Important Engines is a magazine story.

Plot

It is nearly Christmas and The Fat Controller has a special job for James. He is to take Lady Hatt to Wellsworth so she can do the Christmas shopping. James is delighted to receive such a task. He soon begins to boast as he gets cleaned and polished.

Soon, everything is ready and Lady Hatt climbs on James' train, complimenting him as she does so. James whistles loudly as he leaves the station to make himself known. Thomas begins to grow fed up with James' boasting, especially when James keeps doing so in the shed that night.

Next morning, The Fat Controller informs Thomas to collect a big tree before his first passenger train. Thomas wishes he could do an important job like James but The Fat Controller informs him that this job is important. James teases Thomas about having to pull trucks but the tree is later decorated and stands tall outside the main station. Thomas smiles, now knowing how important this job was.

Characters

• Thomas
• James
• Sir Topham Hatt
• Lady Hatt
• Edward (cameo)

Gallery