Sigrid and the Brass Band

Characters

 * Oliver
 * Rex
 * Bert (small railway)
 * Mike
 * Jock
 * Toad
 * Sigrid of Arlesdale
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Mr. Fergus Duncan
 * The Brass Band
 * Frank (does not speak)
 * Blister I and Blister II (do not speak)
 * Lady Hatt (does not speak)
 * Willie (mentioned)

Transcript
Narrator: The small railway engines are always busy. They puff uphill and downhill all day long. Sigrid of Arlesdale's favourite journey was by the lake. She liked to toot her horn there, the sound echoed around the hills. Sigrid's horn was special; it had two notes, one high and one low. Sigrid thought she had a very tuneful toot. But the other engines thought it was the worst noise they'd ever heard. And that made Rusty sad. One morning the Small Controller, Mr. Fergus Duncan, had a special announcement to make.

Mr. Fergus Duncan: Sir Topham and Lady Hatt are to visit our railway this evening. This is a very special occasion, so the Brass Band will be coming to play for them.

Narrator: The engines were very excited. But Sigrid of Arlesdale was most excited of all. She loved the sounds of a brass band. There was a lot to do. Rex and Mike brought the tables and chairs. Bert and Jock brought the apples and pears from the orchard. And Sigird was to take the Brass Band on a tour of the small railway before the concert. When Sigrid pulled into Arlesburgh West, Mr. Fergus Duncan was waiting with the Brass Band. Sigrid couldn't help but toot her horn high and low. At that moment Oliver and Toad pulled into the Arlesburgh with the bandstand.

Oliver: What was that wonderful sound?

Mike: That was Sigrid. She thinks her horn is special, but we don't.

Toad: Well we think it's special.

Narrator: This made Sigrid very happy. No one had ever liked her horn before.

Mr. Fergus Duncan: Sigrid, the Brass Band are ready for their tour of the railway.

Sigrid of Arlesdale: Yes sir.

Narrator: The Brass Band were soon aboard Sigrid's coach, and she quickly pulled away.

Mr. Fergus Duncan: Don't be back late.

Narrator: But Sigrid didn't hear. She was tooting her two tones loud and clear.

Sigrid of Arlesdale: I'm going to give the Brass Band their best tour they've ever heard.

Narrator: Sigrid took them through the woods. Then they went to the Arlesdale sheds. Then he took them to Willie's farm. It would soon be time for the concert. The band started to tune their instruments. The sounds of the notes filled Sigird's motors. She was very happy, so happy she forgot all about getting back for the concert.

Sigird of Arlesdale: I know. Now I'll take the band to the lake.

Narrator: She wanted this trip to go on for ever and ever. Sigrid happily clickety-clacked towards the lake. Her horn was toot-tooting to music of the Brass Band. She wished all the other engines could hear her now. The ruined castle looked magical in the sunset. Sigird's tuneful train crossed the lake. Then there was trouble. Sigird shuddered to a stop. Sigird had made a terrible mistake. She had gone too far and run out of diesel oil. Now the Brass Band wouldn't get back for their concert. This was a disaster. Oliver and Toad chuffed into Arlesburgh with Sir Topham and Lady Hatt. The Small Controller looked very unhappy. Sigrid had not returned with the Brass Band. All the other engines were very worried. The bandleader was very worried too.

Bandleader: How will anyone know where we are?

Narrator: Suddenly Sigrid of Arlesdale tooted very loudly.

Sigrid of Arlesdale: If you all play, and I toot my horn very loudly, our sounds will echo all the way down to the yards. Then everyone will know where we are.

Narrator: The bandleader was happy. He waved his baton.

Bandleader: 1, 2, 3!

Narrator: The band started to play, and Sigrid tooted her two tones louder and prouder than ever before. Oliver was the first to hear.

Oliver: That's Sigird.

Rex: And the brass band.

Narrator: Everyone listened. They could hear Sigird's two-tone horn echoing down the valley.

Toad: They must be in trouble.

Oliver: Follow the sound of Sigrid's horn.

Toad: Then you'll be able to find her.

Sir Topham Hatt: If the brass band are with Sigrid, we'll have the concert there.

Narrator: Everybody thought this was wonderful idea, especially Mr. Fergus Duncan. The Brass Band played as loudly as they had ever done. Sigird was sure the whole of Sodor could hear them. Then she saw engine lamps coming towards them. Sigird was surprised. All the engines were arriving at the lake, and none of them were telling her to be quiet.

Sir Topham Hatt: We have come to hear the concert!

Rex: We heard your horn.

Jock: So we knew where to find you.

Bert: Because you have the most special-sounding horn of all.

Sigrid of Arlesdale: I shall never be shy about my special horn again.

Sir Topham Hatt: Let the concert begin.

(Band playing)

Narrator: Rex, Bert, Mike and Jock tooted their whistles, and Frank and the Blister Twins tooted their horns, while Sigrid tooted hers loudest of all.