- Donald, Douglas: [the twins have just rescued Henry from a snowdrift, but are worried about what Sir Topham Hatt will say when he returns] He'll send us back for sure.
- Percy: It's a shame!
- Gordon: [referring to Donald's incident of crashing into a signal box] A lot of nonsense about a broken signal box!
- James: [referring to Douglas smashing the spiteful brakevan] That spiteful brake van, too! Good riddance! That's what I say.
- Henry: They were splendid in the snow. It isn't fair.
- Edward: [Percy talks to him about Donald and Douglas' situation] What you need is a deputation.
- [explains what it means]
- Edward: [Percy hurries back to the others]
- Percy: Edward says we need a depot station.
- Gordon: Of course! The question is...
- Henry: What is a desperation?
- Percy: It's when engines tell The Fat Controller something's wrong.
- Duck: Did you say, "Tell the Fat Controller?"
- Gordon: [a long silence] I propose that Percy be our um... disputation.
- Percy: [horrified] I? I can't!
- Henry: Rubbish, Percy! It's easy.
- Gordon: That's settled then.
- Sir Topham Hatt: Hello, Percy. It's nice to be back.
- Percy: [jumps nervously] Uh, uh, yes, sir! Yes, sir! Please, sir!
- Sir Topham Hatt: You look nervous, Percy. What's the matter?
- Percy: [nervous] Please, sir! They've made me a desperation, sir. To speak to you, sir! I don't like it, sir!
- Sir Topham Hatt: [pondering] Do you mean a deputation, Percy?
- Percy: Yes, sir! Please, sir! It's Donald and Douglas, sir. They say, sir, that if send them away sir, they'll be turned into scrap, sir. That'd be dreadful, sir. Please, sir, don't send them away!
- Sir Topham Hatt: Thank you, Percy. That'll do.