Thomas' Sticky Problem

On a lovely day on the Island of Sodor, Thomas is happy puffing along his branch line with his coaches Annie and Clarabel. "This is a lovely day!" Thomas said excitedly. "Ok," Annie said. "No need to shout," Clarabel said. "Sorry," Thomas replied.

First, Thomas arrived at Crovan's Gate. "I'm here," Thomas announced to Rheneas. "Ok," replied Rheneas. "Thomas," Clarabel said sternly. "Sorry," Thomas replied. "You're getting carried away with your sentences," said Annie.

When Thomas finished dropping off passengers at Crovan's gate, he continued on with his work as he picked up another group of passengers from another station and took them to Culdee Fell Mountain Station.

After his work for the afternoon, Thomas was resting in his shed. "Time for a break," he said to himself and thus, he took an afternoon snooze. Several hours later, the Fat Controller walked up to him.

"Sir?" Thomas replied when he saw him walking towards him. "Thomas," the Fat Controller said, "I need you to collect an important load from Brendam Docks." "Yes, sir," Thomas replied, "I feel rested up enough now." "Please go then," the Fat Controller said.

"Yes, sir," Thomas replied and he set off at once. "At least it has nothing to do with fish," Thomas said to himself as he chuffed to Brendam Docks. It was a busy day at Brendam Docks. "Hey, Salty," Thomas said To Salty, the dockyard diesel. "Ahoy, Thomas," Salty called back. "Ok," Thomas said, "I need to figure out what to do."

He arrived just as Cranky was unloading another load. "What's going on here?" Thomas asked. "These loads need to go to Knapford Yards," Cranky explained just as he picked up another load, consisting of a platform with crates stacked on top of it.

"All right," Thomas replied and he changed tracks and was about to be coupled up to the train of trucks. "At least there are no fish here," Thomas chuckled to himself. But when Thomas prepared to be coupled up to his train, trouble happened.

"Uh oh," said Cranky as his crane hook slipped and his cargo fell onto Thomas. "Argh!" Thomas replied as the crates crashed into Thomas' boiler. "Yuck!" Thomas groaned. Splintered wood, combined with the goods of the crates, wood glue containers, covered Thomas' boiler.

"UGH!" Thomas groaned. "Sorry," Cranky called. "Oh, bother!" Thomas shouted. Thomas' crew tried to clean the glue off, but it was no use. "We'll have to carry on with the job," the driver said. "Gross," Thomas said, but he knew there was no other choice.

Thomas had to carry on with his job, but it took longer than expected because of the glue. Thomas managed to get his goods train to Knapford Yards, but very late. The driver explained to the manager why they were late.

"I'm not sure what to say," said Thomas, "Other than glue is worse than fish!"

After that, Thomas returned to branch line work with Annie and Clarabel, but most of the trains ended up being late. Toby, Percy and Emily were worried about Thomas. "Do you think Thomas will be all right?" Percy asked. "I don't think so," Toby answered, "With all that glue coating him like a bad paint job. He needs a wash down."

"You're right," said Emily, "I'll go talk to him." "Ok," Percy said as Emily puffed up to Thomas after he had shunted a goods train into a siding. "Ugh," Thomas groaned.

He immediately noticed Emily chuffing up to him. "Hey," Thomas said. "Thomas," said Emily, "We're worried about you. Trying to do all of your work covered in wood glue. It's too much for you." "I know," Thomas replied, "But I had a lot of work to do."

"Which is why you should have asked us for help," said Emily as Percy, Toby and Daisy approached him. "Don't worry," said Daisy, "We've got this." "Thomas," said Percy, "I'm worried about you." But it didn't take Thomas too long for him to agree. "All right," Thomas said at last, "I'll go wash up."

"Ok," sighed Emily. "We can take over for you," said Percy. "Thanks," said Thomas. But that is when danger struck. "Wait," Thomas said. "What?" Percy replied. "I can hear something," said Thomas. "What?" Toby asked.

Soon Thomas' worst fear came to light. "A runaway train!" Thomas shouted. "What?!" the other engines exclaimed. Sure enough, he saw a long line of trucks, all fully loaded and were speeding down the line. "They'll crash into the station!" Toby said.

"No," said Emily. "I'll stop them!" Thomas declared at last and he steamed onto the railway line where the runaway trucks are speeding down on. "Thomas!" Emily shouted. "Hang on!" Thomas shouted.

And thus, he locked his brakes. Thomas now faced the brake van of the runaway train. "Oh no!" Toby said and he, Percy, Daisy and Emily back away. "Thomas!" Emily shouted. Bu Thomas stayed firm.

There was a tremendous crash and Thomas got buried in a pile of wrecked trucks and cargo. "Thomas!" Percy shouted. When the dust settled, they could see Thomas. He isn't hurt, but he was dented in several places.

"That was quiet a blockage, wasn't it?" Thomas said. "Thomas!" Toby said seriously, "What were you thinking?!" "I wanted to protect you," Thomas answered, "Everyone." "But you," Daisy said, "What you did is reckless."

"I know," Thomas smiled, "Sorry for worrying you all." There was a moment of silence. "We'll forgive you once you get cleaned up and repaired," said Toby. "Deal," Thomas replied.

After the crash, Harvey and Arthur arrived to clear away the wreckage. After a few days, Thomas was finally cleaned and repaired. "That hit the spot," Thomas sighed, "It felt great."

Soon, Thomas was back at work. "Welcome back, Thomas," said Percy, "My friend." "We forgive you," said Toby. "Thanks," Thomas said, "Glad to be back now." "We know," said Emily. Immediately, Thomas took Annie and Clarabel out for their usual passenger duty.

"This time," Thomas said to himself, "The job will go smoothly." Annie and Clarabel were quick to agree.