The Adventures of Thomas & Friends: Thomas the Tank Engine

Thomas Breaks the Rules

There's a line to a quarry at the end of Thomas' Branch; it goes for some distance along the road. Thomas was always very careful to whistle here in case anyone was coming. Early one morning, a large policeman was sitting close to the line. Thomas liked policemen. He had been a great friend of the Officer who had just retired.
Thomas: Peep peep.
He whistled.
Thomas: Good morning.
Thomas expected that the new Officer would be friendly too. But he was sorry to see that he didn't look friendly at all. He was red in the face and very cross.
Policeman: Disgraceful!
He spluttered.
Policeman: I didn't sleep a wink last night, it was so quiet, and now engines come whistling suddenly behind me!
Thomas: I'm sorry, Sir.
Said Thomas.
Thomas: I only said "good morning".

The policeman pointed to Thomas.
Policeman: Where's your cow-catcher?
He asked.
Thomas: But I don't catch cows, Sir!
Policeman: Don't be funny!
Snapped the policeman. He looked at Thomas' wheels.
Policeman: No side plates either.
And he wrote in his notebook.
Policeman: Engines going on Public Roads must have their wheels covered, and a cow-catcher in front to protect people and animals from being dragged under the wheels if they stray onto the line. You haven't, so you are Dangerous.
Thomas' Driver: Rubbish!
Said Thomas' Driver.
Thomas' Driver: We've been along here hundreds of times and never had an accident.
Policeman: That makes it worse.
The policeman answered. He wrote "regular lawbreaker" in his book. Thomas puffed sadly away. Sir Topham Hatt was having breakfast. He was eating toast and marmalade. The butler came in.

Butler: Excuse me, Sir, you are wanted on the telephone.
Sir Topham Hatt: Bother that telephone!
Said Sir Topham Hatt.
—
Sir Topham Hatt: I'm sorry, my dear.
He said to his wife.
Sir Topham Hatt: Thomas is in trouble with the police, and I must go at once.
At the station, Thomas' Driver told Sir Topham Hatt what had happened.
Sir Topham Hatt: Dangerous to the Public indeed; we'll see about that!

Sir Topham Hatt spoke to the policeman. But however much he argued with him it was no good.
Policeman: The law is the law.
He said.
Policeman: And we can't change it.
Sir Topham Hatt felt exhausted.
Sir Topham Hatt: I'm sorry Driver.
He said.
Sir Topham Hatt: It's no use arguing with policemen. We will have to make those cow-catcher things for Thomas, I suppose.
Thomas: Everyone will laugh, Sir.
Said Thomas.
Thomas: They'll say I look like a tram.
Sir Topham Hatt stared, then he laughed.
Sir Topham Hatt: Well done, Thomas! Why didn't I think of it before? We need a tram engine! When I was on my holiday, I met a nice little engine called Toby. He takes freight cars from the farms, but the trucks are taking over most of his work, and he needs a change. He has cow-catchers and side plates. I'll write to his Superintendent at once.

A few days later Toby arrived.
Sir Topham Hatt: That's a good engine.
Said Sir Topham Hatt.
Sir Topham Hatt: I see you brought your coach, Henrietta.
Toby: You don't mind, do you, Sir?
Asked Toby.
Toby: The Stationmaster wanted to use her as a hen house, and that would never do.
Sir Topham Hatt: No, indeed.
Said Sir Topham Hatt.
Sir Topham Hatt: We couldn't allow that.
Toby made the silly cars behave even better than Thomas did.
Policeman: Oi, you!
At first Thomas was jealous, but he was pleased when Toby rang his bell and frightened the policeman they've been firm friends ever since.