Sodor Surprise Day

"A little engine's 'toot toot' isn't going to bother a big engine like me."

- Gordon after Thomas tries to surprise him.

Sodor Surprise Day is the thirteenth episode of the sixteenth series.

Plot
It is Sodor Surprise Day, which involves everyone trying to surprise each other. At Tidmouth Sheds, Thomas and Charlie are surprising each other. Gordon thinks they are being very silly indeed. Then, the Fat Controller arrives to inform the engines of a party at Callan Castle. Thomas is given the job of collecting bunting from Maithwaite and Gordon is told to collect fireworks from the docks.

On the way to Maithwaite, Thomas decides that he must surprise Gordon and make him laugh so that he does not think Sodor Surprise Day is silly. Thomas does not go to Maithwaite, he puffs off to find Gordon. At the coal hopper, Thomas meets Rosie. It is not long before Gordon thunders down the line and as he approaches, Thomas blasts his whistle. Rosie charges forwards, surprised and bashes her coal trucks. Coal dust flies everywhere, covering Thomas and Rosie in soot. Rosie laughs, but Gordon does not; he still thinks Sodor Surprise Day is silly. Thomas thinks of another way to make Gordon laugh to show him that Sodor Surprise Day is fun.

Thomas puffs up to a siding. Whiff is there shunting rubbish trucks and Thomas hides behind them. He waits until Gordon approaches and emerges from behind them, blowing his whistle. Gordon does not laugh, but Whiff is surprised and bashes his trucks so hard that he sends rubbish flying everywhere. Whiff laughs, as rubbish rains down on him and Thomas. Gordon leaves in a huff. Thomas still wants to make him laugh and sets off.

At the docks, Thomas hides behind some troublesome trucks. Presently, Gordon steams into the docks just as Harold arrives. Cranky lifts Gordon's crate of fireworks, just as Thomas comes out of hiding, blowing his whistle loudly. Cranky is startled and drops the fireworks, which ignite. Harold, Gordon and Thomas are left dodging the exploding fireworks. Thomas is shocked, as he never meant for that to happen. Gordon is very cross with Thomas for spoiling his special. Gordon tells Thomas that he always thought Sodor Surprise Day was silly, but now he does not like it one bit. To make matters worse for Thomas, the Fat Controller arrives. He is very cross at Thomas for not doing his job and having destroyed all the fireworks and that without decorations and entertainment, the party will have to be cancelled. Thomas feels terrible. He looks at the broken fireworks crate and then at Harold and gets an idea. Thomas asks the Fat Controller not to cancel the party. The Fat Controller agrees and tells Thomas to go to the wash-down to be cleaned while Gordon picks up Thomas' bunting.

At the wash-down, Rosie and Whiff are being cleaned too. Rosie and Whiff wonder if Thomas will play another trick, but Thomas is serious; he has a party to save. After being washed, Thomas puffs quickly to Harold to put his plan into action.

Later, at Callan Castle, the Fat Controller is anxiously waiting for Thomas so he can start the party. Just in time, Thomas clatters in. The Fat Controller inquires about the fireworks, but Thomas tells him he has something better. He blows his whistle and a brightly-lit Harold flies overhead, covered in colourful lights. Gordon thinks Harold looks splendid and laughs loudly. Thomas asks if Gordon was surprised by Harold. Gordon has to admit that he was. Thomas is delighted when Gordon admits that Sodor Surprise Day is not so silly after all.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Gordon
 * Rosie
 * Whiff
 * Charlie
 * Cranky
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Troublesome Trucks
 * Harold
 * Edward
 * Henry
 * James
 * Percy
 * Spencer
 * Hiro
 * Mavis
 * Salty
 * Sir Topham Hatt's Assistants
 * The Teacher
 * The Bird Watcher
 * One of Dowager Hatt's Friends
 * The Lady with the Big Hat
 * The Blond-haired Boy
 * Big Mickey
 * Lord Callan

Locations

 * Island of Sodor
 * Brendam Docks
 * Sodor Shipping Company
 * Callan Castle
 * Tidmouth Sheds
 * Wellsworth
 * Wellsworth Bridge
 * The Coal Hopper
 * Crosby Washdown
 * Knapford
 * Maithwaite
 * Whiff's Waste Dump
 * The Mainland

UK

 * Ben Small as Thomas
 * Keith Wickham as Gordon, Whiff and The Fat Controller
 * Teresa Gallagher as Rosie
 * Matt Wilkinson as Charlie and Cranky

US

 * Martin Sherman as Thomas
 * Kerry Shale as Gordon and Sir Topham Hatt
 * Jules de Jongh as Rosie
 * William Hope as Whiff
 * Ben Small as Charlie
 * Glenn Wrage as Cranky

Trivia

 * This is the only episode with two things:
 * The only episode written by Jessica Kedward and Kirsty Peart.
 * The only episode of the sixteenth season not to be released on DVD in the US.
 * This episode marks the last few things for Rosie:
 * Her last speaking role and the last time she is referred to by name until the special, Journey Beyond Sodor.
 * Her last speaking role and the last time she is referred to by name in an episode until the twenty-first series episode, The Fastest Red Engine on Sodor.
 * The last time she is voiced by Teresa Gallagher in the UK dub and Jules de Jongh in the US dub. Nicola Stapleton takes over her role in both dubs starting from Journey Beyond Sodor onwards.
 * The plot is similar to Hide and Peep.
 * This marks the last of a few things:
 * Hiro's last appearance in the Nitrogen-era.
 * Gordon, Charlie, Cranky and Rosie's last speaking roles in the Nitrogen-era.

Goofs

 * When Thomas puffs in and out of the siding by Whiff, the points are set against him.
 * It is said that "Cranky dropped the crates of fireworks," but there is only one crate.
 * Just before Harold dodges from the fireworks, the left side of his face is missing.

Merchandise

 * Books - The Big Surprise
 * Magazine Stories - Sodor Surprise Day (magazine story)

Home Media Releases
{{Scroll box|

UK

 * Big Bang Surprise
 * The Complete Series 16

US

 * Season 16

JPN

 * Thomas the Tank Engine Series 16 Vol.1

GER

 * Bust My Buffers!

CHN

 * Kevin the Steamie

THA

 * Muddy Matters

MYS
}}
 * Sodor Surprise Day

El Día Sorpresa de Sodor יום ההפתעות של סודור Dzień Pełen Niespodzianek День сюрпризов