Outback Thomas (magazine story)

"Look, it's a flying koala! Only joking, it's Isla the flying doctor's plane!"

- Shane

Outback Thomas is a magazine story, illustrated using images from the CGI television series.

Plot
Thomas is working in the Australian Outback when he comes across his old friend, Shane who is taking passengers on a tour of the Outback. Thomas tags along and listens as Shane jokes with his passengers and tells them tall tales. Next, Shane jokes about Isla being a flying koala before explaining to everyone how many crocodiles live in the Outback. Both Thomas and the passengers are very impressed by Shane.

A few days later, Thomas is back at the station. The passengers on the platform are waiting for Shane to show up for another tour. One of the passengers asks Thomas if he is the Outback Tour Train and Thomas says yes; he can't wait to be a fun tour train just like Shane.

Thomas couples up to Shane's coaches and they set off, but Thomas has trouble remembering all the facts about the Outback that Shane had told him - so he decides to make up his own facts. When Thomas identifies a kangaroo as a bunny rabbit, the passengers start to grumble. However, things take a turn for the worse when Thomas takes the wrong track and ends up on a rickety old bridge. As Thomas tries to cross, the bridge starts to crumble into the river below.

Thomas apologises to the passengers and confesses that he is not the tour train. Then, he sees Isla flying overhead and whistles to attract her attention. Isla, in turn, brings Shane to the bridge to rescue Thomas. Shane tells Thomas that there's a difference between making up jokes and making up facts, but he isn't cross; he's just relieved that his friend is safe and sound.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Shane
 * Isla
 * Aubrey and Aiden

Trivia

 * This story is based on the twenty-second series episode of the same name.

Goofs

 * Thomas is said to 'buckle up to Shane's coaches' when it should be 'couple up'.