Overture
Control
This is control!
This is control!
Tonight is the most important night in the history of the world!
Take your seats for the World Championship Railroad Race!
Trains to your tracks
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one
Trains gone!
Four trains going for two final places
Greaseball and Espresso are the early leaders with Nintendo pressing in third
This is turning into a real grudge match
And here’s a surprise: look at that Rusty go –
Mother
Put those trains away.
Control
Oh Mum – just five more minutes.
Mother
Put those trains away and get into bed.
Control
But…
Mother
No buts.
Control
Starlight Express, Starlight Express
Are you real – yes or no?
Starlight Express, Starlight Express…
Entry of the National Trains
Control
This is control, this is control
Tonight is race night
Let’s hear it for the champion engines of the world
From France the 120 mph Sudest.
The power of the Sudest – Bobo
From Italy – the Rome to Milan Express – the Settebello.
Powered by Espresso
From Germany – right on time – the Inter-Continental Express.
Powered by Ruhrgold
From Russia – as fast as possible – the Trans-Siberian express.
Powered by Turnov
From Japan – the Shinkanssen bullet train – the power of the bullet – Nintendo
From Great Britain – battling through the wrong kind of snow – the Royal Train.
Powered by the Prince of Wales
British Rail announce a delay in the arrival of the Royal Train.
This is due to staffing difficulties
And from the US of A – the reigning champion: the greatest diesel locomotive in history – the Union Pacific
Powered by – Greaseball
Rolling Stock
Greaseball
I’m just the fastest thing you’ll ever see
That streak of lightning you just missed was me
Don’t stop now – we gotta keep it going all night
Rolling stock, rolling stock
You got no wheels, you don’t know how it feels
Rolling stock, rolling stock
You got no lovers if you got no wheels
Don’t try to show you can go faster than me
This is my back view and it’s all you’ll see
Don’t stop now – we gotta keep it going all night
Rolling stock, we’re rolling stock
So get the motion in your wheels somehow
The racing action’s starting here and now
Don’t stop now – we gotta keep it all night
Rolling stock, we’re rolling stock
Rolling stock, we’re rolling stock
Rolling stock, we’re rolling stock
He’ll Whistle At Me
Coaches
Woo woo, woo woo – nobody can do it like a steam train
Woo woo, woo woo – everybody’s waiting for their dream train
Pearl
I’ll know him when I see him, for long before I see him
I will hear the far off signal, I will hear the distant call
And then he’ll whistle at me, he’ll send a note and woo me
He’ll whistle at me, I’m gonna hitch him to me
Some day soon he’ll whistle at me, that’s how I’ll recognise him
And maybe I will whistle at him, that should surprise him
Don’t give me insistent humming, horns and bells and distant drumming
I want steam that’s under pressure as it rises to a scream
Somebody whistle at me, I’m all anticipation
I need someone to whistle at me, I’m waiting at the station
Come on, someone whistle at me, I’m longing to be near him
I need someone to whistle at me, I’ll know him when I hear him
He’ll whistle at me
Freight
Dinah
Oh no
Buffy
Oh shucks
Pearl
It’s the freight train
Ashley
The dumb trucks
Buffy
Forty tons of empty chrome
Dinah
The lights are on
Ashley
But nobody’s home
Buffy
Let’s show them who’s boss
Dinah
Let’s play a joke
Pearl
Yeah, let’s have some fun
Ashley
Let’s have a smoke
Dinah
Here they come…
Buffy
To fill our station…
Pearl
With witty, sparkling conversation!
Trucks (Coaches)
Freight is great (That’s brilliant!)
Freight is great (Don’t you wish you’d thought of that?)
We carry weight ‘cos we are freight
And freight is great (One more time!)
Freight is great (Did you think of that all by yourselves?)
Freight is great (It’s so profound!)
We never sulk, we hulk the bulk
‘Cos freight is great (Well I certainly learned something today!)
We never make a fuss, we got the goods on us
We take the loads from off the roads
And freight is great (You just listen to what the coach says!)
Coaches
Couldn’t stand gravel and sand
Being ignored, no one aboard
Nobody complaining, we were late again
I should hate carrying freight
Nobody living in me
Got to be a living breathing passenger train
Freight
Freight is great, freight is great
Coaches
(Freight) Couldn’t stand gravel and sand
Being ignored, no one aboard (is great)
Nobody complaining, we were late again (we carry weight)
I should hate carrying freight
Nobody living in me (and freight is great)
Got to be a living breathing passenger train
Coaches
It’s Mommas and Poppas
Freight
It’s commerce and hoppers
Coaches
It’s daughters and sons
Freight
It’s quarters and tons
They get in your hair
Coaches
It’s the fun of the fare
Freight
Freight
Coaches
Folks
Freight
Tares
Coaches
Fares
Passengers, commuters and mail
Freight
Trees and meat, gravel and shale
All
Are great, are great, are great
Are great, are great
Control
Control. Control. You wagons and passenger cars just cut it out.
Trucks will identify themselves.
Rocky
I’m Rocky, there’s lots like me
Rocky II
I’m Rocky Two
Rocky III
I’m Rocky Three
Rockies
The only time we get sick inside is when some bum hitches a ride
Wait for the sharp corner to come
And open the door – bye bye, bum!
Freight
Freight is great
Control
Brick truck.
Flat top
Flat top, who you looking at?
Yeah, there’s bricks, what’s wrong with that?
No, you’re right, they don’t all match –
Yeah, they’re heavy – here, catch!
All
Freight is great
Control
The big hopper.
Flat top
Dustin, that’s you mate
Control
Come on, the big hopper!
Flat top
Come on, Dustin!
Dustin
I’m the big hopper, I’m not a box
Rockies
Yeah, your head is full of rocks
Dustin
They’re not rocks, they’re bits of gravel
Gravel’s got a right to travel
Travelling with gravel in
& Flat top
Praying that we don’t get wet
Water and mortar, do things they didn’t oughta
Empty me before I set
Freight
Down the track, from A to B and back
We carry things, not people, people talk a lot
That isn’t what we like
Coaches
They’re strong and silent
Freight
None of us may be a genius
But we know one thing, what we know is
Freight
Freight is great
Freight is great
Freight is great
Coaches
(Freight) Couldn’t stand gravel and sand
Being ignored, no one aboard (is great)
Nobody complaining, we were late again (we carry weight)
I should hate carrying freight
Nobody living in me (and freight is great)
Got to be a living breathing passenger train
Coaches
It’s Mommas and Poppas
Freight
It’s commerce and hoppers
Coaches
It’s daughters and sons
Freight
It’s quarters and tons
They get in your hair
Coaches
It’s the fun of the fare
Freight
Freight
Coaches
Folks
Freight
Tares
Coaches
Fares
Passengers, commuters and mail
Freight
Trees and meat, gravel and shale
All
Are great, are great, are great
Are great, are great
Are great, are great
AC/DC
Control
Oh, boy, a late entry. A superstar challenger. These must be his minders.
Pearl
He’s got a gun!
Krupp
Halt. I am Krupp, Electra’s armaments truck.
Rocky
Who’s Electra?
Krupp
We ask the questions.
Wrench
I am Wrench, Electra’s repair truck.
Dustin
This Electra must be rich to have his own repair truck
Flat-Top
Or unreliable
Purse
I am Purse, Electra’s money truck
Electra is rich. Switch your allegiance to Electra
Volta
I am Volta, Electra’s freezer truck
Joule
I am Joule, Electra’s dynamite truck
Volta
Electra is cool
Joule
Electra is hot
Volta
Cool
Joule
Hot
Company
A megastar. A megawatt
Rich, hot, powerful – rich, hot, cool
Rich, hot, powerful – rich, hot, cool
Electra … Electra … Electra … Electra …
Electra
I am electric – feel my attraction
Feel my magnetism – you will agree
I am electric – I have the contact
I am electric – the future is me
AC/DC it’s okay by me
I can switch and change my frequency
I am electric – mind how you touch me
I can shock you, I can set you on fire
I can reach up and pluck down the lightning
Watch the conductor, see the live wire
AC/DC it’s okay by me
I can switch and change my frequency
Company
Electra … Electra … Electra …
Electra
I am electric – resistance is pointless
Feel my magnetism – you will agree
You can’t ignore me, you must adore me
I am electric, come closer to me
AC/DC it’s okay by me
I can switch and turn you on to me
Can switch and turn you on to me
Can switch and turn you on to me
Company
Electra … Electra … Electra … Electra …
Electra
I can switch and change my frequency
Pumping Iron
Control
Oh boy – here comes trouble. It’s the reigning champion
Coaches
It’s Greaseball, it’s Greaseball, Greaseball the diesel
Choose me Greaseball, race with me
Dinah
Back off girls – he’s mine
Greaseball
Here comes the diesel train, with its steel refrain
Hear me knocking
The diesel’s on its way, it’s gonna win the day
Hear me knocking
Listen to the chatter of the diesel force
Generating twenty seven hundred horse
Camshaft rolling while the rockers rock
Hear me knock
See me hustle, feel my muscle
Pumping iron
Trying to build my body, trying to lose my mind
See me straining – I’m in training
Pumping iron
I’m a diesel engine
I’m knocking, I’m knocking, I’m knocking,
I’m pumping iron
Coaches
Well he’s the one they’ll choose
You know he just can’t lose
Hear him knocking
There ain’t another rig that’s even half as big
Hear him knocking
Everybody’s gonna say “that train is smart”
The mighty diesel engine is a work of art
The undisputed leader of the Rolling Stock
Greaseball
See me knock
Greaseball, (Coaches)
See me hustle, feel my muscle
Pumping iron
Stretching my bullworker, I’m heaving on my weights
See my flex my delts and pecs
I’m pumping iron
I’m a diesel engine
Hey, I’m knocking, you know I’m knocking, said I’m knocking hey-
Heading for the rally (heading for the rally)
Gonna win the first race (gonna win the first race)
I’m gonna run the longest (the biggest and the strongest)
I’m knocking, said I’m knocking, you know I’m knocking
Well – I’m so beautiful –
I’m pumping iron
Coda of Freight
Greaseball
You, you’re overloaded
Electra
I’m electric taking over
Greaseball
You’ll have to beat diesel
Dinah
Take on diesel
Greaseball, Dinah
Take on diesel
Components
Electricity is taking charge
Electra
I will enter – I will win
Greaseball
You’ll never win, you’ll never win
Bobo
It will be me
Rusty
Listen to me, listen to me
Ruhrgold
What was that hiss?
Rusty
I’m gonna enter
Espresso
Who is this?
Prince of Wales
It’s old and it’s dusty,
It’s can’t be, it’s Rusty
Turnov:
He’s going to race
Nintendo
He’s going to lose face
Rusty
I’m going to enter
I’ll be victorious
I’m gonna win
Rusty, (Engines)
Earth, water, air, fire
(You’ll never win, you’ll never win)
(I’m gonna beat you, I’m gonna beat you)
See the steam rise higher
(Haven’t a chance, haven’t a chance)
(I’m gonna win it, yes, I’m gonna win)
Earth, water, air, fire
(I’m gonna win, I’m gonna win)
(I’m gonna beat you, I’m gonna beat you)
See the steam rise higher
(I’m gonna win the race)
(I’ll be victorious, I’m gonna win)
All
Locomotion … locomotion …
Components
Go, electricity … go, electricity …
Coaches
It’s Mommas and Poppas
Freight
It’s commerce and hoppers
Coaches
It’s daughters and sons
Freight
It’s quarters and tons
They get in your hair
Coaches
It’s the fun of the fare
Freight
Freight
Coaches
Folks
Freight
Tares
Coaches
Fares
Passengers, commuters and mail
Freight
Trees and meat, gravel and shale
On the rails, on the rails, on the rails, on the rails
All
Beware of the engine intent on avenging
Defeat by a rival who’s bent on survival
Look out for the carriage who’s out to disparage
The wagons who battle and rattle and prattle
Are great, are great, are great, are great, are great
Crazy
Rusty
Where I go the rest better follow
Look out everybody, move aside
May go now or may go tomorrow
Hold on, I’ll take you for a ride
Coaches
Crazy – can you believe him?
He’s crazy – love him or leave him
He’s crazy, goin’ crazy, goin’ crazy
Rusty
Watch me, see me, hit that horizon
Pearl
Take it slowly, what you got to prove?
Rusty
Ride with me, you’ll know you’ve been riding
No one can move the way I move!
Coaches
Crazy – can you believe him?
He’s crazy – love him or leave him
He’s crazy, goin’ crazy, goin’ crazy
Rusty
Hold on tight, I’ll turn up the pressure
Must be right, no way it can be wrong
You and me go steamin’ together
Pearl
Till someone better comes along
Coaches
Crazy – can you believe him?
He’s crazy – love him or leave him
He’s crazy, goin’ crazy, goin’ crazy
Rusty
You know I’m crazy – yeah!
Coaches
Crazy – can you believe him?
He’s crazy – love him or leave him
He’s crazy, goin’ crazy, goin’ crazy
Goin’ crazy, goin’ crazy, goin’ crazy
Goin’ crazy!
Make Up My Heart
Pearl
It’s time to choose between the two of them
I’d better make a start
Someone help me make up my heart
Tell me how to make up my heart
They say two lovers can be twice the fun
They think they’re being smart
Someone help me make up my heart
Tell me how to make up my heart
One of them is strong, one of them is good
But both could turn out wrong, so who gets the part?
Make up my mind, make up my heart.
I don’t want one to win and one to lose
Can’t tell them yes or no
Choosing one means letting one go
I can’t face letting one of them go
You’d think two lovers would be twice the fun
It’s tearing me apart
Someone help me make up my heart
Tell me how to make up my heart
One of them has style, sets the world alight
The other makes me smile, so who gets the part?
Make up my mind, make up my heart
So who gets the part?
Make up my mind, make up my heart
It’s time to choose between the two of them
I’d better make a start
Someone help me make up my heart
Tell me how to make up my heart
One of them has style, sets the world alight
The other makes me smile, so who gets the part?
Make up my mind, make up my heart
One of them is strong, one of them is good
But both could turn out wrong
So who gets the part?
Please someone help me make up my heart
Tell me how to make up my heart
Race One
Control
Heat one. Heat one. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.
Trains gone! Four trains going for two final places.
Greaseball and Espresso are the early leaders with Nintendo pressing in third.
Well, that’s not in the rule book. No-one messes with the champion!
Up the nursery slope, it’s still Greaseball but Espresso’s looking good!
It’s the double whammy from Electra and the Champion!
Across the high level, it’s Greaseball, Electra, Nintendo and Espresso.
Nintendo takes Electra and Nintendo passes Greaseball!
Don’t play with electricity – the champ leads – this is getting hot!
Nintendo must win. He’s overdone it. Nintendo crashes!
Winner of heat one: Greaseball the diesel with Electra in second place.
Greaseball and Electra have a place in the final.
Poppa’s Blues
Rocky 1
Hey, Poppa’s gonna sing
Flat-Top
That stuff is so out of date
Rocky 1
Cool it man. Poppa’s gonna sing!
Rockies
Poppa don’t sing often, but he do sing mean
Poppa
Oh the first line of the blues is always sung a second time (oh yeah?)
First line of the blues is always sung a second time (kinda smooth!)
So by the time you get to the third line you’ve had time to think up a rhyme
Oh there ain’t no law that says the third line has to be different at all
No, no, there ain’t no law that says the third line has to be different at all
No there ain’t no law that says the third line has to be different at all
Never borrow a mouth organ – not even from your best friend
No, no, no, never borrow a mouth organ – not even from your best friend
‘Cos you may survive the blowing, but the sucking’s gonna get you in the end
Oh yeah!
Race Two
Control
Control, control. Heat Two. Trains to your tracks.
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.
Trains gone! They’ve set out for the second heat and Poppa’s in back and struggling.
He’s on the crossing. Look out Poppa! Leaping locomotives!
Still Bobo with Turnov pressing in second but Bobo wastes the Russian.
Hey, Bobo, you lost your coach! That puts Ruhrgold in the lead but Turnov’s not having any!
It’s Turnov, the Russian leads. Ouch, Poppa shows Turnov he still packs a punch!
Poppa’s taking the lead but Dustin takes him wide letting Ruhrgold through.
It’s Ruhrgold, Turnov, Bobo and Poppa coming out of the high level.
And Ruhrgold stops – this is getting really mean!
Bobo goes through to take the lead. Poppa’s turning on the power, they approach the tunnel.
The old guy does it! Winner of Heat Two: Poppa McCoy with Bobo in second place.
Poppa and Bobo have a place in the final.
Starlight Express
Rusty
When your good nights have been said and you are lying in bed
With the covers pulled up tight
And though you count every sheep you get the feeling that sleep
Is going to stay away tonight
That’s when you hear it coming
That is when you hear the humming
Of the Starlight Express, Starlight Express
Are you real, yes or no?
Starlight Express, answer me yes
I don’t want you to go
Want you to take me away but bring me home before daylight
And in the time between
Take me to everywhere but don’t abandon me there
Just want to say I’ve been
I believe in you completely
Though I may be dreaming sweetly
Of the Starlight Express, answer me yes
I don’t want you to go
And if you’re there, and if you know
Then show me which way I should go
Starlight Express, Starlight Express,
Are you real, yes or no?
Starlight Express, answer me yes
I don’t want you to go