Thomas was enjoying himself while visiting Spain and Nuria was happy to show him around. That day, they were delivering some goods when suddenly, there was a 'whoosh,' and something raced by on another track.
"Cinders and Ashes!" gasped Thomas. "What was that, a train or a rocket?!"
"That was one of our new high-speed trains, Thomas," puffed Nuria. "They're express trains that can travel very, very fast. Don't you have them where you come from?"
"Well, we do have fast engines, but none of them are that fast. My friend, Gordon, is the fastest engine on the Island of Sodor, that's why he pulls the Express, but I've seen other engines who are faster than him. There's Spencer, who works for the Duke and Duchess of Boxford, and Connor and Caitlin, who take passengers to and from Sodor. Conner can travel faster more often than any of them…most of the time.
"Then, there's Hugo the Rail Zeppelin. His diesel engine powers a large propeller behind him as well as his wheels. He's the fastest engine to ever travel on Sodor, but I did see an engine who was even faster. When I went to the Great Railway Show, I met an electric engine named Etienne and he told me he was the fastest engine in the world."
"Wow," said Nuria you certainly have many fast friends, Thomas, but I'm sure you're fast too."
Thomas laughed. "Not as fast as them."
"Have you tried racing any of them?"
"No, but my friend, Bertie the Bus, loves to race me on my Branch Line, just like when we first met a long time ago."
Soon, Thomas and Nuria made their delivery. "You're lucky to see so many fast engines," said Nuria. "These new high-speed trains are the fastest I've ever seen, and they say they'll be racing all over Spain soon."
"That's amazing," Thomas replied and set off to collect some coaches.
As he traveled, Thomas had a thought. Lots of passengers had been coming to see him, but they were very impressed with their new high-speed trains too. "What if I'm too slow for them?" he puffed to himself, but as he rolled into the station, an idea flew into his funnel. "I may not be as fast as those new trains, but I can still give them a high-speed run."
The passengers climbed on board and when everyone was ready, Thomas steamed away. Once out from the station, he started going faster. "Steady, Thomas," said his Driver. "We aren't racing Bertie today." But Thomas was determined to give his passengers a fast run. His pistons pumped, his wheels whirred, and his coaches started rattling.
Then, they saw a red signal ahead. "Woah, Thomas!" The Driver shut off steam and applied the brakes. Thomas stopped and the coaches shook.
"Bother that signal," wheeshed Thomas. "How can I give my passengers a fast run if I have to stop?"
At last, the signal turned green, and Thomas set off again. When he arrived at the next station, he was early. "That was fun," he chuckled, but some of his passengers looked bothered and confused. Thomas noticed there were no passengers going to the next station. Now's my chance for a very fast run, he thought.
Thomas set off again and tried to go even faster. With no one on board, Thomas' coaches rattled and shook even more. "Careful, Thomas!" called his Driver, but Thomas wasn't worried.
Then there was trouble.
As Thomas raced on, he suddenly saw a sharp bend up ahead. "Look out!" called his Driver and Thomas braked hard. He raced around the bend and held on to the rails. Thomas swung sideways and just made it around the bend, but his las coach overbalanced and crashed to the ground.
Luckily, no one was hurt.
Nuria soon arrived with a breakdown crane. "Thomas, what happened?"
"I was trying to impress everyone," said Thomas sadly. "I thought they would be disappointed if I got them to the station too slowly."
Nuria sighed. "Thomas, I heard some passengers say you bounced them around, bumped the coaches when you stopped at a signal and arrived early at the station. Our high-speed trains may be new, but not all of our routes are suitable for them. Besides, the passengers came to see you and wanted to enjoy themselves, and you can't always enjoy yourself when you're in a hurry."
Thomas was embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Nuria."
"At least everyone's all right, and the coach isn't badly damaged either. No harm done."
Nuria helped Thomas to the next station where the passengers were waiting. Then, the public address system crackled to life. "The train now arriving at Platform 1 is the Daily Special hauled by our special visitor, Thomas the Tank Engine, Really Useful and right on time." Everyone clapped and cheered.
"Well, Thomas," said Nuria, "I suppose you are fast after all. After arriving early at the last station, you managed to make it here on time."
"Maybe," replied Thomas, "but I still would've been on time if hadn't been rushing. I wouldn't have had that accident either. I should have remembered what I learned a long time ago."
"What's that?"
"Speed isn't everything, but being reliable and useful is."
Nuria and the passengers could only agree.