Thomas the Tank Engine was enjoying his time in Australia. While there was no one to meet him at the harbour, the Dock Master asked him to deliver some trucks and told him where to take them. Luckily, it wasn't long until Thomas met up with Shane, another engine from the Great Railway Show.

One evening, Thomas arrived back at the shed feeling very tired. "G'evening, Thomo," whistled Shane. "You look just like a cheetah that's run a marathon."

"What?" asked Thomas.

"I mean you look very tired."

"I am," Thomas wheeshed. "It's been so hot, and I've been working so hard today, I'm puffed out. Actually, I wish I was back in Alaska right now, where it's colder. At least my firebox would keep me warm."

"Well, when it's summer for you, it's winter for us," said Shane. "Believe it or not, it does snow here in Australia, but not everywhere. 'Course, I'd never actually seen snow before my journey back home from the Great Railway Show and I was caught off guard, let me tell ya."

Thomas was interested. "What happened?"

"Well, mate, it all started on my journey home. Many of us were traveling in the same direction, but after passing through India, it was only me and a red engine called Yong Bao."

"I remember him," Thomas cut in. "He helped me when my friend, Nia, and I had trouble in China."

"Really, now? Well, that's where I ran into trouble myself." And with that, Shane continued his story.

Shane and Yong Bao were traveling home together, but they still had a long way to go, especially Shane who had to catch a ship from Shanghai Harbour. They crossed India together and soon reached China.

The fastest route was through the Himalayan Mountains. The weather got colder and colder and then, it started to snow. Shane was surprised, but excited. "What's all this cold stuff falling from the sky?"

"It's just snow," said Yong Bao. "Haven't you seen snow before."

"Actually, I haven't, mate."

"Well, sometimes, snow falls when it gets very cold," Yong Bao explained. "It's actually frozen rain. If it was any colder up there in the sky, it would come down as ice-crystals called hail."

"Bonzer!" said Shane. "This snow must be what I see on top of the mountains in Australia when it's colder. I like it."

"It does look very pretty, but you have to be very careful when traveling through snow. It can make the rails slippery."

Yong Bao was right. As the two engines continued their journey, the rails did get slippery, but Shane liked it. He laughed as his wheels spun. "I reckon all this slippy stuff makes riding the rails just like surfing. It's quite popular in Australia, ya know." Shane slid around a bend cheering and whistling.

Yong Bao was worried. "Maybe it does, but engines don't surf."

"You're right there, mate, but I've always wanted to give it a go and this is as good a chance as any. Cowabunga!" cheered Shane as he raced around another bend.

By now, the snow was starting to pile into drifts. To Shane, seeing the snow fly past him on either side was like turning on the water. "Woohoohoooo!" he called.

"Slow down!" called Yong Bao. "Remember, snow can be dangerous if you're not careful." But Shane took no notice as he raced ahead.

Then, Shane found himself at the top of a very steep slope. "This is gonna be the best surf yet!" he puffed.

Yong Bao saw what Shane was doing and gasped. "No, Shane!" he called. "This slope is too tall and too steep!" But it was too late.

Stane started down the other side and started to speed up. "Woahey! Look at me! I'm surfing!"

Then there was trouble.

Shane went faster and faster. His wheels started to slip and slide more than ever. "Oh my," he wheeshed. Shane's brakes came on…but he just kept going. "Woah!" cried Shane. "Help!" He was scared and whistled frantically in alarm.

At the bottom of the slope, a workman saw what was happening and switched the points into a siding. Shane slid along the rails, veered sideways, crashed into a snowdrift, and ran off the end of the track. "Ohhh," groaned Shane giddily, "wipeout."

Luckily, no one was hurt.

Yong Bao puffed bravely and carefully down the hill dropping lots of sand on the rails as he went. "Are you alright, Shane?!" he called.

"I think so," came the mumbled reply.

"Don't worry. I'll get you out."

Yong Bao puffed into the siding and coupled up to Shane. He pulled and puffed as hard as he could and at last, Shane was out of the snowdrift and back on the rails.

"Well, Yong Bao," said the workman, "rescuing engines from the snow is really becoming a habit with you, isn't it?

Shane felt very silly. "Thanks, mate," he sighed. "You were right. Snow can be dangerous. I'm so sorry."

"That's all right…mate" smiled Yong Bao, "but don't worry. Pay attention and I can teach how you to puff safely through snow and the first lesson is to go slow and steady." Everyone laughed.

Yong Bao led the way through the mountains and this time, Shane listened. He puffed slowly and carefully, and he made sure to drop lots of sand on the rails to stop himself from slipping.

Finally, they reached Shanghai, and it wasn't long before the ship arrived. Shane was sorry to say 'goodbye' to Yong Bao, but he was very happy to have gained a new friend.

"Wow, Shane," said Thomas. "You got stuck when you first traveled through snow? A heavy snowfall on my Branch Line when I damaged my snowplough was when I first got stuck."

Shane blushed. "Yeah, it wasn't my shiniest moment, but I'm glad I wasn't traveling alone or I might have been stuck for longer."

"I'm glad Yong Bao was there."

"Speaking of him," said Shane thoughtfully, "we haven't really talked about your adventures, Thomo. What was it like traveling all the way from Alaska to Australia?"

Thomas chuckled. "Well, it was a very long trip, and I was very board, but then, I saw a boat stop at an island with these big stone statues."

Thomas kept talking well into the night, but Shane didn't mind as he too was an engine who loved adventure.