Foolish Freight Cars

**Ringo Starr**: James had not been out to push coaches or freight cars in the yard for several days. He was feeling miserable.

**James**: Oh, dear!

**Ringo Starr**: He thought.

**James**: I wonder how long I shall have to stay in the shed. Will anyone see my red 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?

**Ringo Starr**: At last Sir Topham Hatt arrived.

**Sir Topham Hatt**: I know you are sorry, James.

**Ringo Starr**: He said.

**Sir Topham Hatt**: 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.

**Ringo Starr**: 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.

**Ringo Starr**: James was delighted and puffed away.

**Thomas**: Here is your freight train, James.

**Ringo Starr**: Said Thomas.

**Thomas**: Have you got some bootlaces ready?

**Ringo Starr**: And he ran off laughing.

**Freight Cars**: Oh! Oh!

**Ringo Starr**: Said the freight cars.

**Freight Cars**: We want a proper engine, not a red monster.

**Ringo Starr**: James took no notice and started as soon as the conductor was ready.

**James**: Come along, come along.

**Ringo Starr**: He puffed.

**Freight Cars**: We won’t! We won’t!

**Ringo Starr**: Screamed the freight cars. But James didn’t care, and he puffed 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 would slip on, and sometimes, their axles would run hot. And each time the trouble had to be put right and each time James would 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!

**Ringo Starr**: Called the cars.

**James**: I can and I will! I can and I will!

**Ringo Starr**: 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.

**Ringo Starr**: Warned his driver.

**James’ Driver**: We’ll go fast and get them up before they know it. Don’t let them stop you.

**Ringo Starr**: So James went faster, and soon they were halfway up.

**James**: I’m doing it! I’m doing it!

**Ringo Starr**: He panted.

**James**: Will the top never come?

**Ringo Starr**: Then with a sudden jerk it all came easier.

**James**: I’ve done it! I’ve done it!

**Ringo Starr**: He puffed.

**James**: Hooray! It’s easy now.

**Ringo Starr**: But his driver shut off steam.

**James’ Driver**: They’ve done it again. We’ve left our tail behind! Look!

**Ringo Starr**: The last cars were running backwards down the hill. The coupling had snapped. But the conductor stopped the cars and got out to warn approaching engines.

**James**: That’s why it was easy.

**Ringo Starr**: Said James, as he backed the other cars carefully down.

**James**: What silly things freight cars are! There might have been an accident.

**Edward**: Shall I help you, James?

**Ringo Starr**: Called Edward.

**James**: Uh, no thank you.

**Ringo Starr**: Answered James.

**James**: I’ll pull them myself.

**Edward**: Good, don’t let them beat you. You’re doing well!

**Ringo Starr**: Whistled Edward, as James slowly struggled up the hill.

**James**: I can do it, I can do it.

**Ringo Starr**: He puffed. He pulled and puffed as hard as he could.

**James**: I’ve done it, I’ve done it.

**Ringo Starr**: He panted. They reached their station safely and James was resting in the yard when Edward pulled up.

**Edward**: Peep, peep.

**Ringo Starr**: He whistled. Then, James saw Sir Topham Hatt.

**James**: Oh dear! What will he say?

**Ringo Starr**: He asked himself. But Sir Topham Hatt was smiling.

**Sir Topham Hatt**: I was in Edward's train, and I saw everything.

**Ringo Starr**: He said.

**Sir Topham Hatt**: You’ve made the most troublesome train on the line behave. After that, you deserve to keep your red coat.