Thomas the Tank Engine has lots of friends on the Island of Sodor, at the harbours, the farms, the hills and the towns. Many engines are Thomas' friends too and so are lots of children.
There had been an overnight summer storm on the island and the Fat Controller came to Tidmouth Sheds looking very serious. "The strong wind has blown down lots of telephone lines," he said. "Thomas, I want you to help take the engineers to fix them."
"Yes, Sir," said Thomas and he puffed quickly away.
Thomas arrived at Brendam Docks, and the telephone engineers boarded Annie and Clarabel. Then, Thomas looked up at the sky…and saw a rainbow. It was very big, very bright and very colourful.
Thomas thought it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. "Look at all those colours, Edward," he gasped. "I've never seen such a beautiful rainbow."
"I haven't seen one like that in a very long time," puffed Edward. "You know, an old story says you'll find something magical at the end of a rainbow."
"Something magical?" exclaimed Thomas. "That sounds wonderful. I wish I could find the end of a rainbow." And he wheeshed away.
When Thomas stopped at a Junction, he saw Percy waiting there. "Hullo, Thomas," he whistled, "did you see that beautiful rainbow?"
"Yes," puffed Thomas, "I wish I could find the end of it." And he told Percy what Edward had said.
As Thomas puffed up Gordon's Hill, he could see the end of the rainbow just over the top…but when he reached the top…the end of the rainbow had moved. "Silly rainbow," Thomas smiled.
Later, Thomas had to let some engineers of near a bridge. Some children waved to Thomas and called 'hullo'. "Look at that rainbow, Thomas!" one called. "Isn't it wonderful?!"
"Yes, it is," replied Thomas and he set off again.
Thomas took the engineers wherever they needed to go. Sometimes, he even saw repair crews waiting nearby. All the time, the rainbow glistened brightly overhead.
Soon, Thomas passed Henry; he was feeling bothered from being delayed. "How are the engineers' repairs coming along?" he asked.
"Don't worry," chuffed Thomas, "everything will alright again soon." But Thomas couldn't stay worried for long as the rainbow seemed to brighten his spirits once more.
Then there was trouble.
Thomas passed a signal box, but he didn't know that the storm had damaged a signal. As he steamed around the bend, he passed Toby. "Look out, Thomas!" Toby called. "There's a telephone pole on your track!"
Thomas tried to stop…but it was too late. His wheels clipped the telephone pole, and he, Annie and Clarabel all came off the tracks.
Luckily, no one was hurt.
"Cinders and ashes!" Thomas cried. They were stuck, but Thomas' Driver couldn't call for help; the telephone lines were still not working. All they could do was wait.
At last, Thomas spotted Percy far away. "Help, Percy, help!" Thomas cried and he whistled as loudly as he could.
Percy heard Thomas and stopped. He puffed as closely as he could, and Thomas' Driver explained what had happened. "Don't worry, Thomas!" Percy called and hurried away to get help.
The news spread quickly, and Harvey set off right away. He found Thomas and his coaches in no time at all and soon, he had them all back on the tracks.
"Thank you for rescuing us, Harvey," said Thomas.
Harvey explained how the message had been passed on. "We all worked together to rescue you," he said. "It was truly a team effort."
Thomas was very happy indeed as he puffed on. He and the engineers worked as hard as they could until all the telephones were working again. As Thomas returned home, he was surprised to see the end of the rainbow…right over the top of Tidmouth Sheds and this time, as he got closer and closer…it didn't move.
When Thomas arrived, he told the other engines what he had seen. "It seems the old story was right," he said. "There is something magical at the end of a rainbow and for me, it's the most wonderful thing of all, my friends." And all the engines smiled.