Meanwhile, Henry and Edward were steaming steadily along the main line, their wheels clicking rhythmically on the rails as they made their way toward Vicarstown. The sun shone brightly overhead, and the countryside was alive with the sounds of birds and the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze.

Henry led the way with a long line of flatbed trucks behind him, their sides neatly secured with heavy-duty straps to hold the incoming cargo. Edward followed closely behind, pulling a brake van and a few empty open wagons to assist in carrying smaller items.

"Camera and lighting equipment," Henry mused aloud, his voice echoing slightly in the open air. "I don't think I've ever transported something like this before."

"It'll be a new experience for both of us," Edward replied cheerfully. "But we've handled fragile cargo before. This is just another kind of delicate delivery."

Henry let out a low chuckle. "True, though I must admit, I'm curious about all this filming business. Cameras, lights—it sounds so technical."

Edward nodded thoughtfully. "Ellen said it's all for a show. Imagine that—Sodor being seen all the way in Los Angeles. It's quite exciting."

Henry smiled, his green paint glinting in the sunlight. "I suppose it is. I just hope the equipment isn't too fussy. I'd hate to accidentally jostle something out of place."

"You'll do fine, Henry," Edward reassured him. "We'll take it slow and steady, and everything will arrive in perfect condition."

The two engines rolled into Vicarstown Station, where the platform was busy with workers preparing the equipment for loading. Large cameras, sturdy tripods, and lighting rigs stood in crates and cases, alongside bright spotlights and long coils of electrical wiring. Everything was carefully organized and ready to be placed onto the flatbeds.

A foreman waved to the engines as they arrived. "Right on time, you two! We've got everything ready to go. Let's get these loaded up."

Henry and Edward whistled in unison, signaling they were ready. Workers began carefully lifting the equipment with cranes, lowering it onto the flatbeds with precision. Each piece was secured tightly with straps and padding to prevent any damage during transport.

Henry watched with a mix of fascination and nervousness as the workers handled the delicate-looking items. "So these are the cameras and lights that will show Sodor to the world," he said softly.

"They certainly look impressive," Edward replied. "And look at those spotlights and all that wiring. It must take a lot of work to make everything run perfectly."

"Don't forget the tripods," Henry added. "They look sturdy enough, but I wouldn't want to tip one over!"

After some time, the loading was complete, and the foreman signaled the all-clear. "All set, lads! Handle this with care—it's worth more than its weight in gold!"

"You can count on us," Edward said confidently.

Henry took a deep breath and started forward, the flatbeds rolling steadily behind him. "Slow and steady, like you said, Edward. Let's make this delivery one to be proud of."

Together, the two engines began their journey back toward Knapford, carefully pulling the spotlights, tripods, camera rigs, and electrical wiring that would soon bring Sodor into the spotlight for all to see.

Meanwhile, Gordon was at Brendam Docks, his sleek blue paint glinting in the sunlight as he waited patiently for Cranky to finish loading his flatbeds. Around him, the docks were bustling with activity as workers hurried to secure stage equipment. Large sections of rigging and scaffolding were carefully maneuvered into place, alongside backup power generators for lighting and sound.

One particularly eye-catching piece was a giant prop of Ellen's iconic logo, shimmering in metallic blue. The oversized design sparkled brilliantly, standing out even among the hustle and machinery of the docks.

Cranky, his tall frame looming over the scene, grumbled as he swung a massive section of scaffolding into place. "All this for a human show?" he muttered in his usual grumpy tone. "They'd better make me look good on camera!"

Gordon rolled his eyes, trying to keep his composure. "It's not every day Sodor hosts something like this," he replied with a touch of grandeur in his voice. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the railway to shine—and for me to play a vital role, of course."

Cranky let out a snort as he lowered another crate onto a flatbed. "Of course, Gordon. Because the world couldn't function without you puffing around, feeling important."

Gordon huffed indignantly. "I am important! I'm the Express Engine, the pride of the line. Transporting these supplies is a task that requires strength, speed, and reliability. Naturally, it falls to me."

"Naturally," Cranky said dryly. He swung around to lift the next piece of cargo—a particularly heavy generator. "Let's just hope you're as reliable as you claim. These generators aren't exactly feathers."

"I'll have you know," Gordon retorted, "that I've transported far more challenging loads. This will be no trouble at all."

Workers busily secured the giant Ellen logo to the final flatbed, making sure it was padded and strapped tightly to prevent any damage during transit. As the last of the equipment was loaded, the foreman gave Cranky a thumbs-up.

"That's the lot!" Cranky announced, his grumpiness softening just a bit. "Now, don't go making me look bad by losing any of this on the way."

Gordon puffed grandly. "You needn't worry, Cranky. I always deliver with perfection."

As Gordon began to pull away, the weight of the load made him work harder than usual, but he remained steady and determined. The flatbeds rolled behind him, carrying the stage equipment, rigging, scaffolding, generators, and the dazzling logo that would soon be the centerpiece of Ellen's Sodor production.

Cranky watched him go with a begrudging nod of approval. "Show-offs," he muttered, but there was a faint hint of a smile in his voice.

Percy, James, and Thomas were busy gathering audience attendees at Knapford Station. People of all ages, from excited children to eager adults, were climbing into either Percy's, James's, or Thomas's coaches. The atmosphere was filled with chatter and laughter as the passengers found their seats, ready for the special event.

Thomas had just returned from picking up a very special guest—the longtime DJ, Tony Okungbowa, who had been a regular on Ellen's show. He waved happily to the crowd as he climbed aboard Annie.

"Wow, look at all the people," Thomas said excitedly, glancing at the growing crowd. "I can't believe how many are coming to see Ellen!"

Annie and Clarabel, ever the attentive coaches, exchanged glances. "Oh, my. Ellen must have a lot of fans in Los Angeles in person," Annie said, her voice full of wonder as she watched the people filing into the coaches.

"No wonder Sir Topham Hatt said we'd need more than one coach," Clarabel agreed, feeling the weight of the responsibility.

"It's probably not just in Los Angeles either if she's on TV," Percy added, puffing up proudly. "Ellen's show is watched by people all over the world. Everyone loves her!"

James, who had been helping load passengers into his shiny red coaches, gave a huff of pride. "Well, of course! Who wouldn't want to be part of something this special? I'm glad Sir Topham Hatt trusted me with such an important job!"

Percy beamed at his friend's enthusiasm. "We all have an important role, James. Just think about it—we're the ones getting the audience here!"

Thomas nodded, watching as more people climbed aboard. "This is incredible! I can't wait for Ellen to meet all the fans and get started with the show."

The engines continued to load passengers, the station buzzing with excitement as the day drew closer to filming. It wasn't every day that Sodor played host to such an event, and the engines were all eager to make sure it went smoothly. After all, this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to show off their beloved island to the world.

The engines then made their way to Wellsworth Station, where the camera crew, staff, and more audience attendees were waiting to board. Among them were Ellen's longtime producer, Mary Connelly, Andy Lassner, Ed Glavin, Jim Paratore, and her show's director, Liz Patrick. The bustling platform was alive with excitement as the crew carried equipment and settled into the coaches.

Thomas rolled in first, his whistle sounding cheerfully. Annie and Clarabel were already filled with a lively group of passengers, but there was still room for a few more. As the crew began boarding, Clarabel let out a good-natured groan.

"Ooh! I'm feeling kinda heavy over here," she remarked.

James chuckled. "That just means we're doing a good job, Clarabel. We can't leave any showgoers behind, especially Ellen's crew!"

Percy arrived shortly after, his cheerful whistle adding to the excitement. "Don't forget about me! There's room in my coaches too!"

Liz Patrick smiled as she climbed aboard one of Percy's coaches. "This is amazing! I've never traveled like this before. Thank you for getting us where we need to go."

"Anytime!" Percy replied, puffing happily. "We love having visitors on Sodor!"

As the engines finished loading passengers, Andy Lassner leaned out of one of James's coaches and joked, "I hope you all don't mind the extra weight—I've been stress-eating while planning this shoot!"

The crowd laughed, and James gave an exaggerated huff. "Not to worry, Andy. I'm more than strong enough to handle it!"

With everyone safely aboard, the three engines blew their whistles in unison and set off. Their wheels clicked rhythmically on the tracks as they carried the camera crew, staff, and audience attendees toward their next destination, ensuring everyone was ready for the big event.

The excitement was building with every mile, and the engines were proud to be part of something so special. Sodor was about to take center stage like never before!

Meanwhile, Emily, with her bright emerald paint gleaming in the sunlight, was giving Ellen a special tour of Sodor. A cameraman from Ellen's crew was aboard Emily's coach, recording every moment for the show. Emily puffed proudly along the tracks, excited to show Ellen the beautiful parts of the island.

As they approached Brendam Docks, Emily's whistle sounded, and she slowed down to give Ellen a closer look at the bustling harbor.

"Here we are, Ellen," Emily said, her voice full of enthusiasm. "This is Brendam Docks, one of the busiest places on Sodor. It's where a lot of the island's cargo is unloaded and sent to different parts of Sodor."

Ellen, sitting comfortably in Emily's cab, marveled at the sight. Cranes were lifting crates, trucks were being loaded and unloaded, and workers moved about with great purpose. The sound of machinery and the hiss of steam from engines echoed through the docks.

"Wow, this place is so busy!" Ellen exclaimed, taking in the sights and sounds. "I had no idea so much goes on here. And those cranes are huge!"

"Yes, Cranky's the one in charge of all the lifting," Emily explained, her voice full of pride. "He's been working here for years, though he can be a bit grumpy sometimes."

As if on cue, Cranky swung his crane arm to lift a heavy load, grumbling under his breath. "All this equipment, and now I've got to make sure it all gets where it needs to go," Cranky muttered. "They'd better appreciate all the work I do!"

Emily chuckled. "See? I told you. But when it comes down to it, Cranky's the best at what he does. He can lift almost anything!"

Ellen watched Cranky with interest, her eyes wide with admiration. "I've got to admit, I'm impressed. I didn't expect the cranes to be so... alive and working so efficiently!"

The cameraman, who had been filming the whole time, caught Emily's explanation and turned the camera toward Cranky as he swung the large cargo overhead. "That's Cranky?" Ellen asked, raising an eyebrow. "He looks like he means business!"

"Definitely," Emily said with a grin. "He may not always be cheerful, but he always gets the job done."

As Emily puffed onward, continuing the tour, Ellen looked back at the busy docks, clearly fascinated by the level of work and coordination that went into keeping Sodor running smoothly. It was a side of the island she hadn't expected, but one she was glad to experience firsthand.

"Brendam Docks," Ellen said, turning to Emily with a smile, "I can see why it's so important. I can't wait to share this with everyone back home."

Emily puffed proudly, knowing that Sodor was making a good impression, and that Ellen's show would be the perfect way to show the world just how special the island was.

"Hey, Cranky!" Emily called out to the towering crane. "Meet Ellen. Ellen DeGeneres!"

Cranky paused in mid-swing, his large crane arm frozen in place. His gruff voice echoed across the docks as he lowered his load slowly, turning his attention to the new arrival.

"Ellen DeGeneres, huh?" Cranky said, his tone a bit skeptical but curious. "So you're the one bringing all this fuss to Sodor, huh?" He eyed Ellen with an arched eyebrow, taking in the bright lights of the camera crew around her.

Ellen, ever the professional and with her signature smile, stepped forward and waved cheerfully. "That's me! Nice to meet you, Cranky," she said, her voice warm and friendly. "I've heard a lot about you! And I must say, I'm impressed by how much you do around here."

Cranky let out a slow, dramatic groan, his crane arm swinging slightly as he muttered under his breath, "Yeah, yeah. I do all the heavy lifting around here. It's what I do."

Ellen, not missing a beat, grinned widely. "I can see that. You're pretty strong. I guess that's why they call you Cranky—you're tough!" she teased, making a playful jab at his name.

Cranky grumbled but couldn't help but chuckle. "Tough, eh? I've got to be tough to handle all this weight. But hey, I get the job done. You better not be expecting any jokes from me, though. I'm all about business."

Ellen laughed. "No worries, Cranky. I'm just here to see the real Sodor, and it looks like you're a big part of it!"

Emily beamed proudly. "He sure is. Cranky's the best when it comes to lifting and moving things around here. Without him, the docks would be in chaos!"

Cranky gave a half-smile, clearly enjoying the attention despite his usual gruff demeanor. He swung his arm slightly as if to mimic a shrug. "Just don't expect me to go smiling for the cameras," he muttered, but the twinkle in his eye suggested he might have been enjoying the moment a little more than he let on.

Ellen winked. "I think you're doing great, Cranky. Keep up the good work!"

"Yeah, yeah," Cranky replied, swiveling his crane arm with a hint of self-satisfaction. "Just don't expect me to dance on television like some of your other guests."

The crew laughed, and even Cranky seemed to appreciate the playful exchange. As Emily started moving again, Ellen gave a final wave to Cranky.

"Take care, Ellen," Cranky called out. "Don't make too much trouble around here!"

Ellen laughed and waved back. "No promises, Cranky. But I'll definitely be back to visit soon."

With that, Emily puffed forward, leaving the busy docks behind as they continued their tour of Sodor.

Emily soon puffed into the Steamworks, her wheels clinking softly against the rails as she came to a stop. The warm, bustling workshop was alive with the sounds of hammers clanging, welding torches sparking, and the rhythmic chatter of Victor and Kevin, the two engines in charge of keeping Sodor's fleet in tip-top shape.

Ellen leaned out of Emily's cab, taking in the sight of the impressive workshop. "Wow, this place is incredible!" she said, marveling at the intricate network of tracks, tools, and machinery. "It's like a spa day for trains!"

Victor rolled forward, his crimson paint gleaming despite a few oil stains here and there. "Ah, welcome to the Steamworks!" he greeted warmly, his voice full of energy. "I see we have a special visitor today! Emily, who is your charming passenger?"

Emily puffed proudly. "This is Ellen DeGeneres. She's here to film a special episode on Sodor. We're showing her all the wonderful places on the island."

"Hola, Ellen!" Victor said with a broad smile. "It is an honor to have you here. The Steamworks is where we keep all the engines running smoothly. Any repair, any adjustment—this is the place to be!"

Kevin, the bright yellow crane, hurried over, his hook swinging excitedly. "Hey, Ellen!" he said, almost tripping over himself in his eagerness. "Wow, a real celebrity in the Steamworks! I hope you like it here. If you need anything lifted, I'm your guy!"

As Kevin swung his hook too quickly, it knocked over a stack of spare parts with a loud clang, sending nuts and bolts scattering across the floor.

"Kevin!" Victor scolded, his voice sharp but not without a hint of exasperation.

"Sorry, boss!" Kevin replied sheepishly, moving his hook to awkwardly pick up the fallen parts.

Ellen laughed, clearly amused by the interaction. "Don't worry, Kevin. Even in Hollywood, accidents happen all the time."

Victor sighed but quickly regained his warm demeanor. "As I was saying, Ellen, we handle all sorts of repairs here. The engines depend on us, and we make sure they're always ready for whatever the railway needs. It's a lot of work, but we love it."

"Well, it shows," Ellen said with a grin. "You're doing an amazing job. And Kevin, don't worry, you're great on camera—clangs and all!"

Kevin blushed slightly, his hook pausing mid-air as he fumbled to set the parts back into place. "Aw, thanks, Ellen. That means a lot!"

The cameraman captured every moment, panning across the Steamworks to highlight the industrious environment. Victor, ever the host, gestured toward the various workstations.

"As you can see," he explained, "we can handle anything—broken wheels, dented boilers, even repainting! Every engine leaves here looking and feeling like new."

Ellen turned to Emily with an impressed smile. "You weren't kidding, Emily. The Steamworks really is the heart of Sodor."

"It sure is," Emily replied. "And Victor and Kevin make sure everything runs like clockwork."

"Aw, thanks, Emily," Kevin said, still a bit flustered as he finished tidying up the fallen parts.

"Yes, thank you," Victor added, beaming. "And Ellen, if you ever want to trade Hollywood for a day in the Steamworks, we'd be happy to show you the ropes."

Ellen laughed. "I might just take you up on that, Victor. This is definitely one of the coolest stops so far."

With their visit complete, Emily gave a cheerful whistle as she prepared to leave. Victor and Kevin waved enthusiastically as they watched Ellen and the crew head off to their next destination.

"Take care, Ellen!" Victor called.

"Bye, Ellen! Don't forget about us!" Kevin added, nearly bumping into another toolbox in his excitement.

Ellen waved back, her smile as bright as ever. "Thanks, Victor! Thanks, Kevin! You two are the best!"

As Emily puffed away from the Steamworks, Ellen turned to the cameraman. "I don't know how Sodor keeps topping itself, but every stop just gets better and better."

Emily glowed with pride as she continued the tour, eager to show Ellen even more of the island's wonders.

As Emily puffed away from the Steamworks with Ellen and her crew onboard, she decided to keep the conversation rolling. Her curiosity had been piqued by everything she was learning about Ellen's world.

"So, Ellen," Emily began, her voice warm and inquisitive, "I have to ask, what other shows are made by Warner Bros.?"

Ellen smiled, recognizing the opportunity to share her world with the cheerful engine. "Oh, Emily, there are so many! Warner Bros. has been behind some of the most famous shows and movies you've ever heard of. For example, when it comes to dramas, there's ER, The West Wing, and Smallville. They're classics!"

"Dr-dramas?" Emily asked, trying out the unfamiliar term.

"Stories that are more serious, full of emotions and big twists," Ellen explained. "Then, there are sitcoms—those are comedies meant to make you laugh. Warner Bros. has made a lot of those too, like Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and Two and a Half Men. You've probably heard of at least one of those."

Emily thought for a moment. "Hmm, I'm not sure if trains get much time for sitcoms, but they sound delightful!"

"They are," Ellen replied with a chuckle. "And of course, Warner Bros. makes talk shows like mine, which is all about interviews, comedy, and entertaining the audience. But it's not just my show. They also produce other media programs, like Extra and TMZ, where they talk about celebrity news and behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories."

"Celebrity news?" Emily asked, a little confused. "What's that?"

Ellen laughed. "It's when people report on what actors, singers, and other famous folks are doing in their lives. Sometimes it's fun, but sometimes it can be a little... dramatic."

"That sounds... nosy," Emily said with a hint of disapproval, and Ellen laughed again.

"You're not wrong, Emily," she admitted. "But people are curious about the stars they admire, so those shows have been around for a long time. Then, of course, there are all the movies Warner Bros. produces—they're one of the oldest and biggest studios in the world."

"Do they make the movies all by themselves?" Emily asked.

"Not always," Ellen said. "Warner Bros. has a lot of divisions that help create different types of content. For example, there's Warner Bros. Animation—they've made things like Looney Tunes and Batman: The Animated Series. There's also New Line Cinema—they're behind The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Elf. And then there's Castle Rock Entertainment—they made movies like The Shawshank Redemption and When Harry Met Sally…"

"Wow," Emily said, clearly impressed. "It sounds like they do everything!"

"Almost," Ellen replied. "Oh, and I can't forget about Telepictures, the division that helps produce my show and a lot of other daytime programs. Telepictures has been around since the '70s and handles all kinds of fun shows. And," she added with pride, "I even have my own company that works with Warner Bros.—A Very Good Production. We focus on making shows that bring people joy and laughter."

Emily gave a cheerful whistle. "That's incredible, Ellen! You must be so proud to be part of something like that."

"I really am," Ellen said, her smile softening. "It's been a dream come true to work with Warner Bros. and share so many stories with people all over the world. And now, being here on Sodor, I get to share your stories too. This is one of the best adventures I've ever had!"

Emily glowed with pride as she rolled along. "I'm glad we get to be part of your journey, Ellen. Sodor is lucky to have you visiting."

"And I'm lucky to be here," Ellen replied warmly. "Now, let's see what other wonders this island has in store."

The two continued their journey, Ellen marveling at the lush scenery while Emily felt a newfound appreciation for the incredible world beyond Sodor.

At Ffarquhar Quarry, the air was filled with the sounds of grinding machinery, clattering stones, and the occasional puff of steam from the engines working tirelessly. Dust floated lazily in the sunlight, creating a golden haze over the bustling site. Mavis, the feisty diesel engine, was shunting trucks into position while Bill and Ben, the mischievous twin engines, busied themselves hauling loaded trucks to the siding.

The activity paused for a moment when Emily arrived, pulling into the quarry with a cheerful whistle. Riding along with her, Ellen leaned out, shielding her eyes from the sun as she took in the industrious scene.

"Wow," Ellen said, her voice full of awe. "This place is huge! I've never seen anything like it. You could probably fit half a Hollywood backlot in here!"

Mavis rolled up to the platform where Emily had stopped. "Hello, Emily," she greeted politely before noticing Ellen. "Oh! And who's this?"

"This," Emily began with a smile, "is Ellen DeGeneres. She's visiting Sodor to film a special episode of her show."

Mavis blinked in surprise. "A show? You mean, like on television? That's exciting!" She glanced at the quarry. "Though I must admit, the quarry might not be as glamorous as what you're used to, Ellen."

Ellen grinned. "Are you kidding? This place is fascinating! It's so different from the sets and stages I'm used to at Warner Bros. Studios. We don't have anything like this back in Los Angeles."

"Los Angeles?" Bill suddenly chimed in as he puffed closer, followed by Ben. "What's that?"

"It's a city," Ellen explained. "It's where I film my show, surrounded by studios, bright lights, and lots of creative people. It's also where Warner Bros. is located, the company that helps produce my show and many others."

Ben tilted his funnel thoughtfully. "Studios and bright lights? Sounds fancy. Do they have quarries there too?"

Ellen laughed. "Not like this, no. In Los Angeles, the quarries we'd show on TV would probably be built as props on a set."

Bill and Ben exchanged glances, clearly baffled by the idea of building a fake quarry.

Mavis chuckled. "Well, this quarry is as real as it gets, Ellen. And while it may not have bright lights, we do have plenty of hardworking engines and lots of rocks."

Ellen nodded as she watched the trucks being filled with stone. "I can see that. And honestly, this is just as exciting as any Hollywood set. Plus, it's not every day you get to meet engines like all of you!"

Ben puffed proudly. "We are pretty amazing, aren't we?"

"Don't get carried away," Mavis said with a playful tone. "Now, Ellen, would you like to see how we load the stone and organize the trucks? It's not glamorous, but it's important work."

"I'd love to!" Ellen said enthusiastically. The cameraman moved into position to capture the process, filming as Mavis guided a loaded truck onto a siding and Bill and Ben expertly maneuvered their trains into place.

"This stone," Mavis explained, "gets sent all over Sodor for construction projects. It's tough work, but it keeps the railway running smoothly."

Ellen watched with fascination as the quarry team worked together seamlessly. "You know," she said, "this is a lot like a TV production. Everyone has a role, and it only works when everyone does their part. It's impressive!"

Bill grinned. "Does that mean we're stars now?"

"Definitely," Ellen said with a wink. "Hollywood could learn a thing or two from Sodor."

As Emily and Ellen prepared to leave, the quarry engines gave a cheerful chorus of whistles and honks.

"Thanks for visiting, Ellen!" Mavis called.

"Come back anytime!" Bill and Ben added in unison.

Ellen waved as Emily started to pull away. "Thanks, everyone! You've got a fan in Hollywood now!"

As the quarry disappeared in the distance, Ellen turned to her cameraman. "Every stop on this island has so much character. I can't wait to see what's next!"

Emily gave a proud whistle as she carried Ellen onward, feeling pleased to have shared another unique part of Sodor with their special guest.

As Emily carefully rolled to a stop at Ulfstead Castle, the majestic structure loomed in the distance, its stone walls looking regal against the vibrant green of the island. The castle grounds were bustling with activity as construction workers, overseen by a few of the engines, worked diligently to create the outdoor stage and set for the show. Large stage props were being placed, and scaffolding rose toward the sky, giving the whole scene an energetic, vibrant atmosphere.

Ellen stepped down from Emily's cab, her eyes lighting up as she surveyed the scene. "Wow. These engines really outdid themselves by dropping off all these materials," she remarked, clearly impressed by the scale of the preparations.

Emily puffed proudly, "Sodor's engines are always ready to help, especially when it comes to something as important as your show!"

"Well, I can see that!" Ellen grinned as she waved to her staff, who were already busy getting everything ready for filming. Tony, the longtime DJ, was standing with a few other staff members, talking to some of the engineers. Ellen waved to him and then turned back to Emily, who was patiently waiting by the tracks.

"So, what'll happen on this show?" Emily asked, curious about what was in store for the big day.

Ellen smiled, her eyes twinkling. "Well, it's going to be a fun mix of things! A few comedic sketches to make everyone laugh, some social media videos from around the world showing funny or heartwarming moments—people just love those. And then there'll be an interview with Sir Topham Hatt, of course. He's an important figure here on Sodor, and I think our audience will love hearing about his work."

Emily nodded. "Sounds exciting! I'm sure Sir Topham Hatt will enjoy the attention."

"Oh, he will!" Ellen chuckled. "Then we have a few celebrity interviews, some singers to perform, and of course, a couple of special segments to surprise the audience."

Emily tilted her head slightly. "Special segments? Like what?"

Ellen paused for dramatic effect, leaning in with a smile. "One of my favorites—a game I like to call Danger Word, Sodor Style!"

"Danger Word?" Emily asked, sounding a bit confused. "What's that?"

Ellen replied with a grin, "I'm glad you're curious, Emily! Two players team up as partners. One player holds a card with a word on it, and their partner has to guess the word using only one-word clues. But the trick is, I've secretly picked a 'danger word,' and if anyone says it—whether it's the card-holder or the guesser—there's a messy punishment."

"Messy?" Emily asked, intrigued. "How does that work?"

Ellen laughed. "It's simple. The players don't lose points; they just get a fun little punishment. If they say the danger word, they get covered in something—like slime, pies, or whipped cream. And the best part? It's all part of the fun! There are 3 strikes, so if they get the danger word wrong three times, they're out of the game."

Emily's eyes widened with curiosity. "That sounds like a lot of fun—and a lot of mess!"

"Oh, it's definitely messy," Ellen said, her grin widening. "But it's all in good humor.

Emily's eyes lit up with understanding. "Ah, so both players need to be careful, right?"

"Exactly!" Ellen said. "The guesser needs to try and figure out the word without accidentally saying the danger word, but the card-holder has to be careful too. If they say the danger word by mistake while giving clues, they get messy as well!"

"So, if one player says the winning word," Emily asked, intrigued, "the other player gets the punishment instead?"

Ellen nodded, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Yep, that's right! So if the guesser guesses correctly, but the card-holder says the danger word while describing it, the card-holder gets covered in something fun and messy—like slime, whipped cream, or pies! It's a lot of laughs."

"And the game ends when one of the teams gets three strikes?" Emily asked, wanting to confirm the rules.

"Exactly!" Ellen smiled. "Three strikes and you're out. But don't worry, the mess isn't the worst part. It's all in good fun, and no one really minds getting dirty. The audience loves it."

Emily couldn't help but giggle at the thought of the engines getting messy. "Sounds like it'll be a lot of fun! I can't wait to see how they handle it."

Ellen grinned. "Oh, it's going to be hilarious. I think Sodor's engines are going to give the best performance ever. Plus, I'm sure the audience will love watching them get a little messy for the laughs!"

With everything ready for the game, Ellen felt confident that Danger Word, Sodor Style! would be a hit with everyone, especially with such eager contestants on the team.
"Well done, engines!" Sir Topham Hatt called out as he watched the busy scene at Ulfstead Castle. His hands were behind his back, his face beaming with pride. "Everything looks to be in place, and the preparations are going smoothly."

Thomas, Percy, and James puffed proudly, each of them standing near the set where the last of the audience members had been dropped off.

"We couldn't have done it without everyone's help!" Thomas said with a cheerful whistle. "It's been a lot of work, but it's exciting to see it all come together."

Percy nodded. "Yeah! We picked up all those audience members, and they looked really excited to be a part of the show."

James, still gleaming from his earlier trip, added, "And we made sure everything was just right for them! The coaches are nice and clean, ready to roll!"

Sir Topham Hatt gave a pleased nod. "I'm very proud of all of you. You've made Sodor's part in this show a success already. Ellen DeGeneres will surely be impressed by how well you've all worked together."

Henry and Edward, who had been overseeing the delivery of the lighting and camera equipment, puffed up with satisfaction. "We made sure everything was handled carefully," Henry said. "The equipment is safe and sound."

Edward chimed in. "And the cameras are all set up in the perfect spots. You won't miss a moment of the action!"

Gordon, who had just finished delivering the heavy stage materials and props, gave a huff of contentment. "That stage is solid. It'll hold up just fine for the show."

Emily, who had been guiding Ellen through the tour, smiled as she watched the engines interact. "It's amazing how much everyone has contributed to making this such a special event."

Sir Topham Hatt looked at Ellen, who was standing nearby, looking over the preparations. "Ellen, I must say, you've made quite an impression on all of us. Sodor is honored to have you here."

Ellen smiled warmly, waving a hand. "It's been an absolute blast! I've never seen anything like this before. Everyone here has been so welcoming and helpful, and I can't wait to see how the show turns out!"

Thomas beamed with pride, eager to be a part of such an exciting experience. "It's going to be a show to remember, I'm sure of it!"

"Yes," Sir Topham Hatt said with a final nod of approval. "With everyone working together, I have no doubt that this will be a grand success. Now, let's get ready for the show to begin!"

As the engines stood proudly near the stage, ready for the start of the show, a small issue arose with Thomas, Annie, and Clarabel. Clarabel, feeling a little left out of the view, looked over at Sir Topham Hatt with a thoughtful expression.

"Is there a way you can separate me and Annie and turn me around so I can see where she's seeing?" Clarabel asked, her voice soft but clear.

Sir Topham Hatt turned toward her, thoughtfully tapping his chin. "Hmm... I believe we can make that work. Since we need to have everyone in the best position for the show, I'll have the station crew assist us."

He motioned to a nearby track switch, where two workmen were stationed, preparing the tracks for the engines' next move. "What we'll do is detach you from Thomas for a moment. You'll be placed on a separate track next to him. Then we'll turn you around at the junction so that you're facing the same direction as Annie, giving you a perfect view of the action."

Clarabel's eyes brightened at the solution. "That sounds perfect! I'd love to see what Annie's seeing during the show."

"All right then," Sir Topham Hatt said with a nod. "We'll make it happen. Thomas, you stay where you are. We'll adjust Clarabel and Annie accordingly."

Thomas, who had been listening intently, gave a cheerful whistle. "No problem, sir! We'll get everything set up just right for the show."

The workmen quickly went to work, uncoupling Clarabel from Thomas and carefully guiding her onto the separate track next to him. Once she was in position, the crew used the junction to turn her around, making sure she was now facing in the same direction as Annie.

"All set!" one of the workmen called, giving a thumbs-up to Sir Topham Hatt.

Clarabel beamed with happiness. "Thank you! This is perfect! Now I can see what Annie's seeing, just like I wanted."

Annie, who was happily settled ahead of Thomas, turned slightly to see Clarabel in her new position. "Great! Now we can both enjoy the show together, side by side!"

Sir Topham Hatt smiled with satisfaction. "Excellent! Now, let's get everything ready and make sure we're all set for the start of the show. All the engines have worked hard today, and I'm certain we'll put on a wonderful display for Ellen and the audience."

With everything in position, Thomas, Annie, Clarabel, and the other engines were ready to play their parts in the grand show ahead, each of them excited for the fun and the laughs that were about to unfold on Sodor.

And so, with the engines' hard work and teamwork, the stage was set, the audience was ready, and Sodor was about to be part of an unforgettable show, filled with laughter, surprises, and plenty of messy fun. It was a moment the island would never forget.