TTTE S6E25: Rusty Saves the Day

Now I'm going to review an episode that's been getting a lot of stick lately. Do I agree with those who dislike this episode?


Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the image.

155. Rusty Saves the Day.
Written by: Paul Larson.
Story by: David Mitton.
Aired: UK: 18 October 2002. AUS: 22 November 2002. CAN: 14 February 2003.

Rusty takes up so much time clearing up Rheneas and Skarloey's line, that the little orange diesel forgets that there is also work at the quarry that has to be done. The Fat Controller says that this takes too much of Rusty's time, so he decides to close down the line and send Rheneas and Skarloey to the quarry. The two engines work as hard as they can, but they miss the forests, the hills, and their passengers.

The next day, the Fat Controller announces that there will be blasting in the quarry for the next two weeks, and that he will have to find the engines other work. Rusty asks if they can use the two weeks to mend Rheneas and Skarloey's line. The Fat Controller agrees, but they only have the two weeks to finish the job. Elizabeth thinks that clearing the line is ridiculous and says it is a waste of time. Skarloey is upset by this and thinks that they will never get the job done, but Rusty says that they cannot give up. Rusty then comes up with an idea to convince Elizabeth to help and get the job done.


He tells her that they will need a "special" kind of lorry that can get the job done, and Elizabeth then agrees to help and get the job done. She is as good as her word. And soon, the job is completed. Rheneas and Skarloey's line looks as good as new, and the Fat Controller congratulates Rusty and Elizabeth for their hard work. He then says that Rusty can now have enough time to work at the quarry, and Rusty just smiles.


This episode really doesn't make sense. "It takes too much of your time" is a dimwitted reason to close the Skarloey Railway!

Also, I have to question the title. "Rusty Saves the Day"? What the hell are you talking about? Saving the railway didn't take place within a day! It took place within 2 weeks! And it wasn't just Rusty! Elizabeth was the one who did most of the work! How could Paul mess up so much of this episode? This episode should've been called "Elizabeth Saves the Line"!

So overall, this episode was very weak and I feel it could've had much more effort put into it, especially with the moral being teamwork.

My rating: 3.5/10. (And that's being generous!)

Season 6 scorecard:

9. It's Only Snow: 9/10.

14. Middle Engine: 3/10.

17. Gordon Takes a Tumble: 9.5/10.

22. Thomas the Jet Engine: 10/10.

23. Edward the Very Useful Engine: 8.5/10.

25. Rusty Saves the Day: 3.5/10.

Season 6 rating so far: 8.5/10.