Hello everyone! 🙂

Welcome to ‘Bradley’s Basement’ blog and I’m Tim Bradley!

It’s Day 13 of ‘Bradley’s Basement’s Advent Calendar 2025.

Say, remember that red bus from the previous ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ episode?

‘THOMAS AND BERTIE’

In the previous episode, a red bus was introduced to pick up Thomas’ passengers when he got stuck in the snow and Terence the Tractor had to pull him out. In this episode, we’re properly introduced to that red bus. His name is Bertie and he challenges Thomas to a race!

‘Thomas and Bertie’ is based on the fourth and final story of the same name in the fourth ‘Railway Series’ book ‘Tank Engine Thomas Again’. It’s interesting the last two stories of the ‘Tank Engine Thomas Again’ book introduced new characters in Terence and Bertie. 🙂

Thomas is slighted when Bertie gives the impression that he, as a steam engine, can’t be as fast as a little red bus. Bertie does come across as rather cheeky, especially when challenging Thomas to a race. I’d like to think it’s a rather friendly rivalry between them. 🙂

The race does feel very exciting, especially with Bertie’s theme music being played in the background. There’s tension where it may seem like Thomas won’t be able to beat Bertie, especially when having to stop at a station. Luckily, things turn out to be fine for Thomas.

Thomas wins the race, and Bertie is very impressed. There’s no love lost between Thomas and Bertie, and they become good friends. They will meet again sometime in the TV series. Mind you, Bertie’s eyes need to move. They don’t move so much compared to Thomas’ eyes. 😀

Thanks for reading and watching!

Check out what Day 13 of my ‘Bradley’s Basement’s Advent Calendars for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 were about!

Bye for now!

Tim 🙂