Moral: oldies can be goldies/don't judge a book by it's cover

(Story begins with a view zooming over the Island of Sodor and especially Toby's tramway before cutting to Thomas on his branch line with a goods train and Annie and Clarabel coupled behind)

It was a bright sunny morning on the Island of Sodor. Thomas was happily chuffing his daily branch line route with Annie and Clarabel. He also had a goods train to deliver along down a line to an old quarry at the end of his branch.

Thomas: Isn't it nice how Sir Topham Hatt is setting goods duties for me on my own branch, Annie and Clarabel?

Annie: It sure is, Thomas.

Clarabel: Especially with the guard onboard me to help us keep those silly trucks in line.

Trucks: We heard that.

(Thomas chuckles as he continues chuffing along. Bertie honks and passes Thomas on the road by the line)

Bertie: (honking) Good morning, slow coach. Looks like I'm going to win again.

Thomas: Not today, Bertie. I have an urgent delivery to make to the quarry today.

Bertie: (racing away, calling out) I guess that means I win then.

The route to the quarry goes for some distance along the road. Goods trucks would often travel on these roads, but Thomas and Bertie also had passengers to deliver along this route. Thomas was always very careful to whistle here…in case anyone was coming.

(Thomas whistles loudly at some hikers on the field between the track and the road, surprising them, and they hurriedly move to the road, stop and wave at Thomas as he goes by.

Thomas: (whistling) Thank you very much.

(Bertie crosses over the level crossing as Thomas approaches it. Roger the constable is waiting on his bike)

In a moment, Thomas would meet his good friend Roger the constable at a level crossing.

Thomas: (stopping at the level crossing, whistling) Good morning, Roger.

Roger: Good morning, Thomas. Running your branch line route again, are you?

Thomas: Yes, sir. Delivering both goods and passengers at once is very important regarding how I run this branch line.

Roger: (chuckles) Indeed, Thomas. Very important work. Just like my job securing all the roads that run from the quarry. (sighs, sadly) It's all a matter of safety after all.

Thomas could see that Roger was feeling very bright this morning. He decided to find out why.

Thomas: Excuse me, sir. Is something wrong?

Roger: (takes a deep breath) Well, Thomas, now that you've mentioned it, I believe I have something to tell you.

Thomas: What is it, sir?

Roger stood silent for a moment, then he took a deep breath and spoke to his friend Thomas.

Roger: Thomas, I'm afraid you're not going to be seeing much more of me around these parts when the time comes.

Thomas: Why, sir? What's wrong?

Roger: (sighs) Well, Thomas, it seems that I'll be retiring once the summer ends.

Thomas: (confused) Retiring, sir?

Roger: Yes, Thomas. I will be quitting this job I've held for many years because my wife is having a baby and I sure can't miss that.

Thomas: I understand, sir. But does that mean you'll be gone…forever?

Roger: Yes, Thomas. I'm afraid so. I'm only waiting until Sir Topham Hatt gets back from his holiday. Once that happens, he'll hire a new constable and that'll give me enough time to prepare myself for retirement.

(Thomas gasps)

Roger: I'm sorry, Thomas. I just found out the pregnancy news from my wife today. But, hey, I'm still here, aren't I?

Thomas: (sighs sadly) I guess so. Ah well, I need to get back to my branch line now, Roger. I'll see you around. (whistles and chuffs slowly away, Roger waving after him)

Thomas couldn't have felt more disappointed. But on the other hand, he felt happy for Roger too for being able to set his priorities.

(Scene continues with a view over Sodor, which cuts over the northern part of the Island, zooming from Arlesdale End over to Lower Arlesburgh)

Somewhere over in the northern parts of Sodor was an old tramway, running from an old station by the lake on Arlesdale End and ending at Lower Arlesburgh station.

(A short rendition of Toby's classic theme by Robert Hartshorne plays briefly as Toby chuffs slowly out of his shed)

In a small shed on Arlesdale End lived an old-fashioned tram engine called Toby.

(Toby warns before watching the birds chirping and sets happily to work, ringing his bell. Scene shifts from different parts of Toby, including his cowcatcher and sideplates as he trundles along the line)

Toby may be an ordinary little steam tram; he is short and sturdy. He has cowcatchers and sideplates, and he doesn't look like a steam engine at all. But despite these differences, Toby works very hard and runs the whole tramway on his own…with his faithful coach Henrietta.

(Toby rings his bell as he buffers up to Henrietta)

Toby: Good morning, Henrietta.

Henrietta: (yawns, sleepily) Good morning, Toby. (opens her eyes and gasps) About that time already?

Toby: (chuckles) Come on, Henrietta. Let's get to work.

Henrietta: (sighs) Of course, Toby. But just remember that there are still plenty of trucks to shunt.

Toby: (confidently) I know, Henrietta. I know.

(Toby's theme continues as Toby and Henrietta collect trucks and chuff along their route)

Toby takes trucks from farms and factories to the main line, where the big engines can take them to places far and wide. His tramline runs along roads and through fields and villages, where he rings his bell cheerfully to everyone he meets.

(Toby rings his bell as he passes through the village and the villagers wave back)

Toby: Good morning.

Villagers: Good morning, Toby.

(Toby passes through the village and Henrietta sighs sadly)

Toby: Why didn't you say good morning, Henrietta?

Henrietta: (sighs) Well, Toby. I'm afraid that I'm just overly concerned again.

Toby: (confused) About what?

Henrietta: I miss the good old days again, Toby. When I used to be full of passengers and nine trucks would follow behind us. Don't you miss those days, Toby?

Toby: (sighs, understandingly) I do, Henrietta. But we must face the facts: our line is in bad condition, so we only have three or four trucks left to take. Our controller has long past retired and nowadays, farms and factories send their goods mostly by lorry. But look at the bright side, at least we're still standing on our four wheels and my driver and fireman are still here.

Henrietta felt much better.

Henrietta: You're right, Toby. And so is my guard.

(Toby passes by a bus crowded with passengers)

But then again, the fact that Henrietta was empty and that buses were often crowded with passengers left Toby puzzled.

Toby: Still though, it almost looks like roads is becoming superior to rails in terms of transport. I just can't understand it.

(Toby continues on down the line with Henrietta and the trucks as the rendition of the song Toby begins in A#/Bb major)

North of the Island, there lives a dear old train,

A little tram engine, Toby is his name.

He's quaint and old fashioned, but careful and wise.

His coach is Henrietta and she's seen better days.

(Toby passes through the cliff by the bay)

His mind keeps returning to the good old days

When they were busy working everyday.

But nobody rides with them nowadays.

They can't understand why things have changed.

Their line is bound is to be closing down, forever.

(Song shifts into the chorus in G major. Toby passes through the old valley and past the old castle)

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, there's much in store for you.

Oldies but Goldies, there's much in store for you…today.

(Song is put on halt as Toby arrives at Lower Arlesburgh station, beginning the next chapter)