Thomas in Trouble

"Where's your cowcatcher?"But I don't catch cows, sir."

- The policeman and Thomas

Thomas in Trouble, retitled Thomas Breaks the Rules in American releases, is the twenty-second episode of the first season. In the US, this episode aired on the Shining Time Station episodes Ring in The Old and How the Station Got Its Name.

Plot
Thomas is leaving the quarry at the end of his branch line. Thomas is always careful at this point in his run and sees a new policeman on his bike. Having been friends with the previous policeman who had just retired, Thomas whistles good morning to him. Unfortunately, this policeman is not in the mood to be friendly.

The policeman first complains about Thomas' whistling and then tells Thomas he is breaking the law by not wearing cowcatchers and sideplates on the road. Thomas' driver argues that they have never had an accident before, but this just makes things worse and the policeman brands Thomas a "regular law breaker". Thomas continues sadly to the station.

In his dining room, the Fat Controller is having breakfast when he is phoned about Thomas' incident with the police. Rushing to the station, the Fat Controller is told what happened and starts arguing with the policeman. The policeman won't back down however and the Fat Controller concedes that Thomas will need to be fitted with cowcatchers and sideplates.

Thomas is distraught by this, saying that he will be teased for looking like a tram. The comment causes the Fat Controller to be reminded of Toby. Knowing that Toby is losing a lot of his work, the Fat Controller writes a letter to Toby's controller asking if he can be sent to Sodor.

A few days later, Toby arrives and is greeted by the Fat Controller, who notices that Toby has brought Henrietta with him. But he is more than happy to allow her to stay as well.

Toby soon proves to have a talent for handling the trucks. Although Thomas is jealous at first, he quickly becomes good friends with Toby, especially when Toby uses his bell to frighten the policeman.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Toby
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * The Policeman
 * Henrietta (does not speak)
 * Lady Hatt (not named; does not speak)
 * James (cameo)
 * Annie and Clarabel (cameo)

Locations

 * Elsbridge
 * Lower Tidmouth
 * Topham Hall
 * The Quarry Tramroad
 * Tidmouth Sheds (deleted scene)

Trivia

 * This episode is based on the story of the same name from The Railway Series book, Toby the Tram Engine.
 * In the George Carlin narration, the policeman's line "Oi you!" is changed to "Hey you!"
 * In the US narration, the constable and Toby's controller are called an officer and a superintendent, respectively.
 * The conversation on the telephone is the scene with Thomas, his driver, the Fat Controller, and the policeman sped up.
 * In Germany, this episode is called "Thomas in Distress".

Goofs

 * When Thomas' driver says "Rubbish, we've been along here hundreds of times" the brim of his cap is falling off.
 * The words "Regular lawbreaker" were already written before the narrator said the policeman writes it.
 * When the Fat Controller talks to the policeman, the brim of his top hat has paint chips in it.
 * Before Toby comes onscreen after frightening the policeman, the track he is on wobbles.
 * In a rare picture of Thomas at Elsbridge, his right eye is wonky.
 * Toby has his 7 before becoming part of Sir Topham Hatt's railway.