Time for Trouble

"Coo! The express is late and it's got two engines! I think James couldn't pull it on his own, so Toby had to help him!"

- A boy joking about James and Toby Time for Trouble, originally titled Double Header, is the third episode of the third series. It is based on the story Double Header from the Railway Series book The Eight Famous Engines.

Plot
It is a very busy time for the Fat Controller's engines, as the Island of Sodor has a lot of visitors. The Fat Controller schedules more trains to cope with the demand, with Gordon in particular having to make more journeys than usual. Gordon is eager to ensure all his trains are on time and works harder than ever to make sure this happens. Things are so hectic that at times Gordon has no sooner dropped off one load of passengers that he has to take another. Gordon does not mind this, however, and does his increased workload without fuss. Despite this, the Fat Controller soon decides that Gordon deserves a rest and James will take the express instead. James is delighted at the chance to show off and be as respected as Gordon.

One day in the yard, James boasts to Toby about how important he is and how he is never late. The Fat Controller arrives and tells Toby it is time for him to go to the Works to have his worn parts replaced. Toby is upset at having to go for repairs and asks if Henrietta can come with him, but the Fat Controller states that he needs all coaches to be available. Percy promises to look after Henrietta while Toby is gone.

Toby puffs away to the Works on the main line, but he starts to make some clanking sounds. Since he has a smaller water tank than most of the other engines, he soon feels thirsty. He is glad when he starts to approach Lower Tidmouth and stops to take on water, as he and his driver do not think it will be a problem. However, the signalman - who is new to the job - has never met Toby, and he orders him to continue on and clear the line for James and the express. Toby sadly leaves and struggles to Knapford to replenish, but runs out of steam and is left stranded on the main line.

Toby's fireman knows they have to warn James about the blockage on the line, and Percy comes by with Henrietta. Although she hates leaving Toby stranded, Percy cheers her up by saying she is helping Toby by carrying the fireman. The fireman reaches the station in time and tells James' crew what has happened. The signalman apologises for causing the trouble while James is angry, knowing this will make him late, and he fumes when his driver tells him he will need to push Toby as well as pull the express.

James finds Toby and gives him a bump before starting to push him along. James works harder than ever, having to push and pull his train at the same time, and by the time he reaches Knapford, he is exhausted. Some children on the platform see this and joke that as the express is late and James is tired, it must mean that he could not pull it alone and needed Toby's help. Toby assures James the children are only teasing, but James does not find it amusing at all, and sarcastically laughs, while Toby just smiles.

Characters

 * Gordon
 * James
 * Percy
 * Toby
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * The New Signalman
 * The Little Boys
 * Henrietta
 * Thomas
 * Edward
 * Annie and Clarabel
 * Stephen Hatt
 * Bridget Hatt
 * Mrs. Kyndley
 * One of the Stone-Dropping Boys
 * The Boy

Locations

 * Tidmouth Hault
 * Wellsworth
 * The Viaduct
 * Hawin Ab
 * Knapford
 * Knapford Yards
 * Tidmouth Sheds
 * The Windmill
 * Dryaw Canal Runby
 * The Country Line
 * Lower Tidmouth
 * The Valley Bridge
 * The Windmill
 * The Works

Trivia

 * This episode was originally planned to be a part of the second series, picking up following the events of Gordon Goes Foreign. The script for this early version of the episode would be leaked in 2022; in this version, the episode would have been titled Double Header.
 * In the opening, a brake van is behind Clarabel. This is possibly due to the fact that either the studio forgot to uncouple it or they didn't have time after Percy's Promise.
 * In a bunch of promotional photographs:
 * When Percy comes to Toby's rescue, he is on the line next to Toby and coming from the same direction rather than the opposite.
 * Toby is seen going under the bridge instead of over it.
 * Gordon is crossing the viaduct in the opposite direction.
 * The scenes of James boasting to Toby about pulling the express and the Fat Controller telling Toby to go to the works to have his worn parts mended were shown to originally take place at Tidmouth Sheds, as shown in three photos, two of which show Toby looking cross while in the sheds with James. At the same time, this also marks the first time Toby's new angry face is used, which would not appear on-screen until the fourth series episode, Granpuff.
 * In the restored version, the scene of Toby leaving the yard after Percy talks to him at the water tower is extended.
 * This episode was broadcast the day after Thomas and the Hurricane was published.
 * Pre-filmed deleted and extended scenes from Gordon and the Famous Visitor are used.
 * Gordon's line when he leaves the station is the same as Gordon Goes Foreign.
 * This is the only time a brake van is seen at the end of Thomas' passenger train until the twenty-fourth series special, A New Arrival.
 * This episode marks the only speaking role of the New Signalman and his last appearance.
 * Percy's whistle is at a slightly lower pitch in this episode. It would return to its normal pitch in Thomas, Percy and the Dragon, then resume the lower pitch in Toby's Tightrope and would stay that way for the rest of the season.
 * This episode aired two weeks after the previous episode due to Budget Day on 10th February 1992 in the UK.
 * The JEI TV version of the Korean dub added subtitles to inform viewers what water towers are.
 * In the scene of Gordon and James at Tidmouth Sheds, the former has his original first series annoyed face before it had the eyebrows modified to resemble a speechless face.

Goofs

 * In the opening shot:
 * Clarabel is facing the wrong way.
 * Edwards eyes were misaligned and do not move at the same time.
 * Thomas' brake van wobbles slightly.
 * When Gordon called out to the coaches in the beginning of the episode, his eyes were misaligned.
 * The Fat Controller and Toby's conversation is out of sync in the later UK dub.
 * When Toby came to a stop next to Percy at the water tower, his puffing sound effect was still playing.
 * Due to portions of script was taken word to word from the original book, when Toby was passing the Dryaw Canal Runby, the narrator states was he was out on the Main Line, despite the area is located on the Ffarquhar Branch Line near Dryaw.
 * In the close-up of Toby's water tank, the colour of his wood is brighter than it normally is.
 * Toby starts to move before James does, even though he has no steam. In addition, steam can be seen coming out of his funnel in the restored version.
 * When Toby's fireman says "Please, take me back to the station. It's an emergency," the faded marks of where a smile had been visible behind his frown.

Quotes

 * Narrator: The Island of Sodor had many visitors, and the Fat Controller/Sir Topham Hatt had scheduled more trains. Gordon the Big Engine had to work harder than ever before.
 * Gordon: [to his coaches] Come on! Come on, come on, come on! The passengers rely on me to be on time.
 * Narrator: Whenever Gordon finished one journey it was time for another to begin.
 * (The guard blows his whistle)
 * Gordon: Never mind. I like a long run to stretch my wheels.


 * James (Original UK dub): [while pulling alongside Toby] Look at me, I'm the smartest, most useful engine on the line!


 * James: You know, little Toby, I'm an important engine. Everyone knows it. I'm as regular as clockwork. Never late, always on time. That's me!
 * Toby: Says you!
 * [The Fat Controller shows up]
 * The Fat Controller: Your parts are worn Toby, so you must go to the works to be mended.
 * Toby: Can I take Henrietta, sir?
 * The Fat Controller: No. What would the passengers do without her?
 * Percy: Don't worry Toby. I'll take care of Henrietta until you get back.


 * [after James manages to make the last station and push Toby simultaneously on the same line]
 * One of the Children: Coo! The express is late, and it's got two engines! I think James couldn't pull it on his own, so Toby had to help him.
 * Toby: Never mind, James. They're only joking.
 * James: [crossly] UK: HA HA! US: Huh!
 * Narrator (Original UK dub/US}}: Toby just smiled.

Merchandise

 * Books - James and Toby
 * Buzz Books - Time for Trouble

Home Media Releases
{{Scroll box|

UK

 * Time for Trouble and other stories
 * Ghost Train and other stories/Time for Trouble and other stories
 * The Biggest Ever Christmas Collection
 * The Complete Series 3
 * The Best of James

DVD Packs

 * Classic Collection
 * The Best of Friends

US

 * Thomas, Percy and the Dragon and Other Stories
 * Best of James
 * Thomas' Fan Favorite Adventures
 * Thomas & Friends Classic Volume 3

CAN

 * Thomas, Percy and the Dragon and Other Stories
 * Best of James

DVD Boxsets

 * Best Tales on the Tracks
 * Thomas and the Treasure/Thomas, Percy and the Dragon and Other Stories Double Feature
 * Best of James/Best of Thomas Double Feature
 * On-the-Go Pack
 * Totally Thomas Volume 7
 * Best of Collection
 * Best of Thomas, Percy and James Platinum Edition

AUS

 * Time for Trouble and other stories
 * The Biggest Ever Christmas Collection
 * The Complete Series 3

DVD Boxsets

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

WAL

 * Thomas the Tank Engine: Bumper Special 1
 * Help and 15 other stories

NZ

 * Time for Trouble and other stories
 * The Biggest Ever Christmas Collection
 * Bumper Video Collection Volume 4

NL

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

KOR

 * Stories to Raise Cooperation

NOR

 * Anniversary
 * Ghost Train

SER

 * Thomas the Tank Engine 5

GRC

 * A Lively Companionship

IND

 * Ghost Train and Other Stories

UKR

 * A Train Thomas and Friends

GER

 * Full Steam Ahead!
 * Thomas and His Friends Vol. 6
 * The Woolly Bear and 4 Other Adventures

DVD Boxsets

 * Thomas and His Friends Box Set 2

DK

 * Now There Will Be Trouble and Other Stories

ITA

 * On Christmas Eve

JPN

 * Thomas the Tank Engine Vol.12
 * No, No Troubles!
 * The Complete Works of Thomas the Tank Engine 1 Vol.7
 * The Complete DVD Box 1

PHL

 * Time for Trouble

MYS

 * Diesel Does it Again and Other Thomas Adventures
 * The Deputation and Other Adventures

CHN

 * Thomas and Friends Season 1-4

HK

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

THA
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 * Thomas and Friends - Volume 8

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