- Thomas: Time's time. Why should I keep my passengers waiting, while Henry and James dwadle about all day on viaducts?
- Henry: Don't blame me. If we hurried across the viaduct, it might collapse, and then you'd have no passengers at all. What would you do then?
- Thomas: Run my trains on time, for one thing!
- Bertie: Late again? We may be friends, but I thought you could go fast, Thomas. It's time we had another race. I reckon I could beat you now.
- Thomas: [letting off steam; angrily] Rubbish! it's those main line engines! They dawdle all day on their viaduct, and then blame the Fat Controller's workmen. It's just an excuse for laziness if you ask me.