RWS No. 21. Main Line Engines

Looks like I'm up for another RWS review.


Here, I am going to review a book that is considered by a few to be the best of the Railway Series, and one of them is considered by many to be the best episode of the TV series ever.

21. Main Line Engines.

Written by: Reverend Wilbert Awdry.

Illustrated by: Peter and Gunvor Edwards.

Published: 1966.

Here we are. The first book to star our cheeky little tank engine twins. Nope. Not Bash and Dash. Bill and Ben. And everyone's favourite diesel and mine, Boco. Let's see how this book stacks up.

Dear Friends,
Bill and Ben are a shameless pair. I meant to write about Main Line Engines, and give the twins a treat by letting them into the first story. But I couldn't keep them in order! Before I knew it they had crept into the others. They even wanted me to change the book and make it about them!

But I have been very firm. I am still calling it Main Line Engines. That will serve Bill and Ben right for ragging poor Gordon so disgracefully.

He hasn't got over it yet!
The Author

47. The Diseasel.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft, David Mitton and Robert Cardona.

Aired: UK: 3 December 1986. AUS: 16 May 1988. US: 23 December 1991.

Bill and Ben are tank engine twins that work at the China Clay Workings on Edward's Branch Line. One day they leave some trucks in a siding and leave for more, but return to find them all gone. Their drivers determine it was a "diseasel" that took them, and when Bill recalls a sign saying "coughs and sneezles spread diseasels", in his words, Ben blames him. Their drivers quieten them and formulate a plan. They find the diseasel on a siding, and manage to confuse him so as to make him giddy, but when Edward comes along he reprimands them and tells them to apologise to the diseasel, who calls himself BoCo. Edward sends them away, and he and BoCo joke about the twins.

If you ask me, the way Bill and Ben annoyed Boco made more sense in the TV adaptation because, how can the points change like magic just for Bill and Ben to annoy the big green diesel? And they blame the TV series for unrealistic moments like this. But all in all, both the story and adaptation are funny and these troublesome tank engines know just how to make mischief funny. And by the way, I'm downgrading the original story because of the confusing moment.

RWS rating: 9/10.

TV rating: 10/10.

69. Buzz, Buzz/James Goes Buzz Buzz.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.

Aired: UK: 12 May 1992. AUS: 9 March 1993. US: 16 April 1993.

Duck and BoCo are talking about Bill and Ben. Duck tells BoCo he has nicknamed them "The Bees", when James, who just arrived, claims he would simply blow smoke at bees to shoo them away. The next day, two porters are pulling a trolley with a beehive on top when it falls off and bees swarm out. They decide to rest on James' boiler, but when one burns its feet, it stings James on the nose, and James runs away. In the end, BoCo takes the Express, and that night the others talk about a red beehive on wheels.

Okay, the general adaptation is not without its faults. It just shows that Duck and Boco are already friends. However, there were some nice changes too. James and Boco talking to Trevor. It's nice to see characters apart from Edward interacting with Trevor. Also, it is a shame we didn't get to see Boco take the express, but in the story, we didn't get to see what happened to the bees. So because of all this, both the story and adaptation get the same rating.

RWS/TV rating: 9/10.

48. Wrong Road.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft, David Mitton and Robert Cardona.

Aired: UK: 3 December 1986. AUS: 17 May 1988. US: 23 July 1993.

Although the big engines are forbidden to go on the branchlines because of their weight, Gordon claims he is forbidden because they are "vulgar", and leaves to take his late train. He misses his "path" after a lady with a large floppy green hat confounds the fireman into thinking the guard had waved his flag, and in the end Edward's train leaves ahead of Gordon. However, this creates a huge disruption as the Wellsworth signalman isn't informed, and Gordon is left on a siding at Brendam. The next day, Bill and Ben come into the yard, and tease him by "mistaking" him for scrap and arguing about how to dipose of Gordon. Gordon thinks they're serious, and when BoCo arrives, he asks for help. BoCo sends the twins away with his trucks, and Gordon has had great respect for diesels ever since.

I've seen complaints from people that Edward has the wrong headcode in this episode. Let me explain why this isn't a problem. It would make more sense for the signalman to mistake Edward for Gordon's train. And as you can see in the illustration I chose, Edward the Blue Engine has the same headcode as he does in the adaptation. Also, this episode is great and it has such a beautiful score of music at the beginning.

RWS/TV rating: 9/10.

49. Edward's Exploit.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft, David Mitton and Robert Cardona.

Aired: UK: 10 December 1986. AUS: 18 May 1988. US: 20 November 1991.

Edward is set to take some enthusiasts home, but finds it hard to move the train. After meeting up with Bill and Ben, Edward takes the enthusiasts away, but stops when a crank-pin breaks, battering his splashers and frame. His crew take both crank-pins off, and Edward manages to struggle home. Edward is sent to Crovan's Gate, and BoCo does his work so well that he single-handedly changes Donald and Douglas' opinion about diesels!

When an engine breaks down, his/her crew go off and phone for help. Did Edward's do the same thing? No way, Jose! This is without a doubt Edward's best starring role and it's easy to see why. Too bad we didn't get to see Donald and Douglas praise Boco at the end, but then again, this doesn't stop the adaptation from being a fascinating one and it shows what a hero Edward is.

RWS/TV rating: 10/10.

Illustration observation:

As you can see in the image below, Thomas the Tank Engine has a curved running board again. I honestly think that this was Peter and Gunvor's mistake.

Final thoughts:

This is definitely one book that showed the heroic moments of the characters, and not to mention Bill and Ben's cheeky antics of teasing Boco and Gordon. Plus, it shows what a hero Edward the Blue Engine is. Definitely one of the best books of the series.

My rating: 9.3/10.

RWS scorecard:

21. Main Line Engines: 9.3/10.

25. Duke the Lost Engine: 9.8/10.

26. Tramway Engines: 9.8/10.

30. More About Thomas the Tank Engine: 8.8/10.

40. New Little Engine: 5.7/10.

RWS rating so far: 8.9/10.

Season 2 scorecard:

1. Thomas, Percy and the Coal: 6.5/10.

10. The Runaway: 9/10.

15. Better Late Than Never: 9/10.

21. The Diseasel: 10/10.

22. Wrong Road: 9/10.

23. Edward's Exploit: 10/10.

24. Ghost Train: 10/10.

25. Woolly Bear: 9.5/10.

Season 2 Rating so far: 9/10.

Season 3 scorecard:

6. Thomas Gets Bumped: 10/10.

8. Diesel Does it Again: 7/10.

9. Henry's Forest: 9.5/10.

14. Mavis: 9/10.

15. Toby's Tightrope: 9/10.

16. Edward, Trevor and the Really Useful Party: 8.5/10.

17. Buzz, Buzz: 9/10.

26. Thomas and Percy's Christmas Adventure: 8.5/10*

Season 3 rating so far: 8.9/10.

RWS No. 26: Tramway Engines

Looks like I'm up for another Railway Series review. This time I'm reviewing the last book to be written by Wilbert Awdry.

26. Tramway Engines.

Published: 15 October 1972.

Written by: Reverend Wilbert Awdry.

Illustrated by: Peter and Gunvor Edwards.

Here we are. The last book of the Railway Series to be written by the man who had created Thomas the Tank Engine. Did he finish on a high note? Let's go right in.

Foreword:

Dear Friends,
Thomas has been pestering me to write about his Branch Line. "After all", he said, "we are the importantest part of the whole railway."

"What can I write about?" I asked.

"Oh, lots of things - Percy's Woolly Bear, Toby's Tightrope and..."

"...your Ghost," I added.

"Don't put that silly story in," said Thomas crossly.

I will, all the same. Thomas has been much too cocky lately. It will serve him right!
The Author

 

50. Ghost Train.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft, David Mitton and Robert Cardona.

Aired: UK: 10 December 1986. AUS: 19 May 1988. US: 4 June 1989.

Percy claims his driver saw a "ghost train" the previous night, but Thomas does not believe him and Percy's driver confirms that the engine was on television. On his way home from working at the harbour all day, Percy crashes into a cart of lime that had stuck at Crowe's Farm Crossing. When the signalman remarks Percy looks like a ghost, Percy makes a plan, and convinces Thomas he has crashed and returned as a ghost, scaring Thomas out of the shed.

Alright, before I compare this adaptation to the story, let me knock an elephant out of the room. There is no deleted scene from this episode of the ghost train of a silver LB&SCR E2 Tank Engine with the number 0 named Timothy. That is nothing but creepypasta made to scare people! I don't buy it one bit. Any creepypasta based on a TV show is garbage on the spot! Also, the ghost at the beginning of this episode is Percy's!

And as for this adaptation, it stuck pretty well to the story and it would be superb for Halloween considering its theme.

RWS/TV rating: 10/10.

51. Woolly Bear.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft, David Mitton and Robert Cardona.

Aired: UK: 17 December 1986. AUS: 20 May 1988. US: 4 June 1989.

Thomas is still annoyed at Percy, and when Percy is delayed picking up haybales Thomas claims Percy is a "green caterpillar with red stripes". Percy, furious, resolves to be quick, but is delayed when a crate of treacle falls on him. The worst is wiped off, but as Percy returns home a gale whips up and Percy is covered in hay.

Nothing to say about this adaptation except for how the hay and treacle stuck to Percy the Small Engine. It really shows how capable they were back in the mid 1980s.

RWS/TV rating: 9.5/10.

66. Mavis.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.

Aired: US: 25 December 1991. UK: 5 May 1992. AUS: 4 March 1993.

Mavis is a stuck-up Diesel working at Anopha Quarry who loves rearranging the trucks in the sidings. This creates confusion and Toby is cross. When Mavis sees Daisy, she tells her that Diesels are better than steam engines, making Mavis prouder than ever, until the trucks hold Mavis back and Toby has to help.

The adaptation did stick with the story except for one thing. As you can see in the image I chose for this review, Diesel is in Daisy's spot. Why did they use Diesel? He's a British Railway Class 08 Diesel Shunter. He should know everything about trucks. Why did they replace Daisy? That is very disrespectful to the diesel railcar considering how little she was used! Holding back Bulls Eyes didn't help, really. Just hope that Daisy gets more roles now that she's in CGi.

Back to this adaptation, it shows what a great feisty character Mavis is and besides the problem I pointed out, it stuck with the original.

RWS rating: 9.5/10.

TV rating: 9/10.

67. Toby's Tightrope.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and  David Mitton.

Aired: US: 25 December 1991. UK: 5 May 1992. AUS: 5 March 1993.

Mavis is restricted to the quarry after her incident. After a frost comes and goes, work increases and Mavis manages to convince the manager to let her go as far as the crossing. She formulates a plan to go further down the line and asks the trucks to push her at the crossing, but when Toby comes they decide to do it to him and he ends up suspended over a raging torrent on a pair of dangling rails. Mavis rescues him and, even though it was her fault, is forgiven and allowed to go down the line.

There is one problem with this episode. That is Percy's appearance. Because in the story, it was the manager who scolded Mavis and restricted her to the quarry. Percy's appearance felt shoehorned in this adaptation.

But more or less, this adaptation stuck with the original except for that part.

RWS rating: 9.5/10.

TV rating: 9/10.

Final thoughts:

Did Reverend Awdry end his era of The Railway Series on a high note? Without a doubt, yes! He did it by focusing on Thomas' branch line. Also, he was in his early 60s when he published this book, so he chose to end on the right note with this book.

My rating: 9.8/10.

RWS scorecard:

25. Duke the Lost Engine: 9.8/10.

26. Tramway Engines: 9.8/10.

30. More About Thomas the Tank Engine: 8.8/10.

40. New Little Engine: 5.7/10.

RWS rating so far: 8.6/10.

Season 2 scorecard:

1. Thomas, Percy and the Coal: 6.5/10.

10. The Runaway: 9/10.

15. Better Late Than Never: 9/10.

24. Ghost Train: 10/10.

25. Woolly Bear: 9.5/10.

Season 2 Rating so far: 8.8/10.

Season 3 scorecard:

6. Thomas Gets Bumped: 10/10.

8. Diesel Does it Again: 7/10.

9. Henry's Forest: 9.5/10.

14. Mavis: 9/10.

15. Toby's Tightrope: 9/10.

16. Edward, Trevor and the Really Useful Party: 8.5/10.

26. Thomas and Percy's Christmas Adventure: 8.5/10*

Season 3 rating so far: 8.8/10.









TTTE S3E16: Edward, Trevor and the Really Useful Party

Time once again for a review. I've decided to continue my Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi reviews another day. Today, I'm doing a TTTE review.


I am here to review another Thomas episode from Season 3. That is.....

68. Edward, Trevor and the Really Useful Party.

Based on a magazine story by Andrew Brenner.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.

Aired: US: 27 December 1991. UK: 12 May 1992. AUS: 8 March 1993.

The Vicar is planning a garden party to fund a trip to the seaside for underprivileged children. Edward wants to help and, when the Vicar forgets to put posters up, Edward has them put on his boiler, tender and coaches. That attracts a lot of guests.
Bertie later teases Trevor about being old, but Trevor forgets all about it with the happiness of giving children rides at the garden party, despite the ground being soaked from rain during the night.
Bertie later tries to go through the field to drop off some passengers, but gets stuck in the mud caused from the overnight rain and has to be pulled out by Trevor and Terence. Bertie apologises to Trevor, and the party is a success. While the Vicar thanks Edward and his crew, Trevor goes to sleep that night, thinking happily about all the children who will now get to see the seaside.


Yep, this is the last episode to have a pilot narration. By which I mean it was narrated by Michael Angelis in 1991 for VHS before airing on TV in the UK.


I know there is one problem people have with this episode. That is the posters pasted on Edward, showing a possibility of burning off. There is a possibility those posters were made out of fireproof material.


Observe the shot I chose for this review. According to the shot, Diesel was originally going to be in this episode, but he was cut for unknown reasons. But why he was cut, it doesn't really matter because he had no reason to be here. Same can be said for a few other Season 3 episodes.


Another problem people have is that Michael/George said that Trevor helped Terence pull Bertie the Bus out of the mud. I'd like to say that perhaps Trevor was just commanding Terence to pull Bertie clear from the mud.


All in all, this is a good episode and it's nice to see some focus on the non-rail characters.

My rating: 8.5/10.

Season 3 scorecard:

6. Thomas Gets Bumped: 10/10.

8. Diesel Does it Again: 7/10.

9. Henry's Forest: 9.5/10.

16. Edward, Trevor and the Really Useful Party: 8.5/10.

26. Thomas and Percy's Christmas Adventure: 8.5/10*

Season 3 rating so far: 8.6/10.

HHPAY S1E01: Dis-Harmony, Collect All 5 & Ninjcompoop

Now's the time to review Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi! Remember when I said I wouldn't be reviewing any episodes of this show? Well then, you're all in luck! To help celebrate PUFFY's 20th anniversary and the 10th anniversary since the show's cancellation, I changed my mind and have decided to review these rockin' episodes after all. For those of you who don't know what Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi was, Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi was a cartoon that ran on Cartoon Network from November 2004 (was originally going to debut the following month, but was pulled forward) to June 2006, centred around the animated versions of the real life PUFFY. Let's see how this show stacked up by reviewing every episode of the show.


Unlike what I did with my KND reviews and my TTTE reviews, I'm not putting the opinion disclaimer for any of these episodes. Why? Because by now, you can already tell that these are my opinions.


Are you ready to be annoyed by your Numbuh 1 fan? Looking to complete your collection? Want to be a nincompoop?

1. Dis-Harmony.

Written by: Robert and Michelle Lamoreaux.

Aired: 19 November 2004.

Kaz holds a contest for Ami and Yumi's fans and a little girl named Harmony is chosen as the winner. She is so obsessed with Ami and Yumi that she will not leave them alone.

Notice that in this picture, 2 of these cowpokes look like Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble from The Flintstones.

Looks like someone loves these two rock stars, and no. She's not one of these bored cowpoke. She's Harmony, their Numbuh 1 fan. I must admit, she sounds just like Dinah from The Land Before Time 6: The Secret of Saurus Rock.

The one thing that puzzles me about one part is how Ami would still own her bunny pyjamas let alone still fit in them like Harmony here.

Notice that in the following shot when the 2 girls are in the photo booth, Ami's head is missing. Then again, the show was in its first stages.

The following shot could be a possible reason as to why a lot of people find this show an insult to anime. It's more or less a tribute to anime.

In one shot of the montage when Harmony is stalking these 2 girls, she just breaks out of Yumi. I wonder if this is a reference to Itchy breaking out of Scratchy in the Itchy and Scratchy and Poochie episode, Scar Trek: The Next Laceration?

The end of this episode is a bit puzzling. Who's driving the bus when no one's on? But then again, it is a cartoon after all.

So, let's see if this show started on a high note. Yes, it pretty much did. It was to an extent, funny, Harmony, although creepily stalking her idols, was hilarious too. However, the only thing that puts this episode off is how nobody is driving the bus at the end. First rule: If there's a plot point not resolve, it's a one point deduction. Sometimes more, sometimes half a point, sometimes none at all. It depends on the quality.

My rating: 9/10.

2. Collect All Five.

Written by: Steven Banks.

Aired: 19 November 2004.

Ami becomes obsessed in with collecting prizes from a cereal box. She has collected all of them except for the bunny one. She wants it so bad she makes a costume for Kaz to fit into, leaving Yumi do something about her best friend's obsession.

First of all, when the girls are counting backwards in Japanese for a midnight snack, it looks more like midnight shopping for cereal than a midnight snack.

For some reason, I love this shot of Ami Onuki screaming "BUNNYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!"

Hmm...Lostco? Costco, anyone?

Look at this scream part! Tell me that's not hilarious!

 

Hmm. Lord of the Rings, anyone?

Some argue that Little Girl in the shot below was voiced by Tara Strong because her voice sounds like Bubbles Utonium from The Powerpuff Girls, but it's actually Yumi's voice actress, Erin Oosbree (Grey Delisle) because the voice sounds more like Berry from Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, and her yelling voice sounds more like Lizzie Devine from Codename Kids Next Door.

Oh boy! Ami is most definitely the Numbuh 3 of HHPAY! She doesn't like when someone calls what she loves dumb.

Oh boy! Ami sure looks to be on drugs in the next shot because, you know, for kids! I must say, Kaz looks funny in that Bunny Huggles suit! I wonder if they're Ami's childhood bunny pyjamas from the previous ep?

Super Cuddle Love Hug!

Here we go again! Ami wanting to collect all pandas, huh?

This episode is definitely a great step up from the first episode! We got hilarious moments of Ami looking for Bunny. 'eck, even trying to steal one from Little Girl! This is without a doubt one of the best episodes of the whole series!

My rating: 10/10.

3. Ninjcompoop.

Written by: Mitch Watson.

Aired: 19 November 2004.









After a career test, Yumi orders a kit to train her to be a ninja. After becoming one, she goes too far and Ami must snap Yumi back to her normal self.

Now, we have the only appearance of two biodegradable monkeys, Master Peng and Master Franz.

Yumi sure did cheat with her lessons, didn't she?

Yumi looks cool as a ninja. Ami looked cute as a ninja.

Let's go get that post gig snack, shall we?

This was a nice way to wrap up the premiere episode. Sure, Yumi took it too far with her ninja fighting skills, but Ami did beat her at her own game there. Good work, Ami, getting your best friend back this way! Too bad we didn't get to see Ami attack Master Franz like Yumi did to Pang.

My rating: 9.5/10.

Final thoughts:

Well, Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi did start on a great note. There is a fun fact. This episode got the highest rating for a Cartoon Network premiering show in 2004, beating Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. The ratings for this episode were 3.9 and 4.3. That might not seem like much to you folks, but for Cartoon Network's standards back then, that is heaps! Cartoon Network was starting to lose popularity to Nickelodeon and Disney Channel back then.

As for this episode, it was very hilarious and epic, and a great way to start a great series. I haven't decided whether or not to review all of these in order yet.

Episode rating: 9.5/10.

Season 1 scorecard:

1. Dis-Harmony: 9/10.

2. Collect All 5: 10/10.

3. Ninjcompoop: 9.5/10.

Season 1 so far: 9.5/10. 



TTTE S16E20: The Christmas Tree Express

What's this? Me doing a negative Thomas review? For every bad TV show out there, there are gems, and for every good TV show out there, there are duds.


THE OPINIONS AND RAMBLINGS IN THIS BLOG POST ARE SOLELY MINE AND DON'T REFLECT THOSE OF ANYBODY ELSE


Well, you may be asking me if I've found Toby's worst moment. That's like asking me the worst Narrow Gauge episode as well as an episode that's worse than Up, Up and Away, Wonky Whistle, Fiery Flynn, Race to the Rescue and Sodor Surprise Day. Well, read and find out.

388. The Christmas Tree Express.

Written by: Sharon Miller.

Aired: US: 30 September 2012. UK and AUS: 25 December 2012.

It is Christmas on the Island of Sodor. Thomas, Toby, and Rheneas are shunting in the Blue Mountain Quarry. Thomas says he is going to pick up a Christmas tree that the Logging Locos have brought from Misty Island. Rheneas says they do not have a tree and Toby comments that it would not be Christmas without one. Rheneas wants to go to Misty Island to find a tree for his friends, but Thomas is too busy and Toby says that Misty Island is strange and scary. Thomas says this is nonsense so Toby agrees to take Rheneas.
When they arrive at the Search and Rescue Centre, Toby and Rheneas meet the Logging Locos, who tell them that there will be plenty of trees on Misty Island. When Toby and Rheneas reach Misty Island, Toby says he wants to chuff slowly and carefully, but Rheneas tells him to go fast. Toby chuffs quickly to the Hollow Tree Tunnel. He does not want to chuff forward, but Rheneas tells him to chuff faster and faster. Toby decides that if he closes his eyes, it would not be as scary. He goes fast and they pass some Christmas trees. Rheneas tells Toby to stop, but Toby does not want to; he is too scared.
Next Toby and Rheneas come up to the Shake Shake Bridge. Toby is scared and does not want to cross, so he closes his eyes and races over the Shake Shake Bridge. They race around Misty Island and pass more Christmas trees. Rheneas tells Toby to stop, but he does not; he is too scared. Then the mist comes down. Toby stops because he is scared. Rheneas tells Toby to go fast, but Toby cannot as he is too frightened. Rheneas is worried that his friends will wake up and still not have a tree. Toby explains that he finds going fast scary and would prefer to go slowly. Rheneas agrees and, with the help of the Logging Locos, the engines go slowly and carefully and find a perfect tree. Toby realises that when he is not going fast, Misty Island is not scary after all and he keeps his eyes open the entire time.
Rheneas and Toby return to the Blue Mountain Quarry. The engines there are all amazed and agree it is a wonderful Christmas surprise.


Bottom line, this is the worst episode of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends! Yes, I hate it more than Season 15's biggest failures and Season 16's other big failures. This episode has definitely stooped Toby's wimpy persona to the biggest low possible. Has the brown tram gone deaf or something? Rheneas was right on his wellwagon the whole time, telling him all about the Christmas trees they were passing, yet Toby wouldn't listen to him! Also, this episode marks the last appearance of the logging locomotives. Well, Bash and Dash to be precise. Ferdinand cameoed later in Signals Crossed.


Do you want to know the worst thing about this episode? All of this in the last episode to be narrated by Michael Angelis! I have no hope for this episode whatsoever and it's the biggest shame that Michael Angelis and Michael Brandon left the series on such a low note. Granted, the series was fixed with Season 17, but the damage has still been done.

My rating: 0/10.

(And that's being generous!)

Season 16 scorecard:

20. The Christmas Tree Express: 0/10.

Season 16 rating so far: 0/10.

TTTE S3E06: Thomas Gets Bumped

Time to start the new year with a review on Thomas the Tank Engine.

THE OPINIONS AND RAMBLINGS IN THIS BLOG POST ARE SOLELY MINE AND DON'T REFLECT THOSE OF ANYBODY ELSE

I am going to be reviewing for all of you, the first Thomas episode that's not based on Awdry material, but one that's based on 2 of Andrew Brenner's magazine stories from the late 1980s. How does it turn out? Read for yourself.

58. Thomas Gets Bumped.

Based on "Hello Thomas" and "A Bump on the Line" by Andrew Brenner.

Adapted by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.

Aired: US: 18 December 1991. UK: 7 April 1992. AUS: 22 February 1993.

While Thomas is waiting at a signal & talking to some children, Percy teases Thomas that if he's late Sir Topham Hatt will replace him. Thomas dissaproves of this, but was worried.
The Next Day, Thomas sees the station master waving a red flag & the children on the bridge wanted to be taking home. The Station master explains to the driver that the school bus broke down & that the parents would be worried. So the children climbed on board Annie & Clarabel, & Thomas took to to Bertie so he could take them home. When Thomas finished his job, he was very late & was worried Sir Topham Hatt would be cross.
But Next Morning, Thomas was relived that Sir Topham Hatt wasn't at the Station. But Thomas' fears amplify when the rails on his branch line buckle due to being heated by the sun and he is sent to shunt in the yard while Bertie does his passenger work. Much to Thomas' relief, the Fat Controller is not replacing him and adjusts Thomas' timetable so he and Bertie can work together more often. Even Thomas' passengers mention how much they would miss Thomas, and Thomas thanks Bertie for his help.

Not only is this my favourite episode of Season 3, it's also my favourite episode overall. I love episodes focused on Thomas and Bertie, and this is no exception. I love how Bertie helped with Thomas' passengers while Thomas was busy shunting trucks while his branch line was being repaired. As a matter of fact, for the first episode not to be based on Awdry material, this episode doesn't look out of place as a Railway Series story. I'm serious. Heck, this is based on 2 of Andrew Brenner's stories, and Andrew Brenner is the current head writer of the TV series. Andrew Brenner should write new Railway Series books. However, the only negative is Thomas' driver, fireman and guard not checking to see if the passengers weren't hurt. But then again, they probably did it off-screen.

My rating: 10/10.

Season 3 scorecard:

6. Thomas Gets Bumped: 10/10.

8. Diesel Does it Again: 7/10.

9. Henry's Forest: 9.5/10.

26. Thomas and Percy's Christmas Adventure: 8.5/10*

Season 3 rating so far: 8.7/10.