Race to the Rescue

"You look like a big, red wobble on wheels!"

- Charlie teasing Flynn

Race to the Rescue is the first episode of the sixteenth season.

Plot
One morning, Flynn is in the Sodor Steamworks having his road wheels fixed when Thomas arrives to see him. Flynn is worried so Thomas tries to cheer his friend up. Flynn tells Thomas that he has not traveled on roads for quite some time and he is worried that his wheels will wobble. Soon his wheels are fixed and he rolls away.

Later on, Flynn, thinking no one is around, decides to try out his road wheels. As Flynn expected, he wobbles and swerves all over the road. Suddenly Charlie puffs by and laughs at Flynn, calling him a "big, red wobble on wheels". This makes Flynn feel very silly. Charlie goes on to tell Flynn that he is needed urgently at the Sodor Search and Rescue Centre. Flynn returns to the rails and heads to the Search and Rescue Centre. Once there, Rocky informs Flynn of an emergency; the Fat Controller's shed is on fire. He tells Flynn that the road is the fastest way, but Flynn does not want to look silly and decides to stay on the rails.

On his way, Flynn meets Butch who has broken down. Butch asks Flynn to tow him to the Search and Rescue Centre, but this means Flynn will have to go onto the roads. Flynn tells Butch that he is on his way to an emergency and leaves Butch stranded. It is not long before Flynn is held up again. This time, he has to wait at a level crossing where Bertie has overheated. Bertie asks for help and, although he wants to help, Flynn still does not want to roll onto the road. Flynn tells Bertie that the Fat Controller's shed is on fire and he races away.

At last Flynn arrives at the Fat Controller's burning shed. A crowd of people are helping to extinguish the fire and the Fat Controller is very cross. Sir Topham Hatt orders Flynn to go onto the road. Flynn is still hesitant as he thinks the crowd of people will laugh at him until he hears some people cheer for him. This gives Flynn the courage he needs to go onto the roads. Flynn soon extinguishes the fire and the Fat Controller thanks Flynn. Flynn then heads off to save his friends he had ignored earlier.

First, Flynn goes back to Bertie. He pumps water into Bertie's engine to cool it down when Charlie arrives. He teases Flynn again, but this time, Flynn does not mind Charlie's joke. Bertie thanks Flynn and the fire engine drives away. Next, he goes to see Butch and happily agrees to tow a thankful Butch to the Search and Rescue Centre. At the Rescue Centre, Flynn is happy when Thomas assures him that he is not a "big, red wobble on wheels"; he is a "big, red hero on wheels". Flynn's wheels wobble, but this time, they wobble with pride.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Charlie
 * Victor
 * Flynn
 * Rocky
 * Bertie
 * Butch
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * A Schoolboy
 * Gordon (cameo)
 * James (cameo)
 * Emily (cameo)
 * Rosie (cameo)
 * Hiro (cameo)
 * Scruff (cameo)
 * Mavis (cameo)
 * Harold (cameo)
 * Kevin (cameo)
 * Captain (cameo)
 * Jem Cole (cameo)
 * Farmer McColl (cameo)
 * Farmer Trotter (cameo)
 * The Photographer (cameo)
 * The Engineer (cameo)
 * The Fireman (cameo)
 * The Tree Specialists (cameo)
 * The Teacher (cameo)
 * One of the Bakers (cameo)
 * One of Dowager Hatt's Friends (cameo)

When Flynn arrives at the fire, a man speaks. His voice is provided by Keith Wickham in the UK version.

Locations

 * Wellsworth
 * Sodor Steamworks
 * Sodor Search and Rescue Centre
 * Sodor Slate Quarry

Trivia

 * This is the first episode produced by Ian McCue.
 * Charlie's voice changes in the US version as Ben Small takes over the role.
 * Matt Wilkinson takes over the role of Butch in the UK version of this episode.
 * In Germany, this episode is titled "Quick to the Rescue!". In Hungary, it is called "Be Quick and Help Us!" In Norway, it is called "Rescue Problems".
 * This is the final episode to feature Rupert Degas as Bertie.

Goofs

 * The points change too quickly for James to follow just after Thomas.
 * A brakevan should have been added to James' train.
 * The fire appears to be close enough to the rails to be put out from there.
 * Flynn should not have had to stop for the crossing gate.
 * The episode is incorrectly titled Fiery Flynn in the end credits of the original UK airing.
 * How did Rocky know that the Fat Controller's shed was on fire?
 * Throughout the episode the road vehicles are on the wrong side of the road.

Merchandise

 * Wooden Railway - Race to the Rescue 2-pack (Butch and Flynn)
 * Books - Race to the Rescue!