Toby the Tram Engine had saved King Godred's crown from two thieves and word of his rescue spread across Sodor. Lots of visitors came to Ulfstead Castle just to see him and when Steven came back, he was amazed too.

"You were splendid," said the visitors.

"Well, It wasn't just me," replied Toby modestly. "Millie and Glynn helped too."

"But if it wasn't for you," they said, "no one would've known."

Toby blushed. "I was only trying to be Really Useful. Besides, I'm not the only one who's stopped thieves before."

"You mean when Thomas tried to stop that pirate getting away with Captain Calles' treasure?" asked Millie.

"Well, Thomas was brave, but I mean long before that. He managed to stop two thieves on his Branch Line once."

"What happened?" asked the visitors.

"Yes, do tell us," said the Earl.

So, Toby began.

Thomas was at Ffarquhar Station. He had just finished his morning run and was getting ready to leave once more.

As he waited, the Guard spoke to his Driver and Fireman. "Did you know the Stationmaster was burgled last night?"

"You don't say," exclaimed the Driver. "I didn't know he had anything worth stealing."

"He's won cups for gardening," said the Fireman. "Those would be worth something."

"Yes, they were all taken," the Guard went on, "and then the scoundrels had the cheek to pinch his car to carry them."

"Not that new one he's so proud of," said the Driver.

Just then, the signal dropped. The Driver and Fireman returned to Thomas, the Guard blew his whistle and waved his green flag, and Thomas set off. Poor Stationmaster, Thomas thought to himself. I wish there was something we could do. But little did he know their chance would come sooner than expected.

Soon, they were running nicely, but as Thomas passed through the Tunnel beyond Hackenbeck, a flash of colour on the road caught his attention. He tried to go faster.

"Steady, Thomas," said his Driver. "There's plenty of time."

"Can't we get closer to that car?" panted Thomas. "It looks like the Stationmaster's stolen one to me."

His Driver laughed. "Lots of cars look like that." But he opened the regulator, and they began to draw level with it.

There were two men in the car. They waved when they saw Thomas and tried to go faster. They thought they were racing, but the Fireman got a closer look. "That's the Stationmaster's car alright," he said. "Those two must be the thieves, but there's no way we can stop them, and they'll be long gone before we reach the next Station."

But the Driver knew what to do. "We need a pencil, paper, and something to put a note in. Then, we'll throw the message out at the next Signal Box."

Quickly, the Driver wrote the note and put it in the Fireman's empty lunch tin. Thomas went faster and drew ahead of the car. Then, as he neared the next Signal Box, he whistled loudly to attract the Signalman's attention. Thomas slowed down so the Fireman could throw the box up to him and as they went past, all three of them shouted, "Police!"

By then, the stolen car had gone well ahead, and they didn't see it again, but the Signalman telephoned the Police at once and the thieves were stopped at a roadblock further on.

That afternoon, the Fat Controller and the Stationmaster came to see them and told the passengers the whole story. The Stationmaster thanked Thomas, his Driver and his Fireman for their prompt action and said that his gardening cups had all been found undamaged in a sack inside the car. The passengers cheered loudly.

"Time and again," said the Fat Controller, "Thomas has shown how valuable he is to the smooth running of my railway. I'm sure you will all agree that today, he has once again proven himself to be a Really Useful Engine." The passengers cheered even louder in agreement and Thomas could only smile.

"Wow," breathed Millie in amazement.

"That Thomas never fails to surprise us, does he?" said Stephen.

"Certainly not," agreed Glynn.

"Thank you for telling us, Toby," said the visitors. "We'll be sure to visit Thomas next. He's such an amazing engine."

"Please do," replied Toby. "He's a good friend to us all and a true credit to the North Western Railway." And everyone agreed.