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- "Oh no! I've been skunked!"
- ― Thomas (2023 version)
- "Is it me, or do these roses smell a little like... strawberries?"
- ― Sir Topham Hatt (2025 version)
The Big Skunk Funk is a magazine story illustrated using images from the All Engines Go series. Originally published in 2023, it was republished in 2025 with alterations to the images and text.
Plot[]
2023[]
It is the day of the Vicarstown Flower Festival and Thomas is given the important job of taking Sir Topham Hatt's prize roses to the show. Thomas has to be careful and Emily reminds him that the roses are delicate and he must go slow and steady.
Thomas soon grows frustrated with going slow and he attempts to speed up. The faster he gets, the more the roses wobble. Thomas is so distracted by the wobbling roses, he doesn't see a skunk on the tracks ahead. Thomas stops just in time, but the skunk is very hostile. It squirts its smelly odour right at Thomas - making the little tank engine very smelly.
Thomas rushes off to see if Sandy can clean him up. Sandy says she will have to construct a new and improved train wash and it should be ready by that afternoon. Thomas is annoyed that he has to wait so long and looks elsewhere for help. Percy has an idea. He tells Thomas that sand is good for getting oil off engines, so maybe it can get the foul smell off him too. Thomas and Percy soon find a heap of sand. Thomas leaps to the top of the pile and slides down it. Thomas gets very sandy, but the smell doesn't go away.
Thomas feels bad that he cannot deliver the roses while he is so smelly. A little further down the track, Thomas meets Kana. Thomas tells her that he's let Sir Topham Hatt down and doesn't deserve to wear the number one on his side. Kana reminds Thomas that being number one doesn't mean getting the job done fast; it means getting the job done well, even if it stinks.
Thomas decides to wait for Sandy's new train wash and when it's ready Sandy tells him that his flower delivery inspired her to use some strawberry-scented soap. Now, Thomas is able to complete his important delivery without being smelly. At Vicarstown, Sir Topham Hatt is very pleased to see his roses have arrived safely, but he cannot make out why his roses now smell a bit like strawberry!
2025[]
One morning the engines awake to find the yard full of flowers. Sir Topham Hatt announces the most important delivery in the history of deliveries; he needs someone to take his prized roses to the Vicarstown Flower Festival. Thomas volunteers and is expressly warned to be extra careful and not go too fast.
It's not long before Thomas gets frustrated at having to go slow and decides to speed up a little. The flowers begin to wobble so Thomas slows back down. He is so distracted by his flowery cargo, that he doesn't notice a skunk crossing the tracks. Thomas slams on his brakes and stops just in time, but the skunk is very surprised and sprays Thomas with a stinky cloud. Now, Thomas is very smelly indeed and cannot make his delivery as everyone will think Sir Topham Hatt's roses stink - quite literally!
Thomas goes to see Sandy at the Maintenance Yard. She sprays the little tank engine with a hose, but the smell won't budge. Sandy decides to build a new trainwash, but it won't be ready until the afternoon. Thomas doesn't want to wait around the yard, so he decides to pay Whiff a visit. On his way to find Whiff, Thomas doesn't see Diesel coming down track. Diesel comes off the rails and lands in a mud pit. Thomas pulls him out, but they both get splashed with mud. Whiff advises trying to clean the smell off with sand. The sand doesn't work, but Thomas does manage to make a pile of sand land on top of poor Percy. The sand gets into Percy's gears and he can't move properly.
Thomas, Diesel and Percy have to wait for Sandy to finish the trainwash. Once it is ready, they all get sparkly clean. Thomas chuffs through with his flatbed of roses and they both get cleaned with a strawberry scent. Sandy tells Thomas that the trainwash is a success because she didn't rush; rushing can cause problems.
Now that Thomas is clean, he can take the flowers to the Vicarstown Flower Festival. Sir Topham Hatt smiles broadly when he sees that Thomas has even watered his prized roses. He gives one of his roses a big sniff and then looks confused and questions why his roses are smelling like strawberries!
Characters[]
2023[]
2025[]
- Thomas
- Sandy
- Sir Topham Hatt
- Percy (does not speak)
- Diesel (does not speak)
- Emily (cameo)
- Kana (cameo)
- Whiff (mentioned)
Locations[]
2023[]
Trivia[]
- This story is based on the second series episode of the same name.
- Unlike the episode:
Gallery[]
2023[]
2025[]
