Thomas The Tank Engine's Dream

Thomas The Tank Engine's Dream is a story written by Christopher Awdry in 1995. The story was written to coincide with the Isle of Man Thomas-themed stamps as well as to celebrate The Railway Series' 50th anniversary.

Plot
After a busy day on the Island of Sodor, Thomas the Tank Engine returned to the engine shed and The Fat Controller told him that he had received a letter. It was from his friend Caledonia who lived on the Island of Mann. Although he had heard a lot about the Island, Thomas had never been able to visit his friend because his wheels were too wide for the narrow track. Caledonia was very excited and wanted to tell Thomas that he has been to the top of Snaefell which was the Island's highest mountain. He told Thomas that normally only trams went to the top of the mountain. No 1 Tram and her friends had been doing this for a hundred years and, as part of their birthday celebrations, an extra rail had been laid to the top of the mountain to allow Caledonia to go to the top of Snaefell. Thomas was very tired after a hard day's work and after The Fat Controller had finished reading the letter, drifted off into a deep sleep. He started to dream that he and Bertie were invited to the Island and that a special track had been laid to allow him to visit his friend. In his dream, Thomas and Bertie had to travel across the sea to the Island in a large boat. At the port of Douglas they had to be carefully lifted off by a huge steam crane. A special line had been laid to the pier so that Thomas could join his friend at Douglas station. He arrived just as Maitland was leaving for Port Erin with some important mail. Thomas peeped his goodbye and remembered the times he had pulled the mail train on the Island of Sodor. He dreamed that he went to Port Erin. He and his driver enjoyed the climb to Keristal and the view of the sea below him with the waves breaking through the rocks was magnificent. Then the line curved inland and took him through Crogga Glen. In front of him, everywhere was blue and he thought he was heading straight for the ocean., he waited for the splash and then he realised it was not the sea at all. It was just hundreds and hundreds of bluebells all around him. At Ballasalla he had to wait for the morning passenger train to pass him. This time it was Hutch pulling the coaches and Thomas smiled and blew his whistle as he passed him at the level crossing. Bertie was also out visiting, waiting at the crossing on his way to Port Erin and tooted his horn in welcome. Thomas dreamt on. He was now at Port Erin on holiday, not having to pull any coaches and with no troublesome trucks playing naughty tricks on him. He was able to stand in the sun outside the station and watch the boys and girls going to the seaside. Suddenly the peace was shattered by the rumble of a diesel engine as Viking came into the station. Thomas did not know this new engine but it did not take them long to become friends. Viking was on holiday too and had come all the way from Germany. He told Thomas that he was going to Laxey to see a special mail train go to the top of Snaefell. Thomas asked if he could go as well and Viking promised to show him the way. Thomas dreamt that he woke early the next day but when he came out of the engine shed he saw that it was raining and very cold. He and Viking set off for Laxey and on the way they could see snow on the summit of Snaefell mountain. When they got to Laxey, the Stationmaster looked very glum. No. 1 had tried to get to the top of the mountain but could not make it. A Civil Aviation Railcar had also tried but his wheels kept slipping. They had even sent for Caledonia but he was having his brakes mended and was unable to work that day. Thomas told the Stationmaster that he thought he might be able to help clear the way with the snowplough. The Railcar could then get to the summit. Thomas' driver and fireman got up a good head of steam and set off followed by the Railcar and No.l Tram. Near the top Thomas nearly got stuck in a deep drift but he struggled valiantly through. The Railcar followed and the mail reached the summit of Snaefell. The next day, as a lhank you for helping out, Caledonia came out to Laxey to show Thomas the big wheel that was used to pump water from the mines. Thomas was pleased to have been able to help and the engines were in high spirits. They found some double track at Laxey and decided to have a race back to Douglas. Suddenly, as they started the race, a bright light appeared in front of Thomas and the doors of the engine shed on the Island of Sodor were thrown open. There stood The Fat Controller looking sternly at his watch. "Thomas" he said "You should be at work". Although Thomas had not really visited the Island, he was happy because he had been able to see all the wonderful places in his dream.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Caledonia
 * Snaefell Mountain Tramway Engines
 * Huntchinson
 * Viking
 * Civil Aviation Railcar
 * Bertie
 * Harold
 * Sir Topham Hatt

Trivia

 * The stamps that carry the story had illustrations by Owen Bell.