Thomas and Friends Fanfiction Series 10

Visiting Tourists

Summer is always a busy time of year for the engines on the North Western Railway. The holidaymakers come pouring in from all over the world to visit the famous railway and its engines. 

The hot weather also makes it important to cool the visitors down, so the ice cream factory is always booming with business. 

(Emily can be seen at Wellsworth and the Stationmaster helps one of Dowager Hatt's Friends board her coach. The Ice Cream Factory Manager can be seen wiping his brow as Drake collects some ice cream.) 

One day, Thomas was excited. He was to take some visitors arriving on a world cruise ship on a special trip across the Island. 

"You must treat them all as VIPs, Thomas," warned the Fat Controller. 

"I will, sir," smiled Thomas. 

He collected Annie and Clarabel. They were excited too. 

"I wonder if we'll meet any of the people you've met on your big adventures around the world, Thomas," said Annie. 

"I'd love to see that Lady Controller you met in India," pointed out Clarabel. 

Thomas giggled. 

"I'm not sure, you two. The world's a very big place. But you never know, I suppose." 

As Thomas pulled into the Docks, he saw the cruise liner arrive in the harbour. 

"I wonder who will be coming on the tour," he whispered to himself. 

Thomas soon found out. 

Among the holidaymakers arriving from off the cruise were not just one, but several familiar faces! 

"Hello, Thomas, it is good to see you again." 

"Charubala, ma'am?!" 

"Ashima always said I should come and see the famous Island of Sodor, and so here I am on a little holiday to visit Sodor and of course, you, Thomas." 

Thomas was delighted. And then he saw another familiar face. 

"Ciao, Thomas," said Mia. 

"Oh wow! Mia! Ciao to you too! Have you come to help Jack and the others dig up anything?" 

"No, Thomas, I'm just here on holiday, though I am greatly looking forward to visiting Sodor's museums!" 

Thomas beamed and then finally came- 

"Howdy, Thomas!" 

"Ranger Jill!" 

"I cannot wait to visit your Animal Park, Thomas," said Ranger Jill cheerfully, "I heard you even made your engine shed into an ark once!" 

Thomas blushed and chuckled. 

Annie and Clarabel were delighted to meet the three ladies and to have met some of Thomas' international friends. 

"All aboard!" called Thomas. 

And with a whistle, Thomas puffed happily away. 

As Thomas chuffed along his own branch line first, he overheard Annie and Clarabel telling Charubala, Mia and Ranger Jill all about how he earned the line long ago. 

The story was just ending when Caroline honked past with a friendly greeting. 

"Hello, Thomas, hot day isn't it?" 

"Oh my," gasped Mia, "that car is an antique and a rare find! What a unique find!" 

Thomas smiled and Caroline flushed shyly. 

"Oh no, really! I'm just an old clapped-out car," she said modestly. 

"Not since you were repaired," assured Thomas. 

Caroline smiled and Thomas continued on his way. 

After leaving his branch line, Thomas took Ranger Jill and some children to the Animal Park. Headkeeper Jack was very keen to talk with Ranger Jill about the Park and to hear her own stories about the animals of Australia. 

"Have fun, Ranger Jill!" whistled Thomas as he left. 

Next, he took the party to the Sodor Museum. Annie and Clarabel also told them of how a treasure chest was brought there after Thomas chased a pirate to stop him stealing it away for himself. 

"And there are many dinosaur bones on display," added Thomas. 

"I'm sure I'll enjoy all there is to see," promised Mia as she climbed off of Annie. 

"I do hope so," said Annie. 

"Maybe later, Thomas can show you the dinosaur skeleton on the Town Square," suggested Clarabel. 

"That would be great," said Mia as she left, "see you later, Thomas." 

Thomas smiled and went along the line again, wondering where Charubala wanted to go. 

"Where shall I take you next, ma'am?" 

"I wouldn't mind visiting Knapford Station and meeting your Controller, Thomas," replied Charubala. 

"RIght away, ma'am," peeped Thomas. 

But as Thomas made his way to Knapford Station, he saw Bertie ahead and his usual desires to have a race tingled within his funnel. 

"How about a race, Thomas?" said Bertie as he caught up. 

"You're on, Bertie! First one to Knapford!" 

"Thomas!" gasped Annie. 

"DON'T!" shouted Clarabel. 

"Oh honestly, you two! Why not?" 

"The Fat Controller is always telling you not to bounce your passengers around like peas in a frying pan and to not race at dangerous speeds," said Annie. 

"So do you really think that Charubala, Controller of the Indian Railway, will take kindly to your breaking those rules while she's a passenger on your train?" asked Clarabel. 

Thomas gulped and looked back, and saw Charubala giving him a firm expression from out of Clarabel's window. 

"Um, no, not this time, Bertie. I have some Very Important Passengers today." 

Bertie understood and Thomas continued on to Knapford. 

At the station, the Fat Controller was very proud to meet Charubala. 

"Your Thomas is a fine engine, Sir Topham, and his coaches are very wise. Making sure he stays in order with the rules of the railway!" 

Annie and Clarabel giggled modestly and chattered. Thomas was glad he had his two coaches to keep him out of trouble. 

Later, all of the passengers reunited and it was still early in the afternoon. 

"I now know the perfect place to go to finish off the tour," said Thomas as he left the Town Square and the dinosaur skeleton. 

"Where is that, Thomas?" asked Charubala. 

"The seaside!" 

Mia, Ranger Jill and Charubala were delighted and happily ate ice creams while sunbathing on the beach. 

Thomas was glad he was able to give his friends a good tour of the Island of Sodor, a chance to show them what it was like on his own homeland. 

(The End!)