"Attention, please, everyone! May I have your undivided attention?" Everyone in the boardroom stopped speaking amongst themselves and turned to face Sir Charles Topham Hatt, who had called out to them.
"Thank you. I see that everyone is present and accounted for." Sir Topham Hatt cleared his throat before continuing, "Now, as you might be aware, last year was one of the most exciting we've ever had, not just for the North Western Railway, but for the whole of Sodor as well. We had intended to send both our number one 'Thomas' and number twelve 'Emily' to Canada to partake in the Great Railway Show. However, Thomas ended up on the wrong ship by mistake and was instead sent to Senegal via Dakar docks. He then ended up traveling the African continent and met with our recently-acquired number eighteen 'Nia' in Kenya. Both engines have since returned home from Tanzania. By that time, we were in the process of purchasing our number twenty-two 'Rebecca' to run extra express services alongside number four 'Gordon'.
"Alongside all of that, we were able to bring in two autocoaches, Isabel and Dulcie to run on the Little Western with their old engine, our number eleven 'Oliver'. Then there was the visit with Olton Hall and the Skarloey Railway's new number seven, 'Ivo Hugh', entering service, coinciding with the return of their number eight 'Duke' into service. Truly, this was an exciting year for those involved, and I imagine that this year will be just as eventful. I believe I'll let Ms. Felicia Mae take over from here."
"Thank you, Sir Charles," said Ms. Mae. "Now, my fascination with railways around the world goes back to my great-grandfather Sir Kenneth Jones, when he wanted to see how engines and railways from other countries operated compared to the United Kingdom. He also had a dream where engines from the UK would visit those in other countries. See how they would be learning culture from around the world. He even had this crazy idea about sending engines like Black Fives and 08 shunters overseas to work in countries like Tanzania and India!"
Some of the other members in the room seemed quite surprised by this idea, but a few, like Annabelle Regaby, were grinning at the prospect.
"So, Sir Charles," continued Ms. Mae, "has Thomas made up his mind on where he would like to go for his around the world trip first?"
"Actually, I was just about to mention that," said Sir Topham Hatt. "Thomas has decided to share his gift with his friends, and they are taking it in turns to travel around the world."
"Oh, that sounds wonderful," smiled Annabelle. "Maybe the engines could have their drivers send postcards back to the island. And this will get them to get to know the engines who've partaken in the past two Great Railway Shows better."
"Just one thing, Sir Charles," said another railway board member, raising his hand. "How will the railway cope with one of our engines absent for a long period of time?"
"And how will we be able to fund this?" added a third. "This is something that, besides Flying Scotsman's world tour, has never been done before. I mean, Thomas went to Africa, but that was an accident."
"That's where I come in," said a voice. Annabelle grinned and rushed toward an older man with graying red hair, hugging him.
"Hi, Dad!" she smiled.
"Hello, my little railway star," the man replied, kissing his daughter on the forehead. "I'm not too late, am I, Charles?"
"No, you're just in time, actually, Henry," said Sir Topham Hatt, shaking his brother-in-law's hand. "I take Percy is about ready to embark on his little trip?"
"Indeed he is," said Henry Regaby. "He's been looking forward to it for the past month. The government are going to be helping to cover the costs for the engines traveling."
The railway board seemed to ease up at that notion, and had to admit, this was going to be an interesting idea.
"I checked with Thomas, Toby, Mavis and Nia beforehand, and they've got the Ffarquhar branch line under control," said Sir Topham Hatt. "If anything happens, I'm sure I can send in Stanley or Amanda for backup."
"Well, one thing's for sure," said Annabelle. "Percy will have a great time in China. I wonder what he'll be doing when he gets there…"
THOMAS & FRIENDS: THE INTERNATIONAL RAILWAY SERIES - SEASON 2
Inspired from the concept by Ian McCue and Micaela Winter
Based upon episodes by Davey Moore, Becky Overton, Camille Ucan and Rose Johnson, Ian McCue and David Stoten
Adapted by Zack Wanzer, James Riddle, Rachel Ravens and Matt St. Onge
Let's go, go, go
On a big world adventure!
At Brendam docks, Percy - now fitted with knuckle couplers, a cowcatcher and bell - was being loaded by Cranky onto a ship known as the Zhiyuan. Several engines had come to see him off and wish him well on his travels, including Thomas and Mavis.
Let's go, go, go explore
With Thomas and his friends!
Rebecca was speeding down the main line with a long goods train in tow; she seemed to be having fun, contrary to how the trucks were feeling right now!
Let's go, go, go
And meet new friendly faces
At Vicarstown station, Henry saw a group of six unfamiliar engines, all painted in black with white lining, arriving a few platforms away. Something, he thought, felt rather off about them.
The world's just a train ride away!
Big world…
Ashima was puffing along the Indian countryside, looking rather flustered about something.
…big, big adventures!
Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures!
Gordon sped on through Maron station, blowing his whistle loudly. Donald was on the other platform with the Main Line Local and rolled his eyes.
Let's discover the world
But where should we begin?
Percy was speeding along the Chinese countryside, racing an unfamiliar blue tank engine with red wheels.
There are so many places
Let's give the globe a spin
Emily was puffing through the forest at dusk with Martha, Julian and Gladys in tow.
You love the hometown that you know
But you want to see some more
James was at an Indian railyard with a diesel shunter painted in orange and brown; both engines were watching a workman guiding an elephant through the yards.
It's time to go, go, go
Get ready to explore!
As night was falling, Thomas bravely led several steam engines down towards Brendam docks, with Harold the helicopter flying high above them.
Let's go, go, go
On a big world adventure!
Yong Bao, in a dark blue livery and no decorations, was following a tiger in the Himalayas.
Let's go, go, go explore,
With Thomas and his friends!
Nia's light shone brightly as she made her way through the snow. Rebecca followed not far behind her with the Christmas special in tow.
Let's go, go, go
And meet new friendly faces
James, Ashima, Rajiv, the orange and brown diesel, and another diesel painted in white surveyed the yard as they watched the film crew set up for the shoot.
The world's just a train ride away!
Big world…
Percy, Yong Bao and a few other engines watched the Chinese New Year celebrations with excitement; only the blue tank engine looked cross for some reason.
…big, big adventures!
Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures!
James and Percy backed into Tidmouth sheds; Rebecca, Gordon, Nia, Thomas and Emily were all eager to hear about the stories they had to tell.