It was a bright sunny day on the Tall Controller's Railway and Tracy was very excited. She went happy about her work singing a little song.

Marcus was waiting at a signal. "Hullo, Tracy. You're looking very happy today."

"I am. There's going to be a concert at Kirkby Stephen tonight and I'm bringing the Band."

Marcus smiled. "You really like music, don't you?"

"Of course," Tracy grinned, "it's so beautiful and exciting. You should come too."

"I hope I can."

Later, Noel was busy, so Marcus and Tracy took his passengers together. Many of them were talking about the concert too.

"Tracy, why do you like music so much?" asked Marcus.

"When I lived in Bournemouth, some days were long and boring," Tracy explained, "but whenever I heard music, it made my work seem like fun. I didn't get to hear music very often, so I tried to make my own and that's when I realized that music is everywhere."

"Really?"

"Yes, any sound can be musical. You just have to listen."

Marcus listened carefully…but he didn't hear anything. "All I hear is us," he puffed.

"That can be music. The 'trickety-trock' of our wheels sounds like drums. Now, we just need another sound or some words." And Tracy began to sing.

"Marcus and Tracy rolling along.

Puffing happily singing our song."

Then, they came to a crossing and a warning sounded as they steamed through. "Can that be music too?"

"Yes," said Tracy, "and it goes well with our rattling wheels.

"Train is coming, clear the track,

and when we're gone, we'll soon be back."

Marcus laughed; seeing his friends happy always made him happy too.

As Marcus and Tracy continued their journey, they seemed to find music everywhere they went. When they reached Kirkby Stephen, birds flew overhead tweeting and warbling and the two engines cheerfully whistled back, but when they pulled into the Station, they saw the Tall Controller on the platform looking worried.

"Excuse me, Sir," said Marcus, "is something wrong?"

"Yes, Marcus, it's Laurence. He's supposed to be bringing the guests for the concert, but he's running late."

"Oh no," said Tracy with worry, "if there aren't enough people at the concert, it may have to be cancelled."

The Stationmaster appeared. "Laurence has a steam leak. He's stuck at Dalton Drawbridge and there's no one to help him."

"Don't worry," said Marcus. "Tracy and I can help."

"Unfortunately, Marcus," said the Tall Controller, "Tracy must go and collect the Band. They'll be arriving at the Port in Barrow soon."

"Then I'll do it alone."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," whistled Marcus, "I have to try. I don't want Tracy to miss the concert."

"Good for you, Marcus," said his Driver. "You know what they say, Sir, 'the show must go on.'"

Marcus and Tracy raced to Dalton Drawbridge as quickly as they could and there was Laurence with his valves leaking steam. "Marcus, Tracy," he called, "thank goodness. We need all the help I can get."

"I'm sorry, Laurence," sighed Tracy, "I have to collect the Band soon, but Marcus can still help."

"I'm sure we can still make it," Marcus added.

Tracy carried on to the Port and Marcus was coupled to Laurence. "Are you ready, Marcus?" asked Laurence.

"As I'll ever be."

"Three…two…one…HEAVE!"

The two engines pulled as hard as they could…and slowly, they started to move. "Well done!" shouted their Drivers. "Keep going!"

At the Port, Tracy waited patiently for the Band, but she was worried about her friends. "Cheer up, Tracy," said her Driver. "We all know that Marcus doesn't give up."

"I hope they can make it in time," Tracy wheeshed.

When the Band arrived, they climbed aboard the coaches and Tracy set off for Kirkby Stephen once more. When she arrived at the Drawbridge, Marcus and Laurence were gone. Tracy felt better…until she noticed something wasn't right.

The Drawbridge was up, and the gates were closed, but there were no boats passing through. Tracy came to a stop. "What's the matter now?"

"Something's broken," said the Bridge Operator, "but I can't find what it is, and I can't get anyone to fix it until tomorrow morning."

"Oh no!" cried Tracy. "If I can't get the Band in Kirkby Stephen...there's no concert."

"I'm sorry, Tracy," her Driver sighed. "I know how much you wanted to be there." And he went to telephone the Stationmaster.

Marcus and Laurence had made it to the Station and the other engines were there too. "This is so exciting," said Kenneth. "I've never heard a concert before."

"I'm afraid there won't be a concert," said the Stationmaster sadly and he explained what had happened.

"Rotton sleepers," huffed Laurence, "and we worked so hard too."

"Isn't their anything we can do?" asked Kana.

"We have to do something," agreed Kenneth. "The show must go on."

"…Go…," said Marcus thoughtfully. Then… "That's it!" he whistled.

"What's 'it'?" asked the Tall Controller.

"I know how we can save the concert!"

Poor Tracy was still waiting at the Drawbridge when her Driver returned. "Will we be going back to the Port?" asked the Guard.

"Not just yet. We must wait here for a while."

Tracy was puzzled. "Why? Have they found someone to fix the Bridge?"

"Not exactly," her Driver grinned. "You'll see."

The minutes went by. Suddenly, Tracy saw lights approaching the other side of the Drawbridge. "Who's that?" And she whistled loudly. "Stop! The Bridge is stuck!"

"We know that!"

Tracy stopped. "Marcus, is that you?!"

"Yes, everyone else is here too!"

"What are you doing here?!"

"We've come for the Concert!" bellowed the Tall Controller.

Everyone looked to see Laurence's passengers on the other bank of the river. "What is all this?!" Tracy asked.

"It was Kenneth who gave me the idea!" Marcus called. Kenneth blushed. "I thought that if you couldn't bring the Band to the concert, we would bring the concert to the Band!" Tracy beamed from buffer to buffer.

The Band quickly set up their chairs and instruments while the guests placed several tablecloths on the ground. Then, the Bandleader waved his baton, and the guests enjoyed their refreshments as the Band started to play.

When the concert was over, everyone cheered, and the engines whistled and honked. "Oh, Marcus, thank you!" Tracy called. "Thank you, everyone! This was the best concert ever!"

"Well, you know what they say!" replied Marcus.

And everyone chorused together. "The show must go on!"