Thomas was waiting at a junction, when a bus arrived. Thomas: Hello! Said Thomas. Thomas: Who are you? Bertie: I'm Bertie, who are you? Thomas: I'm Thomas; I run this branch line.
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Bertie: So you're Thomas. Ah - I remember now, you got stuck in the snow, I took your passengers and Terence the Tractor pulled you out. I've come to help you with your passengers today. Thomas: Help me! Said Thomas. Thomas: I can go faster than you. Bertie: You can't. Said Bertie. Thomas: I can. Huffed Thomas. Bertie: I'll race you. Said Bertie. Their Drivers agreed to the race going ahead. The Stationmaster said: Stationmaster: Are you ready? – Go! Thomas never could go fast at first, and Bertie drew in front. Annie and Clarabel: Why don't you go fast? Why don't you go fast?
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Called Annie and Clarabel. Thomas: Wait and see, wait and see. Hissed Thomas. Annie and Clarabel: He's a long way ahead. They wailed, but Thomas didn't mind. He remembered the level crossing. There was Bertie fuming at the gates while they sailed gaily through. Thomas: Goodbye, Bertie. Called Thomas. After that the road left the railway, so they couldn't see Bertie. Then they had to stop at the station to let off passengers. Thomas: Peep peep! Quickly, please! Called Thomas, and off they went again. Thomas: Come along! Come along!
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Sang Thomas. Annie and Clarabel: We're coming along! We're coming along! Sang Annie and Clarabel. Thomas: Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Panted Thomas. Then he looked ahead - there was Bertie, tooting triumphantly on his horn! Thomas: Oh, deary me! Oh, deary me! Groaned Thomas. Thomas' Driver: Steady, Thomas. Said his Driver. Thomas' Driver: We'll beat Bertie yet. Annie and Clarabel: We'll beat Bertie yet; we'll beat Bertie yet. Echoed Annie and Clarabel. Thomas: We'll do it; We'll do it. Panted Thomas. Thomas: Oh, bother, there's a station. Then he heard Bertie. Bertie: Goodbye, Thomas, you must be tired. Sorry I can't stop, we buses have to work you know. Goodbye! Thomas: Oh, dear. Thought Thomas. Thomas: We've lost.
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But he felt better after a drink. The signal dropped. Thomas: Hurrah, we're off! Hurrah, we're off! Puffed Thomas. As they crossed the bridge they heard an impatient "Honk, Honk," there was Bertie waiting at the traffic lights. He started with a roar, and chased on after Thomas again. Now Thomas reached his full speed. Bertie tried hard, but Thomas was too fast; whistling triumphantly he plunged into the tunnel, leaving Bertie toiling far behind. Thomas: We've done it! We've done it! Panted Thomas. Annie and Clarabel: We've done it, hooray! We've done it, hooray! Chanted Annie and Clarabel; as they whooooshed into the last station. Everyone was there to celebrate Thomas' victory. But they gave Bertie a big welcome too.
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Bertie: Well done, Thomas. Said Bertie. Bertie: That was fun, but to beat you over that hill I should have to grow wings and be an airplane. They now keep each other very busy. They often talk about their race. But Bertie's passengers don't like being bounced like peas in a frying-pan! And Sir Topham Hatt has warned Thomas not to race at dangerous speeds. So although (between you and me) they would like to have another race, I don't think they ever will. Do you?
