the story begins on the night of the Great English Blizzard. Neddie Seagoon, an engine driver extraordinaire, is tasked with clearing the line between Hastings and Pevensey Bay for the Hastings Flyer. However, his snow-plough is hijacked by two unscrupulous MPs, Grytpype-Thynne and Moriarty, who have a dastardly plan to wreck the Flyer. As Neddie lies bound, hand and foot, in a snow-drift, the Flyer thunders on towards Pevensey Bay, unaware of the danger.