Snow

S5 Ep.25

Snow

Summary: Thomas grumbles about the snowy weather Sodor’s having, so Rusty tells him a story about what happened to Skarloey one winter. The little engines was making his way to the Slate Mines, but has to pass through a ravine, where, above them, are the mines and a dangerously large heap of snow. At the Mines, a long line of full freight cars are being winched down the incline. But something goes wrong and they break away, where they crash through some buffers, and into the ravine. They disturbed they heap of snow, causing an avalanche to fall on Skarloey below. When workmen arrive to help dig him out, the heat from Skarloey’s boiler had packed the snow around them to make a sort of igloo. Once free, the men find the driver and fireman completely unharmed—just drinking cocoa as if nothing had happened!

Script

Narrator: It was winter time on the Island of Sodor. The snow covered fields and railway lines. All the engines were hard at work except Percy.

Thomas: Come on, Percy. This is no time to have a rest.

Percy: I’m stuck! And my funnel is freezing up! Driver’s gone for help.

Thomas: Huh!

Narrator: Huffed Thomas and went on his way. Later Thomas had to helped clear snow by a tunnel. But it was too deep. And he got stuck. Thomas was very cross.

Thomas: Snow is nothing but trouble!

Narrator: Moaned Thomas. Rusty was close by.

Rusty: Driver says this winter is as bad as the worst of all.

Thomas: How worse?

Narrator: Asked Thomas.

Rusty: I’ll tell you.

Narrator: Replied Rusty. And then the little engine did.

Rusty: Skarloey was working a line in a Slate Mine in the mountains. When the snow came, it was difficult to work. The useless snow as a double-buffer zone to help stop the cars skidding through the ravine. One day Skarloey set off to the Mine swith some empty cars. Meanwhile there was trouble at the Mine. The winch that holds the cars up and down wasn’t working properly. Skarloey had reached the ravine. High above him were the mine yards.

Skarloey’s driver: That snow looks dangerous.

Narrator: Said the driver.

Skarloey’s driver: The sound of your engine and the freight cars could cause an avalanche. I’ll set of an emergency cap. And see what happens.

Narrator: Skarloey watched as his driver prepared. Then they ran for the cap. The bang echoed around the gorge.

Skarloey: Nothing happened.

Skarloey’s driver: Good!

Narrator: Said his driver.

Skarloey’s driver: All is well! We’ll have a cup of cocoa and make our way.

Narrator: But high above them, was not well. A long line full of cars, was about to be winched down the slope. The had just started our journey when some empty cars became derailed. The winch groaned.

Freight Car 1: Break it!

Freight Car 2: Snap it!

Narrator: Shouted the freight cars. And…they did!

Freight cars: On! On! Faster! Faster!

Narrator: They giggled.

A workman: The snow back and buffer will stop them!

Narrator: Said a workman. But he was wrong. The freight cars plunged into the ravine.

(Freight cars falling down into the ravine)

Narrator: Skarloey and his driver heard the noise and looked up.

Skarloey + Skarloey’s driver: AVALANCHE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Narrator: They cried.

(The snow moves down)

(Snow covers Skarloey and his driver)

Narrator: When the slow plow cleared, there was no sign of Skarloey! He was buried deep inside the high drift blocking the ravine!

Rusty: And then came the funny moment part.

Thomas: What funny part? What about the avalanche?

Narrator: Asked Thomas.

Rusty: Welll. No one knew that the heat from Skarloey’s engine had helped him made an igloo.

The workmen: It’s a snowball! It’s a snow house! It’s an engine!

Narrator: They cleared away the ice. Only the fine Skarloey’s driver and fireman were drinking cocoa. As if nothing had happened!

Thomas: Lucky for him! Just goes to show you. And trust freight cars…

Narrator: Said Thomas.

Rusty: …or snow.

Narrator: Said Rusty. The manager just cleared away the snow from him when Gordon puffed by with his machine.

Gordon: Hey look out! There’s snow about! 

Narrator: He stopped by the tunnel and wheeshed loudly. Then it happened…

Gordon: Oh no!-US/Uh oh!-UK

(The snow covers Gordon)

Gordon: HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

Narrator: Cried Gordon.

Thomas: If Skarloey survived the snowfall probably a big proud engine like you should do the same!

Narrator: Chuckled Thomas.

Gordon: Puh!!!!!!

Narrator: Moaned Gordon. And he felt as silent as the snow………….