00:01The engines were finding life difficult.
00:05Wordmen were mending the viaduct on the main line.
00:10The archers needed strength.
00:13Fat controller did not want to close the railway while the work was done.
00:17And so repairs took a long time.
00:35The engines had to take great care when crossing Prydal.
00:39And the delay often made them late on their journey to the junction,
00:43where they knew Thomas would be ready to collect his passengers.
01:04Thomas grew crosser and crosser.
01:07Time's time, he grumbled.
01:09Why should I keep my passengers waiting
01:12while Henry and James dawdle about all day on viaducts?
01:17Don't blame me, snorted Henry.
01:20If we hurried across the viaduct, it might collapse.
01:23And then you'd have no passengers at all.
01:26What would you do then?
01:27Run my train on time for one thing, retorted Thomas.
01:31He hurried away before Henry could answer.
01:37Bertie was impatient too.
01:41He was timed to arrive just after Thomas.
01:44His passengers found that,
01:46instead of going straight from the bus to their train,
01:49they were kept waiting till Thomas arrived.
01:53Soon Bertie grew cross with Thomas.
01:55Late again, he remarked, as Thomas panting wearily in.
02:06We may be friends, but I thought you could go fast, Thomas.
02:11It's time we had another race.
02:13I reckon I could beat you now.
02:15Thomas let off steam loudly.
02:19Rubbish, he hissed fiercely.
02:21It's those main line engines.
02:23They dither about on their viaduct and then blame the fat controller's workmen.
02:29It's just an excuse for laziness if you ask me.
02:38One day, James was later than ever at the junction.
02:42I'm sorry, Thomas, he puffed.
02:45I was held up at the station and the viaduct made it worse.
02:49It's lucky for you I'm a guaranteed connection, grumbled Thomas.
02:54Before James could answer, he puffed a portal for your whale.
02:59Come along, come along, he panted to the coaches.
03:03Annie and Clarabel did their best.
03:06Thomas soon found that he couldn't save much time.
03:14Suddenly Thomas saw Bertie ahead.
03:17His radiator was steaming.
03:20What's the matter? asked Thomas.
03:23You should be at the station by now.
03:25You're late.
03:26I feel dreadful, moaned Bertie.
03:30All upset inside.
03:32And driver says he can't make me better.
03:35Thank goodness you're late too.
03:37Can you take my passengers please?
03:40They'll never get home otherwise.
03:42Of course, agreed Thomas.
03:44He now felt sorry for Bertie
03:46and promised to get help at the next station.
03:50Thomas set off again.
03:52Already he felt much more cheerful.
03:54And Bertie's passengers,
03:56travelling in Annie and Clarabel,
03:58all reached home safely.
04:01When Bertie was better,
04:03he came to thank Thomas.
04:05I'm sorry I teased you about being late, he said.
04:08That's all right, said Thomas.
04:10I'm glad I could help.
04:12There are times when being late
04:14isn't such a bad thing after all.
04:17With a last cheerful greeting,
04:20the two friends went back to work.
04:22And now,
04:23we're going to see you at the next station with Chu.
04:25We're gonna see you now.
04:28We'll have to wait.
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