The Fat Controller quotes from Thomas & Friends

I'm sorry, Sir. I should've listened to Duck's advice. I don't feel... "good gracious", or whatever it is. I just feel silly.

Well, Oliver, now you know the damage trucks can do.

Yes, I do, Sir. I look like a load of scrap iron.

[laughs] Oh, I don't think so! But you do need to go to the works to be mended.

I'm sorry about your accident. I always stand well back. Trucks don't like me.

Why didn't you warn me?!

I didn't think.

You never do. You can start thinking now while you're doing Peter Sam's work as well as your own. That'll teach you to pretend you are ill.

Sir Handel did start thinking... about Gordon.

Good evening, you three! Aren't we all a fine sight?

Very splendid, indeed.

Sorry we can't stop. The Fat Controller wants us all together at the station.

What is this about?

The Fat Controller has a plan. Come on.

So they followed the other engines to the Big Sheds at the end of the line. An excited chorus of whistles surrounded the area.

SILENCE! I have an important letter to read from a little girl who is 5 years old.

Dear Thomas and all the engines, please can I meet you? My friends say they would like to meet you, too. You can come to my house for tea, but my mom says there aren't any railway tracks to my house. Can you come to the station instead? Thank you very much!

It seems that there are many girls and boys who would like to meet you. Therefore, we are all going to the big city far away!

Hooray! Hooray!

Silence! Other engines will be working here while you're away, so please show them what to do.

The engines wondered who would pull the Royal Train.

I'm too old to pull important trains.

I'm in disgrace!

He'll choose me, of course.

You?! You can't climb hills! He'll ask me to pull the train, and I'll have a new coat of paint!

Then, the rain came. Henry's driver and fireman covered up their cab to keep dry. A painter was on a ladder above the line. Henry's smoke blew high into the air. The painter couldn't see. Both he and the paint pot fell all over Henry. Paint went everywhere. Poor Henry.

Well, you're not a pretty picture!

The Fat Controller spoke next.

You look like an iced cake, Henry. That won't do for the Royal Train. I must make other arrangements.

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 order again.

Thank you, sir. Thomas told me to be careful about fish. They got me in a right pickle, didn't they?

[after the crash] Well, Gordon, I know you wanted a panoramic view, but this is not the way to achieve it.

Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.

What's the dog's name?

Well, after today's events, I think I'll rename him Gremlin.

In that case, I've met one at last! [laughs]

Excuse me, Sir. But who is your very important visitor?

Why didn't I tell you? This lady is my mother. And she agrees with me: You are indeed really useful engines. And my mother, of course, is always right! [laughs again]

We can see what's been put upon you.

Silence. Percy, you've done a good day's work. Now get a good night's rest.

Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir.

That's my line of trucks.

It's not. It's mine. Yours is over there.

It's mine.

It's not.

It's mine!

It's not!

Stop quarreling you two, or the only thing you'll have left to share is...

...trouble!

Silly!

Silly yourself!

Bill and Ben, behave yourselves! It's clear to me that we need another diesel to help out. There is only one available. He's new and keen to make an impression.

If I were you, I'd get back to work right away.

Got you this time, Stepney! You'll make very fine scrap, indeed. Buffer him, Bert!

The diesels took him to the large smelter shed.

Bye-bye, Stepney! [laugh]

Stepney looked up. Above him was a huge grabber.

This engine's not for scrapping!

The grabber wasn't listening. But just as it was about to grab hold of him, it stopped. There stood The Fat Controller.

It's a good thing I've chosen to visit this yard tonight. Saving you from scrap is becoming a habit, Stepney. Please, stop it!

Yes, Sir! But I have learned something.

What's that?

There's no place like home!

And that's exactly where you're going now.

Bluebells forever!

Engines don't swim, Henry. You were meant to deliver fish, not swim with them. You should know that by now.

Yes, Sir. I'm sorry, Sir.

Will Gordon be scrapped, Sir?

What makes you think that?

Because the engines think the visitor is here to see if we can be replaced by Harold.

Well, the engines are wrong, and you shouldn't listen to rumours, Thomas. This gentleman is making a new playground for the children. It was easier to find a suitable site from up in the air.

And what's more, that tunnel sand will be perfect for the playground! Found by accident and rumour, you might say.

What was that?!

That's Tiger Moth. It's rude and flies much too low.

So I can see! Please take us up, Harold, before there's another disturbance.

Is there anything we can do to help?

Yes, indeed, there is.

This is the life, isn't it, my dear?!

Maybe my coming here wasn't such a good idea, Sir.

Nonsense!

But the engines don't like me. I'm too different.

Different is what makes you special.