"Thomas is very proud of his branch line." "He thinks it's the most important part of the railway." "Annie and Clarabel agree with him." "Annie can only take passengers but Clarabel can take luggage and the guard too." "They are both old and need new paint but Thomas loves them very much." "As they run along the line, they sing songs." "Thomas sings, "Oh, come along." "We're rather late."" "And the coaches sing, "We're coming along."" "They know Thomas tries to please the Fat Controller so if he's cross, he's not cross with them." "One day they had to wait for Henry's train, which made Thomas very cross." ""How can l run my line if Henry is always late?" ""He doesn't realise the Fat Controller depends on me."" "He whistled impatiently." "He had to wait for Henry." "At last Henry came." ""Where have you been?"" ""My system is out of order." "No one understands," moaned Henry." ""Rubbish!" "You're too fat." "You need exercise."" "The guard blew his whistle and Thomas started so quickly he left him behind!" "The guard waved his flag to stop Thomas but he was gone!" ""Come along!" puffed Thomas but Clarabel didn't want to come." ""l've lost my guard!" she sobbed." ""We haven't a guard!" said Annie." "But Thomas wouldn't listen." "Annie and Clarabel tried to put on their brakes but they couldn't without the guard." "Thomas didn't stop till they came to a signal." ""Bother!" "What's wrong?" said Thomas." ""l don't know." "The guard will tell us."" "They waited and waited but the guard didn't come." ""Where is the guard?" whistled Thomas." ""We've left him behind!" sobbed Annie and Clarabel." "Everyone looked and there was the guard running along the line!" "He was very hot so he had a drink then told them all about it." ""l'm very sorry, Mr Guard," said Thomas." ""lt wasn't your fault." "Look, the signal is down." " "Let's make up for lost time!" - (Thomas tooting)" "Annie and Clarabel were so pleased to have their guard that they sang, "As fast as you like!"" "They reached the end of the line quicker than ever before."