Fish

S4 Ep.24

Fish (GC)

Summary: A special order of fish is brought into the harbor, and so old and rickety vans are coupled to the end of the Flying Kipper. Thomas warns Duck that fish can be a bother (going by his own experience). Later that night, Duck banker for Henry up Gordon’s Hill, but the tail lamp on the end of the train falls off. Duck gets confused, no longer able to see the train, which causes Henry to slow down. Blindly, Duck speed up in an attempt to find the train and crashes into the rear van, sending a fish everywhere. He knows exactly what Thomas means.

Script

Narrator: On starry nights when the moon is full and the air is still, you can hear the sounds of far away ships and distant laughter’s. They echo over the hills and through the valleys. Down calm canals and sleepy. Every engine knows that these are the sounds that say the harbor is hard at work at the big station by the sea. One night a special a special load of fish was ordered. Sir Topham Hatt decided that extra vans must be added to the train the men called “The Flying Kipper”. The only vans available are the old ones. They hadn’t been used for a long time. Henry waited impatiently by the key side as Duck shunted them into position. Thomas puffed by with the mail train.

Thomas: Hello, Duck. Going fishing? I’d take care if I were you.

Duck: Why?

Narrator: Huffed Duck.

Thomas: Well for one thing, if fish get into an engines boiler they always cause trouble. And for another, fish can be awfully smelly. And I know what I’m talking about? Good night.

(Thomas puffs away)

Narrator: Henry grunted dreadfully.

Henry’s driver: You’ll just have to put up with it, Henry.

Narrator: Said his driver.

Henry’s driver: At least the extra load will mean you can have another engine help us up Gordon’s Hill.

(Henry sets off)

Narrator: Meanwhile Duck was waiting at Edward Station so that he could help the heavy train by pushing from behind. Henry made good progress. When he reached Edward Station, his driver stopped the train beyond the platform. Then Henry gave a special signal.

Henry: Peep. Peep. Peep. Peep. I need help please!

Duck: Peep. Peep.

Narrator: Replied Duck.

Duck: It won’t be long!

Narrator: Duck buffered gently up to Henry’s train. He was not coupled on. Henry would then be able to run on without stopping when they reached the top of the hill.

Duck: Ready!

Narrator: Whistled Duck. And off they went. Soon they reached Gordon’s Hill

Henry: Push hard! Push hard!

Narrator: Puffed Henry.

Duck: We’re doing it! We’re doing it!

Narrator: Replied Duck. Henry was pulling his train harder than he realized.

(The lamp falls down)

Narrator: Duck felt the weight on his buffers slacking. Then Duck noticed something else.

Duck: There is no sign of a tail lamp!

Narrator: He puffed. And he whistled but there was no reply. Meanwhile Henry noticed something too.

Henry: My train’s getting heavier!

Narrator: He thought to himself.

Henry: I’m slowing down!  

Narrator: Then there was trouble…

(Duck crashes into the loads of Henry)

(Henry stops at the hill)

Narrator: No one was hurt. But a strong smell of fish rolled into the air. The next day, workmen found the broken tail lamp at the bottom of the hill.

(Workmen look at the broken tail lamp)

Narrator: Sir Topham Hatt spoke kindly to Duck.

Sur Topham Hatt: The accident wasn’t your fault. We should’ve checked that this tail lamp was fixed on properly. We’ll soon have you in working in order again.

Duck: Thank you, Sir.

Narrator: Said Duck sadly.

Duck: Thomas told me to be careful about fish. They got me in the right pickle didn’t they?