Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends: Into The Boob Verse.

Tippy's Trip To School

One of the worst parts about the maintenance trains is taking Tippy The Shunters Truck. Tippy is a tiny wagon, who carries tools, food and other things the workmen will need. While important, he can be awfully bossy, and coupled with a high pitched voice, Tippy's never made many friends.

One morning, Gromit was assisting with the workmen's train. They were relaying some track, near a level crossing. As they worked, Tippy closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep. No sooner had Tippy fallen asleep, three school boys came wandering along. They were known to be trouble, often vandalising property and verbally berating the engines. The leader of the boys saw his chance for tricks.

"Let's mess with that truck."

He whispered. His goons nodded in agreement. Without anyone noticing, the boys hopped the fence, and set to work fiddling with the brakes. At last, they vanished, leaving Tippy in a sorry state.

At last, Gromit went to shunt him away, but found he couldn't.

"What's the matter?"

The Forman asked. They found that someone had tampered with the brakes, leaving them jammed on.

"Looks like Tippy'll have to take a trip to the works."

Tippy was placed on a flatbed, and left in the yard. The engines were glad for the peace.

Only a day later, the weather took a turn for the worst. Heavy winds began sweeping the railway, tossing over signs and sending cargo flying. Tippy was kept safely tied to a flatbed, and was left undisturbed.

That all changed the day Tippy was bound for the works. The same boys were skipping class, and had wandered into the yard. They watched, as Malcom came fussing in.

"Shunting!"

He exclaimed.

"Where's Chattem or Duck, they're little engines, and built for a job like that!"

But Chattem was helping at the harbour, and Duck was busy elsewhere. Malcom had to shunt his own train, which he did so.

"Oi lads, I have an idea! Let's pinch the rope, so we can use it later aye?"

The leader whispered. The goons agreed. They waited, until the train was ready, and the trucks inspected. Once the coast was clear, they scrambled over, quickly pinching the rope holding down Tippy's front end! The little truck was horrified!

"Get away! Get away!"

He cried. But no one paid him any mind. The boys were gone in a flash, when the guard blew her whistle.

"Help!!"

Tippy shouted. But it was no use, Malcom was already snorting away. The boys quickly made their get away, thinking they'd gotten away, scot-free.

Malcom's run was horrid. As they'd passed the junction station, all traffic slowed to a crawl, as Malcom passed the maintenance train. He was eager to make up for lost time. Tippy wasn't feeling so good now.

"At least the winds pushing us forwards."

He squeaked in contemplation. This soon changed. As they neared the public high school, the wind suddenly changed, blowing against them!

"Come on!"

Malcom grunted.

"Not now!"

But it was even worse for Tippy. He was much lighter without tools being stored inside him, meaning he was helpless as he felt the wind start to blow under his wheels!

"Oh help!!"

He cried, but the wind was too strong! Malcom couldn't hear him! The rope holding him from behind could barely take the weight! At last, the guard noticed, and blew the whistle as loud as she could! Malcom's crew looked back in horror!

"Good grief! Tippy's flying!"

But it was too late. The rope snapped, tossing Tippy right into the school's parking lot! He landed with a thunk, right in front of the vandals! Malcom stopped half a mile on, looking rather pale.

"Oh dear."

Soon, Gromit arrived with the cranes, and Malcom returned to reload Tippy. They found the stolen rope in one of the boys bags, after Tippy had made such a fuss about it. The police were called, and led the boys away, as Tippy was refastened to his flatbed. Malcom felt very sheepish, as he set off.

"That'll teach those boys."

He lightly chuckled.

The boys were chargers, and had to partake in community service. The engines found it a great relief.

Tippy returned a few weeks later, none-the-wiser. He still works on the maintenance trains, and helps the workmen, although he hates going near schools.

Malcom told the other engines the story when he returned home. The engines found it a great joke.

"Must've wanted flying lessons!"

They'd joke. And while Tippy never has or will express interest in flying again, the engines do find their joke rather amusing indeed.