Dirty Percy!

Dirty Percy! is a magazine story, illustrated using photographs from the television series.

Plot
The engines like being shiny and clean, but one day, the Fat Controller has bad news; due to a water shortage, no engine can have more than one wash-down a week. Percy is annoyed as he does the dirtiest work and needs wash-downs more than any other engine. The Fat Controller shakes his head and tells Percy that usefulness comes before cleanliness.

Later that day, Percy meets Harold. As the helicopter takes off, he blows coal dust all over Percy who is very cross and wants a wash-down. His driver reminds him that usefulness comes before cleanliness. Percy then states that he wants to be useful somewhere where he cannot get dirty. His driver has an idea; they can take sugar trucks to the chocolate factory. Percy is delighted; sugar won't make him dirty.

Earlier, on the track approaching the chocolate factory, a truck had spilled oil onto the track. When Percy approaches, his wheels slip on the oily rails. He skids into the chocolate factory and emerges out of the other end, covered in chocolate. He had never been this dirty and now he wishes he could have a wash-down more than ever.

Back at the sheds, the other engines laugh at poor Percy who scowls crossly; he didn't think being covered in sticky, gooey chocolate was a laughing matter at all. Then, the Fat Controller arrives and is sympathetic towards Percy. He admits that Percy has shown that usefulness comes before cleanliness and he allows Percy to have a wash-down immediately. The Fat Controller continues and promises Percy and new coat of paint, too. Percy is delighted at the fact of being the shiniest and cleanest engine on Sodor. He sets off to the wash-down and, despite dripping with chocolate, he beams all the way!

Characters

 * Henry
 * James
 * Percy
 * Harold
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Thomas (cameo)
 * Gordon (cameo)
 * Duck (cameo)

Trivia

 * This story is based on the sixth season episode, Percy's Chocolate Crunch.