It was a bright and sunny morning on the Island of Sodor, and Thomas was on his way to Brendam Docks with Sir Robert Norramby riding in his cab.
"Sir", Thomas said, "if you don't mind me asking, what is it that you need me to take you to the docks for?"
"A very special visitor is arriving on Sodor today", Sir Robert said, "and I want to be there so I can personally welcome him to the Island."
"A visitor", Thomas asked, "who is it?"
"You'll see", Sir Robert said.
Soon, Thomas arrived at the docks, and once he stopped, Sir Robert exited this cab.
"Here we are", Sir Robert said, "and there's the ship over there."
He pointed to a large tramp steamer that was docked nearby.
"Our special visitor should be out any minute now", Sir Robert said.
Thomas looked at the ship, and he noticed an American flag hung on it and flying in the wind, much to his curiosity.
"It looks like the Earl's friend is American", Thomas said, "now I'm even more curious about who he is."
Then, Sir Robert spoke to him.
"Look, Thomas", Sir Robert said, "there he is!"
Thomas looked up, and upon catching sight of what Sir Robert was referring to, he could hardly believe his eyes.
"Well bust my boiler", Thomas said.
The special visitor was being unloaded from the ship by Cranky, and he was none other than Beau, the American mining engine who Thomas had met during his world travels.
"So, this is the Island of Sodor", Beau said, "not bad."
Cranky set Beau down onto the rails, and Sir Robert walked over to him and greeted him.
"Beau", Sir Robert said, "so nice to finally meet you."
"Well, howdy", Beau said, "you must be that Sir Robert Norramby feller my owner told me about."
"That's right", Sir Robert said, "and this is Thomas."
Beau looked over at Thomas and was able to recognize him from his adventure.
"Hey, I remember you", Beau said, "you're that little blue engine who came off the rails that one time back home."
"That's right", Thomas said.
Sir Robert was surprised that Thomas and Beau were already acquainted with one another.
"You know each other", Sir Robert asked.
"Yes", Thomas said, "I met Beau while I was traveling the world."
"Yes siree", Beau said, "he came off the rails while he was pulling some freight cars, so I went and rounded up some people and horses so they could help get him back on the rails."
"My, my", Sir Robert said, "what an interesting way to rescue derailed engines."
"I'll say it is", Thomas said, "they don't have breakdown cranes in America."
"We sure don't", Beau said, "but that's okay, because all we need are strong horses and folks who are willing to lend a hand."
"The American railway sounds most interesting", Sir Robert said, "I look forward to hearing more about it from you."
Sir Robert walked over to Thomas and stepped back into his cab.
"Now then, follow us", Sir Robert said, "we'll take you up to my estate."
"What are we going there for", Thomas asked.
"I'll explain when we get there", Sir Robert said.
Thomas set off for Ulfstead Castle with Beau following him, and soon, they arrived at their destination, where Stephen, Millie, and Glynn were waiting by the station.
"Hey, guys", Thomas said, "we're back!"
"That's right", Sir Robert said, "and now that we are, allow me to introduce you to Beau."
Beau steamed over in front of Sir Robert's engines, and all three of them looked at him in amazement.
"Sacre bleu", Millie said.
"I don't think I've ever seen an engine quite like him", Glynn said, "have you, Stephen?"
"No", Stephen said, "I can't say that I have."
"Beau is from the United States of America", Sir Robert said, "he's here for an event I'm going to be holding on the estate for the next few days."
"What sort of event, sir", Thomas asked.
"One that teaches people all about the American railroad", Sir Robert said, "as part of the event, I decided to bring in an engine who's had a lot of experience working in the United States."
"He's right", Beau said, "I've been working in the States for a long time."
"Wow", Thomas said, "sounds like this is going to be a pretty exciting show."
"Indeed it will be", Sir Robert said, "however, it does not begin until tomorrow, so Beau, you can go around the Island and get yourself familiar with it if you like."
"Really", Beau asked, "that's mighty kind of you, Sir."
"I'll go with you", Thomas said, "I can show you all the different sights of Sodor."
"Thank you, Thomas", Beau said, "that'd be swell."
So, Thomas and Beau left the estate and were soon puffing along the line together, and while they did so, Thomas talked about the railway.
"I think you're really going to like it here on the Island of Sodor", Thomas said, "though, things are pretty different here than they are in the United States."
"Different", Beau asked, "how do you mean?"
"Well, for one, we don't lift engines back onto the rails with horse power or leave them lying there", Thomas said, "we have breakdown cranes that we use to rescue them."
"I remember how you asked me to fetch a breakdown crane when we first met", Beau said, "you'll have to show me one at some point."
"Sure, we can see about that", Thomas said.
Then, he noticed a level crossing up ahead where the gates were closed and Trevor was crossing the tracks, and he began to slow down, which made Beau confused.
"What are you doing", Beau asked, "why are you slowing down?"
"We need to stop", Thomas said, "the gates at the crossing are closed."
Beau noticed the closed gates and stopped right in front of them, and he and Thomas waited while Trevor trundled across the crossing.
"What's the big idea", Beau asked, "why do we have to stop?"
"Because Trevor got here first", Thomas said, "we have to wait until he finishes crossing."
"Why", Beau asked.
"Because that's the rule", Thomas said.
Eventually, Trevor cleared the crossing, and the gates opened back up, and Thomas and Beau went back on the way, with the former explaining the level crossing to the latter.
"You see, usually, engines have the right of way at a level crossing while road vehicles have to stop", Thomas said, "but here on Sodor, if a vehicle reaches the crossing first, we have to stop and wait until they finish crossing."
"Interesting", Beau said, "that's different from how the crossings work back home."
"Really", Thomas asked.
"That's right", Beau said, "they're a couple of blinking lights in front of the tracks that we call grade crossings."
"Wow", Thomas said, "that does sound different."
"It sure is", Beau said, "something else about them that's different from your crossings is that engines always have the right of way no matter what."
"Well, then", Thomas said, "I guess that just shows that our railways are quite different from each other, aren't they?"
"Yeah, I guess they are", Beau said.
Up ahead, the signals for Thomas and Beau's line turned red, and Beau looked at them with interest, having never seen signals like them before.
"Those are some pretty interesting doohickeys up there", Beau said, "I wonder what they're for."
When he looked to his side, he noticed that Thomas wasn't puffing next to him anymore.
"Thomas", Beau asked, "where'd you go?"
Thomas had stopped at the signal like he was supposed to, and was worried about Beau because he had't.
"Looks like Beau doesn't know about signals on Sodor", Thomas said, "I better stop him before..."
Before Thomas could finish, a familiar whistle could be heard in the distance.
"Oh no", Thomas said, "Gordon!"
Gordon was racing down the line with the express, unaware that Beau was puffing along the same line as him, and Thomas began to worry about him.
"I have to stop him", Thomas said.
Thomas blew his whistle to try and get Beau's attention, and from the distance, Beau could hear him.
"That sounds like Thomas", Beau said, "I wonder what he's making all that noise for."
Then, he heard Gordon's whistle and saw him puffing down the line.
"Express coming through", Gordon said.
"Great balls of fire", Beau said.
Gordon looked ahead and saw Beau on his line, much to his shock.
"Look out", Gordon shouted.
Beau and Gordon both applied their brakes, and they managed to stop right in front of each other's buffers.
"Whew, that was a close one", Beau said, "sorry about that, big feller."
But Gordon was cross.
"What do you think you're doing here on my line", Gordon asked.
"I'm sorry", Beau said, "I didn't know you were coming down this track."
"Why didn't you stop at the signal up ahead", Gordon asked, "it should have been red."
"Signal", Beau asked.
"Yes", Gordon asked, "they tell engines when they're supposed to stop."
Beau quickly realized that the "doohickeys" he had passed earlier were signals, and he became very embarrassed.
"Oops, sorry, partner", Beau said, "honest mistake."
Beau puffed away backwards to the signals, and Gordon let out a groan.
"That engine really needs to learn his signals", Gordon said.
Beau soon arrived at the signal he was supposed to stop at, and Thomas was relieved to see him.
"There you are, Beau", Thomas said, "are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine", Beau said, "had a bit a close call with a big blue engine up ahead."
"You must mean Gordon", Thomas said, "he's one of the fastest engines on the whole Island."
"So I saw", Beau said, "if I'd known he was coming down the track, I would have stopped."
"The signal was red", Thomas said, "didn't you see it?"
"I did", Beau said, "but I didn't know what it was."
"I see", Thomas said, "well, those are railway signals right up there."
Beau looked up at the signals, and after Gordon went by, his and Thomas' signals both turned green.
"And now they're green", Thomas said, "that means we can go."
Thomas set off back down the line, and Beau followed him.
"Well no wonder I didn't realize what they were", Beau said, "they're way different from the signals we have back in the States."
"What are they like", Thomas asked.
"They're these wooden balls on a rope and pulley that are hung on a post", Beau said, "when the ball is at the top of the post, that means an engine is clear to go on ahead at full speed."
"Gee", Thomas said, "I've never heard of a signal like that before."
"Yeah, it's clearly different that the signals you've got here", Beau said, "and I guess that means I've still got a lot of learning to do about this place."
"Don't worry", Thomas said, "you'll get everything figured out eventually."
"I hope so", Beau said.
Throughout the day, Thomas showed Beau all the different sights of Sodor, and along the way, Beau discovered some more things that were different from the United States, which made him feel even more worried, and after a while, the two engines pulled into Knapford Station.
"And here's Knapford", Thomas said, "it's the busiest station on the whole Island."
Beau didn't say anything, and Thomas noticed that he was lost in thought about something.
"Did you hear me, Beau", Thomas asked.
"What", Beau asked, "oh, yeah, this does look like a mighty fine station."
Thomas could tell that something was troubling Beau.
"Is something wrong", Thomas asked, "I can't help but notice you haven't really spoken much lately."
"I'm sorry", Beau said, "I guess this is just a lot for me to take in."
"The Island", Thomas asked.
"Yes", Beau said, "it's just so different from America."
"I understand what you're saying", Thomas said, "it can be hard being in a place you've never been for the first time."
"This is all so hard for me to adjust to", Beau said, "I don't think I can do it."
"Of course you can", Thomas said, "it just takes time, is all."
"If you say so", Beau said.
"Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but I have to go collect my passengers", Thomas said, "I'll see you later."
Thomas puffed away to collect Annie and Clarabel, and Beau was left by himself and still feeling worried.
"I want to believe that Thomas is right, but I'm just not sure", Beau said, "the Island of Sodor doesn't feel like a very good place for me."
Beau began to puff away through the station, and as he passed the platform, he noticed Sir Topham Hatt looking at his clipboard, feeling worried.
"Dear oh dear", Sir Topham Hatt said, "this truly is quite the dilemma."
Beau could sense Sir Topham Hatt's worry, so he decided to talk to him and see if he could help any.
"Excuse me, Sir", Beau said.
Sir Topham Hatt heard Beau's voice and turned around and saw him.
"Oh, hello", Sir Topham Hatt said, "you must be that engine from America the Earl brought over for his event up at the castle."
"I sure am", Beau said, "the name's Beau."
"It's a pleasure to meet you", Sir Topham Hatt said.
"You too", Beau said, "anyways, it looked to me like there was something troubling you."
"Oh, it's not something you should bother getting worked up over", Sir Topham Hatt said.
"Well, why don't you tell me anyway", Beau said, "maybe I can help."
"One of my engines, Henry, has broken his siderod and can't take his goods train to Brendam Docks", Sir Topham Hatt said, "and a lot of the other engines are busy today."
"What about me", Beau said, "I can do it."
"Really", Sir Topham Hatt asked, "are you sure about that?"
"Positive", Beau said, "I know where Brendam Docks are, and I have my fair share of experience pulling freight cars."
"Well, I suppose if you're certain about it", Sir Topham Hatt said.
"I am", Beau said.
"Very well, then", Sir Topham Hatt said, "I'll let you take Henry's cars to Brendam."
"Thank you kindly, Sir", Beau said, "where can I find them?"
"Platform five", Sir Topham Hatt said, "Philip should be done shunting them by now."
"Alrighty, then", Beau said, "I'll get on it right away."
"Excellent", Sir Topham Hatt said, "that's what I like to hear."
Beau made his way over to platform five and backed onto the goods train, which consisted entirely of Troublesome Trucks.
"Here we are", Beau said, "maybe a little hard work will help me calm down."
The Trucks had never seen Beau before and could sense that he wasn't familiar with them.
"Hey, look", a 7-Plank Truck said, "have any of you seen this engine before?"
"I haven't", another 7-Plank Truck said.
"Me neither", an Oil Tanker said, "he must be new."
"Then let's have some fun", a Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Van said, "we'll show him why they call us Troublesome Trucks."
Beau didn't hear them, and when the guard blew his whistle, he set off with the train, unaware that the Trucks were up to mischief.
"Oh, we're gonna have ourselves a grand old time today", the van said.
Beau traveled down the line that led to Brendam Docks, and on the way, Thomas puffed alongside him pulling Annie and Clarabel.
"Beau", Thomas asked, "what are you doing here?"
"I'm taking these cars down to the docks", Beau said, "your controller needed an engine to take them, so I volunteered."
Thomas looked at the trucks, and when he saw their faces, he became worried.
"Are you sure you should be doing that", Thomas asked, "those are Troublesome Trucks, after all."
"Troublesome whats", Beau asked.
"Troublesome Trucks", Thomas said, "they're pieces of rolling stock who love to play tricks on engines."
"What kind of tricks", Beau asked.
"They can hold an engine back when they're going up a hill or bump you so much that you go too fast", Thomas said, "they almost made me have an accident when I pulled them for the first time and once pushed my friend James right off the tracks."
"Dang", Beau said, "the freight cars we have back home never behave like that."
"Then I guess that's another difference between our railways", Thomas said, "just be careful with the trucks, and you should be fine, okay?"
"You got it", Beau said.
Thomas puffed away, and Beau began to think about the Troublesome Trucks.
"Sounds like I'm gonna have to put in some extra effort to keep these trucks in line", Beau said, "I'm sure it can't be too hard."
But Beau was about to be proven wrong, because when he came to Gordon's Hill and began to climb it, the Trucks began their mischief by holding back.
"Hold back, hold back", the Trucks said.
Beau found it difficult to climb the hill with the Trucks holding back, but he kept trying anyways.
"Nice try, boys", Beau said, "but you're not gonna make me give up that easily."
Wheelturn by wheelturn, Beau managed to carry on up the hill, and pretty soon, he managed to get the train moving at a normal speed again.
"Now that's more like it", Beau said.
The Trucks were cross that their plan hadn't worked.
"Aw man", the first 7-Plank Truck said, "it didn't work."
"He's still going", the second Truck said.
"Don't worry", the van said, "there's another opportunity coming up for us."
Beau continued up the hill, and soon, he reached the top.
"Finally", Beau said, "this should be easier going downhill."
But the Trucks had other plans in mind.
"Okay, everyone", the van said, "get ready..."
Beau began to go down the hill, and as he did so, the Trucks' chance for mischief finally came.
"Now", the van said.
The Trucks began to push Beau down the hill and make him go faster, much to his surprise.
"What in tarnation", Beau asked, "what's going on?"
Beau sped down the hill and around the bend, and the trucks continued to push him.
"On, on, on", the Trucks said.
Beau's driver applied the brakes, but Beau was still going too fast.
"Rattling rods", Beau said, "I can't stop."
Then there was trouble: Beau was getting closer to a bend in the track and still couldn't slow down, and when he got to it, he came off the rails and landed on his side.
"Ow", Beau said.
His driver and fireman had jumped clear before the accident, and Beau was left stuck in the grass with the Troublesome Trucks, most of which had come off the rails with him, laughing at his misfortune.
"Thomas was right", Beau said, "these Trucks really are Troublesome."
It wasn't long before help came in the form of Thomas bringing Rocky to the scene of the accident, and Beau was lifted back onto the rails.
"So this is what a breakdown crane is", Beau said.
"That's right", Rocky said, "I can lift any engine back onto back onto the rails, big or small."
"Now that's what I call useful", Beau said, "maybe a breakdown crane wouldn't be such a bad thing to have in America."
Rocky set Beau down back onto the tracks, and Thomas spoke to him.
"Are you alright, Beau", Thomas asked.
"Don't worry, I'm fine", Beau said.
"Looks like you had a little trouble with the Troublesome Trucks", Thomas said.
"I guess they were more troublesome than I thought they really were", Beau said.
"I did warn you that they can make you go too fast", Thomas said.
"You're right", Beau said, "I should have listened."
"It's alright, these things happen", Thomas said, "anyways, you better go to the Steamworks to get checked over."
"Okay", Beau said, "I guess I'll see you around, then."
Beau set off for the Sodor Steamworks, and once he got there, the workmen got to work fixing him up, but as they did so, Beau began to think about how different Sodor and the United States were again.
"Even the rolling stock on Sodor is different from America", Beau thought, "this is all too much for me."
At last, the workmen finished repairing Beau, and he left the Steamworks, but instead of going to Ulfstead Castle, he puffed away towards Brendam Docks.
"I think I'd best be getting out of here", Beau said, "I don't belong on this island."
That evening at Ulfstead Castle, Thomas arrived pulling a train of vans.
"Hello", Thomas said, "I've brought the last of the decorations for the big show."
Then, he noticed Sir Robert standing close by and looking worried, so he decided to see what the matter was.
"Sir", Thomas asked, "is everything alright?"
"No Thomas, everything is not alright", Sir Robert said, "I haven't seen Beau for hours."
"He got an accident earlier today and went to the Steamworks for repairs", Thomas said.
"I heard about his accident from his driver", Sir Robert said, "and when I called the Steamworks to check on him, they said that they finished fixing him ages ago."
"They did", Thomas asked, "then where could he be?"
"I don't know", Sir Robert said, "but my big American Railroad show is tomorrow, and Beau is nowhere to be found."
"Don't worry, Sir", Thomas said, "I'll see if I can find him for you."
"Thank you, Thomas", Sir Robert said, "that would be wonderful."
Thomas left the castle and began his search for Beau, looking high and low for him and asking the other engines if they had seen him anywhere, but no matter where he looked or who he asked, he couldn't find Beau anywhere.
"I know he's around here somewhere", Thomas said, "but where could he be?"
Eventually, he arrived at Brendam Docks, and Cranky, who was unloading some cargo from a ship, noticed him looking worried.
"Thomas", Cranky asked, "what are you doing here?"
"Oh, hello Cranky", Thomas said, "I'm looking for an engine."
"An engine", Cranky asked.
"Yes", Thomas said, "it's Beau, the one you unloaded earlier today."
"Him", Cranky asked.
"That's right", Thomas said, "have you seen him anywhere?"
"No", Cranky said, "but let me take a look real quick."
Cranky looked around the docks for any signs of Beau, and soon enough, he found him alone in a siding.
"There he is", Cranky said, "he's in that siding right over there."
"Great", Thomas said, "thank you, Cranky."
"No problem", Cranky said.
Thomas puffed away to where Cranky had directed him to and found the siding where Beau was.
"Beau, there you are", Thomas said.
"Oh, howdy Thomas", Beau said.
"What are you doing here", Thomas asked, "the Earl is wondering where you are."
"I'm waiting for a ship to come in", Beau said.
"A ship", Thomas asked.
"That's right", Beau said, "so I can go back to the U.S. of A."
"You want to leave", Thomas asked, "why?"
"Because it's too different here than it is back home", Beau said, "I tried hard to get used to all these differences, but it's all too much for me."
"I know it's hard adjusting to things like these, but you'll get there eventually", Thomas said, "you just need to try."
But Beau didn't feel so sure that he could do it.
"I'm sorry, Thomas", Beau said, "but this island is no place for an engine like me."
Thomas was sorry to see Beau so upset, but he was still determined to help him out.
"You know, I've been to all kinds of different railways around the world", Thomas said, "and a lot of them are way different from the one here on Sodor."
"Then you know how I feel about this", Beau said.
"I do", Thomas said, "but you know what?"
"What", Beau asked.
"I was able to adjust to all those differences", Thomas said, "I took my time and learned how they all worked, and in no time, I was able to figure it all out."
"Well, good for you", Beau said.
"And I know you can do the same too", Thomas said, "you just have to take some time to learn about how we do things here, and you'll know all about how the North Western Railway works in no time."
"You really think it'll work", Beau asked.
"I'm sure of it", Thomas said.
Thomas' pep talk made Beau feel a little bit better about himself.
"Alright", Beau said, "I guess it wouldn't hurt to give this a try."
"Excellent", Thomas said, "now, we'd better hurry and get you back to the Earl's estate."
Thomas and Beau hurried away down the line back to Ulfstead Castle, where Sir Robert was very happy to see them.
"Thomas, you're back", Sir Robert said, "and you found Beau, too."
"That's right, I did", Thomas said, "now your show about the American railroad can go on."
"Wonderful", Sir Robert said.
"I'm sorry I ran away, Sir", Beau said, "I was so overwhelmed by how different it is here."
"It's alright, Beau", Sir Robert said, "I understand that it can be hard being in a new environment."
"I know", Beau said, "Thomas told me that earlier."
"But one thing I'm sure of is that you'll adjust to it eventually", Sir Robert said, "especially since you'll have the time for it."
"What do you mean by that", Beau asked.
"Well, you'll have some time to yourself when the event isn't going on", Sir Robert said, "so during that time, you could take the time to learn about how things work on the Island of Sodor."
"And I can help you", Thomas said.
"I think that sounds pretty good", Beau said.
"Wonderful", Sir Robert said, "trust me Beau, you're going to have a grand time during your stay here on Sodor."
"Thanks", Beau said, "I think you might be right."
For the next few days, Beau spent his time at Ulfstead Castle as part of Sir Robert's show dedicated to the American Railroad, where the visitors learned all about how railroads in America work, with Beau even telling them a few fun facts of his own, and during the afternoon and evenings, Beau spent his time learning about the North Western Railway with Thomas.
"Wow", Beau said, "I never realized how exclusive passenger services were back home."
"I know", Thomas said, "back in America, only certain railways run passenger trains, but here on Sodor, it's one of the main industries."
"I'm learning more and more about this place every day", Beau said.
Beau continued to learn more about Sodor over the course of his stay, and lots of the people on Sodor learned about America at Sir Robert's show, as did some of the engines who had come to see it, and pretty soon, it was time for Beau to leave Sodor to return to the United States, and Thomas went to Brendam Docks to see him off.
"Well, Thomas", Beau said, "it's sure been fun."
"I agree", Thomas said, "I really enjoyed spending time with you."
"And I enjoyed learning all about the North Western Railway", Beau said, "but then again, I did have a pretty good teacher."
"It was the least I could do", Thomas said.
The workmen finished fastening Beau to Cranky, and he was lifted up off the tracks so he could be loaded onto the ship that was bound for United States.
"Goodbye, Thomas", Beau said, "I hope you'll come and visit me sometime."
"Thanks", Thomas said, "and I hope you'll come back to Sodor someday."
"I'll definitely consider it", Beau said.
Once Beau was loaded onto the ship, it set off for America, and Thomas puffed away back to Tidmouth Sheds, happy to have seen one of his friends from his world travels and also that he was able to help him out with a problem.