Plot: Thomas is chosen to collect a special from Brendam Docks but decides to leave it at last minute and go in search of costumes for the children.

It was autumn time on the Island of Sodor. All the engines were excited. A costume party was to be held at Knapford Station.

On the day of the party, Sir Topham Hatt came to Tidmouth Sheds.

"The party is to be held tonight," he announced, "I want all of you to work your hardest. We hold this event every year on honor of celebrating the autumn season. Thomas, you are to collect a special from Brendam Docks."

Thomas was excited.

"It is the costumes I have ordered for all the children on Sodor."

But Thomas wasn't listening. He was thinking of his special delivery and of all the children he'd see at the party.

"Thomas, have you been listening to me?"

"Yes, sir," he replied and set off for Knapford Station.

As Thomas arrived in Knapford Station, Gordon was there to pick up the the passengers.

"Hello, Thomas. You're looking very happy today."

"I am. I'm to pick up a special delivery from Brendam Docks."

"That sounds exciting. I'm to take these passengers to the party."

Then Thomas saw three children on the platform. They looked very sad.

"What's the matter?" asked Thomas.

"We've got no costumes for the party," one of them said.

"We can't have fun at the party without them," another one said.

"What are we going to do?" the third one said.

Thomas wished he could help the children. Then an idea flew into his funnel.

"I can find you costumes," he said encouragingly, "then I could go fetch my special delivery."

Then he set off. Gordon's eyes widened with surprise.

"Thomas! Wait! What if the special delivery is a...?"

But Thomas didn't hear Gordon. He puffed along the line singing "I'm really useful that's what they all say, I'll find good costumes by the end of the day."

Thomas stopped at Farmer McColl's. Toby was there.

"Hello, Thomas. You look very happy today."

"I am. I'm to pick up a special delivery from Brendam Docks but first I need to find some costumes for the children."

Then he saw a scarecrow lying Farmer McColl's field.

"That would be perfect for a costume. Farmer McColl, may I borrow that scarecrow of yours?"

"Why, of course, Thomas."

And the scarecrow was loaded onto his flatbed. Then he set off. Toby's eyes widened with surprise.

"Thomas! Wait! What if the special delivery is a...?"

But Thomas didn't hear Toby. He puffed along the line singing "I'm really useful that's what they all say, I'll find good costumes by the end of the day."

Thomas stopped at Lord Callan's Castle. Donald and Douglas were there.

"Hello, Thomas," said Donald.

"Yer' lookin' very cheerful today," said Douglas.

"I am. I'm to pick up a special delivery from Brendam Docks but first I need to find some costumes for the children."

Then he saw a skeleton costume hang above the castle.

"Hey, Lord Callan. May I borrow that skeleton costume of yours?"

"Why, sure, Thomas."

Soon the skeleton costume was loaded onto Thomas' flatbed. Then he set off. The twins' eyes widened with surprise.

"Wait! Thomas!"

"What if the special delivery is a...?"

But Thomas didn't hear them. He puffed along to Brendam Docks singing "I'm really useful that's what they all say, I'll find good costumes by the end of the day."

Thomas arrived in Brendam Docks. Cranky was unloading his special delivery. But Thomas didn't see it as he passed by. He saw a pirate costume decorated on Captain.

"That would be perfect for a costume. Hey, Captain. Can I borrow that pirate costume of yours?"

"Why, sure, Thomas. But the costumes are already here."

Thomas' eyes widened with surprise.

"What?" he gasped.

"That's what we've been trying to tell you all day, Thomas," said Toby.

"But you didn't listen," continued Gordon.

"Also," finished Sir Topham Hatt, "I hear you have taken the scarecrow from Farmer McColl and the skeleton costume from Lord Callan. Why, Thomas? Why?"

Thomas was secretly embarrassed. But he had to be honest about it.

"I didn't listen to what any of you tried to tell me. I saw the children on the platform looking very sad. So I decided to find costumes for them and leave my special delivery to the last minute."

"And how are you going to fix your mistake, Thomas?" asked Sir Topham Hatt.

"Well, maybe I can take the costumes back to where they came from and then take this special delivery to the party."

Then he set off.

Thomas soon arrived back at Lord Callan's castle. The skeleton costume was unloaded from his flatbed.

"I'm sorry for not listening to you," he said to Donald and Douglas.

"It's alright," said Donald.

"Yeah, we forgive ya," said Douglas.

Thomas smiled and set off for Farmer McColl's. He soon arrived back there and the scarecrow was unloaded from his flatbed.

"I'm sorry, Farmer McColl for taking your scarecrow. What I didn't know was that my special delivery was the costumes."

"It's alright, Thomas. All is forgiven."

Thomas smiled and set off for Knapford Station. He arrived there just in time for Sir Topham Hatt to make his announcement.

"Ladies and gentlemen. Boys and girls. I am honored to inform you that the costumes have arrived.

The crate was puled open and the children cheered. Sir Topham Hatt lined all the children up and gave them their costumes one by one.

That night, the party was a great success. There were games and lots of cheer for all. Even Sir Topham Hatt was pleased.

"Today, Thomas, you have worked extra hard and had learned your lesson. You are a really useful engine."

"Thank you, sir," said Thomas, "and from now on, I shall listen to all of you to remain a really useful engine."

And everyone laughed.