Thomas Goes to Sweden
It was a bright sunny day on the island of Sodor. All of the engines were very busy. The fat controller wanted all of the engines to prove themselves that they were really useful on the island.
At Knapford station, Gordon and James sat waiting for their coaches to be delivered to them. They both had heard some news that morning that made them feel some suspicion. The fat controller had been all morning in his office talking on the telephone. The two engines had overheard parts of the speech, and they could make out only one thing- there was an emergency somewhere and that whoever was on the phone wanted him to send them some engines.
The two friends looked at each other with worried faces. Where were they to be going? What would they be doing? The fat controller finally came out of his office and cleared his throat. "Gordon and James," he said sternly. "I have had some very serious news delivered to me. My good friend Sir Frockbalm in Sweden has notified me that his island are in a crisis. There has been a war there, and many of the railroads and engines have been destroyed."
By now several more engines had arrived and were listening to the speech being delivered. They were Hiro, Percy, Thomas, Henry, and Edward. They too were quite concerned about it all. Percy spoke up, "What are you going to do about it Sir?" The Mr. Hatt sighed and looked a little sad. "I will have to send a few engines over there to help them. Henry gasped. "What would we be doing there Sir? I mean, with the war going on. " The fat controller shook his head. "I don't know, Henry. Sir Frockbalm would decide that." Edward spoke up. "What type of engines are needed Sir?" Mr. Hatt made the motion to leave. "I will discuss that further with him, Edward. But for now please continue with your work. After all, we still have a railway to run."
All seven engines blew their whistles and departed to their daily duties. But none of them could stop thinking about what had been said and what would be happening soon. And the news spread fast. Some of the engines were excited about the possibility of heading to a new island to prove their worth, but others were a bit concerned about the conditions of the place and what the costs might be.
The engines at the Blue Mountain Quarry were one of the first engines to hear of the news. Percy had a delivery to make there and evidently he must have looked worried or depressed as Skarloey puffed up along side him and asked if he was okay. As soon as Percy had told him about what the fat controller had told all the engines that morning and had made his departure, Skarloey called a meeting to order with all the other narrow gauge engines. Those were Rheneas, Sir Handel, Peter Sam, Luke, Rusty, and Duncan.
Luke got all excited about it. "I wonder if he will take me there." He said out loud. Duncan gasped. "Luke you foolish little Irish tank engine." He snapped. "You think that the fat controller will want someone like you?" Skarloey sternly intervened. "Now Duncan, you stop picking on Luke. It will be lucky if he will allow you."
Duncan turned sulky. Rheneas spoke up. "All we can do is to wait and prove ourselves to him. So now," he blew his whistle to leave, "Let's keep moving." So all the other engines blew their whistles and departed.
Meanwhile at Brendam docks Henry had arrived bringing his special special to Cranky. Salty asked him why he looked so sad and worried. Henry told him about what the fat controller had said that morning. Porter had been interested in the conversation, but Cranky and Salty quickly deterred him. "Do you know how dangerous this could be?" Cranky asked severely. Porter looked embarrassed.
