Double Trouble (February 1998)

Double Trouble was the first Season 2 volume with the first eight Season 2 episodes narrated by George Carlin.

Characters

 * Thomas

February 1998 VHS

 * PEEP! PEEP!

July 2000 VHS

 * PEEP! PEEP!

March 2004 DVD

 * PEEP! PEEP!

Story Stops

 * 1) Double Trouble
 * 2) A Cow On The Line
 * 3) Bertie's Chase
 * 4) Saved From Scrap
 * 5) Old Iron
 * 6) A New Friend For Thomas
 * 7) Percy and The Signal
 * 8) Duck Takes Charge

Bonus Features

 * 1) Character Gallery
 * 2) Web Fun

Trivia

 * Narrated by George Carlin.
 * Released on February 10, 1998.
 * The US Season 4 intro (version 2), nameplate sequence (sourced from Thomas and His Friends Get Along) and the outro are used altogether.
 * The "Next Story Coming Up Soon!" logo and the title card text are sourced from the "Thomas and His Friends Get Along" 1998 VHS, the "Thomas Comes To Breakfast" 1998 VHS and the "A Big Day For Thomas" 1998 VHS.
 * In the end credits, a still from "Duck Takes Charge" was used from other Season 2 outros, with the end credit text from the 1998 volumes.
 * These were the first eight Season 2 episodes sourced from Thomas, Percy and The Coal UK VHS.

February 1998 VHS

 * 1) Video Treasures Tracking Control (

1998 Front Cover

 * Percy wheel deep in coal from "Double Trouble"

1998 Back Cover

 * Top Left: Henry and Bluebell by the bridge from "A Cow On The Line"
 * Top Right: Thomas and Trevor at the Harbor from "A New Friend For Thomas"

2000/2004 Front Cover

 * Top: Percy and Thomas
 * Bottom: Edward catching up to James from "Old Iron"

2000/2004 Back Cover

 * Top Left: Bertie from "Bertie's Chase"
 * Top Right: Trevor from "Saved From Scrap"

Cover Color

 * Brown (1998)
 * Chartreuse (2000/2004)

Running Time

 * ??? Minutes

Double Trouble

 * George Carlin: It was a beautiful morning on the Island of Sodor. Thomas the Tank Engine's blue paint sparkled in a sunshine as he puffed happily along his branch line with Annie and Clarabel. He was feeling very pleased with himself.
 * Percy: Hello, Thomas
 * George Carlin: Whistled Percy.
 * Percy: You look splendid.
 * Thomas: Yes indeed.
 * George Carlin: Boasted Thomas.
 * Thomas: Blue is the only proper color for an engine.
 * Toby: Oh, I don't know. I like my brown paint.
 * George Carlin: Said Toby.
 * Percy: I've always been green. I wouldn't want to be any other color either.
 * George Carlin: Added Percy.
 * Thomas: Well, well, anyway.
 * George Carlin: Huffed Thomas.
 * Thomas: Blue is the only color for a really useful engine. Anyone knows that.
 * George Carlin: Percy said no more. He just grinned at Toby. Later, Thomas was resting when Percy arrived. A large hopper was loading his freight cars full of coal. Thomas was still being cheeky.
 * Thomas: Careful.
 * George Carlin: He warned.
 * Thomas: Watch out with those silly cars.
 * Freight Cars: Go on, go on!
 * George Carlin: Muttered the cars.
 * Thomas: And by the way.
 * George Carlin: Went on Thomas.
 * Thomas: Those buffers don't look really safe to me.
 * George Carlin: The last load poured down.
 * Thomas: Help, help!
 * George Carlin: Cried Thomas.
 * Thomas: Get me out!
 * George Carlin: Percy was worried, but he couldn't help laughing. Thomas' smart blue paint was covered in coal dust from smokebox to bunker.
 * Percy: Ha, ha!
 * George Carlin: Chuckled Percy.
 * Percy: You don't look really useful now, Thomas. You look really disgraceful.
 * Thomas: I'm not disgraceful.
 * George Carlin: Choked Thomas.
 * Thomas: You did that on purpose. Get me out!
 * George Carlin: It took so long to clean Thomas that he wasn't it time for his next train. Toby had to take Annie and Clarabel.
 * Annie: Poor Thomas.
 * George Carlin: Whispered Annie to Clarabel. They were most upset. Thomas was grumpy in the shed that night. Toby thought it made a great joke, but Percy was cross with Thomas for thinking he had made his paint dirty on purpose.
 * Percy: Fancy a really useful blue engine like Thomas becoming a disgrace to Sir Topham Hatt's railway.
 * George Carlin: Next day, Thomas was feeling more cheerful, as he watch Percy bring his cars from the junction. The cars were heavy and Percy was tired.
 * Percy's Driver: Have a drink.
 * George Carlin: Said his driver.
 * Percy's Driver: Then you'll feel better.
 * George Carlin: The water column stood at the end of the siding with the unsafe buffers. Suddenly, Percy found that he couldn't stop. The buffers didn't stop him either.
 * Percy: Ooh!
 * George Carlin: Wailed Percy.
 * Percy: Help!
 * (Percy falls into the deep coal)
 * George Carlin: The buffers were broken and Percy was wheel deep in coal. It was time for Thomas to leave. He had seen everything.
 * Thomas: Now Percy has learned his lesson too.
 * George Carlin: He chuckled to himself. That night, the two engines made up their quarrel.
 * Percy: I didn't cause your accident on purpose, Thomas.
 * George Carlin: Whispered Percy.
 * Percy: You do know that, don't you?
 * Thomas: Of course.
 * George Carlin: Replied Thomas.
 * Thomas: And I'm sorry I teased you. Your green paint look splendid again too. In future, we're both be more careful of coal.

Nameplates after Double Trouble

 * Thomas
 * James
 * Gordon
 * Henry
 * Edward
 * Percy
 * Toby
 * Bertie
 * Terence

A Cow On The Line

 * George Carlin: Edward was getting old. His bearings were worn, and he clanked as he puffed along. He was taking empty cattle cars to a market town. The sun shone, birds sang, but Edward was heading for trouble.
 * Edward: Come on! Come on!
 * George Carlin: He puffed.
 * Cattle Cars: Oh! Oh!
 * George Carlin: Screamed the cars. Edward puffed and clanked, the cars rattled and screamed. Some cows were grazing near by. They were not used to trains. The noise and smoke disturbed them. As Edward clanked by, they broke through the fence and ran across the line. A coupling was broken and some cars were left behind.
 * (Cows mooing)
 * George Carlin: Edward felt a jerk, but didn't take much notice. He was used to cattle cars.
 * Edward: Bother those cars!
 * George Carlin: He thought.
 * Edward: Why can't they come quietly?
 * George Carlin: He was at the next station before either he or his driver realized what had happened. When Gordon and Henry heard about the accident, they laughed and boasted.
 * Gordon: Fancy allowing cows to break your train! They wouldn't dare do that to us. We'd show them!
 * George Carlin: Old Toby was cross.
 * Toby: You couldn't help it, Edward. They've never met cows. I have, and I know the trouble they are.
 * (Edward's whistle toots and puffs away)
 * George Carlin: Some days later, Gordon rushed through Edward's Station.
 * Gordon: Boop boop! Mind the cows! Hurry, hurry!
 * George Carlin: Puffed Gordon.
 * Coaches: Don't make such a fuss! Don't make such a fuss!
 * George Carlin: Grumbled his coaches. A long stretch a line lay ahead. In the distance was a bridge. It seemed to Gordon that there was something on the bridge. His driver thought so too.
 * Gordon's Driver: Whoa, Gordon!
 * George Carlin: He said, and shut off steam.
 * Gordon: Pooh!
 * George Carlin: Said Gordon.
 * Gordon: It's only a cow! Shoo! Shoo!
 * George Carlin: He moved slowly on to the bridge, but the cow wouldn't shoo. She had lost her calf, and felt lonely.
 * Bluebell: Moo!
 * George Carlin: She said sadly. Everyone tried to send her away, but she wouldn't go. Henry arrived.
 * Henry: What's this? A cow? I'll soon settle her. Be off! Be off!
 * Bluebell: Moo!
 * George Carlin: Henry backed away nervously.
 * Henry: I don't want to hurt her.
 * George Carlin: At the next station, Henry's Conductor told them about the cow, and warned the signalman that the line was blocked.
 * Porter: That must be Bluebell.
 * George Carlin: Said a porter.
 * Porter: Her calf is here, looking for her mother. Percy will take her along.
 * (Percy's whistle toots)
 * George Carlin: At the bridge, Bluebell was very pleased to her calf again, and the porter led them away.
 * (Cows mooing)
 * Henry: Not a word.
 * Gordon: Keep it secret.
 * George Carlin: Whispered Gordon and Henry to each other. They felt rather silly, but the story soon spread.
 * (Crickets chirping; owl hoots)
 * Edward: Well, well, well!
 * George Carlin: Chuckled Edward.
 * Edward: Two big engines afraid of a cow.
 * Gordon: Afraid? Rubbish.
 * George Carlin: Said Gordon.
 * Gordon: We didn't want the poor thing to hurt herself by running up against us. We stopped so as not to excite her. You see what I mean, my dear Edward?
 * Edward: Yes, Gordon.
 * George Carlin: Said Edward. Gordon felt somehow that Edward "saw" only too well.

Nameplates after A Cow On The Line

 * Bill and Ben
 * Donald and Douglas
 * Duck
 * Diesel
 * Daisy
 * BoCo
 * Harold
 * Trevor

Bertie's Chase

 * George Carlin: One morning, Edward was waiting to pick some passengers from Thomas' train.
 * Edward: Peep peep! We're late! Where is Thomas? He doesn't usually make us wait.
 * Edward's Fireman: Oh dear, what can the matter be?
 * George Carlin: Sang the fireman.
 * Edward's Fireman: Johnny's so longer...
 * Edward's Driver: Never you mind about Johnny.
 * George Carlin: Laughed the driver.
 * Edward's Driver: Just you climb on the cab and look for Thomas. Can you see him?
 * Edward's Fireman: No.
 * George Carlin: Replied the fireman.
 * Edward's Fireman: There's Bertie Bus in the tarring hurry. No need to bother with him though. Likely, he's on the coach tour of something.
 * George Carlin: He clambered down.
 * Bertie: Stop, stop! I've got Thomas' passengers!
 * George Carlin: Wailed Bertie, roaring up to the gates. It was no good. Edward was gone.
 * Bertie: Bother.
 * George Carlin: Said Bertie.
 * Bertie: Bother Thomas' fireman not coming to work today. Why did I promise to help the visitors catch the train?
 * Bertie's Driver: That will do, Bertie.
 * George Carlin: Said his driver.
 * Bertie's Driver: A promise is a promise and we must keep it.
 * Bertie: I'll catch Edward or bust.
 * George Carlin: Said Bertie.
 * Bertie: Oh, my gears and axles!
 * George Carlin: He groaned, toiling up the hill.
 * Bertie: I'll never be the same bus again. Hooray, hooray! I see him!
 * George Carlin: Cheered Bertie as he reached the top.
 * Bertie: Oh no! Edward's at the station! No, he stopped at the crossing. Hooray, hooray!
 * George Carlin: Bertie toured down the hill.
 * Passengers: Well done, Bertie!
 * George Carlin: Shouted his passengers.
 * Passengers: Go it!
 * George Carlin: Bertie skidded into the yard.
 * Bertie: Wait, wait!
 * George Carlin: Cried Bertie. He was just in time to see Edward puffed away.
 * Bertie: I'm sorry.
 * George Carlin: Said Bertie.
 * Passengers: Never mind.
 * George Carlin: Said the passengers.
 * Passengers: After him quickly. Third time lucky you know. Do you think we'll catch em at the next station, driver?
 * Bertie's Driver: There's a good chance.
 * George Carlin: Replied the driver.
 * Bertie's Driver: Our road keeps close to the line and we can climb hills better than Edward. I'll just make sure.
 * George Carlin: He spoke to the stationmaster. Bertie and the passengers waited impatiently.
 * Bertie's Driver: Yes! We'll do it this time.
 * George Carlin: Said the driver.
 * Passengers: Hooray!
 * George Carlin: Called the passengers, as Bertie chased after Edward once more.
 * Coaches: This hill is too steep, this hill is too steep!
 * George Carlin: Grumbled the coaches as Edward snorted in front. They reach the top at last and ran smoothly into the station.
 * Edward: Peep!
 * George Carlin: Whistled Edward.
 * Edward: Get in quickly please.
 * George Carlin: The conductor blew the whistle and Edward's driver looked back. But the flag didn't wave, Then he heard Bertie. Everything seem to happy at once, and the stationmaster told the conductor and driver what had happened.
 * Edward: I'm sorry about the chase, Bertie.
 * George Carlin: Said Edward.
 * Bertie: My fault.
 * George Carlin: Replied Bertie.
 * Bertie: Late at junction. You didn't know about Thomas' passengers.
 * Edward: Peep peep! Goodbye, Bertie! We're off!
 * George Carlin: Whistled Edward.
 * Passengers: Three cheers for Bertie!
 * George Carlin: Called the passengers. Bertie raced back to tell Thomas that all was well.
 * Thomas: Thank you, Bertie, for keeping your promise.
 * George Carlin: Said Thomas.
 * Thomas: You're a very good friend indeed.

Nameplates after Bertie's Chase

 * Thomas
 * James
 * Gordon
 * Henry
 * Edward
 * Percy
 * Toby
 * Bertie
 * Terence

Saved From Scrap

 * George Carlin: Sir Topham Hatt works his engines hard, but they are very proud when he calls them really useful.
 * Edward: I'm going to the scrapyard today.
 * George Carlin: Edward called to Thomas.
 * Thomas: What? Already? You're not that old.
 * George Carlin: Replied Thomas cheekily. Thomas was only teased him. The scrapyard was full of rusty old cars and machinery. They are broken into pieces, loaded into cars and Edward pulls them to the steelworks where they are melted down and used again. Today, there was a surprise waiting for Edward in the yard. It was a traction engine.
 * Edward: Hello.
 * George Carlin: Said Edward.
 * Edward: You're not broken and rusty. What are you doing here?
 * Trevor: I'm Trevor. They're going to break me up next week.
 * Edward: What a shame.
 * George Carlin: Said Edward.
 * Trevor: My driver says I only need some paint, polish and oil to be as good as new, but my owner says I'm old fashioned.
 * George Carlin: Edward snorted.
 * Edward: People say I'm old fashioned, but I don't care. Sir Topham Hatt says I'm a useful engine. What work did you do?
 * Trevor: My owner will send us from farm to farm. We threshed corn, hauled logs and did lots of other work. The children loved to see us.
 * George Carlin: Trevor shut his eyes, remembering.
 * Trevor: Oh, yes. I like children.
 * George Carlin: Edward set off for the station.
 * Edward: Broken up, what a shame. Broken up, what a shame. I must help Trevor, I must.
 * George Carlin: He thought of all his friends who liked engines. But strangely none of them would have room for a traction engine at home.
 * Edward: It's a shame, it's a shame.
 * George Carlin: He hissed. Then...
 * Edward: Peep! Peep! Why didn't I think of him before.
 * George Carlin: There on the platform was the very person.
 * Vicar: Hello, Edward. You look upset. What's the matter, Charlie?
 * George Carlin: He asked the driver.
 * Edward's Driver: There's a traction engine in the scrapyard, Vicar. He'll be broken up next week. Jem Cole says he never drove a better engine.
 * Edward: Do save him, sir. He saws wood and gives children rides.
 * Vicar: We'll see.
 * George Carlin: Replied the Vicar. Jem Cole came on Saturday.
 * Jem Cole: The reverend's comin to see you, Trevor. Maybe he'll buy you.
 * Trevor: Do you think he will?
 * George Carlin: Asked Trevor.
 * Jem Cole: He will when I lit your fire and clean you up.
 * George Carlin: The Vicar and his two boys arrived that evening. Trevor hadn't felt so happy for months. He chuffered about the yard.
 * Vicar: Show your paces, Trevor.
 * George Carlin: Said the Vicar. Later he came out of the office, smiling.
 * Vicar: I've got him cheap, Jem, cheap.
 * Jem Cole: Did ye hear that Trevor?
 * George Carlin: Cried Jem.
 * Jem Cole: The reverend's saved you and you'll live at the vicarage now.
 * Trevor: Peep! Peep!
 * George Carlin: Whistled Trevor. Now Trevor's home was in the Vicarage Orchard, and he sees Edward every day. His paint is spotless and his brass shines like gold. Trevor likes his work but his happiest day is the church fair. With a wooden seat bolted to his bunker, he chuffers round the orchard giving rides to children. Long afterwards, you will see him shut his eyes, remembering.
 * Trevor: I like children.
 * George Carlin: He whispers happily.

Nameplates after Saved From Scrap

 * Bill and Ben
 * Donald and Douglas
 * Duck
 * Diesel
 * Daisy
 * BoCo
 * Harold
 * Trevor

Old Iron

 * George Carlin: One day, James have to wait at the station till Edward and his train came in. This made him cross.
 * James: Late again!
 * George Carlin: Edward laughed and James fumed away. After James had finished his work, he went back to the yard, and puffed on to the turntable. He was still feeling very bad tempered.
 * James: Edward is impossible!
 * George Carlin: He grumbled to the others.
 * James: He clanks about like a lot of old iron and he is so slow, he makes us wait!
 * George Carlin: Thomas and Percy were indigent.
 * Percy: Old iron!? Slow!?
 * Thomas: Why, Edward could beat you in a race any day!
 * James: Really!
 * George Carlin: Said James.
 * James: I should like to see him do it.
 * George Carlin: Next morning, James' driver was suddenly taking ill. He could hardly stand, so the fireman uncoupled James ready for shunting. James was impatient. Suddenly, the signalman shouted. There was James puffing away down the line.
 * Signalman: All traffic halted!
 * George Carlin: Called the signalman. Then he told the fireman what had happened.
 * Signalman: Two boys were on James' footplate fiddling with the controls.
 * James' Fireman: Whew.
 * Signalman: They tumbled off and ran when James started.
 * (Phone rings)
 * George Carlin: The signalman answered the telephone.
 * Signalman: Yes? He's here? Right, I'll tell him. The inspector's coming at once. He wants a shunter's pole and a coil of wire rope.
 * James' Fireman: What for?
 * George Carlin: Wondered the fireman.
 * Signalman: Search me, but you better get them quickly.
 * George Carlin: The fireman was ready when Edward arrived. The inspector saw the pole and a rope.
 * Inspector: Good man, jump in.
 * Edward: We'll catch him, we'll catch him.
 * George Carlin: Puffed Edward. James was laughing.
 * James: What a lark! What a lark!
 * George Carlin: He chuckled to himself. Suddenly, he was going faster and faster. He realized that he had no driver.
 * James: What shall I do? I can't stop! Help! Help!
 * Edward: We're coming, we're coming!
 * George Carlin: Called Edward. Edward was panting up behind with every ounce of steam he had. At last, he caught up with James.
 * Edward's Driver: Steady, Edward.
 * George Carlin: Called his driver. The inspector stood on Edward's front holding a noose of rope in the crook of the shunter's pole. He was trying to slip it over James' buffer. The engines swayed and lurched. At last...
 * Inspector: Got him!
 * George Carlin: He shouted. He pulled the noose tight. Gently braking, Edward's driver checked the engines' speed, and James' fireman scrambled across and took control.
 * Edward: So the old iron caught you after all.
 * George Carlin: Chuckled Edward.
 * James: I'm sorry.
 * George Carlin: Whispered James.
 * James: Thank you for saving me. You were splendid, Edward.
 * Edward: That's all right.
 * George Carlin: Replied Edward. The engines arrived at the station side by side. Sir Topham Hatt was waiting.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: A fine piece of work.
 * George Carlin: He said.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: James, you can rest, and then take your train. I'm proud of you, Edward. You shall go to the works and have your worn parts mended.
 * Edward: Oh, thank you, Sir.
 * George Carlin: Said Edward.
 * Edward: It'll be lovely not to clank.

Nameplates after Old Iron

 * Thomas
 * James
 * Gordon
 * Henry
 * Edward
 * Percy
 * Toby
 * Bertie
 * Terence

A New Friend For Thomas

 * George Carlin: Trevor the Traction Engine enjoys living in the Vicarage Orchard. Edward came to see him every day, but sometimes Trevor didn't have enough work to do.
 * Trevor: I do like to keep busy all the time.
 * George Carlin: He sighed one day.
 * Trevor: And I do like company. Especially, children's company.
 * Edward: Cheer up.
 * George Carlin: Smiled Edward.
 * Edward: Sir Topham Hatt has worked for you at his new harbor. I'm to take you to meet Thomas today.
 * Trevor: Oh.
 * George Carlin: Exclaimed Trevor happily.
 * Trevor: The harbor, the seaside, children. That would be lovely.
 * George Carlin: Thomas was on his way to the harbour with a trainload of metal pilings. They were needed to make the harbour wharf firm and safe.
 * Edward: Hello, Thomas.
 * George Carlin: Said Edward.
 * Edward: This is Trevor a friend of mine. He's a traction engine.
 * George Carlin: Thomas eyed the newcomer doubtfully.
 * Thomas: A what engine?
 * Trevor: A traction engine.
 * George Carlin: Explained Trevor.
 * Trevor: I run on roads instead of rails. Can you take me to the harbour, please? Sir Topham Hatt has a job for me.
 * Thomas: Yes, of course.
 * George Carlin: Replied Thomas. But he was still puzzled. Workmen coupled Trevor's car to Thomas' train and soon they were ready to start their journey.
 * Trevor: I'm glad Sir Topham Hatt needs me.
 * George Carlin: Called Trevor.
 * Trevor: I don't have enough to do sometime you know. Although I can work anywhere. In orchards, on farms, in scrapyards even at harbours.
 * Thomas: But you don't run on rails.
 * George Carlin: Puffed Thomas.
 * Trevor: I'm a traction engine. I don't need rails to be useful.
 * George Carlin: Replied Trevor.
 * Trevor: You wait and see.
 * George Carlin: When they reached the harbour, they found everything in confusion. Cars had been derailed, blocking the line and stone slabs lay everywhere.
 * Thomas' Driver: We must get this pilings past.
 * George Carlin: Said Thomas' Driver.
 * Thomas' Driver: They are essential. Trevor, we need you to drag them round this mess.
 * Trevor: Just the sort of job I like.
 * George Carlin: Replied Trevor.
 * Trevor: Now you'll see, Thomas. I'll soon show you what traction engines can do.
 * George Carlin: Trevor was as good as his work. He dragged the pilings clear with chains and towed them into position.
 * Trevor: Who needs rails?
 * George Carlin: He muttered cheerfully to himself. Later, Thomas brought Annie and Clarabel to visit him. Thomas was most impressed.
 * Thomas: Now I understand how useful a traction engine can be.
 * George Carlin: The coaches were full of children. Trevor gave them rides to all the harbour. He liked this best of all.
 * Annie: He's very kind.
 * George Carlin: Said Annie.
 * Clarabel: He reminds me of Thomas.
 * George Carlin: Added Clarabel. Everyone was sorry when it was time for Trevor to go. Thomas pulled him to the junction. A small tear came into Trevor's eye. Thomas pretended not to see. He whistled gaily to make Trevor happy.
 * Thomas: I'll come and see you if I can.
 * George Carlin: He promised.
 * Thomas: The Vicar will look after you and there's plenty of work for you now at the orchard. But we may meet you again at the harbour someday.
 * Trevor: That would be wonderful.
 * George Carlin: Said Trevor. That evening, Trevor stood remembering his new friend Thomas, the harbour, and most of all, the children. Then he went happily to sleep in the shed at the bottom of the orchard.

Nameplates after A New Friend For Thomas

 * Bill and Ben
 * Donald and Douglas
 * Duck
 * Diesel
 * Daisy
 * BoCo
 * Harold
 * Trevor

Percy and The Signal

 * George Carlin Percy works in the yard at the big station. He loves playing jokes, but they can get him into trouble. One morning, he was very cheeky indeed.
 * Percy: Peep peep! Hurry up, Gordon, the train's ready.
 * George Carlin: Gordon thought he was late.
 * Percy: Ha, ha, ha, ha!
 * George Carlin: Laughed Percy and showed him a train of dirty coal cars. Gordon thought how he can pay Percy back for teasing him. Next it was James' turn.
 * Percy: Stay in the shed today, James. Sir Topham Hatt will come and see you.
 * James: Ah!
 * George Carlin: Thought James.
 * James: Sir Topham Hatt knows I'm a fine engine. He wants me to pull the special train.
 * George Carlin: James' driver and fireman could not make him move. The other engines grumbled dreadfully. They had to do James' work as well as their own. At last, the inspector arrived.
 * Inspector: Show a wheel, James. You can't stay here all day.
 * James: Sir Topham Hatt told me to stay here. He sent a message this morning.
 * Inspector: He did not. How could he? He's away for a week.
 * James: Oh.
 * George Carlin: Said James.
 * James: Oh, where's Percy?
 * George Carlin: Percy had wisely disappeared. When Sir Topham Hatt came back, he was cross with James and Percy for causing so much trouble. But the very next day, Percy was still being cheeky.
 * Percy: I say, you engines, I'm to take some freight cars to Thomas' junction. Sir Topham Hatt chose me specially. He must know I'm a really useful engine.
 * James: More likely, he wants you out of the way.
 * George Carlin: Grumbled James. Gordon looked across to James. They were going to play a trick on Percy.
 * Gordon: James and I were just speaking about signals at the junction. We can't be too careful about signals, but then I needn't say that to a really useful engine like you, Percy.
 * George Carlin: Percy felt flattered.
 * James: We've had spoken about backing signals.
 * George Carlin: Put in James.
 * James: They need extra special care you know. Would you like me to explain?
 * Percy: No thank you, James.
 * George Carlin: Said Percy.
 * Percy: I know all about signals.
 * George Carlin: Percy was a little worried.
 * Percy: I wonder what backing signals are.
 * George Carlin: He thought.
 * Percy: Never mind, I'll manage.
 * George Carlin: He puffed crossly to his freight cars and felt better. He came to a signal.
 * Percy: Bother, it's a danger.
 * George Carlin: The signal moved to show line cleared. It's arm moved up instead of down. Percy had never been that sort of signal before.
 * Percy: Down means go and up means stop. So upper still must mean go back. I know. It's one of those backing signals.
 * Percy's Driver: Come on, Percy.
 * George Carlin: Said his driver.
 * Percy's Driver: Off we go. Stop! You're going the wrong way!
 * Percy: But it's a backing signal.
 * George Carlin: Percy protested and told him about Gordon and James. The driver laughed and explained.
 * Percy: Oh, dear.
 * George Carlin: Said Percy.
 * Percy: Let's start quickly before they see us.
 * George Carlin: He was too late. Gordon saw everything.
 * (Percy heads his way back to the sheds)
 * George Carlin: That night, the big engines talked about signals. They thought the subject was funny. Percy thought they were being very silly.

Nameplates after Percy and The Signal

 * Thomas
 * James
 * Gordon
 * Henry
 * Edward
 * Percy
 * Toby
 * Bertie
 * Terence

Duck Takes Charge

 * George Carlin: Percy: Do you know what?
 * George Carlin: Asked Percy.
 * Gordon: What?
 * George Carlin: Grunted Gordon.
 * Percy: Do you know what?
 * Gordon: Silly!
 * George Carlin: Said Gordon.
 * Gordon: Of course I don't know what. If you don't tell me what what is.
 * Percy: Sir Topham Hatt says that the work in the yard is too heavy for me. He's getting a bigger engine to help me.
 * James: Rubbish!
 * George Carlin: Said James.
 * James: Any engine could do it. If you work hard and chatterless, this yard would be a sweeter, a better and a happier place.
 * George Carlin: Percy went off to get some coaches.
 * Percy: That stupid old signal.
 * George Carlin: He thought. He was remembering the time he misunderstood a signal and gone backwards instead of forwards.
 * Percy: No one listens to me now. They think I'm a silly little engine and order me about. I'll show them, I'll show them.
 * George Carlin: But he didn't know how. By the end of the afternoon, he felt tired and unhappy. He brought some coaches to the station.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Hello, Percy.
 * George Carlin: Said Sir Topham Hatt.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: You look tired.
 * Percy: Yes sir, I am sir. I don't know if I'm standing on my dome or on my wheels.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: You look the right way up to me.
 * George Carlin: Laughed Sir Topham Hatt.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Cheer up. The new engine is bigger than you and can properly do the work alone. Would you like to help build my new harbour? Thomas and Toby will help too.
 * Percy: Oh yes, sir. Thank you, sir.
 * George Carlin: The new engine arrived.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: What's your name?
 * George Carlin: Asked Sir Topham Hatt.
 * Duck: Montague, sir, but I'm usually called Duck. They say I waddle. I don't really, sir, but I like Duck better than Montague.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Good. Duck it shall be. Here, Percy, show Duck around.
 * George Carlin: The two engines went off together. Soon they were very busy. James, Gordon and Henry watched Duck quietly doing his work.
 * Henry: He seems a simple sort of engine.
 * James: We'll have some fun and order him about.
 * Henry and Gordon: (quacking noises) Wheesh!
 * George Carlin: Smoke billowed everywhere. Percy was cross, but Duck took no notice.
 * Duck: They'll get tired of it soon. Do they tell you to do things, Percy?
 * Percy: Yes they do.
 * George Carlin: Answered Percy.
 * Duck: Right.
 * George Carlin: Said Duck.
 * Duck: We'll soon stop that nonsense.
 * George Carlin: He whispered something.
 * Duck: We'll do it later.
 * George Carlin: Sir Topham Hatt was looking forward to hot buttered toast for tea at home. Suddenly, he heard an extraordinary noise.
 * Henry, Gordon and James: Wheesh! (snorting noises)
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Bother!
 * George Carlin: He said and hurried to the yard. Duck and Percy calmly sat on the switches outside the shed, refusing to let the engines in. Gordon, James and Henry were furious.
 * (Gordon, James and Henry blew their whistles loudly)
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Stop that noise!
 * George Carlin: Bellowed Sir Topham Hatt.
 * Gordon: They won't let us in!
 * George Carlin: Hissed Gordon.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Duck, explain this behavior.
 * Duck: Beg pardon, sir, but I'm a great western engine. We do our work without fuss, but begging your pardon, sir. Percy and I will be glad if you like to inform these, um, engines that we only take orders from you.
 * (James and Gordon blew their whistles loudly)
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Quiet!
 * George Carlin: Said Sir Topham Hatt.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Percy and Duck, I am pleased with your work today, but not with your behavior tonight. You have caused a disturbance.
 * George Carlin: Gordon, Henry and James sniggered.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: As for you.
 * George Carlin: Thundered Sir Topham Hatt.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: You've been worse. You made a disturbance. Duck is quite right. This is my railway and I give the orders.
 * George Carlin: After Percy went away, Duck was left to manage alone. He did so...easily!