The Royal Engine (magazine story)

The Royal Engine is a magazine story illustrated using images from the CGI television series.

Plot
The Fat Controller has been invited to London to meet the Queen of England and the Young Prince has also specially asked for Thomas to go too. The next morning, Thomas has a special wash before setting off for London.

As Thomas hurries on his way, a big engine speeds past and covers Thomas in mud. The window in the Fat Controller's carriage is open, so he gets covered in mud, too.

At the next station, the Fat Controller goes to get cleaned up and Thomas heads for the wash-down. Unfortunately, the wash-down is out of water so Thomas' fireman goes to make a call to make sure the next wash-down will be ready for them. While he is gone, the Fat Controller returns and orders that they leave immediately as they are running late. They leave without the fireman, meaning the driver has to shovel coal into the firebox as well as drive Thomas. When the Fat Controller realises what has happened, he offers to be Thomas' fireman.

Further down the line, Thomas meets the big engine who had splashed them earlier. Her name is Duchess and her safety valve has broken. She is taking some very important passengers to London, too. Thomas offers to push Duchess all the way to London. Duchess is very thankful when Thomas pushes her into her platform. Thomas then goes to his platform. Thomas and the Fat Controller have made it on time, but both of them are in a terrible mess.

Just then, the Fat Controller notices a golden crown on the front of Duchess and the cheering crowds on the station's platform. He realises that the train they pushed all the way to London is the Royal Train. The very important passengers on Duchess' train are none other than the Queen and the Young Prince, who are very thankful for the help. The Queen gives the Fat Controller his award and the Young Prince presents Thomas with a special medal.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Duchess
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Elizabeth II
 * Prince Charles
 * A Mainland Wash-Down Worker
 * Emily
 * Connor

Trivia

 * This story is based on the twenty-fourth series special, Thomas and the Royal Engine.