Thomas to the Rescue

"Oh, it's you. What are you doing here?"

- Diesel

Thomas to the Rescue is the third episode of the eighth season.

Plot
Thomas has a nasty shock when he discovers that he's working at the quarry with Diesel, who tells him that steam engines can't help at all. To prove his point, Diesel pushes Thomas under the hopper and says the Fat Controller is thinking of scrapping steam engines. The next morning, Diesel gets what he deserves when he, Mavis, Salty, 'Arry and Bert take on contaminated fuel. Thomas is sent to collect some fresh fuel, and everyone finishes work on time. Even Diesel has to admit Thomas is Really Useful.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Diesel
 * Mavis
 * Salty
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Percy (does not speak)
 * 'Arry and Bert (do not speak)
 * James (cameo)
 * Gordon (cameo)
 * Cranky (cameo)
 * Bill and Ben (deleted scene)

Locations

 * Brendam
 * Tidmouth Sheds
 * Centre Island Quarry
 * Henry's Tunnel
 * The Scrapyards

Trivia

 * In the UK, when Thomas lets off steam after being pushed under the hopper, Diesel remarks "...it's just a stinky old steam engine!" In the US he says "...it's just a stinky old steamie engine!".
 * In a rare picture, 'Arry and Bert are smiling when Thomas delivers the clean Diesel oil to them.

Goofs

 * Gordon has Duck's whistle sound.
 * Diesel pushes Thomas under the chute and reverses, but in a later shot focused on Thomas, Diesel hasn't reversed.
 * When Thomas is pushed under the chute, he has his happy face mask on even when the stone starts to fall on him.
 * The Railway Series is called "The Railway Stories" in the intro.
 * As the Quarry had an important order to fill, Thomas should have stayed at the Quarry whilst another engine collected the fresh fuel for the diesel engines.
 * The narrator said, "Diesels all over the island started breaking down". But only Diesel, 'Arry, Bert, Mavis, and Salty are shown.
 * Brakevans should have been added to Thomas, Mavis, and Diesel's trains.

Merchandise

 * Take-Along