Boiler Sickness

Today, Thomas has been given the job of taking an important visitor around the Island of Sodor. He had to get ready. "Today," he announced to Percy, Toby, Emily, Sara, Daisy and Mavis, "I've been given the important job of taking officials from the Mainland around the Island of Sodor."

"Well, that's good for you," said Toby, "Congratulations on your very important job." "That's my brother," smiled Sara. "That's an important job," said Percy. "I must start now," Thomas announced, "Oh, and the Fat Controller is going to bring in a new engine to work on our branch line. We must get prepared for her, too." "All right then," Daisy replied.

First, Thomas got a wash down. "I think the men know what they are doing," Thomas though, thinking about telling the workmen how to wash an engine, "Madge should have known that. Oh well." Next, Thomas got his coal bunker filled and water tanks topped off.

"All set," Thomas' driver said, checking the gauges. "Ready to go," Thomas said, "Ok that felt weird." Thomas felt something, but he was already in a hurry to notice further about his condition.

However, what Thomas, or his crew didn't realize that they had used the wrong water tower. It was old and rotten, and it hasn't been used for years. The only reason how Thomas got water from it was because of the rainwater that it had collected in the past few years though a hole on the top. Something else had gotten in there as well.

"I must get my coaches ready," Thomas said to himself and he puffed off to fetch Annie and Clarabel. Unfortunately, Thomas began to feel weird. "What's this?" he asked, feeling strange. Later on, he started bellowing thick black smoke.

At the same time, The Fat Controller arrived on Thomas' branch line on the new tank engine. "That must be her," Daisy said, "And it is a she." The steam engine had an orange paintwork, has four driving wheels with two leading and trailing wheels and a simple design.

"Wow," said Percy. "This is Gloria," the Fat Controller announced, "She had been brought here to help out with the heavy works on the branch line." "Oh boy!" Percy exclaimed. "Welcome, Gloria," said Toby, Emily and Sara. "Okay," thought Daisy, "Finally!"

"Gloria?" the Fat Controller said, "Tell the engines who you are." "My name is Gloria," Gloria began, "I've come from the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, which had closed a long time ago. I've done other works on other railways before coming here."

"It is a pleasure to have you here," Toby said, remembering his old railway before it closed down. "Wait," said Percy, "Where's Thomas?" "Ready, here, ready, go," a croaky voice called out. "What's that?" asked Emily.

"And something stinks," Daisy added. It was Thomas the tank engine, puffing into view, but in a terrible condition. "What's going on, Thomas?!" The Fat Controller called out, alarmed.

All the other engines turned to Thomas. He could see black smoke billowing from Thomas' funnel and steam hissing all over. The smoke gave off a terrible smell. "Uh oh," said Thomas' driver. He put out the fire in Thomas' firebox and checked his water tanks.

"Sir?" he called, "Take a look at this?" The Fat Controller looked into Thomas' tank. "Algae?" they both called out, "How?" "What?" groaned Thomas, "I don't feel so well." "Uh oh," said Thomas' firemen, "It must have been from that water tower." "What water tower?" asked the Fat Controller.

"We'll show you," said Thomas' driver, "But we've got to do something about Thomas first." "Sorry, Thomas," said the Fat Controller, "There's no way you can take the prime minister around in this condition."

"I know sir," gurgled Thomas. "Sara," the Fat Controller ordered, "Please take Thomas to the works." "Yes, sir," Sara answered. Thomas just groaned.

Then the Fat Controller turned to Gloria. "Gloria," he said, "You first job is to take the important passengers instead." "Yes, sir," Gloria answered, "Thank you." "Great idea for your first job," said Percy. "Yeah," Gloria replied, "This place is full of surprises."

"Sorry, Thomas," Gloria said. "It's okay," replied Thomas, sadly. "My name is Gloria," she said, "Sorry that you had to meet me like this." "No trouble," moaned Thomas, "We'll do a better job next time." "Right," Gloria agreed.

With that, Sara took Thomas to the works to have his water tanks cleaned out. Percy had to take Annie and Clarabel to collect Thomas' passengers. "Sorry ladies," said Percy, "Thomas isn't here right now to take you."

"Oh dear," the two coaches said in a sad tone of voice. "Don't worry," said Percy, "He'll be back later. I'll take you two." "All right," agreed the coaches. Meanwhile, Gloria had to get herself ready. That's when Toby puffed up to her.

"Hello," said Gloria, "My name is Gloria." "And my name is Toby," Toby said, "What's going on?" "This is my first job," Gloria explained, "And I'm nervous." "I understand," said Toby, "But don't worry. You can do this." "But these are very important people," Gloria said, "What if-"

"Listen," said Toby, "Just believe in yourself and you can do this job." "Really?" Gloria said, "Self-confidence?" "Yes," Toby answered, "You can do this! Keep telling yourself that." "Okay," Gloria replied.

Immediately, it is time. Gloria puffed into Kellstorphe Station to collect the important passengers and she set off. With self-confidence, Gloria had gave them a wonderful tour of the island. Everyone was impressed.

By the end of the day, at the branch line sheds, Gloria felt happy with herself. Toby was proud of Gloria. "You did wonderful," Toby said to Gloria. "Thank you," Gloria replied, "I mean it." Just then, Daisy arrived home from her work.

"What's going on?" she asked. "I was telling her about my old railway line," Toby answered. "It's still a shame," sighed Gloria, "About it's end." "But more importantly," Toby said, "I told Gloria what a great job she did. Showing those important people the whole railway."

"Yes," Gloria said. "Can I join?" Percy asked who also returned from his jobs. "Of course you can," replied Gloria. "She's a really nice engine," said Emily. "I'd like to tell you about my job today," Percy began, "But not without Thomas, my very best friend."

"That's okay," replied Gloria, "We can talk about other things. Sorry about what happened to your friend." "Yeah," Toby agreed, "But don't worry, he'll be back." "Ok," replied Percy.

The next day, Gloria became friends with Percy and the two worked on their railway lines happily together.

In a few days, Thomas had finally had his water tanks cleaned out from in the inside and felt better again and when he returned to the branch line, he could see everyone having a good time.

"Everyone," he called out, "I'm back." "Thomas!" Percy said, excited, "You've returned!" "I have," said Thomas. Gloria puffed up to Thomas. "Now we can do a better job," she said, "My name is Gloria."

"And my name is Thomas," Thomas said to Gloria, "This is our branch line. We're glad to have you here." The engines cheered. Everyone was glad to have Thomas back. "Oh," said Toby, "The reason why there was algae in your tank was because you've collected water from a rotten old water tower."

"I'd figure that out," said Thomas. "Don't worry," said Emily, "We've gotten rid of it so it doesn't happen again." "Ok," agreed Thomas, "And Gloria, welcome to the Island of Sodor." "Thanks," Gloria smiled. "My best friend is back," Percy declared.

"I am," said Thomas. "Now I want to tell everyone about the trip with the public officials," Gloria announced "Go ahead," smiled Thomas.

And so Gloria did.