Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia
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This article is about the magazine story. You may be looking for the episode.

“Common tank engines indeed! We'll show them!”
― Thomas

Trouble in the Shed is a magazine story based upon the episode of the same name from the first series of the television series.

Plot

The Fat Controller sits in his office listening to the noise outside. The stationmaster informs Sir Topham that Henry is sulking, there is no train and the passengers are getting cross. The Fat Controller is not amused and heads to the shed at once. The Fat Controller finds Gordon, Henry and James looking very cross; the engines inform their controller that they will not shunt like common tank engines, to which the Fat Controller reminds them that engines on his railway will do as they are told before heading off to find Edward. He instructs Edward to leave his shunting duties and push coaches. So Edward finds coaches for the three engines and for the rest of the day the trains run as usual.

Next morning, The Fat Controller finds Edward looking upset; Gordon clanks past hissing at him rudely. Edward tells his troubles to the Fat Controller who admits that they do need another tank engine. He goes to the workshops where he is shown a variety of engines. Finally, he settles for a smart, little, green engine who promises to work hard. The Fat Controller names the engine Percy and takes him back to the yard. The Fat Controller introduces Percy to Edward and asks the old engine to show Percy what to do. Percy learns quickly and the two engines have a happy afternoon and even spook Henry!

Next day, Thomas arrives back at the yard where the Fat Controller thanks him for coming so quickly. The Fat Controller explains the situation and asks Thomas, Percy and Edward to run the line for a while. Thomas and Edward work the main line whilst Percy runs the branch line. The passengers do not mind there being fewer trains as they know the big engines are being taught a lesson. Meanwhile, Gordon, Henry, and James are cold and miserable and wish they had not been so silly.

Characters

Locations

Trivia

  • This story is based on the first series episode of the same name.

Goofs

  • In the first illustration, the sheds are completely coloured brown.
  • In the second illustration:
    • Henry's handrails are yellow, his steam pipe is grey and his tender is missing.
    • Part of Gordon's smokebox is blue and his wheels are grey.
    • James' wheels are blue instead of black.
  • The top of Percy's coal bunker is painted green in one illustration.
  • In two illustrations, Percy's wheels are grey instead of green.
  • In the fifth illustration, Gordon is missing the red lining around his firebox, his number is missing and part of his side rod is blue.
  • Henry is in his new shape, despite not being rebuilt until after Percy arrived in the story The Flying Kipper.

Gallery

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