Coal

"I suffer dreadfully and no one cares!"

- Henry complaining very sadly

Coal, retitled Henry's Special Coal for American releases, is the eighteenth episode of the first season. In the US, this episode aired on Shining Time Station episodes Happy Accidents in 1989 and Dan's Big Race in 1993.

Plot
One morning, Henry wakes up feeling very ill. He complains about it to James, who simply shrugs it off as Henry being lazy. The Fat Controller is also unhappy about this, given this is the latest in a long line of problems with Henry and not even new parts or paint seem to help. He warns the green engine that if he doesn't get better soon he will have to be replaced.

Later, as Henry prepares to take his first train, the Fat Controller, determined to get to the bottom of Henry's problems, decides to ride along in the cab. Henry manages to start, but the fireman is not pleased and notes that Henry's fire does not give enough heat. As a result, Henry quickly loses steam, and has to rest when he reaches Edward's station. Henry's crew and the Fat Controller continue to discuss what the problem is. They then discover the root of the problem; the coal provided is unsuitable for him. While the other engines have nice big fireboxes, Henry's is too small. But if Henry had Welsh coal, he would easily improve. So although it will be expensive, the Fat Controller decides to send for some Welsh coal.

When the coal arrives, the fireman carefully stokes up Henry's fire to give the best possible results. Henry has his doubts, but his mood changes as he comes into the platform with more than enough steam. Sir Topham Hatt is happy to see that Henry is feeling well, and warns the driver not to push him. The driver assures him not to worry: in fact, he will have to hold him back.

For the first time, Henry makes it to the junction before Thomas. When Thomas arrives, Henry calls him "lazybones" before quickly running off, paying Thomas back for insulting him before. Thomas, too surprised to be cross, reacts with disbelief and Annie and Clarabel concur to him.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Henry
 * James
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Edward (does not speak)
 * Annie and Clarabel (do not speak)

Locations

 * Tidmouth Sheds
 * Wellsworth
 * Knapford
 * The Bus Yard
 * Elsbridge
 * The Main Line

Trivia

 * This episode is based on the story of the same name from The Railway Series book Henry the Green Engine.
 * Stock footage from Edward, Gordon and Henry and Troublesome Trucks is used.
 * A reference to Thomas and the Guard is made.
 * A rare picture implies that James may have been intended to play a larger role in this episode.
 * Out of an editing mistake, this episode features pre-filmed footage from The Flying Kipper.

Goofs

 * At the beginning of the episode, the source of James' smoke is visible.
 * Because stock footage is used, the Fat Controller is smiling when he tells Henry that he might have to be replaced.
 * As Edward backs onto the train, his eyes repeatedly bounce up and down.
 * In the close-up of Henry's driver holding a piece of coal, a big piece of blu-tak is visible sticking the coal and his hand together.
 * When Henry's fireman says "We'll have a roaring fire.", blu-tack is visible below his left arm. In that same scene, a part of Henry's paintwork is blue (this is because the large scale tender is really Gordon's modified, viewers can tell from the shape of the tender).
 * In the last close-up scene of Henry, he is in his new shape.
 * As Henry leaves Knapford, the truck at the top of the platform changes into a van. To add to that, his brake coach is at the front of his train until he passes the goods train. Also, when Henry leaves the station, steam rises in between his coaches.
 * When the narrator says "he wanted to go fast", the bush beside the track shakes. In the same scene, the teak livery on one of Henry's coaches is visible. This is because the coaches are double coated due to budget limitations.
 * Throughout the episode, Henry's coaches keep changing their places and positions.
 * When Henry collects his coaches from Knapford and approaches Edward's station, the first class composite coach is in the middle of the train. However, when Henry stops next to the platform, the first class coach is suddenly at the front.
 * When Henry makes his first journey with the Welsh coal, he starts out of the station with the brake coach at the front of the train. However, when Henry is out on the open line, the brake coach is suddenly the rear one. Then, when Henry approaches the bridge, the brake coach is suddenly facing the other way round for the rest of the episode.
 * When Henry starts out of Knapford with his Welsh coal, the first class composite coach is at the rear of the train. However, as Henry passes the Bus Yard and approaches the bridge, the first class coach is the middle coach. Then, when Henry passes under the bridge, the first class coach is at the front of the train for the remainder of the episode.
 * In the restored version, when Henry backs into the siding, his tender hits the station building, a few chuffs are heard even after he stopped, and Henry backs into the siding, only to leave it again. Additionally, Edward does not start moving despite his whistle and puffing sound being heard.
 * The narrator says that Henry stopped outside Edward's Station, however his train has stopped at the platform.
 * When Henry passes the goods yard, blu-tak can be seen under a workman's shoes.
 * In the final scene, during the close up of Thomas' face, it is clear that it hadn't been fixed properly, as viewers can see behind his eye.

Merchandise

 * My Thomas Story Library - Henry (discontinued)
 * Engine Adventures - Henry

Home Media Releases
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UK

 * Further Adventures of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends
 * Coal and other stories
 * Troublesome Trucks, Coal and other stories
 * Bumper Special
 * Thomas and Bertie
 * Biggest Party Video Ever!
 * The Complete First Series
 * Classic Collection

US

 * Tenders and Turntables and Other Stories
 * A Big Day for Thomas
 * The Early Years
 * Season 1 (Digital Download)

DVD Packs

 * Trust Thomas and Other Stories/A Big Day for Thomas Double Feature
 * Totally Thomas Volume 4

JPN

 * Thomas the Tank Engine Vol.5
 * The Complete Works of Thomas the Tank Engine 1 Vol.7
 * Tell Me Stories, Thomas
 * The Complete DVD Box 1

PHL

 * Thomas, Terence and the Snow (DVD)
 * Thomas and Friends Collection

IND

 * Thomas and Bertie Adventures

SE

 * Thomas in Trouble (Swedish VHS/DVD)

FRA

 * The Magic of Sodor

NL

 * The Great Race! (Dutch DVD)
 * The Greatest Stories: The Adventures of Thomas, James and Henry

NOR/FIN/ISL

 * Thomas the Tank Engine 2 (Scandinavian VHS/DVD)

DNK

 * Thomas in Trouble and Other Stories (Danish DVD)

GER

 * On the Buses and 4 Other Adventures
 * Thomas and His Friends Vol. 2
 * In The Mine

AUS

 * Coal and other stories
 * The Complete First Series

DVD Boxsets

 * Complete Series 1-10
 * Classic Collection
 * Series One and Series Two Double Pack

HRV

 * Thomas and Brakesman

NZ

 * Bumper Video Collection Volume 2
 * Percy Runs Away and Other Stories
 * Thomas Train Set Compilation Video Volume 6

ITA

 * Trouble in Store

ROM

 * Thomas and Percy (Romanian DVD)

DVD Packs

 * Triple Pack 1

SER

 * Thomas the Tank Engine 2 (Serbian DVD)

MYS

 * Thomas, Terence and the Snow and Other Adventures

WAL

 * Letting Off Steam and 8 Other Stories

CHN

 * Thomas and Friends Season 1-4 (DVD)

TWN

 * Thomas and Friends Volume 2 (Taiwanese DVD)

THA

 * Thomas and Friends - Volume 3 (Thai DVD)
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