It was a bright spring morning and Thomas the Tank Engine was in the heart of London on the Mainland. Yesterday, he had brought the Fat Controller to London to receive a special award from the Queen Herself. It was the young Prince who requested Thomas especially to bring him.

Along their way, Thomas and the Fat Controller became very worn and dirty coming across one obstacle after another, but Thomas also met a very interesting engine called Duchess of Loughborough. Later that day, Duchess had burst her safety valve and was stranded on the main line. She was worried about getting her very important passengers to London on time and Thomas volunteered to push her there.

After arriving at the station, the Fat Controller discovered that the train which Thomas had rescued was actually the Royal Train. The Queen and the Prince met them, and Thomas and the Fat Controller were very honoured indeed. When the Queen found out what had happened, she was very grateful for Thomas' help, and called him a Royally Useful Engine.

After the ceremony, Thomas helped Duchess to her shed and was told where he could find the washdown. Thomas was very dirty, and his paint was scratched, but as a 'thank you', the Queen had asked for Thomas to be thoroughly cleaned and repainted.

Now, Thomas was getting ready to go back home when an important-looking man arrived at the shed. "So, you're Thomas," he said. "Welcome to London and good morning to you, Duchess. Are you ready to go?"

"I'm afraid it's more than just her safety valve that needs repair," said a workman. "Her Grace isn't going anywhere today."

"What?" spluttered Duchess, "but the Queen! I can't be late for her! What about her appointments? And besides, today she-"

"Duchess, calm down," said the Important Man. "No one is blaming you. None of this is your fault. We'll just have to find another engine."

"Excuse me, Sir," said Thomas, "can I help?"

"Oh yes!" cheered Duchess, "Thomas is very reliable, Sir! Did I mention that he helped me to the station yesterday when-"

"All right, all right," the Important Man chuckled, "I'll speak with Her Majesty. If she and Sir Topham Hatt agree, Thomas can stand in for you." And he left.

The Fat Controller was happy to oblige. Thomas collected the Royal Coaches, and he was decorated as the Royal Engine. He was very excited. "I'm pulling the Royal Train!" he cheered. "Whatever will Gordon say?"

"Good luck, Thomas," called Duchess. "I know you'll do a good job."

Thomas made his way to the station where the Queen, the Important Man and the Fat Controller were waiting. Duchess' Driver was there too to make sure they didn't get lost.

"Where are we going?" asked Thomas.

"Today," said the Important Man, "you are going to be collecting some very special passengers and taking them, and the Queen, to a royal banquet."

"What's that?"

"It's a very special dinner party," said Duchess' Driver, "so we mustn't be late." And Thomas puffed out of the station wondering who his special passengers could be.

At the next station, Thomas saw someone on the platform who looked very special indeed. He was wearing gold chains and very fancy ropes.

"That's the Lord Mayor of London," Duchess' Driver explained, and that made Thomas feel very important.

Suddenly, Thomas heard a very loud bell. "Bust my buffers!" he cried, "What was that?"

"Don't worry, Thomas," laughed his Driver. "That's just Big Ben." And he pointed to a tall clock tower on the other side of a river.

Thomas was impressed. "Just like Etienne saw," he puffed.

When Thomas arrived at another station, he saw…a goat on the platform. "A goat?" he said. "I thought goats only visited stations in India."

"Ah, but this is a special goat." Thomas saw two men standing alongside it. "You see," said one, "we are Royal Soldiers."

"This goat is our mascot," said the other, "so he is very special to us."

"Wow," puffed Thomas, "I've never carried an important goat before." Everyone laughed.

At last, Thomas arrived at his final destination and glided in with a wheesh of steam. There was a large crowd and a red carpet, and everyone cheered as the Queen and her Royal Guests got off the train.

"Cinders and ashes!" chuckled Thomas. "London is filled with lots of very special people…even a very special goat."

"You are right, Thomas," said the Queen. "London is full of special people and that is part of what makes it so famous." Thomas was very proud.

The next morning, the Fat Controller and the Important Man came to the sheds to see Thomas and Duchess. "Thank you again for taking Duchess' place yesterday, Thomas," said the Important Man. "I agree with Sir Topham Hatt that you prevented some serious confusion and delay."

"It was an honour to help, Sir," said Thomas, "but now, it's time I was puffing home."

"Not exactly, Thomas," said the Fat Controller. "All the lines are so busy today that we won't be able get back to Sodor ourselves."

"But as yet another 'thank you'," said the Important Man, "her Majesty has made other arrangements. You and Sir Topham are to go the nearest harbour where a boat will be waiting to take you to Sodor."

Thomas and the Fat Controller were very grateful. Later, the Queen and the Prince arrived at the Station to see them off. "Thank you again for your help," smiled the Queen, "and safe travels to both of you."

"Goodbye!" called the Prince.

The Fat Controller boarded Spencer's Coach, Thomas whistled, and everyone waved until they were out of sight. At the Harbour, Thomas came to a stop on the quayside where a big barge was waiting for them.

"Hullo!" called the barge, "I'm Dilly and I'm so glad to finally meet you and your Controller, Thomas."

Thomas was surprised. "How do you know about us?"

"That's easy," laughed Dilly. "You're so famous, everyone knows about you, whether we're on land or sea."

"Are you taking us to Sodor?"

"That's right."

When Thomas and the Fat Controller were onboard, Dilly tooted her horn, pulled away from the dock and they set off. As they made their way through London, Dilly told them about all the amazing places there were to see. Thomas mentioned how his friend, Etienne, from France had seen London too.

"This is so exciting," Dilly grinned. "I've never performed a royal service for the Queen before."

"I hope it wasn't too much trouble," said Thomas.

"Oh, not at all. I was going in the direction of Sodor anyway, but I've never been there myself."

Thomas looked at the cargo on Dilly's deck. "Where's all this cargo going?"

"Barrow. I heard the Island of Sodor isn't far from there. So, when we get there, my cargo will be unloaded, and it will travel the rest of the way by rail."

When Dilly arrived at Brendam Docks, everyone was surprised to see Thomas on her deck. The Fat Controller explained what had happened and Cranky helped Thomas and Spencer's Coach back onto the rails while Carly unloaded Dilly's cargo.

"Goodbye, Dilly," said Thomas, "and thank you for your help. I hope you can visit again."

"I'm sure I will." Dilly tooted her horn happily and Thomas whistled as he and the Fat Controller made their way back to Knapford.