It was a beautiful summer's day on the Island of Sodor. The birds were chirping and the sun was shining among the trees. On the North Western Railway, things were going completely under control with Sir Topham Hatt in charge. James had gotten a new coat of paint and was now gleaming a shiny coat of red. He whistled as he puffed into the yard.

(James whistles)

Thomas was there, being coupled up to Annie and Clarabel.

James: (whistling) Good morning, Thomas.

Thomas: Good morning, James.

James: Doesn't my red paint look splendid? I have yet to show it to the passengers but it's so early in the morning that they haven't shown up yet.

Thomas: Yes, well, your paint is nice, James but…

James: But what, Thomas?

Thomas: I can't talk right now, James. I have to go the station or I might be late for Henry with my passengers. Goodbye, James. (whistles)

James: Goodbye. (chuffing backward into Knapford station)

James puffed into Knapford Station where Gordon was waiting with the express.

James: Good morning, Gordon.

Gordon: (sighs) It isn't such a good morning, James. After all, why should an express engine like me have to fetch my own coaches? I'm a guaranteed connection.

James: You're absolutely right, Gordon. But just think about it. Important engines like us always look shiny and clean for our passengers. That way everyone can come around and admire us.

Gordon: Hmph. Well, James. There are MY passengers and VIPs, like Sir Topham Hatt for instance. YOU, James, are a local train who pulls ordinary coaches. Nothing compared to the express.

(guard whistles)

Gordon: (whistles) Goodbye, little James. And remember what I said after all.

(James looks around the station. It is empty)

James: Hmph. No one else around to admire my splendid red paint.

(Scene cuts to Thomas' branch line. A rendition of Thomas' branch line plays by Robert Hartshorne as Thomas chuffs along with Annie and Clarabel)

Back on Thomas' branch line, the little blue engine was in such a hurry that Annie and Clarabel couldn't understand it.

Annie: Dear, oh, dear, Thomas. You're going very fast. Isn't that right, Clarabel?

Clarabel: Much too fast if you ask me, Annie. Slow down, Thomas.

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

Annie

And We're coming along. We're coming along.

Clarabel:

Annie and Clarabel didn't mind Thomas being in such a hurry now. They knew after all that he was just trying to please Sir Topham Hatt and they knew too that when Thomas was cross, he wasn't cross with them.

When they got to the station, Henry wasn't there. This made Thomas very cross indeed. He counted to ten five times but Henry still didn't come. Thomas whistled impatiently.

Thomas: Why should I be kept for Henry while he takes his time? I don't think he realizes that Sir Topham Hatt depends on me.

Annie: Oh, do be patient, Thomas. Henry is a big engine.

Clarabel: He'll show up any minute now.

Thomas: Rubbish, Annie and Clarabel. Henry's almost as big as Gordon and even Gordon can get over quicker before me.

There was a short silence. At last, Henry came, tired but triumphant.

(Henry's sad theme plays by Robert Hartshorne as he chuffs slowly into the station and whistles)

Henry: (pants heavily) Sorry, I'm late, Thomas.

Thomas: Where have you been, lazybones?

Henry: Oh, dear. My system is out of order and no one understands my case.

(Thomas scoffs and rolls his eyes)

Henry: You don't what I suffer.

Thomas: Rubbish! You're too fat! You need exercise! (guard's whistle blows) Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a branch line to run. (whistles and chuffs away before the guard can hop into Clarabel)

Guard: Wait, Thomas! Wait for me!

Henry: Thomas!

(Thomas' branch line theme continues as Thomas leaves the station)

But Thomas didn't hear the guard and nor did his driver or fireman. They started anyway but Annie and Clarabel knew and they tried to warn Thomas.

Thomas: Come along, come along.

Clarabel: I've lost my nice guard, I've lost my nice guard.

Thomas: Hurry, hurry, hurry.

Annie: We haven't a guard. We haven't a guard.

But Thomas was hurrying and he wouldn't listen. Annie and Clarabel tried to put on their brakes but they couldn't without the guard.

Annie

And Where is our guard? Where is our guard?

Clarabel:

(Music gets put on halt as the scene cuts to a red signal)

Soon they came to a signal at danger. Thomas came to a stop and whistled loudly.

Thomas: (slightly agitated) Bother that signal! What's the matter?

Driver: I don't know, Thomas. The guard will tell us in a minute.

They waited…and waited…and waited. Thomas got more and more impatient.

Thomas: Where is our guard?

Annie

And We've left him behind!

Clarabel:

Thomas: Bother! And the day started so well too!

Everyone looked and soon there was the guard running along with his flag in one hand and his whistle in the other.

(The guard finally catches up with Thomas and pants breathlessly before sitting down against Clarabel)

He was very hot and the driver gave him a towel and a nice cold drink. Then he told them all about it. Thomas felt bad.

Thomas: I'm very sorry, Mr. Guard, sir.

Guard: It wasn't your fault, Thomas. (looks over to the signal) Look, the signal is down. We can go. Let's make up for lost time.

(Music continues as Thomas continues his journey)

Annie and Clarabel were so glad to have their guard that they encouraged to go fast all the way.

Annie

And As fast as you like, Thomas. As fast as you like.

Clarabel:

They didn't stop until they reached the end of the station. Thomas was very proud and he whistled loudly.

(Thomas whistles loudly)

The guard walked up to Thomas.

Guard: Don't worry about the incident, Thomas. We all make mistakes.

Thomas: Thank you, sir. I was just in a hurry and that's why I left so quickly.

The stationmaster came out.

Stationmaster: Oh, there you are, Thomas. I was wondering when you would show up. Anyway, Sir Topham Hatt would like to see you at Knapford Station right away.

Thomas: Alright, sir. I'll head over there right now. (whistles and chuffs away)