Moral: arrogance can get the better of you/there is always a chance at redemption
(Scene begins with a view over Sodor, shifting to the main line with Henry and James passing each other, respectively with a goods train and a passenger train, before shifting over to Thomas' branch line. A rendition of his theme plays)
It was a busy, bustling morning on the Island of Sodor. Thomas The Tank Engine chuffed hurriedly along the branch line with his two faithful coaches Annie and Clarabel. He had an important job to do: dropping off passengers for his good friend: Gordon The Big Engine. The express was running it's morning routine to the Crovan's Gate "Works Station", and Thomas did not want to be late, especially for Gordon. But Annie and Clarabel couldn't understand it.
Annie: Slow down, Thomas. We aren't running a race, are we?
Clarabel: Not that I'm sure of. I don't see Bertie in plain sight at all. (gasps and startles when she hears Bertie's horn)
Bertie: (honks as he rolls by on the road) Morning, Thomas. (rolls away out of sight)
Thomas: That's not it, Annie and Clarabel. I have passengers to drop off at Knapford for Gordon's express and we can't be late for that now, can we?
Annie: (understandably) Oh…no. Not at all.
Clarabel: (feeling better) Carry on then, Thomas. Gordon's express is nothing that we would want to be late for.
(Annie and Clarabel chuckle. Thomas slightly chuckles as well and sighs, as he carries on. The scene zooms out over his branch line, and then shifts and zooms in to Knapford Station, Gordon waiting at the platform)
At Knapford, Gordon was already at the platform and on time, ready to chuff full steam and waiting a little impatiently for Percy to bring him his coaches…AND Thomas' train of course.
Gordon: (sighs) Come on now, Percy. Thomas will be here any minute. Where are my coaches?
Percy: (grunting as he bring the coaches into the station) Almost there, Gordon. Any moment now. (pushes the coaches to the platform with one final effort) There! (sighing and letting off steam)
Thomas: (whistling as he pulls into the station) Good morning, Percy. (Percy whistles back and exits the station before Thomas looks over at Gordon) Good morning, Gordon. Better on time then never, don't you think?
Gordon: It is a good morning, Thomas. And I couldn't agree with you more. It seems like I'll be running a full express today to Crovan's Gate and back. First time all week after all. (chortles, Thomas chuckling after him)
Thomas: Yes, well, that's good to hear, Gordon. Lots of passengers from my branch line have traveled over here in Annie and Clarabel to ride the express. (guard's whistle blows) I best be heading back now. (whistles as he leaves the station) Good day, Gordon. (chuffs away and out of sight, Clarabel smiling at Gordon from the distance)
(Rendition of original Express Coming Through begins in Bb major with a short instrumental)
Gordon: (whistles loudly after ther guard's whistle blows) Bye, Thomas. And now to start off my day with an express engine does best. (rolls smoothly out of the station, as the lyrics start)
What's a better to start your morning
Than running on a full express?
Signal up ahead's the only warning
To clear your way without any stress
Big blue engine's on his way
With hardly any stops to make
And now he's ready to start his day
To run his first train to Crovan's Gate (holds on into the chorus)
(Gordon continuously rattles through stations, with people standing back in amazement, and also under bridges and through signals, the signalmen helping him on his routes, as the chorus ensues)
All aboard the main line now with Gordon…and the express
Running all his trains on time
He's Gordon…with the express
Signal's getting clearer
Station's getting nearer
But everyone knows what to do
Make way for Gordon...
Express Coming Through!
(Song is put on instrumental break as Gordon arrives at Crovan's Gate)
Gordon: (whistling loudly) All aboard!
(people get out and more passengers board the train, as the instrumental ensues. Guard's whistle blows)
Gordon: Express coming through! (whistles loudly and leaves the station, as the second verse begins)
Gordon's made his train made once again
He knew just where to pass through
And where to stop and when
Chuffing on his way back
Coaches full of passengers
A very busy day
Chuffing, rattling on the track
Journey's ending nearer
And Gordon's on his way
All aboard the main line now with Gordon…and the express
Running all his trains on time
He's Gordon…with the express
Signal's getting clearer
Station's getting nearer
But everyone knows what to do
Make way for Gordon...
Express Coming Through! (holds out in Eb note, into chorus reprise. Instrumental quiets down to bass line clapping)
All aboard the main line now with Gordon…and the express
Running all his trains on time
He's Gordon…with the express (Instrumental picks up again)
Signal's getting clearer
Station's getting nearer
But everyone knows what to do
Make way for Gordon...
Express Coming Through! (holds out in F note)
Make way for Gordon...
Express Coming Through!
(Song ends as Gordon arrives back at Knapford Station)
Gordon: (whistles loudly) Right on time! (looks over at Sir Topham Hatt walking up to him, clearing his throat) Good day, sir.
Topham: Hello, Gordon. (looks at the clock) Mmm, five minutes past ten. Good news, Gordon. You have beaten a new record.
Gordon: (excitedly) Why, that's great news, sir!
Percy: (whistling as he passes by) Hooray for Gordon!
Toby: (ringing as he passes through with Henrietta) A fine achievement.
Henrietta: After all. Much agreed, Toby.
Gordon: (sighs, proudly) Thank you. Thank you. It was nothing after all. It's Thomas I should also thank, especially for getting my passengers here earlier than usual.
Topham: (clears his throat) Well, yes, yes. You may take a rest now, Gordon. You would probably need it for your next train now, won't you?
Gordon: Well, of course, sir. Thank you, sir. (whistles and leaves the platform)
Topham: (watching after Gordon, thinking) Hmm. (turns and walks away)
Now that Gordon had beaten a new record with the express, Sir Topham Hatt was thinking of how he could add another challenge to his timetable, whether the big blue engine enjoyed it or not.
(Scene shifts to Gordon resting in a siding beside Knapford, beginning the next chapter)