Mr. Perkins: Hello there. I didn't notice you come in. I'm Mr. Perkins, and welcome back to the Island of Sodor and the Knapford Station engine driver's common room, a special place for us driver's to come when we're not outside being Really Useful with our engines. I've just had my breakfast, some delicious hot porridge. I always have breakfast in the morning's because, as they say, it's the most important meal of the day! I'm about to-

He hears the telephone ringing.

Mr. Perkins: Excuse me a moment, it must be important.

He answers the Telephone.

Mr. Perkins: Hello, Knapford Engine Driver's Common Room, Gilbert Perkins speaking. Sir Topham Hatt, sir! Good morning sir. How may I help you? There's a special event... Sounds lovely sir... You want ME to... Why sir I'd be honoured! I have to be ready by 8:30? Don't worry sir I will be ready. Good day.

He turns back to the viewer.

Mr. Perkins: That was the Fat Controller, Sir Topham Hatt himself! He says there's a very special event at Maron Station and that I must attend. I'll be traveling on Gordon's Express, a very important train for very important passengers, so I'll need to look my best. The Express leaves at just gone 8:30 so I have about half an hour to prepare. I think Henry's outside, how about you go see him so he can tell you how he got out of the Tunnel and the time he and Edward pulled the Express while I get ready.


Edward, Gordon and Henry: Written by the Rev. W. Awdry.

Gordon always pulled the Express. He was proud of being the only engine strong enough to do it. There were many heavy coaches, full of important people like the Fat Controller and Gordon was seeing how fast he could go.

"Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!" He panted.

"Trickety-trock, trickety-trock, trickety-trock" said the Coaches. In a minute Gordon would see the Tunnel where Henry was bricked up and lonely.

"Oh dear" though Henry "Why did I worry about rain spoiling my lovely coat of paint? Will the Fat Controller ever forgive me and let me out again?"

"In a minute" thought Gordon "I'll poop poop at Henry, and rush through the tunnel and out into the open again."

He was almost there when crack: "wheeeeeshsh" There was Gordon going slower and slower, and in a cloud of steam. His driver stopped the train.

"What has happened to me?" Asked Gordon. "I feel so weak."

"You've burst your safety valve" said the Driver "you can't pull the train anymore."

"Oh dear!" Said Gordon "We were going so nicely too... Look at Henry laughing at me!" Everybody got out and came to see Gordon.

"Humph!" Said the Fat Controller "I never liked these big engines- always going wrong, send for another engine at once!"

While the Guard went to find one they uncoupled Gordon, who had enough steam to run on to a siding out of the way. The only engine left was Edward.

"I'll come and try!" He said. Gordon saw him coming.

"Humph, that's no use" Gordon said "Edward can't push the train."

Edward pushed and puffed, and puffed and pushed but he couldn't move the heavy coaches.

"I told so" said Gordon rudely "Why not let Henry try?"

"Yes" said the Fat Controller "I will. Will you help pull this train Henry?" He asked.

"Oh yes, sir!" Said Henry at once.

Gordon's driver and fireman lit his fire, when he got up steam he puffed out of the tunnel. He was dirty, his boiler was black and he was covered with cobwebs.

"Ooh! I'm stiff, I'm stiff!" He groaned.

"Have a run to ease your joints, and find a turntable." Said the Fat Controller kindly.

When Henry came back he felt much better. Then they coupled him up at the front.

"Peep, peep," said Edward. "I'm ready."

"Peep, peep, peep" said Henry. "So am I."

"Pull hard, we'll do it. Pull hard, we'll do it. Pull hard, we'll do it" they puffed together.

The coaches jerked and began to move, slowly at first, then faster and faster.

"We've done it together, we've done it together!" Said Edward and Henry.

"You've done it hurray, you've done it hurray!" Sang the Coaches.

All the passengers were excited. The Fat Controller leaned out of 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 his tea! They never stopped till they reached the big station at the end of the line. The passengers all got out and said "Thank you." And the Fat Controller promised Henry a new coat of paint.

"Would you like a new coat of lovely green paint with red stripes?" He asked.

"Yes please, sir!" Henry replied.

On their way home Edward and Henry helped Gordon back to the Shed. The three engines are now great friends. Henry doesn't mind the rain much now because he knows that the best way to keep his paint nice is not to run into tunnels but to ask his driver to rub him down when the days work is over.


Mr. Perkins: Ah your back, I've put on this lovely little bow tie and made sure my uniform looks it's smartest. What do you think? Very smart, isn't it? I'm ready to catch the Express. Hang on- that's Gordon's whistle. Oh dear, I must dash! Goodbye and come visit again soon.

He rushes out of the door.

Mr. Perkins: Wait for me Gordon!