(Scene continues from previous chapter with James chuffing along back from the mainland, a sour expression on his face)
James journeyed to the mainland and back to collect Welsh coal for Henry, but he wasn't very happy about it.
James: It just isn't fair. What's in this for me? Henry needs a special coal sort of coal and I have to fetch to him for him. Honestly, special coal? More like special treatment for a bigger engine like Henry.
(Scene cuts to the coal depot with Henry talking to Thomas and Percy)
Meanwhile, Henry was telling his friends Thomas and Percy all about the new coal he was receiving.
Percy: (surprised) New coal? That sounds exciting, Henry.
Henry: It is indeed, Percy.
Thomas: I'm happy for you, Henry. I'm sorry I misread you the first time.
Henry: You have nothing to be sorry for, Thomas. Thanks for filling The Fat Controller in on the situation. None of this could have been possible without you
Thomas: It's only for the best, Henry. The only thing I enjoy as much as my branch line is helping out a friend in need.
James: (whisltling as he chuffs up beside Henry, cheekily) Hello there, busted boiler. Ready for your special coal? Only the best for a special engine like you. (chuckles and looks over to Thomas and Percy for laughter)
(Thomas and Percy look back at him without amusement, and James slowly stops laughing before sighing and groaning)
Topham: (walking up) Ah, James. You've got the Welsh coal. Thank you.
James: You're very welcome, sir. What kind of passenger train would you like me to pull as a token of your gratitude?
Topham: A goods train, James. (jokingly) Perhaps your passengers will be very comfortable in one of those.
(Henry, Thomas, Percy and Sir Topham Hatt chuckle as James whistles and leave the coal depot with indignity. Scene fades out and then back on to Henry looking happily at the Welsh coal piled up beside the track)
Soon, the Welsh coal and Henry and his crew were excited.
Driver: Now, we'll show them, Henry, old fellow.
(Henry whistles happily. Scene constantly shifts from over Henry's body with the driver and fireman checking him all over)
Straight away, the driver and fireman got to work at oiling Henry's joints and polishing his brass until it shone like gold.
(Henry's coat gleams against the sunshine. Next scene cuts to his firebox)
Henry's fire had already been lit so the fireman lit it with very much caution, putting large lumps of coal like a wall around the outside and covering the glowing middle part with small lumps. Henry was a little worried.
Henry: (moaning) You're spoiling my fire!
Fireman: Wait and see, Henry. We'll have a roaring fire just when we want it.
(Next scene cuts to Knapford with Henry arriving at the platform.
And the fireman was correct. When Henry reached the platform, the water inside his tanks were boiling.
(Henry lets off steam happily. Sir Topham Hatt sees this from his office window and rushes out to see him)
Topham: How do you feel, Henry?
Henry: (whistling) Much better, sir. Never felt so well in my life.
Topham: (to the crew) Have you a good fire, driver?
Driver: Never better, sir, and plenty of steam, too.
Topham: (smiling and nodding) Good. No record breaking. Don't push him too hard.
Driver: (as a drum into to a song starts) Henry won't need pushing, sir. I'll have to hold him back.
(Henry whistles and leaves the station as a rendition of an original of mine Back On Track, performed by Sam Blewitt, starts in D major)
If all at once, your steam doesn't pick up
And you don't know where and when
All you need is courage to get back on track
And you'll feel like part of the railway again
It's hard (It's hard)
Just thinking about it
You feel in need of another tender or two
Just start (just start)
By not stopping to doubt it
And you'll find a much different engine in you
(Song shifts into the chorus in E major as Henry journeys through the countryside with his coaches)
And you'll find you've never felt so well in your life
And though your speed doesn't meet expectations
You'll ride along steadily with plenty of time left
You'll arrive early at the next station
And that's when you feel that you're back on track (Yes, you're back on track)
Again (again)
Oh, that's when you feel that you're back on track (Yes, you're back on track)
Again (again)
And so when you feel that you're back on track, you'll feel the strength that you've never had.
(Song shifts into an instrumental of the chorus as James is stuck on the track next to Henry)
Henry: (whistles as he chuffs up beside James, cheekily) Hello, James. Feeling a little out of puff at the moment? (chuckles)
James: (moaning) I'm stuck, Henry. My firebox has gone out and I can't make it to steam either. Please, can you take me to the nearest coal bunker?
Henry: As long as my special coal holds, I'd be glad to, James.
James: Um…okay.
(Henry whistles before reversing and switching sides. Then he buffers up to James and the chorus reprises)
And you'll find you've never felt so well in your life
And though your speed doesn't meet expectations
You'll ride along steadily with plenty of time left
And you'll help those in need learn patience (When you reach the nearest coal bunker)
(The song shifts into another short instrumental as Henry and James arrive at the nearest coal bunker)
James: (as Henry chuffs up beside him) Thank you, Henry. Your Welsh coal isn't so silly after all. It's special, in a good way.
(Henry whistles happily and leaves the coal bunker as the song continues)
And that's when you feel that you're back on track (Yes, you're back on track)
Again (again)
Oh, that's when you feel that you're back on track (Yes, you're back on track)
Again (again)
And so when you feel that you're back on track, you'll feel the strength that you've never had…
When you arrive early at the junction.
Henry arrived early at Elsbridge Junction and waited for Thomas as the passengers got out. Thomas soon arrived with Annie and Clarabel, and his passengers boarded the coaches. Henry was in the mood for a tease.
Henry: (cheekily) Where have you been, lazybones? (guard's whistle blows) Oh, I can't wait around for dawdling tank engines like you. Goodbye. (whistles and chuffs away)
Thomas: (stunned) Whoooosh! Have you ever seen anything like it, Annie and Clarabel?
Annie: No, Thomas, never.
Clarabel: (jokingly) Looks like Henry's new Welsh coal has really puffed his smokebox as much as yours, Thomas?
(guard's whistle blows and Thomas, Annie and Clarabel chuckle as they leave the station)