Luke and the Special Boxes

Characters

 * Rheneas
 * Sir Handel
 * Peter Sam
 * Rusty
 * Duncan
 * Freddie
 * Duke
 * Proteus
 * Luke
 * Mighty Mac (only Mac speaks)
 * Zazu the Blue Narrow-Gauge Diesel
 * Mr. Percival
 * Skarloey (does not speak)
 * Henry (cameo; seen at Lakeside)
 * James (cameo; seen as Lakeside)
 * Owen (cameo; seen at the Blue Mountain Quarry)
 * Mrs. Percival (cameo; seen at the party)
 * The Percival Children (cameos; seen at the party)

UK and AUS

 * John Hasler as Rheneas
 * Keith Wickham as Sir Handel and Mr. Percival
 * Steven Kynman as Peter Sam
 * Matt Wilkinson as Rusty, Mac and Merrick
 * Tom Stourton as Duncan and Freddie
 * Mike Grady as Duke
 * Nigel Anthony as Proteus
 * Michael Legge as Luke
 * Clive Mantle as Zazu

US

 * John Hasler as Rheneas
 * Keith Wickham as Sir Handel
 * Steven Kynman as Peter Sam
 * Matt Wilkinson as Rusty, Mac as Merrick
 * Tom Stourton as Duncan and Freddie
 * Mike Grady as Duke
 * Nigel Anthony as Proteus
 * Michael Legge as Luke
 * Clive Mantle as Zazy
 * Kerry Shale as Mr. Percival

Transcript
Narrator: Christmas time is a very special time on the Skarloey Railway. There are twinkling lights on snowy nights. And there are lots of surprises of all sorts and sizes. One morning Luke was alone at the Narrow-Gauge Yards. All the other engines were busy. Luke didn't want to be alone, he wanted to be busy like the other engines. Then Mr. Percival arrived on his bike. Luke was happy to see him.

Luke: Good morning sir.

Mr. Percival: Luke, I have a very special special for you.

Narrator: Luke gasped. This was more than he could ever have dreamed of.

Luke:  Yes sir. Ready to be a really useful engine.

Mr. Percival: Luke, you must pick up some very special boxes and take them to Lakeside. Then collect some passengers for an event there. And finally please tell all my other engines to come to Lakeside for evening. It's important Luke, that you take very great care of the boxes. I want to be proud of you.

Narrator: Luke whesshed steam. He was excited to have such an important job.

Luke: Of course sir. I will take the best care of the box.

Narrator: Then Mr. Percival left, and Luke pumped his pistons and puffed proudly to collect the boxes. He arrived at the Blue Mountain Quarry.

Merrick: This box is special, Luke. You have to take great care of it.

Luke: I know Merrick. That's why Mr. Percival chose me for the job.

(Luke puffs away with the boxes, and later arrives at a big field)

Luke: Please be careful with these boxes.

Narrator: Luke was worried. His box stood all alone. But he had to tell the other engines to come to the field for evening.

Luke: I must hurry.

Narrator: He hadn't gone far when a thought stuck him.

Luke: I hope my boxes are safe in the field. Better go back and check.

Narrator: But when Luke got back to Lakeside field, the boxes had gone and there were now a dozen and a half Christmas tress in the field.

Luke: Oh no. My boxes are gone now.

Duncan: What boxes be those eh, Luke?

Luke: Mr. Percival sent me to collect boxes for a surprise to deliver here, but now they've disappeared and Christmas trees have replaced them.

Duncan: I think those boxes have just disappeared into thin air if you ask me! (laughs checkily)

Luke: Well that's not the funniest thing I've heard all my life. I'm going to look for the boxes. Goodbye Duncan.

Narrator: Later Luke met up with Rusty and Peter Sam.

Peter Sam: Hello Luke. You look worried.

Luke: I am worried. The boxes keep disappearing from the field I delivered them to.

Rusty: That's just silly Luke.

Luke: It was Duncan who said that.

Peter Sam: What nonsense!

Narrator: Next Luke met Proteus, Sir Handel and Freddie.

Freddie: What's wrong young Luke?

Luke: It's the boxes I delivered to Lakeside.

Proteus: What's about them?

Luke: They were replaced by trees. And Duncan said they just disappeared into thin air.

Sir Handel: I'm sure he's just being silly Luke.

Luke: Ha ha ha. Very funny Sir Handel. I just hope this turns out right in the end.

Freddie: Where are you going?

Luke: To find the rest of the engines.

Narrator: In five minutes, Luke caught up with Skarloey, Rheneas, Duke, Zazu and Mighty Mac.

Luke: Hello everyone.

Duke: Do you need any help young man?

Luke: Kinda. I'm seem to be seeing things a bit.

Mac: Is it about those special boxes you delievered this morning?

Luke: To be truthful, yes.

Rhenas: Well I think Duke can explain that, if you be kind enough to let him, okay?

Luke: Yes Duke. Go right ahead Duke.

Duke: Well my young friend. The workmen at Lakeside are preparing a surprise for all of us tonight. That's all.

Luke: How do you know that?

Duke: I passed through Lakeside this morning and saw them putting up beautiful Christmas trees. They're going to look absoilutely colourful in the evening.

Luke: And what about the boxes.

Duke: Let me see, ah yes. Those boxes are being put in storage on the platform of Lakeside until they're ready for use again. That must be why you keep seeing things, and not knowing what's happening to your boxes.

Luke: That explains it.

Rheneas: And then you'll be asked to take all the empty boxes back to where they came from in the first place.

Luke: I understand now. And I feel a lot better to. Thanks Rheneas, and thank you Duke.

Duke: It was no trouble at all.

Luke: Well I'll catch you all later. I have a job to do. Oh and please will all of you come to Lakeside tonight.

Zazu: We will Luke.

Mac: We'll be there.

Duke: You can count on us.

Narrator: Next, Luke saw Peter Sam and Rusty again.

Luke: Don't forget to come to Lakseide for a special surprise this evening.

Rusty: We'll be there.

Peter Sam: Don't you worry.

Narrator: Luke certainly didn't feel worried anymore. And it wasn't long before he saw Proteus, Sir Handel and Freddie again.

Luke: Please come to Lakeside this evening for a special surprise.

Sir Handel: Absolutely Luke.

Freddie: We'll count on you.

Narrator: Finally Luke found Duncan at the water tower.

Luke: The surprise will be ready at Lakeside by the time you get there tonight.

Duncan: Thanks Luke.

Narrator: By early evening, all Mr. Percival's engines were at Lakeside.

Luke: I'm sorry everyone, to think the boxes were going to waste. But I know now that they'll be safe.

Narrator: It was then that he realized there was no sign of Mr. Percival.

Luke: Where could he be?

Narrator: Suddenly the lights on the trees turned on.

Peter Sam: How beautiful.

Luke: This is marvellous.

Narrator: Then Mr. Percival stepped out from the forest of Christmas tress, dressed at Father Christmas.

Mr. Percival: Ho, ho, ho. Very merry Christmas to all my engines!

(Engines whistle and toot their horns in agreement)