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“You're the drip.”
― Thomas to Percy

More About Thomas the Tank Engine is the thirtieth book of The Railway Series.

Foreword

Dear Friends,
Sometimes Thomas and Percy both think they are the most important engines on the branch line. We know better, of course, and so does the Fat Controller, which is why he did not intervene when Thomas and Percy had a quarrel. Like most quarrels, it wasn't serious to start with. It began when Percy... But why not turn the page and read about it for yourself?
The Author

Stories

Thomas, Percy and the Coal

Thomas brags that blue is the only proper colour for a Really Useful Engine. Next day, Percy is shunting when the door on a coal truck opens and coal dust covers Thomas. Thomas and Percy are furious at one another, and the argument gets worse and worse. Several days later, Percy goes to get a drink but collides with a coal bunker, much to Thomas' delight.

The Runaway

One day, Thomas wakes up feeling ill, so Duck looks after his branch line while he is being mended. When Thomas returns from the Works, his brakes are left stiff. One day, a "relief" fireman forgets to put Thomas' brakes on and Thomas starts off. Although an inspector tries to stop Thomas at Dryaw, Thomas is going too fast and Harold takes the inspector to Toryreck. Annie and Clarabel hold back so the inspector can leap aboard and stop Thomas.

Better Late than Never

The arches on the Viaduct need strengthening and the big engines are late at Knapford to meet up with Thomas. One day, Bertie teases Thomas that he could beat him in a race - something Thomas vehemently denies. James later holds Thomas up, but just outside the tunnel, Thomas sees Bertie broken down. Thomas offers to help Bertie's passengers home, and the next day Bertie comes to Ffarquhar to thank Thomas.

Drip Tank

Percy wants to make amends with Thomas, but when he gets scratched by a branch, Thomas is rude and gave no sympathy to the green engine and Percy decides against it. Later, Percy asks Toby what a drip is, having heard a boy call his friend one at the platform, but Thomas interrupts and insults Percy by calling him a drip. Thomas soon gets his comeuppance when his side rod snaps and punctures his water tank on his way home. When Percy goes to help him, Thomas feels ashamed and apologizes to Percy, thus mending their friendship.

Characters

Full book

Thomas, Percy and the Coal

The Runaway

Better Late than Never

  • Thomas
  • Henry
  • James
  • Bertie
  • Annie and Clarabel (do not speak)
  • Gordon (cameo)
  • Sir Stephen Topham Hatt III (mentioned)

Drip Tank

  • Thomas
  • Percy
  • Toby
  • Clarabel (does not speak)
  • Henry (mentioned)
  • Annie (mentioned)

Locations

Thomas, Percy and the Coal

The Runaway

Better Late than Never

Drip Tank

Trivia

  • This book is unique in the fact that it was written specially for the television series. During production of the second series, Christopher Awdry was pressed by the series' producers to write new stories centred on Thomas to adapt, as it was contractually obliged that all episodes had to appear in print form first and only two planned adaptations featured Thomas in the leading role.
    • Despite this, Drip Tank was never adapted into an episode, likely due to Thomas and Percy forgiving each other at the end of Thomas, Percy and the Coal.
  • Since its release, Christopher Awdry has expressed dissatisfaction with this book, mainly due to the fact that he had written it in a hurry to meet a deadline for Britt Allcroft Productions. He has also regretted using the term "drip" in the book, as it has largely fallen out of use.
  • The book was published two days before the second series premiered on Children's ITV in the UK.
  • In The Runaway, a reference to Thomas and the Guard is made.
  • This book marks the last of a few things:
  • The Runaway is based on a real event involving one of the "Jazz" trains out of Liverpool Street.
  • The events of this book take place in 1985.

Goofs

  • In the fifth illustration of "Thomas, Percy and the Coal", it states "Thomas was grumpy in the Shed that night", but on the top left it appears to be daytime.
  • Some illustrations in "The Runaway" show Annie or Clarabel without their faces.
  • In the fourth illustration of "Better Late than Never", James has no headlamps/headcode when he brings his passenger train to the junction.
  • In the first illustration of "Drip Tank", Percy does not have his "Mineral/Empty Wagon" lamp/code when he takes his trucks back.

In Other Languages

Language Title
Korean 토머스와 퍼시

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