Edward Strikes Out Transcript

**Narrator:** Harvey is a tank engine with a huge, working crane on top of his boiler. He can use it to lift trucks, coaches and even engines up high and onto the tracks, whenever they have been derailed. But when compared to the likes of the Breakdown Cranes, who can lift entire engines high off the ground, Harvey can only lift the front of them, as his crane wasn’t as strong. This made him feel jealous and made him think he wasn’t as useful as them.

One day, Harvey was at Wellsworth, loading some cargo into some trucks, when Edward came in to put away his coaches. He could see how glum he looked.

**Harvey:** “The Fat Controller is bringing in some big, new, fancy crane from the Mainland.” Harvey said sadly.

**Edward:** “Oh, is that a problem?” asked Edward.

**Harvey:** “There are all these big cranes that can lift entire engines up high, while I can only lift empty trucks and boxes.” loading a crate onto a flatbed to prove his point, “Maybe I’m not as useful as people think I am.”

**Narrator:** Edward understood what he meant. He thought for a moment. And after a few reassuring words, in an attempt to brighten Harvey’s spirits, he puffed away to the shed. But Harvey still wasn’t sure. A few days later, the new crane arrived at Vicarstown. He was huge and red with visible hydraulics.

**The Fat Controller:** “This is Rocky,” The Fat Controller introduced, “he will be the new breakdown crane for the eastern side of the Island. Edward, could you shunt him to the yards, please?”

**Edward:** “Yes sir.”

**Narrator:** But Gordon was not all impressed.

**Gordon:** “*Pah*, newfangled nonsense.” he snorted from the other platform, “We’ve already got breakdown cranes, as well as a crane engine. I don’t see why we need another one.”

**The Fat Controller:** “Efficiency, Gordon.” replied the Fat Controller, who overheard, “With all of the new engines coming to the railway, more accidents are likely to happen. Better to be safe than sorry.” And he left.

**Gordon:** “A pointless addition if you ask me.” he muttered more quietly, before leaving.

**Narrator:** Usually, Edward wouldn’t agree with Gordon’s pompous opinions, but now, he was growing more worried that Harvey will be replaced by a big, new, fancy crane, though he didn’t say so out loud.

A few days later, Henry was taking a delivery of steel pipes to the Mainland. It was early morning and it was really frosty. There was a junction at the end of the forest and the signal was red. Henry tried to brake, but the icy rails made him slip, stop suddenly and bump into his trucks. The old trucks’ sides collapsed and the pipes spilled out all over the Main Line. It was a terrible mess. Edward had just come in from the quarry junction and had seen everything. Henry’s driver ran to the signal box and telephoned for the nearest crane. Unfortunately, the usual breakdown cranes were already occupied at Tidmouth. They were rerailing Emily after frost had frozen some track-points to the wrong line.

**Edward:** “In that case,” thought Edward, “we should send for Harvey. He’s… he’s much closer.”

**Narrator:** He wanted to prove that he was still as useful as any breakdown crane. So, while Henry puffed away to be checked over, Edward’s driver called the Killdane station master to send Harvey. But the steel pipes were too heavy for his crane arm. He can only lift them 3 by 3.

**Edward:** “You’re doing great, Harvey,” Edward sympathied, “keep it up.”

**Harvey:** “Dear me. I appreciate the thought, Edward,” he puffed wearily, “but this is gonna take ages.”

**James:** “You can say that again.” grumbled James on the third line, “I can’t keep my passengers waiting, not in this weather.”

**Narrator:** But just then, they all heard a noise that made their boilers run cold. It was Gordon’s whistle. He was coming in at high speed with the Express, unaware of the mess ahead, until it was too late. He braked hard with all his might, but he crashed into the pipes and was completely derailed. Luckily, none of his passengers were hurt, but the already huge mess was worse than before.

**Harvey:** “I can’t lift Gordon too.” sighed Harvey, “He’s way too heavy. I’ll be worn to bits.”

**James:** “Why doesn’t someone fetch Rocky? He could sort this out much quicker.” said James impatiently.

**Narrator:** Edward and Gordon gulped. With no other options, Edward had to make the right decision. He puffed over to Vicarstown to fetch Rocky.

**Rocky:** “Oh hello Edward,” yawned Rocky, “anything the matter?”

**Edward:** “Yes actually,” Edward frowned, “Gordon has had an accident on the Main Line. You’re the only one who can lift him back.”

**Rocky:** “Not ta worry, that’s what I’m ‘ere for. I’m happy ta help.”

**Narrator:** Edward towed Rocky to the accident site as quickly as he could. He knew James couldn’t keep waiting any longer. Edward soon came back and Rocky immediately started work. He started with Gordon’s tender and in one great attempt, he managed to lift the big, heavy engine back on the tracks. James and Gordon were most impressed.

**Gordon:** “Oh thank you, Rocky.” said Gordon, “I apologise for thinking you were newfangled nonsense.”

**Rocky:** “No worries, Gordon, any time.”

**Narrator:** Rocky then proceeded to lift ten pipes into each of Henry’s trucks. Harvey grew more upset with each lift. The Fat Controller had been watching the whole operation. After congratulating Rocky, he turned to Edward.

**The Fat Controller:** “Edward, you were present when the accident started. Why didn’t you collect Rocky straight away?”

**Narrator:** Edward looked over at Rocky, then to the much smaller Harvey and he sighed.

**Edward:** “I’m sorry sir, but Harvey told me about how the bigger cranes are much stronger than him. He thought that he’s not as useful as people think he is. I only wanted to make him feel more reliable.”

**Narrator:** The Fat Controller looked stern.

**The Fat Controller:** “I appreciate your loyalty, Edward, but in a situation like this, Rocky and other cranes are much more suitable. Harvey can still be useful, by loading cargo into trucks and dealing with small derailments. He is still a really useful crane.”

**Narrator:** Rocky spoke to him too.

**Rocky:** “Listen mate, I may have done the job quicker, but ya still did a great effort. 3 pipes at a time is still good strength. Besides, you’re much better than me in one aspect.”

**Harvey:** “What’s that?” asked Harvey.

**Rocky:** “You can come to the rescue all by yaself, while I can’t. Who do ya think brought me ‘ere in the first place.” He looked at Edward. “So what d’ya say? Can we be friends?”

**Narrator:** Harvey thought… and smiled.

**Harvey:** “Yeah.” he said silently.

**Narrator:** And all the engines whistled cheerfully for the two cranes. While the regular Breakdown Train can solve big problems on the West side of the Island, Rocky lives at Vicarstown to deal with accidents in the East. And whenever he gets the chance to, Harvey is now more than happy to shunt him to wherever he is needed. He may only be strong enough for smaller jobs, but he’s glad to know that he is still really useful.