I do not own Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. They are strictly the property of both the Awdry Family and Britt Allcroft. This story is purely for entertainment and not profit.
Episode 27: Paint Pots and Queens, Original Airdate: 1st July 1995
It was night on the Island of Sodor. Over in the village of Ffarquhar, in the Billinton house, Thomas was putting Lucy to bed. As he had promised her earlier at Rainbows End that day, he was going to tell her the story of how he met Queen Elizabeth II.
"Alright Lucy all comfy?" Thomas asked his daughter.
"Comfy daddy" replied Lucy.
"Are you ready to hear daddy's story?" asked Thomas.
"Story daddy" said Lucy excitedly.
"Alright then" said Thomas as he pulled up the chair and sat down in it, "it all began once me, granddad and Uncle Gordon returned to Tidmouth sheds after we'd rescued my E2 from the mine.
(Story Begins)
When Thomas, Howard and Gordon arrived back at Tidmouth sheds, they saw that paint pots and painters were all over the sheds.
"Well buss my engines buffers" said Thomas in awe.
"Looks like Sir Topham Hatt decided to give Tidmouth sheds a makeover," said Howard.
The trio then went into the bunkhouse at the back of the sheds. They entered the lounge where they found Tanya, Annie, Clarabel, Lady, Burnett, Edward, Henry, James, Percy, Toby, the yard manager and several workmen either sitting or standing. Lady, Tanya, Annie, and Clarabel then noticed Thomas and Howard entering and rushed over to them.
"Thomas" said Tanya with relief, "are you okay".
Yes I'm fine mom" said Thomas as Lady then hugged him tightly.
"What happened?" Lady asked her boyfriend.
Howard then explained about what had happened earlier that day at Toywreck mines. Lady, Tanya, Annie, and Clarabel listened to the whole thing.
"Well that's what happens when you forget to put your engines brakes on" said Burnett who had also heard everything.
"Hey cut me some slack Burnett" complained Thomas, "I had a Burger King with a large Coca-Cola".
"Still no excuse Thomas" said Burnett.
"Everyone present?" came the voice of Sir Topham Hatt.
Sir Topham Hatt had just entered the lounge of the bunkhouse, accompanying him was Mayor Britt Allcroft and Chairman Ringo Starr. All the drivers immediately turned their attention towards their employer and to what had to say.
"There is some very important news that you are about to hear" said Sir Topham Hatt, "but rather than me explain it, I have decided to let Mayor Allcroft herself tell it".
He then turned to Mayor Allcroft. Mayor Britt Allcroft was a woman in her late forties and was the Mayor of the Island of Sodor, she was also a steam engines enthusiast. She nodded gratefully at Sir Topham Hatt who had decided to let her explain.
"Thank you Sir Topham Hatt" she said gratefully to the controller before turning to face the engine drivers, "engine drivers of the North Western Railway. I' am very proud to announce that her majesty, Queen Elizabeth herself will be visiting the island in a months' time".
Lady, Burnett, Tanya, Annie, Clarabel, Edward, Henry, James, Percy, Toby, the yard manager and workmen were stunned and excited at the news. The Queen of the United Kingdom would be visiting their humble little island, this was truly a great honour for them to receive. Thomas, Gordon, and Howard however already knew this, having been told at the mines by Sir Topham Hatt earlier who then took back the floor.
"The Queen herself has heard about our lovely railway and would like to see it for herself" announced Sir Topham Hatt, "now that you all know the news drivers, on with the preparations".
Sir Topham Hatt, Chairman Ringo Starr and Mayor Britt Allcroft then left the bunkhouse. After they had left, the drivers all talked about the Queen's upcoming visit.
"Think that it will be you, Edward?" asked Thomas, "your family has been drivers for Sodor for nearly a century after all".
"Thomas' right" agreed Lady, "who better then to pull the Royal train".
"I'm glad you think so Thomas" Edward replied to Thomas and Lady's kind words before looking solemn, "but I'm afraid my K2 can't pull important trains like she used to".
"I'm in disgrace" said Gordon sadly, "Sir Topham Hatt will never choose me".
"He'll choose me" James said grandly, "the Queen will love to have her train pulled by the driver of a splendid red engine".
"You" snorted Henry, "your engine can't climb hills. He'll ask me to pull the train and my engine will have a new coat of paint".
Thomas, Lady, Burnett, Howard, and Tanya all looked at each other in response to Henry's words.
"Something tells me that Henry has just spoken his last words" said Burnett.
The others agreed with him. Over the next few weeks, Henry worked tirelessly, pulling both passenger and goods trains up and down the mainline. Sir Topham Hatt was very impressed by all the hard work that he was putting in, so much so that he actually considered to have him pull the Royal train.
"Look at me" boast Henry to Thomas, Lady, Burnett, and Howard as he pulled into Elsbridge one day. "It looks like I'm going to be the one pulling the Royal train after all".
"Don't get your hopes up Henry" cautioned Burnett, "you mightn't get to pull it after all".
"Oh nonsense Burnett" chortled Henry, "her visit is just two days away".
"A lot can happen in two days Henry" Burnett warned.
Henry just scoffed as the guard blew his whistle and he went on his way, but what didn't know was that Burnett's predication would come true. The next day, just one day before Queen Elizabeth's arrival, it rained whilst he was at Knapford station, he then had to cover up his cab with a tarpaulin to keep it dry.
"There we go" Henry said to himself after the tarpaulin was in place, "the Queen can't have her train pulled by an engine with a wet cab".
Unfortunately for Henry, he had just sealed his fate. A painter was on top of a ladder on the line, he was giving the canopy of the station a coat of fresh paint to make it look nice for the Queen's arrival. Meanwhile below in his engine, Henry was so excited at the thought of pulling the Queen's engine that he pulled a leaver, letting off steam. This caught the painter completely by surprise.
"What on earth" exclaimed the painter, blinded by the steam.
He then missed his footing and fell off the ladder. He screamed as he fell onto Henry's engine, luckily for him, he landed on the tarp and wasn't hurt. His paint pot however, landed on the dome of Henry's Stanier 5, covering it in white paint. To make matters worse the boiler was hot at the time, as a result the paint was dried on hard.
"Well your engines certainly not a pretty picture" sneered the painter, "now I'm going to have to buy some more".
Sir Topham Hatt came out of his office, having heard the commotion. He came over to where the painter was snapping at Henry, he then saw what had happened.
"Your engine looks liked an iced cake Henry" said Sir Topham Hatt with an amused grin before he then turned serious, "but that however won't do for the Royal Train. I now must make other arrangements".
Henry then signed in defeat as Sir Topham Hatt walked away. Thomas, having just come into Knapford with his return train, had witnessed everything and began to think of something. Later Sir Topham Hatt was in his office, trying to decide who will pull the Royal Train when he heard a knock at his door.
"Come in" he said.
Thomas and Gordon then both entered the office, Sir Topham Hatt then looked up at them.
"Thomas, Gordon" said Sir Topham Hatt, "can I help you two with anything?".
"Please Sir" asked Thomas, "can Gordon pull coaches again. He has been working very hard and don't you think?".
Sir Topham Hatt then gave this a thought. Whilst he was doing that, Gordon gave Thomas a smile, for speaking on his behalf. Sir Topham Hatt then looked at them with a smile.
"It is true that you have been working very hard Gordon and deserve a treat" said Sir Topham Hatt, "so I've decided this. Edward shall go in front and clear the line, Thomas shall look after the coaches. Whilst Gordon on the other hand shall pull the Royal Train".
Gordon beamed with excitement at this news. The next day was the big day itself, all the engine drivers worked hard that day, bring people to the town. Once they were finished, Thomas sorted out their coaches in the yard before parking his engine and joining his family and girlfriend on the platform.
"This is very exciting Thomas," said Lady.
"That it is Lady" replied Thomas.
Just then Edward K2 came into the station. He then hopped down from his cab and came up to Sir Topham Hatt, Chairman Ringo Starr and Mayor Britt Allcroft who looked at him earnestly.
"Gordon and the Queen are here" Edward announced grandly.
True to his word everyone heard Gordon's A3's whistle, they knew what this meant. A minute later, the Queen's train glided into the station. Gordon's A3's was spotless, and its brass shone brightly, it had white buffers for the occasion and even had the Royal coat of arms on its side.
Gordon brought his A3 to a gentle stop. The police all lined up to the door of the coach, Sir Topham Hatt, Chairman Starr and Mayor Allcroft then stood to attention as Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, and Princess Anne emerged from the coach.
"Welcome to Sodor your majesties," said Mayor Allcroft.
"Did you have a comfortable journey?" asked Chairman Starr.
"Did Gordon behave himself?" asked Sir Topham Hatt.
"Our journey was very comfortable thank you," said Queen Elizabeth.
"Your driver was extremely polite" replied Prince Charles, "I have never seen anyone with such nice manners".
"Many of my family are railway enthusiasts" said Queen Elizabeth, "and since Sodor is one of the few places in the world that still uses steam engines on a daily basis. Well, I decided why not visit".
Everyone was very pleased to hear this news. Percy and Toby were particularly excited to hear the Queen speak so highly about their railway that Percy rang his engines whistle and Toby rang his trams bell.
"Be quiet you two" said James sternly.
"Show some respect you two" replied Henry sternly as well.
But Percy and Toby were both two excited to listen to them.
"Three cheers for the Queen" they both said together as they rang their engines whistle and bell again.
Everyone then began to ring their whistles in honour of the Queen. Eventually both Henry and James gave in and rang their whistles too, the Queen was very flattered by this. The sound only stopped when Sir Topham Hatt raised his arms for silence, which they did.
"May I, Chairman Starr and Mayor Allcroft show you to your party?" asked Sir Topham Hatt.
"It would be our pleasure" smiled Queen Elizabeth.
Sir Topham Hatt, Chairman Starr and Mayor Allcroft then brought the Royal Family to Knapford Townhall where a special party was been held for them.
Later that evening, it was time for them to leave. But before then departed, Queen Elizabeth had some every special to say to Thomas, Edward, and Gordon.
"I would like to thank you for arranging the coaches young Thomas" said Queen Elizabeth, "Sir Topham Hatt is sure lucky to have such a hard worker like you".
"Thanks, your highness" replied Thomas, touched at the Queens words.
"To you Mr. Pettigrew" Queen Elizabeth said turning to Edward, "it was to my understanding that your grandfather was my fathers Royal Train for when he visited back in 1939, shortly before the Second World War broke out?".
"That is right your majesty" replied Edward proudly, "although it wasn't me who took your train, it was a great honour to make sure that your line was clear".
"For that I thank you" Queen Elizabeth said grandly.
Edward gave another proud smile. Finally, Queen Elizabeth turned to Gordon.
"And as for you Mr. Gresley" began Queen Elizabeth, "I very much thank you for giving me and my family such a smooth ride over here and I sure hope that you'll give us an equally smooth ride home".
"That I can guarantee you your majesty" promised Gordon.
"I'm sure that your great grandfather, Sir Nigel Gresley would be very proud of you" said Queen Elizabeth sincerely.
Gordon felt immense pride at hearing her words, Queen Elizabeth then turned to the crowd.
"And for the rest of you drivers on the North Western Railway" she began, "I have seen many railways in my life. But none of them shall be as hardworking and special to the world as you are. May your railway last until the end of time itself".
With that she and the Royal Family then got into their coach and Gordon took them away. The engine drivers cheered her on as they left Knapford station, this was a day that they would remember until the day they died.
(Story Ends)
"No engine ever felt prouder then those on Sir Topham Hatt's Railway" said Thomas as he finished his story.
Thomas then saw that Lucy was fast asleep. Smiling Thomas then gently kissed his daughter on her forehead before turning off her light and leaving her room. He then went downstairs to find his parents, Annie and Clarabel in the sitting room and watching television.
"There you are Thomas" said Annie, "quick the Walking Dead is on".
"Aright" said Thomas has he sat down on the couch next to his two sisters, "I wonder if the Governor is going to attack the prison".
And done. Finally, after two years, season 1 is finally complete. Here's hoping that season 2 nor the rest of the story will take that long. Anyway, please be so kind as to leave a preview and as always, see you next time.