The morning after Thomas' arrival in Russia, Ivan led him to a very big shed. "Is this where the show is going to be?" Thomas asked.
"It is," Ivan answered. "It's far too cold outside in the winter, so we are using this big shed as an exhibition hall."
As Thomas and Ivan rolled into the shed, they noticed two other engines already there. One was a tank engine with shiny black paint. The other was a bright green tender engine. "Hello, Ivan!" they called.
"Glad you could make it, guys," Ivan grinned. "Thomas, these are my friends, Dima and Konstantin. We've worked together for a long time."
"Welcome, Thomas," said Konstantin. "This is an honor."
"It's nice to meet you too," whistled Thomas.
Thomas and Ivan were soon lined up alongside Ivan's friends. They quickly started talking and it wasn't long before the visitors arrived.
The children were delighted to see Thomas. "He's so amazing," said a boy.
"So are the other steam engines," said a girl.
"Ivan, why are you the only diesel here?" asked another.
"My Controller couldn't spare anyone else during Thomas' visit. Besides, like him, I attended the Great Railway Show too and Dima and Konstantin are my best friends."
"Are you more useful than other diesels too?" asked the boy.
"Of course not," laughed Ivan. "We're all useful and we all work hard to keep our railway running."
"We can always depend on each other," added Dima. "You know, when Ivan got back from the Great Railway Show, he helped Konstantin and I out of a very troublesome situation."
The children were excited. "What happened. Please tell us."
The engines chuckled. "Alright," said Ivan, "here's what happened." And this is the story the three engines told.
After arriving at Frieda's home in Germany, Ivan carried on alone to Russia. It was a long trip, but he liked having a chance to stretch his wheels.
Finally, Ivan found himself racing along through the snowy Russian countryside. As the wind grew colder and the snow got deeper, he knew he was almost home. Then, Ivan saw a dark shape on the other track. As he got closer, he could see that it was Dima and he looked very cold. "Dima, what are you waiting here for?" he asked.
"Oh, welcome home, Ivan," Dima shivered. "I didn't expect you to see me like this. The coal delivery didn't arrive at our shed this morning. Delays from heavy snow, I think. Konstantin accidentally took the last of it, so I couldn't fill up. I thought I had enough to finish my first job, but now, I'm stuck."
"Don't worry," said Ivan. "I still have a full tank of diesel. I'll push you to the next station, then I'll collect some more coal for you."
So, Ivan buffered up behind Dima and started to push, but further down the line, they found more trouble. It was Konstantin.
"Oh no, Konstantin" groaned Dima. "Don't tell us you ran out of coal too."
"I did," sighed the big engine. "I suppose there wasn't as much coal left as I thought. Now, my passengers and I are all stranded and cold."
"Not a problem," grinned Ivan. "I still have enough fuel to get both of you to the next station.
"Oh, Ivan, hello. Are you sure? No offense, but I'm bigger than you and my coaches and I will be very heavy."
"I can still try. They didn't send me to the Great Railway Show for nothing, you know."
Ivan pulled Dima onto the other line, and they were coupled to the coaches. Konstantin was right, he and his coaches were very heavy, but Ivan pushed as hard as he could and soon…they started to move.
"Hooray!" cheered Dima.
"Well done, Ivan," called Konstantin.
It was a long and tiring job, but Ivan wouldn't stop, and he managed to get his friends all the way to the next station. The passengers thanked Ivan and he shunted Dima and Konstantin to the coal hopper. "You'll soon be on the move again," he panted.
The two steam engine's fires were lit once more and soon, they were as warm as toast. "Thank you, Ivan," whistled Konstantin. "My passengers and I could have been stuck in the snow without you're help."
"Me too," wheeshed Dima.
Ivan was proud of himself. "Job well done. No trouble at all. Now, it's off to the shed for me, so I'll be on my way." But suddenly, Ivan's engine spluttered…and he didn't move. "Oh dear, now I've run out of diesel fuel.
"Don't worry," laughed Dima. "I have plenty of steam now. I'll help you to the fueling depot." And that is just what he did.
"Thank you," said Ivan.
"No trouble at all," his friend replied.
"So, you see," finished Ivan, "steam engines and diesel engines can always help each other."
"And work hard together," added Dima.
"Indeed," said Konstantin.
The children agreed. "Is it the same way on the Island of Sodor, Thomas," asked the boy.
"Of course it is," smiled Thomas. "Engines all over the world work hard together and help each other. No matter what we are or fuel we use, we can all be Really Useful."