OFF TO SEE THE WORLD?

Written by Zack Wanzer, Rachel Ravens and James Riddle

Gordon had recently been repaired following a painful accident with his valve fear on the viaduct. He had been put back on the express following good behavior shortly before then, but it was just after his repairs that he could return to the express full time alongside Rebecca.

"It's good to have you back, Big G," the yellow streamlined engine smiled. "We sure missed you!"

"I did too," agreed Gordon. He then looked over at Rebecca quietly. "Thanks for giving me a fair chance when the others wouldn't."

"Anytime, Gordon," she replied sweetly. Before either of them could depart with their trains, there were some excited passengers to see Olton Hall off.

"Come back and see us soon," said Little Emily.

"You're always welcome at Tyseley Works anytime you like," said Olton Hall. "Farewell, everyone."

"Goodbye, Olton Hall," called Rebecca as the Great Western engine started away. "Thanks for helping us with the extra trains."

"Nice meeting you," added Gordon, and before either of them knew it, she was gone.

"You think Duck and Oliver had a chance to say goodbye to their cousin?" asked Rebecca.

"I believe so," smiled Gordon. "Family is a most important th- oof! What in Doncaster?!" A newspaper had flown smack into the big blue engine's face. His driver promptly removed it, and then looked at it in surprise.

"What is it, driver?" asked Gordon.

"It's Thomas!" Gordon's driver exclaimed with surprise. "And it's about his African adventure this past summer! Look at this!" He then showed both engines the black and white picture of the little blue tank engine pulling the heavy goods train to Tanzania.

"But that was months ago," gasped Rebecca. "Why is it just surfacing now?"

"That's news to us as well," said Gordon's driver. He then headed towards Sir Topham Hatt's office to see if he knew about it as well.


"Ah, so you've seen the news, have you?" chuckled Sir Topham Hatt, holding up a copy of his own. "Truth be told, I was hoping to put it out sooner, but with the Great Railway Show, two new engines coming - one impromptu rescue, I'll admit - Olton Hall's visit, Duke's return to service and Ivo Hugh newly built on the Skarloey Railway, I didn't have time to get word out to the news reporters."

"That does make sense, sir," said Gordon's driver. "It's a lot that's happened over the past few months. Whoever took that picture must've been part of an African safari."

"Indeed it was," Sir Topham Hatt confirmed. "And now you, Gordon and Rebecca have been informed, it shouldn't be long before word gets out to the rest of the island."


And indeed it did. Drivers and firemen were showing the engines, rolling stock and non-rail vehicles alike all over the island of Thomas' adventures in Africa with Nia.

Is there really more to the world than just the Skarloey Railway? wondered Ivo Hugh, staring wide eyed at the newspaper article.

"Yes, Ivo Hugh," chuckled Rusty. "There's many places all over the world. Some of our drivers travel there for holidays sometimes."

Wow… Ivo Hugh broke into a grin. That's so amazing! If I were a person, I'd want to travel like that too.

And it wasn't just Sodor that had heard about Thomas' trip to Africa; the story would soon spread all across England, Wales and Scotland before making its way all over the world.


West Sussex, England

"Goodness!" cried Adams. "Stepney, did you hear the latest?"

"No, what's the news, Adams?"

"It's your old friend Thomas. Look where he was!"

"How in Brighton's name did he get there?!"


Düsseldorf, Germany

"Marklin!" called Frieda. "You're not going to believe vhat my driver found this morning."

"Really?" asked Marklin. "Vhat is it?

"You know zat tank engine that vas supposed to be in ze Great Vailway Show before Percy took his place?" Frieda explained. "Look!"


Varkala, India

"Ashima, Rajiv!" called Gerry. "You'll never guess what's going on!"

"Did you get another letter from your Mid Sodor friends?" asked Ashima.

"Well, no, but you two may want to see the paper my driver got."

"Is that Thomas?" exclaimed Ashima with surprise. "And in Africa too!"

"What's he doing up there?!" asked Rajiv. "Was there another Great Railway show and I wasn't invited?"

Ashima and Gerry just laughed.


Tokyo, Japan

"Well, I'll be!" remarked Hiro. "So Thomas finally got his wish to see the world after all!"

"I didn't think you meant that he meant that literally," gasped Kenji, an electric bullet train. "Just wanting to see more of his home island."

"It's been quite a while since we last saw one another," sighed Hiro. "He did hope to come visit us here one day."

"Well, maybe someday," said Kenji. Both engines noticed a group of excited school children singing a song dedicated to Thomas in Japanese.


San Francisco, USA

Natalie blinked with curiosity.

"Well, Dart mentioned in his letters he was a nice guy," said Natalie. "I'm glad to see he's getting out some more."


Meanwhile, back on Sodor…

"Hello? Er… yes, yes, Thomas did accidentally go to Africa," Sir Topham Hatt confirmed. "He was meant to go to the Great Railway Show in Canada…" The phone rang before he was even done with his call. "One moment. Good day… yes, that's how I acquired Nia… oh, hold the line please…"

Outside, Thomas was with Annie and Clarabel. Several other engines were also there with their trains.

"Why didn't Sir Topham Hatt come out to greet us?" asked Thomas.

"Well, your trip to Africa did gain a huge following recently," said Henry.

"My guess, Sir Topham Hatt is trying to figure out how to answer a lot of questions," said Sean; he and the red coaches were coupled behind Henry.

"I don't think he'll be too happy when he receives his next phone bill," remarked James.

"Good thing we're not people," chuckled Nia. "We don't have to be the ones to pay for it."

The other engines and coaches couldn't help but chuckle at Nia's remark, but their drivers and firemen just rolled their eyes. Eventually, Sir Topham Hatt came out of his office, feeling like his ears were still ringing.

"Er, good morning, everyone," he said, rubbing his forehead.

"Held up by the telephone, eh?" laughed Thomas. "That's a new one."

Sir Topham Hatt cleared his throat before continuing. "It would seem that your African visit has gotten quite a following, Thomas. There may be a lot more tourists coming to the island following this impromptu trip, so I recommend you all stay in tip top condition."

"Yes, sir," said the engines.


Indeed that was the case; so much so that those traveling on Thomas' branch line became too much for Annie, Clarabel and Henrietta to handle on their own. Not only was Hannah enlisted to help Toby and Henrietta, but Dinah, Ashley and Pearl were brought back to visit Sodor to be Thomas' temporary coaches.

"It's so good to see you again, Thomas, Annie and Clarabel," smiled Pearl.

"Brings back old memories followin' yer trip to London," added Dinah.

"We'll say it does," said Clarabel. "Welcome back to Sodor, you three."

"Hey, look!" cried a tourist. "It's Thomas, the engine who traveled all the way to Africa!"

The rest of the tourists flocked around Thomas like bees to a field of fresh flowers. Many of them were either taking pictures of him or taking his number.

"Wow," gasped Thomas. "I didn't realize my trip to Africa brought this much fanfare!"

"What made you go to Africa?" asked a little boy. "Did you feel a call to adventure?"

Thomas chuckled. "Not exactly. I was meant to go to Canada with Emily, Catlin, Spencer and Glynn for the Great Railway Show. Well, Glynn was taking the band, but that's beside the point. Anyway, I was supposed to go a few days early to learn the track layout for the shunting challenge, but I was put onto the wrong ship by mistake."

"Whoops!" chuckled the boy who asked the question.

"Sorry you missed the Great Railway Show," said a little girl. "And with being with your girlfriend too."

"Ah, we reunited in the end," said Thomas. "And there's always another year. Third time lucky, they say. Speaking of luck, I'd call my trip to Africa very lucky."

"Why?" asked an older girl. "Because you got lots of fame for it?"

"Well, that's nice, but the reason why I call it lucky is because of Nia." As if on cue, the orange tank engine came puffing along the other track with some trucks from the quarry.

"Is that her?" asked the little boy. "How'd you convince Nia to leave Africa to come here?"

Thomas found himself with a hard pressed question, looking over at Nia for consent.

"There's no point in sugarcoating it," she said quietly before turning her attention to the crowd. "Thomas being in Africa at the time helped to save my life from my horrible manager. He managed to get him to back down long enough for Sir Topham Hatt to have him arrested by the police, and a new manager started to take care of my friends still in Africa."

"That's so brave!" said the little boy's mother. "But Nia, why'd you still come to Sodor if you got a new manager?"

"Two reasons for that," said Nia with a grin. "One, another engine was needed for this branch line since Daisy was transferred to Harwick. And the second one is because I found a brother I never knew I had."

Some of the little girls couldn't help but "aww" at the cheeky wink Nia gave to Thomas just after she said that.


Over the next few days, as Thomas and Nia's full story spread, one particular tourist came up to Thomas and his coaches - permanent and temporary - with a happy grin on her face.

"Thomas, your whole story about what happened in Africa has been very popular," she said. "And that is why you are to be given a special gift."

"A special gift, ma'am?" asked Thomas with surprise.

"Well… you have wanted to travel the world, correct?" she went on. "I've spoken with Sir Topham Hatt, and he's willing to allow you to do that."

Thomas' eyes widened in shock. "Am I… dreaming…?" he wondered quietly.

"I think she's being serious, Thomas," whispered Annie.

"Oh, Great Railway…" gasped Thomas. "This is… this is really special! Thank you for having that arranged with Sir Topham Hatt."

"My pleasure, Thomas," said the tourist. "Just give the word when you're ready to start."


Thomas puffed along his branch line with the coaches, still very stunned about this gift he received.

"Where will you go first, Thomas?" asked Clarabel.

"It's such a tough choice, Clarabel," Thomas admitted. "There were a lot of competitors at the Great Railway Show who ended up here by mistake a couple of years prior, and they came from many different countries. China, India, Australia… I'm stuck on where to go first."

It wasn't long before Thomas and the coaches met up with Percy down at Dryaw station.

"I really can't decide, you lot…"

"Can't decide on what?" asked Percy. "Did you decide to get a new livery?" he added cheekily.

Thomas laughed. "No, it's not that," he said. "You won't believe this, but I've been given a chance to travel the world."

Percy gasped. "You're pulling my wheel."

"We heard it too," said Pearl. "A tourist spoke to Sir Topham Hatt, and Thomas has been granted a chance to do it."

"That's quite an honor, Thomas," smiled Percy. "I hope you have the time of your life and tell us all about it."

"I sure will," said Thomas. "Except… I don't know where to begin. Do you have any ideas?"

"Yong Bao was really nice to me at the last show we took part in together," said Percy. "I wouldn't mind heading over to China if it were me."

"Yes, that does sound like a good place to go," smiled Thomas. "I'll take that into account. Thanks, Percy."


The next engine that Thomas met with was James at Elsbridge. The red engine was shocked when Thomas told him the news.

"You, traveling the world?!" he gasped. "I didn't think you were taking it this literally!"

"Well, little engines can have big dreams," chuckled Thomas. "So, I'm not entirely sure where to start."

"Hmm… I wouldn't mind going to India, I guess," James shrugged. To give Rajiv a piece of my mind, he thought internally.

"It would be nice to see Ashima again," Thomas said thoughtfully.

"Oh, yes," James remembered, a rather cheeky grin spreading on his face. "Can't forget your second girlfriend, can you?"

"She's not my second girlfriend!" snapped Thomas. "I'm loyal to Emily through and through."

"Calm down, I was just teasing," muttered James.


All around the island, Thomas started to get more ideas from the other engines on where they'd go if they had a choice.

"I wouldn't mind if I headed to Germany," said Henry. "Frieda seems quite friendly if you get to know her right, and we do owe Marklin a favor after she helped out when Edward was on an overhaul."

"Probably Australia," said Gordon. "Shane was one of the few engines that helped me out during my… eh, 'Shooting Star' phase."

"I did joke about going to Brazil during that regatta we witnessed," said Duck. "But now with that question in mind, I wouldn't mind checking it out."


During the evening, Thomas settled into Tidmouth sheds, a lot weighing on his mind.

"…and Oliver said Italy, Toby America… there's lots of places out there…" He sighed.

"You still haven't decided, Thomas?" asked Emily.

"No. There's so many good options, it's hard to narrow it down to just one," said Thomas.

"Maybe you'll feel more confident about it after you sleep on it," suggested Gordon.

"Yeah, maybe I will," said Thomas before yawning and falling asleep. "Good night, everyone."

While sleeping, Thomas started to dream that he was on his world trip…


"Wow!" he cried. "China! This looks so amazing!"

"Welcome, Thomas," smiled Yong Bao. "There is so much for you to see."

"Thanks, Yong Bao," Thomas grinned. "Where do we begin?"

"Well, we could begin with the nature reserve," he replied. "Or, there is the Chinese New Year festival, or maybe Tai Chi."

"All of those sound great, Yong Bao- whoa!"

But much to Thomas' surprise, he was swept right off the rails into another land.

"Welcome to India, Thomas," greeted Ashima. "The tiger sanctuaries are not far from here."

"Oh, well, that does sound lovely, Ashima," said Thomas. "How do we get there?"

"Just follow me and we'll see it, and we can go past the monkey palace on the way."

No sooner had Thomas started, he was catapulted to somewhere else.

"G'day, mate!" greeted Shane. "Great to see ya could make it down under."

"Er, hello Shane," said Thomas. "That's funny, I was just talking to…"

"Come on, Thommo; Uluru awaits us!"

"Is that the big fancy rock?" asked Thomas. Before he could get an answer, Thomas felt himself being shipped off to yet another location.

By now, everything was becoming a blur. Gina was saying something to him down in Italy, probably about Rome; Raul was trying to show him around Brazil in some rainforest; Frieda was giving a talk about her own heritage in Germany, and Hank was showing him around the United States. Thomas found himself ending up in more countries faster than when he was in the previous…


…before he woke up back at Tidmouth sheds, gasping over his dream. Everyone else was fast asleep.

Thomas silently looked all around him. He'd lived with Gordon, James, Percy and Emily in these very sheds for years ever since the destruction of Ffarquhar sheds during the construction of the Sodor Airport near Cronk, and that also applied to Edward and Henry before they moved out to Wellsworth and Vicarstown, respectively. Meanwhile, Toby had found himself sleeping at Anopha Quarry with Mavis since the airport's completion, and Nia and Rebecca hadn't even lived at Tidmouth for a full year. As exciting as it would be to travel the world and meet new faces… what about them back on Sodor? Thomas wondered to himself, was he being selfish without realizing it?

"What am I doing?" he said quietly. "All these great adventures… It would be fun to have them myself. But… the other engines have been very deserving of something special too. I don't want them to think I'm never coming home again." But then, he smiled as an idea formed in his mind. "I'll talk with Sir Topham Hatt in the morning."


The following morning, Sir Topham Hatt was in his office again, glancing at a piece of paper.

"And how on earth am I going to pay for this?!" he groaned.

"Sir, sir!" a voice called from outside, punctuated with a whistle.

"Ah, uh…" Sir Topham Hatt put the piece of paper in his drawer and headed to see Thomas. "Thomas, did you decide where you want to go?"

"Even better," insisted Thomas. "Instead of just having me travel to different places, why not let the others join in on the fun too? Percy's talked about going to China, and James has interests in seeing India. They all want to see new places too."

Sir Topham Hatt was silent for a moment, then he smiled at the blue tank engine.

"That's very generous of you, Thomas," he said quietly. "I'll see to it to make arrangements as soon as I can."


Indeed it was, and one day, Thomas came to Percy with a message.

"Percy, I just thought I'd let you know that there's a boat heading to China in about a month after Christmas."

"Is that where you chose to go, Thomas?" asked Percy excitedly.

"I didn't say I was going," chuckled the blue tank engine before winking at the green one. Percy was quiet for a second.

"Y-you mean…" he finally squeaked, "I get to go… visit China?!"

"That's correct," grinned Thomas. "And the other engines get a chance to visit their countries too, if they want to, that is."

"Thomas… that's very… thank you!" Percy said through happy tears.


It wasn't long before the other engines got wind of the news.

"You really want us to do this too?" asked Oliver.

"Hey, I can't keep all the fun to myself, can I?" chuckled Thomas. "You've all earned this just as much as I have."

Indeed they have. The engines were now very excited to go traveling to their chosen destinations and meet new faces as well as a few familiar ones from the Great Railway Show. But they couldn't help but wonder if Thomas would end up going to one of those countries intentionally; after all, Africa was a complete accident. But all those adventures are stories for another day.


Author's Comments

Here's the second story of Winter Engines, as well as the only original story in the book. The purpose of this story is to provide an explanation as to why Thomas and the other engines are allowed to travel overseas to other countries. The actual show never really gave a proper explanation as to why that is, and I doubt that Thomas would be the only engine who'd travel the world. This will be one of the major changes I've made to the IRWS, as I think it would be much better than having Thomas being bland and constantly having to learn about foreign cultures without anything interesting happen. I mean, I get that his name's in the title, but the friends are just as important as he! That's also why we included the dream sequence, as well as having Thomas think about how his friends might be feeling if he was away overseas for long periods of time. I can imagine that it would be emotionally unhealthy in the long run.

Next time, we play another little game of Hunt the Truck!