Henry's Great Act

The Island of Sodor has many engines. They all work happily on the railway and they are all known to be really useful engines, which they are proud to earn that title.

One of these engines is named Henry, a green mixed traffic engine.

He has been working on the island railway for many years and he has lived a happy life.

"All right, this job is done," Henry said when he'd delivered a goods train at the wharf. "Thanks!" Freddie, the narrow gauge engine, called out. "I'm just doing a great job," Henry called back as he steamed away, "Actually, I'm always doing my work, period!" Henry is happy to do his jobs, but his beginning wasn't all that good.

He had a poor start; because of the way he was built at first, mostly because of his small firebox and design. Because of this, Henry was once known to be a poor steamer and for a while, he had used Welsh coal to make proper steam and until he had a major accident, he had been rebuilt into a proper steam locomotive.

Since then, he lived a happy life. Also, Henry does his jobs with the other engines. Sometimes he works with diesels and occasionally, Henry often works with Boco, a diesel engine. They enjoy doing their jobs together and they're happy to be friends.

"Oh well," Diesel said, a diesel engine who is known to be devious, "Better him than me."

Other than Boco, Henry had made friends with some of the other diesel engines including Derek, a diesel who suffers from mechanical problems like this time. "Thanks," Derek said to Henry after broke down again. "Hey," Henry told Derek, "I used to use Welsh coal. But not anymore."

"That's good to know," said Derek as he watch Henry set off with his train. At once, Henry had to take Derek's train to Vicarstown while another diesel took Derek to the works. "Now that's a good deed," Henry said to himself. "You're right," his driver said, "We couldn't just leave him alone."

After Henry had returned from Vicarstown, he came across Sara, a tank engine, who had shunted a line of trucks in a siding. "Hello, Henry," Sara called out, "I heard that you've taken Derek's train after his usual mishap." "I know," Henry said in response, "I had to help him." "Yes," Sara agreed, "It's great to help friends out like that."

"You're right there," Boco agreed. "I wish you could take my goods trains all the time," James butted in. "Now, James," Sara said, "Really useful engines do their work!" "And don't be trying to get out of work so easily," Boco said. "Fine," James groaned.

"Well," Henry said at last, "Nice talking to you, but I have to get back to work now. My own work." "We understand," Sara said as Henry set off to take his own goods train to Brendam docks.

"Ready," said Henry when he arrived. "About time, too!" Cranky called down and he set to work unloading Henry's train. "Arr," said Salty, "Another day at Brendam." "You are right there," Henry agreed, "I'm happy to be doing my work."

"Glad to hear ye say that," said Salty. "Yes," Henry agreed, "I'm really happy." "You're right there to say that," Thomas agreed. Thus, Henry left to return home. Back in his dock, Captain, a rescue boat, senses trouble approaching the island.

"Dark clouds are on the way," he said to himself, "This means trouble for everyone." The next day, Henry set out once again to take one of his goods trains. "I'm ready," Henry called to Edward, who had Henry's train ready. "Now be careful," Edward warned, "There's a storm on the way. Harold gave out the warning."

"Right," Henry agreed and he set off with his train. That day, Henry delivered his goods trains from one station to another. This job is always easy for him, as he had done it many times before. "Look at Henry go," Percy said to Duck. "Do things the right way," Duck said.

Even Donald and Douglas were amazed at Henry's performance. "But still," Douglas said, "We'd better watch out for that lightning storm." Henry continued on for most of the day as so did everyone else.

When Henry came back, he saw Arthur trying to pull a long, heavy goods train. "Arthur?" Henry asked, "Are you having trouble?" "Afraid so," Arthur answered, "These trucks are misbehaving. And I got to hurry before the storm hits."

Henry thought about something. "I could take your train," he suggested. "But," Arthur protested. "Don't worry," Henry said, "I can take your train. Please tell me where to go." "Culdee Fell Mountain Station," Arthur said, giving directions. "I can do it," Henry said.

So Arthur had been uncoupled from his train and Henry took over. This time, Henry had made the troublesome trucks behave at once. "Now let's go!" Henry shouted at the trucks. And this time, the foolish trucks behaved. Henry set off to Culdee Fell Mountain Station with no trouble.

However, at that moment, Harold was flying above the island. He was about to turn back for home when he saw a horrifying sight. "Oh no," he said, "It's coming earlier than I thought!" "We'd better warn the island," Harold's pilot said urgently.

The warning had been successfully delivered and everyone had to close up early. The engines had finished getting ready and were taking shelter in the sheds.

"I can't believe that freak storm is coming early," said Gordon, who is cross. "Storms are unpredictable," said Edward. "We're glad that we're safe here," said Percy. "But what about Henry?" Thomas asked, concerned, "He's still out there." "You're right," Duck agreed.

"Oh no," Arthur said, "He's out there and I'm here." "Arthur?" Thomas asked. "No time!" Arthur said as he stormed out of the safety of his shed and headed out into the open. "Wait, Arthur!" Emily called out. "Don't!" Edward called out, but it is already too late as Arthur was well on his way.

"I'd better follow," Boco suggested. "No way," his driver retorted, "You're staying here." "Oh no," Boco said.

Meanwhile, Henry had arrived at Culdee Fell Mountain Station. But by that time, the storm had already struck the island. "Oh no," Henry said, "That storm is here. It's early!" "We'd better get this train settled," Henry's driver said.

So, upon receiving instructions from the stationmaster, Henry had shunted Arthur's goods train in a sheltered siding and secured them. "There," the firemen said, "That should do it." "Now you'd better hurry," the stationmaster said. "We will," the driver said.

So, wasting no time, Henry hurried back to Tidmouth, but it had started to rain. "Oh dear," Henry thought to himself, "But I'm not going to do it!" He was thinking of the time when he had stopped in a tunnel because of the rain and got himself bricked up in it.

This time, Henry isn't going to let a little rain ruin his day. "But still," the driver said, "We'd better get back to safety. They say this storm will be rough." "Everyone else had taken shelter, but us," the firemen said. "Right," Henry said.

But then, Henry saw something.

"Stop!" he shouted. Henry then came across Derek, who had, once again, broken down. Henry's driver put on the brakes and asked, "What's going on?" "Derek!" Henry called out. "Sorry," said Derek. "I don't need to say it," Henry said, "We can't leave you out here." "You're right," the driver agreed.

Then they noticed something. "Arthur?" Henry said, "What are you doing out here?" "I was," Arthur panted. "You were worried about me," Henry said. "Yes," Arthur answered. "Anyway," Henry went on, "Derek has broken down and we must help him."

So, everyone got ready, but by now, the storm was in full force. "We can't stay out here," Arthur's driver said. "Don't worry," Henry said, "Let's get you to where you must go." "Thanks," said Derek. "We can't stay out here in this monsoon," Arthur said, "We must find shelter."

The three saw an unused tunnel. "I'd had to do it," Henry said, "But we have no choice."

Arthur and Henry pulled Derek into the tunnel. "We should be safe in here," Arthur said. "Yes," Henry agreed. "I'm sorry that I got you into this mess," Derek said. "Don't worry," Henry said, "It's not your fault." "I shouldn't have let you taker my train," said Arthur.

"Never mind that," his driver said, "We'll stay here until the storm passes by." They waited in the tunnel. "Not the best shelter ever," said Derek. "No," Henry agreed, "I was a fool a long time ago."

"How?" asked Derek. "I stayed in a tunnel after a light rain," Henry explained, "And I refuse to come out of the tunnel and I got bricked up in it."

"Oh," Arthur said. "Because I was worried about my paint more than my train," Henry went on, "But things are different now." "It was no fun being bricked up in a tunnel," said Arthur.

"We're not doing that again," Henry's driver said, "But we should have been more careful today." "I'm sorry about that," said Arthur.

"So am I," Derek added. "Don't worry," Henry said, "When this storm is over, we'll get you to the works. Enough said." "Yes, we can make it through this," Arthur said. So they all remained in the tunnel.

Hours passed and finally, the storm was finally over. The two steam engines ventured out of the tunnel. "Look," Henry pointed out. They saw a big rainbow across the island. "Wow," Arthur said, "Everyone is happy." "Yes," Henry agreed.

So, both Henry and Arthur helped Derek to the works. "Take care," said Derek. Both Henry and Arthur whistled to say "you're welcome" and they headed off for home.

As the two steam engines got home, they were immediately greeted with happiness.

"Well," Henry said, "This is unexpected. "What are you saying, Henry?" asked Percy "This is expected!" "Henry," Edward said, "Arthur, we were all worried about you." "Yes," Thomas added. Sir Topham Hatt, the fat controller, was also happy to see Henry and Arthur safe.

"We survived the big storm," said Henry. "Yes," Arthur agreed, "And sir, that was because I couldn't control my train in the first place." "Well," the Fat Controller said, "Perhaps you could learn how to by Henry. He can help you." "Yes, sir," Henry said, "I'll help Arthur."

"Excellent," the Fat Controller added, "And I take it that you took shelter in a tunnel again. And you did a fine job with that this time, I see." "Yes, sir," Henry added. Henry and Arthur were coated in tunnel dust.

"Well, the lightning storm bricked you both up in the tunnel this time," Gordon said jokingly. "Ha ha," Henry said, "Very funny, Gordon." "Nonetheless," the Fat Controller added, "Henry, I've received a message from the works. Thank you for rescuing Derek."

"Oh dear," said Boco, "I feel sorry for him." "Don't worry," the Fat Controller said, "Derek will be fine, thanks to Henry and Arthur."

"We had to help him," Henry said. "And as your reward," said the Fat Controller, "You and Arthur will go to the wash-down. And Henry will help Arthur. What do you think?" "Oh, yes, sir!" Henry whistled happily.

Arthur and Boco smiled, too.

After getting cleaned up, Henry helped Arthur managed his goods train. "Now this is how you deal with troublesome trucks!" Henry said, ordering the trucks to behave. "Thanks," Arthur said and he and Henry set off with their goods trains. Boco followed with his own passenger train as well. "I'm proud for you, Henry," Boco said.

Days later, Henry was still working when he came across Derek. "Hey, Derek," Henry said, "Glad they've repaired you." "Thanks," said Derek, "I'm sorry for what happened." "It's okay," said Henry, "I'm happy to see you are back in working order."

"Yes," said Derek and he set off. "Henry," said Boco whom had followed Henry, "You should be proud of yourself." "I am," Henry replied.

"That you have helped your friends." "Yes, Boco," said Henry, "You are right." "No," said Boco, "We're right." Henry smiled.