- Percy decides to compete with Harold, a loud proud helicopter, to a race after he scorns trains.
- Percy is now working at the new Harbour on Thomas' Branch Line. He often has to fetch trucks, and although he works hard he still likes his new job and prefers branch line work over shunting for the mainline engines at the big Station. Sometimes he sees Thomas, who complements him on his work. Along the branch line is an Airfield and Percy hears the planes flying overhead. The loudest though is a helicopter. Percy complains about the noise it would make.
One day Percy stops with his train At the airfield. The helicopter is there and they begin by introducing each other. The helicopter's name is Harold and Percy comments on his arms. Harold says that he can hover like a Bird and asks Percy if he wishes he could hover. Percy says he likes the rails and Harold calls railways slow and out of date. When they finish, Harold flies away and Percy sets off for the Quarry. Percy finds Toby and expresses his feelings about Harold. Afterwards, he collects his trucks and heads back to the Harbour.
On Percy's trip back to the Harbour, he and his crew hear Harold's unmistakable buzzing. Percy's crew encourage the two to race each other. Percy has never been allowed to go that fast before. The trucks wail and beg Percy to stop, but it's no use. They have to slow down when they reach the wharf and Percy is sure that they've lost the race. But when the Fireman climbs onto the roof of the cab, he says they won as he can see Harold still looking for a place to land.
In celebration of Percy's victory, the Fireman sings a song about the race, which Percy loves, especially the last line.
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