- Narrator (UK): One morning, Percy was careless.
- Percy: [to Gordon and James] I say, you engines, I am to take some trucks to Thomas' junction. The Fat Controller chose me especially. He must know I'm a really useful engine.
- James: More likely, he wants out the way.
- Narrator (UK): Gordon looked across to James. They were making a plan.
- Gordon: James and I were just speaking about signals at the junction. We can't be too careful about signals, but they needn't I say that to a really useful engine like you.
- Narrator (UK): Percy felt flattered.
- James: We have spoken of "backing-signals." They need extra special care, you know. Would you like me to explain?
- Percy: No thank you, James. I know all about signals.
- Narrator (UK): Percy was a little worried.
- Percy: [to himself] I wonder what backing-signals are.
- Narrator (UK): [Percy had stopped at a stopped signal] The signal moved to show "line clear." Its arm moved up instead of down. Percy had never seen that sort of signal before.
- Percy: Down means "go" and up means "stop." So upper still, must mean, "Go back." I know, it's one of those "backing signals."
- Percy's Driver: Come on, Percy. Off we go.
- [Percy starts reversing]
- Percy's Driver: Stop! You're going the wrong way!
- Percy: But it's a backing signal!
- Narrator (UK): He told him about Gordon and James. The driver laughed and explained.
- Percy: Oh, dear. Let's start quickly before they see us.
- Narrator (UK): But he was too late. Gordon saw everything.