Thomas the Tank Engine was continuing on his journey around the world. He was traveling through the Amazon Rainforest in Colombia. As he puffed into the next town, he thought he heard a familiar whistle. "Is that…?"

"Thomas?! is that you?!"

Thomas looked around and saw… "Gator! Hullo!"

It was indeed Gator. He was steam engine with a big, sloping water tank who visited Sodor some years ago. "Aren't you a sight, Thomas. It's great to see you again."

"I'm traveling all the way around the world."

"Yes, I heard. Are you stopping at the next station, per chance?"

"Yes, why?"

"Because I'm going there too. Lots of people are waiting to see you and when I mentioned that I knew you, they asked my Controller if I could join you."

"That's great! So much has happened since we last saw you that one Christmas."

Gator laughed. "I imagine there has. By the way, how is Percy?"

"As useful, and as brave, as ever. He's helping our new friend, Nia, run my Branch Line while I'm away."

The two engines continued chattering happily until they reached the station. Gator shunted his trucks into a siding and stopped alongside Thomas in another. Lots of people crowded around the engines, talking to their Drivers and Firemen, making notes and taking photographs.

"How did you get to the Island of Sodor in the first place, Gator?" one of the visitors asked.

"You know, I never knew that either," added Thomas. "Why did you travel all the way to Sodor from here if you weren't going to work there?"

"Oh, it's not an exciting story," said Gator modestly. "Besides, everyone's come to see you."

"But we asked for you too," said the visitors. "You've been to Sodor before, and you worked with Thomas. Please tell us, Gator."

"Alright, alright," Gator chuckled, and the brave engine began his story.

The railway Gator works on has some steep tracks that travel into the mountains and that is why his water tank slopes at the front. Gator used to be afraid of the high bridges there, but he managed to push through his fears and get his jobs done.

One day, Gator was making his way down the hill when suddenly, there was a strange rattle followed by a loud clank. Gator's Driver applied the brakes and looked all over him. "Well, Gator, it seems you need repairs." After he telephoned for help, they brought the train to the bottom of the hill and waited for help.

Gator was taken to the railway's Engine Works, but there was more trouble. "The equipment we need is worn out," said the Manager. "We've ordered some new machines, but they won't be here for another month."

"But Gator can't just sit here doing nothing," his Fireman protested. "He has important work to do."

"I'm afraid it can't be helped."

Then, an idea flew into Gator's funnel. "What about my old Workshop across the ocean? Surely, they have the equipment to fix me."

"What a good idea, Gator," said his Driver.

The Works Manager telephoned at once, but he soon returned. "Well, Gator," he said, "I have some good news and some bad news."

"What's the bad news?" Gator asked.

"You're old Workshop no longer has the equipment we need." Gator was worried, but not for long. "The good news is that the Manager told me about someone else who might."

"Who would that be?" asked the Driver.

"Sir Topham Hatt. He's in charge of the North Western Railway on the Island of Sodor. I was told his engineers have experience repairing all sorts of engines and they may be able to help Gator too."

"Oh, please try," said Gator. "Anything's better than just sitting here."

The days passed and Gator remained where he was. He was starting to worry; what if he couldn't be useful anymore? The workmen did their best to keep him cheerful, but inside, they weren't certain either.

Then one day, Gator, the Works Manager and his Crew came to see him, and they were smiling. "It's official, Gator," said the Manager. "Sir Topham Hatt has agreed to oversee your repairs."

Then, Gator smiled too. "Oh, thank you, Sir! That's the best news I've heard all week."

"And we will be joining you," said his Driver.

"That's right," said the Manager. "You leave for Sodor as soon as I make the arrangements." Gator was excited about traveling across the ocean and he couldn't wait to be useful once more.

"After that," said Gator, "I was loaded onto a ship and made my way to Sodor. I was unloaded at Brendam Docks, and a big green engine named Henry brought me to the Steamworks. The engineers were as good as their word. They repaired me better than new and I even proved myself to the railway there before I could leave."

"Yes, indeed," agreed Thomas. "He was Really Useful. He helped my friend, Percy, to be brave and helped on Duck's Branch Line too."

"I even went back to visit at Christmas because my line was closed due to bad weather. I still wanted to be Really Useful, so my Controller sent my friends and I away to help elsewhere."

"Thank you for the story, Gator," said the visitors. "Thomas may be traveling the world, but it seems you've had your own adventures too."

Thomas and Gator agreed and as the sun passed across the sky, the two engines went on talking about their adventures and the visitors were all too happy to listen.