Narrator quotes from Thomas & Friends

Hello, Thomas. You look splendid.

Yes, indeed. Blue is the only proper color for an engine.

Oh, I don't know. I like my brown paint.

I've always been green. I wouldn't wanna be any other color, either.

Well, well, anyway, blue is the only color for a really useful engine. Everyone knows that.

Percy said no more. He just grinned at Toby.

[watches the hopper load coal into Percy's trucks] Careful. Watch out with those silly trucks.

Go on! Go on! Go on!

And by the way, those buffers don't look very safe to me.

The last load poured down.

HELP! I'M CHOKING! GET ME OUT!

Percy was worried, but he couldn't help laughing. Thomas' smart blue paint was covered in coal dust, from smoke-box to bunker.

Ha-ha! You don't look really useful now, Thomas. You look really disgraceful.

I'm not disgraceful. You did that on purpose. Get me out!

Fancy allowing cows to break his train!

They wouldn't dare do that to us. We'd show them!

Toby was cross.

You couldn't help it, Edward. They've never met cows. I have, and I know the trouble they are!

Some days later, Gordon rushed through Edward's Station.

Poop, Poop! Mind the Cows! Hurry, Hurry, Hurry!

What's this? A cow? I'll soon settle her. Be off! Be off!

Moo!

Henry backed away nervously.

I don't want to hurt her.

[to the passengers, after his second attempt to catch up to Edward has failed] I'm sorry.

Never mind. After him quickly. Third time lucky, you know. [to the driver] Do you think we'll catch him at the next station, Driver?

There's a good chance. Our road keeps close to the line, and we can climb hills better than Edward. I'll just make sure.

He spoke to the stationmaster. Bertie and the passengers waited impatiently.

Yes. We'll do it this time.

Hooray.

Edward is impossible. He clanks about like a lot of old iron, and he is so slow, he makes us wait.

Thomas and Percy were indignant.

"Old iron"? Slow?

Why, Edward could beat you in a race any day.

Really? I should like to see him do it.

[to the fireman] Two boys were on James' footplate, fiddling with the controls.

Whew.

They tumbled off and ran when James started.

The signalman answered the telephone.

Yes. He's here. Right. I'll tell him. [to the fireman again] The inspector's coming at once. He wants a shunter's pole and a coil of wire rope.

What for?

Search me. But you'd better get them quickly.

Now I understand how useful a traction engine can be.

The coaches were full of children. Trevor gave them rides along the harbor. He liked this best of all.

He's very kind.

He reminds me of Thomas.

Show a wheel, James. You can't stay here all day.

The Fat Controller told me to stay here. He sent a message this morning.

He did not. How could he? He's away for a week.

Oh. Oh! Where's Percy?

Percy had wisely disappeared.

I say, you engines, I'm to take some trucks to Thomas' junction. The Fat Controller chose me especially. He must know I'm a really useful engine.

More likely, he wants you out of the way.

Gordon looked across to James. They were making a plan.

James and I were just speaking about signals at the junction. We can't be too careful about signals, but then, I needn't say that to a really useful engine like you, Percy.

Percy felt flattered.

We had spoken of backing signals. They need extra special care, you know. Would you like me to explain?

No, thank you, James. I know all about signals.

Hello. Who are you?

I'm Harold. Who are you?

I'm Percy. What whirly great arms you've got!

They're nice arms. I can hover like a bird. Don't you wish you could hover?

Certainly not. I like my rails, thank you.

I think railways are slow. They're not much use, and quite out of date.

He whirled his arms and buzzed away. Percy found Toby at the top station.

I say, Toby, that Harold, that stuck-up whirlybird thing, says I'm slow and out of date! Just let him wait! I'll show him!

[after Thomas has finally stopped] Think nothing of it. Glad to be of service. Anytime.

Phew! We must never let this happen again, Thomas.

Wearily, Thomas agreed with him.

[to the engines beside Percy] What are you engines doing here?! This shed is for the Fat Controller's engines. Go away! [to himself] Silly things.

They're not silly!

They are silly, and so are you. [mocks] "Water's nothing to an engine with determination." Ha!

Anyway, I'm not afraid of water. I like it!

He ran off to the harbor singing.

[singing] Once an engine attached to a train

No one ever lets me forget the time I wouldn't come out of the tunnel in case the rain spoiled my paint.

[about to take Percy to the works] Well, well, well. Did you like the water?

No!

I am surprised. You need more determination, Percy. Water's nothing to an engine with determination, you know. Perhaps you will like it better next time.

Percy is quite determined that there won't be a "next time".

Shut up! [bumps the noisy trucks hard] I'm sorry our trucks were rude to you, Diesel.

Diesel was still furious.

It's all your fault. You made them laugh at me.

Nonsense. Duck would never do that. We engines have our differences but we never talk about them to the trucks. That would be dis-dis...

Disgraceful!

Disgusting!

Despicable!