The Show Train!

"Fancy Punch and Judy coming to see me!"

- Thomas

The Show Train! is a magazine story.

Plot
Thomas is feeling excited; it is his first run on the seaside line since the winter season. Lady Hatt and the vicar are taking some children on an outing to the beach. Thomas puffs slowly into a station close to the beach. Then, he sees a small striped tent standing beside the pier. The driver explains that it is the Punch and Judy man who brings his puppet show to Sodor each year. Thomas wishes he could stay and watch the show, too.

On his return journey to the Main Station, the weather suddenly turns cold and it starts to rain heavily. The Fat Controller waits for Thomas on the station platform. He asks Thomas to fetch Lady Hatt, the vicar and the children before they get soaked. Thomas races back to the beach as fast as he can. The beach is now empty as everyone takes shelter under the station roof. The Punch and Judy man is there, too. He hopes the weather picks up or no-one will come to see his show. Thomas has an idea which he shares with Lady Hatt. She rings the Fat Controller who agrees to let the Punch and Judy man stage his show inside Clarabel.

The bad weather continues for many days, so Thomas pulls 'The Punch and Judy Special' all over the island. At every station, children flock to see the travelling show in Clarabel. At last, the sun comes out again and, before the man returns to the beach for his shows, he brings Punch and Judy to thank Thomas for all his help.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Lady Hatt
 * The Vicar of Wellsworth
 * The Punch and Judy Man
 * Annie and Clarabel