Mr. Perkins: Hello there, welcome back to the Knapford Engine Driver's Common Room, it's me, Mr. Perkins. I'm very excited today for Thomas and I have been chosen to take a special delivery to the Cement Works! It's also his first freight train in about a month. I do enjoy delivering specials, there's something... special about doing it. Being chosen shows that the Fat Controller trusts us to handle the most important jobs, and this is certainly a important job. We'll be delivering the resources they need to make cement. I hope-
He hears the telephone ringing.
Mr. Perkins: Excuse me for a moment. I expect it's the Fat Controller asking if I'm ready to drive Thomas and deliver the special.
He answers the telephone.
Mr. Perkins: Engine Driver's Common Room, Knapford Station, Gilbert Perkins speaking. Sir Topham Hatt, sir! Good day sir, I'm happy to inform you that I'm... Thomas is... oh, dear that's terrible! What about the... I see, sir. Thank you for telling me, sir. I'll think about it, sir. Goodbye.
He turns back to the viewer.
Mr. Perkins: That was the Fat Controller, he was ringing to tell me that Thomas has suddenly become very I'll and will not be able to take the special. Henry will be taking it instead and I can drive him if I want, but I'm not sure. I was looking forward to taking Thomas out for the freight train but now that Henrys been chosen... Don't get me wrong, Henry's a fine engine and it would be an honour to drive him, but... Sigh, while I think about what I'm going to do, how about you go and see Thomas, I'm sure he'll appreciate the company.
Thomas and the Trucks: Written by the Rev. W. Awdry.
Thomas the Tank Engine used to grumble in the Shed at night. Night after night he would keep the other engines awake.
"I'm tired of pushing coaches and shunting trucks, I want to go places, do things. I want to see the world!"
The other engines didn't take much notice, for Thomas was a little engine with a long lounge. But one night Edward came to the Shed. He was a kind engine and felt sorry for Thomas.
"I've got some trucks to take home tomorrow" he told him. "If you take them instead, I'll push coaches in Yard."
"Thank you, Edward" said Thomas. "That would be nice."
So they asked their drivers the next morning, and when they say "Yes" Thomas ran happily to find the Trucks. Now trucks are silly and noisy things. They talk a lot and don't attend to what there doing. They don't listen to their engine, and when the engine stops they bump into each other screaming.
"Oh! Oh! Oh! Whatever is happening?"
And, I'm sorry to say, they play tricks on engines who are not used to them, like Thomas. Edward knew all about trucks. He warned Thomas to be careful, but Thomas was too excited to listen. The shunter fastened the couplings and, when the signal dropped, Thomas was ready. The guard blew his whistle.
"Peep, peep" answered Thomas and started off. But the Trucks weren't ready.
"Oh! Oh! Oh!" They screamed "Wait Thomas, wait!" But Thomas wouldn't wait
"Come on, come on" he puffed.
"All right, don't fuss, all right don't fuss!" Grumbled the Trucks as they slowly went out of the siding and on to the Main Line. Thomas began to go faster and faster.
"Whee" he whistled as he rushed through Henry's Tunnel. "Come along, come along!" Called Thomas.
He was feeling very proud of himself, but the Trucks were growing crosser and crosser. At last Thomas slowed down as he approached Gordon's Hill.
"Steady now, steady!" Warned the driver as they came to the top. He shut off steam and began to put on the brakes.
"We're stopping, we're stopping!" Called Thomas.
"No, no! No, no!" Answered the Trucks as they bumped into each other. "Go on! Go on!" And before his driver could stop them, they had pushed Thomas down the hill, and were rattling and laughing behind him. Poor Thomas tried hard to stop them making him go too fast.
"Stop pushing, stop pushing!" He hissed, but the Trucks would not stop.
"Go on, go on!" They giggled in their silly way.
"There's the station! Oh, dear! What shall I do?" He cried. They rattled straight through the Station, and swerved into the Goods Yard.
Thomas shut his eyes. "I MUST stop."
When he opened his eyes, he saw he had stopped just in front of the buffers and there watching him was the Fat Controller!
"What are YOU doing here, Thomas?" He asked sternly.
"I've brought Edward's Trucks, sir" Thomas answered.
"Why did you come so fast?"
"I didn't mean to, sir, I was pushed! By the Trucks!" Said Thomas sadly.
"Haven't you pulled trucks before?" The Fat Controller asked.
"No, sir."
"Then you've got a lot to learn about them, little Thomas. After pushing them about here for a few weeks, you'll know almost as much about them as Edward. Then you'll be a Really Useful Engine."
Mr. Perkins: Ah, your back. I've decided I will deliver the special with Henry. While I would still prefer to do it with Thomas, I think he'd rather me do it with Henry than sit around here moping. Besides, I can deliver a special with Thomas another day when he's better. Now if you'll excuse me I must get ready. Goodbye, come back soon.