Another Thomas rewrite, this time it's the classic "Thomas Meets the Queen" from Season 4, with added lines by tate310. Enjoy and comment.

Gordon the Express engine and Thomas the Tank Engine puffed buffer to buffer back home. It had been a busy day. First, Thomas teased Gordon about the time the Express engine slid into a ditch, and then later, Thomas fell down a mine, and Gordon had to rescue him.

"Remember Thomas!" called Gordon, "united we stand, together we fall. You help me, and I'll help you!"

"I'll remember!" replied Thomas. "But I hope Sir Topham Hatt forgives us soon!"

When they arrived back at Tidmouth Sheds, they noticed that everything was decorated from top to bottom.

"Bust my buffers!" said Thomas. "What's happening!"

"Shh!" whispered Percy. "Sir Topham Hatt is going to make a major announcement!"

When Sir Topham Hatt took the podium, the audience applauded kindly, while the engines whistled. Then, he began to speak.

"Ladies and gentleman, engines included. I come to you today with the biggest announcement that I have ever made. Her majesty, the Queen of England, is coming to Sodor!"

The applause was thunderous. Everyone was very excited, and the engines wondered who would pull the Royal Train.

"I'm too old to pull important trains." said Edward.

"I'm in disgrace!" sighed Gordon.

"He'll choose me of course." boasted James.

"You?!" snorted Henry. "You can't even climb hills!"

James was cross.

"He'll ask me to pull it, and I'll get a lovely coat of green paint!"

Later, the rain came, so Henry's driver and fireman covered up their cab to keep dry.

Then, there was trouble. A artist was painting a mural up above. Henry's smoke blew up into the air. Their was so much smoke, that the painter couldn't see! He fell off the ladder and landed right on Henry's cab cover. Paint flew all over Henry!

Sir Topham Hatt was not impressed.

"Well Henry." he said, "this is unacceptable. The queen is coming and this is not how I want you to look. You are going to the washdown at once."

Henry was very upset.

Next, Sir Topham Hatt met Thomas and Gordon.

"I have made a decision." he said firmly.

"What is it sir?" replied Thomas.

"I have decided not to punish you for now."

Thomas and Gordon were worried.

"Thomas, you will look after the coaches, while Gordon will pull the Royal Train.

"Thank you sir!" replied the engines, and they set off at once.

The big day came. All the engines worked hard, bringing people to Tidmouth Sheds. Thomas sorted the coaches in the yard, while Gordon pulled the Royal Train.

At last, the moment came.

"Ladies and gentleman, children of all ages. Her majesty, the Queen!" announced a voice over the loudspeakers.

The marching band played as Gordon arrived, spotless, and looking better than ever

The train stopped, and the welcome music played. Everyone clapped and cheered for the Queen! Sir Topham Hatt welcomed her with great pride.

"Welcome ma'am!"

"Peep, peep!" whistled Toby and Percy.

"Shh!" hissed Henry and James. "The queen is about to speak!"

"Ladies, gentleman and children. I give you three cheers for Sir Topham Hatt, and his wonderful engines, who have made this the best visit ever!"

Everyone clapped and cheered, and the engines whistled with pride.

When the visit was over, the marching band played God Save the Queen, as everyone cheered for the Queen

But before she boarded Gordon, she spoke to Thomas and Gordon

"Thank you for being really useful engines." she said. Then, she boarded Gordon, and set off. Everyone waved goodbye until Gordon was out of sight.

The engines all felt proud to be part of Sir Topham Hatt' railway.