It was Christmas once again on the Island of Sodor. The engines were busier than ever, but they didn't mind. They loved the time of year.

One day at Knapford, the engines were talking.

"Driver says there's going to be snow tonight!" Chuffed Edward.

"That just means we have to wear our snow ploughs!" Moaned James.

"Aren't you excited Thomas?" Teased Henry.

"No, I am not! I hate my snowplough!"

...

Snow fell heavily that night. It built dams of snow on the line and piled up everywhere.

The next morning, the engines were told they had to be fitted with snowploughs

"Thomas, you have to take an important special to Callan village!" Announced the Fat Controller.

The news made Thomas feel a bit better about the snow plough.

But he was still dreading it!

...

The plough was heavy, awkward, and bulky.

"Stupid thing!" Thomas groaned. "Can't we just leave it here?"

"Do you remember what happened last time we had to leave your snowplough behind?" The driver asked severely.

The tank engine went red in the face.

"As I thought." Chuckled the fireman.

...

Thomas met up with Edward whilst he was collecting his special. It was a beautiful Christmas tree.

"It's going to be decorated and stand in the heart of the village, so make sure you get it there safely." He warned.

"I will!" Assured Thomas. And he set off for Callan village.

"Thomas! Be careful!"

...

Thomas cut his way through the snow determinedly. He soon met with Toby, who was pleased to see him.

"I'm glad you got the tree here Thomas. And thank goodness that you have your snowplough -I would never be able to get through it on my own!"

...

Thomas was in front of Toby as the pair set off for Callan.

But what Thomas didn't know was that there was a rock on the line.

When he found out, his buffers were a bit bent, and the plough was hanging off!

Then more trouble lay ahead.

Thomas' plough crashed into an old water tower.

...

Thomas was thankful the tower didn't hit anyone, but now they had no means of getting there.

"We do- we can just plough through!" Thomas argued.

"It's dangerous Thomas." Said his fireman. "You could get stuck."

"Using the plough would be even more dangerous. It's broken and if we try and reattach it, it might come off and cause damage to Thomas. I propose we just go with Thomas' idea." Announced the driver, who had been inspecting the plough.

The fireman agreed reluctantly, so he and the driver got back on board after shifting Thomas' snowplough to the side.

...

The journey was long, difficult and tiring without a plough, but Thomas didn't want to let the people of Callan down.

To keep his friends spirits up, Toby rang his bell.

Thomas was spurred on to keep ploughing through.

But he just ran into one drift after another.

...

But soon the pair arrived at Callan. The people cheered when they saw their tree.

Preparations were made for the celebrations. The people had a wonderful time, and the tree became a major attention attraction.

...

The next day, Thomas was being checked over at the works when the Fat Controller arrived.

The blue engine was nervous. What if he was cross for the broken snowplough?

But he wasn't.

"Thomas, it wasn't your fault that your snowplough broke- bad weather conditions prevented you from seeing properly- and even though you did break a regulation, I will leave it be this once, seeing as the tree got there safely and no one was hurt."

He was about to leave when he remembered something.

"Oh yes- and you'll have to do without your snowplough- it's in need of repairs and there are none spares."

"A true Christmas miracle!" cheered Thomas, which caused his crew and the workmen to laugh.

Even the Fat Controller chuckled very quietly as he left the workshops.