After leaving Spain, Thomas boarded another ship. "Where are we going now?"
"Dakar, Senegal in Africa," said his Driver.
Thomas was excited. "That's were Ace and I went first."
"Yes, and this time, we know where we're going." Thomas blushed.
"Goodbye, Thomas," whistled Nuria. "It was lovely meeting you. Good luck on your, trip."
"Adiós, Nuria and thank you."
It was a long journey to Africa, but not as long as it had been the first time. When Thomas arrived, Dakar Docks were as busy as he remembered. People and animals were everywhere.
On the quayside, Thomas saw a familiar face. "Kwaku! hullo."
"Hullo, Thomas!" the big engine replied. "How are you, how are your wheels, how's your boiler, are the rails taking you where you need to go and are your fellow engines treating you well?"
Thomas laughed. "I forgot how long it takes you to say 'hullo' around here."
"That is because Africa is so big. Some of us don't see each other for days or weeks at a time."
"Well, I'll try to answer all of them."
"I'm sure you will," Kwaku chuckled, "but first, I must get you to the Sheds."
Later, Thomas answered all Kwaku's questions…and so did the workmen.
"And how is Nia getting on?" Kwaku asked. "I heard she chose to stay on the Island of Sodor with you."
"Yes," said Thomas, "and she loves her new home. She keeps herself busy and she's very clever. She's told us so much about Africa and she's learned a lot from us too."
"I'm glad to hear that. We all miss her, but we are happy for her."
"So…will you be showing me around?"
"Sort of," replied Kwaku. "We are to take a special passenger train all the way across Africa together."
"Will we be stopping in Kenya where Nia's from?"
"Yes, Thomas, and we will make a side-trip to Egypt before we finish our journey at my home in Dar es Salaam."
The next morning, Thomas and Kwaku woke up early. Their fires were lit, and they soon had steam before making their way to the yard. As Thomas took on coal and water, Kwaku stopped by a large tank.
"What are you doing?" Thomas asked.
"You may run on coal, but I burn oil," Kwaku replied.
"Oh, I understand. Some of my steam engine friends back on Sodor use oil too." Thomas noticed it was taking Kwaku a long time. "Why do you need so much oil and water?"
"It will be a long journey to our next stop. Being a small engine, it's never been easy for Nia. That is why engines like me have such large tanks and bunkers, so we can travel very far without running low on fuel or water."
Thomas was worried. "What if I run low?"
"Not to worry, Thomas," Kwaku smiled. "I have pulled heavy passenger trains like this before, so I can manage alone. When you run low on coal or water, I'll push you to the next station."
Thomas didn't like having to be pushed or leaving Kwaku to do all the work, but he understood there was nothing else for it.
When the two engines arrived at the station, passengers crowded around them. Everyone was excited to see Thomas and many of them took his photograph and soon, they were on their way.
Kwaku was right. The journey took a long time, and it was very hot. It wasn't long before Thomas ran out of water and Kwaku had to continue on his own, but he didn't mind. The two engines chattered happily and told stories to each other.
At last, they stopped in a big city for the night. "Wow," said Thomas, "it's easy to forget that Africa isn't just a wide empty land."
"That's the nice thing about Africa," Kwaku added. "There is so much to see around here: wide savannahs, tall mountains, towns and even big modern cities." Thomas was impressed.
The next day, Thomas and Kwaku were on their way again crossing the Sahara Desert. "Bust my buffers," panted Thomas, "I forgot how hot and dry it is around here."
"Not to worry," huffed Kwaku. "We'll make it."
Thomas soon ran out of water again and Kwaku had to push him. In the hot desert, his tanks felt as dry as old sticks.
Then there was trouble.
Kwaku's brakes suddenly came on and they stopped. "What's happening?" Thomas asked.
"Kwaku's water tank is leaking!" the big engine's Driver called. "We won't be able to get it fixed until we reach the next stop, but we might not have enough water."
Then, Thomas saw a line of strange animals coming their way. "What's that?"
Kwaku smiled. "Camels! I think I know where we are!"
Thomas looked around the desert. There was nothing to see for miles. I wonder how those animals keep going without any water, he thought.
A man approached with the line of camels. "Hullo," he said. "My name is Monyak, and these are my camels. Are you in trouble?"
"Yes, Sir," panted Thomas. "We're running low on water, and we need more to reach the next town."
"Lucky for you there's an oasis near here," replied Monyak. "You can get water there. It's not far ahead."
"Of course," said Kwaku, "I do know where we are. Thank you, Sir." And the engines set off again with Monyak and his camels traveling beside them.
"I've only seen camels in Dakar before," said Thomas. "What are those funny-looking lumps on their backs? They look like domes."
Monyak laughed. "Well, they're not; they're humps. Camels carry water in them."
"Like how I carry steam in my dome?"
"Something like that, and that is how camels are able to cross the Sahara like your big engine friend."
"Lots of camels travel together like these, Thomas," added Kwaku. "They carry people and any supplies they bring with them. They call that a camel train."
The cavalcade soon gathered speed. Thomas thanked Monyak again as they pulled ahead and raced off towards the oasis.
Soon, Thomas saw a small group of trees, plants, and rocks and in between them was a large pond. "What a refreshing sight," exclaimed Thomas.
"This is the oasis," explained Kwaku. "It's a small area in the desert were there's lots of water, and plants and trees grow all around them."
Their Drivers and Firemen unloaded a special pump and ran hoses from the pond to Kwaku's tank. Soon, it was full again and they did the same for Thomas.
Suddenly, Monyak and his camels arrived. "What happened to the oasis?!" he cried. "There's barely enough water for the camels!"
"Oh no," said Kwaku, "we must have needed more water than we thought."
Thomas was confused. "But don't the camels have water in their humps?"
"Yes," said Monyak, "but they need more water now too."
Then, an idea flew into Thomas' funnel. "Kwaku, how far away are we from the next station?"
"Not too far. Why?"
"I think I know how we can help the camels. You wait here and I'll be quick." Thomas raced away as fast as his pistons could pump and it wasn't long before he came back with some trucks.
"What's all this?" asked Monyak.
"Kwaku's been helping me when I run low on water. It's only fair that we help you too. We can carry you and your camels to the next Station."
"What a great idea, Thomas," said Kwaku.
Their Drivers and Firemen helped Monyak load his camels onto the trucks and pushing and pulling as hard as they could, Thomas and Kwaku were on their way.
"Look at me!" called Thomas. "A real 'camel' train!" Everyone laughed.
Thomas and Kwaku reached the station safely and the camels were unloaded. They were happy to get more water at last and Monyak was very grateful. "Thank you for helping my camels," he said.
"Well, you helped us first," replied Thomas.
Passengers and staff crowded around again, not just because of Thomas, but this time, because of the camels, and Monyak led them away to rest.
"Well, Thomas," said his Driver, "the Fat Controller wanted you to show everyone what a Useful Engine you are and you're certainly doing so."
"I agree," whistled Kwaku. "Who knows what else you will do for us."
But that's a story for another day.
