The days passed and the Logging Locos made Thomas very welcome at their Misty Island home. With Thomas there, it was easier for them to get their work done. The three engines told Thomas how their Logging Station began and what the wood was used for, Thomas told them about the Island of Sodor and the new Rescue Centre, and they all had many other great stories to tell each other.

Thomas was enjoying himself, but he couldn't stop thinking about his new friends and their home. All around him, everything was worn and weary, faded and dated. "Why does everything look and sound like it's falling apart?" he puffed to himself.

One evening, when Thomas arrived at the Shed, he asked Bash and Dash.

"Our Logging Station is old," said Bash sadly, "and these are hard times for us."

"The Manager has been doing what he can to keep us busy," said Dash.

Then, Ferdinand puffed in, and he did not look happy.

"What's wrong, Ferdinand?" Thomas asked.

"It's not good news." Ferdinand looked at his smaller shedmates. "I'm sorry, Bash and Dash," he said. "Mr. Morgan has told me the Logging Station will close at the end of the week."

The other engines gasped.

"Close?!" cried Dash.

"But…but…it can't!" stuttered Bash.

Thomas was surprised...and confused. "What are you talking about?"

"You've seen how worn and clattery everything is around here," explained Ferdinand sadly. "Our Manager has been struggling to keep our Logging Station open for some time. Now, another logging company has bought our Station, but everyone says we're old fashioned. They want to close our line and use big modern machines to collect the logs."

"Can they do that?"

Ferdinand sighed. "I'm afraid they can. I've seen these new machines myself and their operators say they're more reliable than us." Ferdinand looked at the Twins again. "I'm very sorry, you two. Mr. Morgan said did everything he could, but we're just too expensive."

"No," said Bash quietly.

"This is our home," moaned Dash. "What will happen to us now?"

"They wouldn't scrap us…would they?"

Ferdinand looked doubtful. "I don't know."

Thomas felt sorry for the Logging Locos. "How much longer do you have?"

"We close after this shipment of Jobi Wood is finished."

Thomas had trouble sleeping that night. He was worried for his new friends. "They do work hard," he said to himself. "They can't be scrapped. Any railway would be lucky to have them." Then, an idea flew into Thomas' funnel. "That's it!"

"What's it?" yawned Ferdinand.

"Oh, nothing," whispered Thomas. "Sorry." Thomas looked at Bash, Dash and Ferdinand. "Don't worry, you three. Everything will be alright."

The next morning, the engines were ready to get back to work, but the Logging Locos looked sad, especially Bash and Dash.

"Shall we get back to work," asked Dash.

"You two go on ahead," replied Thomas. "We'll catch up with you."

The two small engines were puzzled.

"Okay?" said Bash. "Don't take too long."

And they scurried away.

"What's going on, Thomas?" asked Ferdinand.

"Ferdinand, I've had an idea!" said Thomas excitedly.

"What's that?"

"This Jobi Wood has to go to Sodor."

"That's right."

"And when this shipment is complete, I'll be going back home too."

"Yes."

"So…you, Bash and Dash should come to Sodor with me!"

Ferdinand was surprised. "What?!"

"You said the Logging Station is closing and you have nowhere else to go," said Thomas. "The Fat Controller can always use more hard-working engines on his railway."

Ferdinand thought for a moment. "I don't know. How reliable can three engines like us be on a railway like yours?"

"Come on, Ferdinand. It's your only chance."

Ferdinand sighed. Then, he smiled. "All right, Thomas. I'll tell the Manager about your idea, but I can't promise anything."

Thomas smiled.

"And don't tell Bash and Dash. I don't want them to get excited for no reason."

"Right." And Thomas raced off feeling quite giddy.

Thomas hummed happily as he went about his work. The twins were puzzled.

"You seem…very happy today, Thomas," said Bash.

"Oh, maybe I am."

"Where's Ferdinand?" asked Dash.

Thomas remembered what Ferdinand had said. "He…had to see the Manager about something important."

And it wasn't long before Ferdinand joined them. He tried to sound confident. "Still working hard, I see."

"We're trying," said Bash glumly.

Thomas stopped close to Ferdinand. "What did he say?" he whispered.

"He's going to speak with your Controller," Ferdinand whispered back, "but don't get your hopes up. I don't want Bash and Dash to be disappointed."

"I promise I won't say a word."

The Fat Controller was enjoying his morning tea when his telephone rang. "Hello? ...Ah, Mr. Morgan. How is everything? ...Oh, I see...Did he now?..."

That night, Bash and Dash were still sad.

Thomas tried to cheer them up. "Don't worry. I'm sure something good will happen for all of you."

"Maybe," said Bash, but he didn't sound convinced.

"I have lots of friends on Sodor who were saved from scrap," Thomas went on. "My friend, Edward, saved Trevor the Traction Engine and now, he lives in the Vicarage Orchard. My friend, Hiro, thought he would be scrapped when I found him, but my friends and I all did our best to help him and now, he's as good as ever."

"I hope you're right, Thomas," said Dash. "There's nothing else we can do."

Then, Ferdinand arrived.

The Manager came forward. "Good evening, everyone."

"Good evening, Sir," the engines replied.

Thomas noticed the Manager was smiling. He held his breath.

"Bash, Dash and Ferdinand," said the Manager, "I have great news." The Twins looked up. "I have spoken with Sir Topham Hatt from the Island of Sodor. I told him about our situation...and he said he would be happy to have you come and work on his railway."

Bash and Dash could hardly believe their ears. "You mean…?!"

"Yes, Thomas' Controller has bought you. When you and Thomas have completed this last shipment, you will be going to Sodor with him."

The twins were so happy they couldn't contain their excitement. They cheered and blasted their wild whistles and Thomas and Ferdinand joined in. The Crews, workmen and the Manager all laughed and held their ears.

When they finally settled down, Bash spoke. "But Sir, how…?"

"You can thank Thomas for this," said the Manager. "It was his idea."

The Logging Locos whistled again, and everyone cheered for Thomas.

"Thank you, Thomas!" laughed Dash. "You saved us!"

"I always want to help my friends when they're in trouble," chuckled Thomas.

"And you are one of the best friends we've ever had," said Ferdinand proudly.