Signals Crossed

"Look out, you silly little tram! And learn your signals!"

- Gordon

Signals Crossed is the fifth episode of the eighteenth season.

Plot
One morning, Toby is rolling very slowly along the line towards Knapford with Henrietta. Toby is going so slow that Henrietta is concerned that they won't be on time to pick up the workmen at Knapford for the quarry. Toby says he is going slow to admire the view, but Henrietta knows the real reason; Toby is worried about the complexity of Knapford Junction. Toby admits that she is right, but Henrietta assures him that everything will be fine.

When they arrive at Knapford Junction, Toby is confused. He does not know which signal on the gantry is his. Henrietta reminds Toby that red means stop and green means go. When a signal turns green, Toby rolls forward and almost collides with Gordon. Toby reverses for another go and when two signals turn green, he rushes forwards. This time, he narrowly avoids hitting Henry. Toby tries again and almost hits Hiro this time. All morning, Toby tries to get to the station, but keeps getting cut off by other engines. Toby finds himself getting more and more confused as the signals keep changing. Henrietta starts to get impatient so Toby shuts his eyes and charges towards the station. He keeps his eyes closed and speeds straight past the platform, abandoning the workmen and ignoring Thomas.

Toby ends up on a siding, behind a signalbox. Henrietta asks if they are hiding, but Toby insists he is just resting. Then, Thomas arrives and also asks if Toby is hiding. Toby pretends he is counting the bricks in the signalbox, but eventually admits that he is indeed hiding. Thomas knows that it is because of Knapford Junction. Toby explains that the place confuses him and is so busy. Thomas tells Toby that he only needs to look at the signal directly above his line. Toby still thinks getting to Knapford Station is too big of a challenge for such a small tram until Thomas reminds him that he is not just any tram; he is the number seven brown tram engine who can do anything.

Toby soon arrives at Knapford Station where the Fat Controller is waiting for him. The Fat Controller is concerned that the workmen will not get to the quarry on time, but Toby assures him that he will get them there. Toby pulls away and stops at the junction which is now busier than ever. Henrietta reminds him about Thomas' piece of advice and Toby checks the signal directly above his line and it is red. Toby waits, but the signal doesn't turn green. The workmen start to get annoyed, as does James who pulls up right behind Toby. James is sure the signal must be green by now and pushes Toby who slams on his brakes and refuses to move. Then, the Fat Controller arrives and speaks severely to Toby who still insists that his signal is red. As the Fat Controller is giving Toby a lecture about signals, one of the Fat Controller's assistants whispers in the controller's ear. The Fat Controller realises that Toby had been right all along; the signal is still red. The Fat Controller realises that the signal must be broken and praises Toby for not going through a red signal.

Soon, the Fat Controller arranges for the signal to be fixed while a signalman works the junctions using flags. Ever since that day, Toby has never been afraid of Knapford Junction again.

Characters
One of Sir Topham Hatt's assistants also speaks. He is voiced by Keith Wickham in the UK version.
 * Thomas
 * Henry
 * Gordon
 * James
 * Toby
 * Henrietta
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Some Workmen
 * Edward (cameo)
 * Percy (cameo)
 * Oliver (cameo)
 * Emily (cameo)
 * Spencer (cameo)
 * Rosie (cameo)
 * Stanley (cameo)
 * Hiro (cameo)
 * Scruff (cameo)
 * Mavis (cameo)
 * 'Arry and Bert (cameo)
 * Toad (cameo)
 * The Bird Watcher (cameo)
 * The Teacher (cameo)

Locations

 * Knapford
 * Ffarquhar Quarry

Trivia

 * This episode marks Henrietta's first appearance with a face in the television series as well as her first speaking role since the second season. It also marks the first appearance of Toad in full CGI.
 * Maggie Ollerenshaw joins the voice cast.
 * One of the Fat Controller's bodyguards speaks for the first time.

Goofs

 * Toby's crew should know the signals.
 * As Toby leaves Knapford Station to take the workmen to the quarry, Henry passes him through the junction. However in the next shot, Henry puffs back into the station. The same occurs with Edward and Hiro.
 * When Toby rushes through Knapford, Hiro has Connor's whistle sound.
 * When Gordon passes Toby the first time, he speeds out of a siding which is too small for him and his train's length to fit in.
 * When Emily departs from the station, a brake coach is at the front of the train, but in the next shot, it is at the back of the train.
 * James should have known better than to order Toby to go through a red signal and to push him forwards.
 * When Toby is about to go onto the junction, Henry whistles as if he is behind him, but he isn't until a few shots later.
 * Toby's crew should have known better than to cross the junction with so many engines passing by.
 * The points change too quickly at the junction.
 * Toby has been to Knapford before many times, why is he nervous of going there now?
 * Why did the signalman not tell the Fat Controller about the broken signals?