Salty's Surprise!

"Cod and kippers! If you ask me, Dennis has fallen asleep. He's the laziest diesel on Sodor!"

- Salty

Salty's Surprise! is a magazine story. It was re-released in 2015 as a bedtime story under the name of A Surprise for Salty! with altered text.

Plot
One morning, the Fat Controller sends Dennis to take supplies to Lord Callan's Castle. When he does not return, Salty is sent looking for him. He finds Dennis stopped near the castle; Dennis can hear wailing coming from the castle and is too scared to carry on. Salty assures him that it is only Lord Callan playing his bagpipes. Dennis feels silly and finishes his journey.

On the way home, Dennis spies a strange shape in the loch followed by splashing. He races all the way to the yards where Salty is waiting. Dennis explains what he saw as Harvey arrives. It is revealed that the strange figure was his hook; he was helping to pull a sunken ship out of the loch.

That afternoon, Salty is at the docks when he spots some old-fashioned pirates singing in the mist. Salty is terrified at the sight of pirates from the past. It turns out that the pirates were only the dock manager and his staff on their way to a fancy dress party. Now it is Salty's turn to feel silly, and he admits that it serves him right for laughing at Dennis.

Characters

 * Harvey
 * Salty
 * Dennis
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Lord Callan

Goofs

 * Dennis' wheels are golden.
 * Dennis' face is larger than usual.
 * The rim of Salty's cap is white when it should be black.
 * Dennis' footplate is white.