Foolish Freight Cars (February 1998)

Foolish Freight Cars was released in February 1998 and July 2000 on VHS and in March 2004 on DVD, featuring eight more Season 1 episodes told by George Carlin.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Edward
 * Henry
 * Gordon
 * James
 * Percy
 * Bertie
 * Terence
 * Annie and Clarabel
 * Sir Topham Hatt

Story Stops

 * 1) Foolish Freight Cars
 * 2) A Proud Day For James
 * 3) Thomas and The Conductor
 * 4) Thomas Goes Fishing
 * 5) Terence The Tractor
 * 6) Thomas and Bertie's Great Race
 * 7) Tenders and Turntables
 * 8) Trouble In The Shed

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 "Trouble In The Shed" was used, with the end credit text also 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.
 * These were the next eight Season 1 episodes sourced from the UK volume, Troublesome Trucks and Other Stories.

1998 Front Cover

 * James at the top of Gordon's Hill from "Foolish Freight Cars"

1998 Back Cover

 * Top Left: Terence from "Terence The Tractor"
 * Top Right: Gordon and Thomas at Elsbridge Station from "Tenders and Turntables"

2000/2004 Front Cover

 * Top: James
 * Bottom: Thomas by the viaduct from "Thomas Goes Fishing"

2000/2004 Back Cover

 * Top Left: Bertie from "Thomas and Bertie's Great Race"
 * Top Right: Edward and Percy from "Trouble In The Shed"

Cover Color

 * Red (1998)
 * Blue (2000/2004)

Running Time

 * ??? Minutes

Foolish Freight Cars

 * George Carlin: James had not been out to push coaches or freight cars in the yard for several days. He was feeling miserable.
 * James: Oh dear. I wonder how long I shall have to stay in the shed would anyone else see my coat again? Why did I go so fast that I made a hole in one of my coaches that had to be mended with of all things a passenger's bootlace.
 * George Carlin: At last Sir Topham Hatt arrived.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: I know you are sorry, James, and I know too that you want to be a useful engine. People are laughing at my railway and I do not like that at all.
 * James: I will try hard to do my best.
 * George Carlin: Said James.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: That's a good engine. There's nothing like determination. I want you to pull some freight cars for me.
 * George Carlin: James was delighted and puffed away.
 * Thomas: Here's your freight train, James.
 * George Carlin: Said Thomas.
 * Thomas: Have you got some bootlaces ready?
 * George Carlin: And he ran off laughing.
 * Freight Cars: Oh, no!
 * George Carlin: Said the freight cars.
 * Freight Cars: We want a proper engine, not a red monster.
 * George Carlin: James took no notice and started as soon as the conductor was ready.
 * James: Come along, come along.
 * George Carlin: He puffed.
 * Freight Cars: We won't, we won't.
 * George Carlin: Screamed the cars. But James didn't care and he pulled the screeching cars sternly out of the station. The cars tried hard to make him give up but he still kept on. Sometimes their brakes will slip on and sometimes their axles will run hot and each time the trouble had to be put right and each time James will start again, determined not to let them beat him.
 * Freight Cars: Give up, give up! You can't pull us! You can't, you can't!
 * George Carlin: Called the cars.
 * James: I can and I will! I can and I will!
 * George Carlin: Puffed James and slowly but surely, he pulled them along the line. At last they saw Gordon's Hill.
 * James' Driver: Look out for trouble, James.
 * George Carlin: Warned his driver.
 * James' Driver: We'll go fast and get them up before they know it. Don't let them stop you.
 * George Carlin: So James went faster and soon they were halfway up.
 * James: I'm doing it, I'm doing it.
 * George Carlin: He panted.
 * James: Will the top never come?
 * George Carlin: Then with a sudden jerk, it all came easier.
 * James: I've done it, I've done it. Hooray! It's easy now.
 * George Carlin: But his driver shut off steam.
 * James' Driver: They've done it again. We've left our tail behind. Look.
 * George Carlin: The last cars were running backwards down the hill. A coupling had snapped. But the conductor stopped the cars and got out to warn approaching engines.
 * James: That's why it was easy.
 * George Carlin: Said James as he backed the cars carefully down.
 * James: What silly things freight cars are. They're might have been an accident.
 * Edward: Shall I help you, James?
 * George Carlin: Called Edward.
 * James: No thank you. I'll pull them myself.
 * Edward: Good, don't let them beat you. You're doing well!
 * George Carlin: Whistled Edward as James slowly struggled up the hill.
 * James: I can do it, I can do it.
 * George Carlin: He puffed. He pulled and puffed as hard as he could.
 * James: I've done it, I've done it!
 * George Carlin: He panted. James was resting in the yard when Edward pulled up.
 * Edward: Peep peep!
 * George Carlin: He whistled. Then, James saw Sir Topham Hatt.
 * James: Oh dear, what will he say?
 * George Carlin: He asked himself. But Sir Topham Hatt was smiling.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: I was in Edward's train and I saw everything. You made the most troublesome train on the line behaved. After that performance, you deserved to keep your red coat.

Nameplates after Foolish Freight Cars

 * Thomas
 * James
 * Gordon
 * Percy
 * Toby

A Proud Day For James

 * George Carlin: One night, Henry and Gordon were alone with James. Although Sir Topham Hatt was beginning to think well of them. Whenever a chance came the other engines will talk of nothing but bootlace.
 * Henry: Remember when they had to use a bootlace to get you out of trouble James?
 * George Carlin: They would tease. James tried to get back by talking about Henry who got shut up in a tunnel and Gordon who got stuck on a hill. But they wouldn't listen.
 * Gordon: You talk too much little James.
 * George Carlin: Said Gordon.
 * Gordon: A fine strong engine like me has something to talk about. I'm the only engine who can pull the express. When I'm not there, they need two engines. Think of that. I've pulled expresses for years, and have never once lost my way. I seem to know the right line by instinct.
 * George Carlin: Every wise engine knows that the signalman sets the switches to make the engines run on the right track. But Gordon was so proud he had forgotten.
 * Gordon: Wake up, James.
 * George Carlin: Said Gordon next morning.
 * Gordon: It's time for the express. What are you doing? Odd Jobs? Ah well. We all have to begin somewhere, don't we? Run along and get my coaches. Don't be late.
 * George Carlin: James went to get Gordon's coaches. They were all shining with new paint. He was careful not to bump them and they followed him smoothly into the station, singing happily...
 * Coaches: We're going away, we're going away.
 * James: I wish I was going with you.
 * George Carlin: Said James.
 * James: I should love to pull the express and go flying above the line!
 * George Carlin: Gordon with much noise and blowing off steam, got ready to back on to the train. Sir Topham Hatt was on the train with other important people and as soon as they heard the conductor's whistle, Gordon started.
 * Gordon: Look at me now! Look at me now!
 * George Carlin: He puffed and the coaches glided after him.
 * Gordon: Boop boop boop boop boop! Goodbye, little James, see you tomorrow!
 * George Carlin: James watched the train disappeared and then went back to work. He pushed some freight cars into their proper sidings and went to fetch the coaches for another train. James had just brought the coaches into the platform when he heard a mournful noise. There was Gordon trying to sneak into the station without being noticed.
 * James: Hello, Gordon. Is it tomorrow?
 * George Carlin: Gordon didn't answer. He just let off steam feebly.
 * James: Did you lose your weight, Gordon?
 * Gordon: No, it was lost for me. I was switched off the main line onto the loop. I have to go all around and back again.
 * James: Perhaps it was instinct.
 * George Carlin: Said James. All the passengers were shouting at the ticket window.
 * Passengers: We want our money back!
 * George Carlin: Sir Topham Hatt climbed onto a cart and blew the conductor's whistle so loudly that they all stopped to look at him. Then he promised a new train at once.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Gordon can't do it. Will you pull it for us, James?
 * James: Yes sir, I'll try.
 * George Carlin: So James was coupled on, and everyone got in.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Do your best, James.
 * George Carlin: Said Sir Topham Hatt.
 * James: Come along, come along!
 * George Carlin: Said James.
 * Coaches: You're pulling us well, you're pulling us well!
 * George Carlin: Sang the coaches.
 * James: Hurry, hurry, hurry!
 * George Carlin: Puffed James. Bridges and stations flashed by the passengers cheered and they soon reached the station. Everyone said thank you to James and Sir Topham Hatt was very impressed.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Well done. Would you like to pull the express sometimes?
 * James: Yes, please.
 * George Carlin: Answered James. Next day when James came by, Gordon was pushing freight cars.
 * Gordon: I like some quiet work for a change.
 * George Carlin: He said.
 * Gordon: I'm teaching these cars manners. You did well with those coaches I hear. Good, we'll show them.
 * George Carlin: And he gave his cars a bump. James and Gordon are now good friends. James sometimes takes the express to give Gordon a rest. Gordon never talks about bootlaces, and they are both quite agreed on a subject of freight cars.

Nameplates after A Proud Day For James

 * Henry
 * Bertie
 * Terence
 * James

Thomas and The Conductor

 * George Carlin: Thomas the Tank Engine is very proud of his branch line. He thinks it's the most important part of the whole railway. His two coaches Annie and Clarabel agree with him. Annie could only take passengers but Clarabel can take passengers, luggage and the conductor. They were both old and need new paint but Thomas loves them very much. As they run backwards and forwards along the line, they sing songs to each other. When Thomas starts from the station he sings...
 * Thomas: Oh, come along, we're rather late. Oh, come along, we're rather late.
 * George Carlin: And the coaches sang...
 * Annie and Clarabel: We're coming along. We're coming along.
 * George Carlin: They don't mind that Thomas says to them because he know he was trying to please Sir Topham Hatt, and to know to that if Thomas is cross, he's not cross with them. One day, they have to wait for Henry's train which made Thomas very cross.
 * Thomas: How could I run my line properly if Henry is always late? He doesn't realize that Sir Topham Hatt depends on me.
 * George Carlin: Thomas whistled impatiently. He wanted to leave, but he have to wait for Henry's passengers. At last Henry came.
 * Thomas: Where have you been, lazybones?
 * Henry: Oh dear, my system is out of order. No one understands my case. You don't know what I suffer.
 * Thomas: Rubbish!
 * George Carlin: Said Thomas.
 * Thomas: You're too slow. You need exercise.
 * George Carlin: The conductor blew his whistle and Thomas started so quickly that he left him behind. The conductor waved his red flag to stop Thomas, but Thomas was on his way steaming out of the station.
 * Thomas: Come along, come along.
 * George Carlin: Puffed Thomas, but Clarabel didn't want to come.
 * Clarabel: I've lost my nice conductor, I've lose my nice conductor.
 * George Carlin: She sobbed. Annie tried to tell Thomas what had happened.
 * Annie: We haven't a conductor, we haven't a conductor!
 * George Carlin: But he was hurrying and wouldn't listen. Annie and Clarabel tried to put on their brakes, but they couldn't without their conductor.
 * Annie and Clarabel: Where's our conductor? Where's our conductor?
 * George Carlin: They cried, but Thomas didn't stop till they came to a signal.
 * Thomas: Bother that signal.
 * George Carlin: Said Thomas.
 * Thomas: What's the matter?
 * Thomas' Driver: I don't know.
 * George Carlin: Said his driver.
 * Thomas' Driver: The conductor will tell us in a minute.
 * George Carlin: They waited and waited but the conductor didn't come.
 * Thomas: Peep peep peep, where's the conductor?
 * George Carlin: Whistled Thomas.
 * Annie and Clarabel: We've left him behind!
 * George Carlin: Sobbed Annie and Clarabel together. Everyone looked, and there he was running as fast as he could along the line, with his flag on one hand and his whistle in the other. He was very hot, so he had a drink, and told them that Thomas had left him behind.
 * Thomas: I'm very sorry.
 * George Carlin: Said Thomas.
 * Conductor: We all made mistakes.
 * George Carlin: Replied the conductor.
 * Conductor: Look, the signal's down. We can go. Let's make up for lost time.
 * George Carlin: Annie and Clarabel were so pleased to have their conductor again, but they sang...
 * Annie and Clarabel: As fast as you like, as fast as you like!
 * George Carlin: ...to Thomas all the way. They reached the end of the line quicker than ever before.
 * (Thomas arrives at the last station)

Nameplates after Thomas and The Conductor

 * Edward
 * James
 * Gordon
 * Percy
 * Toby

Thomas Goes Fishing

 * George Carlin: When Thomas puffed along his branch line, he always look forward to something special. The sight of the river. As they rumble over the bridge, he would see people fishing. Thomas often wanted to stay and watch, but his driver said...
 * Thomas' Driver: No! What would Sir Topham Hatt say if we were late?
 * George Carlin: Every time he met another engine he say...
 * Thomas: I want to fish.
 * George Carlin: But they all had the same answer.
 * James: Engines don't go fishing.
 * Thomas: Silly stick in the muds.
 * George Carlin: Thought Thomas. One day, he stopped as usual to take him water at the station by the river. Out of order.
 * Thomas: Bother!
 * George Carlin: Said Thomas.
 * Thomas: I'm thirsty.
 * Driver: Never mind.
 * George Carlin: Said his driver.
 * Thomas' Driver: We'll get some water from the river.
 * George Carlin: They found a bucket and some rope and went to the bridge. Then the driver left the bucket down to the water. The bucket was old and have five holes, so they had to fill it, pull it up, and empty it into Thomas' tank as quickly as they could several times over.
 * (Progress begins on the filling of Thomas' tank)
 * George Carlin: They finished at last.
 * Thomas: That's good, that's good.
 * George Carlin: Puffed Thomas and Annie and Clarabel ran happily behind. Suddenly, Thomas began to feel a pain in his boiler. Steam began to hiss with his safety valve in an alarming way.
 * Thomas' Driver: There's too much steam!
 * George Carlin: Said his driver.
 * Thomas: Oh dear!
 * George Carlin: Groaned Thomas.
 * Thomas: I'm going to burst! I'm going to burst!
 * George Carlin: They damped down his fire and struggled on.
 * Thomas: I've got such a pain, I've got such a pain!
 * George Carlin: Thomas hissed. They stopped just outside the last station, uncoupled Annie and Clarabel and ran Thomas, who was still hissing fit to burst, on a siding right out of the way.
 * (Thomas reaches a siding and stops)
 * George Carlin: Then, while the conductor telephoned for an engine inspector, the driver found notice in large letters, which he hung on Thomas in front and behind. Danger: Keep Away. Soon, the inspector and Sir Topham Hatt arrived.
 * Inspector: Cheer up, Thomas.
 * George Carlin: They said.
 * Inspector: We'll soon put you right.
 * George Carlin: The driver told them what had happened.
 * Inspector: So the feed pipe is blocked.
 * George Carlin: Said the inspector.
 * Inspector: I'll just look in the tanks.
 * George Carlin: He climbed up and peered in, then he came down.
 * Inspector: Excuse me, sir, please look in the tank and tell me what you see.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Certainly, inspector.
 * George Carlin: Replied Sir Topham Hatt. He clambered up, looked in and nearly fell off in surprise.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Inspector.
 * George Carlin: He whispered.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Can you see fish?
 * (Thomas is horrified upon hearing this)
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Gracious goodness me! How did the fish get there, driver?
 * Thomas' Driver: We must have fished them from the river with our bucket.
 * George Carlin: Replied Thomas' driver.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Well, Thomas, so you and your driver had been fishing. But fish don't suit you. We must get them out.
 * George Carlin: They all took turns and fishing into Thomas' tank, while Sir Topham Hatt looked down and told them how to do it. When they had caught all the fish, they had a lovely picnic supper of fish and chips.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Mmm. That was good.
 * George Carlin: Said Sir Topham Hatt.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: But fish don't suit you, Thomas, so you mustn't do it again.
 * Thomas: No, sir, I won't.
 * George Carlin: Said Thomas sadly.
 * Thomas: Engines don't go fishing. It's too uncomfortable.

Nameplates after Thomas Goes Fishing

 * Henry
 * Bertie
 * Terence
 * Thomas

Terence The Tractor

 * George Carlin: Autumn had come to the Island of Sodor. The fields were changing from yellow stubble to brown earth and an tractor was hard at work as Thomas puff along. Later Thomas saw the tractor close by.
 * Terence: Hello.
 * George Carlin: Said the tractor.
 * Terence: I'm Terence, I'm plowing.
 * Thomas: I'm Thomas, I'm pulling a train. What ugly wheels you got.
 * Terence: They're not ugly, they're caterpillars.
 * George Carlin: Said Terence.
 * Terence: I can go anywhere. I don't need rails.
 * Thomas: I don't want to go anywhere.
 * George Carlin: Said Thomas.
 * Thomas: I like my rails, thank you.
 * George Carlin: Winter came with dark clouds full of snow.
 * Thomas' Driver: I don't like it.
 * George Carlin: Said Thomas' driver.
 * Thomas' Driver: A heavy fall is coming. I hope it doesn't stop us.
 * Thomas: Huh!
 * George Carlin: Puffed Thomas.
 * Thomas: Soft stuff, nothing to it.
 * George Carlin: And he puffed on feeling cold but confident. They finished their journey safely but by now the country was covered.
 * Thomas' Driver: You need your snowplough for the next journey, Thomas.
 * George Carlin: Said his driver.
 * Thomas: Huh! Snow is silly soft stuff it won't stop me.
 * George Carlin: The snowplough was heavy and uncomfortable and made Thomas cross. He shook it and he banged it and when they got back it was so damaged that the driver had to take it off.
 * Thomas' Driver: You're a very naughty engine.
 * George Carlin: He said to Thomas. Next morning, Thomas' driver and fireman came early and worked hard to mend the snowplough, but they couldn't make it fit. Thomas was pleased.
 * Thomas: I shan't have to wear it, I shan't have to wear it.
 * George Carlin: He puffed to Annie and Clarabel. But they were rather worried.
 * Annie and Clarabel: I hope it's all right, I hope it's all right.
 * George Carlin: They whispered to each other. The driver was worried too.
 * Thomas' Driver: It's not bad here.
 * George Carlin: He said to the fireman.
 * Thomas' Driver: But it's sure to be deep in the valley.
 * Thomas: Silly soft stuff.
 * George Carlin: Huffed Thomas.
 * Thomas: I didn't need that stupid old thing yesterday and I shan't today. Snow can't stop me.
 * George Carlin: He rushed into a tunnel thinking how clever he was. But there was trouble ahead.
 * (Thomas crashes into a snowdrift)
 * Thomas: Cinders and ashes!
 * George Carlin: Said Thomas.
 * Thomas: I'm stuck.
 * George Carlin: And he was.
 * Thomas' Driver: Back, Thomas, back.
 * George Carlin: Said his driver. Thomas tried but his wheels spun and he couldn't move. The conductor went back for help while everyone else tried to dig the snow away. But as fast as they dug, more snow slipped down until Thomas was nearly buried.
 * Thomas: Oh, my wheels and coupling rods. I shall have to stop here till I'm frozen. What a silly engine I am.
 * George Carlin: And Thomas began to cry. At last the bus came to rescue the passengers. And then who should come to Thomas's rescue but Terence. Snow never worries him.
 * (Terence hooks up to Clarabel and pulls her and Annie out of the snow)
 * George Carlin: He pulled the empty coaches away, then came back for Thomas. Thomas' wheels were clear but still spun when he tried to move. Terence tugged and slipped and slipped and tugged and at last dragged Thomas clear of the snow ready for the journey home.
 * (Terence goes away into the tunnel with Thomas following him)
 * Thomas: Oh, thank you, Terence. Your caterpillars are splendid.
 * George Carlin: Said Thomas.
 * Thomas' Driver: I hope you'll be sensible now, Thomas.
 * George Carlin: Said his driver.
 * Thomas: I'll try.
 * George Carlin: Said Thomas and he puffed slowly away.

Nameplates after Terence The Tractor

 * Thomas
 * James
 * Gordon
 * Percy
 * Toby

Thomas and Bertie's Great Race

 * George Carlin: Thomas was waiting at the junction when a bus arrived.
 * Thomas: Hello.
 * George Carlin: Said Thomas.
 * Thomas: Who are you?
 * Bertie: I'm Bertie. Who are you?
 * Thomas: I'm Thomas. I run this branch line.
 * Bertie: So you're Thomas. Ah, I remember now. You got stuck in the snow. I took your passengers and Terence the Tractor pulled you out. I've come to help you with your passengers today.
 * Thomas: Help me?
 * George Carlin: Said Thomas.
 * Thomas: I can go faster than you.
 * Bertie: You can't.
 * George Carlin: Said Bertie.
 * Thomas: I can.
 * George Carlin: Huffed Thomas.
 * Bertie: I'll race you!
 * George Carlin: Said Bertie. Their drivers agreed for the race going ahead. The stationmaster said...
 * Stationmaster: Are you ready? Go!
 * George Carlin: Thomas never could go fast at first and Bertie drew in front.
 * Annie and Clarabel: Why don't you go fast, why don't you go fast.
 * George Carlin: Called Annie and Clarabel.
 * Thomas: Wait and see, wait and see.
 * George Carlin: Hissed Thomas.
 * Annie and Clarabel: He's a long way ahead.
 * George Carlin: They wailed. But Thomas didn't mind. He remembered the level crossing. There was Bertie fuming at the gates while they sailed gaily through.
 * Thomas: Goodbye, Bertie!
 * George Carlin: Called Thomas. After that the road left the railway so they couldn't see Bertie. Then, they had to stop at the station to let off passengers.
 * Thomas: Peep peep! Quickly please!
 * George Carlin: Called Thomas and off they went again.
 * Thomas: Come along, come along.
 * George Carlin: Sang Thomas.
 * Annie and Clarabel: We're coming along, we're coming along.
 * George Carlin: Sang Annie and Clarabel.
 * Thomas: Hurry, hurry, hurry!
 * George Carlin: Panted Thomas, then he looked ahead. There was Bertie tooting triumphally on his horn.
 * Thomas: Oh dearie me, oh dearie me!
 * George Carlin: Groaned Thomas.
 * Thomas' Driver: Steady, Thomas.
 * George Carlin: Said his driver.
 * Thomas' Driver: We'll beat Bertie yet.
 * Annie and Clarabel: We'll be Bertie yet, we'll beat Bertie yet.
 * George Carlin: Echoed Annie and Clarabel.
 * Thomas: We'll do it, we'll do it.
 * George Carlin: Panted Thomas.
 * Thomas: Oh bother! There's a station.
 * George Carlin: Then he heard Bertie.
 * Bertie: Goodbye, Thomas. You must be tired. Sorry I can't stop. We buses have to work you know. Goodbye.
 * Thomas: Oh dear.
 * George Carlin: Thought Thomas.
 * Thomas: We've lost.
 * George Carlin: But he felt better after a drink. The signal dropped.
 * Thomas: Hurrah, we're off! Hurrah, we're off!
 * George Carlin: Puffed Thomas. As they crossed the bridge, they heard an impatient...
 * Bertie: Honk honk!
 * George Carlin: There was Bertie waiting at the traffic lights. he started with a roar and chased on after Thomas again. Now Thomas reached his full speed. Bertie tried hard but Thomas was too fast. Whistling triumphantly he plunged into the tunnel leaving Bertie toiling far behind.
 * Thomas: We've done it, we've done it!
 * George Carlin: Panted Thomas.
 * Annie and Clarabel: We've done it, hooray! We've done it, hooray!
 * George Carlin: Chanted Annie and Clarabel as they whooshed into the last station. Everyone was there to celebrate Thomas' victory. But they gave Bertie a big welcome too.
 * Bertie: Well done, Thomas.
 * George Carlin: Said Bertie.
 * Bertie: That was fun. But to beat you over that hill, I should have to grow wings and be an airplane.
 * George Carlin: They now keep each others very busy. They often talked about their race, but Bertie's passengers don't like being bounced like peas in a frying pan, and Sir Topham Hatt has warned Thomas not to race at dangerous speeds. So although, between you and me, they would like to have another race. I don't think they ever will, do you?

Nameplates after Thomas and Bertie's Great Race

 * Henry
 * Edward
 * Terence
 * Bertie

Tenders and Turntables

 * George Carlin: Henry and Gordon were lonely when Thomas left the yard to run his branch line. They missed him very much. They had more work to do and had to fetch some more coaches. The big engines thought they were too important to fetch coaches. James grumbled too.
 * Henry: We get no rest, we get no rest!
 * George Carlin: They all complained. But the coaches only laughed.
 * Coaches: You're lazy and slack, you're lazy and slack!
 * George Carlin: They answered. All together, the engines were causing Sir Topham Hatt a great deal of trouble. The big stations both ends on the line each have a turntable. Sir Topham Hatt had made them so that the tender engines can be turned round because it is dangerous for them to go fast and backwards. Little tank engines like Thomas don't need turntables. They can go just as well backwards as forwards. But to hear Gordon talk, he would've thought that Sir Topham Hatt had given him a tender just to show how important he was.
 * Gordon: You don't understand, little Thomas. We Tender Engines have a position to keep up. It doesn't matter where you go, but we are important, and for Sir Topham Hatt to make us shunt freight cars, fetch coaches and go on some of those dirty sidings it's, it's, well, it's not the proper thing.
 * George Carlin: Thomas chuckled and went off with Annie and Clarabel.
 * Gordon: Disgraceful!
 * George Carlin: Gordon hissed as he ran backwards to the turntable. The turntable was in the windy place close to the sea, and he was not on it just right, he put amount of balance and made a difficult to turn. Today, Gordon was in the bad temper, and the wind was blowing fiercely. His driver tried to make him stop in the right place but Gordon wasn't trying. The fireman tried to turn the handle, but Gordon's weight and the strong wind prevented him.
 * Gordon's Driver: It's no good.
 * George Carlin: They said at last.
 * Gordon's Driver: Your big tender upsets the balance. If you're a little tank engine, you be all right. Now you have to pull the next train backwards.
 * Boys: Look!
 * George Carlin: Called some boys.
 * Boys: There's a new tank engine! Oh, it's only Gordon, back to front.
 * Thomas: Hello!
 * George Carlin: Called Thomas.
 * Thomas: Playing tank engines? Sensible engine. Take my advice, scrap your tender and have a nice bunker.
 * George Carlin: Gordon said nothing. Even James laughed when he saw him.
 * Gordon: Take care.
 * George Carlin: Hissed Gordon.
 * Gordon: You might stick too.
 * James: No fear.
 * George Carlin: Chuckled James.
 * James: I'm not so fat as you. I mustn't stick.
 * George Carlin: Thought James. He stopped on just the right place to balance the table. It could now swing easily. Gordon arrived and time to see everything. James turned much too easily. The wind puffed him round like a top. He couldn't stop!
 * (James spins faster and faster until he slows down, and as the turntable stops, he is all green and dizzy)
 * Gordon: Well, well!
 * George Carlin: Said Gordon.
 * Gordon: Are you playing roundabouts?
 * George Carlin: Poor James feeling quite giddy rolled off to the shed without a word. That night, the three engines had an indignation meeting.
 * Gordon: It's shameful to treat tender engines like this. Gordon has to go backwards and people think he's a tank engine, James spins like a top and everyone laughs at us. And added to that, Sir Topham Hatt makes us all shunt in dirty sidings. Ugh! Listen.
 * George Carlin: Said Gordon. He whispered something to the others.
 * Gordon: We'll do it tomorrow. Sir Topham Hatt will look silly.
 * George Carlin: The engines had decided to go on strike.

Nameplates after Tenders and Turntables

 * Thomas
 * James
 * Gordon
 * Edward
 * Toby

Trouble In The Shed

 * George Carlin: Sir Topham Hatt sat in his office listening to the noise outside. The passengers were angry. The stationmaster came in.
 * Stationmaster: There's trouble in the shed, sir. Henry was sulking. There's no train and the passengers are saying this is a bad railway.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Indeed.
 * George Carlin: Said Sir Topham Hatt.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: We cannot allow that.
 * George Carlin: He found Gordon, James and Henry looking very cross.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Come along, Henry. It's time your train was ready.
 * Gordon: Henry's not going!
 * George Carlin: Said Gordon.
 * Gordon: We won't shunt like little tank engines. That was Thomas' job. We are important tender engines. You fetch our coaches and we will pull them. Tender engines don't shunt.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: We'll see about that.
 * George Carlin: Said Sir Topham Hatt.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: No engine on my railway is too important for small jobs.
 * George Carlin: And he hurried away to find Edward.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: The yard has never been the same since Thomas left to run his branch line.
 * George Carlin: He thought sadly. Edward was shunting.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Leave those freight cars please, Edward.
 * George Carlin: Said Sir Topham Hatt.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: I want you to push coaches for me in the yard.
 * Edward: Thank you, sir. That will be a nice change.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: That's a good engine. Off you go then.
 * George Carlin: So Edward found coaches for the three engines and that day, the train's ran as usual. But next morning, Edward looked unhappy. Gordon came clanking pass hissing rudely.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Bless me!
 * George Carlin: Said Sir Topham Hatt.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: What a noise!
 * Edward: They all hissed me, Sir.
 * George Carlin: Answered Edward.
 * Edward: They say tender engines don't shunt and last night they said I have gray wheels. I haven't have I, sir?
 * Sir Topham Hatt: No, Edward, you have nice blue ones, and I'm proud of you. Tender engines do shunt, but all the same we do need another tank engine here.
 * George Carlin: He went to the workshop and they showed them all sorts of engines. At last, he saw a smart little green engine with four wheels.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: That's the one.
 * George Carlin: He thought.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: If I choose you, will you work hard?
 * Percy: Oh sir, yes sir.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: That's a good engine. I'll call you Percy.
 * Percy: Yes sir, thank you sir.
 * George Carlin: And Sir Topham Hatt brought Percy back to the yard.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Edward.
 * George Carlin: He called.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Here's Percy. Will you show him everything?
 * George Carlin: Percy soon learned what he had to do and they had a happy afternoon. Then Henry came by hissing as usual.
 * Percy: Wheesh!
 * George Carlin: Went Percy. Henry jumped and ran back to the shed.
 * Edward: How beautifully you wheeshed him!
 * George Carlin: Laughed Edward.
 * Edward: I can't wheesh like that.
 * Percy: Oh.
 * George Carlin: Said Percy.
 * Percy: That's nothing. You should hear them in the workshop. You have to wheesh loudly to make yourself heard.
 * George Carlin: Next morning, Thomas arrived.
 * Thomas: Sir Topham Hatt sent to me. I expect he wants help.
 * George Carlin: He said to Edward.
 * Edward: Sh, sh, here he comes.
 * George Carlin: Replied Edward.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Well done, Thomas, you've been quick. Listen, Henry, Gordon and James are sulking they say they won't shunt like little tank engines, so I have shut them up and I want you both to run a line for a while.
 * Thomas: Little tank engines indeed.
 * George Carlin: Snorted Thomas.
 * Thomas: We'll show them.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: And Percy will help too.
 * Percy: Oh sir, yes sir, please sir.
 * George Carlin: Answered Percy. Edward and Thomas worked the main line greeting each other as they pass by. Percy puffed along the branch line. Thomas was anxious about Annie and Clarabel, but both driver and conductor promise to take care of them. They were fewer trains but the passengers didn't mind. They knew the three other engines were having a lesson. Gordon, James and Henry were cold, lonely and miserable. They wish now they haven't been so silly.