Shelbert, Mary and the Stout Pony

Transcript
Narrator: Shelbert is a Steam Engine, he has a cowcatcher, and Mary is a diesel engine who doesn't look like a steam engine at all, they take freight cars from farms and villages to the main line and are cheerful to everyone they meet, Shelbert has a coach calle del Bella who has seen better days.

Bella: it's not fair at all

Narrator: she grumbles, rememberings used to be full and nine cars would rattle behind her, now there only three or four for farms and factories send their goods mostly by truck, Shelbert and Mary are always careful, cars buses and trucks often have accidents Shelbert and Mary have not had an accident for years, the buses are crowded and Bella is empty, a lady and a stout pony stood on Shelbert and Mary's platform, Shelbert was of course a Topham Hatt but Shelbert and Mary didn't know this yet.

Hoity Toity's Children: come on grandfather.

Narrator: cried the children.

Hoity Toity's Grandson: to look at those engines.

Hoity Toity: that's a tenderless engine, and that is a Diesel engine son.

Narrator: said Hoity Toity.

Hoity Toity's granddaughter: does it have a bell the red engine.

Narrator: asked Hoity Toity's granddaughter.

Shelbert: push.

Narrator: hissed Shelbert.

Hoity Toity's Grandson: shhh shhh.

Narrator: said her brother.

Hoity Toity's Grandson: you've offended him, and not her.

Hoity Toity's Granddaughter: but the pink one is electric, aren't they.

Hoity Toity: diesel engines are mostly electric, but not the steam engine.

Hoity Toity's Children: May we go it grandfather please.

Hoity Toity: stop.

Narrator: said Hoity Toity to the conductor, they all scrambled into Bella.

Mary and Bella: hip-hip-hooray.

Narrator: chanted Mary and Bella, but Shelbert didn't sing.

Shelbert: electric indeed, electric indeed.

Narrator: he snorted, he was proud of being a steam train.

Hoity Toity: what is your name.

Narrator: asked Hoity Toity.

Shelbert: Shelbert sir and this is Mary.

Mary: hi, I’m Mary.

Hoity Toity: thank you Shelbert and Mary for a very nice ride.

Shelbert and Mary: thank you sir.

Narrator: said Shelbert and Mary, Shelbert felt better now

Shelbert: this gentlepony.

Narrator: he fought.

Shelbert: is a gentlepony who knows how to speak to engines, the children came every day for two weeks, sometimes they rode with the conductor and sometimes in empty cars,mon the last day of all the driver invited them into his cab, all were sorry when they have to go away, and Hoity Toity and his family thanked everyone.

Shelbert: come again soon.

Narrator: replied Shelbert.

Hoity Toity's Children: we will, we will.

Narrator: called the children, and they waved till Shelbert and Mary were out of sight, the months passed, Shelbert and Mary had few cars Andy fewer passengers.

Shelbert and Mary's Drivers: our last day Shelbert and Mary.

Narrator: said their drivers one morning.

Shelbert and Mary's Drivers: the manager says we must close tomorrow.

Narrator: that day everyone wanted the chance of a last ride, the passengers joked and sang, but Shelbert, Mary and their drivers wish they wouldn't.

Passengers: goodbye Shelbert and Mary.

Narrator: said the passengers afterwards.

Passengers: we are sorry your line is closing down.

Shelbert: so are we.

Narrator: said Shelbert.

Shelbert: nobody wants us.

Narrator: Shelbert thought, and they went on happily to sleep, next morning the sheds were flung open and old Shelbert and Mary woke with the start to see their drivers waving a piece of paper at him.

Shelbert and Mary's Drivers: wake up Shelbert and Mary.

Narrator: shouted excitedly.

Shelbert: That mail has just arrived and there is a letter from the stoutpony, maybe it's good news.