- “The Fat Controller wants you to work at the Smelter's."
"Me? But I'm the pride of the Cement Works."
"Not anymore. The Fat Controller says I'm better than you, so I'm going to stay here."
"It's not fair! I love working here!” - ― Diesel and Fergus
Fergus Breaks the Rules, retitled Thomas and the Search for Fergus in one North American release, is the eighteenth episode of the seventh series.
Plot
"I want to go back to the cement works. None of the other engines like coming here, it's so scary!"
Fergus, the railway traction engine, is the pride of the Sodor Cement Works and he knows and obeys all the rules. One day, Diesel is brought to the Cement works; the Fat Controller explains that he needs Diesel to help there for a while and tells Fergus to show him around. Fergus unhappily obliges, as he knows that Diesel is trouble.
As Diesel is being careless while he works, he becomes annoyed with Fergus telling him to "Do it right!" Later on, Diesel lies to Fergus about the Fat Controller sending him to work at the scrapyards. When Fergus arrives, He is frightened by the sounds and machinery in the smelting shed. 'Arry and Bert arrive and frighten the traction engine so much that he runs away.
The Fat Controller receives a call that Fergus is missing and so sends Thomas to search for him. Thomas finds Fergus hiding in a siding near the abandoned mine and takes him to the smelter's yards, where the Fat Controller is waiting. Thomas explains what happened with Diesel, and the Fat Controller proudly tells Fergus to return to the Cement Works, and that Diesel shall be sent to work at the smelters instead. Fergus is very happy to go back to being the pride of the Cement Works.
Characters
- Thomas
- Fergus
- Diesel
- Sir Topham Hatt
- 'Arry and Bert (not named)
- Percy (cameo)
- Farmer Trotter (cameo)
- The Second Butler (cameo)
- Two Railway Board members (cameos)
Locations
- The Sheep Field
- Sodor Cement Works
- Sodor Ironworks
- Heavy Industrial Area (deleted scene)
- Topham Hall
- Callan Castle
- Maithwaite Quarry Mine
- Oliver's Shed (deleted scene)
Trivia
- Going by production order, this is the nineteenth episode of the seventh series.
- This episode marks the last of a few things:
- Fergus' last appearance, as well as his final episode with a leading role.
- The last appearance of the Maithwaite Quarry Mine.
- Diesel, 'Arry and Bert's last appearances in the Classic era.
- This is the only appearance of a few things:
- Not counting deleted scenes in Something Fishy and Peace and Quiet, this marks the first and only appearance of the Sodor Cement Works in an episode. It would later appear in a ninth series learning segment, Where Can Neville Find Salty?.
- 'Arry and Bert's only speaking roles in the seventh series.
- This episode also marks several things about Diesel:
- The first on-screen appearance of his unused annoyed face from the third series.
- The first episode where he does not get sent back to the Mainland in the end.
- His only appearance in the seventh series.
- This episode's plot is similar to the parable of the lost sheep from the bible.
- Scrap models of Thomas, Gordon, James, one of the Scottish twins and City of Truro, as well as the old tenders from "Tender Engines", are seen at the scrapyards.
- This is one of several episodes from the seventh series to have its title card read on Nick Jr. and PBS ninth series airings, some of them being read as "Thomas and the Search for Fergus".
- Michael Brandon's dub was used for the UK HiT Favourites DVD, The Groovy Collection.
- Elizabeth's Shed appears at the quarry Fergus hides in.
- In two deleted scenes of Fergus arriving at the Smelter's Yard and Thomas bringing him back to see the Fat Controller, the jet engine from "Thomas the Jet Engine" makes an appearance, with its fume pipe being reused as a pipe.
- Stock footage from "Home at Last" was edited for inclusion with Fergus' closeup model shots, but was ultimately cut along with the other shots for time.
- The final shot of the episode is the same as the first shot from "Bill, Ben and Fergus", only extended.
Goofs
- When Thomas and Fergus arrive at the smelters, Thomas' eyes are misaligned.
- Just before 'Arry and Bert come into view, a crew member's hand can be seen holding them back and then releasing them.
- A red wire can be seen underneath Fergus when he first arrives at the smelter's yard.
- When Fergus arrives at the smelters and escapes, his lamp is on his right side. When he hides in the siding, his lamp is on his left side.
- During some scenes at the quarry, Fergus' right front buffer is crooked.
- In the UK dub, when the Fat Controller reminds Fergus that he is the pride of the cement works, his line is not in sync with the zoom in.
- When 'Arry and Bert come into view, Bert's eyes are misaligned.
- When Diesel enters the Cement Works, the camera is adjusted wrong and is also therefore out of focus.
Quotes
- Diesel: The Fat Controller wants you to work at the Smelter's.
- Fergus: Me? But I'm the pride of the Cement Works.
- Diesel: Not anymore. The Fat Controller says I'm better than you.
- Fergus: It's not fair! I love working here!
______________________________________________________________
- [after Thomas has saved Fergus]
- The Fat Controller: Fergus, explain yourself.
- Fergus: I ran away. It's scary here.
- Thomas: Diesel told Fergus that you wanted him at the Smelter's forever.
- The Fat Controller: Nonsense, Fergus. You are the pride of the Cement Works. I shall send Diesel to the Smelter's, and you can go back to the Cement Works tomorrow.
- Fergus: Oh, thank you, sir.
Merchandise
In Other Languages
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Home Media Releases
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SWEITAHKTHATWN |
| #01 Emily's New Coaches | #10 Toby's Windmill | #19 Bulgy Rides Again |
| #02 Percy Gets It Right | #11 Bad Day at Castle Loch | #20 Harold and the Flying Horse |
| #03 Bill, Ben and Fergus | #12 Rheneas and the Roller Coaster | #21 The Grand Opening |
| #04 The Old Bridge | #13 Salty's Stormy Tale | #22 Best Dressed Engine |
| #05 Edward's Brass Band | #14 Snow Engine | #23 Gordon and Spencer |
| #06 What's the Matter with Henry? | #15 Something Fishy | #24 Not So Hasty Puddings |
| #07 James and the Queen of Sodor | #16 The Runaway Elephant | #25 Trusty Rusty |
| #08 The Refreshment Lady's Tea Shop | #17 Peace and Quiet | #26 Three Cheers for Thomas |
| #09 The Spotless Record | #18 Fergus Breaks the Rules | |