Tenders and Turntables (magazine story)

"Hullo, are you playing Tank Engines? How sensible."

- Thomas to Gordon

Tenders and Turntables is a magazine story based on the first series episode of the same name.

Plot
Henry and Gordon are feeling lonely after Thomas left to run his branch line. They have more work to do and have to fetch their own coaches which they do not like at all. James also grumbles about the extra work. Together, they are causing the Fat Controller a lot of trouble.

The big stations at the ends of the lines both have a turntable for tender engines to turn themselves around because it is dangerous for them to run fast backwards. Gordon thinks having a tender makes him important. After boasting to Thomas, Gordon heads back to the turntable. The turntable is in a windy place by the sea and Gordon has trouble positioning himself and puts the table out of balance. No matter how hard his crew try, they cannot make the table go round. At last, the fireman gives up and Gordon has no choice but to pull the next train backwards.

Some boys tease Gordon when he pulls into the station backwards with his train. Thomas cannot resist teasing him as well and even James laughs when he sees Gordon as he heads to the turntable. Later, James stops in just the right place to balance the turntable, but it swings much too easily. James is sent spinning round and round as Gordon arrives just in time to see everything.

That night the three engines hold an indignation meeting and decide that their treatment is intolerable. They decide to go on strike.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Henry
 * Gordon
 * James
 * Annie and Clarabel
 * Sir Topham Hatt

Locations

 * Vicarstown Sheds

Trivia

 * This story is based on the first series episode of the same name.

Goofs

 * In the first illustration, James' dome is red, his whistle is blue and one of Henry's boiler bands is yellow.
 * Henry is in new shape, which he did not received yet in the story.
 * Gordon is missing his safety valve.

Gallery
Parowozy i Obrotnice (historia magazynowa)