Rheneas is a brave little engine who enjoys working in the high hills on the Island of Sodor. Even though he and his friends are little, they like to be as useful as any other engine.

One morning, Rusty saw Rheneas looking sad. "Good morning, Rheneas, what's the matter?"

"I'm bored," replied Rheneas, "I've been pulling trucks and coaches up and down this line for years, but suddenly, it doesn't make me happy anymore. I wish I had something more exciting to do."

Just then, Rusty's Driver came. "It's time to get to work, Rusty, come along."

"Don't worry, Rheneas," the little diesel smiled, "I'm sure you'll feel better soon." Rheneas hoped Rusty was right.

Not much later, the Fat Controller came to see Rheneas at the Sheds. "I have a very important job for you," he boomed.

Rheneas was very surprised. "An important job!" he cried. "Oh! thank you, Sir!"

"You are to take some school children up into the hills. You must make sure they have a wonderful time and are back in time for their tea. I'll see you at the Refreshment Lady's Tea Room afterwards."

"Yes, Sir," said Rheneas, but he was disappointed; this didn't sound like an exciting job to him.

When Rheneas arrived at the Station, the children and their Teacher were waiting on the platform; they looked very happy indeed…but Rheneas couldn't smile. Rusty was collecting workmen and had heard about Rheneas' job. "A school trip into the hills; that's an exciting job. You and Skarloey know this railway better than any of us."

"But we've carried school children many times before," said Rheneas glumly. "I've been everywhere on our line and seen all the sights."

Rusty thought. "Well…just do your best and who knows; you might just find something different today." But Rheneas wasn't sure 'his best' would be exciting enough.

The Fat Controller had told Rheneas' Driver to stop at all the beautiful sights along the way so the Guard could point them out and explain them to the children. Their first stop was along the Causeway. "This is Sodor Castle!" called the Guard. "It's very special and important!"

Rheneas knew this, but he still saw the Castle every day and it didn't feel very special to him anymore. "At least the children are having fun," he puffed to himself.

Next, Rheneas stopped among some trees. "This is Valley View," said the Guard. "This view was so beautiful that people decided to picnic here while exploring the hills."

The children and their teacher climbed out to look. Rheneas still felt bored, but he tried to smile as the children explored the area.

After that, Rheneas reached the Viaduct, and his Driver put on the brakes again. "And here's the Viaduct," explained the Guard. "It feels like you can see all of Sodor from here."

"Ooh," said the children, "look at the wonderful view!"

But Rheneas was still unhappy; the trip didn't seem wonderful to him at all, and he kept looking all around. "Something new, something new," he puffed.

Meanwhile, Rusty was working on the Rocky Ridge Line. The Foreman inspected the rails; he saw that heavy rains from the big storm had washed the ground from under the tracks in several places. "This line is too bumpy and uneven," he said. "The tracks must be closed for repairs; it's too dangerous for regular trains."

Rusty agreed. "Let's get to work straight away." And the workmen put out red flags to warn the other engines.

Rheneas stopped yet again. "This is the Old Wooden Bridge," announced the Guard. "It was built a very long time ago and carries engines, coaches and trucks across the wide River and further into the mountains."

"Ooh," said the children again, but Rheneas was in a hurry; he had made so many stops, and he still hadn't seen anything new and exciting. By now, he was feeling very bored indeed.

Then, there was trouble.

Rheneas' Driver, Fireman and Guard hadn't heard about the Rocky Ridge Line. No one could know that the linesman had forgotten to switch the points and Rheneas was so busy looking around that he didn't see the warning flags…until it was too late.

"Oh no!" chuffed Rheneas, "brakes, Driver, please!" But Rheneas hit a very big bump, and his Driver and Fireman fell over in his cab. The line suddenly became steeper. "Bust my buffers!" Rheneas was out of control.

Rusty saw his friend racing towards him. "Stop, Rheneas! this line is closed for repairs!"

"I can't!" Rheneas shouted.

The little diesel was worried. "Be careful!" Rusty cried, "the tracks are very bumpy!"

Rheneas whooshed down the mountain like a roller coaster. "Hurray!" cheered the children as they bumped and raced along the tracks, but the Teacher was worried; Rheneas was going so fast, she nearly lost her hat.

Rheneas puffed up the Rocky Ridge with all his might. Then, he rattled down the other side. The ground was shaking beneath his wheels, his coaches clattered, bumped and bounced along behind and the children 'oohed' and 'aahed'. Rheneas chuffed and puffed as hard as he could; he was determined to get his passengers through safely, but he was going faster and faster along the wobbly track.

The children screamed with delight as Rheneas steamed across the Trestle Bridge; it was the most exciting school trip they had ever been on. "This is fun!" they cheered, but the Teacher didn't like heights and shut her eyes tight.

Then, Rheneas splashed under the Whispering Waterfall. The children laughed happily, and the Teacher covered her eyes again.

Finally, Rheneas rattled over the Iron Bridge. The track became smoother, and his Driver clambered up and took control.

At last, they could see the Station and, sure enough, the Fat Controller was there waiting. Rheneas was very tired and worried; what would the Fat Controller say?

"Phew," said the Teacher, "just in time for tea."

"It was the best school trip ever!" cried the children, but the Teacher wasn't so sure.

Rheneas' Driver explained what had happened…but the Fat Controller wasn't cross with Rheneas. "It seems that you gave the children a wonderful trip," he said. "Even though it was a mistake, you brought your passengers back safely and that's what is most important. Well done, Rheneas, you really are a Very Useful Engine."

"Oh, thank you, Sir!" beamed Rheneas proudly and all the children cheered once more.