Buckled Tracks and Bumpy Trucks

"Well Thomas, I must admit that for once my mother was right! Light really does reflect the sun and keep things cool. Just like your smart new safari hat! It is not a safari hat! So when are you going off to the jungle, Sir!"

- Sir Topham Hatt, Thomas and Toby

Buckled Tracks and Bumpy Trucks (retitled Buckled Tracks and Bumpy Cars in North American releases) is an episode from the twentieth season.

Plot
It's the hottest day of the year on Sodor. Engines know they have to be careful when running on the tracks, especially in Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer! Because its so hot in summertime, the sun is causing any dry brush to catch fire. Thomas was shocked when he saw the fire already.

Meanwhile, The Fat Controller is sweating from the very hot heat. When Dowager Hatt arrives with Thomas to present a gift to cool off the Fat Controller - the Fat Controller was hoping it could be a very cold ice cream. Instead of an ice cream, it turned out to be a safari hat to replace his top hat, to his chagrin. Sir Topham Hatt tried to demand an explanation or make excuses or say that he doesn't have a good look - but everyone said that if he wears his top hat, he will sweat even more from the hot heat.

Elsewhere, a set of tracks becomes warped from the intense heat and causes Toby and Henrietta to jump and jitter on the rails and Whiff to lose some rubbish from his trucks and a small bottle to drop, which causes a fire near the track.

Back at Sir Topham Hatt's office, he receives a call saying that most of the tracks are buckled - which makes the Fat Controller a bit frustrated and tries to go with his top hat, but he then remembers that he has to wear his safari hat if he wants to stay cool in the tremendous heat. When the Fat Controller comes out of his office, people start laughing at his new hat and The Fat Controller decided to sneakily leave it on a trolley, but the guard finds it and repeats what Dowager Hatt says: "You cannot lose the hat on a hot day like today."

Flynn and Belle are called to action, Belle was surprised about the third fire. Flynn and Belle were ready for action.

Elsewhere, the Fat Controller drives in his car, mumbling and grumbling at his safari hat, so he decided to throw it out the car window, but unfortunately for him, the hat lands back in his seat; much to the Fat Controller's dismay.

Luckily, Flynn is able to reach the fire when Belle derails from the same buckled track. Although he considers the problem a continuous nuisance, Sir Topham Hatt admits his new hat worked to keep him cool, which inspires Thomas to find a solution for the bent rails.

When evening came, the railway staff closed the line until everyone teases about the Fat Controller's new hat!

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Gordon
 * Toby
 * Whiff
 * Belle
 * Flynn
 * Henrietta
 * Rocky
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Dowager Hatt
 * A Porter
 * Emily (cameo)
 * Annie and Clarabel (cameo)
 * The Lady with the Big Hat (cameo)
 * The Great Railway Show Judge (cameo)
 * Albert (cameo)
 * Albert's Wife (cameo)
 * Victor (portrait cameo)

Some passengers also speak. They are voiced by Keith Wickham and Teresa Gallagher in both dubs.

Locations

 * Farmer Trotter's Pig Farm
 * Knapford
 * Sir Topham Hatt's Office
 * Sodor Search and Rescue Centre
 * Misty Island Tunnel
 * Brendam Docks (portrait)
 * Sodor Steamworks (portrait)

Trivia

 * Portraits of Thomas from Creaky Cranky and Victor from Percy's Parcel are seen in the Fat Controller's Office.
 * Sir Topham previously had his hat eaten by a goat in Edward, Gordon and Henry.
 * The branch line which the tracks bend from the heat is the same line which suffered the same problem in Thomas Gets Bumped which the Fat Controller addresses.
 * This is the only episode of the twentieth season to have a different title in both the UK and US.
 * In the US, both Flynn and Belle say "We will." while in the UK, only Flynn says it.
 * At the beginning of the episode, calm music is heard.
 * At the beginning of the episode, the narrator explains about how engines need to be careful and there is some scenes about Fall, Summer, Spring and Winter where Thomas struggling to get where he is needed.