Once upon a time there was a little Red Engine and every day at seven o’clock it came out of its shed at Taddlecombe Junction to go on its journey. Every morning as it passed, it whistled to its friends: little dog Hurry at Jubilee Cottages, Neddy the donkey at Callington Manor, the frogs, the sheep and the one-eyed gamekeeper’s cat. It loved its job, travelling to new places, meeting lots of people and seeing exciting things. Then one day, the Little Red Engine didn’t arrive. It had never been late before, whatever could have happened? 

When the Little Red Engine was chosen to be part of a grand exhibition in London, it was very proud. It travelled all the way down to London by moonlight, meeting all sorts of mysterious night-time creatures on the way. In London, the Little Red Engine saw all the sights and could hardly believe the wonderful buildings and amazing machines at the exhibition. But even amongst these huge shining engines and grand old trains, who do you think the children’s favourite was? 

When the cleverest scientists and inventors decided to build a rocket, the Little Red Engine was very excited.  It was very busy carrying all the architects, bricklayers, carpenters and painters backwards and forwards to the rocket site each day until the Big Red Rocket was built.  At last it was ready, and a crowd gathered to watch the launch of the rocket.  It blasted into the air, carrying the very first space passengers - the frogs, the gamekeeper’s cat and little dog Hurry.  When it finally came down, they were some extra passengers on board.  What had happened while the animals were up in space?