As Thomas approached Arlesdale west his driver shut off steam, preparing to stop at the station for the unloading of the goods train. The train was comprised of three wagons, or box cars as they are called, and a brake van. All loaded to the brim with anything and everything that the miniature railway could use.

Thomas came to a halt in the station at the end of the platform. The guard hopped out of the break van to speak with Mr. Fergus Duncan, the controller of the small railway. A few transportation papers were signed, then the unloading began. Out came boxes of food for the small restaurant at the station, toys and souvenirs for the gift shop, and bulbs and flowers to plant in pots and beds. Thomas watched as all the colorful items were unloaded and moved off to their respective locations. There wasn't much he could do but watch.

Meanwhile Keith decided to take this opportunity to get out and use the restroom, so he hopped down and headed into the station. Leaving Bob to stay and watch Thomas.

Just then Rex pulled up beside Thomas on the miniature line. Rex was only about one third the height of Thomas, making him a giant to the small engine. It could only imagined how much more of a giant Gordon would be.

"Hello there Thomas!" Rex greeted him cheerfully. "Thanks for bringing our shipment."

"Your welcome." Thomas replied.

"Oh!" Mike complained from atop the ballast loading platform. "I could have easily delivered that goods train my self! No need to get a big engine to do it!"

"That whole lot!?" Chimed in Bert. "And from Knapford? Why there aren't even any miniature tracks that up there! How're you supposed to collect it? You can't use the road!" Bert laughed.

"Oh. You." Mike fumed, his steam pressure rising. "That's not the point! The point is that I could have handled it."

"Maybe if there were tracks!" Rex said laughing.

"No need to get upset Mike." Said Bert. "We're just teasing."

But Mike was already upset, and was now a ticking time bomb for his safety valve to go off again. Fortunately it didn't, and Mike steamed away fuming.

Rex noticed Thomas was being unusually quiet. "What's the matter Thomas?" He asked.

"Oh Rex, the Fat Controller is divorcing Lady Hatt." Wined Thomas.

"So?" Rex replied. "What's that to us engines?"

Thomas didn't respond and just stared off into space with a confused yet longing expression.

"Oh no." Realized Rex. "We've got a thinker!"

"A what?" Asked Thomas.

"A thinker." Replied Rex. "One who questions the existence and working of things. And in this case, relationships.

"Well I." Thomas spluttered.

Just then the sound of retching could be heard coming from Thomas's cab. Bob was green as a melon and looked as if there was a volcano in his stomach about to rupture. He bolted from Thomas, rushing to find the nearest toilet so as not to make a mess by an imminent forced upheaval of stomach contents. Bob wasn't sure if it was the embarrassing conversation that the engines were having, or that spoiled fish sandwich he'd had for breakfast. But whatever it was, it meant business.

The engines watched as Bob stumbled through the station house's door, then listened in horror as they heard the sound of vomiting, then screaming, then more vomiting coming from inside. It was a disgusting experience to say the least. But at least they only heard it and didn't see it, unlike Keith.

Keith was just closing the bathroom door when Bob flailed into the building. Unfortunately he failed to make it to the toilet before he started barfing all over the place. All the people eating in the station house's restaurant started screaming. Parents covered their children's eyes so they couldn't see the disgusting scene before them. People were so disgusted that they themselves started puking, making the situation even worse. In fact, there was so much vomit on the floor that when it was all said and done Keith couldn't get back to Thomas without stepping in the foul stuff. Leaving Thomas all alone with no one at the footplate.

Thomas was a little concerned about this. Leaving an engine alone is never a good idea, and Bob wasn't supposed to leave Thomas unless or until Keith got back. Of course he probably shouldn't have eaten that rotten fish sandwich ether.

Thomas was right to be worried, for right at that moment a group of board young teenagers were walking by. Seeing no one was in Thomas's cab they decided to be stupid and dare one another to climb in.

"Hey!" Thomas scolded. "Get out of my cab! It's not a place for you!"

One of the boys stuck his tongue out at Thomas and the others just ignored his warning. Soon they started pulling levers and turning knobs. One tried opening the firebox but succeeded only in burning his finger. Another found the opening to the coal bunker and started throwing wads of coal around. Others fallowed suit and soon a full on coal throwing war was raging in Thomas's cab. Thomas continued protesting, but to no avail.

Eventually someone found the whistle cord and pulled it, setting off Thomas's whistle. Both Bob and Keith had an "oh no" moment when they realized that someone was in Thomas's cab. Bob just sat there looking sick while Keith rushed out to stop the intruders. But it was to late. Thomas was already puffing down the track with five rowdy boys squirming in his cab.

Keith ran down the track shouting and yelling for the boys to pull the brake lever, but it was no use. They were already to far away to hear. Keith threw his hat on the ground in frustration, then jogged back to the station house to warn Sir Topham Hatt of the situation.

Thomas was very worried as he rushed down the line. The five boys jiggled around in his cab like big fat peas in a too small frying pan. Also by no means were they being gentle. They bumped around and slapped each other, kicking and fighting one another. He felt their kicks and wished with all his might to be back in the station.

"Help!" Thomas weeshed. "Someone help me!"

Back at Knapford station the Fat Controller was dealing with his own problems. Lady Hatt it turns out in revenge had dumped dirty kitty litter all over his office, smearing it everywhere. Just where she got so much used cat litter no one knows. Consequently because of this Sir Topham Hatt was unable to reach his telephone. Therefore he was oblivious to the impending disaster that would occur if something was not done.

Keith attempted to call the stations Thomas was heading for, but mysteriously none of them answered. What Keith didn't know was that Lady Hatt had also sabotaged most of the communication lines as a part of her revenge. No one knew how hopeless the situation really was.

The boys were now starting to realize that they had no idea how to stop the engine they had foolishly tampered with. They started to panic as Thomas was gaining speed. Thomas too was now very scared. He couldn't stop and the bumbling idiots who were panicly arguing in his cab couldn't do it ether. And they were quickly approaching Arlesbrough Harbor.

Thomas realized he had to do something. He was going faster and faster, and if they didn't stop soon they would crash into the harbor. But what could he do? How could he possibly stop?

Then an idea flew into his funnel. He couldn't believe he had even thought of it. It was ridiculous and unrealistic, but what else was there he could do? He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Then with all his might he tried to apply the brakes. He knew it was useless but he had to try. He put all his concentration and will power into stoping and shuttling off steam. He gritted his teeth, blood rushed to his face. But like a limb that is no longer present it seemed all in vain. His face got flushed, what little muscle he had ached. He had to stop. He just had too.

After what seemed like forever, all went quiet. "Am I dead?" Thought Thomas to himself. "No wait, I can't be dead. That wouldn't make any sense." He finished, scolding himself. Very slowly he opened his eyes. And to his surprise, he was stoped! His wheels were no longer wuring and his pistons no longer pumped. They had just entered the town and had not yet reached the harbor area. Thomas was relieved. The boys, relizing that the engine had stoped, bolted from Thomas's cab and ran off in all directions. No doubt wanting to evade any reprimands.

Thomas was stunned. Had he really just stopped himself? Had he really just saved himself and the boys from serious injuries? Maybe it wasn't him. Maybe one of the boys had figured out which lever was the brake. Maybe it wasn't really Thomas at all. But no that couldn't be, for he would have felt them if they'd pulled the brake. A small wave of realization swept over Thomas. If he could stop himself, what else could he do?