The Missing Coach/Transcript CGI version
[The episode opens with a full view of a crate]
Narrator: “The Missing Coach”. (Written by Davey Moore)
[The camera moves up from the crate to reveal Rebecca resting in Knapford Yard]
Narrator: One afternoon, Rebecca was resting at the shunting yard when the Scottish twins, Donald and Douglas puff up alongside her.
[Donald and Douglas puff up alongside Rebecca at both sides, whistling in greeting]
Rebecca: Oh, hello you two.
Donald: Hello, Rebecca. Nice to see you today.
Douglas: How are ya today, lassie?
Rebecca: I’m great, thanks. I just have a great run pulling the Express with Gordon. The passengers even sing my praises.
Donald: Ah, we see. Glad to see ya gettin some of the credit.
Douglas: Aye, you were a great help to Gordon during the busy times. I wouldnae be surprised if he’s too proud to thank you for your help, given what he’s like.
Rebecca: (chuckles) True but he really enjoys my help. You could say I made him much happier.
[Then she ponders for a moment]
Rebecca: Uh, there is something I wanted to ask you two. How did The Fat Controller come to have you two join his railway?
Donald: Well…
Douglas: Actually….
Donald and Douglas: (split screen) He didn’t.
Rebecca: (puzzled) Huh? He didn’t? But I thought…
Donald: Well, the thing is, he was expecting one engine back then. He only ordered me.
Douglas: (chuckles) And I stowaway with him. If I hadn’t, I would’ve been at risk of being scrapped.
Rebecca: Whoa. Then how did you manage to both come and stay if he was only expecting one engine?
Donald: Well, lass, we’d be glad to tell ye.
Narrator: And this is the story Donald and Douglas told Rebecca.
[The scene ripples to show lots of passengers on Knapford Station’s platform, boarding the express. Gordon and Thomas look very tired as he puffs out]
Narrator: A long time ago back then, more and more people travelled on the North Western Railway. Everyone has to work very hard indeed.
[Duck and Percy were seen shunting trucks in Knapford Station Yard, frowning]
Narrator: The trucks complain bitterly but then trucks always do and no one takes much notice.
Trucks: Ooh! Ow! Hey! Quit it! Careful!
[Duck just rolled his eyes and carried on. The scene changes to Henry waiting at Tidmouth station with red express coaches as James puffs onto the other platform with red branch line coaches]
Narrator: The coaches feel the brunt of the workload too. No sooner had they finished one run, another was underway.
[James frowns as he looks at the passengers disembarking while Henry puffs out. The scene changes to Duck, Gordon, Henry and James at the Shunting Yards]
Henry: No one can say that we’re afraid of hard work but…
Gordon: We draw the line at goods trains. All this extra work is tiring us out.
James: Dirty trucks, dirty sidings, ugh! (shudders) It’s awful for my paint!
Duck: What are you all boiler-aching about? I remember on the Great Western….
Gordon: That tin pot railway.
Duck: (angered) Tin pot indeed! Let me tell you…
The Fat Controller: Silence!
[The engines turn to see The Fat Controller standing on the platform of a warehouse near them]
The Fat Controller: Thank you. Now, you’ll all be pleased to know that an engine for goods work will arrive from Scotland tomorrow.
Gordon, Henry, James and Duck: (whistles with delight)
Henry: Well, I’ll be. That’s a relief.
James: Now I’II be able to pull coaches again and take breaks between trains at last.
Duck: Glad to hear it, sir. It would take the weight off our buffers.
Gordon: And about time too. Whoever it is shall be helpful to us during this busy time of year.
[The scene changes to The Fat Controller’s office door at Knapford]
Narrator: But the following day, The Fat Controller got a big surprise.
[The Fat Controller was inside his office, monitoring the engines’ positions on his map table when a knock was heard on the door]
The Fat Controller: Oh, bother. Come in.
[An inspector walks in]
Inspector: Sir?
The Fat Controller: Hello, Inspector. What can I do for you?
Inspector: The engine you purchased from Scotland has arrived, sir.
The Fat Controller: Ah, that’s good news. Right on time. Where is he?
Inspector: They’re waiting in the yard at Tidmouth for you, sir.
The Fat Controller: That’s good. I’II be… (puzzled) They? What do you mean by “they”?
Inspector: Apparently, sir, there’s two engines.
The Fat Controller: (stares) Two engines, Inspector?
Inspector: Yes, sir.
The Fat Controller: We only ordered one engine. Send the other one back.
Inspector: Right. Certainly, sir but, ah, which one?
The Fat Controller: (stares again) Engines have numbers, Inspector. We bought number 57646. So send the other one back at once.
Inspector: I would be able to do that, sir but there is a complication with that.
The Fat Controller: And what’s that?
Inspector: The engines are exactly alike, sir and they don’t have numbers. They claimed to have lost them on the way.
The Fat Controller: (bewildered) Lost them on the way? Engines can’t lose their numbers, Inspector. They’re painted on. Therefore, it’s impossible to lose them.
Inspector: That may be true, sir but they’ve arrived without them.
The Fat Controller: (cocks an eyebrow) Are you sure?
Inspector: Absolutely, sir. It’s not a joke. The engines really don’t have numbers I assure you.
The Fat Controller: I see. (walks over to a hatstand and seizes his top hat) Well, we’ll soon settle that nonsense. Come along.
[He puts his hat on and walks out of the office with the inspector. The scene changes to two identical black tender engines at Tidmouth Station Yard as The Fat Controller and the inspector arrived]
Narrator: At Tidmouth Station Yard, the two engines greeted him cheerfully.
Donald and Douglas: (whistles) Morning, sir!
The Fat Controller: Greetings, you two. I am Sir Topham Hatt, controller of this railway. Welcome to Sodor. So, I hear you have lost your numbers. How did that happen?
Donald: They must’ve slyly slippen’ off, sir.
Douglas: Aye. Ye ken hoo it is.
The Fat Controller: Hmm-mm. I know, accidentally…on purpose.
Douglas: (pretending to be surprised) Oh, sir, you wouldnae be thinkin’ we lost them on purpose would ya now?
The Fat Controller: Well, I’m not so sure. Numbers are painted on. They don’t just get lost now, do they? So, which one of you is 57646?
Douglas: Um, well, we’ve had lots of numbers over the years, sir. Neither of us know which we ended up with.
Donald: Aye. We cannot see our cab sides after all. And we cannae exactly remember it either.
The Fat Controller: I see. What are your names?
Donald: Donald….
Douglas: And Douglas, sir.
The Fat Controller: Good. Now we’re getting somewhere. Your controller can tell me which of you is which.
Donald: Oh, you’ll get nae muckle help from him, sir.
The Fat Controller: Why ever not?
Douglas: He doesnae know our names. How could he? We’ve only given ourselves names when we lost our numbers.
The Fat Controller: I… (growls in frustration, getting nowhere and having difficulties of his own before turning to the inspector) Inspector?
Inspector: Yes, sir?
The Fat Controller: Give these engines numbers, 9 and 10 and put them to work.
Inspector: Right away, sir.
Donald and Douglas: Ooh! Aye.
The Fat Controller: Now you two listen and you listen well. If I’m to have an extra engine on my railway, then I expect double the output. One of you is playing truant and I will find him out and send him home. Good day.
[He turned and walked away. The scene changes to workman painting numbers 9 and 10 on Donald and Douglas’ tenders, recreating the shot from Season 2’s episode Break Van]
Narrator: Soon, workman came to give the twins their new numbers. Donald was given the number 9 and Douglas was given the number 10.
[Donald and Douglas beamed as they watched the workman painting the red lining on their new numbers. The scene cuts to them alone at Tidmouth Railway Works near Tidmouth Sheds after their numbers were added]
Narrator: When the workmen went away, they were left alone.
Donald: You may have noticed, Douggie that yon painters have forgot somethin’.
Douglas: What did they forget, Donnie?
Donald: They’ve painted brand new numbers on our tenders but they put none on us.
Douglas: (gasps with a grin, knowing what Donald is getting at) You mean that we can…
Donald: (grins) Just that. (winks) Anything to ensure we’II be safe here. Hold your wheesht. Here comes the inspector.
Inspector: Now, 9 and 10, here’s Duck.
[Duck puffs up into view]
Inspector: He’ll show you around before you start work.
Douglas: Yes, sir.
Donald: We cannae wait. (to Duck) It’s a pleasure to meet ye, Duck. I’m Donald and this is my brother, Douglas.
Duck: Likewise, you two. Now come along, we’ve got a lot of work to do. [He reversed while the Scottish Twins puffed forward. The scene changes to Douglas under a coal hopper as Duck back down a line of trucks next to him which recreates a promo picture of the Missing Coach]
Narrator: Donald and Douglas enjoyed themselves in the yard and soon became good friends with Duck.
[In Tidmouth Station, Duck watches on the middle track as Donald backs down a rake of red express coaches into the platform. They smile at each other]
Narrator: They didn’t mind what they did. They tackle goods trains and coaches easily.
[Gordon, Henry and James watch in confusion from the station as Donald shunted coaches and Douglas shunted trucks]
Narrator: For once the twins shunted them....
Douglas: (stern) There should be no trouble from you lot as long as we’re here. So behave yourselves or we’ll make ye, understand?
Troublesome Trucks: (feeling a bit surprised but submitted) Yes, Douglas.
Narrator: The trucks knew better than to try any tricks on them.
[Duck watches with pride, proudly as the scene changes to him, Donald and Douglas resting at a water tower]
Duck: Well, you two are doing a fine job. I’m surprised that you managed to keep the Troublesome Trucks in line.
Donald: Aye, well, when you work with trucks back home, you have to keep them in order to ensure that there won’t be any trouble on our journeys.
Douglas: Aye, you’d be surprised how many times we’ve dealt with em in the past.
Duck: Heh. I’II be sure to be impressed. How are you two enjoying yourselves here so far?
Donald: Very well, thank ye. We like it fine here.
Duck: That’s good but take my tip. Watch out for Gordon, Henry and James. They’re sure to try some nonsense.
Douglas: Ah, dinnae fash yourself, we’ll soon settle them in their place, eh, Donald?
Donald: Aye, we sure will.
Duck: How are you gonna do that?
Donald: You’II see. (winks)
[The scene changes to Donald and Douglas passing each other with a passenger train and goods train]
Narrator: Donald and Douglas have deep-toned whistles.
Donald and Douglas: (whistling)
Narrator: The other engines find it very funny indeed.
[The scene changes to Gordon and Henry at Knapford Station Yard]
Gordon: I tell you, Henry, those twins’ whistles are so funny. They sound like buses.
Henry: (chuckles) Or ships. Reminds me of a show my driver watches.
Gordon: Tugboat Annie. (laughs)
[Donald and Douglas’ wheels and tenders were seen as they puffed up alongside on each end with stern looks]
Donald: You wouldn’t be making fun of us would you now?
[Gordon and Henry jumped in shock and glance nervously from side to side]
Gordon: (stutters) No, no, not at all.
Henry: (stammers) Certainly not.
Douglas: That’s fine. Now just mind the both of ya and keep it that way.
Narrator: And that was the way they kept it.
[Gordon and Henry look down at their buffers in shameful stunned silence, now knowing not to mess with Donald and Douglas. The scene changes to a clock at Tidmouth station as Gordon puffs in with the Express]
Narrator: Every day, Gordon steamed into Knapford or Tidmouth station with the Express. [The scene cuts to a orange branch line coach that looks like Annie and Clarabel at the back of the Express]
Narrator: There’s also a special coach at the end of the train for passengers from England, Wales and Scotland, travelling to places on Thomas’ branchline.
[Duck was seen, pulling the coaches away in reverse then shut the special coach to the bay platform]
Narrator: When the coaches were taken away, engines had to remember to shunt the special coach separately into the bay platform. It doesn’t wait there long for Thomas with Annie and Clarabel comes running from the junction to collect it.
[The special coach waited at the bay platform til Thomas, Annie and Clarabel came puffing into the station. The scene changes to Thomas puffing along his branch line with three coaches with an arrogant look]
Narrator: Thomas is very proud of his special coach. It makes him feel important.
[He puff past a field where cows were grazing, recreating the illustration from The Missing Coach book]
Cows: (mooing)
Thomas: (whistles)
[The scene changes to Douglas moving a line of wagons with Duck in the yard while Donald fills up his water tank at the water tower] Narrator: One afternoon, Douglas and Duck were shunting in the yard. Donald was preparing to take a goods train to Vicarstown at the other end of the line.
[Duck shunts a utility van and two conflats into a siding. He looks at Tidmouth Station and his face falls]
Duck: (sighs) Oh, bother. Gordon will be here soon. I have to shunt his coaches and finish arranging Donald’s train. Anyone would think I have too much work to do.
Douglas: Tell ye what, why don’t I shunt Gordon’s coaches and you can finish my brother’s train? That shall save ye the bother.
Duck: Oh, would you? Thank you, Douglas. That would be helpful. Just remember to shunt the special coach onto the bay platform for Thomas when he comes.
Douglas: Och, don’t ye worry, I will.
[Duck puffs off, feeling much relieved. The scene changes to Gordon puffing into the station]
Narrator: Later, Gordon arrived with the Express.
Gordon: (whistles) Coaches, please.
Douglas: (whistles offscreen) On me way.
[The scene changes to the express coaches being shunted into a siding near the coal hopper]
Narrator: He was enjoying himself, until an awful thought struck him.
Douglas: I hope The Fat Controller doesnae find out I shouldn’t be here. Ooh, I couldn’t abide going back.
Narrator: Douglas was worrying so much over this that he forgot about Thomas’ special coach in the process.
[The special coach was seen at the buffers behind the Express coaches as the scene changes to Donald and Douglas at two sidings near the station, looking at a brake van with N W letters on his sides and a spiteful look on his face]
Douglas: Ye see that brake van, Donnie?
Donald: Yes. That’s the one who’s been causing you trouble?
Douglas: Aye, that’s right. Every time I take him out, he always causes me problems like delaying me trains and causing me to be late. He’s ruining my efforts to impress The Fat Controller so that I can stay here with you.
Donald: (determined) Dinna worry, Douglas. I’II sort him out for ye.
Douglas: Ah, thanks, Donald. I dunnae know what I’d do without ya.
Thomas: (came fussing into view, looking frantic) Where is it? (whistles) Where is it?
Donald: Oh? What’s all this?
Thomas: (stops in front of the twins) Where’s my coach?
Douglas: Coach? What coach, Thomas?
Thomas: (flustered and cross) My special coach. The one that Gordon brings for me. It’s gone! I must find it otherwise I’II be late!
Annie: It must be here somewhere, Thomas.
Clarabel: Sorry we can’t talk, you two but we’ve got to keep searching.
Thomas: They’re right. And if you happen to see it, be sure to tell me. (whistles)
[He puffs away. Douglas ponders but then realizes in shock]
Douglas: (gasps) Losh sakes, Donnie! I must’ve stowed the special coach away with the empties!
Douglas’ Fireman: Oops. I can’t believe we’ve forgotten about it.
Douglas’ Driver: Duck said we had to put it at the bay platform. Why didn’t we listen?
Donald: Well, it’s too late now. Do you see that?
[A mob of angry passengers crowded around The Fat Controller who stands on a barrel near the siding, recreating the promo still of the Missing Coach]
Narrator: The twins looked in horror as a mob of angry passengers erupted from the siding out of the special coach.
Donald’s Driver: They’re complaining to the Fat Controller.
Donald’s Fireman: Yeah. He’II be coming here next.
Douglas: Oh, no! The Fat Controller will send me away for sure if he finds out it was my doing. What do we do now?
Donald: Hold your wheesht, Douggie. Listen, I have an idea. Now, do as I say. (whispers)
[Douglas, his crew and Donald’s crew listen intently and curiously as the scene changes to The Fat Controller walking over to Douglas who has Donald’s tender with three important people]
Narrator: Soon, The Fat Controller walked towards them with three important passengers.
[Donald was seen puffing along the mainline with his goods train and Douglas’ tender]
Narrator: Donald with Douglas’ tender, No 10 have left with the goods. (cuts back to Douglas with an innocent expression) Douglas with Donald’s tender No 9 waited with an innocent expression.
The Fat Controller: Ah, number 9, and why haven’t you taken the goods?
Douglas: Uh, my tender’s faulty, sir, so Douggie took it. See?
[The tender is seen uncoupled on another track with Douglas’ crew around it, recreating another promo picture from the Missing Coach]
The Fat Controller: I see. Some defect no doubt. Now tell me, why did No 10 leave so quickly?
Douglas: Uh, maybe, sir, he saw you coming and thought he was late.
The Fat Controller: (looking suspiciously as in not fooled) Aha. (turns to the passengers) Now, gentlemen, let me get this straight. No 10 was shunting in the yard, your coach disappeared, we investigated and we found out that No 10 disappears too, all the while, No 9’s tender has been disconnected. These are the facts. You can draw your own conclusions. The matter will be investigated further. Please accept my apologies. Good afternoon, gentlemen.
Three Important Passengers: (indistinct chatter) Good afternoon, sir.
[They walked away. The Fat Controller watches as they climb up the station ramp. He twitches his shoulders and rubs his eyes. Douglas looks at him, wondering if he’s crying or not. Then he spun around suddenly]
The Fat Controller: So…. (sternly, not falling for the trick) Douglas…
Douglas: (gasps)
The Fat Controller: Would you mind telling me why you’re masquerading with Donald’s tender then?
Douglas: (stammers)
Narrator: Needless to say the Fat Controller couldn’t be fooled.
[Douglas looked dismayed. The scene changes to him and Donald being scolded by The Fat Controller later]
Narrator: And when Donald came back, he scolded them both severally and harshly.
The Fat Controller: There should be no more tricks. While I understand misplacing the special coach was a mistake, it’s no reason trying to fool me and masquerading as each other.
Donald and Douglas: Yes, sir. Sorry sir.
The Fat Controller: I should think so too. I shall be watching you both. I still have to decide which of you is to stay.
[He walks away, leaving the twins sharing a nervous glance and feeling glum]
Donald: Maybe swapping tenders wasnae such a good idea after all.
Douglas: Aye, we shoulda known he couldnae be fooled by somethin’ as simple as that.
Douglas’ Driver: He is very smart I’II give him that.
Donald’s Driver: Yeah. There’s no logic behind switching tenders to avoid being found out.
Donald: Yeah, I know, it was stupid but I have to come up with something quick so that Douggie doesn’t get the blame for misplacing the coach.
Donald’s Fireman: Well, I honestly don’t care what you have in mind, so long as it keeps your brother out of trouble.
Douglas’ Fireman: You know what they say, desperate times come for desperate measures, especially for Douglas’ sake so that he doesn’t go back, not with what’s happening over there.
Douglas: Aye, I couldnae abide it or stay without Donnie. What do we do now?
Donald: Well, I think it’s best that we don’t play any more tricks. We’II just have to make a good impression and be as good as each other so he’II have to keep us both.
Douglas: Och, good idea, Donnie. I just hope it works. For both our sakes.
Donald: Me too. I won’t let you be scrapped, Douggie. I promise.
[Douglas smiled warmly at Donald who smiled back as the camera zooms away slowly to reveal The Spiteful Brakevan standing two tracks away from them, overhearing their conversation, recreating the illustration from the RWS version of Break Van]
Narrator: Their plan was a good one and it would’ve worked well but unfortunately, they have reckoned without a spiteful brake van.
Spiteful Brakevan: (chuckles) Not if I can help it.
[The screen ripples back to the present where Rebecca look surprised]
Rebecca: Wow, that must have been a dreadful first time on the railway for you two.
Douglas: Aye, it was. Bemusing The Fat Controller wasn’t really a good plan but I don’t have any choice since it’s straight to the cutter’s torch to be cut up.
Donald: But dunnae worry, we soon got back on his good side eventually. Though we have more mishaps which continue to ruin our chances along the way such as me smashing into a signal box.
Douglas: And while I was helping James up Gordon’s Hill, I smashed the spiteful brake van.
Rebecca: (gasps in shock) Oh, no. That must’ve been terrible.
Douglas: Aye, even though he probably deserves it, it was really an accident since I never intended that in the first place. The Fat Controller was having a tough time making up his mind and we were worried about what his decision would be.
Rebecca: So what did you two do? You know, to make him keep both of you?
Donald: Well, after the engines heard about our situation, they rallied to help convince The Fat Controller til Percy suggested a deputation.
Rebecca: What’s a deputation?
Douglas: According to Edward, it’s when engines tell The Fat Controller something’s wrong and ask him to put it right.
Donald: Aye, and that’s what they did when we told them what was going on.
Rebecca: So, what happens next with it?
Douglas: Well, Percy spoke to The Fat Controller on everyone’s behalf and in the end, he decided to keep both of us and the rest is history.
Rebecca: Whoa. That’s great to know that it worked for you two to stay here together.
Donald: Aye, we’re glad we could give ya that bit of recap, lassie. We have our nameplates put on us to tell us apart later on so that we have no more masquerading’.
Rebecca: I can’t imagine what you two have been going through to stay on Sodor away from the threat of scrap on the Mainland. It's good that The Fat Controller decided to keep you both in the end. Sodor wouldn’t be the same without you for passenger and goods work. In fact, you two are like workhorses with hearts as strong as horses.
Douglas: (chuckles) I suppose you could say that, lassie.
Donald: Thank you. We’re twins and I’ve done what I can to help Douggie no matter the risks. Against the universe, either we both win….
Douglas: Or we both go down trying.
Donald and Douglas: (chuckles)
Rebecca: (giggles) You can say that again.
Philip: (offscreen) That must have been tough.
Donald, Douglas and Rebecca: Oh!
[They look to see Philip, Stafford, Charlie, Paxton, Nia, Rosie, Harvey and Sonny gathered with amazed faces]
Donald: How long have you all been there?
Stafford: Heh. Long enough and that’s such a story you two told.
Nia: Yes, I can’t even begin to imagine half the hardships you two had to go through just to stay together.
Paxton: I’m even sorry that you were nearly sent to be scrapped after diesels have taken over, Douglas. I understand why you and Donald didn’t like us at first.
Douglas: Och, it’s nae bother, Paxton. We honestly cannae blame ye. After BoCo arrived, we began to see that not all diesels are the same.
Donald: Guess we were so busy telling Rebecca that we didnae notice you all coming.
Sonny: (chuckles) Until now, that is. We enjoyed listening to it, it was really good. I can personally relate to your plight back then on proving myself to stay here on Sodor.
Rebecca: Thanks for telling me the story, you two. It was great.
Douglas: Och, it was nothin’, Rebecca. We sometimes tell other engines our story after they came here for the first time.
Narrator: (as the yard manager walked up) Just then the yard manager came walking up.
Yard Manager: Rebecca, your last express run is ready for you. Gordon will be waiting.
Rebecca: Oh, yes, of course, sir. Better get back to work then.
Charlie: (chuckles) And we’d better do so too. This railway won’t run itself you know.
[The engines all puffed out of the shunting yards, forwards and backwards]
Narrator: And so, they did.
[Rebecca smiled at Donald and Douglas and they smiled back as they puff towards Knapford with steam filling the screen]