Emily and the Special Coaches

"Gordon's not the only one who's set a new record, I've set one too."

- Diesel

Emily and the Special Coaches, retitled Emily and the Special Cars in American releases, is the twenty-first episode of the tenth season.

Plot
All the engines are excited because Gordon has broken a speed record for pulling the Express. The Fat Controller has told Emily to collect some special coaches to present to Gordon in honour of his achievement.

On her way to collect the coaches, Emily is approached by Diesel at a water tower. Taking notice of Emily's excitement, she explains to him about the record and the coaches. When Diesel insists that Gordon is not the only one who is special, Emily insults him and steams off. Diesel angrily rattles away.

Later, Emily arrives at the Shunting Yards to find that the coaches are already gone. Thomas explains that Diesel tricked him into thinking it was Diesel's job to take the coaches, and not Emily's. She goes in search of Diesel and the coaches all across the island. She finds Diesel at Kirk Ronan Junction, but does not want to hear Diesel's explanation for stealing the coaches. Because of this, Diesel refuses to return them. Emily tries to chase him down and retake the coaches but to no avail. At Maithwaite, Emily tells the Fat Controller about what has happened.

Meanwhile, Diesel has hidden the coaches in a siding and is feeling sick and sluggish. Emily and the Fat Controller find Diesel and demand that Diesel show them where the coaches are. At the siding, Emily is reunited with the coaches but notices that Diesel is billowing black smoke. After explaining that his engine has worn out, Emily blames him for running around with the coaches. Diesel also explains that he did this because she would not listen to him. He tells Emily that he has broken the record shunting the most trucks in a day and this time, Emily listens. He then splutters away, leaving Emily feeling guilty.

After delivering the coaches to Knapford, Emily tells the Fat Controller about her plan to reward Diesel for his record. After he agrees with the plan, Emily goes off to find Diesel and tells him to go to Knapford. Later during Gordon's ceremony, the Fat Controller presents him with the coaches but Emily also presents Diesel with a new motor. Emily learns that both diesel and steam engines are special.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Gordon
 * Emily
 * Diesel
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Henry (cameo)
 * Percy (cameo)
 * Molly (cameo)
 * Refreshment Lady (cameo)

Locations

 * Knapford
 * Kirk Ronan Junction
 * Maithwaite
 * The Windmill
 * The Shunting Yards

Trivia

 * Stock footage from Squeak, Rattle and Roll is used.
 * A reference to The World's Strongest Engine is made.

Goofs

 * The narrator in the UK version said Diesel showed Emily the trucks in the siding, but they are coaches.
 * The US title is misleading since the episode was not centred around freight cars or trucks.
 * Diesel's face mask is crooked when the narrator says "But he wasn't feeling well, he started to slow down," and when Diesel talks to the Fat Controller.
 * When Emily arrives at Knapford, her steam platform is visible.
 * In one close up of Emily at Knapford Station, her front buffers aren't hooked up to Diesel's engine load, but later is.
 * When Gordon is at Knapford with his special coaches, the tracks behind him dead ends at the bushes.
 * Diesel's new engine seems to be bigger than himself.

Merchandise

 * Books - Thomas, Emily and the Special Coaches, Thomas, Emily and the Special Coaches, Emily's Special Surprise and Bad! The Special Compartment is Gone
 * Magazine Stories - Emily's Present

Home Media Releases
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UK

 * Carnival Capers
 * The Complete Series 10

DVD Packs

 * Classic Collection

AUS

 * Carnival Capers
 * The Complete Series 10
 * My First Thomas with Diesel

DVD Boxsets

 * Complete Series 1-10 (Boxset)
 * My First Thomas
 * The Essential Collection (5 DVD Boxset)
 * The Great Adventures of Thomas and Friends
 * Series Nine and Series Ten Double Pack
 * Carnival Capers and Bashing Crashing Benny Double Pack

POL

 * Club Colors

HUN

 * Thomas the Tank Engine 12 - The Most Important Task

NOR/FIN/SE/DK

 * Percy and the Funfair

DVD Boxsets

 * Danish DVD Boxset (2013)

NL

 * The Great Race on Sodor

SAU

 * Hero of the Rails

SPN

 * Thomas and Friends - Volume 10 (Spanish DVD)

DVD Boxsets

 * Second Season (Spanish DVD)

THA

 * Thomas and Friends - Volume 42 (Thai DVD)

MYS

 * Emily and the Special Coaches and Other Adventures
 * Railway Adventures (DVD)
 * Toby's Afternoon Off and Other Adventures

JPN
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 * Thomas the Tank Engine Series 10 Vol.3