The Special Stationmaster!

"The Special Stationmaster deserves a special home!"

- the engines

The Special Stationmaster! is a magazine story.

Plot
It is a very busy day on Sodor. The engines are busy transporting goods and passengers all over the Island. There is one station all of the engines like to visit because the stationmaster is so friendly. Even if the engines spill their loads, he will always stay calm and cheerful. The engines affectionately call him "the Special Stationmaster".

One morning, Duck is taking an old, abandoned carriage to the scrapyard. On the way, he has to take a letter from the Fat Controller to the Special Stationmaster. The stationmaster opens and reads the letter, looking sad; he explains to Duck that he is retiring and the Fat Controller has arranged for him to live in a house in Wellsworth, which means that he will miss seeing all his engine friends pass his window every day.

When Duck arrives at the scrapyard, it is closed. The manager has mixed up the days that the coach was to be delivered. Duck returns to the Main Station yard where he tells the other engines about the Special Stationmaster retiring. They are all sad as they go about their work. The Fat Controller goes to see why the engines are not working so efficiently. The engines tell him all about the Special Stationmaster's sad situation. The Fat Controller does not know what to suggest; there are no station houses to spare. Duck makes a remark about wishing the coach was a house which gives the Fat Controller an idea.

The Fat Controller tells Duck to take the coach to the Works where it stays until the Special Stationmaster's retirement. The Fat Controller then orders Duck to collect the coach. Everyone gasps as Duck pulls into the yard with the now splendid-looking coach, which is now a new home for the Special Stationmaster. It is to be placed in a field near the Special Stationmaster's station. Everyone is pleased; the Special Stationmaster now has a special home.

Characters

 * Duck
 * Gordon
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * The Special Stationmaster
 * Thomas