Thomas' Christmas Party is the eighth episode of the fifteenth season. It is also the first episode of Thomas' Christmas Tales.
| Thomas' Christmas Party | |
|---|---|
| Season 15, Episode 8 | |
| Air date | December 24th, 2013 |
| Written by | Rev. W. Awdry (original)
MainLineEngines (adaption) |
| Directed by | MainLineEngines |
| Episode guide | |
| Previous Quick Thinking |
Next Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree |
Plot
Mrs. Kyndley had been sick the day before Christmas Eve last year. However, that was not enough to stop her from warning Thomas from having a nasty accident after a land slide occured near her house.
She bravely stuck her red dress out her window and Thomas and his crew thankfully understood it as "Caution! Danger Ahead!" and stopped well clear of the land slide.
She was sent to Bournemouth in the lovely seaside to get better.
Thomas and Toby missed her very much.
They were glad however to find that she would arrive home in time for Christmas of 1953.
Thomas was alone with Toby one night at Ffarquhar.
"You know, with Mrs. Kyndley being back, it makes want to thank her for her brave effort last year," Thomas said.
There was a moment of silence.
"A good party would do good," Toby suggested.
"But," Thomas said, his voice going down. "Where?"
Thomas and Toby looked around their shed. It and the station were way too small for a big party.
The next day, they happened to find themselves gathered with the others including Dodger at Tidmouth Sheds.
"Kind of odd we all find ourselves here," James commented.
"Now, now. Who brought in that smell?" Gordon complained.
"I thought James was the one who normally commented about Dodger," Delete, who was right next to Dodger commented.
"No, its my Drivers' tuna sandwiches," Thomas laughed.
"Oh! Well . . . OK."
"So, what's the latest news," Henry said in a bored voice.
"I hear Mrs. Kyndley is back on the Island," Edward said.
"Oh yes, she arrived at Knapford the other day, and I saw her there. She knows my name!"
"Never thought she did," James said. "I mean, what other news?"
(Percy begins to talk)
"Thomas and I thought of throwing her a grand party as a reward for saving Thomas from a nasty accident last year," Toby interuppted.
"You wouldn't be able to do that on your small branch line," Henry replied.
"Yes, but Tidmouth Sheds definetly has the size and shape for it," Thomas burst out.
"That's a good idea," Dodger said, "considering," he added, "that most of us never thanked her properly. I mean, its horrible to have one our beloved friends in a nasty accident around Christmas."
"Good point," Percy said.
"You should tell the Fat Controller," Gordon commented.
"He'll need to know," Edward added. "I'm sure he'll accept the idea."
"Ol' Toby and I need to head back soon. Can we rely on you to tell the Fat Controller?" Thomas asked.
"I have a stopping train due in about thirty minutes," Delete remembered.
"Can you tell him then?"
"Sure."
"Thanks."
"No problem."
"In that case, I better get your coaches ready," Dodger said. "Take a break, Percy. It's Christmas, no need to be stressed. I'm not due at the Mines until after New Year."
"But you are due at the Steamworks for a repaint. Soon," James said under his breath.
Dodger simply puffed onto the turntable, and went to the station.
Thomas and Toby left about five minutes later.
Delete puffed onto his train with about five minutes to spare.
"Don't forget," Dodger whispered.
"Don't worry," Delete replied.
"Well, hullo Delete. A bit colder today is it," the Fat Controller said.
"Hullo, Sir. Yes, yes. Different from the sunshine at Bournemouth, eh?"
"Yes, yes."
"Speaking of Bournemouth," Delete continued. "Reminds me of Mrs. Kyndley. And I'd like to ask you something, courtesy of all the engines, especially Thomas and Toby."
"Yes, yes, what is it?"
"We'd like to throw Mrs. Kyndley a special party at Tidmouth Sheds as a reward for saving Thomas from a nasty accident last year," he finished.
"That's an excellent idea. Let's see. Hmm, I'll call everyone at Tidmouth Sheds tonight, and we'll sort things out a bit."
Delete whistled happily as he left Tidmouth.
That night, the Fat Controller sorted things out.
"Now, that the party will take place is certain. Now, we have two options. Christmas Day or Boxing Day. We've no trains on either days, but I think Boxing Day is a better option. So, on Boxing Day it shall be."
The engines whistled in delight.
The engines spent all their free time, which was little on Christmas Eve helping to set up the party. On Christmas Day, by the afternoon, they had set everything up. However, the weather became a problem.
"Snow levels have risen, and its a mostly 90-100 percent chance it will snow tonight. The most likely thing is that we'd need to clear the Branch Line or else Mrs. Kyndley won't be able to get here," the Fat Controller announced.
"I'll help clear the line," Thomas said bravely.
"You will?"
"Of course."
"And why not, I want to help Thomas too. Together, we'll be a fine pair," Toby stepped in.
"Perfect, your snow ploughs and a van will be ready by tomorrow."
So, the next day, early in the morning, the two brave engines set off.
It was tough, hard work. They spent hours clearing the line until finally, they reached the cottage.
They found Mr. and Mrs. Kyndley waving out the bedroom window.
Then, Terence arrived. Snow never worries him.
"I'll stay here and clear the cottage with the workmen," Terence said.
Percy had brought Henrietta to Elsbridge, so when Thomas and Toby arrived with Mr. and Mrs. Kyndley they simply could take her on to Tidmouth Sheds.
"Let's go now," Thomas said.
As he approached Tidmouth Sheds however, he saw everything was dark.
Thomas' heart sank.
"After all our hard work," he thought.
Then, the doors opened and there were all the other engines including Annie and Clarabel to say:
"Merry Christmas, Thomas, Toby, Mr. and Mrs. Kyndley!"
"Thank you so much!" Mrs. Kyndley said.
"Thanks for all your hard efforts shown," Mr. Kyndley added. "It's a pleasure to know all of you."
"Thomas and Toby are old friends, and now, Percy, you're my friend, too."
"Thanks!" Percy said.
"No, thanks to you."
Then, the party began with music and games, food and drinks.
It was a grand party.
The Fat Controller took Mr. and Mrs. Kyndley with Lady Hatt to Wellsworth to stay there until the snow melted.
After everyone had gone and the engines were almost fast asleep, Thomas said;
"Merry Christmas everyone," he said.
And as he fell asleep, he thought, "Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without Mrs. Kyndley."
And they all agreed this was the best Christmas ever.
Characters
- Thomas
- Edward
- Henry
- Gordon
- James
- Percy
- Toby
- Delete
- Dodger
- Terence
- Sir Topham Hatt
- Mr. Kyndley
- Mrs. Kyndley
- Annie and Clarabel (non-speaking roles)
- Henrietta (non-speaking role)
Locations
- Tidmouth
- Tidmouth Sheds
- Elsbridge
- Mrs. Kyndley's Cottage
- Ffarquhar Sheds
Trivia
- This episode is based off the 1984 story of the same name by the Reverend W. Awdry along with a flashback from "Mrs. Kyndley's Christmas" from Toby the Tram Engine also by the Rev. W. Awdry.
- This episode is the only episode in the fifteenth season that is not set in the time frame set up, which was during the 1980s as its events take place in 1953. Thus, David, Duck, Donald and Douglas are excluded, as well Russell, Nix, and the diesels.
- This episode formed part of Thomas' Christmas Tales, but was exclusively released on Christmas Eve 2013, albiet it also aired on Christmas Day.