Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the image
420. Toad's Adventure.
Written by: Mark Huckerby and Nick Ostler.
Aired: UK: 1 September 2014. AUS: 6 October 2014. US: 13 May 2015.
Written by: Mark Huckerby and Nick Ostler.
Aired: UK: 1 September 2014. AUS: 6 October 2014. US: 13 May 2015.
Oliver is always telling his brake van Toad about the time he escaped from the scrapyard to come to Sodor. Toad was there at the time, but he has still heard the story a hundred times as they puff up and down the Little Western line. Toad wishes that he could have an adventure of his own to talk about.
Later, Oliver leaves Toad in the shunting yard while he takes a passenger train. Toad is happy not to have to listen to Oliver's tale again, but he does not like the prospect of sitting around for ages doing nothing. Just then, James arrives looking for a brake van for his goods train. Toad pleads with James to take him with him. James agrees and soon they head off to Vicarstown.
On the way, Toad has to listen to James' boasting, which is still a refreshing change from Oliver's endless stories. Soon, Toad is concerned that they are going too fast, but James insists that there's nothing wrong with their speed. As they puff up Gordon's Hill, James strikes a branch on the line. The branch goes under the train and uncouples James from his train. Suddenly, Toad is rolling back down the hill with the trucks. Toad tries his best to stop the runaway train.
Meanwhile, Thomas is puffing along the line with the Fat Controller and Dowager Hatt. He is taking them both to the opera on the mainland. As Thomas rounds the bend by Gordon's Hill, he stops suddenly. The Fat Controller leans out of the carriage window to enquire about the situation, but is soon alerted to Toad and the runaway trucks speeding straight towards them. Thomas tries to reverse out of the way, but Percy pulls up behind Thomas on the same line. There is no time for both engines to reverse and Toad knows it's up to him to save them all now. With sparks flying from his wheels, Toad manages to stop the trucks just in time. James pulls up, just as the Fat Controller demands to know what has happened. James is about to confess to going too fast, but Toad covers for him by saying that they just hit a branch and it was all an accident. The Fat Controller is satisfied and Dowager Hatt calls Toad a really useful brake van. The Fat Controller agrees with his mother and Toad feels very proud.
It is not long before James and Toad are heading to Vicarstown once again. Toad tells James that he can go a little faster if he wants, but this time James does not want to speed up.
When they return to the shunting yard, James thanks Toad for all his help. Then, Oliver puffs in and starts to tell Toad all about his day. James interrupts, however, and tells Oliver that he ought to ask Toad about his adventure. Oliver finds it hard to believe that Toad has had an adventure, but Toad tells him all about his day. Soon, all the engines in the yard are gathered round listening to Toad's thrilling adventure. Oliver says he cannot believe it, but Toad says he will tell him the whole story again the next day.
What better way to bring Toad back than centre an episode around him? Too bad Oliver barely appeared in this one.
Onto Toad's render. He looks a lot more like his basis. He's the right length. And his CGi face looks more like his model face.
Onto Oliver's render. Like many others, I'm not that fond of Oliver's CGi render. It's really quite small, almost like a Narrow Gauge engine. Maybe the animators used his ERTL model for reference?
One thing I would like to talk about when it comes to the train Thomas the Tank Engine was pulling in this. He was pulling express coaches. Maybe Fat Controller and his mother wanted First Class coaches? I find it a little puzzling since Thomas usually pulls Annie and Clarabel. However, this does get right what Express Coming Through! got wrong when it comes to Thomas the Tank Engine pulling express coaches.
This episode also shows there are some things you can't do with models, like Toad's guard putting on his brakes.
This was a very interesting episode and a good way to bring Toad back to the series. Though James was his cocky self here. We got an interesting callback to Escape!
What better way to bring Toad back than centre an episode around him? Too bad Oliver barely appeared in this one.
Onto Toad's render. He looks a lot more like his basis. He's the right length. And his CGi face looks more like his model face.
Onto Oliver's render. Like many others, I'm not that fond of Oliver's CGi render. It's really quite small, almost like a Narrow Gauge engine. Maybe the animators used his ERTL model for reference?
One thing I would like to talk about when it comes to the train Thomas the Tank Engine was pulling in this. He was pulling express coaches. Maybe Fat Controller and his mother wanted First Class coaches? I find it a little puzzling since Thomas usually pulls Annie and Clarabel. However, this does get right what Express Coming Through! got wrong when it comes to Thomas the Tank Engine pulling express coaches.
This episode also shows there are some things you can't do with models, like Toad's guard putting on his brakes.
This was a very interesting episode and a good way to bring Toad back to the series. Though James was his cocky self here. We got an interesting callback to Escape!
My rating: 9/10.
Season 18 scorecard:
6. Toad's Adventure: 9/10.
8. Duck and the Slip Coaches: 9/10.
18. Last Train for Christmas: 10/10.
Season 18 rating so far: 9.3/10.
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