Special Signal!

Special Signal! is a magazine story.

Plot
One day, Thomas is carrying some railwaymen and a new signal. Soon, Thomas rolls into a siding near a signal box. The workmen climb out and begin to take down an old signal. The signalman is sad; he won't get to use the new signal as he's retiring the following day. The signalman already knows he will miss his job. Thomas wants to cheer the signalman up.

Later, Thomas returns to pick up the workmen and the old signal. When he returns to the Main Station, Thomas speaks to the Fat Controller about the retiring signalman. The Fat Controller tells Thomas that he will still see the little tank engine from his house, but Thomas reminds the Fat Controller that he still won't be able to use the signals. Thomas has an idea which he tells to the Fat Controller. The Fat Controller listens, then smiles and starts making arrangements.

On his final day, the retiring signalman is presented with a gold watch. Then, Thomas takes him home. The Fat Controller goes too. At the former signalman's house, the workmen have stood the old signal in the garden. It has been repaired and painted. The Fat Controller tells the signalman that he can use the signal to say hello to Thomas everyday. Thomas always lets out a loud whistle when he passes the signal.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Annie (does not speak)