Weary Thomas trundled down the track.
It had been a busy day on the island of Sodor.
All the children had been to visit and have their photo taken with the No. 1 engine.
The Fat Controller had been very proud of Thomas.
Left alone at the end of the day each engine puffed away quietly from Tidmouth sheds to the tunnel. Thomas rolled in. James puffed smoke, Edward had cracked open a barrel of the black stuff and Emily was stoking Gordon’s pistons.
‘Another day,’ Percy said, as Toby injected him with a chilled smack of water.
‘Over 70 years of this,’ Thomas groaned.

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).
To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
When I was a kid, I read and played and watched ‘Thomas The Tank Engine’, 35 years later I’m getting to know them all again with my kids. I do wonder how Thomas and Friends have coped with it all over all this time… Thomas The Tank Engine Wikipedia
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A fun read, Iain
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Thanks Neil
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Emily sounds like a bit of a go-er, if you’ll pardon the expression. Trains, hey? Never give up do they. Fantastic take on the prompt.
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Thank you Sandra 😉
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The lure of trains, isn’t it! Lovely nostalgic story, Kelly
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It certainly is, thanks Neel
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Dear Iain,
I guess even smiley ole Thomas has his limits. 😉 Fun take on the prompt.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle – he does seem impossibly happy on camera, surely on his downtime he can’t be like that too!
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Good to hear the Fat Controller hasn’t retired yet! Delightful Iain.
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Thanks Keith, he’s still going strong, and in charge of more trains than ever!
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This is funny. My buddy and I just were riffing on this the other day, questioning the slavery of Sir Topham Hat and making fun of Gordon, whom we believe is closeted and would very much like to cut loose. Well done.
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I reckon all these children’s characters would love to cut loose, I like to imagine what they would all really be like when the cameras stop 🙂
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Love this! Tommy getting old and cranky! 😉
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Thank you Tina 😉
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This is the scene between sets the kids should NEVER see. 😉
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I like to imagine with all these children’s programmes – what would the characters be like when not playing to the audience!?
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Elmo smoking a skinny spliff…
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He must do, surely.
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How else does he chill out at the end of a long shoot with a bunch of kids screaming & waving their arms abut as he does? LOL
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Took me back to my childhood. Good one, Iain!
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Thank you Shweta 😉
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Very inventive!
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Thank you Lisa
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Delightful story! I didn’t realize Thomas is over seventy years. Good memories for you kids too. =)
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Thank you 🙂
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Charming post Iain. My nephews loved Thomas and his friends.
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It seems to be one of those programmes that all children just love!
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“and Emily was stoking Gordon’s pistons.” Yikes (blush).
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Yep, the X-rated behind the scenes version.
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All my grands went through their Thomas the Tank period. We live near Strassbourg, PA where Thomas makes an appearance now and then. So I truly enjoyed your story as it evoked some most pleasant memories.
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Thank you 🙂
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Wrong wrong wrongity wrong… you might like this -> http://thecultofme.blogspot.com/2016/04/gustav-railway-gun.html
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Thanks for the link!
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You’re welcome!
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Did you watch when Ringo Starr was the conductor on Shining Time Station? Cute show.
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Not aware of that show, but did love Ringo narrating the ‘Thomas stories.
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Yes, that’s the same thing.
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I’ve never read about Thomas the Tank Engine! But you caught the character’s “off” time very well.
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You have missed out a treat 😉
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I’ll put it on my library list!
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I so enjoyed this – particularly reading about whatever Emily was getting up to.
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Oh yeah, she was the only female engine for a long time, so I assume ‘serviced’ them all…
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Oh Matron!!!
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🙂
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I do love the voices of those engines… it’s a huff and a puff but they go on… I can understand it wears you out.
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Thanks Bjorn – it gets to the best of them!
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No criticism of your story, Iain, as well crafted as always, but I can’t stand Thomas and co.
I always found the books deadly dull compared to, for example, Julia Donaldson’s works.
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Oh, you’re cold-hearted! Certainly the writing is nowhere as good, although they were written a long time before Julia Donaldson and co. came along. Nowadays ‘Thomas’ seems to be more of a TV and film (and toys) creation rather than literary. Big fans of Julia Donaldson in this house too.
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How old are your bairns now, Iain?
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oh, those were the days. thanks for reminding me. 🙂
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You’re welcome, you’re never too old to enjoy Thomas 😉
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This was such a hoot.. ummmm a toot! I read this story countless times and even made a cake in the shape for my son. I’m sure I didn’t contemplate just how they spent their time after hours… 😉
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Thanks Dale, I have been revisiting a lot of my own childhood favourites with my own kids – nostalgia, but at the same time you realise how ridiculous a lot of these programmes are!!
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Some of them… man. Yet others… brilliant!
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The best ones are the ones that sneak in little references and jokes that only the adults will get.
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Yes! Love those ones.
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I’m not familiar with Thomas (my kids and I watched different shows when they were little) but I certainly recognized the weary, end-of-the-day feeling and the dread of knowing it starts up again in the morning.
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All parents can relate to that feeling. Thanks for reading 🙂
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LOL I always wondered what those trains did in their off time. Nicely done.
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Wonder no more 😉
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Awww, such a nostalgic little piece. I too took a retro childhood TV route… Kind of 🙂
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Thank you 🙂
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And now for something completely different….well done, Iain. Always expanding!
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Thank you Sascha – it’s nice to write something completely different now and then.
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This one filled me with good old nostalgia, makes me one to find out what my own childhood characters might be like after all this year… if they had to live them in real time.
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It’s a good way to watch kid’s shows and make then entertaining for the parents too 🙂
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All in a day’s work in the life of locomotive.
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And an evening to relax 🙂
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Trains are interesting and full of experiences.
https://ideasolsi65.blogspot.com/2018/12/journey.html
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Yes…
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Lucky Gordon!
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Oh yeah, he gets all the gals! 😉
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Fun! Maybe it is time for the poor engines to have a bit of a rest 🙂
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They certainly deserve it 🙂
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Lovely nostalgic story with a humorous twist!
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Thank you Liz
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Great take on the prompt. Fun to imagine the engines’ back stories!
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Thanks Penny – it’s often the only way to make watching these kid’s programmes bearable! 🙂
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OMG! I will never think of that as PG again! Lol very funny Iain. Gosh Thomas’s friends get up to some interesting relaxation!
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Thanks Laurie, we all have to find a way to unwind, even children’s entertainer trains!
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I never really got into the Thomas the Train stuff, though I’ve seen the TV show a time or two. I love the barrel of oil.
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Thanks Alice 🙂
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Ha ha, Reverend Awdry would be rolling in his grave! I read all of them to my children when they were small but they were never as funny as this. 🙂
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Thank you – I wonder what he would think about what his little stories have now become – never mind my intervention!
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Very fun read. I’m betting this one isn’t you’ve shared with the children!! haha..
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Not until they’re a bit older 😉
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It sounds like you are writing the adult version of life in an engine shed
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I mean they’re all over 70 now – they must have done some naughty stuff in their time!
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A nostalgic read! Thank you for bringing back some lovely memories, Iain 🙂 Great story!
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You’re welcome Jade 🙂
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A charming reminder of days gone by.
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Thanks James
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Sound like a party in the tunnel! Great read Iain!
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Thanks Russell 🙂
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That last line brings home how many people feel about their work. Why not Thomas too?
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Exactly Irene
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Poor Thomas! It’s about time he retired.
A fun take on the prompt.
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He’s earned the pension by now surely 🙂
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Ha! Ha! I now await your take on the Telly Tubbies 😉
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Oh, well now, all sorts of weird and sordid things going on there, let me tell you!
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Your story made me smile.
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Thank you Dawn 🙂
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A quirky, witty take on the prompt – the inside story of Thomas the Tank Engine & his pals. Nicely done.
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Thank you. Those backstage exposes would reveal all sorts I’m sure 😉
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Interesting. Connie and I recently bought a 70 year old pick-up truck that we are working to get back on the road. It’s had plenty of rest (close to 50 years in a barn). Hopefully, it will be happy to get a new engine and be back on the road.
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How Thomas would love a 50 year rest!
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Brings back some memories, although a side I never saw! Nicely done
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LOL, thanks Fatima 🙂
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Definitely brings back memories, but with a fresh twist! Great take on the prompt!
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Thank you Kira 🙂
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