ERS Volume 50 – The Useful Little Engine

From Sodor Island Forums

Authors

Ryan, Christopher & Fat Hatt

Stories

Thomas and Audrey

Thomas arrives back from the Harbour to find the railway celebrating something he wasn't aware of. He finds out it's for the 50th Anniversary for the Railway Series, and many of his famous friends revisit. But Thomas is sent to help an engine in distress, whom he seems to have feelings for.

Henry's Hill Start

Thomas tells Audrey a story about when he and Henry first arrived on the Island, and both have an argument after Henry fails on a hill and Thomas is unable to help him. Henry blames Thomas and Thomas gets in trouble.

Thomas' Greatest Folly (Fat Hatt also intended it to be called Lumbering Out at one point)

Thomas is sent to work in Tidmouth Yard, organising trucks and coaches. But he overhears the distress call for a train needing a banker, and Thomas runs away down the line to help. This however only causes an accident, and Thomas is in even deeper trouble.

Useful Indeed

Two engines, 87546 and 98462, are on the railway on trial. But their spiteful plans cause trouble for Thomas, when they play tricks on him causing delay with the Opening Ceremony. Henry confesses his lie, tells the Fat Director about 87546 and 98462, and Thomas is forgiven for the confusion. The 50th Anniversary goes well, and Thomas farewells his old friends, as well as his new one Audrey.

Notes

• Featured Characters: Annie, Bertie, City of Truro, Clarabel, Douglas, Duchess of Hamilton, Duck, Edward, Flying Scotsman, Gordon, Henry, James, Jinty, Stepney, Thomas, Wilbert, 87546, 98462, Fat Controller, Earl of Norramby
• Introduced Characters: Laggan the Highland Engine, Audrey the Female Engine, Stone
• Introduced Locations: N/A
• Is it revealed that Audrey is Jinty's twin, and has a violet livery.
• 87546 and 98462 are given their numbers, after not being mentioned in their one appearance in the RWS. This is also their first proper introduction.
• Engines who had previously visited and returned are Flying Scotsman, City of Truro, Wilbert and Stepney. Duchess of Hamilton, although seen before, comes to Sodor for the first time.
• At the 50th Anniversary celebration it is indicated that the Skarloey, Culdee Fell, Arlesdale & Norramby Engines are all on flat trucks in the Yard to celebrate.
• References to 'Thomas and Gordon', 'Thomas and Bertie', 'Thomas and the Guard', 'Thomas Goes Fishing' and 'Thomas, Terence and the Snow' are made