Duncan and the Old Mine

"That looks like a good place for an adventure! I wonder what's down there."

- Duncan

Duncan and the Old Mine is the twentieth episode of the ninth series.

Plot
Duncan loves summertime and is looking forward to taking holidaymakers to see the Culdee Caves. But the job is given to Bertie instead. The Thin Controller wants him to deliver coal trucks to the transfer yards with Rusty as the machines at the coaling plant have broken down. This makes Duncan feel disappointed about the job change. However, while on his way to the coal mine, Duncan sees an old line leading towards some bushes. He goes through the barrier blocking the line, but Rusty comes down the hill with coal trucks and tells him they have work to do. Ignoring Rusty's reminder, Duncan goes down the old line which leads to an old mine entrance. Carelessly, Duncan hits a roof support, causing the entrance to collapse behind him.

As Duncan has not arrived yet, Rusty attempts to look for him. Meanwhile, Duncan sees a shaft of light above him, and whistles loudly, hoping that someone would hear. But there is no one around to hear him. So, Duncan carries on into the mine until he hits something. Duncan thinks he has reached a dead end, and believes he will be trapped forever.

Rusty arrives back at the broken barrier, thinking Duncan probably did go off on an adventure. Then he sees the collapsed entrance of the mine, and believes Duncan is inside. Duncan is puffing backwards and forwards nervously. He hits the dead end again. But then he hears a squeaking sound. He realises that it is the sound of wheels. He soon sees that there are coal trucks in front of him. Pushing the trucks, Duncan finds that the mine shaft was actually a mine tunnel when he arrives at a bordered-up exit. He then pushes the trucks out of the mine and is found by Rusty at the exit with the trucks. The two take them down to the transfer yards where Thomas and the Thin Controller are waiting. Duncan tells the Thin Controller about his adventure and the Thin Controller tells Duncan that he was very lucky and that he must think clearly when he wants to have another adventure.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Rusty
 * Duncan
 * Mr. Percival
 * Mighty Mac
 * Bertie
 * Sir Topham Hatt

Locations

 * The Transfer Yards
 * Skarloey River Bridge
 * Rheneas Viaduct
 * Middle Station
 * Culdee Caves
 * The Mountain Line
 * The Coaling Plant
 * Skarloey Coal Yard

Trivia

 * Going by production order, this is the twenty-first episode of the ninth series.
 * The old coach from the seventh series episode The Refreshment Lady's Tea Shop can be seen at the Transfer Yards.
 * One of the rusty coal trucks from this episode is on display at the Hara Model Railway Museum.
 * Similarly to Tuneful Toots, Rusty was referred to as female in the first TV version of the US dub. However, in the US DVD release, Rusty was correctly referred to as male.
 * This is the first time that an engine gets trapped inside a mine.

Goofs

 * Both Duncan and Rusty do not have crews inside their cabs.
 * In the scene of the trucks approaching the boarded-up exit, after they stop a shadow moves across one side of the door.
 * When Rusty and Duncan arrive at the Transfer Yards, the truck behind Rusty is derailed.
 * Some wires can be seen on Duncan's cab when he pushes the trucks.
 * When Duncan passes by the Middle Station by the beginning, a steam platform is visible beside the station.
 * In the UK dub of this episode, after Duncan says, "So next time I have an adventure," but before he says, "I will remember to think clearly all the time," Michael Angelis pronounces Duncan's name as "Dunklan."

Merchandise

 * Books - Duncan's Adventure

Home Media Releases
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UK

 * On Track for Adventure
 * The Complete Series 9

DVD Boxsets

 * Classic Collection
 * The Ultimate Collection
 * Action Pack

AUS

 * The Complete Series 9

DVD Boxsets

 * Complete Series 1-10
 * The Essential Collection
 * Series Nine and Series Ten Double Pack
 * Series Nine and The Great Discovery Double Pack

US/CAN

 * Milkshake Muddle

DVD Boxsets

 * 4-Disc DVD Box Set

HUN

 * The Magic Lamp

JPN

 * Full of Courage, Go!Go!Go!
 * Thomas the Tank Engine Series 9 Vol.5
 * Thomas' Surprise!

NOR/SWE/DK/FIN

 * Proud and Brave

CZ

 * Thomas and the New Contraption

MYS

 * The Magic Lamp and Other Adventures
 * Thomas and the Toy Shop and Other Adventures

GER

 * The Ghost Locomotive

THA

 * Thomas & Friends - Volume 32

HK

 * Thomas & Friends Volume 28

IDN

 * Thomas and the Toy Shop and other stories

SPN

 * Thomas & Friends - Volume 6

DVD Boxsets

 * First Season

NL

 * Thomas and Duncan

ZA

 * Thomas and the Toy Shop

KOR

 * Thomas the Little Engine and Friends Season 4 Vol. 3

TWN
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 * Thomas and Friends Volume 16

Duncan y la Vieja Mina דאנקן והמכרה הישן Damian i Stara Kopalnia Дункан и старая шахта