Season 4, Episodes 12-16 (Transmission 18)

Season 4, Episodes 12-16 is the eighteenth episode of Thomas and Friends.

Steam Roller

 * Sir Handel thinks his wheels are special and show off. When racing with George the steamroller, their squabbles cause confusion and delay...and no one is the winner.

Passengers and Polish

 * Skarloey enjoys being polished by the conductor's daughter, but it makes Duncan jealous. When Skarloey's coach derails, Duncan helps. But his rude behavior angers the passengers.

Gallant Old Engine

 * With Duncan still grumbling, Skarloey tells him the story of the gallant old engine. When Rheneas' valve gear jammed, he kept going until his passengers reached the station. Duncan realizes how important passengers are.

Rusty To The Rescue

 * Rusty needs help on his line. With advice from Douglas, Rusty heads to the other railway where only diesels dare to go. Brave Rusty rescues Stepney, who now works the Bluebell line.

Thomas and Stepney

 * When Thomas brags to Percy to his branch is the pride of the line, Percy tells him about another engine with a famous branch line. Thomas became jealous of Stepney until he gets the chance to really know him.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Edward
 * Percy
 * Douglas
 * Stepney
 * Skarloey
 * Rheneas
 * Sir Handel
 * Peter Sam
 * Rusty
 * Duncan
 * Duke
 * George
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Daisy (not named)
 * Diesel (not named)
 * BoCo (not named)
 * Mavis (not named)
 * Duck (does not speak)
 * Henry (cameo)
 * Gordon (cameo)
 * James (cameo)
 * Annie and Clarabel (cameo)
 * Bertie (cameo)
 * Oliver (mentioned)

Trivia

 * Stories told by George Carlin.

Full Script

 * (Start of Transmission 18, we start with the Britt Allcroft Presents logo. Then, we start with the Thomas and Friends Season 5 intro, with Thomas, with Annie and Clarabel passing the windmill, as the "THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE & FRIENDS" logo appears. Then, the "BASED ON THE RAILWAY SERIES BY THE REV.W.AWDRY" logo appears, and then the "ADAPTATION BY BRITT ALLCROFT" logo. Then, we see Thomas passing under a bride, as the "STEAM ROLLER" title card appears. Finally, we see Thomas arriving at the last station, as the "TOLD BY GEORGE CARLIN" title card appears, and then the "DIRECTED BY DAVID MITTON" title card appears, then we start the first story.)
 * George Carlin: Sir Handel is very proud of his big sturdy wheels. They have brought tires and whole wells to the rails, but they are unusual. One day, the other engines wouldn't stop teasing him.
 * Engines: Look at his steamroller wheels!
 * George Carlin: They joked.
 * Sir Handel: Be quiet!
 * George Carlin: Snorted Sir Handel.
 * Sir Handel: You're jealous!
 * Peter Sam: Don't worry.
 * George Carlin: Soothed Peter Sam.
 * Peter Sam: The engines all teased me about my special funnel, until they learned how useful it is.
 * Sir Handel: Did you hear that?
 * George Carlin: Huffed Sir Handel.
 * Sir Handel: My wheels are special, like Peter Sam's funnel! I can go faster than any of you.
 * George Carlin: Skarloey had a plan to make Sir Handel see sense.
 * Skarloey: With your grand wheels, Sir Handel,
 * George Carlin: Said Skarloey.
 * Skarloey: You're just the engine to tackle George.
 * Sir Handel: Who's George?
 * Skarloey: That steamroller over there.
 * George Carlin: Replied Skarloey.
 * Skarloey: Listen.
 * George Carlin: The steamroller was making rude remarks about the engines.
 * George: Railways are no good, turn them into roads, pull them up, turn them into roads! Railways are no good, turn them into roads, pull them up, turn them into roads!
 * Sir Handel: Don't worry.
 * George Carlin: Said Sir Handel.
 * Sir Handel: Leave him to me. I'll send him packing. George will soon get a run for his money.
 * George Carlin: Later that morning, George was at the level crossing.
 * George: Huh! You're Sir Handel, I suppose.
 * George Carlin: Sir Handel was standing no nonsense.
 * Sir Handel: And you, I suppose, are George? Yes, I've heard of you.
 * George: And I've heard of you. You swank around with your steamroller wheels, pretending you're as good as me.
 * Sir Handel: Actually, I'm better. Goodbye.
 * (Sir Handel puffed away)
 * George Carlin: George chuffered on, fuming. Later that day, Sir Handel brought a special load down after the last train had gone. When he had reached the road, he saw George travelling home. Sir Handel tried to attract his attention.
 * Sir Handel: Peep peep peep!
 * George Carlin: George took no notice. There was barely room to pass.
 * (Sir Handel's whistle kept tooting)
 * George Carlin: Sir Handel was cross.
 * Sir Handel: Get out of my way, you great clumsy road hog!
 * George: Huh! I don't move for imitation steamrollers. You don't know the road, get out of my way!
 * George Carlin: Then there was trouble.
 * (George destroys Sir Handel's train)
 * Sir Handel: Aaah!
 * George Carlin: Cried Sir Handel.
 * Sir Handel: That was your fault.
 * George: No it wasn't. It was yours.
 * George Carlin: Everyone was arguing about who was to blame.
 * (We hear the ringing of the bike's bell)
 * Policeman: Hello, hello, hello.
 * George Carlin: Said a policeman ominously.
 * Policeman: And what's going on here?
 * George Carlin: This made everyone stop arguing. They set to work clearing up the mess instead. Next day, the workmen put up a fence between the road and the railway. Then they went away, taking George with them. Sir Handel thought he had made George go away.
 * (Sir Handel headed back to the yard)
 * George Carlin: He talked of nothing but steamrollers.
 * Skarloey: Oh, dear.
 * George Carlin: Whispered Skarloey.
 * Skarloey: He's worse than ever. I'm sorry my plan was no good.
 * Rusty: Never mind.
 * George Carlin: Said Rusty.
 * Rusty: We'll think of something else.
 * George Carlin: But they had no need to do that. Some boys arrived instead. They pointed to the engine and cried...
 * Boy: Look! Here's Sir Handel. He tried to race a steamroller, but the steam roller nearly beat him!
 * George Carlin: Sir Handel never mention steamrollers now.
 * (We see Thomas passing under a bridge, as the "PASSENGERS & POLISH" title card appears, thus starting the second story.)
 * George Carlin: Nancy is the conductor's daughter. One day, she was working with Skarloey with some polish and a rag. Skarloey was snoozing happily, but Nancy wanted to talk.
 * Nancy: Wake up, lazybones. Your brass is filthy. Aren't you ashamed?
 * Skarloey: No.
 * George Carlin: Yawned Skarloey.
 * Skarloey: You're just an old fusspot.
 * George Carlin: And Skarloey closed his eyes. He was thinking about his friend, Rheneas, and all the good times they had shared before Rheneas went away to be mended. Nancy interrupted again.
 * Nancy: Don't you wanna look nice when Rheneas comes home.
 * George Carlin: Skarloey wasn't sleepy anymore?
 * Skarloey: What? When?!
 * Nancy: Soon. Daddy told me. I'm going now.
 * George Carlin: She said.
 * Skarloey: Nancy, stop. Do I really look nice? Please polish me again.
 * Nancy: Now who's an old fusspot?
 * George Carlin: Laughed Nancy, and set to work once time. Duncan was jealous.
 * Duncan: Aren't you gonna polish me too?
 * Nancy: Sorry. Not today. I'm going now. I'm helping the Refreshment Lady this afternoon. We must get the ice cream ready for the passengers. Never mind, Duncan.
 * George Carlin: But Duncan did mind.
 * Duncan: It isn't fair!
 * George Carlin: He complained.
 * Duncan: Peter Sam gets a special funnel, Sir Handel gets special wheels, passengers get ice cream, but I'm not even polished!
 * George Carlin: Of course this wasn't true. But Duncan enjoyed complaining. He became sulkier still. That afternoon, there was bad news above the line.
 * Duncan's Driver: One of Skarloey's coaches has come off the rails.
 * George Carlin: Called Duncan's driver.
 * Duncan's Driver: We'll have to take workmen there right away.
 * Duncan: All this extra work!
 * George Carlin: Grumbled Duncan.
 * Duncan: It wear's an engine out!
 * Duncan's Driver: Rubbish! Come on!
 * (Duncan set off to the rescue)
 * George Carlin: The derailed coach was in a middle of Skarloey's train, so he had gone on to the top station with his front coaches. Duncan shunted the work's trains to the sidings, and left the workmen sorted out the mess. Then he brought the passengers and rear coaches home. He sulked all the way.
 * Duncan: I get no rest, I get no rest!
 * George Carlin: He muttered. Duncan had made a journey very difficult. He was short of steam, so his driver waited a while and hope of raising more. But Duncan wouldn't try.
 * Duncan's Driver: We'll keep our passengers waiting.
 * George Carlin: Said his driver. Duncan was cross.
 * Duncan: You always think about the passengers and never about me!
 * George Carlin: It wasn't long before Duncan build up enough steam and set off again. But he was still very grumpy and cross.
 * Duncan: I'm overworked, and I won't stand it!
 * George Carlin: At last they reached the viaduct near the station.
 * Duncan's Driver: Come on, Duncan!
 * George Carlin: Called his driver.
 * Duncan's Driver: One more effort, and you'll have a rest and drink in the station.
 * George Carlin: Then, Duncan was very rude.
 * Duncan: Keep your old station! I'm staying here!
 * George Carlin: And he did too. Skarloey had to haul Duncan and his train all the way to the platform. The passengers were furious. They told everyone what a bad railway it was.
 * (Passengers arguing)
 * Man: We're losing money!
 * George Carlin: That night, Sir Topham Hatt spoke to Duncan.
 * Sir Topham Hatt: No passengers means no polish!
 * Duncan: And no polish means no passengers.
 * George Carlin: Duncan muttered to himself. He still has a lot to learn, doesn't he?
 * (We see Thomas passing under a bridge, as the "GALLANT OLD ENGINE" title card appears, thus starting the third story.)
 * George Carlin: Duncan would not stop grumbling. He grumbled that he wasn't polished enough, he grumbled that he was overworked. Most of all, he grumbled about the passengers.
 * Skarloey: I'm ashamed of you, Duncan.
 * George Carlin: Said Skarloey.
 * Skarloey: Thank goodness Rheneas was coming home soon. Perhaps he'll teach you some sense before it's too late.
 * Duncan: What is with Rheneas to do with me?
 * Skarloey: Rheneas saved our railway.
 * George Carlin: Replied Skarloey.
 * Peter Sam: Please, tell us about it!
 * George Carlin: Said Peter Sam.
 * Skarloey: Well,
 * George Carlin: Began Skarloey,
 * Skarloey: it was before you came here. Things were bad. Rheneas and I will had to keep the trains running, or I'll railway would have to close.
 * Peter Sam: How awful.
 * George Carlin: Murmured Peter Sam.
 * Skarloey: I tried hard,
 * George Carlin: Continued Skarloey,
 * Skarloey: but my old wheels ached. Rheneas understood.
 * Rheneas: It's my turn now!
 * Skarloey: He'd tell me. He was often short of steam, but he always struggled to the station, and then rested there.
 * Rheneas: I mustn't stop between stations.
 * Skarloey: He'd say.
 * Rheneas: The passengers wouldn't like it.
 * Duncan: Humph!
 * George Carlin: Huffed Duncan. He had stopped on the viaduct and hadn't cared at all.
 * Skarloey: Passengers,
 * George Carlin: Continued Skarloey,
 * Skarloey: Get cross if you stopped on the wrong places. Rheneas stopped on the wrong place once, and this is what happened.
 * (Resuming Rheneas's story)
 * Skarloey: One wet and windy afternoon, when the rails were damp, Rheneas was traveling home with a full train, there were even passengers in the caboose. It wasn't a comfortable ride at all. Rheneas' wheels kept slipping, and it was a steep climb. At last, his wheels gripped the rails again.
 * Rheneas: The worse is over.
 * Skarloey: He thought.
 * Rheneas: Now we're away.
 * George Carlin: But they weren't.
 * Rheneas: Aaah! I've got a cramp!
 * Skarloey: He groaned. And Rheneas stopped on the loneliness part of the line. His driver examine him carefully.
 * Rheneas' Driver: Your valve gear has jammed. We need to reach the next station. Do you think you still get us here?
 * Rheneas: I'll try.
 * Skarloey: Replied Rheneas.
 * (Rheneas resumed his travels)
 * Skarloey: Rheneas did his best.
 * Rheneas: If I fail,
 * Skarloey: He thought to himself,
 * Rheneas: The passengers will be cross and the railway will close.
 * Skarloey: Everything blurred. He was really too tired to make the turn of his wheels, but he did, and another, and another, and another. Finally, tired but triumph, Rheneas reached the station.
 * Rheneas: I'm here at last!
 * Skarloey: He wheezed.
 * Passengers: Thank you for giving us home.
 * Skarloey: Said the passengers.
 * Passengers: We'll tell all our friends what a fine railway this is.
 * Skarloey: His driver was delighted.
 * Rheneas' Driver: You're a gallant little engine.
 * Skarloey: He said to Rheneas.
 * Rheneas' Driver: When you're rested, we'll mend you, so you'll be ready for tomorrow.
 * (End of Rheneas's story)
 * Skarloey: And...
 * George Carlin: Smiled Skarloey,
 * Skarloey: Rheneas always was ready for tomorrow.
 * Duncan: Thanks for telling us about him.
 * George Carlin: Whispered Duncan.
 * Duncan: I was wrong. Passengers are important after all.
 * George Carlin: The next day, Rheneas came home. All the engines were there to greet him. Edward pushed his truck to the siding, where he was lifted on to his rails. This was the signal for a chorus of whistles from engines large and small. Everyone was happy, and Rheneas was the happiest of all.
 * Rheneas: You know,
 * George Carlin: He whispered to Skarloey,
 * Rheneas: This helps an engine feel that at last, he has really come home.
 * (We see Thomas passing under a bridge, as the "RUSTY TO THE RESCUE" title card appears, thus starting the fourth story.)
 * George Carlin: In springtime, Rusty loves to visit a faraway place. It's filled with bluebells. The air smells sweet and Rusty thinks there's no better place than be. One day, Thomas was passing by just as Rusty was having a drink.
 * Thomas: Peep, peep! Good morning. Your driver looks a little worried. I wonder why?
 * Rusty: I don't know.
 * George Carlin: Said Rusty.
 * Rusty: But I soon will. Excuse me.
 * George Carlin: Said Rusty.
 * Rusty: But is there something wrong?
 * Rusty's Driver: Yes indeed.
 * George Carlin: Replied the driver.
 * Rusty's Driver: They need another engine to help us run the special line.
 * Rusty: A bluebell engine.
 * George Carlin: Laughed Rusty.
 * Rusty: Maybe I can find one.
 * George Carlin: Later, Rusty saw Douglas and Percy. Rusty had an idea.
 * Rusty: Can you help me find another engine?
 * Douglas: Where?
 * Rusty: Where'd you found Oliver?
 * Douglas: You mean on the Other Railway?
 * Rusty: Yes. I'm looking for a bluebell engine.
 * George Carlin: And Rusty explained everything.
 * Douglas: I like to help. But these days it's only diesels that go there.
 * George Carlin: Then Rusty decided.
 * Rusty: So that's were I'll go.
 * Douglas: Take care.
 * George Carlin: Rusty told the driver all about the plan. And that night, he came to the shed.
 * Rusty's Driver: The manager says he'll make a home for a bluebell engine if you find one.
 * Rusty: Right.
 * George Carlin: Said Rusty.
 * Rusty: We'll find one tomorrow.
 * George Carlin: It took them all the next day to travel to the Other Railway. Darkness fell and the cold wind blew.
 * Rusty: Oh, what's that?
 * George Carlin: But it was only the sounds of a lonely scrapyards. Diesel silent and still lined up and guard.
 * Diesels: Who are you?
 * George Carlin: Rusty plucked up courage.
 * Rusty: I'm a shed and sidings inspection diesel. Have you any engines in the shed?
 * Diesels: No. None.
 * George Carlin: Rusty rallied again.
 * Rusty: Then what about the sidings?
 * Diesels: One. We have one.
 * George Carlin: Rusty grew braver still.
 * Rusty: Then I'll just go and inspect.
 * George Carlin: A small engine with a tall funnel stood sad and alone in a shadowy siding. His driver was huddled in the cab keeping him company.
 * Rusty: Excuse me.
 * George Carlin: Said Rusty.
 * Rusty: Do you like bluebells?
 * George Carlin: The engine looked startled.
 * Stepney: Yes. Bluebells are beautiful.
 * Rusty: Then you're soon going to see lots of them because I'm getting you out of here.
 * George Carlin: Everyone worked fast. It was difficult to set the fire, but soon it was glowing hot and Stepney had a good head of steam. Rusty's engineer agreed to be Stepney's fireman. So fall they set, past the bleak and booming lines of diesels.
 * Diesels: Where is he going?
 * George Carlin: They hissed.
 * Rusty: Just down the line.
 * George Carlin: Replied Rusty. And they chuffered quickly away.
 * Rusty: We've done it.
 * George Carlin: Whispered Rusty.
 * Rusty: We're over the board and back in our own railway. Mission accomplished.
 * George Carlin: When Rusty and the engine arrived in the valley, a big welcome awaited him.
 * Manager: We shall mend you and give you your new coat of paint.
 * George Carlin: Said the manager. His driver was delighted.
 * Stepney's Driver: You lucky old engine. You've been saved by the bluebell railway.
 * Stepney: And my friend, Rusty. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for Rusty.
 * George Carlin: Now the little engine is has happy as can be and helps the passengers and visit at bluebell time. His name is Stepney, but everyone calls him the bluebell engine.
 * (We see Thomas passing under a bridge, as the "THOMAS & STEPNEY" title card appears, thus starting the last story.)
 * George Carlin: Thomas the Tank Engine was feeling very happy. His blue coat shone in the sun, he was right on time, and all around his branch line the countryside seems prettier than ever before.
 * Thomas: Peep peep! Good morning, Percy.
 * George Carlin: He whistled.
 * Thomas: My branch is the pride of the line. Wouldn't you agree?
 * Percy: Uh, yes, Thomas, of course. But, uh...
 * Thomas: But what, Percy? Out with it!
 * Percy: Well, there is another engine with a famous branch line too?
 * Thomas: Who? Where?
 * Percy: His name's Stepney. He's faraway, but Sir Topham Hatt says he might visit us.
 * Thomas: When?
 * Percy: Oh, someday.
 * George Carlin: And Percy hurried away. Meanwhile, Stepney puffed steadily along his line. It isn't very long, and that made him feel a little sad. Later he saw Rusty, the little diesel had helped saved Stepney from scrap.
 * Stepney: Everyone's been so kind. But my railway was so short and I do miss a good long run.
 * Rusty: I think you should tell driver too.
 * George Carlin: Replied Rusty.
 * Rusty: I'm sure he'll understand.
 * George Carlin: Stepney soon discovered that indeed he did.
 * Stepney's Driver: Do you know, Stepney? I feel just the same way.
 * George Carlin: That evening, he had exciting news.
 * Stepney's Driver: Guess what, Stepney? Sir Topham Hatt has invited to the other engines on his own railway. Manager agreed. It'll be really long run to get there.
 * Stepney: Oh, thank you.
 * George Carlin: Sighed Stepney. They set off next morning. But now, all the other engines were talking about Stepney.
 * Percy: He runs a famous branch line. Did you know that?
 * George Carlin: Said Percy. Thomas was feeling a little jealous.
 * Thomas: Huh! It may be famous, but my branch is the first on the line. Everyone knows that too.
 * George Carlin: And he huffed away to fetch his coaches.
 * Percy: Look!
 * George Carlin: Squeaked Percy.
 * Percy: Why have they all come? There's no train yet.
 * George Carlin: But Percy was wrong. The signal dropped, and from far away an engine whistled.
 * Douglas: Here he comes.
 * George Carlin: Yelled Douglas. Stepney puffed proudly through the junction.
 * Edward: I hope you'll meet Thomas too.
 * George Carlin: Said Edward.
 * Edward: You both have branch lines to be proud of.
 * George Carlin: Then Stepney set off to help Duck shunt coaches in the yards, and they worked happily together all afternoon. At last, Thomas arrived.
 * Thomas: Sorry, can't talk. It's time for my last branch line train. Mustn't be late.
 * George Carlin: He was hardly out of sight when the engines heard shouting at the station. Moments later came the alarm.
 * Passengers: Stop all trains!
 * George Carlin: The signalman answered the telephone.
 * Signalman: A special, is it? I see.
 * George Carlin: Thomas was impatient.
 * Thomas: Why are we waiting? My passengers are been delayed.
 * Thomas' Driver: Sorry, Thomas.
 * George Carlin: Said his driver.
 * Thomas' Driver: We're been shunted to allow another train to pass.
 * George Carlin: Soon they heard an unfamiliar puffing sound. There was Stepney with his headlamp swang and whistle blowing. He gathered speed and disappeared.
 * Thomas: Well, bust my boiler!
 * George Carlin: Said Thomas the Tank Engine. Next morning, he was still fuming.
 * Thomas: Shunted! And on my own branch too! It's a disgrace!
 * Stepney: I'm sorry.
 * George Carlin: Said Stepney.
 * Stepney: I was a special.
 * Thomas: Why?
 * Stepney: An important passenger arrived just as you left. He ordered a special train and Duck let me take it. We had a splendid run, but uh...
 * Thomas: But...
 * George Carlin: Finished Thomas.
 * Thomas: It can make an engine nervous not to know the line.
 * Stepney: Exactly.
 * George Carlin: Said Stepney.
 * Stepney: You're such an expert.
 * George Carlin: Thomas felt much better. He couldn't be cross anymore and began telling Stepney all about his branch line.
 * (Following the last story, we go to the outro with Thomas looking at us. While the end credits roll, the Thomas end theme plays. Afterwards, the A Britt Allcroft Production logo appears as we end this transmission.)