Up, Up and Away! (magazine story)

Up, Up and Away! is a magazine story, illustrated using images from the CGI television series.

Plot
Thomas and Percy are to transport a giant bubble to the showground where Mr. Bubbles is to perform his great balloon show. Thomas thinks they should take the balloon through the woodland track, but Percy is worried that a branch may burst the balloon. Percy thinks they should take the coastal route, but Thomas is concerned that the balloon will blow away in the wind. Not wanting to upset his best friend, Thomas agrees to go along the coastal track.

The coastal track is very windy and the balloon breaks free and floats up into the air. Thomas thinks they must race after the balloon, but Percy suggests that they wait for it to come back to them. Thomas goes along with his friend and they wait. Unfortunately, the balloon does not float back to them and they two engines have to collect another giant balloon.

Soon, the two friends reach a tunnel. Thomas can see that their balloon is too big to fit through the tunnel, but Percy insists that they puff on. They soon find themselves stuck, with the balloon wedged in the tunnel. They push and pull until the balloon pops. They have to fetch another balloon.

Back at Brendam Docks, poor Mr. Bubbles is exhausted from blowing up yet another enormous balloon. On route to the showground, Thomas and Percy spots Gordon thundering towards them with the express. They screech to a stop and the balloon comes free. The Hatt family lean out of the express carriage's window just in time to have their hats knocked off my the balloon. Then, the balloon begins to deflate. Thomas decides that is is time that he take control of the situation. First, he asks the drivers to give the Hatts their hats back. Then, they race back to pick up Mr. Bubbles and the last balloon. Percy makes sure that Mr. Bubbles has enough time to recover from blowing up so many giant balloons before they make it to the showground just in time. The balloon show begins and everyone gazes in wonder at the giant balloons.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Percy
 * Mr. Bubbles
 * Sir Topham Hatt (speaks in speech bubble only)
 * Dowager Hatt (does not speak)
 * Lady Hatt (does not speak)
 * A Brass Band Member (cameo)
 * Gordon (mentioned)

Trivia

 * This story is based on the fifteenth season episode, Up, Up and Away!.