TOBY THE TRAM ENGINE
Transcript[]
Narrator: TOBY THE TRAM ENGINE. Toby is a tram engine. He has cow catchers and side plates and doesn't look like a steam engine at all! He takes freight cars from farms and villages to the main line and is cheerful to everyone he meets. He has a coach called Henrietta, who has seen better days. 'It's not fair at all' she grumbles, remembering that she used to be full and nine cars would rattle behind her.
Toby: *rings bell*
Narrator: Now there are only three or four and the farms and factories send their goods mostly by truck. Toby is always careful, but cars, buses and trucks can have accidents. Toby hasn't had an accident for years. The buses are crowded and Henrietta is empty.
Toby: *rings bell and slows down to stop* A lady and a stout gentleman stood on Toby's platform. He was, of course, Sir Topham Hatt, but Toby didn't know this yet.
Stephen & Bridget: Come on, Grandfather.
Narrator: Cried the children.
Stephen & Bridget: Do look at this engine!
Sir Topham Hatt: That's a tram engine, Stephen.
Narrator: Said Sir Topham Hatt.
Bridget: Is it electric?
Narrator: Asked Bridget.
Toby: WHOOSSSHHHH!!!!
Narrator: Hissed Toby.
Stephen: SSSHHHH!!!
Narrator: Said her brother.
Stephen: You've offended him.
Bridget: But trams ARE electric, aren't they?
Sir Topham Hatt: They are mostly, but this is a steam tram.
Stephen & Bridget: May we go in it, Grandfather? Please?
Sir Topham Hatt: Stop!
Narrator: Said Sir Topham Hatt to the conductor. They all scrambled into Henrietta.
Toby: *grumpily rings bell and starts*
Narrator: Toby was still cross.
Toby: Electric indeed. Electric indeed.
Narrator: He snorted. He was very hurt.
Sir Topham Hatt: What is your name?
Narrator: Asked Sir Topham Hatt.
Toby: I’m Toby, sir.
Sir Topham Hatt: Thank you, Toby, for a very nice ride.
Toby: *rolls eyes* You’re welcome.
Narrator: Said Toby. He felt better now. 'This gentleman,' he thought. 'Is a gentleman who knows how to speak to engines'. The children came everyday for a fortnight. Sometimes they rode with the conductor, sometimes in empty cars. On the last day of all, the driver invited them into his cab. All were sorry when they had to go away.
Toby: *sadly looks down*
Narrator: And Sir Topham Hatt and his family thanked everyone.
Toby: *rings bell* Come again soon!
Narrator: Replied Toby.
Stephen & Bridget: We will, we will.
Narrator: Called the children. They waved 'till Toby was out of sight. The months passed, Toby had few trucks and fewer passengers.
Toby's Driver: Our last day, Toby.
Narrator: Said his driver one morning. The manager says we must close tommorow. That day everyone wanted the chance of a last ride. The passengers joked and sang. Toby and his driver wished they wouldn't.
Toby: *starts and goes under the 'Farewell Toby' sign*
Passengers: Goodbye, Toby.
Narrator: Said the passengers afterwards.
Passengers: We ARE sorry your line is closing down.
Toby: So am I.
Narrator: Sighed Toby. 'Nobody wants me', Toby thought. And went unhappily to sleep. Next morning, the shed was flung open and old Toby woke with a start to his driver waving a piece of paper at him.
Toby's Driver & Fireman: Wake up, Toby!
Narrator: They shouted excitedly.
Toby's Driver & Fireman: The mail has just arrived and there's a letter for us from the Stout Gentleman! Maybe it’s good news!