DEAR FRIENDS,

If you are familiar with the Thomas & Friends television show, you will know that some series had better quality than others. This is due to a lot of stories being made up, being purely fictional in nature. Other events that did happen were tweaked in an attempt to make stories out of them. Such stories are most prominent in Series Thirteen to Sixteen, but I can tell you that a lot more happened during this time than you were first told.

For the first time ever, you can find out what happened behind the scenes during this period in the show's history. You can visit places and see friends both old and new and experience the fun and excitement that was not shown back then.

It just goes to show that there is always more than what meets the eye.

THE AUTHOR

Summertime was approaching and the engines on the Island of Sodor knew they would be busier. Unfortunately, Hiro and Murdoch had to go to the Steamworks for repairs and the other engines were not sure if they could manage. Luckily, the Fat Controller had said that another engine would be arriving to help them, which made them feel better.

One day, Thomas and Percy were delivering engine parts, tools and equipment to the Steamworks when they saw the Fat Controller talking to an engine they had never seen before. The engine had two small wheels up front and six driving wheels like James. It had bright green paint like the Flying Scotsman and shiny fittings. He looked very smart.

"Thomas and Percy, this is John, our new mixed traffic engine," said the Fat Controller. "He will be helping on the main line while Hiro and Murdoch are being repaired.

"Hello, John," said Thomas.

"Welcome to Sodor," added Percy.

"Thank you," John smiled.

"Thomas, I would like you to go with John on his first passenger train to help him learn the line," continued the Fat Controller. "Now Percy, I want John to get an early start tomorrow morning. As you will be pulling the Mail Train, I hope you won't mind John staying at Tidmouth Sheds tonight."

"Of course not, Sir," said Percy.

That night, the other engines were talking with John when James steamed in feeling worn out. "Oh, are you the new engine?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm John and you must be James."

"He's a mixed-traffic engine like us," said Henry.

James sniggered. "Wonderful. Maybe you can take these goods trains off my buffers. A splendid engine like me shouldn't have to pull them."

"What's wrong with goods trains?" asked John.

"James doesn't like pulling trucks because they're so troublesome," explained Emily.

"Well, they're alright if you know how to handle them," said John.

"Maybe John should replace you on goods work entirely, James," chuckled Gordon.

"Nonsense," said Edward. "James is a mixed-traffic engine and he must do what makes him useful."

The other engines enjoyed talking with John, but as they went to sleep, James was left thinking about what Edward and Gordon had said.

The next morning, Thomas was leaving Knapford Station while James was collecting trucks. "Good morning, James," he whistled.

"Good morning, Thomas," James whistled back. "It's a splendid morning, isn't it? All bright and sunny."

Thomas was surprised.

As James waited to leave, John came up alongside with some coaches. "Good morning, James."

James looked away. "Hullo."

John felt unsure of himself. "Uh…it looks like it's going to be a busy day. Perfect weather for it, eh?"

Sure," said James quickly. Just then, the Guard blew his whistle. "Oh! Sorry, must be off! Busy, busy, busy!" And James puffed away as quickly as he could, leaving John feeling quite puzzled.

Later, James was collecting more trucks from Elsbridge Junction when Thomas puffed in. "Hullo again, James."

"Hullo, Thomas!" said James brightly. "What a day this is; lovely day!"

Thomas was very confused. "What's going on, James?"

"Whatever do you mean?"

Thomas was stern. "James, you're never happy when doing goods work and John said you were acting strange this morning. What is wrong with you?"

James sighed. "I don't want to be replaced."

"What?"

"Gordon said that John could replace me. You heard them talking last night. He doesn't mind pulling trucks or doing dirty work. What if the Fat Controller thinks John is more useful than me?

"The Fat Controller would never replace you, James," said Thomas. "Just because you don't like pulling trucks, that doesn't mean you're not useful."

James wanted to believe Thomas, but he wasn't sure. "I'd like to show everyone how useful I am."

"Well don't try to be better than John," said Thomas. "Remember what happened when you tried to be as good as Edward." And James did.

James' train was getting heavier as he carried on to other side of the island. The trucks had heard everything and when they reached Gordon's Hill, they started playing their tricks. "Hold back, hold back," they giggled.

James groaned and strained as he pulled harder and harder, but he wouldn't give up and soon, they reached the top, but the trucks started pushing hard as they raced down the other side. "On! On! On!" they called.

"No, you don't!" James called back as his brakes held fast. He managed to keep the trucks under control and was feeling puffed out as they reached the bottom.

Then there was trouble.

There was a sudden loud 'crack' and James began wheeshing steam everywhere as he came to a stop. "What wrong?" asked James.

His Driver soon found the problem. "Those silly trucks. They must have strained your cylinders and now one of them is leaking. We'll never be able to carry on by ourselves." And he went to telephone for help.

The Fat Controller had just finished his tea when the telephone rang. "I'll send help as soon as can," he said.

James waited still and silent. Oh dear, he thought sadly. What will the Fat Controller and the other engines think of me now?

Soon, James heard a whistle, but he was not happy when saw who it was; it was John. "Bad luck, James," he said. "Don't worry. I'll help you to the Steamworks and take your trucks on."

"Thank you," said James quietly.

James still had steam, so he was able to help make up for lost time and they soon reached Crovan's Gate. John shunted James to the Steamworks and went back for his trucks.

That evening, James arrived back at Tidmouth Sheds. All of the other engines were waiting for him and so were John and the Fat Controller.

"I'm sorry, Sir," said James. "I didn't mean to break down. I can still pull trucks, Sir. I-"

"James," the Fat Controller interrupted, "you have nothing to be sorry for. It wasn't your fault. I'm proud of you for how you handled those trucks and for carrying on as far as you did. As for your worries, Thomas and John told me everything and I want to be clear that I will never replace you."

"What about John, Sir?"

The Fat Controller smiled. "I brought John here to help you and everyone. From what I've heard, he is very hard working and I am sure he will be Really Useful to us all."

James felt very silly. "I'm sorry, John. I never thought of you as a bad engine. You do seem very nice."

"Don't worry, James," John smiled. "Forgive and forget; that's what I say." And everyone agreed.

James and John are now very good friends. Whenever James has goods work to do, John offers to do it for him and does so if he can. The two engines now share a friendly rivalry with each other, seeing who can work harder each day, and they are both quite agreed on the subject of passengers.