Thomas and the Birthday Picnic

"Enough, Thomas! Stop!"

- Sir Topham Hatt

Thomas and the Birthday Picnic is the eighth episode of the ninth season.

Plot
Thomas decides to take Dowager Hatt to Shen Valley for a birthday picnic, but the fields have been ploughed and so Thomas has to find another place. Thomas has no ideas and it looks set to be Dowager Hatt's worst birthday party ever, even more so when Thomas realises he didn't collect the cake. Luckily, Thomas has an idea and the engines give the Hatts a surprise party at Knapford.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Henry
 * Gordon
 * Percy
 * Emily
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Lady Hatt
 * Dowager Hatt
 * Annie and Clarabel (do not speak)
 * Edward (cameo)
 * James (cameo)
 * Toby (cameo)
 * Salty (cameo)
 * Cranky (cameo)
 * Stephen Hatt (cameo)

Trivia

 * Stock footage from Thomas to the Rescue is used.
 * Two real-life railway posters are visible at Knapford's office. One for the "Coronation Scot" and one for "Battle of Britain".
 * In Germany, this episode is called "The Fat Controller and the Birthday Picnic".

Goofs

 * When Percy says "Don't worry" he tilts to the right briefly.
 * When Thomas says "Whistles!" Edward and Henry don't appear to be surprised.