Bulldog

"Your Duke is a hero! He stood firm like a bulldog, and wouldn't let go."

- The passengers complimenting the manager on Duke's bravery

Bulldog is the third episode of the fourth series. It is based on the story of the same name from The Railway Series book Duke the Lost Engine.

Plot
One morning, Percy is feeling very impatient. He has a new coat of paint, is very eager to show it off and complains that his driver is late. Gordon, Henry and James remind him the driver is not late, rather Percy is awake early. Thomas assures Percy it will soon be time for work, but warns him not to be impatient; otherwise, he may run into danger and Duke will not be there to save him. The other engines are surprised to hear their hero mentioned and Thomas decides to tell them a story his driver told him.

Long ago on the Mid Sodor Railway, back when Peter Sam and Sir Handel were still originally called Stuart and Falcon, they worked alongside Duke. One day, the manager came along and told Falcon - who was still new and had a lot to learn - that he was pleased with his work but now wanted the engine to learn about the Mountain Road, which was a difficult part of the line. The next day, Falcon would get a new coat of paint, then go on the Mountain Road with Duke to double-head a train. Falcon was not impressed that he was having to work with Duke, who he considered a fusspot.

The next day, Duke told Falcon he would head the train since the Mountain Road was tricky to travel over. Falcon refused and insisted on going in front, since he needed to learn the line and Duke would block the view. Duke warned Falcon not to admire the view since he needed to watch the track and also tried to slow them down to keep them safe, but Falcon ignored Duke and thought he was fussing over nothing.

Soon, the engines approached a curved tunnel, which Falcon disliked. He rushed through the tunnel and while everything initially seemed normal, he suddenly derailed and dangled precariously over the edge of a cliff. Duke held on to Falcon for dear life, as their crews quickly worked to anchor the two engines to the line. However, Duke's fireman found another problem; Duke was low on water. Luckily for them, a workman's cottage was nearby and all the passengers assisted in fetching water. Duke's tank was soon refilled, and he managed to build up enough steam to pull Falcon clear off the edge and back onto the track.

The manager was waiting for the train at the top station, and when Duke and Falcon arrived, the passengers told him that Duke was a hero who stood firm like a bulldog and would not let go of Falcon, who thanked Duke for saving him, especially as he had been so rude to him. Duke was modest and told Falcon that it would have been a shame if his new coat of paint had been spoilt.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Henry
 * Gordon
 * James
 * Percy
 * Toby
 * Duke
 * Falcon/Sir Handel
 * The Mid Sodor Railway Manager
 * Stuart/Peter Sam
 * Blue Narrow Gauge Coaches
 * Duncan
 * Red Narrow Gauge Coaches
 * Stephen Hatt
 * Mrs. Kyndley
 * Farmer Trotter
 * One Little Boy
 * Rheneas

Locations

 * Tidmouth Sheds
 * Duke's Station
 * Duke's Shed
 * River Arle
 * The Mountain Road
 * Rheneas Viaduct
 * Skarloey

Trivia

 * In the original releases of this episode, in the scenes when Thomas began telling the story about Duke, the music is omitted until the scene of Duke and Falcon starting their journey. Also, the first bit of music is heard earlier than the later version.
 * In the original UK releases of this episode, when Duke pulled Falcon back onto the rails, his chuffing sound is faster.
 * The scenes in which the passengers fill up Duke's tank with water using pots and pans from a nearby cottage is possibly inspired by the 1953 film, The Titfield Thunderbolt, in which they do the same.
 * The title is a reference to the symbolic dog breed of the United Kingdom. Even the quote "[Duke] stood firm like a Bulldog and wouldn't let go" comes from the stereotype of the type of dogs called bull breeds in which they are said not to let go of something they bite.
 * In the original UK releases of Rock 'n' Roll and other Stories, a few lines indicated that they were later re-dubbed or relocated:
 * Henry's line, "Rubbish!" sounds less enthusiastic.
 * One line, "But be careful, or you might run into danger and Duke is not here to save you," is heard earlier. The music is also heard earlier.
 * Other lines "It was curved and he couldn't see," and "Duke bravely held on with all his strength. 'Stop shaking!' he called. 'I can't hold you if you shake!'" are heard later.
 * This was the last episode to be featured on the Shining Time Station spin-off, Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales.
 * This is also the last Series 4 episode aired in the US.
 * Smudger is missing from his generator shed.
 * This episode marks the first appearance of Sir Handel's annoyed/determined face.
 * Duke's dialogue of "Stop shaking! I can't hold on to you if you shake!" is changed from The Railway Series version, where Duke says "Young idiot! Stop shaking! I can't hold on if you shake!" It was changed since the word "idiot" can be a vulgar-based word.
 * This episode marks Duncan's first appearance in the fourth series.
 * This episode was paired alongside Thomas Comes to Breakfast in an airing of Storytime with Thomas.
 * The passengers mention the episode title when they say, "Your Duke is a hero! He stood firm like a bulldog, and wouldn't let go."

Goofs

 * Although the engines say the drivers and firemen are not there because it was still early, the drivers and firemen can be seen in the sheds.
 * Toby's face is not positioned correctly when he stutters Duke's name.
 * When Falcon crashes through the fence and Duke tries to save Falcon, Duke derails as well.
 * When Duke pulls Falcon back onto the rails, Falcon's nameplate is slightly peeled off.
 * When Duke and Falcon enter the tunnel, Falcon has Smudger's whistle sound.
 * In a close-up of Duke, his face is smaller than usual. This is because his larger scale model was used.
 * In the close-up of Duke before he pulls Falcon back on the track, they are not coupled together.
 * When the passengers say, "He stood firm like a bulldog and wouldn't let go," one of the passengers is missing their eyebrows.
 * Falcon's left (viewers' right) eye is misaligned when the manager is talking to him about the Mountain Road.
 * Gordon is missing his brake pipe.
 * Henry's face is tilted when he is dozing.
 * In some close-ups of Duke at the end of the story, his driver's head is on backwards.
 * When Falcon thanks Duke for saving him, his left pupil (viewers' right) is scratched.

Quotes

 * Percy: Driver should be here by now! What's he doing?
 * Gordon: Sleeping!
 * Percy: But that means I'll be late! The coaches will be waiting and the passengers will get cross!
 * Henry: Rubbish!
 * James: It's still early. You just want to show off!
 * Percy: No I don't!
 * Thomas: Never mind, Percy. It'll soon be time for work. But be careful or you might run into danger. And Duke is not here to save you.
 * Toby: (stuttering) Duke? You mean our hero?




 * Falcon: Huh! Duke's an old fusspot!
 * Narrator (Thomas): (The) Next day came.
 * Duke: Listen. The mountain road is difficult. I'll lead.
 * Falcon: No, I'll lead! How can I learn the route with you lumbering ahead and blocking the view?
 * Duke: Suit yourself, but never mind the view. Look at the track.




 * Duke: Look at the track. Never mind the view.
 * Falcon: Fusspot, Fusspot! Fuddy-Duddy, Fuddy-Duddy, Fuddy-Duddy!
 * Narrator (Thomas): The engines' speed grew slower and slower.
 * Falcon: Don't dawdle, don't dawdle!
 * Duke: No hurry, no hurry.
 * Narrator (Thomas): Soon, they approach a tunnel. Falcon didn't like the tunnel. It was curved and he couldn't see.
 * Falcon: I want to get out! I want to get out!
 * [their exit seems normal, but then Falcon derails and teeters precariously over a precipice]




 * Passengers: Your Duke is a hero! He stood firm like a bulldog and wouldn't let go.
 * Falcon: Thank you for saving me, Duke. I don't know why you bothered after I'd been so rude.
 * Duke: Oh, well! You just had a new coat of paint. It would have been a pity if you rolled down the mountain and spoiled it!

Merchandise

 * Buzz Books - Bulldog

Home Media Releases
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UK/AUS

 * Rock 'n' Roll and other Stories
 * The Biggest Ever Christmas Collection
 * The Complete Series 4

UK DVD Boxsets

 * Classic Collection

AUS DVD Boxsets

 * Complete Series 1-10
 * Classic Collection
 * Series Three and Series Four Double Pack

WAL

 * Thomas the Tank Engine: Bumper Special 2

US

 * Sing-Along and Stories
 * Thomas' Magical Musical Ride
 * Thomas & Friends Classic Volume 4

CAN

 * Sing-Along and Stories

DVD Boxsets

 * Totally Thomas Volume 5

NZ

 * Rock 'n' Roll and other Stories
 * The Best Ever Christmas Collection

JPN

 * New Thomas the Tank Engine Vol.2
 * The Complete Works of Thomas the Tank Engine 2 Vol.6
 * Engines’ Big Success

GER

 * Like A Rock and 4 Other Adventures
 * Thomas and His Friends Vol. 7

GRC

 * A Day at the Station

DVD Boxsets

 * 3 DVD Boxset 2

FIN

 * Rock 'n' Roll Locomotive

KOR

 * Thomas and Friends Volume 3
 * Stories to Raise Cooperation

IN

 * Oliver Owns Up and Other Stories

NL

 * Merry Christmas!
 * The Greatest Stories: The Adventures of Thomas, Percy and Gordon

NOR

 * Anniversary

DK

 * Four Little Locomotives and Other Stories

MYS

 * Four Little Engines and Other Thomas Adventures
 * One Good Turn and Other Adventures

UKR

 * A Train Thomas and Friends
 * Thomas and Friends - Series 4

ITA

 * The Sleeping Beauty

SER

 * Thomas the Tank Engine 7

CHN

 * Thomas and Friends Season 1-4

HK

 * Thomas and Friends Volume 9
 * Thomas and Friends Volume 7

THA

 * Thomas and Friends - Volume 12

TWN
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 * Thomas and Friends Volume 1

Wie ein Fels Bulldog בולדוג ブルドッグ Buldog Бульдог