Sodor Surprise Day

"A little engine's 'toot toot' isn't going to bother a big engine like me."

- Gordon after Thomas tries to surprise him

Sodor Surprise Day is the thirteenth episode of the sixteenth season.

Plot
It's Sodor Surprise Day which involves everyone trying to surprise each other. At Tidmouth Sheds, Thomas and Charlie are surprising each other. Gordon thinks they are being very silly indeed. Then, the Fat Controller arrives to inform the engines of a party at Callan Castle. Thomas is given the job of collecting bunting from Maithwaite Station and Gordon is told to collect fireworks from the docks.

On the way to Maithwaite, Thomas decides that he must surprise Gordon and make him laugh so that he doesn't think Sodor Surprise Day is silly. Thomas doesn't go to Maithwaite, he puffed off to find Gordon. At the coal hopper, Thomas meets Rosie. It's not long before Gordon thunders down the line and as he approaches, Thomas blasts his whistle. Rosie charges forwards, surprised and bashes her coal trucks. Coal dust flies everywhere, covering Thomas and Rosie in soot. Rosie laughs, but Gordon doesn't; he still thinks Sodor Surprise Day is silly. Thomas thinks of another way to make Gordon laugh and show him that Sodor Surprise Day is fun!

Thomas puffs up to a siding. Whiff is there shunting rubbish trucks and Thomas hides behind them. He waits until Gordon approaches and blows his whistle loud! Gordon doesn't laugh, but Whiff is surprised and bashes his trucks so hard that he sends rubbish flying everywhere. As rubbish rains down onto he and Thomas, Whiff laughs. Gordon leaves in a huff. Thomas still wants to make him laugh and sets off himself.

At the Docks, Thomas hides behind some troublesome trucks. Presently, Gordon steams into the docks just as Harold also arrives. Cranky lifts Gordon's crate of fireworks, just as Thomas comes out of hiding, blowing his whistle loud. Cranky is startled and he drops the fireworks which ignite. Harold, Gordon, and Thomas are left dodging the exploding fireworks. Thomas is shocked, he never meant for that to happen. Gordon is very cross with Thomas for spoiling his special. Gordon tells Thomas that he always thought Sodor Surprise Day was silly, but not he does not like it one bit. To make matters worse for Thomas, the Fat Controller arrives. He is very cross and tells Thomas that without decorations and entertainment, the party will have to be cancelled. Thomas feels terrible. He looks at the broken fireworks crate and then at Harold and gets an idea. Thomas asks the Fat Controller not to cancel the party. The Fat Controller agrees and tells Thomas to go to the wash-down to be cleaned while Gordon picks up Thomas' bunting.

At the wash-down, Rosie and Whiff are being cleaned, too. Rosie and Whiff wonder if Thomas will play another trick, but Thomas is serious; he has a party to save! After being washed, Thomas puffs quickly to Harold to put his plan into action.

Later, at Callan Castle, the Fat Controller is anxiously waiting for Thomas so he can start the party. Just in time, Thomas clatters in. The Fat Controller inquires about the fireworks, but Thomas tells him he has something better. He blows his whistle and a brightly-lit Harold flies overhead, covered in colourful fairy-lights. Gordon thinks Harold looks splendid and laughs loudly. Thomas asks if Gordon had been surprised by Harold. Gordon has to admit that he was pleasantly surprised by Harold. Thomas is delighted when Gordon admits that Sodor Surprise Day isn't so silly, after all.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Gordon
 * Rosie
 * Whiff
 * Charlie
 * Cranky
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Harold (does not speak)
 * Edward (cameo)
 * Henry (cameo)
 * James (cameo)
 * Percy (cameo)
 * Spencer (cameo)
 * Hiro (cameo)
 * Mavis (cameo)
 * Salty (cameo)
 * The Teacher (cameo)
 * The Bird Watcher (cameo)
 * One of Dowager Hatt's Friends (cameo)

Locations

 * Brendam Docks
 * Castle Loch
 * Tidmouth Sheds
 * Wellsworth
 * The Coal Hopper
 * Maithwaite (mentioned)
 * Whiff's Waste Dump (mentioned)

Goofs

 * Thomas cannot choose which track to take.
 * When Thomas puffs into and out of the siding by Whiff, the points are set against him.
 * Why was Whiff surprised by Thomas when he knew that Thomas was there?
 * Every time Thomas and Gordon meet, they are going in opposite directions.