I do not own Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, they are strictly the property of both the Awdry Family and Britt Allcroft. This story is purely for entertainment and never profit.
Episode 56: Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree, Original Airdate: December 17th 1986
It was a week before Christmas on the Island of Sodor. Over at Knapford Station, Thomas and his father, Howard had just brought the Christmas tree for the station. The workmen then unloaded the tree and began to set it up, Sir Topham Hatt gave Thomas and Howard the rest of the day off so that they could help them.
Mr. Conductor, Stacy Jones and Billy Twofeathers were visiting from Shining Time Station and were also helping to decorate it. Soon the tree was decorated with lights, tinsel, and bobbles, it looked very beautiful. Thomas, Howard, Sir Topham Hatt, Mr. Conductor, Stacy and Billy looked at the tree with pride.
"Daddy" came a child's excited voice.
Thomas turned to see Lucy and Tanya coming onto the platform. Smiling, Tanya let go of Lucy's hand and she waddled into her father's waiting arms.
"Hello Lucy" said Thomas, "have a fun day in playschool?".
"Fun day daddy" replied Lucy.
"You and Thomas sure got the station a nice tree" Tanya told her husband.
"We sure did" replied Howard.
"At least you and your father didn't get stuck in a snowdrift unlike last year" Mr. Conductor said to Thomas.
"True" replied Thomas.
"Daddy and granddad snowdrift?" Lucy innocently.
Thomas looked at his daughter, he knew what this meant, a story was coming on.
"That's right sweetie" said Thomas, "would you like me to tell you it?".
"Yes please" said Lucy excitedly.
"Anyone else?" asked Thomas.
"I'm down for it," said Stacy.
"Same here" announced Billy.
"It would be nice for someone to tell a story of Sodor other than me" replied Mr. Conductor.
"Well, if you are going to tell us a story Thomas" said Sir Topham Hatt, "let us all go into the station café".
The group then entered Knapford's café where they all ordered some coco and some biscuits. Afterwards they sat down at a table.
"Alright everybody ready"? asked Thomas.
"Ready daddy" replied Lucy.
"Take it away son," said Howard.
"Alright" said Thomas as he began his story, "this all began during the Christmas of 2012".
(Story Begins)
Every Christmas there is a carol party on the Island of Sodor. The town band plays and lots of people come to sing the carols around the Christmas tree, there is also a very special treat for the children.
This year it was Sodor's 100th annual Christmas carol party and so Sir Topham Hatt wanted this year's carol party to be an extra special celebration.
It was three days before Christmas on the Island of Sodor. Many children were expected to be on Sodor for the 100th annual Christmas carol party, this year being held at Tidmouth station. All along the North Western Railway, all the engine drivers were busy with the final preparations, by order of Sir Topham Hatt, all the stations were to scrubbed and polished.
Thomas, Henry, and Gordon were at Knapford station waiting for Sir Topham Hatt to give them their final orders. Sir Topham Hatt soon came up to the three drivers.
"Right now," begun Sir Topham Hatt, "I'm sure you are waiting for what your jobs are?".
"That we are Sir" replied Thomas.
"Right now," said Sir Topham Hatt looking at Henry, "Henry you're in charge of the cards, letters and parcels".
"Yes Sir" replied Henry.
"Gordon" he said turning to Gordon, "you are to collect Mayor Allcroft and bring her to the party".
"Consider it done Sir" replied Gordon proudly.
"And you Thomas" he said turning to him at last, "you have an extra special job".
"What is it Sir?" asked Thomas excitedly.
"You are to collect the Christmas tree from Barrow-in-Furness" said Sir Topham Hatt, "Duck will look after your coaches until you return
"I won't let you down Sir" promised Thomas, "and may we please sing carols to Sir?".
"Well see" said Sir Topham Hatt.
Sir Topham Hatt then turned and walked away. Henry and Gordon both hopped into their engines and drove off, Thomas did the same a few minutes later. Later that evening, Thomas and Lady were at the Really Useful Engine pub in Ffarquhar. Percy, Toby, and Daisy were with them, the pubs owner, Peggy Branigan, a blonde woman in her early fifties, came up to them with a Guinness for Thomas, Percy, and Toby. Lady and Daisy were having a Coke Zero each.
"Here you lot go" said Peggy as she handed them their drinks, "its half price since its Christmas".
"Thanks Peggy" replied Thomas.
"And how is little Lucy today?" Peggy asked.
"She's fine" replied Lady, "its her second Christmas this year.
"And what's Santa going to bring her?" Peggy asked.
"Oh probably lots of presents" said Thomas, "because she's been such a good little girl".
"That's the spirit" replied Peggy with a smile, "oh by the way, see that "respected family" lately?".
Thomas and Lady both frowned when they heard the word "respected family". They both knew whom Peggy was referring to, the Henderson's.
"No thank God" replied Thomas, "we haven't seen those fuckers ever since they drove me E2 into the stationmasters house in April".
"Thomas mind your language please" scolded Lady.
"Sorry Lady" replied Thomas.
"Wait a minute" asked Daisy, "wasn't the stationmasters house the reason Sir Topham Hatt hired me in the first place?".
"It sure was" replied Percy.
"And after Sir Topham Hatt learned what they did, he fired them on the spot" said Toby, "thank God he did".
Thomas, Lady, Percy, and Toby then began to inform Daisy about the Henderson's. They told them of how rude and nasty they were to the other railway staff and engine drivers.
"So let me get this straight Thomas" said Daisy, "Ryan hates you because he says you stole Lady from him".
"That's right Daisy" replied Thomas, "but the thing is, he and Lady never dated".
"And after I got pregnant with Lucy, John and Mary tried to spread a malicious rumour that I had led him on," said Lady.
"I take it Burnett didn't like it at all?" asked Daisy.
"Oh, you should have seen him Daisy" said Percy, clearly remembering how enraged Burnett was, "I had never seen Burnett so angry".
"Maybe we should stop talking about the Henderson's and talk about something happy?" suggested Peggy.
"Peggy's right guys" said Toby, "it's Christmas, the time for happy things".
"So, Lady" asked Peggy, "what did Burnett get for his granddaughter Lily?".
The next morning Thomas and Howard both went up to Barrow-in-Furness to collect the Christmas, Thomas' E2's snowplough was being repaired so they had to go without it. They both arrived early and so decided to wait for the engine to deliver it
Soon the engine delivering the tree arrived, Thomas and Howard both notice that the engine was a green LMS Patriot Class tender engine, its driver then hopped down from the cab. Thomas then realized that he was Reginald, an engine driver who had visited the year before and had an argument with Gordon and Duck about which station was London.
"Alright here's your tree lads," said Reginald.
"Thank you," said Howard.
"Say I remember you" said Thomas to Reginald.
"You do?" asked Reginald curiously, "because I don't remember ever seeing you before in my life".
"Weren't you on Sodor last year?" asked Thomas.
"That's right, how do you know that?" asked Reginald.
"I remember Gordon telling me that he had an argument with you and Duck about which station was London," said Thomas.
"And its Euston, Euston I tell you" said Reginald in annoyance, "but those two idiots say that London's King's Cross and Paddington".
With that Reginad uncoupled the flatbed from his engine, he then hopped back into his engines cab and left. Thomas and Howard then coupled the flatbed to Thomas' E2 and then headed back to Sodor. An hour and a half later, they were both puffing down the mainline making excellent time.
"We're making excellent time son," said Howard.
"If we're lucky we might be there early" replied Thomas.
Soon Thomas and Howard were switched off the mainline onto the branch line. They were both puffing through the branch line cutting when they saw, much to their shock, a large snowdrift. Thomas quickly slammed his engines breaks on, but it was too late. The front of Thomas' E2 ploughed into the snowdrift.
"Oh bother" said Howard, "now I wish we had your engines snowplough".
"We must head back to the mainline and inform the signalman about this," said Thomas.
"Perhaps you're right son" said Howard, "we can't let anyone else get stuck in this snowdrift".
"We also mustn't be late dad" said Thomas, "Sir Topham Hatt is relaying on us to get the tree to Tidmouth station for the carol party".
Whistling his E2's whistle bravely, Thomas and Howard then tried to reverse out of the snowdrift. But they couldn't, there was even worse to come. Whilst trying to reverse Thomas' E2 some of the snow became loose, it then began to slide towards Thomas and Howard.
"THOMAS LOOK OUT" shouted Howard in horror.
Thomas' E2 was snowed under, along with the Christmas tree. Meanwhile back at Tidmouth sheds, Henry, Gordon, Donald, and Douglas were waiting. They were starting to become impatient at Thomas and Howard for being late, they made this known.
"Where on Earth is Thomas" said Gordon impatiently.
"Why is he running late?" asked Henry.
"And Howard of all people," said Gordon.
"The wee boy and his daddy will ruin un Christmas party" said Donald.
"It will make all the wee boys and girls crying if its cancelled," said Douglas.
"Silence" came a well known voice.
Henry, Gordon, Donald, and Douglas all saw that it was Sir Topham Hatt. They all noticed that he had a concerned look on his face, they knew that when he had this look on his face, then something was wrong.
"What is it Sir?" asked Gordon.
"Where are Thomas and Howard" asked Henry.
"I regret to say that I do not know" replied Sir Topham Hatt solemnly, "the stationmaster at Tidmouth has rung to inform me that neither Thomas nor Howard have yet arrived".
"Where are they?" asked Donald.
"I'm afraid that I don't know Donald" replied Sir Topham Hatt, "I rang the stationmaster at Barrow-in-Furness, and he told that me that both Thomas and Howard left the station safely. Unfortunately, snow has brought the telephone lines down, both Tanya and Lady have tried to ring them but to no avail. We must assume that they are stranded".
Upon hearing this Henry, Gordon, Donald, and Douglas felt bad for being annoying with Thomas and Howard for being late. They all knew that they could be in trouble and needed to be rescued, so Donald and Douglas volunteered since their engines hand their snowploughs on.
"Where can we unt try and find them Sir?" asked Douglas.
"The last place they were seen was entering the branch line cutting along Thomas' branch line" said Sir Topham Hatt, "that's where I suggest that you both look".
Feeling cold but confident, Donald and Douglas set off to the rescue. A while later then came to the branch line cutting where they both saw a massive snowdrift. As they hopped down from their cabs to have a look around, they both thought they heard someone calling.
"Donald and Douglas" came a voice.
"Hush, I can hear something," said Donald.
"Probably the wind" suggested Douglas.
"No listen," said Donald.
"Over here" came the voice.
Donald and Douglas both looked to where the voice was coming from, sure they saw its source. It was Thomas, waving at them from the ledge overlooking the branch line cutting.
"Thomas" Donald and Douglas both said.
"Am I glad to see you two" called Thomas.
Thomas and Howard had both managed to bail the cab before the snow had covered Thomas' E2, luckily the kindly owner of a nearby cottage had let them take shelter and had given them some warm coco. Howard then called up the workmen, it then took them some time to decide how to dig away the huge drifts of snow, Thomas, and Howard both joined the rescue.
At last, both Thomas' E2 and the precious Christmas tree were then freed from the snowdrift. Thomas, Howard, Donald, and Douglas then set off once more to finish their long journey. By the time they reached Tidmouth station, it was getting dark. Thomas and some of the other drivers were greeted warmly by Sir Topham Hatt from the signal box.
"Thank you everyone" said Sir Topham Hatt, "as a reward for all your hard work, you make go and enjoy the carols. Be quick now".
Excited that they could join the carols, Thomas and the other drivers rushed off to Tidmouth station. At Tidmouth station all were soon ready, Sir Topham Hatt made the announcement.
"One, two, three" said Sir Topham Hatt.
Suddenly like magic, Tidmouth station was flooded with multicoloured Christmas lights. The attendants for Christmas party included Thomas, Lady, Lucy, Annie, Clarabel, Howard, Tanya, Burnett, Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Percy, Toby, Duck, Donald, Douglas, Bill, Ben, Boco, Daisy, Henrietta, Bertie, Terence, Trevor, Mary, Jem Cole, Reverend Wilbert Awdry and Reverend Teddy Boston. Even Diesel and Reginald were allowed to attend the party, Sir Topham Hatt then made an important announcement.
"Ladies, gentlemen and children of all ages" said declared, "I give you three cheers for Thomas Billinton and all his friends whose hard work has made this occasion possible".
Everyone gave the North Western Railway drivers a huge cheers, the drivers all looked humbled but grateful. Then there was a familiar whirling sound, Percy and Toby looked and then gave each other a smile, they both knew who it was.
With landing light shinning brightly, Harold gently landed his helicopter in the snow. With him was the biggest surprise of all, Santa Claus, everybody cheered again, and the party finally began.
Everyone had a great time at the 100th annual Christmas carol party. Santa handed out presents to all the children, including Lucy who got a small toy train. Sir Topham Hatt shared a few Christmas crackers with Reverends Awdry and Boston. Trevor had a conversation with Terence and Mary about their farming and Trevor's life on the vicarage. Gordon and Duck even had another argument with Reginald.
"Listen to me you two pricks" said Reginald crossly, "London is Euston, Euston I tell you".
"You are just a pea brained idiot" said Gordon, "London's St. Pancras now".
"Bullshit London's Paddington" snapped Duck, "you're probably saying its St. Pancras to wind me up".
But all in all, it was a good party, and everyone had a good time. Thomas then stood beside Lady and put his hand on her shoulder before smiling at her.
"It wasn't fun getting stuck in the snow" he said to her, "but it was worth it for this party".
"It sure was and that's why I love you Thomas" said Lady with a smile
"Happy Christmas Lady" said Thomas, "Happy Christmas Everyone".
Around 10:00 PM the party began to finish. But before it did Sir Topham Hatt took the podium and spoke into in the microphone.
"Ladies, gentlemen and children of all ages" Sir Topham Hatt said, "I would every much like to finish the 100th annual Christmas carol party with a chorus of A Spaceman Came Travelling by Chris de Burgh, sung by my drivers and the visiting drivers to".
Thomas and Lady both handed Lucy to Tanya as they joined Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Percy, Toby, Duck, Donald, Douglas, Bill, Ben, Boco, Daisy, Diesel and Reginald all gathered in front of Gordon, Henry and Boco's engines which were parked at the station platforms. Once they had all gathered, Sir Topham Hatt was given the composers baton and then all the drivers began to sing.
"A spaceman came traveling on his ship from afar
'Twas light years of time since his mission did start
And over a village, he halted his craft
And it hung in the sky like a star, just like a star
He followed a light and came down to a shed
Where a mother and child were lying there on a bed
A bright light of silver shone round his head
And he had the face of an angel and they were afraid
Then the stranger spoke, he said, do not fear
I come from a planet a long way from here
And I bring a message for mankind to hear
And suddenly the sweetest music filled the air
And it went la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la, la la la la la la la la la
Peace and goodwill to all men and love for the child
La la la la la la la la la, la la la la la la la, la la la la la la la la la, oh
This lovely music went trembling through the ground
And many were awakened on hearing that sound
And travelers on the road
The village they found by the light of that ship in the sky
Which shone all around
And just before dawn at the paling of the sky
The stranger returned and said, now I must fly
When two thousand years of your time has gone by
This song will begin once again to a baby's cry
And it went la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la, la la la la la la la la la
This song will begin once again to a baby's cry
And it goes la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la, la la la la la la la la la
Peace and goodwill to all men and love for the child
Oh the whole world is waiting, waiting to hear the song again (la la la la la la la la la)
There are thousands standing on the edge of the world (la la la la la la la la la)
And a star is moving somewhere, the time is nearly here (la la la la la la la la la)
This song will begin once again to a baby's cry"
(Story Ends)
"Wow that was some party" said Mr. Conductor as Thomas finished his story.
"It sure was" replied Thomas.
"Anyway, I think that we should all go home and get ready for the Christmas party tonight" said Sir Topham Hatt.
Everyone then got up, paid for the coco and biscuits before leaving the café. Thomas held Lucy in his arms and looked down at her as she looked up at him with a smile.
"Love you daddy," said Lucy.
"And daddy loves you too Lucy," said Thomas.
Thomas then gave a small sad sigh. This was going to be Lucy's first Christmas without Lady, ever since the hijacking of her engine by Boomer and those masked thugs. Thomas immediately shook the memory from his head. He needed this to be a happy Christmas for Lucy and he was going to make it so, looking down at her again made him remember the Christmas morning back in 2010.
(Christmas Day 2010)
Thomas' eyes opened to the rays on sun shining through his window. He then looked towards the beautiful naked blonde girl sleeping peacefully in his arms. Thomas gave a smile at his beloved Lady, knowing how lucky he was to have known her since childhood.
Just hours earlier they had passionately made love the land where the magic railway was. It was the most wonderful experience of their lives, and it wasn't something that they could ever forget. One thing he did remember was that they didn't use protection, that left the possibility of Lady becoming pregnant.
But Thomas knew that even if she didn't, he would rather die a horrible death then leave her. He loved her and potentially their future child too much to even consider such a cruel thing. He then slowly slid his hand down to Lady's buttocks and began to massage it, feeling Thomas gently caress her bum woke Lady from her slumber.
"Morning beautiful," whispered Thomas.
"Morning handsome" whispered Lady in return.
"Have peaceful dreams?" asked Thomas.
"The most wonderful and you in each and everyone of them" replied Lady.
Just then there was a knock at Thomas' door which caused Thomas and Lady to snap to attention.
"Thomas are you awake?" came Annie's voice.
"Eh yes" said Thomas desperately hoping that his younger sisters weren't going to come into his room.
"Are you going to come down?" came Clarabel's voice, "Santa's been!".
"Sure, me and Lady will be down" said Thomas before he quickly realized what he had just said much to his embarrassment.
"Lady's with you?" asked Annie.
"Me and Thomas will be downstairs in a minute," said Lady.
"Okay" said Clarabel.
Annie and Clarabel both then headed downstairs, leaving Thomas and Lady to themselves. Thomas then looked at Lady who gave him a smile.
"Well I guess we're going downstair then?" asked Thomas.
"We sure are" smiled Lady.
Lady then waved her hand and both she and Thomas where then dressed. They both then got out of bed and headed downstairs to open whatever presents Santa had given them.
And done. Now I know that it's three days late and why I've posted the final episode of season two before I've completed season one. Well, I guess you all know the answer to that, anyhow I'm please with how it turned out. Also a little thing to Guest, I would every kindly request that you let me do the stories on my own schedule, I know that you are eager to see what's coming, but I would rather you be a little patient, I'm not traying to sound rude or anything. Please be so kind as to leave a preview and as always, see you next time.