The Winx Club's Sodor Adventures - Season 3

Episode 6: Thomas Gets Bumped

Every afternoon, Thomas the Tank Engine puffs along his branchline with Bloom, Annie and Clarabel. First they pass the water mill. Next, they come to a big farm. Then, they can see a bridge with a village nestled either side of it. This is a special place. Whenever children hear Thomas and Bloom coming along, they stand on the bridge, waving until they are out of sight.

One day, Thomas and Bloom were running late. They had stopped at a red light before the bridge to talk to some new children. Percy and Musa was waiting, too.

"Hurry up, Thomas," called Percy when the signal dropped. "If you're late, Sir Topham Hatt might get a new engine to replace you."

"Yeah," said Musa. "You and Bloom had better get going before that happens."

"He would never do that!" thought Thomas. But he was worried.

Next day, Thomas and Bloom hurried along the line. Just ahead was the goods yard. There, on the platform, was an inspector waving a red flag. Next, Thomas and Bloom saw some children. They were waving, too.

"Something must be wrong," thought Thomas. "This station is for goods, not passengers."

"You're right, Thomas," said Bloom. "I wonder what's going on?"

"Help, Thomas, help! We're glad to see you and Bloom!" called the children. "Please, will you take us home?"

The stationmaster explained to Bloom that the school bus had broken down, and all the parents would be worried if the children were late.

"Okay," said Bloom. "We'll take them to Bertie and Daphne right away."

Thomas waited as the children walked down from the bridge. Then he and Bloom took the children to the next station, where Bertie and Daphne were waiting to take them home.

When Thomas and Bloom finished his journey, they were very late. Thomas was worried that Sir Topham Hatt might be cross with him.

"Musa and I warned Thomas," puffed Percy to James and Stella. "He's been late one time too many. He'll be in trouble now."

But next morning, when Thomas and Bloom picked up their passengers, Sir Topham Hatt was nowhere to be seen.

"Thank goodness," sighed Thomas.

Thomas knows every part of his branchline. Just ahead was a stretch where the hot sun had bent the rails on the track.

"Careful, Thomas!" called Bloom. But it was too late. Thomas hit the bent part of the line and came off the rails.

"That's done it!" said Bloom. "We shan't get any further today!"

"But what about our passengers?" asked Thomas.

"Don't worry, Thomas," replied Bloom, "they'll be looked after. I'll send the conductor to the nearest signal box to telephone for help."

While workmen repaired the line, Thomas and Bloom had to shunt freight cars in the yard. Bertie and Daphne came to see them.

"I understand you and Bloom need our help again."

"Yes, Bertie," replied Thomas sadly. "I can't run without my rails."

"Don't be sad, Thomas," said Daphne. "We'll do our best to help you and Bloom."

"Thank you, Daphne," said Bloom.

Bertie and Daphne set off to collect Thomas and Bloom's passengers.

"Hello, Bertie," they said. "We're glad you and Daphne are here."

Bertie drove along the road that runs by the railway. He and Daphne stopped at each station along the line. Sometimes they stopped between stations to let people off closer to their homes.

Thomas felt miserable. "I've lost my passengers to Bertie. They'll like him better than me."

Sir Topham Hatt arrived. "Your branchline is repaired. I'm going to change your timetable so that you and Bertie can work together more."

"Thank you, sir," said Bloom.

When Thomas and Bloom reached the station, there, to Thomas' relief, were all his passengers.

"Bertie is a good bus, but we missed our train rides with you," they said.

Later, Thomas and Bloom spoke to Bertie and Daphne. "Thank you for looking after our passengers."

"Yes," said Bloom. "We couldn't have done it without you."

"That's alright, Thomas. I like to make new friends, but I'm glad to share them with you."

"Me too," said Daphne. "We're happy to make new friends with your passengers.

"You two are good friends, indeed," replied Thomas, "and always will be."

The End