Retirement Day

Retirement Day is a magazine story.

Plot
It is nearly Christmas and Percy is feeling very excited. Old Jim, one of the guards, however, is less than excited. Old Jim informs Percy that he was told he must retire and will be getting a watch in honor of his services. Percy is sad as he knows how much Old Jim loves his job and decides to speak to The Fat Controller about it, despite feeling very nervous about doing so.

Percy tells The Fat Controller about the situation but The Fat Controller says he agrees with the thought that Old Jim is too old and slow to keep his job as a guard and sends Percy off. Percy sees Old Jim at the station again and feels he needs to find a way to keep Old Jim working there but he is not sure how.

In the afternoon, Percy hears The Fat Controller shout from his office about how messy it is, which gives Percy an idea and he tells it to The Fat Controller. By evening, people and engines are lined up to see Old Jim receive his retirement gift. The Fat Controller presents Old Jim the watch and Old Jim sadly thanks him but to his surprise, The Fat Controller asks Old Jim if he would like to work in his office to help him keep it nice and tidy. Old Jim gladly accepts the position and The Fat Controller informs him that this was Percy's idea, who is very grateful that Old Jim will still be around.

Characters

 * Percy
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Old Jim