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This article is about the magazine story. You may be looking for the episode or the DVD.

"We don't need two fire engines!"
― Belle

Too Many Fire Engines! is a magazine story illustrated using images from the television series. It was republished in 2021 with the exclamation mark removed from the title and some alterations to the images and text. It was reprinted again in 2024 as part of the "Classic Thomas Story Collection" series with further alterations to the images and text.

Plot

Belle and Flynn are on duty at the Sodor Search and Rescue Centre when the alarm sounds. Both the engines want to put out the fire and they race off together. Along the way, Flynn gets a puncture in one of his tyres and has to stop. Belle extinguishes the fire while Butch tows Flynn back to the depot for repairs.

At the depot, Flynn tells Thomas that if Belle continues to put out all of the fires, there will be nothing for him to do and the Fat Controller may send him back to the Mainland. Flynn is determined to get there first next time. Soon, the alarm rings again. Flynn races to the scene of the fire and finds Belle is already there, spraying out the fire. Flynn is angry, but there is nothing he can do so he heads back to the depot.

That night, there is a big fireworks display at Ulfstead Castle. All of the engines are there except Flynn who is feeling too sad to attend. Back at the depot, a big firework falls out of the sky and lands on the roof. Flynn spots the fire and he and his crew put it out right away.

The Fat Controller thanks Flynn for doing such a good job the next morning. Belle has to agree with Flynn; it is a good job there are two fire engines on the island.

Characters

2013

2021

  • Flynn
  • Belle
  • Thomas (mentioned)
  • Butch (mentioned)
  • Sir Topham Hatt (mentioned)

2024

  • Flynn
  • Belle
  • Butch (does not speak)
  • Sir Topham Hatt (does not speak)
  • Thomas (mentioned)
  • The Railway Inspectors (cameos)

Trivia

  • This story is based on the seventeenth series episode of the same name.
  • Unlike the episode:
    • Butch, Sir Topham Hatt and the Railway Inspectors do not speak in the 2013 and 2024 versions and do not appear in the 2021 version, though the former is mentioned in the latter reprint.
    • Thomas and Stephen do not appear in the 2021 and 2024 versions, though the former is mentioned in both reprints.
    • Rocky and Harold do not appear, nor are they mentioned.
  • When republished in 2024, all references to "the Fat Controller" are changed to "Sir Topham Hatt" in line with Mattel's latest guidelines.

Goofs

  • Flynn and Thomas are said to be at the depot, but the image shows them at Wellsworth.

Gallery

2013

2021

2024

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