Really Useful Engines

Really Useful Engines was first publishd in 1987. It was written by Christopher Awdry and illustrated by Clive Spong.

=Stories=

Stop Thief!
One day at Ffarquhar, the Guard tells Thomas' Driver and Firemen that the Stationmaster's house was burgled the previous night, and his gardening trophies and new car were stolen. Thomas is later puffing along the valley when he stops a car like the Stationmaster's one. His crew positively identify the driver and passenger as the thieves, and, as they pass a signalbox, throw a note in the Fireman's lunch box to the signalman. The thieves are stopped, the trophies and car are recovered (unharmed), and The Fat Controller arrives at Ffarquhar to congratulate Thomas and his crew.

Mind That Bike
Tom Tipper the postman falls ill one day, and, when he recovers, is told that his van has been replaced with a bicycle. Tom is asked to fill in some papers, and he carelessly props it against Percy. A boy comes along and starts riding the bike just as Percy starts. The boy falls off and manages to get out of the way, but the bike is run over and is beyond repair. However, it turns out to be a good thing, because Tom is given his van again.

Fish
An extra load of fish is come in for the Flying Kipper, and the only vans available are three old, rusty ones. At Wellsworth, Henry calls for a banker and Duck arrives to help him with his train. Going up Gordon's Hill, however, a tail-lamp falls off and Duck drops behind. Henry soon slows down, and Duck collides with the vans, denting his funnel and boiler. When the Fat Controller arrives to cheer Duck up, Duck recalls that Thomas once told him to be careful with fish.

Triple Header
One day after pulling the Express, Gordon feels tired and Thomas teases him. Later, it's discovered he needs new tubes. Henry is told to pull the Express, but one day he gets sick too. Duck, Percy and Thomas are the only engines available, so they're coupled up and they start. On Gordon's Hill, however, Percy runs out of steam. They're unable to uncouple him, so they try to struggle to the Works. Duck fails just outside the station, and Thomas, unable to take the train himself, stops. A diesel takes the train, a Gordon, who watches the whole scene from his siding, makes heavy breathing noises at Thomas.

=Featured Characters=
 * Thomas
 * Henry
 * Gordon
 * Percy
 * Duck
 * Bertie (mentioned only)

=Trivia=
 * Thomas' front bufferbeam reverts to its original form i.e. prior to Branch Line Engines. This is amended in later stories.