The Flying Kipper

THE FLYING KIPPER

Transcript
Narrator: One winter evening Henry's Driver said...

Henry's Driver: We'll be out early tomorrow. We've got to take “The Flying Kipper”. Don't tell Gordon but I think if we pull the Kipper nicely Sir Topham Hatt will let us pull the express! The special coal they gave you is working well!

Henry: HOORAY!!!

Narrator: Cried Henry.

Henry: THAT will be lovely!

Narrator: All kinds of ships use the harbour at the big station by the sea. There are passenger ships, cargo ships and fishing boats also come here. They unload their fish on the key. Some of it goes to shops in the town and the rest in a special train to other places far away. This is the train and the railway men called “The Flying Kipper”. Henry was ready at five 'o' clock. There was snow and frost! Men hustled and shouted loading up the crates and fish! The last door banged, the guard showed his green lamp and “The Flying Kipper” was ready to go!

Henry: *starts up and whistles* Come on! Come on! Don't be silly! Don't be silly!

Narrator: Puffed Henry to the freight cars. The cars shuddered and groaned!

Foolish Freight Cars: Trickety trock! Trickety trock! All right! All right!

Henry: That's better! That's better!

Narrator: Puffed Henry. Clouds of smoke and steam poured from his funnel into the cold air and the fire's light shone brightly.

Henry: Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!

Narrator: Panted Henry. They were going well. The light grew better, signal lights shone green as they passed. Then a yellow signal appeared ahead. His driver prepared to stop, but the home signal was down.

Henry's Driver: All clear, Henry! Away we go!

Narrator: They couldn't know the switches from the main line to a siding were frozen and the home signal should had been set at 'DANGER', but snow had forced it down. A freight train was waiting in the siding to let “The Flying Kipper” pass and the driver and fireman were drinking cocoa in the caboose.

The Conductor: The Kipper is due.

Narrator: Said the conductor.

The Fireman: Who cares?

Narrator: Said the fireman.

The Fireman: This is good cocoa!

Narrator: The driver got up.

Henry's Driver: Come on, fireman! Back to our engine!

Narrator: They got out just in time!

Henry: *crashes into caboose by accident*

[An explosion is heard]

Narrator: Henry's driver and fireman had jumped clear before the crash, but Henry laid dazed and surprised. Sir Topham Hatt came to see him.

Henry: The signal was down, sir.

Narrator: Said Henry.

Sir Topham Hatt: Cheer up, Henry! It wasn't your fault! Ice and snow caused the accident! I'm sending you to Crewe a fine place for sick engines. They'll give you a new shape and a larger firebox! You'll feel a different engine and you won't need special coal anymore. Won't that be nice?

Henry: Yes, sir!

Narrator: Said Henry doubtfully. Henry liked being at Crewe, but was glad to come home. A crowd of people arrived to see him in his new shape. He looked so splendid and strong that they gave him three cheers!

Henry: Peep! Peep!

Narrator: He whistled.

Henry: Thank you very much!

Narrator: I'm sorry to say that a lot of little children are often late for school because they wait to see Henry go by! They often see him pulling the Express and he does it so well that Gordon is jealous. But that's another story.