The Spotless Record

The Spotless Record is a seventh season episode.

Plot
A new tank engine with a "spotless record", Arthur, arrives. Arthur's first job is to take a train of fruit to market, but the trucks tease Arthur. Thomas, sensing a chance for mischief, advises Arthur to tell the trucks to stop singing. Arthur does, and the furious trucks decide to pay him out. On Gordon's Hill, they bump forward and crash into Duck's train, spraying fruit everywhere. When Thomas arrives to help, he confesses the incident was his fault, and dutily gets to work. Arthur is later having a washdown when Thomas apologizes, and the two become friends.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Percy
 * Arthur
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Duck (does not speak)
 * Harvey (does not speak)
 * Henry (cameo)
 * Gordon (cameo)
 * James (cameo)
 * Salty (cameo)
 * Butch (cameo)

Trivia

 * If Arthur had been pulling the train or had a brakevan, the accident probably would never have happened.

Goofs

 * When Thomas explains what a spotless record is James is hurrying past in the background, but soon after he and his train disappear.
 * When the shot fades to Thomas and Percy whizzing past Arthur, smoke is venting up from beneath the tracks before Thomas runs on them.
 * The trucks keep changing places during Arthur's journey.
 * In one scene the van in front of Arthur's train is missing his face.
 * If the laws of physics were correct, then Arthur's velocity should have caused the brakevan to crumple accordion-style, Duck should have been pushed through the gates and the driver and signalman should have been knocked over when the fruit hit them.
 * Arthur's first few wheels are lifted up during the collision, but in later shots they are back on the tracks.
 * When the fruit hits the signalman his head jolts up.
 * When Thomas pushes some of the trucks his wheels stop spinning and skid briefly.
 * Duck should have had the right of way at the grade crossing.

Episode
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