Tenders and Turntables (magazine story)

Tenders and Turntables is a magazine story.

Plot
Henry and Gordon were lonely when Thomas left to run his branchline. They had more work to do and had to fetch their own coaches which they did not like at all. James also grumbled 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 backwards to the turntable. The turntable is in a windy place by the sea. Gordon has trouble positioning himself and puts the table out of balance. No matter how hard they 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 Gordon. Even James laughs when he sees Gordon as he heads to the turntable. James stops in just the right place to balance the turntable, but it swings much too easily. James 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 (mentioned)
 * Sir Topham Hatt (mentioned)

Trivia

 * This story is based on the first season episode, Tenders and Turntables.

Goofs

 * In the first illustration, James' dome is red, his whistle is blue and one of Henry's boiler bands is yellow.