Thomas and Bertie (magazine story)

For other uses, see Thomas and Bertie (disambiguation).

Thomas and Bertie
Story Overview
Writer	Rev. W. Awdry (original story) Andrew Brenner (adaptation)
Issue	Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends 8
Published	6 February 1988

"Oh, deary me. Oh, deary me."

― Thomas

Thomas and Bertie is a magazine story based on the episode of the same name from the first series of the television series.

Plot

One day, Thomas is waiting at a junction when a bus arrives. The bus introduces himself as Bertie who remembers Thomas from when the little tank engine got stuck in the snow not too long ago, and how Terence had to rescue him. Bertie tells Thomas that he has come to help with the passengers again today. Thomas is cross; he thinks he can go faster than a bus. Bertie is sure that he is the fastest and offers to race Thomas. Their drivers agree and the stationmaster sends them on their way.

Thomas is always slow to start and Bertie quickly takes the lead. However, Thomas is not worried; he remembers the level crossing. As Thomas races gaily across the level crossing, he sees Bertie fuming at the gates. After that, the road leaves the railway as Thomas races ahead of Bertie.

Soon, Thomas has to stop at a station where he asks the passengers to get in quickly. As he sets off again, he sees Bertie cross over a bridge - tooting triumphantly on his horn. Then, Thomas comes to another station and Bertie overtakes; teasing Thomas as he does. Thomas is sure he has lost, but then has a drink and soon he feels better. As Thomas crosses the bridge, he sees Bertie waiting impatiently at a set of traffic lights. Now Thomas has reached his full speed and although Bertie tries hard, Thomas is just too fast. Thomas plunges into a tunnel, leaving Bertie far behind. Thomas whooshes into the last station. Everyone is there to celebrate Thomas' victory and they give Bertie a big welcome too as Bertie says that he would need wings and become an aeroplane to beat Thomas.

Thomas and Bertie would like to race again, but the Fat Controller will not allow it as it is dangerous to race at such high speeds and Bertie's passengers do not like being bounced about like peas.

Characters

• Thomas
• Annie and Clarabel
• Bertie
• Terence (mentioned)
• Sir Topham Hatt (mentioned)

Locations

• Knapford Bus Yard
• Elsbridge Viaduct
• The Wide-Arched Bridge
• Ffarquhar
• Hackenbeck Tunnel (mentioned)

Goofs

• In the fourth illustration, Annie's underframes, buffer housings and coupling hook are white, when they should be black. In the eighth illustration, both coaches' axleboxes are white.
• Much like in the television series episode, Bertie is smiling when he has to stop for Thomas at the level crossing when he should be cross.
• Annie and Clarabel's names are black instead of white.
• The last illustration says that the next story in the next episode will be Percy Runs Away, but it is actually Trouble in the Shed.

Gallery