03x10 - The Trouble with Mud

[bunniefuu]

(soft music)

(upbeat piano music)

- [Narrator] One morning,

Thomas was being cleaned

when Gordon arrived.

Mud had blown all over

his smart, blue paint.

Hello, Gordon, called Thomas.

You look as if you've

had a mud bath.

Be a sensible engine and

have a shower instead.

Gordon snorted.

I haven't time to dottle

over my appearance

like fussy t*nk engines do.

The wind blew stronger.

Gordon, slow down,

called his driver.

This made Gordon crosser still.

Now I'll be dirty and late,

dirty and late, he hissed.

At the next station was a sign.

All trains must wash down daily.

James had just

finished being cleaned.

Come on, Gordon,

said his driver.

You'll feel better too

after a good hose down.

Bah, said Gordon, and

angrily let off steam.

You're a very naughty

engine, said Gordon's driver.

Now James will need

another shower.

You'll have to wait

your turn 'til later.

Good riddance, huffed Gordon.

I'm far too busy to

waste time with water.

He finished his journey

safely and steamed

into the big station.

Sir Toppenhaf was waiting.

So were Gordon's coaches

and the passengers.

Goodness gracious,

said Sir Toppenhaf.

You can't pull the train.

Henry will have to do it.

Gordon, you'd better

get clean straight away.

Gordon was soon being washed.

Mind my eyes, he grumbled.

Then he pulled cars for

the rest of the day.

Freight trains, freight

trains, he spluttered.

He felt his position deeply.

That's for you,

and you, and you.

Cars will be cars,

laughed James.

They won't with

me, snorted Gordon.

I'll teach them.

James got ready to take the

express when Gordon returned.

Be careful, warned Gordon.

The hills are slippery,

you may need help.

I don't need help on hills,

replied James, huffily.

Gordon thinks he

knows everything.

Earlier a storm had

swept Gordon's hill,

blowing leaves onto the tracks,

which made them slippery.

Even though the

storm had passed,

the hill was still

difficult to climb.

James knew this.

The signal showed clear, and

James began to go faster.

I'll do it, I'll

do it, he puffed.

Halfway up, he was not so sure.

I must do it, I must do it.

But his wheels

slipped on the leaves.

He couldn't pull

the train at all.

Help, help, whistled James.

His wheels were turning forward,

but the heavy coaches

pulled him backwards.

The whole train started

slipping down the hill.

His driver shut off steam

and put on the brakes.

Then carefully he

stopped the train.

Gordon saw everything.

Ah well, we live and learn.

Nevermind little James,

I'm going to push behind.

Clouds of smoke and

steam billowed from

the snorting engines

as they struggled up the hill.

We can do it, puffed James.

We will do it, puffed Gordon.

At last, they reached the top.

Beep, beep, thank you,

goodbye, whistled James.

Boop, boop, answered Gordon.

Goodbye.

That night, Sir Toppenhaf

came to see the engines.

Gordon was miserable.

Please Sir, said Thomas.

Can Gordon pull

coaches again now?

If you understand that

having a wash down

is essential to every engine,

then yes, Gordon, you may.

Thank you, grunted Gordon.

Dirty or clean, I'm

a famous machine.

But no one heard but him.

(upbeat piano music)