DEAR FRIENDS,

It should come as no surprise to you that, like The Adventure Begins and Misty Island Rescue, not everything you saw and heard about this particular event, or series of events, is what it seems.

It's true the Dieselworks was in a poor state back then and the Sodor Search & Rescue Team was expanded with the acquisition of Belle and Flynn the Fire Engines, but there was more trouble happening on the Fat Controller's Railway and it involved more engines. It's likely the producers thought Diesel 10 was too scary and wove a new storyline from what they found out.

So, what did happen and who was involved? Well, I mustn't say more, or I will spoil the story.

THE AUTHOR

It had been a long, hot summer on the Island of Sodor. The sun shone brightly, the sea sparkled, and the days were long and lazy.

Thomas' steam floated fluffy and white against the clear sky. He chuffed cheerfully around a bend…and gasped. The bright blue sky was suddenly black. Smoggy smoke drifted through the air. There was only one thing it could possibly be. "…Fire!" Thomas breathed and he picked up speed.

An old farm shed was alight. Thomas saw Percy waiting up ahead and a workman waving a red flag. "Thomas!" Percy cried. His face was smudged and sooty.

Thomas stopped alongside his friend. The shed was close to the line, and it was not safe to pass. "Percy, what happened?!" Thomas asked.

"I don't know! I puffed around the bend, I saw the smoke and I was flagged down, just like you!"

The Firemen were on the scene. They ran and raced spraying water from their fire engines through their hoses and onto the flames to keep them from spreading.

Thomas and Percy were worried. Suddenly…they heard a bell. It clanged and clanked loud and long.

"What's that!" Percy cried.

Then, an engine came steaming out of the smoke. Its brass bell rang, and its whistle blew as it came to a stop alongside the shed and called out to the Fire Chief. "What can I do to help, Sir?!"

"Get ready!" the Chief called back. "We need all the help we can get?!"

"Right away, Sir!" Then, with a gurgle, a gush, a rumble and a rush, water shot out of two spouts high on the engine's water tanks.

Thomas and Percy were surprised.

"I've never seen an engine do that before!" called Percy.

"Yes! one that shoots water from her tanks!" agreed Thomas.

The engine whooshed water into the flames alongside the firemen's hoses. The flames flickered, fizzed, crackled, and creaked, but at last, the fire was out.

The Fire Chief was pleased. "Well done, everyone!" he declared and turned to the mysterious engine. "And thank you for your help."

"No trouble at all, Sir."

Now, Thomas and Percy could see the engine clearly. She was blue with red wheels, and she was the biggest tank engine they had ever seen.

"Hello," said Thomas kindly. "I'm Thomas and this is Percy. Who are you?"

The big tank engine smiled. "I'm Belle. Pleased to meet you, Thomas and Percy."

"That was amazing!" exclaimed Percy. "You're so big and brave!"

"Indeed," Thomas added.

Belle blushed. "I just want to help in any way I can."

The Fire Chief walked up to the engines. "It's safe to proceed now," he said.

But Belle couldn't huff or puff. "Trembling tracks," she exclaimed, "I've run out of water. We shouldn't block the line any longer."

"Don't worry, Belle," said Thomas. "Percy and I can help you." And the two engines buffered up to Belle.

The three engines made their way to the Steamworks. After the fire, they needed to be cleaned and checked over.

Belle's inspection was almost complete when the Fat Controller arrived. He was pleased to hear that everyone was all right. "Well, Thomas and Percy," he said, "I see you've met our new fire engine. Welcome to Sodor, Belle and well done."

Belle's face turned red once more. "Thank you, Sir."

Percy was puzzled. "Our new fire engine, Sir?"

"Yes, Percy. Belle is our newest edition to the Sodor Search & Rescue Team. Not only can she help when there is an accident, but she has had special watercannons fitted to her tanks for fighting fires, as you have seen." The Fat Controller turned to the new engine. "You were a Really Useful Engine, Belle. We've never had an engine that fights fire, but from what I have heard, you can't work alone. Another fire engine is what we need at the Rescue Centre."

That made Belle excited. "Then, Sir, I know who you need. You need Flynn the Fire Engine. He's a friend of mine. He's fast, fearless and a really red fire engine. He's a hero."

"I've never met a hero before," said Kevin modestly.

Belle laughed. "Sodor engines are all heroes to me. I've heard so much about them on the Mainland."

"Quite right, Belle," said the Fat Controller, "and if Flynn is as useful as you make him out to be, then I will see if I can arrange for him to come to Sodor and the two of you can work together."

The three engines peeped happily…but what they didn't notice was someone hiding in the shadows.