I'm so excited to present to you... my very first Thomas fanfic! Figured I'd let this imagination come out of my head. Enjoy.
The morning sun rose over the Island of Sodor, casting a golden glow over its rolling hills and bustling railway lines. The engines were busy as always, each one focused on their tasks for the day.
Thomas chugged cheerfully along his branch line, Annie and Clarabel in tow. He hummed a happy tune as he picked up passengers at Maithwaite Station.
"Another beautiful day, Annie, Clarabel," Thomas said brightly.
"Indeed it is," replied Annie.
"Though you'd better keep to your timetable, Thomas," added Clarabel.
Over at Knapford Station, Gordon was preparing to pull the express. The big blue engine was already boasting to anyone who would listen.
"Express coming through! Step lively now; I don't have all day," he bellowed as porters loaded luggage.
Nearby, James was admiring his reflection in a freshly polished coach.
"Look at me!" James said. "Red really is the best color for an engine. I do believe I'm the shiniest thing on Sodor today."
At the goods yard, Percy was working hard shunting trucks into place. He whistled a cheery greeting as Edward rolled by with a mixed freight train.
"Morning, Edward!" Percy called out.
"Good morning, Percy," Edward replied warmly. "Looks like you've got a busy day ahead!"
On another part of the island, Henry was steaming steadily through the forest with a long line of timber trucks. He breathed deeply, enjoying the fresh air.
"Ah, nothing like a peaceful run through the woods," he said to himself.
Meanwhile, Emily was at the sheds, organizing a delivery schedule with Sir Topham Hatt. She had been tasked with overseeing the day's special cargo deliveries and took her role seriously.
Everything seemed to be running smoothly, just as it always did on Sodor. The engines had no idea that their usual day was about to take a very exciting turn.
One day, Brendam Docks was bustling with activity as the cargo cranes lifted heavy containers and workers hurried about, organizing shipments. The salty sea air carried the rhythmic sounds of waves crashing against the piers. It was a typical busy morning—until an unfamiliar figure stepped onto the platform.
Ellen DeGeneres, dressed casually in a tailored navy jacket, white sneakers, and jeans, stood out among the crowd. She adjusted the strap of her messenger bag and took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the bustling docks with curiosity.
"So, this is Sodor," she said aloud, her voice carrying a mix of awe and amusement. "Not exactly what I was expecting, but I like the vibe."
She smoothed her short blonde hair, which gleamed in the sunlight, and took a few steps forward, stopping to observe a large ship unloading crates of goods.
A few dockworkers paused briefly, their eyes widening as they recognized her, but they quickly returned to their work, stealing glances when they thought she wasn't looking.
Ellen gave a small wave to one of the workers, flashing her signature warm smile. "Hi there! I'm Ellen. First time on Sodor. Do you always work this hard, or is this just for me?"
The worker, caught off guard, chuckled nervously. "It's always like this, ma'am. Welcome to Brendam Docks."
"Thanks! And it's Ellen, not ma'am," she replied with a playful wink.
She turned back to the activity around her, taking it all in. The massive cranes loomed overhead, swinging cargo expertly from ship to shore.
The faint smell of oil and seaweed mingled in the air, and the chatter of seagulls added to the lively ambiance.
Ellen adjusted her bag again and looked around. "Okay, so where's my ride? I was told I'd meet some of the island's famous residents here. Don't tell me they're shy."
She glanced at her watch and grinned. "I guess even on Sodor, celebrities are fashionably late."
For now, Ellen stood alone on the docks, eagerly anticipating her first encounter with the engines she'd heard so much about.
Meanwhile, Thomas was happily puffing along the tracks, pulling Annie and Clarabel behind him. He had just left Knapford Station, where Sir Topham Hatt had given him an important task.
"Thomas," Sir Topham Hatt had said, "there's a special guest waiting at Brendam Docks. I need you to bring her to Knapford. She's never been to Sodor before, so I expect you to give her a proper welcome."
Thomas's eyes had widened with excitement. "A special guest? Who is it, sir?"
"You'll have to find out yourself, for even I don't know," Sir Topham Hatt had said with a chuckle.
Thomas's boiler bubbled with curiosity as he puffed along the tracks. Annie and Clarabel, always eager for a bit of gossip, chimed in as they swayed behind him.
"A special guest, Thomas!" said Annie. "It must be someone very important."
"Someone famous, perhaps," added Clarabel. "Oh, I do hope we make a good impression!"
Thomas nodded, his face determined. "Don't worry, Annie, Clarabel. I'll make sure everything's perfect. I want them to feel right at home on Sodor!"
The little blue engine soon approached Brendam Docks, his whistle echoing cheerfully across the harbor. The bustling activity of cranes and workers made the docks livelier than ever. Thomas pulled to a stop near one of the platforms, his steam hissing as he looked around.
Ellen, still standing by the platform, turned at the sound of Thomas's whistle. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw him roll into view.
"Whoa," she said, taking a step closer. "Is this… a talking train?!"
Thomas's bright face beamed with a smile. "Hello! I'm Thomas, the number one engine on Sodor. Are you the special guest Sir Topham Hatt told me about?"
Ellen blinked, then laughed, a mix of surprise and delight. "Okay, hold on a second. You can talk? And you have a face? This isn't some elaborate prank, is it?"
Thomas chuckled, a puff of steam escaping from his funnel. "Of course I can talk! All the engines here can. You must be new to Sodor."
"New? Try very new," Ellen said, still looking him up and down. "This is… okay, this is amazing. You've got a face, a voice, and you're smiling at me. I feel like I just stepped into a cartoon!"
Annie and Clarabel, curious about the commotion, joined the conversation.
"Thomas, introduce us properly!" Annie said.
"Oh! Right," Thomas said quickly. "These are my coaches, Annie and Clarabel. They help me carry passengers all over the island."
"Pleasure to meet you," said Annie.
"Welcome to Sodor," added Clarabel.
Ellen looked from Thomas to the two coaches, her smile growing wider. "Okay, I love this. You've got a whole little team here. Annie, Clarabel, nice to meet you too. And Thomas, you're adorable, by the way."
Thomas's cheeks turned a shade redder than James's paintwork as he let out a sheepish chuckle. "Thank you! I'm here to take you to Knapford Station. Sir Topham Hatt said I should give you a proper welcome."
Ellen placed her hands on her hips and grinned. "Well, I'd say you're off to a great start, Thomas. This is already the most unique ride I've ever had."
Thomas whistled happily. "Hop aboard! Annie and Clarabel are very comfortable. We'll be at Knapford in no time."
Ellen stepped onto the platform beside Annie, peeking inside. "This is so charming," she said as she settled into one of the seats. "All right, Thomas, let's see what you've got."
With a toot of his whistle and a proud puff of steam, Thomas started down the tracks, feeling a swell of pride. This was going to be a day to remember.
"(Talking train and coaches. Now I've seen everything,)" Ellen thought, still processing the fact that she was riding in a talking train with a face and coaches who could hold a conversation.
"Oh, we never got your name," Annie said, her voice warm and inviting.
Ellen smiled, leaning out of the coach window. "I'm Ellen. Ellen DeGeneres. Nice to meet all of you!"
"Ellen?" Clarabel repeated. "That's a lovely name. Are you famous where you're from?"
Ellen chuckled, her eyes twinkling. "Well, some might say that. I'm a comedian and I host a talk show back in Los Angeles."
"Los Angeles?" Thomas asked, furrowing his brow. "That's a funny-sounding name. Where is it?"
Ellen leaned back in her seat, amused by their curiosity. "It's a big city, far away from here. It's on the other side of the ocean. Los Angeles is home to all kinds of things—like movie stars, musicians, and a whole lot of sunshine."
Annie's wheels clicked as she thought about it. "Movie stars? Musicians? Sounds like quite the busy place!"
"And wait," Clarabel added, "did you say you host a show?"
"Yes!" Ellen said, her excitement growing as she talked about her job. "It's called The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and it's filmed at Warner Bros Studios. We invite all kinds of people on—actors, musicians, authors—and we just talk and have fun."
"Warner Bros Studios?" Thomas asked, his whistle tooting in confusion. "Is that another place like Sodor? A big company, maybe?"
Ellen laughed at the question. "Not quite like Sodor. Warner Bros Studios is a huge place where movies and TV shows are made. It's where they film my show, and where all those movie stars you mentioned work."
"Movie stars?" Thomas repeated, still trying to wrap his mind around all this new information. "That sounds like a place with lots of exciting things happening!"
"It sure is," Ellen said with a grin. "But you know, I don't just sit around talking to movie stars all day. I'm a comedian, so I like to have a good laugh with everyone, too."
"A comedian?" Annie asked. "What does that mean?"
"It means I tell jokes, funny stories, and try to make people laugh," Ellen explained. "Laughter is the best way to make friends, don't you think?"
"Oh, we love to laugh!" Clarabel said enthusiastically. "It's one of the best things about Sodor. You'll fit right in!"
Thomas puffed proudly. "We all love making people happy here. Maybe you can show us how to make people laugh like you do!"
Ellen smiled warmly. "Maybe I can. I think Sodor is the perfect place for a little comedy and sunshine."
As Thomas puffed down the tracks, heading for Knapford, he felt a newfound sense of excitement. He was eager to learn more about this world of Los Angeles, Warner Bros Studios, and comedy. And he couldn't wait to show Ellen how much fun Sodor could be.
When Thomas arrived at Knapford Station, the platform was abuzz with activity. Passengers were boarding and disembarking, porters hurriedly loaded luggage onto trolleys, and Sir Topham Hatt stood near the station master's office, waiting for Thomas's arrival.
The blue engine rolled to a smooth stop, his whistle blowing cheerfully. "Here we are!" he announced.
Ellen stepped out of Annie with a bright smile, taking in the charming station's hustle and bustle. "This place is adorable," she said, glancing around at the quaint signs and the cheerful passengers.
Sir Topham Hatt approached with his usual authority but wore a welcoming smile. "Ah, you must be Miss DeGeneres. Welcome to Sodor! I'm Sir Topham Hatt, the railway director."
Ellen extended her hand. "Thank you, Sir Topham Hatt. And please, just call me Ellen."
Sir Topham Hatt shook her hand warmly. "Very well, Ellen. I trust Thomas and his coaches have given you a proper Sodor welcome?"
Ellen laughed, glancing at Thomas, Annie, and Clarabel. "Oh, absolutely. I'm already a fan. I mean, talking trains? That's something you don't see every day—well, ever, really."
Thomas beamed, steam hissing happily from his boiler. "I told you Sodor was special!"
Sir Topham Hatt chuckled. "Indeed it is. And we're thrilled to have you here. I understand you're planning a very special project while you visit?"
"That's right," Ellen said. "I'm here to film an episode of my talk show. We're bringing a bit of Sodor to Los Angeles—and a bit of Los Angeles to Sodor."
"Splendid!" Sir Topham Hatt said. "Our engines and staff are at your service. Whatever you need, don't hesitate to ask."
Ellen nodded. "Thank you. This is going to be a lot of fun. And I promise we'll show Sodor in the best light possible—literally and figuratively."
Annie and Clarabel exchanged a glance, pleased to hear Sodor would be in the spotlight.
"Will we be on this 'show' of yours?" Annie asked, her voice full of curiosity.
Ellen turned back to the coaches with a grin. "Oh, absolutely. You're all stars already—you just don't know it yet."
Thomas's face lit up with pride, and he puffed happily. "Stars on Sodor? I can't wait to tell everyone!"
Ellen laughed. "Well, you'd better get ready, Thomas. There's going to be a lot of excitement ahead."
Sir Topham Hatt nodded in agreement. "Now then, Ellen, let me show you around. I'll explain more about our engines and how they'll help with your production."
Ellen picked up her bag and followed Sir Topham Hatt down the platform, looking back at Thomas with a smile. "Thanks for the ride, Thomas. I'll see you again soon!"
"Bye, Ellen!" Thomas called, his whistle echoing across the station.
As Ellen walked away, Thomas couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement. A talk show, a famous guest, and Sodor in the spotlight—it was shaping up to be a day unlike any other.