Percy Runs Away
Henry, Gordon, and James were miserable; they've been shut up for several days for being naughty and long to be let out again.
At last the Fat Controller opened the shed door.
The Fat Controller: I hope you are sorry and understand that you're not so important after all. We have a new tank engine call Percy, who helps pull coaches, we also have Pongo's son Lucky joining the Railway, and you're dogs have worked the mainline nicely with Thomas and Edward, they need a change. So I will let you out and work with your dogs if you promise to be good.
Henry, Gordon, and James: Yes sir, we will.
The Fat Controller: That's right, but please remember that this no shunting nonsense must stop.
So while Tramp, Pongo, and Jock went back to work with their engines, the Fat Controller told the others that they can go and play on the branch line for a few days.
Thomas and Scamp ran off to find Annie and Clarabel at the junction.
The two coaches were so please to see them again that they took them to the next station, where Collette and Danielle would be waiting.
Edward and Percy played with trucks.
Trucks: Stop, stop, stop!
But the two engines and dogs laughed, and they kept on shunting, till the trucks were tidily arranged.
Next Edward and Lady took some empty trucks to the quarry, Percy was alone with Lucky, they didn't mind that a bit, they like watching trains and being cheeky to the others.
Percy and Lucky: Hurry, hurry, hurry!
The dogs don't mind, because they know they're only joking, but James, Gordon, and Henry would get very cross.
After a great a deal of shunting Percy was waiting for signalman to set the points so that he can back to the yard. Both he and Lucky were eager to work, but they were being rather careless and not paying attention.
Percy: What's going on up there?
Lucky: Maybe the signalman is busy.
Indeed he was very busy and forgot all about Percy and Lucky. Edward and Lady warned them…
Edward: Be careful on the mainline it's very busy.
Lady: Yes, if you see a signal box, whistle to the signalman to let him know you are there.
But neither Percy nor Lucky remembered to whistle, so they just sat around waiting for the points to switch. Suddenly Percy looked along the mainline.
Percy: Peep, Peep!
Lucky look and shrieked in horror, for rushing straight towards them, was Gordon with the express!
Percy's driver tried to make him move.
Percy's Driver: Back Percy, back!
But he was too scared to move and Gordon was getting closer and closer!
Tramp: WHOA!
Gordon: GET OUT OF OUR WAY!
Percy's driver and fireman jumped cleared, but Lucky was too scared to move as well and both he and Percy shunt their eyes and waited for the crash.
Percy opened his eyes and saw that Gordon had stopped with his buffers a few inches away from Percy's.
Gordon's Driver: You guys alright?
Percy's Driver: Yeah, we're fine.
Tramp: Hey Lucky, you okay?
Lucky opened his eyes and saw what happened.
Lucky: Yeah; boy that was close, I never felt so scared in my life.
Tramp: It's alright come on out and take a breather. What you two thinking on stopping on the mainline?
Lucky: We were waiting for the signalman to changes the points so me and Percy can get back to work, but nothing happened.
Tramp (Chuckled): That's because you have to whistle to let him know you're there. This place is very busy, especially for express trains and he doesn't have to time to check on all trains.
Lucky felt a bit silly, suddenly they heard a puffing sound and saw Percy was running away backwards.
Lucky: Oh no Percy!
Percy's Driver: He must have just started; there's no telling when or where he'll stop.
Gordon's Driver: Quickly into Gordon, we'll catch him!
Percy went straight though Edward's station and was so freighted, that he ran right up to Gordon's hill without stopping.
After that he was tired and wanted to stop, but he couldn't; he had no one in his cab to shut off steam and apply the brakes.
Percy (Thinking): I shall have to keep running till my wheels are worn out, oh dear, oh dear.
Percy: I want to stop, I want to stop!
A man in a signal box saw Percy coming this way.
Signalman: I know just what you need little Percy.
And he kindly set the points. Percy puffed wearily onto a nice empty siding, ending at a big bank of earth.
He was too tired to care where he went.
Percy: I want to stop, I want to stop! I have stop.
Workmen came to dig him up.
Workmen: Never mind Percy, you shall have a drink and some coal and then you'll feel better.
Presently Gordon arrived with Tramp and Lucky.
Lucky: Percy; are you alright?
Percy: Yeah I'm fine, tired, but fine.
Gordon: Well done Percy, you've started so quickly that you've stop a nasty accident.
Tramp: Yes you were very brave.
Percy: Thank you, I'm sorry I was cheeky to you two.
Tramp: Ah don't worry about it; I like a good laugh once in awhile.
Then Gordon helped pull Percy out from the bank.
Percy and Gordon are now good friends and Lucky is glad to have Percy back. They now find coaches in the yard for the big engines and shunt them away when they get back. They're both still cheeky, because that's who they are, but now they are both more careful when they go on the mainline.