soft stuff it won't stop me.

Jim Burgin: The snowplough was heavy and uncomfortable and made Thomas cross. He shook it and he banged it and when they got back it was so damaged that the driver had to take it off.

Driver: You're a very naughty engine.

Jim Burgin: Next morning, Thomas' driver and fireman came early and worked hard to mend the snowplough, but they couldn't make it fit. Thomas was pleased.

Thomas: I shan't have to wear it, I shan't have to wear it.

Jim Burgin: He puffed to Annie and Clarabel. But they were rather worried.

Annie and Clarabel: I hope it's all right, I hope it's all right.

Jim Burgin: They whispered to each other. The driver was worried too.

Driver: It's not bad here. But it's sure to be deep in the valley.

Thomas: Silly soft stuff. I didn't need that stupid old thing yesterday and I shan't today. Snow can't stop me.

Jim Burgin: He rushed into a tunnel thinking how clever he was. But there was trouble ahead.

(Thomas crashes into a snowdrift)

Thomas: Cinders and ashes! I'm stuck.

Jim Burgin: And he was.

Driver: Back, Thomas, back.

Jim Burgin: Thomas tried but his wheels spun and he couldn't move. The conductor went back for help while everyone else tried to dig the snow away. But as fast as they dug, more snow slipped down until Thomas was nearly buried.

Thomas: Oh, my wheels and coupling rods. I shall have to stop here till I'm frozen. What a silly engine I am.

Jim Burgin: And Thomas began to cry. At last a bus came to rescue the passengers. And then who should come to Thomas's rescue but Terence. Snow never worries him.

(Terence hooks up to Clarabel and pulls her and Annie out of the snow)

Jim Burgin: He pulled the empty coaches away, then came back for Thomas. Thomas' wheels were clear but still spun when he tried to move. Terence tugged and slipped and slipped and tugged and at last dragged Thomas clear of the snow ready for the journey home.

(Terence goes away into the tunnel with Thomas following him)

Thomas: Oh, thank you, Terence. Your caterpillars are splendid.

Driver: I hope you'll be sensible now, Thomas.

Thomas: I'll try.

Jim Burgin: he puffed slowly away.

Part 15: Thomas & Bertie
Jim Burgin: Thomas was waiting at the junction when a bus arrived.

Thomas: Hello. Who are you?

Bertie: I'm Bertie. Who are you?

Thomas: I'm Thomas. I run this branch line.

Bertie: So you're Thomas. Ah, I remember now. You got stuck in the snow. I took your passengers and Terence the Tractor pulled you out. I've come to help you with your passengers today.

Thomas: Help me? I can go faster than you.

Bertie: You can't.

Thomas: I can.

Bertie: I'll race you!

Jim Burgin: Their drivers agreed for the race going ahead. The stationmaster said...

Stationmaster: Are you ready? Go!

Jim Burgin: Thomas never could go fast at first and Bertie drew in front.

Annie and Clarabel: Why don't you go fast, why don't you go fast.

Thomas: Wait and see, wait and see.

Annie and Clarabel: He's a long way ahead.

Jim Burgin: But Thomas didn't mind. He remembered the level crossing. There was Bertie fuming at the gates while they sailed gaily through.

Thomas: Goodbye, Bertie!

Jim Burgin: After that the road left the railway so they couldn't see Bertie. Then, they had to stop at the station to let off passengers.

Thomas: (whistles)! Quickly please!

Jim Burgin: and off they went again.

Thomas: Come along, come along.

Annie and Clarabel: We're coming along, we're coming along.

Thomas: Hurry, hurry, hurry!

Jim Burgin: then he looked ahead. There was Bertie tooting triumphly on his horn.

Thomas: Oh deary me, oh deary me!

Driver: Steady, Thomas. We'll beat Bertie yet.

Annie and Clarabel: We'll be Bertie yet, we'll beat Bertie yet.

Thomas: We'll do it, we'll do it. Oh bother! There's a station.

Jim Burgin: Then he heard Bertie.

Bertie: Goodbye, Thomas. You must be tired. Sorry I can't stop. We buses have to work you know. Goodbye.

Thomas: Oh dear. We've lost.

Jim Burgin: But he felt better after a drink. The signal dropped.

Thomas: Hurrah, we're off! Hurrah, we're off!

Jim Burgin: As they crossed the bridge, they heard an impatient...

Bertie: Honk honk!

Jim Burgin: There was Bertie waiting at the traffic lights. he started with a roar and chased on after Thomas again. Now Thomas reached his full speed. Bertie tried hard but Thomas was too fast. Whistling triumphantly he plunged into the tunnel leaving Bertie toiling far behind.

Thomas: We've done it, we've done it!

Annie and Clarabel: We've done it, hooray! We've done it, hooray!

Jim Burgin: Chanted Annie and Clarabel as they whooshed into the last station. Everyone was there to celebrate Thomas' victory. But they gave Bertie a big welcome too.

Bertie: Well done, Thomas. That was fun. But to beat you over that hill, I should have to grow wings and be an airplane.

Jim Burgin: They now keep each others very busy. They often talked about their race, but Bertie's passengers don't like being bounced like peas in a frying pan, and Sir Topham Hatt has warned Thomas not to race at dangerous speeds. So although, between you and me, they would like to have another race. I don't think they ever will, do you?

Part 16: Tenders And Turntables
Jim Burgin: Henry and Gordon were lonely when Thomas left the yard to run his branch line. They missed him very much. They had more work to do and had to fetch their own coaches. The big engines thought they were too important to fetch coaches. James grumbled too.

Henry: We get no rest, we get no rest!

Jim Burgin: But the coaches only laughed.

Coaches: You're lazy and slack, you're lazy and slack!

Jim Burgin: All together, the engines were causing Sir Topham Hatt a great deal of trouble. The big stations at both ends on the line each have a turntable. Sir Topham Hatt had made them so that the tender engines can be turned round because it is dangerous for them to go fast and backwards. Little tank engines like Thomas don't need turntables. They can go just as well backwards as forwards. But to hear Gordon talk, you would've thought that Sir Topham Hatt had given him a tender just to show how important he was.

Gordon: You don't understand, little Thomas. We Tender Engines have a position to keep up. It doesn't matter where you go, but we are important, and for Sir Topham Hatt to make us shunt freight Troublesome Trucks, fetch coaches and go on some of those dirty sidings it's, it's, well, it's not the proper thing.

Jim Burgin: Thomas went off with Annie and Clarabel.

Gordon: Disgraceful!

Jim Burgin: Gordon hissed as he ran backwards to the turntable. The turntable was in the windy place close to the sea, and he was not on it just right, he put amount of balance and made a difficult to turn. Today, Gordon was in the bad temper, and the wind was blowing fiercely. His driver tried to make him stop in the right place but Gordon wasn't trying. The fireman tried to turn the handle, but Gordon's weight and the strong wind prevented him.

Driver: It's no good. Your big tender upsets the balance. If you're a little tank engine, you be all right. Now you have to pull the next train backwards.

Boys: Look! There's a new tank engine! Oh, it's only Gordon, back to front.

Thomas: Hello! Playing tank engines? Sensible engine. Take my advice, scrap your tender and have a nice bunker.

Jim Burgin: Gordon said nothing. Even James laughed when he saw him.

Gordon: Take care. You might stick too.

James: No fear. I'm not so fat as you. I mustn't stick.

Jim Burgin: He stopped on just the right place to balance the table. It could now swing easily. Gordon arrived in time to see everything. James turned much too easily. The wind puffed him round like a top. He couldn't stop!

(James spins faster and faster until he slows down, and as the turntable stops, he is all green and dizzy)

Gordon: Well, well! Are you playing roundabouts?

Jim Burgin: Poor James feeling quite giddy rolled off to the shed without a word. That night, the three engines had an indignation meeting.

Gordon: It's shameful to treat tender engines like this. Gordon has to go backwards and people think he's a tank engine, James spins like a top and everyone laughs at us. And added to that, Sir Topham Hatt makes us all shunt in dirty sidings. Ugh! Listen.

Jim Burgin: He whispered something to the others.

Gordon: We'll do it tomorrow. Sir Topham Hatt will look silly.

Jim Burgin: The engines had decided to go on strike.

Part 17: Trouble in the Shed
Jim Burgin: Sir Topham Hatt sat in his office listening to the noise outside. The passengers were angry. The stationmaster came in.

Stationmaster: There's trouble in the shed, sir. Henry was sulking. There's no train and the passengers are saying this is a bad railway.

Sir Topham Hatt: Indeed. We cannot allow that.

Jim Burgin: He found Gordon, James and Henry looking very cross.

Sir Topham Hatt: Come along, Henry. It's time your train was ready.

Gordon: Henry's not going! We won't shunt like little tank engines. That was Thomas' job. We are important tender engines. You fetch our coaches and we will pull them. Tender engines don't shunt.

Sir Topham Hatt: We'll see about that. No engine on my railway is too important for small jobs.

Jim Burgin: And he hurried away to find Edward.

Sir Topham Hatt: The yard has never been the same since Thomas left to run his branch line.

Jim Burgin: Edward was shunting.

Sir Topham Hatt: Leave those freight Troublesome Trucks please, Edward. I want you to push coaches for me in the yard.

Edward: Thank you, sir. That will be a nice change.

Sir Topham Hatt: That's a good engine. Off you go then.

Jim Burgin: So Edward found coaches for the three engines and that day, the train's ran as usual. But next morning, Edward looked unhappy. Gordon came clanking pass hissing rudely.

Sir Topham Hatt: Bless me! What a noise!

Edward: They all hiss me, Sir. They say tender engines don't shunt and last night they said I have gray wheels. I haven't have I, sir?

Sir Topham Hatt: No, Edward, you have nice blue ones, and I'm proud of you. Tender engines do shunt, but all the same we do need another tank engine here.

Jim Burgin: He went to the workshop and they showed them all sorts of engines. At last, he saw a smart little green engine with four wheels.

Sir Topham Hatt: That's the one.

Jim Burgin: He thought.

Sir Topham Hatt: If I choose you, will you work hard?

Percy: Oh sir, yes sir.

Sir Topham Hatt: That's a good engine. I'll call you Percy.

Percy: Yes sir, thank you sir.

Jim Burgin: And Sir Topham Hatt brought Percy back to the yard.

Sir Topham Hatt: Edward. Here's Percy. Will you show him everything?

Jim Burgin: Percy soon learned what he had to do and they had a happy afternoon. Then Henry came by hissing as usual.

Percy: Wheesh!

Jim Burgin: Henry jumped and ran back to the shed.

Edward: How beautifully you wheeshed him! I can't wheesh like that.

Percy: Oh. That's nothing. You should hear them in the workshop. You have to wheesh loudly to make yourself heard.

Jim Burgin: Next morning, Thomas arrived.

Thomas: Sir Topham Hatt sent to me. I expect he wants help.

Edward: Sh, sh, here he comes.

Sir Topham Hatt: Well done, Thomas, you've been quick. Listen, Henry, Gordon and James are sulking they say they won't shunt like little tank engines, so I have shut them up and I want you both to run the line for a while.

Thomas: Little tank engines indeed. We'll show them.

Sir Topham Hatt: And Percy will help too.

Percy: Oh sir, yes sir, please sir.

Jim Burgin: Edward and Thomas worked the main line greeting each other as they pass by. Percy puffed along the branch line. Thomas was anxious about Annie and Clarabel, but both driver and conductor promise to take care of them. They were fewer trains but the passengers didn't mind. They knew the three other engines were having a lesson. Gordon, James and Henry were cold, lonely and miserable. They wish now they haven't been so silly.

Part 18: Percy Runs Away
Jim Burgin: Henry, James, and Gordon were miserable. They had been shut up for several days for being naughty, and long to be let out again. At last, Sir Topham Hatt arrived.

Sir Topham Hatt: I hope you are sorry. And that you understand that every job on the railway is important. We have a new tank engine called Percy who helps pull coaches and Thomas and Edward have worked the main line nicely, but I will let you out now if you promise to work hard.

Gordon: Yes, sir.

James: We will.

Sir Topham Hatt: That's good, but please remember that this no shunting nonsense must stop.

Jim Burgin: Sir Topham Hatt then told Percy, Edward, and Thomas that they could go and play on the branch line for a few days, and they ran off happily to find Annie and Clarabel at the junction. The two coaches were very pleased to see Thomas again. Edward and Percy played with the freight Troublesome Trucks.

Troublesome Trucks: Stop, stop, stop!

Jim Burgin: they were pushed into their proper sidings. But the two engines laughed and went on shunting till the Troublesome Trucks were tightly arranged. Next, Edward took some empty Troublesome Trucks to the quarry. Percy was left alone. He didn't mind that a bit. He liked watching trains and being cheeky to the other engines.

Percy: Hurry, hurry, hurry!

Jim Burgin: He would call, and they got very cross. After a great deal of shunting, Percy was waiting for the signalman to set the switch so he could get back to the yard. Percy was being rather careless and not paying attention. Edward had warned Percy.

Edward: Be careful on the main line. Whistle to the signalman that you were there.

Jim Burgin: But Percy didn't remember to whistle, and so the busy signalman forgot him. Percy waited and waited. The switch was still against him so he couldn't move. Then, he looked along the main line.

Percy: Peep, peep!

Jim Burgin: He whistled in horror, for rushing straight toward him was Gordon with the express.

Gordon: Ooooooooooohhhhhhhhh! Get out of my way!

(Gordon approaches Percy, who then shuts his eyes and the big engine comes to a frightening halt)

Jim Burgin: Percy opened his eyes. Gordon had stopped with Percy's buffers just a few inches from his own. But Percy had begun to move.

Percy: I won't stay here, I'll run away!

Jim Burgin: He went straight through Edward's station, and was so frightened that he ran right up Gordon's hill without stopping. After that, he was tired, but he couldn't stop. He had no driver to shut off steam and apply the brakes.

Percy: I want to stop! I want to stop!

Jim Burgin: The man in the signalbox saw Percy was in trouble, so he kindly set the switch. Percy puffed wearily onto a nice empty siding, ending in a big bank of earth. He was too tired now to care where he went.

Percy: I want to stop, I want to stop! I have stopped!

Jim Burgin: He puffed thankfully.

Workmen: Never mind, Percy. You shall have a drink and some coal, and then you feel better.

Jim Burgin: Presently, Gordon arrived.

Gordon: Well done, Percy. You started so quickly that you stopped a nasty accident.

Percy: I'm sorry I was cheeky.

Gordon: You were clever to stop.

Jim Burgin: Then Gordon helped pull Percy out from the bank. The two engines are now good friends, but Percy is always most careful when he goes out on the main line.

Part 19: Henry's Special Coal
Jim Burgin: One morning, Henry was feeling very sorry for himself. Sometimes he could pull trains, but sometimes he felt he had no strength at all.

Henry: I suffer dreadfully and no one cares.

James: Rubbish, Henry! You don't work hard enough!

Jim Burgin: Sir Topham Hatt spoke to him too.

Sir Topham Hatt: What's wrong with you, Henry? You have had lots of new parts and new paint too, but they've done you no good. If we can't make you better, we must get another engine instead of you to do the work.

Jim Burgin: This made Henry, his driver and fireman very sad. Sir Topham Hatt was waiting when Henry came to the platform. He had taken off his hat and coat and put on overalls. Henry managed to start, but his fireman was not satisfied.

Henry's Fireman: Henry is a bad steamer. I built up his fire, but it doesn't give enough heat.

Jim Burgin: Poor Henry tried very hard, but it was no good. He didn't have enough steam, and came to a stop outside Edward's station.

Henry: Oh dear! I shall have to go away! Oh dear, oh dear!

Jim Burgin: All he could do is to go slowly onto a siding, and Edward took charge of the train. Sir Topham Hatt and the Fireman went on discussing Henry's troubles.

Sir Topham Hatt: What do you think is wrong, fireman?

Henry's Fireman: Excuse me, sir. But the fact is the coal is wrong. We've had a poor lot lately, and today's it's worse. The other engines can manage. They have big fireboxes. Henry's is small and can't make the heat. With Welsh coal, he'd be a different engine.

Sir Topham Hatt: It's expensive. But Henry must have a fair chance. James shall go and fetch them.

Jim Burgin: When the Welsh coal came, Henry's Driver and Fireman were excited.

Henry's Driver and Fireman: Now we'll show them, Henry old fellow.

Jim Burgin: They carefully made his fire, putting large lumps of coal like a wall round the outside, then the glowing middle part was covered in smaller lumps.

Henry: You're spoiling my fire.

Jim Burgin: Complained Henry.

Henry's Fireman: Wait and see. We'll have a roaring fire just when we wanted.

Jim Burgin: The fireman was right. When Henry reached the platform, the water was boiling nicely, and he had to let off steam.

Sir Topham Hatt: How are you, Henry?

Henry: (whistles) I feel fine!

Sir Topham Hatt: Have you a good fire, driver?

Henry's Driver: Never better, sir, and plenty of steam.

Sir Topham Hatt: No record breaking. Don't push him too hard.

Henry's Driver: Henry won't need pushing, sir. I'll have to hold him back.

Jim Burgin: Henry had a lovely day. He had never felt so well in his life. He wanted to go fast, but his driver wouldn't let him.

Henry's Driver: Steady old fellow. There's plenty of time.

Jim Burgin: They arrived early at the station. Thomas puffed in.

Henry: Where have you been, lazybones? Oh, I can't wait for dawdling tank engines like you. Goodbye.

Thomas: Whoosh. Have you ever seen anything like it?

Jim Burgin: Both Annie and Clarabel agreed that they never had.

Part 19: The Flying Kipper
Jim Burgin: One winter evening, Henry's driver said...

Henry's Driver: We'll be out early tomorrow. We've got to take the Flying Kipper. Don't tell Gordon, but I think if we pull the Kipper nicely, Sir Topham Hatt will let us pull the express. The special coal they gave you is working well.

Henry: Hooray! That will be lovely.

Jim Burgin: All kinds of ships use the harbor at the big station by the sea. There are passenger ships, cargo ships and fishing boats also come here. They unload their fish on the key. Some of it goes to shops in the town, and the rest in a special train to other places far away. This is the train the railway men called the Flying Kipper. Henry was ready at five o,clock. There was snow and frost. Men hustled and shouted loading up the crates of fish. The last door banged, the guard showed his green lamp, and the Flying Kipper was ready to go.

Henry: Come on, come on, don't be silly, don't be silly.

Jim Burgin: The Troublesome Trucks shuttered and groaned.

Troublesome Trucks: Trickety-trock, trickety-trock, all right, all right!

Henry: That's better, that's better.

Jim Burgin: Cloud of smoke and steam poured from his funnel into the cold air, and the fire's light shown brightly.

Henry: Hurry, hurry, hurry!

Jim Burgin: They were going well. The light grew better, signal light shown green as they passed. Then, a yellow signal appeared ahead. His driver prepared to stop, but the home signal was down.

Henry's Driver: All clear, Henry. Away we go.

Jim Burgin: They couldn't know the switches from the main line to a siding were frozen, and a home signal should have been set a danger, but snow had forced it down. A freight train was waited in a siding to let the Flying Kipper past, and a Driver and Fireman were drinking cocoa in the caboose.

Conductor: The Kipper is due.

Fireman: Who cares? This is good cocoa.

Jim Burgin: The driver got up.

Driver: Come on, fireman, back to our engine.

Jim Burgin: They got out just in time.

(Henry crashes into the break van and comes off the rails completely)

Jim Burgin: Henry's driver and fireman had jumped clear before the crash, but Henry lay dazed and surprised. Sir Topham Hatt came to see him.

Henry: The signal was down, Sir.

Sir Topham Hatt: Cheer up, Henry. It wasn't your fault. Ice and snow cause the accident. I'm sending you to Crewe, a fine place for sick engines. They'll give you your new shape and a larger firebox. You'll feel a different engine, and you won't need special coal anymore. Won't that be nice?

Henry: Yes, sir.

Jim Burgin: Henry liked being a Crewe, but was glad to come home. A crowd of people waited to see him arrive in his new shape. He looked so splendid and strong that they gave him three cheers.

Henry: (whistles) Thank you very much!

Jim Burgin: I'm sorry to say that a lot of little children were often late for school, because they waited to see Henry go by. They often see him pulling the express. He does it so well that Gordon is jealous. But that's another story.

Part 20: Whistles And Sneezes
Jim Burgin: Gordon was cross.

Gordon: Why should Henry have a new shape? A shape good enough for me is good enough for him. He goes gallivanting off, leaving us to do his work, and comes back saying how happy he feels. It's disgraceful. And there's another thing: Henry whistles too much. No respectable engine ever whistles loudly at stations. It isn't wrong, but we just don't do it.

Jim Burgin: Poor Henry didn't feel happy anymore.

Percy: Never mind. I'm glad you're home again. I like your whistling.

Gordon: Goodbye, Henry. We're glad to have you with us again. But remember what I said.

Jim Burgin: Later, Henry stopped at Edward's station.

Edward: Hello, Henry. You look splendid. I was pleased to hear your happy whistle yesterday.

Henry: Thanks, Edward.

(We hear a screeching noise)

Henry: Shh, shh. Can you hear something?

Edward: It sounds like Gordon. And it ought to be Gordon. But Gordon never whistles like that.

Jim Burgin: It was Gordon. He came rushing down the hill of a tremendous rate. He didn't look at Henry and he didn't look at Edward. He screamed straight through the station and disappeared.

Edward: Well.

Henry: It isn't wrong. But we just don't do it.

Jim Burgin: And he told Edward what Gordon had said. Meanwhile, Gordon screeched along the line. The noise was awful. At the station, everyone covered their ears. Sir Topham Hatt covered his ears too.

Sir Topham Hatt: Take him away! And stop that noise!

Jim Burgin: Gordon puffed sadly away. But he wouldn't stop whistling until two fitters climbed up and knocked his whistle valve in place.

(Two fitters fix Gordon's whistle with progress)

Jim Burgin: That night, Gordon slunked into the shed. He was glad it was empty.

Henry: It isn't wrong. But we just don't do it.

Jim Burgin: No one mentioned whistles. Next morning, Henry was enjoying himself enormously.

Henry: I feel so well, I feel so well.

Coaches: Trickety-trock, trickety-trock.

Jim Burgin: Hummed his coaches. Then he saw some boys on a bridge.

Henry: (whistles) Hello.

(The boys smash the coaches' windows with stones)

Henry: Ohh.

Jim Burgin: The boys didn't wave and take his number. They thought it fun to drop stones on him instead.

Coaches: They've broken our glass, they've broken our glass.

Jim Burgin: The passengers weren't hurt, but they were cross.

Passengers: Call the police!

Henry's Driver: No. Leave it to Henry and me.

Passengers: What will you do? Can you keep a secret?

Henry: Yes, yes.

Henry's Driver: Well then.

Jim Burgin: Said the driver. Henry is going to sneeze at those boys.

Jim Burgin: Lots of people were at the station just before the bridge. They wanted to see what would happen.

Henry's Driver: Henry has plenty of ashes. Please keep all windows shut until we haved passed the bridge. Henry is as excited as we are. Aren't you, old fellow?

Jim Burgin: Henry felt more stuffed up. Soon, they could see the boys. And they all had stones.

Henry's Driver: Are you ready, Henry? Sneeze hard when I tell you. Now.

Henry: Ah-choo!

(Henry sneezes at the boys and they were covered in ashes)

Henry's Driver: Well done, Henry.

Jim Burgin: Henry went home, hoping that next time he saw Gordon and the boys, they would have learned not to be so mean.

Part 21: Toby The Tram Engine
Jim Burgin: Toby is a tram engine. He has cowcatchers and side plates and doesn't look like a steam engine at all. He takes freight Troublesome Trucks from farms and villages to the main line and rings his bell cheerfully to everyone he meets. He has a coach called Henrietta who has seen better days.

Henrietta: It's not fair at all.

Jim Burgin: She grumbles remembering she used to be full and nine Troublesome Trucks would rattle behind her. Now there were only three or four for the farms and factories send their goods mostly by truck. Toby is always careful. The Troublesome Trucks, buses and trucks often have accidents. Toby hasn't had an accident for years. But the buses are crowded and Henrietta is empty. A lady and a stout gentleman stood on Toby's platform. He was of course Sir Topham Hatt. But Toby didn't notice this yet.

Children: Come on, grandfather. Look at this engine.

Sir Topham Hatt: That's a tram engine, Stephen.

Bridget: Is it electric?

Toby: Whoosh!

Stephen: Shh! You've offended him.

Bridget: But trams are electric, aren't they?

Sir Topham Hatt: They are mostly, but this is a steam tram.

Children: May we go in it, grandfather, please?

Sir Topham Hatt: Stop!

Jim Burgin: They all scrambled into Henrietta. Toby was still crossed.

Toby: Electric indeed. Electric indeed.

Jim Burgin: He snorted. He was proud of being a steam tram.

Sir Topham Hatt: What is your name?

Toby: I’m Toby, sir.

Jim Burgin: Thanks again Toby for a very nice ride.

Toby: You’re welcome. This gentleman...

Jim Burgin: He thought.

Toby: ...is a gentleman who knows how to speak to engines.

Jim Burgin: The children came every day for two weeks. Sometimes they rode with the conductor, sometimes in empty Troublesome Trucks. On the last day of all the driver invited them into his cab. All were sorry when they had to go away and Sir Topham Hatt and his family thanked everyone.

Toby: Come again soon.

Children: We will, we will.

Jim Burgin: And they waved till Toby was out of sight. The months passed. Toby had few Troublesome Trucks and fewer passengers.

Driver: Our last day, Toby. The manager says we must close tomorrow.

Jim Burgin: That day, everyone wanted the chance of a last ride. The passengers joked and sang, but Toby and his driver wish they wouldn't.

Passengers: Goodbye, Toby. We're sorry your line was closing down.

Toby: So am I? Nobody wants me.

Jim Burgin: Toby thought and went unhappily to sleep. Next morning, the shed was flung open and old Toby woke with a start to his driver waving a piece of paper at him.

Driver: Wake up, Toby! The mail has just arrived and there's a letter for us from the stout gentleman! Maybe it's good news.

Part 22: Thomas Breaks The Rules
Jim Burgin: There's a line to a quarry at the end of Thomas' branch. It goes for some distance along the road. Thomas was very careful to whistle here in case anyone was coming. Early one morning, a large policeman was sitting close to the line. Thomas liked policemen. He had been a great friend of the officer who had just retired.

Thomas: (whistles) Good morning.

Jim Burgin: Thomas expected that the new officer would be friendly too. But he was sorry to see that he didn't look friendly at all. He was red in the face and very cross.

Policeman: Disgraceful! I didn't sleep a wink last night. It was so quiet, and now engines come whistling suddenly behind me.

Thomas: I'm sorry, sir. I only said good morning.

Jim Burgin: The policeman pointed to Thomas.

Policeman: Where's your cowcatcher?

Thomas: But I don't catch cows, sir.

Policeman: Don't be funny.

Jim Burgin: Snapped the policeman. He looked at Thomas' wheels.

Policeman: No sideplates either.

Jim Burgin: And he wrote in his notebook.

Policeman: Engines going on public roads must have their wheels covered and a cowcatcher in front to protect people and animals from being dragged under the wheels if they stray under the line. You haven't so you are dangerous.

Thomas' driver: Rubbish!

Driver: We've been along here hundreds of times and never had an accident.

Policeman: That makes it worse.

Jim Burgin: The policeman answered. He wrote "Regular Lawbreaker" in his book. Thomas puffed sadly away. Sir Topham Hatt was having breakfast he was eating toast and marmalade. The butler came in.

Butler: Excuse me, sir, you're wanted on the telephone.

Sir Topham Hatt: Bother that telephone!

(Phone chattering)

Sir Topham Hatt: I'm sorry, my dear. Thomas is in trouble with the police and I must go at once.

Jim Burgin: At the station, Thomas' driver told Sir Topham Hatt what had happened.

Sir Topham Hatt: Dangerous to the public indeed. We'll see about that.

Jim Burgin: Sir Topham Hatt spoke to the policeman. But however much he argued with him it was no good.

Policeman: The law is the law. And we can't change it.

Jim Burgin: Sir Topham Hatt felt exhausted.

Sir Topham Hatt: I'm sorry, driver. It's no use arguing with the policeman. We will have to make those cowcatcher things for Thomas I suppose.

Thomas: Everyone will laugh, sir. They say I look like a tram.

Jim Burgin: Sir Topham Hatt stared, then he laughed.

Sir Topham Hatt: (laughing) Well done, Thomas. Why didn't I think of it before? We need a tram engine. When I was on my holiday, I met a nice little engine called Toby. He takes freight Troublesome Trucks from the farms but the trucks have taken over most of his work and he needs a change. He has cowcatchers and sideplates. I'll write to his superintendent at once.

Jim Burgin: A few days later, Toby arrived.

Sir Topham Hatt: That's a good engine. I see you brought your coach Henrietta.

Toby: You don't mind, do you, sir? The stationmaster wanted to use her as a hen house, and that would never do.

Sir Topham Hatt: No indeed. We couldn't allow that.

Jim Burgin: Toby made the silly Troublesome Trucks behave even better than Thomas did.

Policeman: Hey you!

Jim Burgin: At first, Thomas was jealous, but he was so pleased when Toby rang his bell and frightened the policeman, they've been firmed friends ever since.

Part 23: James In A Mess
Jim Burgin: Toby and Henrietta were enjoying their new job on the Island of Sodor, but they do look old fashioned and did need new paint. James was very rude whenever he saw them.

James: Yech! What dirty objects!

Jim Burgin: He would say. At last, Toby lost patience.

Toby: James? Why are you red?

James: I am a splendid engine. Ready for anything. You never see my paint dirty.

Toby: Oh. That's why you once needed bootlaces to be ready I suppose.

Jim Burgin: James went redder than ever and snorted off. It was such an insult to be reminded of how the time a bootlace had been use to mend a hole in his coaches. At the end of the line, James left his coaches and got ready for his next train. It was a slow freight, stopping at every station to pick up and set down Troublesome Trucks. James hated slow freight trains.

James: Dirty Troublesome Trucks from dirty sidings! Yech!

Jim Burgin: Starting an only a few, he picked up more and more Troublesome Trucks at each station till he had a long train. At first, the freight Troublesome Trucks behaved well, but James bumped them so crossly that they were determined to get back at him. Presently, they approached the top of Gordon's Hill. Heavy freight trains halt here to set the brakes. James had an accident with Troublesome Trucks before and should have remembered this.

Driver: Wait James, wait!

Jim Burgin: but James wouldn't wait. He was too busy thinking what he would say to Toby when they next met. The freight Troublesome Trucks' chance had come.

Troublesome Trucks: Hurrah! Hurrah! (They laughed, and banging their buffers they pushed him down the hill.) On, on!

James: I've got to stop, I've got to stop!

Jim Burgin: They thundered through the Station. Disaster lay ahead.

(James crashes into the tar wagons)

Jim Burgin: Something sticky splashed all over James. He had run into two tar wagons, and was black from smokebox to cab. He was more dirty than hurt, but the tar wagons and some Troublesome Trucks were all to pieces. Toby and Percy were sent to help and came as quickly as they could.

Toby: Look here, Percy! Whatever is that dirty object?

Percy: That's James, didn't you know?

Toby: It's James' shape. But James is a splendid red engine and you'll never see his paint dirty.

Jim Burgin: James pretended he hadn't heard. Toby and Percy cleared away the unhurt Troublesome Trucks and help James home. Sir Topham Hatt met them.

Sir Topham Hatt: Well done, Percy and Toby.

Jim Burgin: He turned to James.

Sir Topham Hatt: Fancy letting your Troublesome Trucks run away. I am surprised. You're not fit to be seen. You must be cleaned at once. Toby shall have a new coat of paint.

Toby: Please sir, can Henrietta have one too?

Sir Topham Hatt: Certainly Toby.

Toby: Oh thank you sir. She will pleased.

Jim Burgin: All James could do was watch Toby as he ran off happily with the news.

Part 24: Gordon Takes A Dip
Jim Burgin: Gordon was resting in a siding. Sometimes he thought...

Gordon: It's really tiring to be such a large and splendid engine, one does have to keep up appearance is so.

Henry: (whistles) Hello, lazybones!

Gordon: What cheek! That Henry is too big for his wheels. Fancy speaking to me like that. Me who has never had an accident.

Percy: Aren't jammed whistles and burst safety valves accidents?

Gordon: No indeed. High spirits. Might happen to any engine. But to come off the rails like Henry did. Well, I ask you. Is that right? Is it decent?

Jim Burgin: Then it was Henry's turn to take the express. Gordon watched him getting ready.

Gordon: Be careful, Henry. You're not pulling the Flying Kipper now. Mind you keep on the rails today.

Jim Burgin: Henry went off in a huff, and Gordon yawned and went to sleep. But not for long.

Driver: Wake up, Gordon. A special train's coming and we're to pull it.

Gordon: Is it coaches or freight Troublesome Trucks?

Driver: Troublesome Trucks.

Gordon: Troublesome Trucks. Puh!

Jim Burgin: Gordon's fire was slow to start, so Edward had to push Gordon to the turntable to get him facing the right way.

Gordon: I won't go, I won't go!

Edward: Don't be silly, don't be silly.

Jim Burgin: At last, Gordon was on the turntable. The movement had checken his fire. It was now burning nicely and making steam. Gordon was cross and didn't care what he did. He waited till the table was halfway round.

Gordon: I'll show them, I'll show them.

Jim Burgin: He moved slowly forward to jam the table, but he couldn't stop himself and slithered into a ditch.

Gordon: Oosh! Get me out, get me out!

Driver: Not a hope.

Jim Burgin: Said his driver and fireman.

Fireman: You're stuck, you silly great engine. Don't you understand that?

Jim Burgin: They telephoned Sir Topham Hatt.

Sir Topham Hatt: So Gordon didn't want to take the special train and ran into a ditch? What's that you say? The special's waiting? Tell Edward to take it please. And Gordon? Leave him where he is. We'll get him out later.

Jim Burgin: On the other side of the ditch, some little boys were chattering.

Boy 1: Oh, doesn't he look silly?

Boy 2: They'll never get him out.

Jim Burgin: They began to sing.

Boys: Silly old Gordon fell in a ditch, fell in a ditch, fell in a ditch, silly old Gordon fell in a ditch all on the Monday morning.

Jim Burgin: Gordon lay in the ditch all day.

Gordon: Oh, dear. I shall never get out.

Jim Burgin: But that evening, they lifted Gordon and made a rope of sleepers under his wheels to keep him from the mud. Strong ropes were fastened to his back end, and James and Henry pulling hard, managed to bring him to safety.

(Gordon is pulled to safety, we show a close up of his wheels, and finally a shot of him on the turntable)

Jim Burgin: Late that night, Gordon crawled home, a sadder and wiser engine.

Part 25: Down The Mine
Jim Burgin: One day, Thomas was at the junction when Gordon shuffled in with some freight Troublesome Trucks.

Thomas: Phew! What a funny smell. Can you smell a smell?

Annie: I can't smell a smell.

Thomas: A funny musty sort of smell.

Gordon: No one noticed until you did. It must be yours.

Jim Burgin: Not long ago, he had fallen into a dirty ditch. Thomas enjoyed teasing him about it.

Thomas: Annie, Clarabel, do you know what I think it is? It's ditchwater.

Jim Burgin: Before Gordon could answer, Thomas puffed away. Annie and Clarabel

could hardly believe their ears.

Annie: He's dreadfully rude I feel quite ashamed.

Clarabel: I feel quite ashamed he's dreadfully rude.

Jim Burgin: And to Thomas they said.

Annie and Clarabel: You mustn't be rude, you make us ashamed.

Jim Burgin: But Thomas didn't care a bit.

Thomas: That was funny, that was funny.

Jim Burgin: He chuckled. He felt very pleased with himself. Annie and Clarabel were deeply shocked. They had great respect for Gordon The Big Engine. Thomas left the coaches at the station and went off to a mine for some Troublesome Trucks. Long ago, miners digging for led had made tunnels under the ground. Their roofs are strong enough to hold up Troublesome Trucks but not the weight of engines. A large notice warns them not to enter the area: Danger! Engines must not pass this board.

Thomas: Silly old board.

Jim Burgin: He had often tried to pass it but had never succeeded. But this morning he had made a plan. The fireman went to throw the switch.

Thomas: Now for my plan!

Jim Burgin: Bumping the Troublesome Trucks fiercely he jerked his driver off the footplate and followed them into the siding.

Thomas' Driver: Come back!

(A loud splash is heard as Thomas screams and falls to the mine)

Thomas: Fire and smoke! I'm sunk.

Jim Burgin: And he was.

Thomas: Oh, dear. I am a silly engine.

Sir Topham Hatt: And a very naughty one, too. I saw you!

Thomas: Please get me out. I won't do it again.

Sir Topham Hatt: I'm not sure. We can't lift you out with a crane. The ground's not firm enough. Hmm, let me see. I wonder if Gordon could pull you out.

Thomas: Yes sir.

Jim Burgin: But he didn't want to meet Gordon just yet.

Gordon: Down a mine is he? Ha, ha, ha! What a joke! Boop, boop! Little Thomas, we'll have you out in a couple of puffs.

Jim Burgin: Strong cables were fastened between the two engines.

Sir Topham Hatt: Are you ready? Heave!

(Gordon pulls Thomas out of the mine)

Jim Burgin: It was a lot harder than they all thought. At last Thomas was free.

Thomas: I'm sorry I was cheeky.

Gordon: That's all right, Thomas. You made me laugh. I'm in disgrace.

Thomas: So am I.

Gordon: Why so you are Thomas. Shall we form an alliance. You help me and I help you.

Thomas: Right you are.

Gordon: Good. That's settled.

Jim Burgin: Rumbled Gordon. And buffer to buffer the allies puffed home.

(Gordon and Thomas head home as we end the episode)

Part 26: Thomas' Christmas Party
Jim Burgin: It was Christmas on the Island of Sodor. All the engines were working hard. Thomas and Toby were busy carrying people and parcels up and down the branch line. Everyone was happy. Only the coaches Annie and Clarabel were complaining.Annie and Clarabel: It's always the same before Christmas!

Jim Burgin: They groaned.

Annie and Clarabel: We feel so full! We feel so full!

Thomas: Oh, come on! Where's your festive spirit? Christmas day is almost here.

Jim Burgin: By the side of the track was a little cottage with a familiar figure waving to them.

Thomas: It's Mrs. Kyndley! (whistles) Merry Christmas!

Jim Burgin: Thomas always felt better for seeing her.

Thomas: Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without Mrs. Kyndley.

Jim Burgin: He said to himself. When work was over, Thomas went to see the other engines. All their coats had been polished.

Gordon: Pooh! Just look at us. Your driver will have to work fast to get you as smart as us.

Thomas: Never mind that. I've something important to say. Do you realize it's been a whole year since Mrs. Kyndley saved us from a nasty accident? You remember when she was ill in bed and...Edward: Yes of course.

Edward: You told us how she waved her red dressing gown out of her window to warn you about a landslide ahead.

Percy: And you and Toby gave her presents.

Jim Burgin: Percy joined in.

Percy: And Sir Topham Hatt sent her to the seaside to get better.

James: But...

Henry: The rest of us never thanked her properly.

Thomas: Exactly. So now I think we should all give her a special Christmas party.

Jim Burgin: Everyone was getting very excited and the drivers felt sure that Sir Topham Hatt will agree as indeed he did. The engines were all busy making plans, when silence fell. Sir Topham Hatt had bad news.Sir Topham Hatt: The weather's changed badly. Mrs. Kyndley is snowed up. Toby says he'll help to rescue her. You must help too, Thomas. There's no party unless you do.Jim Burgin: Thomas hated snow, but he said bravely.

Thomas: I'll try, sir. We must rescue her, we must.

Sir Topham Hatt: There's a good engine. You and Toby will manage splendidly.

Jim Burgin: Thomas charged the snowdrifts fiercely. Sometimes he swept them aside, sometimes they stuck fast. And the men had to loosen them. But at the cutting near the cottage, they could go no further.Thomas' Fireman: Look at that!

Jim Burgin: Exclaimed Thomas' fireman.

Thomas: (whistles) Here we are!

Jim Burgin: An answering wave came from an upstairs window. Then they heard a familiar sound.

Thomas: That's Terence the Tractor! He's come to help too!

Jim Burgin: Sure enough, Terence had a snowplough and was working hard to clear a patch to the railroad line to safety. At long last, the rescue was complete. Percy took the tired workmen home. Terence said goodbye to Mrs. Kyndley and promised to take care of her cottage as he watched them all set off. The engines made good time. No more snow had fallen, but the yard was dark. There was no one to be seen. Thomas' heart sank. Suddenly, all the lights went on. What a marvelous site awaited Mrs. Kyndley.

Sir Topham Hatt: Well done! I'm really proud of you all.

Jim Burgin: Mrs. Kyndley especially thanked the smaller engines.

Mrs. Kyndley: Thomas and Toby are old friends. And now Percy, you are my friend too.

Jim Burgin: Percy was very pleased.

Percy: Three cheers for Mrs. Kyndley!

Jim Burgin: He called.

Engines: (whistle) (singing) We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Jim Burgin: Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends thought it was the best Christmas ever and Mrs. Kyndley could think of nowhere should rather live than here with them on the Island of Sodor.