Thomas and Friends: Thomas Strikes Back!
Workmen were mending the tracks on Thomas's branch line. While the work was being done, the Fat Controller sent Thomas to help the trucks in the yard. Bertie the bus looked after Thomas's passengers while he was away.
One morning, Thomas returned to the yards from the quarry. He was very tired and he headed over to the water tower to have a drink. "Oh, bother these trucks!" he moaned.
After Thomas finished his drink, he pushed some of the empty trucks under the coal chute. Thomas thought he had the trucks under control, then suddenly, they cried out "On, on, on!" Thomas found himself under the chute. "Cinders and ashes!" puffed Thomas as coal tumbled out all over his blue paint. Thomas was very cross. He wanted a washdown, but his driver wouldn't let him. "We mustn't let the Fat Controller down." his driver said.
Thomas worked hard in the yards all day, and when he arrived back to the sheds, he was exhausted. Gordon, Henry, and James teased Thomas.
"Who's this dirty little engine?" laughed Henry.
"I didn't know you were painted black!" teased James.
"Disgraceful!" said Gordon. "Only a small useless engine like that would let yourself get so dirty!"
"Small?! Useless?!" fumed Thomas. He was so cross, he decided to sleep in the goods shed away from the bigger engines.
The next morning, Gordon raced along the line with the Express. He was making good time and was looking forward to a stop. Then, he saw something ahead on the track. His driver breaked hard, but Gordon was going too fast. Gordon crashed into a big pile of earth.
"Bust my boiler!" mumbled Gordon. The passengers were held back to the station and Bulgy took them away. Gordon's driver told the stationmaster, and the stationmaster phoned the Fat Controller. "I'll send Thomas right away!" said the Fat Controller.
Thomas was crossly shunting in the yard, when the yard manager came over. "Gordon is stuck in a big pile of dirt. Please go and help."
Thomas laughed and coupled down to the breakdown train. Then, the signalman switched the points and Thomas puffed to the rescue.
Gordon sat in the dirt, then he saw Thomas coming ahead. "You've got to be kidding me!" grumbled Gordon.
"Hello, Gordon!" peeped Thomas. "Having a good time, are we?"
Gordon didn't reply.
"I see!" went on Thomas, cheekily. "What was it you said to Henry and James last night?"
Still, Gordon stayed quiet.
"Nothing, what I remember. You said "Only small and useless engines let themselves get dirty!"
And he puffed on to begin the rescue operation. First, Thomas pulled away the unhurt coaches, then he came back for Gordon. It was hard work dragging him out of the dirt. But at last, Gordon was free.
Gordon's fire was out, so Thomas pushed him back to the yards. The Fat Controller was waiting for them.
"Well done, Thomas!" he said. Then, he turned to Gordon. "You look like an iced doughnut! You must be cleaned at once!" he said sternly. Gordon didn't reply. His mouth was covered in dirt. "Then, you must pull trucks for the rest of the week!" Gordon could not believe what he had heard. After Gordon was cleaned, he backed on to a long dirty line of trucks.
"Disgusting!" he muttered under his breath.
Just then, Henry rushed by with the Express. He had blown cinders and ashes all over Gordon. "What was that?!" he coughed from the cloud of dust.
Gordon was dirtier than he had ever been before. Then, Gordon saw Thomas laughing at him. "Hmph!" he puffed, as he pulled slowly out of the yard.
The End!