Thomas and Friends: Murray Edition Volume 1
Background
When Murray first arrived in Murray The Musical Engine, in terms of season placement, he arrived only a year after Oliver and Toad in season 3, but I will count the stories from season four as taking place before Season 3. Also, despite the last instalment having musical numbers every story, they will appear sparsely where I think they would make sense. With that enjoy the collection. Sorry for the dip in quality.
Story 1. Murray and the Jet Engine (Based on the original story by David Mitton and Ross Hastings)
Narrator: Gordon is a very proud steam engine. He's the fastest engine on the Island of Sodor. He loves speeding along his line with the wind blowing across his funnel.
Gordon's Driver: You've broken the record again old boy.
Gordon: Of course, I did Hamish. After all, I'm the fastest on the island!
Narrator: But not all the engines were impressed.
James: You know Gordon, speed isn't everything.
Thomas: But being reliable and useful is. Ain't that right Murray.
Murray: All too true Thomas.
Gordon: You slow engines will never understand because you'll never go as fast as me.
Murray: I'd like to put that to the test. My class was built for mainline express work, you know.
Gordon: Oh please, what your class was known for my dear Murray, was being the most popular with new drivers and firemen. That pales in comparison to my long legacy with the Wild Nor Western.
Narrator: The Fat Controller arrived with news of a special for Murray.
The Fat Controller: I want you to head to Brendam Docks and collect a jet engine and take it to the airfield for the World Of Tomorrow Fair in four days' time.
Percy: What's a jet engine?
Murray: Agreed. What does it do?
The Fat Controller: A jet engine pushes itself forward by pushing hot air out of its back.
Thomas: Just like you blow up a balloon and let it go. It's very fast.
Murray: Ah, right. I'll get on it, at once Sir.
The Fat Controller: That's a good engine.
Narrator: And he walked away.
Murray: (To the Narrator) Yeah, I can see that.
Narrator: You can see it, but the readers can't!
Murray: You could have been a lot cooler with it. Maybe have the stationmaster call Sir Topham Hatt away for something? Maybe have something with a certain telephone?
Narrator: Hey man, I am not the writer. That's what the fools gave me.
Murray: Be careful mate, we're not in 1940s radio anymore
(And the two continue to argue as Murray backs out of the station to get turned around on a turntable. Thomas and the other engines watch as Murray seemingly argues with the sky)
Percy: Are we… sure he is fully ok still?
James: Let's just forget that ever happened.
Thomas and Gordon: Agreed.
(Transition to Murray puffing down the mainline on his way to the docks)
Narrator: Murray likes making special deliveries for The Fat Controller. It makes him feel special. (Even though he already was). But secretly, he wished he could go as fast as Gordon, just once. Murray arrived at the docks, excited to see the jet engine. It was shiny and modern, and Murray had never seen anything like it. He couldn't wait to start his journey, but Cranky the crane was taking his time.
Murray: That thing looks kind of toyetic to me. Oh! Uh-uh-uh, Um, could you please hurry up Cranky? This is a special special after all.
Narrator: Cranky did not like being told what to do, especially by an engine no matter how polite they are. He became so cranky, that he was careless with his hook. His hook knocked the switch, and the switch started the jet engine. The engine began to wine. The wine got louder and louder and louder.
Cranky: Uh-oh!
Narrator: Before he could say anything else, the jet engine was rocketing Murray up the track! … I got nothing else.
Murray: Oh nice. WHOOOOOOOOOOOAH!
Narrator: Louis the driver tried to put on the brakes, but Murray couldn't stop.
Murray: WHOA, BOY! (Passes by a station with many passengers surprised by the yellow blur passing them).
Narrator: The stationmaster called ahead.
Signalman: Clear the lines! It's a runaway train!
Narrator: Signals were changed, and points were switched. Murray had never been so excited!
Murray: NO KIDDING! THIS! IS! EPIC! YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-HAWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
Narrator: Murray flew by Thomas and James at Wellsworth, and rocketed past Henry near Cronk, and raced by Percy at a lone water tower! They were amazed! Bertie the bus was excited when he saw what he thought was Thomas flying down the track.
Bertie: Want a race, Murray? [Murray passes Bertie at full speed] Ah, never mind…
Narrator: No-one had ever seen an engine go so fast! Gordon had no idea that Murray was racing along the main line.
(Murray is almost approaching Gordon)
Gordon: I am still the fastest. Nothing can disprove that fact wrong.
Murray: (Catches up to Gordon and tries very hard to use his brakes to stop so he can talk to the big blue express engine.) Hi, Gordon! I said I wanted to prove my speed to you and look at me now overtaking you and making a mockery of your earlier speed record, so see you at Knapford we can catch up on all the wonderful things you missed. TTFN, Ta Ta For Now.
Gordon: Very well then Murray we shall see… MURRAY!?
(Murray finally releases his brakes and passes Gordon at full speed, (Murray: WHEEEEEEEEE!) going through Cronk tower first with Gordon panting behind him trying to catch up.)
Narrator: Gordon could not believe what he had seen! At last, the jet engine ran out of fuel, and Murray was back under his own power. (Murray: Ah well. It was fun while it lasted.) He steamed gently back into Knapford Station. Just as Gordon came up next to him.
Murray: Sorry for overtaking you back there, Gordon.
Gordon: (Panting) Over…take… me? I… didn't… notice…
Henry: (Puffing in on the far platform with James, Thomas, and Percy behind him) You didn't notice the fastest engine on the Island of Sodor?
Thomas: Yes. He was the fastest. Wasn't he?
Narrator: Percy felt a little sorry for Gordon.
Percy: Gordon doesn't have to go as fast as a jet engine. He's a steam engine.
James: But he's still full of hot air!
Narrator: And Gordon wheeshed away without another word.
Story 2. James and the Red Balloon (Based on the original story by David Mitton, Christopher Awdry, and Jenny McDade).
Narrator: It is summer holiday time on the Island of Sodor. Holidaymakers come far and wide to enjoy the beauty of the island. It is the busiest time of the year for The Fat Controller's engines. Thomas and Murray were excited. The Fat Controller had sent them to pick up a special to deliver to Dryaw airfield.
Percy: What have you two got there?
Thomas: A balloon.
Percy: A party balloon?
Murray: No. It would be a boring plot if it were. This is a very special balloon, Percy; you will see it in action soon.
Narrator: And they chuffed away. Soon, Thomas and Murray arrived at Dryaw Airfield and hot air was puffed into the balloon. As it was being loaded with hot air, James puffed in with a passenger train.
James: What is that?
Thomas: A hot air balloon. It will take holidaymakers on rides around the island.
James: Taking holidaymakers on rides around the island is our job.
Murray: Well… when you put it like that…
Narrator: Then, as if by magic, the hot air balloon rose silently up into the sky.
James: What if the hot air balloon takes our passengers away? What will happen to us then?
Narrator (Michael Angelis): This made Thomas and Murray worry. Suddenly, they weren't so excited about the balloon. The balloon can be seen by everyone on the Island of Sodor. Duck gazed at it for so long, he ran into the back of Stepney.
Stepney: Ow!
Duck: Sorry.
(The balloon floats above Donald and Douglas, the Scottish twin engines).
Donald: Why, 'tis a floating basket with folk in it.
Douglas: Whatever will they dream up next?
Narrator: James and Murray were waiting at the level crossing. They were still worried about the hot air balloon.
Murray: If it takes our passengers away, they'll be no use for us engines.
James: Passengers should travel on trains! Not in silly balloons!
Narrator: Then something big, round, and red drifted straight towards them.
Voice: We're out of hot air!
James: AAAAAAAHHH! WHAT'S HAPPENING?!
Narrator (Michael Angelis): Crash! Bang! Wallop! Went the balloon and landed right on top of James. He was so scared, he let out a huge burst of steam, which blew the balloon up again. The balloon rose into the air once more.
James' Driver: Well, done, James! Your hot air did the trick.
Murray: James! You saved the hot air balloon!
James: I didn't mean to. Now it's sure to take our passengers.
Narrator: Wherever James went, he could see the balloon carrying holidaymakers across the island. He felt he should be taking those passengers.
James: Rails are better than hot air any day.
Narrator (Michael Angelis): James arrived back at the station. There were lots of people on the platform beside Thomas. The Fat Controller was waiting too.
The Fat Controller: Well, done, James. You managed to save the hot air balloon.
James: But now the passengers will ride in the hot air balloon.
Thomas: And take them away from us.
Narrator: The Fat Controller laughed.
The Fat Controller: You're right, James and Thomas. But they will need a ride home… on a train!
Narrator (Michael Angelis): James and Thomas were delighted. The Fat Controller was right. The engines were busier than ever. Taking holidaymakers to and from the airfield. Whenever James sees the red balloon, he whistles and toots. And sometimes when he's asleep at night, James dreams he can fly too. Just like the red balloon.
Murray: Hey, I have an idea.
(His calliope started to play a tune as Murray smiles as he puffs along the track.)
There's so much to see on the Island of Sodor
Waterfalls and windmills, valleys of green
All this and more on the Island of Sodor
Colourful carpet for all to see
People happily ride round the Island
Flying so high in a big red balloon
From mountains high and down to the seaside
Everyone wishing they'll all come back soon
High in the red balloon
Up above looking down on everyone
You can touch the moon
High in the red balloon
Floating and spinning and climbing and rising
Way up high, look see the red balloon
Float over castles and church spires below them
Cricket being played on the quaint village green
Everyone waves at the big red balloon
Prettiest picture they've ever seen
James sees the red balloon
Floating high, wishing he could be like him
High in the sky
He waits where the river bends
Waiting to see his friend, hoping he will come again
Wishing and hoping and waiting and dreaming of flying high
Just James and the red balloon
James and the red balloon
Narrator: Ok. That was a nice touch.
Murray: Thank you.
Story 3. Gordon Takes A Tumble (Based on the original story by David Mitton and Robin Kingsland)
Narrator: The Fat Controller's engines are proud of how useful they are. It makes them feel important. But none of them feels more important than Gordon. He was at Brendam Docks talking with Murray when Salty oiled up.
Gordon: Watch out! You'll get my paint all sooty.
Salty: (Teasingly) Pulling trucks is a sooty job. But then you wouldn't know.
Gordon: Hmph, Of course not. Express engines don't pull trucks; it wouldn't be dignified.
Murray: Dingyfried? What's that?
Gordon: Dignified. Murray. It means...
Salty: It means that someone is too big for his buffers.
Gordon: Pah! (Puffs away)
Narrator: That evening, fog covered the Island of Sodor. Everything slowed down and soon the docks were packed with waiting trucks. This caused confusion and delay. The Fat Controller came to the sheds at Brendam. He was in a great hurry.
The Fat Controller: Henry, Murray, and Thomas. You must go to the docks at once.
Henry, Murray, and Thomas: Yes sir. (Started to puff away)
Narrator: Then the Fat Controller turned to the big blue engine.
The Fat Controller: You too, Gordon. I need a lot of big engines to take the trucks where they won't be in the way.
Gordon: Trucks!? Blegh! Since this is an emergency. I shall go. But under protest. (Began to puff away)
The Fat Controller: That was to be expected. (Gets in his car and drives away)
Narrator: Gordon wasn't happy to be pulling trucks. He waited impatiently while they were shunted into place.
Gordon: Hurry up, hurry up!
Thomas: Why the rush, Gordon?
Gordon: If I must pull trucks then I'll show Salty how an express engine pulls trucks.
Salty: (Oils up alongside Thomas) Careful, cap'n. You don't wanna get too big for your buffers.
Narrator: But Gordon ignored Salty. The next morning, Gordon raced along with his heavy load.
Gordon: Now this is how you pull trucks.
Narrator: But the signalman had accidentally left the points switched to the Branch Line.
Gordon rattled through the junction.
Gordon: That's strange, I'm on the Branch Line.
Signalman: (Looks to Gordon and realises his mistake) Oh no! Express trains aren't supposed to go that way!
Narrator: But it was too late. Gordon had already raced into the distance. The old Branch Line was weak and rusty. There were signs warning all the trains to go slow. But Gordon ignored the signs.
Gordon: I'm an express engine; I don't go slow.
Narrator: He went even faster. The Branch Line couldn't take his weight, and the rails buckled.
Gordon: OH! HELP!
Narrator: Gordon cried as he slid off the tracks, and into a field. … Had to do that at least once.
(Gordon runs over a pile of hay, towards some tires making him lose his tender and into a barn)
Narrator: No one was hurt, but poor Gordon felt very, undignified.
Gordon: What will the Fat Controller say?
Scarecrow: I Don't Know.
Gordon: I'm sure I'll know soon enou… Hey, wait a minute!
Narrator: He found out soon enough.
The Fat Controller: Well, Gordon. You wanted to show Salty a thing or two, and you've certainly done that. You showed him how silly it is to ignore "go slow" signs.
Gordon: Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.
Narrator: Gordon was soon repaired and back at the docks for work. He was very unhappy with himself.
Thomas: Everyone makes mistakes. Even you.
Murray: Salty's sorry he teased you.
Gordon: And I'm sorry I was too big for my buffers.
Narrator: And all the engines gave a jolly toot even Gordon.
Story 4. Another Fine Mess (Based on the original story by Paul Larson)
Narrator: Murray was taking his friend Ned to the old brickworks. Ned was excited.
Ned: Today, I get to demolish.
Murray: Demolish?
Ned: Knock buildings down.
Narrator: Murray thought it's strange that his new construction friends were always excited about knocking buildings down. They soon arrived at an old, abandoned factory with a large chimney. Miss Jenny had shown the foreman the demolition plans as Murray arrived with Ned. Oliver aided Ned with getting off the low loader.
Miss Jenny: It's time to go to work everyone. Now remember...
Ned and Oliver: Safety first.
Ned: Oh, boy. I can't wait to knock this building down.
Oliver: Oh my, Ned. You're not here to demolish. You're supposed to scoop up the rubble.
Narrator: Ned was disappointed. He really wanted to knock the buildings down. Ned was usually in trouble for breaking things, but today it wouldn't matter. Soon, Oliver was fitted with a wrecking ball.
The Foreman: Knock this wall down first.
Oliver: Stand back if you please.
(Oliver swings his small wrecking ball at the wall, but it just bounces off of the wall and not bringing it down)
Oliver: Mm-mmm.
Narrator: The wall didn't fall down. Oliver swung his wrecking ball as hard as he could… But it didn't do anything, the wall still stood. Almost mocking Oliver.
Oliver: Mm-mmm!
The Foreman: We need a bigger wrecking ball.
Narrator: In no time, Oliver was fitted with a bigger wrecking ball. He swung it at the wall. But still, the wall didn't fall down.
Oliver: Oh, give me a break! Why won't you fall down?
Ned: Can I help?
The Foreman: No, sorry. This is Oliver's job. Yours is to load the debris into the trucks once Oliver knocks the wall down.
Narrator: Ned was sad.
Murray: Yeah, no kidding.
Narrator: Shut Up!
Oliver's Operator: This is the strongest wall I've ever seen!
Narrator: The foreman checked the wall again.
The Foreman: Hmm. We'll send for an even bigger wrecking ball.
Narrator: Ned had gone back to loading rubble into Thomas' trucks. But his heart wasn't in it. Which meant he missed more often than usual.
Murray: Ned. Buddy. The rubble goes in the trucks. Am I right?
Ned: Sorry. (Goes to fill his bucket again).
Murray: Poor guy. He was so excited.
Narrator: Indeed, he was. Ned was dreaming of knocking buildings down. Finally, Oliver was fitted with the biggest wrecking ball he had ever lifted. He aimed very carefully, and he swung with all his might. But the wall didn't fall down.
Oliver: Oh, bother! Did they mix super glue in the mortar for the bricks? 'Because it sure does FEEL LIKE IT! Ugh!
Oliver's Operator: This building will never come down.
Narrator: Ned was still dreaming of knocking buildings down. He wasn't watching where he was going.
Ned's Operator: Look out Ned!
Ned: Oh Crud!
Narrator: But it was too late. Ned ran into the chimney. It rocked, the bricks crumbled, the workmen and the foreman took cover. As the chimney fell onto the roof of the factory, bringing the whole building down to the ground in heaps of rubble. Oliver and Murray watched in amazement as the walls fell one by one.
Ned: Oops.
Workmen: Hooray!
Oliver: (Several bricks land on his cab roof. One at a time.) Ouch! Ok, that's… Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!
Narrator: Oliver was dirty and dented, and Murray 's trucks were full.
Murray: Bust my buffers! I'm loaded!
Narrator: (Giggles)
Murray: Oh, Grow Up!
Ned: (Puffing excitedly to Oliver) I did it! I did it! Smashed to smithereens! Do you want me to break anything else?
Oliver: (One more brick lands on his roof as he sighs) Ouch! No. I think you've done enough for one day.
Story 5. Jack Jumps In (Based on the original story by Abi Grant, Jonathan Trueman, and Phil Fehrle)
Narrator: It was a tingly spring morning on the Island of Sodor. Murray was excited. The Fat Controller had sent him to collect a special from Jenny Packard.
Miss Jenny: Spot on, Murray! You'd make a mother proud!
Murray: Thanks, Miss Jenny. Is this my special?
Miss Jenny: Very special.
Jack: I'm Jack the front loader. I can load and unload and carry lots of things.
Murray: I can haul heavy loads and make music.
Miss Jenny: And I can get you two chatterboxes off to the quarry.
Narrator: The two were soon on the way to the quarry. Whilst they were traveling Murray was asking Jack some questions and giving him some pointers.
Murray: Is this your first job at the quarry?
Jack: It's my first job on the Island!
Murray: In that case! Look out for Max, little mate. He's bound to be trouble! Him and his brother Monty.
Jack: I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.
Narrator: Soon, Murray delivered Jack to the quarry. All the machines were busy preparing the site for new railway tracks. Jack couldn't wait to join in. He scooted towards a big excavator.
Jack: I'm Jack, can I help?
Oliver the Excavator: Oh my, no. Help Byron. Ok?
Narrator: Byron the Bulldozer was shoving rock and rubble with his giant blade when Jack drove up.
Jack: I'm Jack, can I help?
Byron: I don't need help. Try Kelly the Crane. He should have something for you.
(Jack rolled up to a blue crane while he was talking with a yellow steam lorry)
Jack: I'm Jack!
Isobella: MIND MY PAINT!
Kelly: ISOBELLA!
Isobella: Sorry. Welcome to the Pack.
Kelly: And if you want to work...
Isobella: See the Foreman. He's in charge.
Narrator: The foreman introduced Jack to his banksman.
Jack's Banksman: I'm here to help you work safely.
Foreman: No speeding and no horseplay, now go and help Alfie.
Jack: Yes, sir!
Jack's Banksman: Remember, safety first!
Narrator: Alfie is an excavator. He makes the hardest job seem like play.
Jack: I'm Jack, I'm here to help!
Alfie: More help means more dirt; more dirt means more fun. I'm Alfie!
Narrator: Jack and Alfie were working hard and having wonderful fun. Suddenly, a huge dump truck roared by.
Alfie: MAX! Jack: So that's Max. Thomas was right, he is trouble!
Alfie: Look out, Jack!
Narrator: Max stopped just in time. Jack refused to move.
Jack: Stop bullying!
Max: Can't you take a joke? (Max grumbled and dieseled away.)
Alfie: Thank you, Jack.
Foreman: Oliver, move this rock!
Jack: I'll do it!
Narrator: Jack scoop a bucket full of rock.
Jack's Banksman: Stop!
Narrator: But he didn't stop. He was too eager to help.
Isobella: NOOOO!
Narrator: But it was too late.
Jack: Oh, no! (hits the oil cans) Oops!
Narrator: Miss Jenny was glad Jack wasn't hurt but she was disappointed.
Miss Jenny: "Safety first" means you don't rush in where you don't belong.
Jack: I'm sorry, Miss Jenny.
Miss Jenny: Maybe you're not ready for the Pack. We'll see if you can do better tomorrow.
Narrator: After Miss Jenny returned to the yards, Jack was sad. Isobella could see he was unhappy.
Isobella: You're a good front loader.
Alfie: And a good friend.
Murray: Being a good friend is important. Just as important as following the rules if you know how to turn them into fun. Safely.
Narrator: That made Jack feel just a bit better.
To Be Continued…