Short Synopsis: Ryan is assigned to start a routine maintenance check every week on the route from Arlesburgh through Harwick on the branch line. However, Ryan is new at this and forgets the foreman, which causes confusion and delay among the workmen and his fellow engines.

Moral: patience is a virtue/routine maintenance is important on roads and railways

(Scene starts with Ryan and Daisy on the Arlesburgh-Harwick branch line passing by each other)

Ryan and Daisy run one of the most beautiful branch lines on the whole railway.

(Ryan whistles at Daisy and she honks back at him. Next scene cuts to Arlesburgh Harbor)

It runs from Arlesburgh through Harwick and everyday Ryan would deliver goods to the harbor and beyond while Daisy made a stop at every passenger station on the line. The two engines like their job but Sir Topham Hatt believes that the line would do better with a little bit of routine maintenance.

(Next scene cuts to Arlesburgh Sheds with Ryan and Daisy. Sir Topham Hatt arrives in Winston)

One day, Sir Topham Hatt came in Winston to see the two engines.

(Winton honks as Sir Topham Hatt reverses back and forth a bit until he stops)

Winston: Early days, eh, sir?

Topham: (sighs) Early days, Winston. Anyway...(clears his throat and exits Winston)...good morning, Ryan and Daisy. I have an important announcement to make for both of you.

Daisy: What is it, sir?

Topham: I am proud to announce a routine maintenance check will be done on along the branch line.

Ryan: That sounds exciting, sir.

Daisy: So who do you want to do these maintenance checks then?

Topham: The engine who I will be calling on to do a maintenance check along the branch line every week is Ryan.

Ryan: Me, sir?

Topham: Yes, Ryan.

Ryan: Oh, thank you, sir. I am truly honored.

Daisy: Congratulations, Ryan! But then who will carry the freight, sir. I'll be glad to do both jobs if you'd let me.

Ryan: Will I still be able to pull goods today?

Topham: (chuckling) Of course, Ryan. After you are done with the maintenance check. Besides, passengers and freight are too much for Daisy to handle alone. The engine who I called upon to help you once a week during the maintenance check is Toby.

Daisy: (gasps excitedly) Toby? I love working with Toby!

Topham: Yes, well, um, he will be here soon. After he's done dropping off the workmen at the quarry. So I just need to get a few things straight with Ryan about routine maintenance.

Ryan: Oh, sir. I think I know what I have to do after picking up the workmen.

Topham: (sighs) Well, Ryan. Let me get something straight with you. Routine maintenance is important on either road or rail, wherever you go. In fact, I have my engines down on the North Western take it in turns to do so every week. And it's about time this branch line had one too so please pay attention.

Ryan: (sighs) Yes, sir.

Topham: Now, I make sure that the tracks along my railway remain in good order in case of high-speed trains like Gordon coming through.

Ryan: I understand that, sir.

Topham: Of course you do, Ryan. Every engine understands something so simple. Anyway, maintenance is done once a week so that the tracks don't lead to a "slow order."

Ryan: What is that, sir?

Topham: "Slow order," Ryan, is a speed limit which is set below what speed is required of an engine so please don't allow it to happen. Anyway, signals must be checked and tracks must inspected along every part of the line. This way, I can keep progress on this railway up to date. Oh, and don't forget the foreman. He always arrives the station after his workmen do and he'll be there to guide them along the way. Otherwise, it would be more difficult.

But Ryan wasn't listening. He was thinking of getting the job over with and getting to pulling goods.

Do you understand, Ryan?

Ryan: Yes, sir.

(Daisy looks at Ryan worriedly)

Topham: Good then. Go to work now, please, you two. I have a railway to run. (clears his throat and walks away)

(Ryan whistles and Daisy honks her horn as they leave the sheds)

It wasn't long before Toby arrived and he and Daisy got to work. They really enjoyed working together.

(Scene cuts to Toby and Daisy at a station)

Daisy: It really is a pleasure working with you, Toby.

Toby: You too, Daisy. Wow, handling a branch line is hard work, isn't it?

Daisy: It is. But if you need any help, I'd be happy to pull some freight for you.

Toby: Oh, I can handle it from here, Daisy. Thank you. (rings his bell and chuffs away)

Meanwhile, Ryan headed off to Arlesburgh Junction to pick up the workmen. Rex was there, picking up passengers.

Rex: Hello there, Ryan. Where are you off to this morning?

Ryan: Hi, Rex. I'm just taking these workmen around the branch line for a maintenance check. What about you?

Rex: Oh, I'm just taking these passengers to the Arlesdale Railway for a little tour. Do you need any tips on maintenance? I think you'd find that we small engines know a lot about it.

Ryan: Um, no thanks, I'll manage. Goodbye, Rex. (whistles and chuffs away)

(Rex whistles as he leaves the station)

Ryan waited as all the workmen boarded the train. The foreman still hadn't arrived yet. Bertie was going to drop him off at the station but Ryan hadn't remembered what Sir Topham Hatt told him about waiting for the foreman. So he started anyway.

(Ryan whistles as he leaves the station. Scene cuts to the workmen in the brake coach)

The workmen inside the brake coach were confused. Suddenly, Bertie arrived at the station just as Ryan left. The foreman was on board.

(Bertie honks as he pulls into the station)

Bertie: Wait, Ryan! Wait!

Foreman: (running out of the coach) Wait! (Ryan's train leaves so he sighs and turns back towards Bertie)

Bertie: I'm sorry, sir. I got you here as fast as I could. Ryan must be in a hurry today.

Foreman: It's not your fault, Bertie. You did get me here as fast as you could but the train just took off. My men can't handle maintenance without me.

Bertie: I'll bring you to them, sir. Just hop on board.

So that's what the foreman did. Bertie zoomed on down the road at a tremendous speed after Ryan who was continuing on down the branch line until they came to a signal box. The signalman flagged him down.

(Ryan stops by the signal box)

Signalman: Good morning, Ryan. I see you're taking these workmen along for some routine maintenance. Sir Topham Hatt just called me about it.

Ryan: Yes, sir. The workmen and I will fix every signal or track that needs fixing. Just count on us.

Signalman: Well, that's good, Ryan. Because there is a signal down the line that just needs a little inspection. Thomas and his crew discovered it and told me about it this morning. If you go on down the line, Toby will meet you there.

Ryan: Yes, sir. (whistles and continues on down the line)

It wasn't long before Ryan came to the signal. Toby was on the opposite track.

Toby: It's a good thing you're here, Ryan. I can't carry on with the freight until the signal is checked.

Ryan thought hard about what Toby had said and couldn't wait to get back to pulling freight again.

Toby: Are you alright, Ryan?

Ryan: Me, oh yeah. Just waiting, of course, for the signals to be checked. (laughs uneasily)

The workmen exited the brake coach and looked up at the signal.

Workman #1: The signal only needs a little inspection here and there, Ryan, but we can't figure it out perfectly without our foreman.

Ryan: Foreman? Are you sure?

Workman #2: Yes, Ryan. Bertie was going to bring him but you left the station before he could arrive.

Ryan: Oh, well, I'm sorry. It won't happen next time. But can't you all do this without.

Workman #3: Mm, we'll try, Ryan.

And so they did. The workman allowed Toby and Henrietta the right-of-way so that they could pass and make it to the next station. Than Thomas came up as the workmen were checking the signal on his track.

(Thomas whistles as he stops by his signal)

Thomas: Hello, Ryan. Are you having fun with routine maintenance?

Ryan: Yes, Thomas. But I forgot the foreman. Bertie was supposed to be bringing him to the station this morning.

Thomas: (gasps) You forgot the foreman?

Ryan: (sighs) Yes, Thomas. But I'm sure these men can manage without him just for the day. After all, I need to get this done so I can go back to pulling goods.

Thomas: (firmly) No, Ryan. That's not how routine maintenance works. My fellow engines and I have done route maintenance once a week on the North Western long enough to know that you always need a foreman to guide the workers. (as his signal is checked and he is ready to go) You must go back to the station and pick up the foreman. (whistles and chuffs away)

(Ryan sighs)

And deep down, Ryan knew that Thomas was right. Then, an idea flew into his funnel.

Ryan: (to the workmen) I need you all to wait here. I'm going back to the station to pick up your foreman.

Worker #1: Wait, Ryan...

Ryan: I'm sure these tracks are safe enough for me to reverse down. I'll be back before you know it. You have signals and tracks to check here anyway. (whistles and chuffs backwards)

Worker #2: Wait, Ryan. No!

Ryan was about to reverse down the track when he heard a whistle. It was Donald with a goods train for Duck's branch line.

Ryan: Oh, no! (rolls back forward and stops by the signal)

Donald saw Ryan too soon.

Donald: (gasps) Ooh!

He stopped in time inches before the brake coach.

Donald: Ooh, for loss sakes, Ryan! What's the hold up?

Ryan: Sorry, Donald. This is routine maintenance.

Donald: Routine maintenance? The signalman never warned me aboot that.

Ryan: (sighs) That's because he probably thought the workmen were done with this signal. But they can't get through it any faster without their foreman.

(Donald rolls his eyes)

Ryan: Donald, are you the only one on this track?

Donald: No. My twin Douglas were comin' on down the line any minute with passengers for Duck's branch. That's where I'm meant to be taking these freight.

Ryan: (groans) Oh, no.

And Donald was right. Douglas did come on down the line not too long after his twin. A workman ran up and flagged him down. Douglas stopped right behind his twin.

Douglas: For loss sakes, Donal'! What happened?

Donald: (sighs) Ryan here was suppoosed to be doin' routine maintenance along this line.

Ryan: But he left the foreman behind and now these men are struggling. I'm really sorry, Douglas. And Donald.

The twins looked as though they were accepting Ryan's apology. But Douglas' back coach had blocked the points. Donald and Douglas' drivers explained the situation to the signalman. Ryan's driver came up to and the signalman looked sternly at him.

Signalman: Did you know anything about the foreman going missing?

Ryan's Driver: I had no idea. I was in Ryan's cab getting him ready while Sir Topham Hatt was talking to him. I'm really sorry, sir.

Signalman: It's not your fault, driver. But it looks as though trains coming dow this line are going to be delayed unless the workmen figure out what to do with the signal.

The workmen continued to work on the signal before they could even think about inspecting the track. But without their foreman, it was very difficult. The twins were getting very impatient.

(Donald and Douglas whistle impatiently)

Donald: Coom on, Ryan!

Douglas: Hurry up!

Donald: Get a move on!

Douglas: We have trains to deliver too, you know.

At last, Ryan had enough.

Ryan: (blowing his whistle impatiently) STOP! Both of you! Right now!

The twins were surprised and so was Daisy who suddenly stopped on the opposite track.

Daisy: Ryan, whatever is going on?

Ryan: I'll tell you what's going on, Daisy. These workmen are trying to fix this signal but it's difficult without their foreman. And now the twins here are held up in their deliveries and are getting very impatient.

Then Thomas arrived again. He was surprised to see Douglas in his way.

Thomas: (gasps) Douglas! Whatever is going on?

Douglas: It's not my fault, Thomas.

Donald: Yeah. Ryan's the one holding us back and the workmen here cannot figure out how to work a signal.

Douglas: We're almost late with our trains. Duck's not gonna be very pleased with this.

Thomas: I assure you two that this would never happen on MY branch line. I told Ryan to go back and collect the foreman but I don't see why he hasn't.

Ryan: I tried to reverse but the twins got in the way.

(Donald and Douglas look weirdly at Ryan and so does Daisy)

Ryan: (slightly chuckles) It's not their fault of course. I just wonder how...

(Bertie's horn honks)

Then Bertie arrived on the road beside the signal.

Ryan: Bertie, there you are.

Bertie: Yes, Ryan. And you've left the foreman behind...

Ryan: (sighs) I know, I know, Bertie. Now we can get back to work.

The foreman exited Bertie, followed by Sir Topham Hatt. He looked cross.

Topham: So this is how you do maintenance, huh, Ryan?

Ryan: N-n-no, sir. I have no idea that a foreman was needed...

Topham: I gave you specific instructions this morning, Ryan! Whatever were you thinking about when I gave them to you?

Ryan: (sighs) I'm sorry, sir. I wasn't paying attention when you told me about the foreman. I was too busy thinking about all the goods I had to pull today. I couldn't wait to get back to the bustle of my own branch line but now I've caused confusion and delay for my friends.

Topham: Right, you have, Ryan. And that's why you have to be patient. It's a good thing the foreman's here now. Otherwise the workmen would have never been able to maintain progress. I hope you've learnt from this mistake now, Ryan. You must NEVER rush routine maintenance. It is essential to every road or railway.

Ryan: I know that now, sir. I promise that it will never happen again. And I also want to apologize to my friends. I'm sorry, Donald. And Douglas. And Thomas.

Donald: All's good, laddie.

Douglas: Yeah, we all make mistakes.

Ryan: That's true. And I hope it won't be a mistake if I got out of your way. Do you mind if I go forward a bit, sir, so that Thomas and the twins can carry on.

Topham: Go ahead, Ryan. It can done occasionally if you're doing maintenance. Go ahead.

(Ryan goes forward a bit as Donald, Douglas and Thomas pass by and blow their whistles)

Donald: Thank ya!

Douglas: Thank ya!

Thomas: Goodbye, Ryan.

Topham: Well, if everything here is under control, I guess I have a railway to get back to running. Good luck, Ryan. And goodbye. (hops on board Bertie and Bertie zooms away)

Daisy: Good for you, Ryan. Good for you. (honks and rolls away as her signal is fixed)

It wasn't long before Ryan's signal was fixed and he was on his way again. As they continued on through the branch line, the workmen inspected part of the line and every signal while the foreman inspected the line to see whether or not it was in good shape. After that, Ryan returned to Arlesburgh Junction to drop off the workmen.

Workman #1: Thanks, Ryan.

Workman #2: Yeah, thanks, Ryan.

Workman #3: It's been fun.

The foreman spoke kindly to Ryan.

Foreman: Thanks for all your help today, Ryan. My men and I are very pleased to have worked with you.

Ryan: You're welcome, sir. Oh, and I'm sorry to have forgotten you. I was just in a hurry to get back to my branch line.

Foreman: No worries. We all forget things sometimes. Why, only this morning, I almost forgot my toolkit when trying to catch my bus. What about that, eh?

(Ryan, the foreman and the workmen laugh as Toby pulls into the station with Henrietta, ringing his bell)

Toby: Hello, Ryan. I'm here to bring the workmen home as well as the foreman.

Ryan: Alright, Toby. Thanks for looking after my branch for me.

Toby: Any time, Ryan. Daisy and I had lots of fun working together. (ringing his bell as he chuffs away) Goodbye, Ryan.

(Ryan whistles as he pulls the brake coach)

Ryan was very happy to be taking goods for the rest of the day but he realized now how important routine maintenance was and learnt as well to be patient. He spent the rest of the day pulling goods around Arlesburgh while Daisy continued with her passengers.

(Scene cuts to nighttime with Ryan arriving at the shed besides Daisy. Donald and Douglas are beside the shed, laughing)

That night, Ryan returned from a useful day's work. Donald and Douglas were there too, waiting for him.

Donald: Aye, we hope ya had fun wit' yer goods train, Ryan.

Douglas: But ya didn't forget any foremen, did ya?

(Donald and Douglas laugh and so does Daisy. Ryan slightly chuckles as well)

Ryan knew that the twins were only teasing. After all, he did manage to get a few chuckles out of the joke as well.

Ryan: (chuckling) Foreman, yeah.

(The four engines chuckle as the scene zooms out to nighttime)