Ghost Train

**Ghost Train** is the twenty-seventh episode of the second season and the 57th episode overall. It is based on the story of the same name from the twenty-sixth Railway Series book, Tramway Engines.

## Plot

Percy tells Thomas and Toby the story of a ghost train that his driver saw the night before. However, Thomas does not believe a word of it and calls Percy a silly little engine. Percy later tells his driver that Thomas did not believe in the ghost and the driver explains that it was only a pretend ghost story on television.

That evening, Percy is returning to the sheds from the harbour. Despite it being dark, Percy knows exactly where he is and enjoys running at night; however, he is unaware that a cart full of lime is stuck on the tracks at the level crossing ahead. While Sam the Farmer has gone for help, Percy comes down the line, destroying the cart and is left completely covered by the lime.

Percy runs to the nearest signal box, where he meets Toby and his driver explains to the signalman what happened. The signalman arranges to sort out the hazard on the line but suggests Percy be cleaned up, as he looks like a ghost. This gives Percy an idea to scare Thomas and asks not to be cleaned until he plays his trick. Toby agrees to help and sets off.

At the sheds, Thomas is preparing to take his evening train, when Toby - pretending to be scared - arrives and tells him that Percy has had an accident. Thomas is mildly concerned for Percy, but is more worried that this will make him late. Toby tells him the line has been cleared, but that he thinks he saw Percy's ghost. Thomas is unconcerned and tells Toby not to worry.

After this, however, a ghostly voice comes from outside demanding to be let in. Thomas is frightened as the shed doors open and reveal what appears to be Percy's ghost. Thomas pretends to not be terrified, says he is late, and quickly runs off to collect Annie and Clarabel. Even after he has finished his run, he is so scared that he does not return to the shed for the rest of the night.

The next morning, Thomas meets Toby at the station. When Toby asks Thomas where he has been, Thomas reveals that he spent the night in the goods shed, claiming he knew Toby would be sad about Percy's demise and did not wish to intrude. As he makes his excuse, Thomas hears Percy's whistle in the distance and runs off.

Percy (who is now cleaned up and none the worse for his adventure) arrives, having heard everything. Percy cannot help but feel pleased as Toby remarks that Thomas is acting as if he had seen a ghost.

## Characters

* Thomas
* Percy
* Toby
* Annie and Clarabel *(do not speak)*
* Percy's Ghost Engine *(does not speak)*
* Sam the Farmer *(mentioned)*

## Locations

* The Viaduct
* The Watermill
* Tidmouth
	+ Tidmouth Yards
* The Branch Line Cutting
* The Windmill
* Crowe's Farm Crossing
* Ffarquhar
	+ Ffarquhar Sheds
* Knapford Harbour *(mentioned)*

## Trivia

* Percy and Toby's exchange at the sheds is a spoof of the tale of *The Three Little Pigs*.
* This episode marks the first of a few things:
	+ The first time fog is shown throughout an entire episode.
	+ The first supernatural themed episode of the entire series.
* This episode marked the only occurrences of several things:
	+ The only appearance of Percy's Ghost Engine. Although it was mentioned in the episode, Thomas, Percy and the Dragon.
	+ The only appearance of Sam the Farmer in the series.
* This episode marks the last episode to feature the viaduct being repaired.