Old Iron

"Old Iron? Slow? Why, Edward could beat you in a race anyday!"

- Percy and Thomas

Old Iron is the fifth episode of the second season.

Plot
James is cross with Edward for being late, and complains Edward is no better than a lump of old iron. When James' driver falls ill a few days later, the fireman has to get James ready for shunting. In his absence, two boys creep into James' cab and start him. Edward comes to collect James' fireman and chases after the red engine. An inspector riding in Edward's cab manages to hook James with some rope, and the fireman races across to take control. Edward tows James to Wellsworth, and the pleased Fat Controller rewards Edward with an overhaul at the works.

Characters

 * Edward
 * James
 * Thomas
 * Percy
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Henry (cameo)
 * Gordon (cameo)

Locations

 * Wellsworth
 * Crosby
 * Tidmouth Sheds
 * Knapford
 * Knapford Yards

Goofs

 * When James first arrives at the signalbox, he is uncoupled from some trucks. But when he starts again, the trucks have disappeared.
 * Edward is missing his eyebrows when he picks up James' fireman.
 * When James says "What shall I do?" the line ahead ends right at the trees.
 * The narrator says "the inspector stood on Edward's front, holding a noose of rope in the crook of the shunter's pole", but he is simply holding the rope in his hand, with no shunter's pole to be seen.
 * After the rope is attached between Edward and James, Edward's body is very off center.
 * After Edward catches James they pass the water column, but in the next scene they pass the same water column again.
 * In the restored version, in the close-up of the Fat Controller, the background is blacked out.
 * On the cover of the James Learns a Lesson and other Stories VHS and in the storybook version of the episode, when James is complaining about Edward to Thomas and Percy he is smiling instead of looking cross.