Too Hot for Thomas
The island of Sodor is surrounded by beautiful blue sea. It has fields of green and sandy yellow beaches. There are rivers, streams and lots of trees where the birds sing. There are windmills and a coal mine, and docks where visitors to the island arrive.
The island also has lots and lots of railway lines. Who was that puffing down the track? It's Thomas! Hello Thomas.
"Hello everybody, welcome to the island of Sodor."
It was a baking hot summer on the island of Sodor. The sun was shining brightly. James and Toby were taking the children to the seaside. It was a wonderful job. All the engines liked seeing the children's happy faces, and they loved hearing them cheer when they saw the sea.
Thomas wished he was taking the children to the seaside. But Thomas was taking a big tank of raspberry syrup to the ice cream factory.
Down on the beach it was very hot and the ice cream lady had run out of ice cream. So when Thomas arrived at the ice cream factory, the factory manager was waiting for him. "We have to make lots more ice cream!" he cried. "You must go and get the cream, the chocolate and the strawberries."
Thomas was disappointed. He had lots to collect, and he wanted to take the children to the seaside. "If we get everything in time," said Thomas's driver, "we can still take some children." So Thomas rushed to the dairy. He collected the cream and he puffed quickly away.
Next, Thomas had to collect some strawberries so he raced through the countryside to Farmer McColl's. Then Thomas had to stop for James.
"Out of the way!" snorted James. "Passenger train coming through!" James's carriages were full of laughing children. They were going to the seaside.
"Why does James get to take the children?" moaned Thomas.
At last the crossing was clear and Thomas puffed away. "If I'm quick, I can still take some of the children." he puffed. So Thomas raced as fast as he could.
Soon, Thomas arrived at Farmer McColl's. "Please, be quick," Thomas panted. The farm workers loaded his trucks. Before long they were filled with plump, ripe strawberries. "Thank you!" Thomas chuffed, and he raced away.
Next he had to go to the chocolate factory. Thomas hurried through the baking sun. "I've still got time to take some children to the seaside." he panted. Thomas puffed faster and faster. His wheels clattered and his piston pumped. But he puffed so fast the signal man didn't change the points in time.
Thomas raced down the wrong track!
"Bother!" cried Thomas. Thomas had to reverse slowly and carefully back to the points. Then he had to wait while Toby went past. Toby was taking more children to the seaside. They were having a wonderful time!
"Everyone gets to take the children except me!" moaned Thomas. At last the signalman changed the points. Thomas reversed back on to the track. And soon he was on his way once again.
When Thomas arrived at the chocolate factory it was very late. "Hurry up!" cried Thomas. "If I'm quick I might still get to take some children!"
The workmen loaded Thomas's trucks as fast as they could. They were soon filled with heaps of chocolaty cocoa powder. Thomas was ready to go. But the shunters hadn't released the brakes on the trucks. Thomas pulled as hard as he could but the trucks wouldn't move.
"I have to hurry!" puffed Thomas. He heaved, he huffed, and he puffed, and at last the coupling broke. Thomas shot forward, cocoa powder flew everywhere! "Now I'll never get to take the children." puffed Thomas.
After a long time, Thomas's trucks were ready. The yard manager had released the brakes and Thomas chuffed carefully out of the yard.
Finally the track turned left past the old church. Thomas arrived at the ice cream factory. He thought his job was nearly done, but he was wrong. The factory manager was waiting for him. "The ice cream will soon be ready." he said. "You must take it to the seaside for me!"
Thomas was very disappointed. He wished he could take the children to the seaside instead. He wanted to hear them cheer when they saw the sea.
Thomas puffed along the coast to the seaside. "I wish I was taking the children." sighed Thomas. Percy was waiting at the seaside station, and so were lots of children. They all cheered as Thomas pulled into the station. Thomas was surprised. "Why are all the children cheering?" puffed Thomas.
"They're cheering for you!" laughed Percy. "They've been waiting for the ice cream." The children were delighted to see Thomas, and delighted to eat the ice cream. Thomas loved seeing the children laugh and cheer.
The Fat Controller was waiting with the children. "Today you have worked extra hard." said the Fat Controller. "You are a really useful engine."
"Delivering ice cream is a fun job after all!" puffed Thomas. He was very happy.
