When the Railway Show in New York City was over, Thomas and Sam collected some coaches and started their long journey across the United States. Later that day, they stopped at a big station where they would stay until the next morning.

As they were about to leave, the Stationmaster came up. "There's trouble on a nearby Shortline," he said. "Can you help, please?"

"Of course," replied Thomas. He was feeling tired, but he was willing to help.

"You can count on us, Sir," added Sam. Their Drivers agreed and the two engines set off again.

It wasn't long before Thomas saw a junction ahead. A line of coaches stood on another track while an engine sat in a siding.

"What's happened?" asked Thomas' Driver.

"A repair crew was tending to the tracks yesterday," said the Foreman. "A workman forgot to switch the points and the engine crashed in the siding."

"What can we do to help?" Thomas asked.

"We need you to take the train back down the line and help the engine back to the yard later."

"You take the passengers, Thomas," said Sam. "I'm sure everyone will be pleased to see you." And so, it was arranged.

Thomas backed down on the coaches while Sam stayed behind to help sort out the mess. Thomas puffed and pulled his hardest. The coaches were heavier than what he was used to, but the passengers cheered as the started off and that made Thomas feel better.

As they traveled along, Thomas saw green fields and farms all along the track. "This is just like working on my Branch Line," he puffed to himself. People waved as he trundled happily by, and Thomas whistled 'hullo' in return.

Soon, Thomas arrived at a small station. A crowd of people clapped and cheered as he pulled in. "Are they cheering for me?" he asked out loud.

"I'll say they are," said a voice. Thomas saw a big engine on another track. "You're Thomas, the little tank engine that's been traveling around the world."

Thomas blushed. "Uh, yes, I am."

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Cassandra and thank you for rescuing our passengers."

"I just wanted to be useful."

"How is Phillis, the engine who had the accident?"

Thomas thought. "She seemed alright when I left the junction. My friend, Sam, is bringing her later.

That evening, Sam and Phillis arrived at the yard and joined Thomas and Cassandra in the shed. Luckily, Phillis wasn't badly damaged, but her front was scratched and bent, and her lamp was broken. "Thank you again for helping me," she said. "I don't know what my passengers would've done otherwise. Some of them might have said our Shortline was a bad railway."

"If you don't mind me asking," said Thomas, "what's a Shortline? This place looks like a Branch Line to me."

Cassandra smiled. "Our railway is like a Branch Line, but even though it connects to the Main Line, it isn't owned by the same company, and it's smaller. That's why it's called a 'Shortline.'"

"My passengers were very grateful," said Phillis. "Do you work on a Branch Line?"

"Yes," replied Thomas, "my friends, Percy and Toby, help me run it and I have my own coaches too."

The engines talked well into the night and the next morning, Thomas and Sam were getting ready to return to the big station. "Cassandra will join you on the journey," said the Manager. "I'm sure everyone would like to see you one last time."

After the coaches were ready, Cassandra was coupled up with Thomas and Sam behind her. Her Shortline had no turntable, so the three engines had to travel backwards to the junction. Sure enough, lots of people had come to board the train and see their visitors off.

One little girl walked alongside Thomas. "Hello," she said. "Are you Thomas the Tank Engine? We heard about how you and your friend rescuing those passengers yesterday."

"Yes, that's us," smiled Thomas. "News does travel fast around here."

"Well, you aren't really from around here and you do stand out."

"If you don't mind me saying so, you don't sound like you come from around here either."

The little girl laughed. "I know. I live in Japan, but my mother is from America. I'm Connie."

Just then, the Guard signaled that it was time to go. "Goodbye, Connie," said Thomas. "It was nice to meet you."

"And it was an honor meeting you, Thomas," Connie smiled.

"If you want to visit me again, I live on the Island of Sodor."

"I will."

Everyone clapped and cheered as the three engines pulled away. All the engines whistled back, but Thomas' was the loudest of all.