Thomas Saves the Day

**Ringo Starr**: Every day, Sir Topham Hatt came to the station to catch his train.

**Sir Topham Hatt**: Hello.

**Ringo Starr**: He always said to Thomas.

**Sir Topham Hatt**: Don't let the silly freight cars tease you. Remember, you have an important job as a special helper in the train yard.

**Ringo Starr**: There were lots of freight cars and Thomas worked very hard pushing and pulling them into place. There was also a small coach, and two strange things his driver called cranes.

**Thomas’ Driver**: That’s the breakdown train.

**Ringo Starr**: He told Thomas.

**Thomas’ Driver**: The cranes are for lifting heavy things like engines, and coaches, and freight cars.

**Ringo Starr**: One day Thomas was in the yard, suddenly he heard an engine whistling.

**James**: Help! Help!

**Ringo Starr**: A freight train came rushing through much too fast. The engine was James, and he was frightened. His brake blocks were on fire.

**James**: They’re pushing me, they’re pushing me!

**Ringo Starr**: He panted.

**Freight Cars**: On, on!

**Ringo Starr**: Laughed the freight cars. Still whistling.

**James**: Help, help!

**Ringo Starr**: Poor James disappeared.

**Thomas**: I’d like to teach those freight cars a lesson.

**Ringo Starr**: Said Thomas the tank engine. Soon came the alarm.

**Signalman**: James is off the line! The breakdown train, quickly!

**Ringo Starr**: Thomas was coupled on, and off they went. Thomas worked his hardest.

**Thomas**: Hurry, hurry, hurry!

**Ringo Starr**: He puffed, he wasn’t pretending to be like Gordon, he really meant it.

**Thomas**: Bother those freight cars and their tricks, I hope poor James isn’t hurt.

**Ringo Starr**: James’ driver and fireman were feeling him all over to see if he was hurt.

**James’ Driver and Fireman**: Never mind, James.

**Ringo Starr**: They said.

**James’ Driver and Fireman**: It was those silly freight cars and your old wooden brakes that caused the accident.

**Ringo Starr**: Thomas pushed the breakdown train alongside. Then he pulled away the unhurt freight cars.

**Freight Cars**: Oh dear! Oh dear!

**Ringo Starr**: They groaned.

**Thomas**: Serves you right. Serves you right.

**Ringo Starr**: Puffed Thomas. He was hard at work puffing backwards and forwards all afternoon.

**Thomas**: This’ll teach you a lesson, this’ll teach you a lesson.

**Ringo Starr**: He told the freight cars, and they answered.

**Freight Cars**: Yes, it will. Yes, it will.

**Ringo Starr**: They left the broken cars. Then with two cranes they put James back on the rails. He tried to move, but he couldn’t, so Thomas helped him back to the shed. Sir Topham Hatt was waiting anxiously for them.

**Sir Topham Hatt**: Well, Thomas.

**Ringo Starr**: He said.

**Sir Topham Hatt**: I’ve heard all about it, and I’m very pleased with you. You’re a really useful engine. James shall have some proper brakes and a new coat of paint, and you shall have a branch line all to yourself.

**Thomas**: Oh, thank you, sir!

**Ringo Starr**: Said Thomas. Now Thomas is as happy as can be. He has a branch line and two coaches called Annie and Clarabel. He puffs proudly backwards and forwards with them, all day. He is never lonely. Edward and Henry stop quite often, and tell him the news. Gordon is always in a hurry, but never forgets to say "poop, poop" and Thomas always whistles "peep, peep" in return.