DEAR FRIENDS

The engines always have many adventures on the Tall Controller's Railway and now, you have the chance to be part of the fun. Join Marcus, Nathan, Kana and all their friends as they solve problems, play games and learn important lessons.

I hope you enjoy them as they are my gift to you.

THE AUTHOR

"Nathan and Kana Have a Race"

Today, Nathan and Kana are having a race. Kana is the fastest engine on the railway, but Nathan still thinks he can beat her. Kana is fast and light, and Nathan is strong and heavy. Kana wants the race to be fair.

There are two routes the engines can take. The first route is short with lots of sharp bends. The second route is longer with many steep hills. Can you decide which route each engine should take?

Nathan first. Should he take the short route or the long route? …

The long route has steep hills and it's very difficult for heavy engines to climb them…So, Nathan must take the short route with the sharp bends.

What about Kana? Which route should she take, the short route or the long route? …

The short route has sharp bends, and a fast engine can come off the track easily…So, Kana will take the long route with the steep hills.

Now, it's time to start the race. Ready…steady…GO!

Nathan and Kana are speeding along. Nathan is twisting and turning around every bend safely and Kana is zooming up and down the hills very quickly. They're nearly at the finish line aaaaand…

Nathan and Kana have crossed the finish line together! Kana is happy; this was a very fair race indeed.

Well done, Nathan, and well done, Kana!

"Tracy and the Ducks"

Tracy is making a delivery to Kirkby Stephen; she is very happy…but what's this? Tracy is slowing down…There are ducks blocking the line.

Tracy doesn't want to hurt the ducks, so she asks them, kindly, to move. "Would you mind moving, please, ducks?" …But the ducks don't move.

Tracy doesn't want to be rude, but she knows she must be on time. Now, Tracy is blowing her whistle…but the ducks still won't move.

Tracy asks the ducks again and whistles louder. "Please move, ducks. I can't be late." …But the ducks still won't move.

Tracy doesn't know what else to do. She whistles as loudly as she can, wheeshes her steam and rattles her rods. Tracy is running out of breath and blows a small tired 'peep' on her whistle.

What's this? …The ducks are flying on top of Tracy; they think her whistle sounds like a bird.

Now, Tracy knows what to do. She's puffing on her way to Kirkby Stephen making bird sounds with her whistle and the ducks are enjoying the journey just as much as she is.

Well done, Tracy!

"Messy Marcus"

Marcus has just been to the Washdown; he loves being clean and shiny. Now, Marcus has a job to do; he has to take some trucks of pigs to Farmer Briar's. Marcus hopes he can stay clean and still be useful.

Marcus' journey is going well…but Marcus is stopping. There are two tracks that go to the Farm. One track is very muddy. The other track is dry, but the rails are buckled. Which track should Marcus take to the Farm? …

If Marcus takes the dry track, he will stay clean, but the buckled rails are very bumpy. Marcus could upset the pigs or have an accident. So, what should Marcus do? …

Yes! Marcus should take the safe track through the mud.

Marcus has brought the pigs to the Farm; he is very dirty, but he doesn't mind. The pigs arrived on time; they are very happy and so is Farmer Briar. "I can always have another washdown," puffs Marcus.

Marcus would rather be useful and safe than stay clean and upset his cargo. Well done, Marcus!

"Watching Butterflies"

Today, Tracy and Kana are watching butterflies in the meadow. They both want to get a closer look, but Tracy is worried. "Be careful, Kana," warns Tracy, "butterflies like to be calm and quiet."

Kana is a fast engine. If she surprises the butterflies and makes too much noise around them, the butterflies will fly away. So, Kana slows to a stop and tries to be as quiet as Tracy…

The butterflies fly closer to the engines. Because Tracy and Kana are being quiet, the butterflies are not afraid. Tracy and Kana are very happy indeed…

Suddenly, Laurance races through with his passenger train. He whistles a warning and wheeshes his steam.

Now, the butterflies have flown away, but Tracy and Kana understand that you can't be quiet all the time. Laurence is only trying to be useful, and the butterflies will always come back when it's peaceful and quiet once more.

Have fun, Tracy and Kana!