DEAR FRIENDS,

Thomas the Tank Engine's second journey around the world was full of many surprises. He saw some familiar faces, made many new friends and he even managed to uncover an engine that had been lost for years. As expected, Thomas had many other adventures during his travels. They simply haven't been told yet...until now.

I hope you enjoy finding out what else happened as Thomas left Sodor to travel the world once more...with the Fat Controller's permission, of course. Lots of other surprises are in store as well.

THE AUTHOR

It was a bright, sunny day on the Island of Sodor and Thomas the Tank Engine was very excited. His story of traveling the world had spread and the Fat Controller had arranged for Thomas to go on another journey. This time, he would be traveling more slowly so everyone could see him properly and today, he was to leave for the start of his tour.

At Knapford Harbour, many engines had come to see Thomas off. They told him how much they would miss him, and Nia promised to help Percy and Toby look after his Branch Line while he was away. Thomas felt sorry to leave Annie and Clarabel behind, but he knew they would be needed on Sodor.

"Good luck, Thomas," said the Fat Controller. "I hope you enjoy yourself and show everyone what a Really Useful Engine you are."

"Yes, Sir." As Thomas was loaded onto the ship, he looked around as his friends cheered and whistled. "Goodbye, everyone and don't worry!" he called. "I'll be back before you know it!"

Percy smiled and whistled bravely. "Goodbye, Thomas!"

"Goodbye, Percy!"

Everyone cheered and whistled again as the ship drifted away from the quayside and Percy stayed until it was out of sight.

Thomas' journey took a long time, but at last, he arrived at his first stop, Spain. He was excited. As Thomas was unloaded, she saw a tank engine waiting on the dock. She had dark blue paint, square buffers, and square windows. "Hola," it said.

"Um…hullo?" said Thomas.

"That's what 'hola' means," chuckled the engine. "My name is Nuria, and you must be Thomas. We've been expecting you. I've been asked to take you to our Repair Yard and show you around."

"Oh, well, thank you." Then, Thomas had a thought. "How do you say that around here?"

"'Gracias,'" said Nuria, "and before you ask, 'de nada' means 'you're welcome.' Thomas was impressed.

Nuria took Thomas to the Repair Yard to be inspected, then his tanks were filled, his bunker was loaded and soon, his fire was burning nicely and making steam. "Where do we go first?" Thomas asked.

"Well," said Nuria, "I do have a large delivery to collect and they're expecting you in the same town."

"Can I help you with your deliver?"

"Of course, Thomas. Gracias."

"Your welcome…I mean…De nada."

Thomas and Nuria collected some empty trucks and were soon on their way. "Where are we going?" Thomas asked.

"A small town called 'Buñuel,'" replied Nuria. "It seems you came at just the right time, Thomas. There's going to be a big celebration and we are collecting the most important items for the Festival."

"What are they?"

"You'll see."

"It must be very important if you need so many trucks," said Thomas. And it must be very large, he thought to himself.

"Oh, it is," chuckled Nuria.

The two engines stopped at a Station and workmen started loading lots of crates and boxes into their trucks. Suddenly, one lost his balance and dropped one of the crates. It broke open and out of it spilled…tomatoes.

"Tomatoes? That's what we're collecting?" Thomas asked. "They must be very hungry in Buñuel if they need so many vegetables."

Nuria laughed. "Tomatoes aren't vegetables, Thomas; they're fruit. Today is La Tomatina and it's a Tomato Festival."

Thomas was puzzled, but he was happy to be part of the celebrations.

As the sun burned away the morning clouds, Thomas kept thinking about the tomatoes. "I've delivered tomatoes on Sodor before. Are these ones for the food at the Festival?"

"No, Thomas," said Nuria.

"Then…"

"You'll see and I think it will be quite a surprise for you." Thomas was eager to find out.

Thomas and Nuria arrived at Buñuel just as the celebrations were about to begin. "Oh, you must be Thomas," said a workman. "Welcome to the Tomato Festival. And I see you helped Nuria with our tomato delivery. Muchas gracias, Thomas."

"That means 'thank you very much,'" whispered Nuria.

"Oh, de nada," replied Thomas.

The tomatoes were unloaded, a crowd of people gathered around a tall building and an important-looking man stepped onto the balcony. "It's the Mayor," said Nuria.

"Welcome to La Tomatina, everyone. I am very pleased with the preparations, and I am honoured to welcome our special guest, Thomas the Tank Engine from the Island of Sodor." The crowd cheered. "Now, let the celebrations begin!"

SPLAT!

A tomato flew through the air and knocked the Mayor's hat off. Thomas gasped. Then, tomatoes started flying everywhere. "Cinders and ashes! What's happening?"

"It's a tomato fight, Thomas," laughed Nuria. "One year, a statue of an important person's head fell off during a parade. The important person was so furious, tomatoes started being thrown. Now, it's a tradition we celebrate every year in Buñuel and it's lots of fun."

Suddenly, one tomato splattered on Thomas' face. The people who saw what had happened were surprised…but Thomas just laughed. Everyone else laughed and cheered as the Festival continued, and Thomas and Nuria joined in by blowing their whistles.