Thomas The Tank Engine and Friends - Thomas & Bertie and Thomas Down the Mine is a UK Ladybird book release by Kaye & Ward Ltd on 31st January 1985.
Plot[]
Thomas meets Bertie at the bus depot, and each thinks that they can go faster than the other. So they challenge each other to a race. Thomas cannot go fast at first, so Bertie gets ahead, but Thomas sails through the level crossing, where Bertie is waiting. Thomas then has to wait at a station, leaving Bertie far ahead. But soon afterwards, Bertie has to wait at a traffic light and then they draw level. Thomas reaches his full speed, and is too fast for Bertie. Thomas wins the race, and both Thomas and Bertie are congratulated. But the Fat Controller does not like Thomas and Bertie to race at dangerous speeds, so they cannot have another race. A while later, Thomas meets Gordon at the junction, and teases Gordon about his dip in the ditch, saying he smells like ditchwater. Annie and Clarabel are shocked, but Thomas laughs at his own joke, and goes away to a mine. He finally succeeds in getting past the danger board and lands in a mine! The Fat Controller calls Gordon to pull him out, and the two engines form an Alliance.
Characters[]
- Thomas
- Gordon
- Annie and Clarabel
- Bertie
- Sir Topham Hatt
Trivia[]
- Photographs from Thomas and Bertie, Down the Mine, James and the Coaches and Percy Runs Away are used.
- A cassette tape narrated by Ringo Starr was included with some of the books.
- A promotional copy of the book came with Hornby's 1988 Thomas and Bertie set.