Home at Last

"Listen to me. There is nothing wrong with that tunnel. You stuck in it, because you tried to do rock and roll. Tunnels are not dance floors, and you are not a pop star! If it happens again, I shall find way of cutting you down to size. In other words, your career is, uh... *ahem* 'on the line'. Need I say more?"

- Sir Topham Hatt scolding Duncan

Home at Last is the ninth episode of the fourth season. It first aired on the Shining Time Station spin-off, Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales episode, Wish You Were Here  in 1996 in the US.

Plot
When Skarloey finally returns home, he is met by a new, little Diesel named Rusty. Rusty explains to Skarloey that he helps to mend the line and do odd jobs. Rusty then brings Skarloey back to the shed to meet a glum Peter Sam, who is sad about his accident with the slate trucks and his cracked funnel. Peter Sam tells Skarloey of a rough, rocking and rolling engine called Duncan who came in his absence, who, as discovered minutes later, has just gotten stuck in a tunnel. Skarloey goes to help and, after leaving some workmen behind to fix the tunnel, he helps Duncan home, where the Fat Controller reprimands Duncan, and threatens to 'cut him down to size' should he misbehave again. The Fat Controller is only joking but the threat is enough to make Duncan behave all night.

Characters

 * Skarloey
 * Peter Sam
 * Duncan
 * Rusty
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Thomas (cameo)
 * Duke (cameo)
 * Farmer Trotter (cameo)

Locations

 * Skarloey Railway Engine Sheds
 * Rheneas
 * Skarloey
 * Crovan's Gate
 * Rheneas Tunnel
 * Hawin Doorey
 * Skarloey Bridge

Trivia

 * This episode is based on the story of the same name from The Railway Series book, The Little Old Engine.
 * Pre-filmed footage from Rock 'n' Roll is used.
 * A reference to Trucks! is made.
 * On early UK releases of Rock 'n' Roll and other Stories, the exchanged lines between Skarloey and Peter Sam, "'Who is Duncan?' 'He came as a spare engine after my accident,' replied Peter Sam. 'Is he useful?'" are heard later.

Goofs

 * When Skarloey says "I understand", his face moves.
 * When Skarloey puffs out of Crovan's Gate, his wheels are moving faster than he is and he has Duncan's whistle sound.
 * When Skarloey starts away with the works train, he is missing his eyebrows.
 * When Skarloey pushes behind Duncan's train, he has Duke's whistle sound.
 * As Skarloey comes up behind Duncan's train, there is a spot of light above the carriage in the tunnel.

UK

 * Rock 'n' Roll and other Stories
 * Thomas' Train and 17 other stories
 * The Complete Fourth Series
 * Classic Collection

WAL

 * Thomas the Tank Engine: Bumper Special 2

US

 * Thomas and the Special

DVD Packs

 * James Goes Buzz Buzz and Other Thomas Stories/Thomas and the Special Letter and Other Stories

AUS

 * Rock 'n' Roll and other Stories
 * Rescues on the Railways
 * The Complete Fourth Series

DVD Boxsets

 * Complete Series 1-10

JPN

 * New Thomas the Tank Engine Vol.5
 * The Complete Works of Thomas the Tank Engine 2 Vol.2
 * A Lot of Engines!

GR

 * A Day at the Station

DVD Boxsets

 * 3 DVD Boxset 2

PHL

 * Four Little Engines (Philippine DVD)

DK

 * Four Little Locomotives and Other Stories

UKR

 * A Train Thomas and Friends

NOR

 * Favourites From Thomas and Friends (Norwegian VHS/DVD)
 * On New Adventures

ITA

 * The Sleeping Beauty

DK

 * Four Little Locomotives and Other Stories