Bertie's Chase

"Oh dear, what can the matter be? Johnny's so long at..." "Never you mind about Johnny!"

- Edward's fireman and driver

Bertie's Chase is the third episode of the second season. It first aired on Shining Time Station in the episode Washout in 1991.

Plot
One morning, Edward is waiting at Wellsworth to pick up passengers from Thomas’ train, and is growing impatient. His fireman gets up on the cab roof, but says he can only see Bertie. They decide to leave, not knowing that Bertie has Thomas’ passengers onboard. He tries to stop them as they leave the station, but it is too late. Bertie's driver tells him that they must keep their promise to Thomas and they start to chase Edward.

Bertie trys to catch up with Edward, but to no avail. At last he reaches the top of a hill and sees Edward at Suddery. Bertie tears down the hill at top speed, but it is too late. The crossing gates open and Edward puffs away, just as Bertie comes into the yard.

Bertie is now very upset and very tired. He apologises to the passengers, who tell him not to worry. They encourage him to start after Edward again. Bertie isn’t so sure, but his driver says that there is a good chance of catching Edward, as Bertie can climb hills better than him. After checking with the stationmaster, Bertie sets off again.

As they carry on, Edward comes to a hill. The coaches start grumbling, but soon they reach the top. Still having no idea about Bertie, they run smoothly into the next station. The guard blows his whistle, but as the driver looks back, he can’t see a red flag. Suddenly, Bertie comes into the station yard. The stationmaster tells the driver and guard what had happened. Edward apologises to Bertie, who claims everything was his fault. Edward says goodbye, and continues with his journey. Bertie goes to find Thomas. Thomas is at Tidmouth when Bertie comes in. Thomas thanks him for being such a good friend.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Edward
 * Bertie
 * Jem Cole (cameo)
 * Jeremiah Jobling (cameo)
 * Mrs. Kyndley (cameo)

Locations

 * Wellsworth
 * Hackenbeck
 * Lower Suddery
 * Tidmouth
 * Hackenbeck Tunnel

Trivia

 * This episode is based on the story of the same name from The Railway Series book, Edward the Blue Engine.
 * Stock footage from Thomas and Bertie is used.
 * In the original Shining Time Station airing of this episode, the episode opened with Bertie at the crossing.
 * In Norway this episode was named "A Friend in Need". In Germany, it is called "Bertie's Hunting". In the Netherlands its title is "Bertie's Pursuit". The Italian title is "The Mad Rush". In Japan, this episode is called "Bertie's Chasing".

Goofs

 * In the book, Edward had stopped at a signal, but in the episode, he stopped at a crossing when he should have the right of way.
 * Whilst the fireman is climbing out of the window, a gap can be seen where the cab roof has come loose.
 * When the fireman is on Edward's roof, paint chips on the cab are visible.
 * When the episode is watched in widescreen, as Edward crosses the bridge, the train stops just when Bertie comes. But in the restored version, the brake coach passes the camera completely after Edward crosses the bridge while Bertie comes, but the train does noticeably slow down.
 * Blu-tak can be seen under one of the passengers when Bertie's driver speaks to the stationmaster.
 * In the close-up of Edward after Bertie brings him the passengers, a speck of dirt is on his face.
 * The last station we see Edward stopping at is Hackenbeck. However, this station is on Thomas' branch line, not Edward's.
 * Why would Thomas provide a connecting service at Wellsworth? The only mainline connections on his line are at Knapford Junction and Elsbridge. Therefore, a suburban train should be providing the service.
 * When Edward reaches Hackenbeck, his whistle is tilted.