Thomas & Friends. Season fan-made

Thomas and Bertie's friendly race

It was a bright, cheerful morning on the Island of Sodor, and Thomas the Tank Engine was puffing happily along his branch line. The sun gleamed off his shiny blue paint as he pulled Annie and Clarabel through the countryside, heading toward Knapford Station.

Thomas loved the feeling of his wheels clicking along the tracks, the wind in his funnel, and the sound of his coaches chatting behind him.

"You're making good time today, Thomas," said Annie.

"Yes, very good time," echoed Clarabel. "We'll be at Knapford before you know it."

Just as Thomas was about to whistle in agreement, he heard a familiar honking sound coming from the road nearby.

"Beep! Beep!" came a cheerful voice. It was Bertie the Bus, racing alongside him on the road.

"Hello, Bertie!" Thomas whistled, happy to see his old friend. Bertie had a twinkle in his eye as he pulled up beside the railway tracks.

"Thomas, you're looking as shiny as ever!" Bertie called. "But I was just thinking... remember that race we had a long time ago? How about we have another one? Just for fun!"

Thomas grinned. He loved a good challenge, especially from Bertie. "Another race? Of course! Where should we race to?"

Bertie looked around and then pointed up the tracks. "Let's race to the top of Gordon's Hill!"

Thomas gasped. Gordon's Hill was steep and famous for being one of the hardest climbs on Sodor. Even Gordon, the big, strong engine, had trouble climbing it sometimes.

But Thomas was up for the challenge. "You're on, Bertie!"

Annie and Clarabel, who were usually cautious about racing, chimed in. "Oh, Thomas, are you sure?" asked Annie.

"We don't want to be late for our passengers!" added Clarabel.

"Don't worry, you two," Thomas reassured them. "We'll get there on time. This will be fun!"

As they approached the starting point at the crossing, Bertie rolled to a stop beside Thomas.

"Ready, Thomas?" Bertie grinned.

"Ready!" whistled Thomas, his wheels already itching to go.

"On your marks... get set... GO!" shouted Bertie.

And just like that, they were off! Thomas' wheels spun quickly, and his pistons pumped hard as he pulled Annie and Clarabel down the tracks. The wind rushed past his funnel, and he felt the excitement of the race as Bertie zoomed ahead on the road beside him.

For the first stretch, Bertie had the advantage. He was quick on the flat roads, weaving between trees and farmhouses, honking his horn with joy. Thomas was fast, but he had to stick to the tracks, which meant a longer route with more twists and turns.

"Slow down Thomas! Called Annie. "Your going much to fast!"

"Something bad is going to happen if you keep this up!" added Clarabel.

Thomas smiled. He wasn't going to let his friends down. His wheels clattered faster, picking up speed as the countryside blurred past. The track ran parallel to the road for a while, and Thomas could see Bertie still ahead, his red paint shining in the sunlight.

Meanwhile, up ahead on the road, another familiar face was coming into view. It was Percy the Small Engine, who was busy delivering the mail. He had just crossed over the bridge when he saw Bertie speeding by.

"Hello, Bertie!" Percy called, puffing along with a bag of letters in his van.

"Can't stop, Percy!" Bertie shouted back, his engine roaring. "I'm racing Thomas!"

"A race? Oh, not another one" Percy moaned, watching Bertie disappear into the distance. " but good luck anyways!"

Back on the tracks, Thomas was starting to catch up as the road curved toward the base of Gordon's Hill. The hill loomed large ahead, its steep incline casting a shadow over both the road and the rails. Thomas knew this was where the real challenge would begin.

As they reached the bottom of the hill, Thomas puffed harder, his boiler bubbling with determination. His wheels dug into the tracks, and he began to climb, pulling Annie and Clarabel steadily upward.

Bertie, however, was having a harder time. His tires squealed as he started up the steep road beside the hill, his engine groaning. "Oh no, this hill is steeper than I remember!" Bertie gasped.

At that moment, Gordon the Big Engine thundered by on the opposite track, hauling a long express train. He looked over and saw Thomas puffing up the hill, with Bertie struggling on the road beside him.

"Out of puff already, little bus?" Gordon boomed with a teasing smile. "That hill is nothing for me!"

Bertie scowled. "Just you wait, Gordon! I'll make it to the top and win!"

Thomas, meanwhile, was focused. His face was red from the effort, but he was determined not to let Bertie beat him. Slowly but surely, he began to pull ahead.

"You're doing it, Thomas!" cried Annie, glad it was almost over.

"Keep going, we're almost there!" added Clarabel. "And then we can finally get on with our jobs.."

Thomas' wheels turned faster, and his steam puffed in short bursts as he climbed higher and higher. He could feel the strain, but he knew he was in the lead now. Bertie, still groaning and puffing on the steep road, was falling further behind.

Finally, with one last great effort, Thomas reached the top of Gordon's Hill. His whistle blew loudly in triumph. He had done it!

Bertie reached the top a few moments later, panting and out of breath. "Well done, Thomas," he gasped, but with a big smile on his face. "You've still got it!"

Thomas chuckled as his wheels slowed, coming to a gentle stop at the summit. "Thanks, Bertie! You were great, too. That was a lot of fun!"

As the two friends caught their breath, another engine approached from the other side. It was James the Red Engine, who had been shunting trucks nearby. He whistled as he saw Thomas and Bertie together.

"Hello, you two! What's all this about a race?" James asked, his curiosity piqued.

"We had a race up Gordon's Hill," Thomas explained proudly. "And I won!"

James raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Well, I would've liked to join! But it looks like you've earned your victory, Thomas."

Just then, Percy puffed up the hill, having finished his mail run. "Did I miss the end of the race?" he asked, slightly out of breath.

"Afraid so, Percy!" Thomas chuckled. "But don't worry, I'm sure Bertie and I will race again sometime soon."

Bertie grinned, though he was still a bit winded. "And next time, I'll be ready for that hill!"

The engines and Bertie all laughed together, enjoying the friendly moment at the top of the hill. Thomas felt proud, not just because he had won the race, but because he had such good friends to share it with.

As the sun began to set over the Island of Sodor, Thomas puffed happily back down the hill, with Bertie following along the road beside him. They had raced, they had laughed, and most importantly, they had fun.

And that was what truly mattered.