Salty's Surprise

"That's a good story." "ARGH! That's right. Ha! I likes a good story, me! Ha, ha, ha, ha, har!"

- Edward and Salty

Salty's Surprise is the twelfth episode of the sixteenth series.

Plot
It is Christmas time on the Island of Sodor, and Edward and Thomas are at Brendam Docks, where Thomas is shunting trucks of presents. Both engines agree that Christmas is their favourite time of the year. Salty trundles over and admires the presents train before Thomas takes it to Knapford. Edward asks Salty if he likes presents and parties, but Salty explains that he does not have time for them. He goes on to remark that all he needs is a story and he rolls away. Edward is sure that a story cannot be all that Salty needs and decides to find him a Christmas present. Edward is sure that Victor will have something that Salty will like and heads off.

At the Steamworks, Edward tells Victor about his plan to give Salty a present. Victor is happy to let Edward puff around the Steamworks to find something. Inside, Edward pulls up to Rosie, who is very happily being painted. Edward decides to take Salty a pot of paint as a present. Back at the docks, Edward presents Salty with a pot of bright green paint. This reminds Salty of a story about green paint. He tells Edward the story of how he was once painted green and no one could find him as he blended into the surroundings. Salty thanks Edward for his kindness, but turns down the pot of paint.

Edward returns to the Steamworks where he explains that Salty did not want to be painted green. Kevin suggests that Edward take Salty a fancy funnel. Edward is puzzled as Salty is a Diesel engine, but Kevin thinks that Salty will appreciate a fancy funnel anyway. Edward agrees and heads back to the Docks with it. Once there, Edward shows the fancy funnel to Salty. The funnel reminds Salty of a story where he was once given a similar funnel. Cranky had placed the funnel onto Salty, but it fell off and rolled into the sea. Salty again thanks Edward, but declines the fancy funnel. Edward thinks it is a good story, but still wants to give Salty a Christmas present.

Edward returns the fancy funnel to Kevin at the Steamworks and then sets off to find another present for Salty. As he steams along, Edward spots some Christmas trees close to the track. Edward is sure Salty would like a tree and takes one back to Salty. The tree reminds Salty of yet another story. He recalls the time he was given a Christmas tree, but the sea air destroyed it. Salty thanks Edward, but cannot possibly take the tree. Edward is upset as he has not found a good present, but Salty assures Edward that he has given him a very good present; a story to tell.

Thomas, Percy, Gordon and Emily arrive in time to hear Salty's new story about a very kind engine named Edward who wanted to give an old Diesel a Christmas present. All the engines enjoy the story. Then the Fat Controller arrives dressed as Father Christmas. He wishes all of the engines at the docks a Merry Christmas. The engines all toot their whistles and Edward blows his loudest of all.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Edward
 * Salty
 * Victor
 * Kevin
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Rosie
 * Cranky
 * Gordon
 * Percy
 * Emily
 * Charlie Sand
 * Sidney Hever
 * Sir Topham Hatt's Assistants
 * A Tree Specialist
 * Big Mickey
 * Henry
 * James
 * Toby
 * Annie and Clarabel
 * Rocky
 * Stanley
 * Father Christmas

Locations

 * Brendam Docks
 * Sodor Shipping Company
 * Brendam Warehouse
 * Sodor Steamworks
 * Victor's Shed
 * The Watermill
 * McColl Farm
 * Three-Track Level Crossing
 * Knapford

UK

 * Ben Small as Thomas
 * Keith Wickham as Edward, Salty and The Fat Controller
 * Matt Wilkinson as Victor and Kevin

US

 * Martin Sherman as Thomas
 * William Hope as Edward
 * Keith Wickham as Salty
 * David Bedella as Victor
 * Kerry Shale as Kevin and Sir Topham Hatt

Trivia

 * Stock footage from Merry Winter Wish, Let it Snow and Henry's Magic Box is used.
 * The "fancy funnel" is the one that Thomas wore in the thirteenth series episode, Slippy Sodor.
 * The UK dub uses the term "Christmas Holidays" while the US dub uses "Winter Holidays." However a "Winter Holidays" UK dub was uploaded on the Thomas & Friends YouTube Channel.
 * This marks the last of two things:
 * Edward's last leading role until the eighteenth series episode, Old Reliable Edward.
 * The last appearance of the Watermill until The Adventure Begins.

Goofs

 * When the tree is in Edward's cab, his crew is missing.
 * In his first story, Salty says that there was no red paint, however Thomas and Stanley's red lining are intact, although it is possible that they had not been repainted since before the shortage.

Merchandise

 * Wooden Railway - Green Salty
 * TrackMaster - Green Salty
 * Take-n-Play - Salty's Surprise at Brendam Docks
 * Books - Christmas Surprise for Salty

Home Media Releases
{{Scroll box|

UK

 * Merry Christmas, Thomas!
 * The Complete Series 16

DVD Boxsets

 * Festive Favourites

US

 * A Very Thomas Christmas
 * Season 16

GER

 * The Christmas Tree Search

CHN

 * Merry Christmas, Thomas!

THA

 * Salty's Surprise

MYS

 * Ho Ho Snowman!

JPN
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 * Thomas the Tank Engine Series 16 Vol.1

La Sorpresa de Salty ההפתעה של סולטי Niespodzianki dla Sylwka Подарок для Солти