Arthur is a big tank engine with dark red paint who loves working on the Island of Sodor. Like all engines on the Fat Controller's Railway, he was once very new and still learning his way around.
When he first arrived, Arthur was very proper and polite and had never been naughty or made a mess. He was very proud of his spotless record, but a jealous Thomas decided to play a trick on him. Thomas only wanted Arthur to have a difficult journey with his trucks of fruit, but the big tank engine crashed into Duck at the bottom of Gordon's Hill. Thomas was very sorry and apologized and Arthur realized even he wasn't perfect, and the two engines became very good friends.
One morning, Arthur was sent to collect some trucks on Duck's Branch Line. That's when he discovered the Fishing Village. The sun made the water sparkle, and the seagulls called across the harbour. Arthur loved it; of all the places he had seen on Sodor and the Mainland, this was his favorite.
That evening, the Fat Controller came to the Sheds. "The Fishing Village is getting busier," he said, "so there is to be a new regular train for delivering the fish. I have to decide which engine is going to take charge of it." He paused impressively and checked his timetable.
Thomas and Percy looked away; they had enough work to do already, and they really didn't like the smell of fish. Arthur smiled as he remembered the Fishing Village and hoped he would be chosen.
At last, the Fat Controller looked up. "Thomas, you will take the new train. You will deliver the fish in the morning between your other jobs."
"Yes, Sir," said Thomas quietly, but after the Fat Controller left, he groaned.
Arthur was disappointed, but he tried not to show it. The following day, the Fat Controller sent him to haul coal to the Steelworks and bring the empty trucks back to the Coaling Plant.
When evening came, Thomas was at the Washdown when Arthur puffed in covered in coal dust. "Do I smell a fishy engine?" he teased.
"Yes!" huffed Thomas, "this new Fishing Village run is the worst. Why couldn't Duck or Oliver do it? They work on that line already. Smelly fish; smelly new train."
This made Arthur feel sad again and sorry for his friend. He wished he could go to the Fishing Village instead of the Steelworks, he'd be much happier than Thomas, but he still didn't want to bother the Fat Controller.
The next morning, Thomas was still grumpy, but he felt worse when he was told that the fishermen had caught lots of fish that day. When he arrived at the Fishing Village, he saw that the Fat Controller had been right, but he wanted to get back to his own Branch Line as quickly as possible. "Hurry up! I'm a busy engine."
"And a fussy one too," said one of the fishermen. "Just enjoy the fresh salty smell of the fish."
"Phew!" huffed Thomas. Finally, all the fish was loaded, and he steamed as fast as he could along the line…but no one could know that there was trouble ahead.
Not far from the Fishing Village was an Old Pier with rails running along it. When Duck's Branch Line was first built, the Pier had been used to help load and unload the fishing boats. Strong winds had blown sand into the points, and they wouldn't work properly.
When Thomas arrived, the faulty points sent the trucks one way…and Thomas onto the Old Peir Rail; everyone was surprised. The Driver and Fireman jumped clear as Thomas bashed into crates, barrels, old tires and even a small boat before rolling off the end of the Peir.
The trucks were delighted. "He's fallen in the water!" they laughed. Luckily, Thomas and his Crew weren't hurt and the fish trucks stayed on the tracks.
When the Fat Controller heard the news, he checked his timetable. "Arthur is the nearest engine. I'll send him right away."
Thomas, his Driver, his Fireman and the Guard waited patiently for help, but it was a hot day and the ice that was keeping the fish cold started to melt. "I hope someone comes quickly," moaned Thomas. "That fish will go off soon."
At last, Arthur arrived; he was very surprised to see Thomas in the tidal pool. "Are you alright, Thomas?"
"No, but I'll be much better when you take these fish away."
"The Breakdown Train will be here soon!" called Arthur's Driver.
Arthur knew he had to hurry. He was coupled to the train and started as soon as the Guard was ready. He raced along the line to the Docks…and arrived there just in time.
Later, Arthur went to see Thomas at the Fitter's Yard. "Thank you for helping me," said Thomas.
"Thank you," grinned Arthur, "pulling your train was the best part of my day; it was splendid. I wish I had the Fishing Village run all the time."
Thomas was most surprised. "Then, tell the Fat Controller because I don't like fish."
As the sun went down, the Fat Controller came to see the engines. "I need an engine to go to the Fishing Village while Thomas is being repaired. Any volunteers?"
"ME!" Arthur blurted out, "and please, Sir, may I do that run all the time?! Thomas doesn't like fish, but I do!"
"Then, the run is yours," said the Fat Controller.
Arthur was delighted and the next morning, he puffed into the Fishing Village right on time. The smell of fish was everywhere, but he was sure he had the best job on the Island of Sodor. Thomas, Percy, Duck and Oliver were happy for their friend and Arthur felt like he'd never been happier.
