While Diesel 10 and his lackeys were in a dump, the steam engines were still right on track.

Thomas puffed along the line until he arrived at Vicarstown, the very end of the line. He noticed Henry by the water tower looking glum.

"Morning, Henry, what's the matter?" asked Thomas.

"I've got boiler ache," said Henry sadly.

"Then it's a good thing that I'm off to fetch special coal for you," smiled Thomas.

"Thank you, Thomas," Henry smiled. "Special coal will make me feel much better."

Though Thomas wished he could make Mr. Min-Gi better too... by finding him that is!

When Thomas arrived at the sidings, he sets to work collecting the train of six coal trucks. He didn't know that the last truck wasn't coupled properly. When he bumped into them, the last truck rolled backwards down the siding towards the buffers, which were surrounded by bramble. And, instead of either bumping or crashing into them, the truck mysteriously glided through them and disappeared. Thomas saw nothing as he carried on, not realizing that he was missing one truck.

"Oh, Mr. Min-Gi, I do hope you're all right," he muttered.

Min-Gi was walking very slowly by an old track in the clear. It was a sunny day, but he was still looking very weak. His conductor's jacket was torn, and he was very weary. He didn't have a very comfortable sleep last night.

"It's really hard to believe I won the Conductor Family's five-mile Walkathon last year," he said breathlessly. "Maybe Thomas can see me from here."

"He can't, but I can!" said a voice.

When Min-Gi heard that, he felt an ominous rumbling at his feet and the sound of... a diesel! He turned around fast to see Diesel 10, who had managed to break out of his scrap prison from last night and was now slowly creeping up towards him.

"Remember me?!" sneered Diesel 10 with delight.

Min-Gi looked around, looking for a way to escape. He began to run towards some bushes up a steep incline, but he was too weak to run up and ended up tripping onto the ground. He rolled over, facing the diesel grinning evilly at him.

"I see you forgot to bring the sugar this time!" Diesel 10 sniggered. "How careless of you!"

Quivering in his shoes, he tried to get up while reaching for something in his pocket, but it was too late and he soon felt himself being carried up by Diesel 10's claw. And Diesel 10 carried Min-Gi by his claw high above his roof while moving forward towards an old and tall viaduct, which hadn't been used in many years. It was called by others, The Big Dipper!

"Don't go on the viaduct, Diesel!" called Min-Gi. "It's not safe!"

But Diesel didn't listen. He rolled onto it and stopped right on the middle of it before turning his claw until it hung over the side of the bridge. Min-Gi noticed one or two loose bricks falling from it into the deep gorge below.

"I've got you. Twinkle Toes," laughed Diesel 10 in triumph, "and next I'll get that blue puffball, too."

As Min-Gi dangled over the gorge, he noticed some more loose bricks falling from the viaduct. He tried to pull himself out, but he was stuck firm. He needed to escape from his grasp somehow.

"But before I do, I know about the buffers and your Magic Railway," Diesel 10 said. "So, tell me where they are, or else 'Bye-bye, Twinkle Toes!'"

Min-Gi struggled into his pocket and finally reached his toolkit and manages to yank out his pliers. He laughed before the claw shook violently, ready to drop him.

"You have ten seconds!" Diesel 10 barked. "10...9..."

Knowing he had to act fast, Min-Gi looked to find the clip holding the pipe to the claw has two wires — one green, one blue.

"8..."

"One of the cables opens the claw, the other one will tighten it," he thought to himself.

"7..."

"Which one am I going to cut?"

"6..."

"Please let this be the right one."

"5..."

"Please let me have enough strength to do this and escape from Diesel," Min-Gi pleaded in his mind.

"4..."

"I have to survive — the universe needs us."

"3..."

There was no time to lose.

"2..."

He cut the green one! Immediately, the claw sprung upwards and opened. Diesel 10 roared with incredible rage as Min-Gi flew away and out of sight.

"It's the right oooooonnnnnne!" Min-Gi screamed as he flew through the air.

The next thing, Min-Gi knew, he felt a soft "thump" and found himself in a cushiony sack of grain at the base of a windmill. He saw a kind farmer standing nearby.

"Did you put that there for me?" he asked as the farmer nodded. "You must have known I was coming. How very thoughtful of you," he said happily before thinking about Atticus back home. "And Atticus, I hope you're thinking of me too."

He was!

Atticus was right now running down the road and into Andy's garden, carrying out the next part of his plan. Tulip was there sitting alone, clearly bored. When she heard barking, she looked to see that same dog she met yesterday, barking at the shuttered house. But when Andy came out to fix some branches of the apple tree, Atticus dashed away and tucked himself around the side of the house, peeping out.

"Was that a dog I heard barking?" asked Andy.

"Yes, but he's gone now." sighed Tulip before noticing that he was wearing Tulip's bracelet. She inched herself closer to him, pulling out her harmonica and quietly played a tiny bit of the same tune she heard on the record last night on her harmonica.

"Mom loved to dance to this, didn't she?" Tulip asked.

"Yes," replied Andy without looking at her.

"And you danced with her?" Tulip went on.

Andy paused for a moment before answering.

"I can't remember," he said before going back inside the house.

He leaves what he is doing and returns indoors, much to Tulip's frustration.

"Yes, you can," she muttered moodily before walking storming away from the cottage.

She marched around the cottage, sitting against a tree in the corner of the field, tearing up pieces of grass and throwing them away. She had had enough of this boring life. This clearly wasn't working out for her. She wanted an escape... to get away from it all... maybe run away... to somewhere... magical! But only a miracle could help her now.

"Hey," said a voice, getting Tulip's attention, seeing that it was that same boy she saw riding on the horse beside the train yesterday. "Bet you can't climb that tree," he said, pointing to the tree behind her.

Tulip smirked, seeing this as a challenge and suddenly jumped up, climbing the tree quite fast, leaving the boy astounded.

"Where did you learn that?" he asked.

"On my fire escape," replied Tulip before climbing back down, jumping back to the ground on her feet. "I'm Tulip. Do you live here?"

"Yes," said the boy. "My mom and dad run the stables."

At that moment, Andy arrived.

"Good morning, Jesse."

"Good morning, Mr. Olsen," greeted Jesse. "I'm going to ride into Shining Time. Could Tulip come with me... if she'd like to...?

Tulip brightened. This was just the escape she needed.

"I'd like to," said Tulip eagerly.

"You can go," agreed Andy, "but be back by sunset."

Atticus was observing this and happily wagged his tail. Tulip on the other hand was surprised her dad has agreed.

"Do you want to come, too?" asked Tulip.

"I never go there now," said Andy, enigmatic before walking back, leaving Tulip disappointed.

"Bye, Dad," she said wistfully.

Seeing how sad Tulip looked, Jesse decided to cheer her up. And he knew just how.

"Say, Tulip, have you ever ridden on a horse before?" he asked.

"No," Tulip shook her head.

"It's easy, you just get up and ride."

So, Jesse helped Tulip onto the horse with him and they rode down the road with Jesse driving while Tulip held onto Jesse by wrapping his arms around his waist. Atticus ran beside them before running on ahead as they all headed towards Shining Time. As they rode around a big lake, Tulip looked up to see storm clouds in the distance.

"I read in a book that if you get lost in the wilderness, you should never eat white, yellow or red berries."

"Well, lucky for you, I don't get lost, it's not the wilderness, it's home." he said with spirit before noticing something. "Although, the summerspan birds are usually flying around this lake, nesting at the foot of the mountain. They should be here by now..."

"Jesse, Dad says that trains don't go up that mountain," said Tulip, "but I'm sure I heard one last night.

"So, it's not just me," smiled Jesse. "I've heard it too. Lots of times."

"But why not Dad? There's nothing wrong with his hearing."

Lily and Patch came to the meadow and rode through an idyllic landscape. This was the beginning of something magical.

"I've always wanted to go this way," said Jesse. "We're following some shadowy lines I've seen on a map. They're like railroad tracks without any rails."

At that moment. Alan Dracula starts tossing his head and swishing his tail. He pounded the ground like he was saying, "I want to go faster," and he does so. Suddenly the riders and the horse are thundering along as if driven by a current of energy. It was such a joyous feeling. The horse picked up the gold dust on his hooves as he galloped along the shadowy lines. Then Tulip saw the magical effect of this in the sky as the storm clouds cleared away, leaving only the bright blue sky. The gold dust in two lines moved in rhythm to that of the horses' hooves. It made her think of the line in the Big City sky.

Suddenly the extraordinary journey ceases as quickly as it began.

"If they are railroad tracks," said Jesse in amazement, "they must be magic ones..."

"But why did they suddenly stop?" Tulip asked.

"I don't know," replied Jesse.

They carried on the rest of the way at a normal pace.

In the parking lot of Shining Time Station, Simon was putting a box on the back of his motorcycle just as Alan Dracula arrived with Jesse and Tulip, who got off and teathered the horse to a lamp post. But when he saw Simon, Jesse tightened his tether more securely while Amelia came out of the station, meeting Atticus, who jumped for joy in seeing him again.

"Don't worry, Jesse. I'll look after him," smiled Amelia.

With that, pair had gone inside the station while Amelia confronted Simon, spying that the foliage on the bouquet tree was all gone, leaving branches blowing in the wind.

"It looks like there's a big storm coming," she said. "We've been safe from storms in this valley for a long while. Let's hope this one is just passing through," she added, eyeing Simon, "like yourself, Simon Laurent."

"I am passing through," said Simon with an evil smirk, looking across at the mountain, "right through into that mountain. And then... BOOM!" he shouted, making an explosion gesture. "No more precious engine, no more protector, and more mountain of rocks... just a mountain of money!"

"Oh please!" scoffed Amelia. "You're a child!"

"WHAT?!" barked Simon in offence before grunting and getting on his bike. "Oh, forget you! Like I keep saying, there is no such thing as magic! And I know because I'm always right!"

And he rode away.

"That mountain won't change!" called Amelia. "It can survive anything Simon, including you!"

Atticus hurried into the station, hoping his plan would work.

Tulip was sitting by the mural. The previously jewel-like reflections of color from the stained-glass windows were now a little muted. It made her a little concerned. Just what was happening here?

"I think I'll stay around here," said Tulip.

"That's OK, I have some errands to do, but I'll meet you back here in time for sunset," promised Jesse.

"Thank you, Jesse," smiled Tulip.

After Jesse had left, she heard a familiar voice sinking. Tulip smiled; she knew who it was.

And, right on cue, Ryan appeared in a sparkle of gold dust, tap dancing on a skateboard while listening to his stereo set. Tulip was delighted to see him again.

"Hey!" smiled Ryan when he saw Tulip. "I'd given up on meeting you again. What's blue, green, red and says 'peep-peep'?"

"A parrot," chuckled Tulip, "and you mean "chirp-chirp".

"Nah, trains, talking trains," said Ryan, much to Tulip's confusion, before straightening his jacket and polishing his whistle. "I'm off to see them now on the Island of Sodor, and my buddy. I was supposed to go yesterday, but I overslept, so I better hurry," he added before getting an idea. "Do you want to come?"

Surprised as she was, Tulip wasn't sure how, but she was already feeling nervously wild about the idea.

"Can we be back here by sunset?" she asked hopefully.

"Hope so," replied Ryan. "I want to get back to my concert."

Atticus, who had quietly come in, barked, getting their attention.

"What do you think, Atticus?" Tulip asked as Atticus barked enthusiastically, before smiling excitedly. "Alright then."

"In that case, we better take the shortcut, right this way," said Jesse, pointing to the tunnel on the mural. "Hmm, it's going to take almost all my gold dust, and this is my buddy's emergency supply," he added before shrugging. "Oh well, it's the only way to travel."

Tulip the noticed some sprinkled gold dust on the bench and picked some up in her hand.

"Can I take some of this back for Dad?" she asked.

"Be my guest, I'll look after it for you," promised Ryan, popping the dust into his pocket, giving a bow and was just ready to blow his whistle until he remembered something and spotted his bandana on the bench. "Oh, I nearly forgot. My bandanna and I never leave each other!"

"Same goes for me and my One-one," chuckled Tulip.

"Okay then, here we go!" said Ryan before inhaling a deep breath and blowing into his whistle.

Both he and Tulip were covered in a halo of gold dust before they vanished inside of them, and the dust flowed inside the tunnel.

Tulip opened his eyes and looked at her surroundings. It looked like they were in some dark, viny tunnel. She could also see railway tracks moving past from underneath, like they were onboard some invisible engine, but they weren't onboard an engine. It was somehow like the gold dust, which was the only source of light inside, was carrying her like some engine. Then, when she turned and saw Ryan, she saw something astounding.

"You've grown bigger!" exclaimed Tulip in amazement.

"Or maybe you shrunk smaller," Ryan remarked playfully. "I'm just adjusting properly to my new surroundings," he added before sighing. "This is the only place it happens to me."

Then, they both felt a jitter of bumps during their journey and they both laughed.

"Little bouncy, isn't it?" asked Ryan as Tulip nodded.

"Where are we?" asked Tulip.

"On the Conductor's Railroad."

This got Tulip wondering as she thought back to the meadow she and Jesse were riding on earlier.

"Magic Railroad?"

"Perhaps," replied Ryan. "We're travelling thousands of miles to the island, but I don't think this railroad will last much longer. Someday, it'll vanish, like the engine."

"What engine?" asked Tulip.

"The one that used to travel on this railroad," explained Ryan. "Buddy and I never saw it, and we don't know what happened to it."

Suddenly, they passed a coal truck beside them.

"Hey, what's that doing there?" Ryan wondered before looking ahead. "Oh boy, are you ready, Tulip? Here are the buffers."

Ahead were the buffers. Tulip knew they should probably slow down, but there's no need and they just kept on going. She shut her eyes, preparing herself for what was coming next, and they glided through.

They flew out on the other side, landing onto the verge of grass beside the track and beside the old sidings at Vicarstown. Tulip recovered and looked around. There were sunny, smiling blue skies, green valleys, and a friendly atmosphere.

"Where are we now?" she asked.

"The Island of Sodor, of course!" laughed Junior. "This way."

Tulip followed Ryan down the field before climbing a big hill. On the way, Ryan sneezed.

"What's the matter?" Tulip asked.

"I think I'm allergic to grass," sniffed Ryan.

They soon reached the top of the hill and they both peeked over the top. Below them lies the Island of Sodor in all its marvelous magic. Tulip wasn't sure, but she could've sworn she could see trains and other vehicles, all with faces on them and with several different colors of paint on their bodies, which was rather unusual for the iron horses back home. She even heard other whistling and honking noises with them.

"What's that noise?" Tulip asked.

"The trains," said Ryan. "They talk, I told you. We're just too far away to hear what they're saying. Come on!"

And Tulip followed Ryan down the other side of the hill.

Nearby, Thomas was on a journey of his own, and that's travelling with his two faithful coaches, Annie and Clarabel. On the way, he approached Elsbridge where Percy was waiting at a signal with a goods train.

"Hello, Percy!" whistled Thomas.

"Oh, Thomas! I was worried about you!" exclaimed Percy as Thomas stopped. "Henry says you lost a coal truck today."

"Yes, I have," agreed Thomas. "It disappeared when I was at the buffers in the old sidings at Vicarstown near the little grotto."

"Maybe those sidings and those buffers are the entrance to the secret railway," smiled Percy in excitement.

"And the grotto must be the magic railway's special platform!" exclaimed Thomas in realization. "Percy, you are clever! You help keep them safe while I look for Mr. Min-Gi."

"Me?! But why me?" asked Percy, stunned as Thomas's guard sounded.

"Because you're a brave engine, Percy," reminded Thomas as he puffed away with his train.

"Oh, I forgot," said Percy nervously as he departed the moment his signal dropped.

Poor Percy wished he didn't have to though.

Thomas puffed along the line with his coaches in tow until he saw a figure standing beside the line and whistled happily with a great, big smile.

"Annie, Clarabel, there's Mr. Min-Gi! We've found him!" Thomas cheered as he drew closer, only to find someone else he knew, he didn't know the other person standing beside him. "Oh, bother! It's only Ryan!"

Thomas wasn't expecting to see him, but it looked like Ryan was expecting to see him as he waved him down. Thomas had no choice but to stop.

"Hi, Thomas!" smiled Ryan. "Don't look so surprised, I know you haven't seen me since-"

"You stuffed tubas down my funnel!" Thomas inturrupted crossly.

"Hey, we had a laugh," chuckled Ryan, shrugging.

"You did," muttered Thomas bitterly.

Tulip couldn't believe what she was seeing as she watched their conversation. And she came out of her hypnotic state.

"You're talking to each other!" said Tulip to Ryan in amazement.

"Yeah, you see?" said Ryan in amusement before doing the introductions. "Tulip, this is Thomas. Thomas, this is Tulip."

Thomas was rather interested to see the newcomer. Tulip almost thought she would be going crazy.

"Hi," Tulip said with a wave.

"Hello, Tulip," greeted Thomas kindly. "Welcome to Sodor."

"Come on, Tulip," Ryan said as he climbed up onto Thomas's cab. "I feel very homey on trains."

Tulip couldn't say no and climbed into his cab with him.

"Annie, Clarabel, I'll send Percy back to fetch you," Thomas said to his coaches as he was uncoupled and puffed away.

"We've heard that one before!" they groaned in unison.

On another branch line, Edward was running down the track. On his way, he passed Trevor the Traction engine and whistled a friendly hello on his way.

He then arrived at the harbor of Brendam at the end of his branch line, also known as Brendam Docks. He was about to shunt his train when he noticed George near one of the sidings and was surprised when he saw him rolling over a set of buffers, crunching it to smithereens under his rollers.

"George, what are you doing?! Stop that!" Edward shouted as he stopped nearby. "We need those!"

"Not if it means getting rid of you steam kettles!" George remarked.

"Funny, I thought you were trying to rip up rails," Edward puzzled.

"I am!" barked George. "That comes next, as Diesel 10 said."

"Oh, George," sighed Edward. "I can't believe you've stooped this low! Have you no sense of pride?"

"Of course I do!" snapped George.

"Well then," said Edward, "if Thomas was here right now, I believe he'd say that even though you prefer more on the roads than rails, you're still the same as the rest of us."

"I am nothing like you!" roared George.

"Oh, you're wrong, George," said Edward firmly. "You run on coal and water, right?"

"Right," said George, puzzled. "What's it to you?"

"Well, so do we steam engines," Edward reminded. "That being said, YOU'RE a steam engine too!"

With that said, Edward puffed away, leaving a stunned George with a lot on his mind. He never once thought of himself that way before.

On a quayside, a tall green crane called Cranky the Crane was busily loading cargo between the ships and the dockside where Edward, BoCo, Bill and Ben were collecting their cargo. Sitting nearby were Diesel 10, Splatter and Dodge.

"So, Boss, how come you let Twinkle Toes escape?" asked Splatter skeptically.

Diesel 10 was embarassed.

"Oh that? I did it on purpose. I was testing him... to see if he could... escape."

Splatter and Dodge chuckled amongst each other.

"Did he mean to say that?" asked Dodge.

Diesel positions his claw to take a swipe at his sidekicks. They back off.

"Alight! Playtime's over, Splodge!" snapped Diesel 10.

"Uh oh!" said Splatter and Dodge nervously.

"Now it's time for the next lesson," Diesel 10 declared, "it's called 'How To Stop Being Stupid'!"

He rolled over while Cranky was lifting a cargo of fruit and vegetables from a tramp steamer. He grabbed the cargo with his claw and yanked it back, which caused the crates to fall off the platform and crash, splattering squashed fruit and vegetables all over him. He was lucky they weren't in his engine or his claw's motor. Bill and Ben sniggered cheekily at this.

"Diesel!" snapped Cranky angrily. "Quit fooling around down there! There's work to be done!"

Diesel 10 only growled in reply.

Meanwhile, Thomas was still looking for Min-Gi with Ryan and Tulip riding in his cab. Tulip was having a lovely ride, she couldn't believe she was riding on a talking train. Then as they neared the grain windmill up ahead, Tulip noticed a strange shining.

"What's that shining at that windmill?" Tulip asked.

Ryan looked to where she was looking at and smiled.

"That's my buddy!" exclaimed Ryan in joy.

Thomas was overjoyed too and whistled to get Min-Gi's attention. This time, it really was him.

Min-Gi was sitting by the windmill with the sunlight reflecting off the brass plate on his cap when he heard chuffing. He was glad to see Thomas coming towards him and stopping close by. But he wasn't happy to see Ryan, who jumped down from the cab and approached him.

"Hey, buddy!" said Ryan happy. "Did you bring me all this way to catch some time sun-bathing?"

"No, Ryan, I am not!" said Min-Gi angrily, struggling to get up. "As a matter of fact, I just happen to have landed here after escaping a heavy metal monster who doesn't even like me, and I'm positively sure he won't like you either! Ryan, where have you been?!"

"I'm so sorry I scared you, Mr. Min-Gi," said Thomas sadly. "I didn't mean to cause an accident. It's all my fault."

"No, Thomas, it isn't," said Min-Gi. "I'm positively sure Diesel's the reason your whistle was all wonky in the first place."

"Hey, pal. You look terrible," Ryan said to Min-Gi with concern. "What do you say we both get more gold dust, because I... might've used yours up, so that you can go back home, and I can go back to my concert," he finished with spirit.

Min-Gi was both dismayed and frustrated at the same time. But he knew he had to tell him.

"Ryan, I need you to listen to me very carefully, because I have some bad news..."

But before Min-Gi could continue, the two men heard a strange ringing coming from the ground. It was the bellflower!

"I got it!" said Ryan as he snatched the flowers before Min-Gi could and put it up like a phone. "Hello?... No, this is his friend. Who's this?" he smiled when he heard the answer. "Why, hello there, Hatty!" Ryan greeted while Min-Gi winced and mouthed at him to stop. "Yeah, I'm sure he's lying around here somewhere."

Embarassed, Min-Gi snatched the bellflower and wrestled it off of him before putting it up.

"Yes, Sir Topham Hatt, sir?" he greeted before hearing angry noises on the other side. "No, he just wanted to be friendly, sir... No, he's not a dog. Or well, let's just say that he's a puppy in need of a good trainer." he went on, glaring at Ryan before hearing explosions on the other side. "Yes Sir, of course I know all Scotsmen are wonderful... Everything is under control... goodbye, sir."

He put the bellflower down and was ready to tell off Ryan when Ryan spoke first.

"Hey, buddy. This is Tulip," he said, gesturing over to Tulip, who had stepped down from Thomas's cab. "She's staying with grumpy daddy Olsen."

Min-Gi eyed the newcomer with interest and walked over to greet her.

"Hello, Tulip," he said politely, shaking her hand.

"Hello," Tulip answered.

Once their handshake ended, Min-Gi turned to Ryan to ask why he brought her here, only to find him not there and looked around.

"Woohoo!"

Hearing that cry, everyone looked up and gasped as they found Ryan sprawled onto one of the windmill's sails, having the time of his life as he clutched on tightly as the sails turned in the blowing wind while the sun shone on him.

"Ryan, what are you doing?! Come down from there!" exclaimed Min-Gi. "It's too windy!"

"But this is like the funfair!" called Ryan with joy. "Give me two more seconds!"

"Two seconds is all it takes for you to land in trouble!" Min-Gi called back.

And Min-Gi was right as, after two seconds had passed, the wind blew harder and the sails spun faster. Ryan wasn't so cheerful now and tried to hang on tighter in fear. But he couldn't hold on any longer and was thrown airborne while everyone watched in horror.

It was rather unfortunate that Diesel 10, who had just been cleaned, rushed by just in time as Ryan began to fall, landing on the back of his roof. The mean diesel was impressed by who had landed on him.

"Well, well, well. Twinkle Toes Ryan!" said Diesel 10 with a smirk as Ryan tried to get up, losing his bag in the process but clutching onto his bandana. "You won't be doing any crowd-surfing up here, Mr. Rock-n-roll!"

"Really? Just watch me!" Ryan smirked back as he got back up on his feet and began to surf steadily.

"Then hang on tight!" roared Diesel 10 as he began to pick up speed, carrying him away.

Tulip saw everything and was worried as she cupped her hands to her mouth.

"What's going to happen to Ryan now?" she asked.

"Oh, our family is pretty good at getting ourselves out of trouble... eventually!" replied Min-Gi. "You know, Tulip, that friend of mine has a lot of guts. He just needs to put it to good use. He'll give Diesel a run for his wheels. I just hope they wear out quickly!"

Everyone hoped so.