TTTE: S17E16: Too Many Fire Engines

Time for me to review a Thomas episode from the current era, one that's written by the current headwriter of the TV series.

404. Too Many Fire Engines.

Written by: Andrew Brenner.

Aired: US: 8 October 2013. AUS: 14 October 2013. UK: 5 November 2013.

One day, Thomas is taking the Fat Controller, along with a team of railway inspectors around Sodor. The inspectors are pleased with what they have seen so far, and the Fat Controller tells Thomas to go to the Sodor Search and Rescue Centre. Thomas quickly sets off.
At the Sodor Search and Rescue Centre, Belle and Flynn are trying to see who can shoot water further as they wait for the railway inspectors to arrive. Flynn is just about to shoot water out of his cannons, when Thomas arrives with the railway inspectors. The Fat Controller explains how Belle has water cannons fitted to her boiler to fight fires. The inspectors are impressed, so the Fat Controller continues, saying how Flynn can run on both rails and roads. The railway inspectors are even more impressed, but wonder if there really needs to be two fire engines, which makes Belle and Flynn worry. But the Fat Controller suggests otherwise, which makes the pair of fire engines feel relieved just as the emergency bell rings. Butch arrives and explains that there is a fire in a shed near Wellsworth. Belle races off to put out the fire on the rails, but Flynn uses his road wheels instead, due to the road route being faster.
As Flynn reaches the shed, one of his tyres flattens and he has to stop, out of action. Flynn watches helplessly as Belle puts the fire out by herself. Thomas, Annie, Clarabel, and the railway inspectors all congratulate Belle for her excellent skills, but Flynn is very disappointed. Butch arrives to tow him back to the Rescue Centre, and tries to encourage him, which makes the fire engine feel better.
A few days later, the alarm sounds again. Rocky tells Flynn that Harold has spotted a forest fire near Arlesdale End. Flynn is unsure at first, until Rocky reminds him that he is the only fire engine available. Flynn sets off on the rails to prevent another flat tyre. He races by Wellsworth, passing Thomas with his coaches. Unknown to Flynn, Belle had already gone to the scene of the fire. As Flynn nears Arlesdale End, he sees the smoke, but it seems to turn into steam. As he rounds a bend, he sees that Belle had already put it out. Flynn is disappointed again and starts to believe that the railway inspectors were right.
A few days later, Thomas arrives at Flynn's shed and tells him that the Fat Controller wants him to go to the Ulfstead Castle Fireworks display, to watch out for fire, but Flynn refuses to go, saying Belle can go instead. Thomas goes off and tells Belle to go instead. That night, Thomas arrives with visitors at Ulfstead Castle to watch the fireworks. Belle is there too, watching in case of a fire.
Meanwhile, Flynn is sulking in his shed, just as Butch arrives and warns him of a fire. At first, Flynn is reluctant, until Butch tells him that the fire is at Brendam Docks and that Belle cannot go because she has to stay at the castle. Now, Flynn is motivated to go and leaves at once.
At the Docks, the dock workers are desperately trying to put out the fire, just as Flynn arrives and quickly puts it out. Flynn feels proud and realises that the Fat Controller does need two fire engines after all.


Yep, the first episode where Flynn the Fire Truck doesn't act like an idiot. There are some quotes I like.

Thomas the Tank Engine: Cinders and Ashes!

Stephen the Rocket: You mean Gunpowder and Chemicals! That's what fireworks are made of!

This episode is also not without a minor flaw. How did Rocky the Breakdown Train know the emergency? Is he psychic or something? Looks like the current team took care of that as of Wild Water Rescue from Season 19.

Andrew did wonders making a Thomas episode about fire safety, considering his scripts when he was headwriter of the early CGi seasons of Fireman Sam, another children's show that's owned by HiT and is in CGi now.

A great episode that teaches kids about fire safety, and that you can never have too many fire trucks. Because who knows? There may be a fire somewhere while another fire burns elsewhere.

Here's hoping someone does a rip off of this episode in a good way, say replace Belle and Flynn with Rocky and Jerome and Judy respectively. Why? To teach kids who want to work on railways when they grow up that you can never have too many breakdown trains.

My rating: 9.5/10.

Season 17 scorecard:

16. Too Many Fire Engines: 9.5/10.
Season 17 so far: 9.5/10.