Thomas and the Breakdown Train

Thomas and the Breakdown Train, retitled Thomas Saves the Day in North American releases, is the seventh episode of the first series. It is based on the story of the same name from the Railway Series book Thomas the Tank Engine.

Plot
The Fat Controller always comes to visit Thomas in the yard on his way on the station. He always tells Thomas that while he may not be as big or as fast as Gordon, he can still be a Really Useful Engine. While shunting, Thomas notices a strange green coach and two cranes. His driver explains that they make up the Breakdown Train and are used to lift engines and rolling stock in the event of an accident.

One day, while Thomas is working, he hears an engine whistling for help. The engine is a new one named James, and he is being pushed by a long line of trucks. To make matters worse, his brake blocks are on fire and he cannot stop. As the trucks laugh and James disappears under a bridge, Thomas gapes in shock and wishes to teach the trucks a lesson. Soon an alarm rings and the signalman comes out shouting that James has derailed, so the Breakdown Train is needed at once. Thomas is coupled to the Breakdown Train and hurries to the scene of the crash.

Further down the line, James is lying in a field. His Driver and Fireman check him for any damage and tell James that the fault lies with his wooden brakes, which they had never approved of. Thomas arrives with the Breakdown Train and removes the trucks that are still on the rails from the scene, while the workmen recover the derailed ones with the Breakdown Train. Thomas works harder than ever, going backwards and forwards with the trucks until they have all been cleared away.

Soon, James is lifted out of the field by the cranes and carefully set back onto the rails. He is unable to move by himself, so Thomas pulls him back to the shed as evening falls. Waiting for them is the Fat Controller, who congratulates Thomas on all his hard work. He arranges for James to be given proper brakes and a new coat of paint and rewards Thomas with a branch line of his own.

Now Thomas is happier than ever. Not only does he have a branch line, he also has two new coaches named Annie and Clarabel. He now gets to pull trains all day and often meets Edward and Henry at the junction. Gordon is often in a hurry, but still whistles to Thomas, who always whistles back.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Gordon
 * James
 * Troublesome Trucks
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Edward
 * Henry
 * Annie and Clarabel

Locations

 * Tidmouth Sheds
 * The Works
 * Goods Station
 * Yards
 * Rail Under Road Bridge and Stone Wall
 * The Cow Field
 * Knapford Bus Yard
 * Elsbridge

Trivia

 * The events of this episode are mentioned in the next episode and will also be later recreated and retold in The Adventure Begins along with an additional sequence created in which Thomas goes after James and unsuccessfully tries to prevent him from crashing. A reference as well as a flashback from said special was later mentioned and shown in the twenty-first series episode, The Fastest Red Engine on Sodor.
 * This episode marks James' official introduction. Despite appearing in all episodes prior to this one, he was never acknowledged in any way.
 * Stock footage from the previous episode is used as well as alternate footage from Thomas and Gordon, Dirty Objects and the next episode.
 * There are a few differences in the restored version of the episode:
 * When Thomas said that he would "like to teach those trucks a lesson," there is a pause before he moves his eyes.
 * The shot of the signalman shouting "James is off the line! The breakdown train, quickly!" is extended.
 * Different footage of Annie is used towards the end.
 * This is the first episode to feature an engine crashing, albeit not on-screen. The first episode to feature an on-screen crash was The Flying Kipper.
 * This episode marks the first time an engine's tender is detached.
 * This episode marks the first mention as well as a scene of Thomas' Branch Line.

Goofs

 * When Thomas takes on water in the opening shot, his water cap is not open.
 * When the narrator says that James' brake blocks were on fire, the metal rod producing the spark effects can be seen sticking out of James' wheels. In the same shot, his pony truck wheels are not moving.
 * In the scene when Thomas pushes the Breakdown Train under a bridge, the cranes appear to be covered in white chalk dust. In every other scene, however, they are clean.
 * In the close-up of James' wheels when he is put back on the rails, the Breakdown Train behind him is missing.
 * When James is set back on the rails, it is daytime, but when he and Thomas go back to Tidmouth Sheds, it suddenly changes to dusk.
 * When Thomas and James leave the scene of the crash, one of the cranes moves slightly and one of the trucks is missing its left eye.
 * When Thomas and James return to Tidmouth Sheds, the puffing noises continue after they stop.
 * In the close-up of Gordon, his driving wheels are going backwards.
 * In the Welsh dub, the title card disappears too soon, briefly revealing the English title underneath.
 * Thomas' eyes are wonky, this applies to James as well.
 * If one pays close attention, there seems to be a lot of ruffles in the sky.
 * Thomas is seen pulling Annie and Clarabel for the first time in the next shot, but two seconds later, Annie and Clarabel are missing, and suddenly reappear.

Magazine stories

 * 1987 - Thomas and the Breakdown Train

Home Media Releases
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UK

 * Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends
 * Thomas and Gordon and other stories
 * Thomas and the Breakdown Train and Other Stories
 * Bumper Special
 * Thomas and Gordon, Troublesome Trucks and other stories
 * Thomas' Train and 17 other stories
 * My Little Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends Video
 * The Complete Series 1
 * Thomas and the Breakdown Train

DVD Boxsets

 * Classic Collection

US

 * Thomas Gets Tricked and Other Stories
 * Thomas' Christmas Party and Other Favorite Stories
 * Best of Thomas
 * The Early Years
 * Thomas and Friends Classic Volume 1

CAN

 * Thomas Gets Tricked and Other Stories
 * Thomas' Christmas Party and Other Favorite Stories
 * Best of Thomas
 * The Early Years

VHS/DVD Boxsets

 * Special Video Collector's Set
 * Best Tales on the Tracks
 * Best of Thomas, Percy and James Platinum Edition
 * Thomas Gets Tricked and Other Stories/Percy's Ghostly Trick Double Feature
 * Best of James/Best of Thomas Double Feature
 * Thomas Gets Tricked and Other Stories/Thomas' Halloween Adventures Double Feature
 * Ultimate Thomas Collection
 * Totally Thomas Volume 8
 * Best of Collection

AUS

 * Thomas and Gordon and other stories
 * The Complete Series 1
 * My First Thomas with James

DVD Boxsets

 * My First Thomas
 * My First Thomas (3 Disc Set)
 * Complete Series 1-10
 * Classic Collection
 * Series One and Series Two Double Pack

NZ

 * Thomas and Gordon and other stories
 * Bumper Video Collection Volume 1
 * Thomas Train Set Compilation Video Volume 5

PHL

 * Thomas and Friends Collection

MYS

 * Thomas and the Breakdown Train and Other Thomas Adventures
 * Thomas and Gordon and Other Adventures

ZA

 * Volume 1

WAL

 * Thomas and Gordon and other stories

BRA

 * Learning with Thomas

ITA

 * A Freight Train Troublemaker

ROM

 * Thomas and the Trucks

DVD Packs

 * Triple Pack 1

NL

 * The Greatest Stories: The Adventures of Thomas, James and Henry

GER

 * The Freight Wagons and 4 Other Adventures
 * Thomas and His Friends Vol. 1
 * All Beginnings Are Difficult
 * Thomas Introduces Himself

NOR

 * Favourites From Thomas and Friends
 * Favourites From Thomas and Friends

SWE

 * Thomas and the Guard

DNK

 * Thomas and the Trucks
 * Thomas and Gordon and Other Stories

FIN/ISL

 * Thomas the Tank Engine 1

HRV

 * Thomas and Gordon

SER

 * Thomas the Tank Engine 1

ISR

 * Welcome Thomas!

IND

 * Thomas and Gordon and Other Stories

THA

 * Thomas and Friends - Volume 1
 * Superstar Children's Favourites Vol. 1

JPN

 * Thomas the Tank Engine Vol.2
 * Best of James and Edward
 * The Complete Works of Thomas the Tank Engine 1 Vol.4
 * Anytime With James!
 * Engines’ Big Success
 * The Complete DVD Box 1

KOR

 * Best of Thomas
 * For the Story of Determination

CHN

 * Thomas & Friends Season 1-4

HK
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 * Thomas and Friends Volume 1
 * Thomas and Friends Volume 6

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