- “No passengers means no polish!"
"No polish means no passengers.” - ― Sir Topham Hatt and Duncan
Passengers and Polish is the thirteenth episode of the fourth series. It is based on the story of the same name from the Railway Series book, Gallant Old Engine.
Plot
Nancy, the guard's daughter, has just finished polishing Skarloey, whilst snoozing, reminds him that Rheneas is coming home. Skarloey originally was only interested in sleeping, but the news of Rheneas's return immediately changed his mind, asking Nancy to polish him again, so she sets to work once more. Duncan becomes envious and wants a polish too, but Nancy does not have time because she has to help the Refreshment Lady to serve refreshments to the passengers. Duncan is very cross and complains about Peter Sam getting a special funnel, Sir Handel getting special wheels and passengers getting refreshments while he does not even get polished, resulting in a sulky mood.
Later, Duncan's driver tells him that one of Skarloey's coaches has derailed and they are to go help and Duncan sulks about all the extra work. Duncan brings workmen to get the coach back on the rails and he has to take the passengers home. Duncan makes the journey back very difficult, so his driver decides to stop to build up steam, but Duncan does not try, accusing his driver that he does not care enough about him. Finally, they start off again, but Duncan loses his patience and rudely stalls on the viaduct. He refuses to go on and stays put. Skarloey arrives to pull him home, with the passengers furious and telling everyone what a bad railway it is.
That evening, the Fat Controller scolds Duncan, telling him that "no passengers means no polish." Duncan retorts under his breath that "no polish means no passengers," making it clear that he still has a lot to learn.
Characters
- Skarloey
- Duncan
- Sir Topham Hatt
- Nancy
- Rheneas (does not speak)
- Refreshment Lady (does not speak)
- Thomas (cameo)
- Percy (cameo)
- Jem Cole (cameo)
- Mrs. Kyndley (cameo)
- Farmer Trotter (cameo)
- One Little Boy (cameo)
- Sir Handel (mentioned)
- Peter Sam (mentioned)
Locations
- Callan
- Valley View
- Crovan's Gate
- Rheneas
- Mountainside Runby
- Hawin Doorey
- The Mountain Line
- Lakeside (stock footage)
- Lakeside Bridge (stock footage)
- Lakeside Junction (stock footage)
- Skarloey (mentioned)
Trivia
- Stock footage from A Bad Day for Sir Handel is used.
- Nancy's rag is a piece of blu tack.
- This episode marks Nancy's only speaking role to date, and the only time in the series that she is referred to by name.
- When the passengers are complaining, one of them can be heard saying "We're losing money!"
- The Refreshment Lady has Mrs. Kyndley's first series body.
Goofs
- Sound effects begin before Duncan is seen moving out of the shed.
- In the close-up of Duncan complaining about not being polished at the beginning, his face moves. In the same shot, a hair or piece of wire can be seen behind Skarloey.
- After Duncan takes away Skarloey's train, the brake van moves from the front of the train to the back.
- When Duncan passes through Crovan's Gate, he has a different whistle sound.
- Rheneas is seen in the sheds at the end of the episode, but he is supposed to be at the works.
- In a picture of the Fat Controller scolding Duncan, the battery for Duncan's eye mechanism can be seen behind him.
- When Skarloey dreams of Rheneas, they have Sir Handel and Duncan's whistle sounds
Quotes
- Duncan: Aren't you gonna polish me too?
- Nancy: Sorry. Not today. I'm going now. I'm helping the refreshment lady this afternoon. We must get the ice cream ready for the passengers. Never mind, Duncan.
- Narrator: But Duncan did mind.
- Duncan: It isn't fair! Peter Sam gets a special funnel, Sir Handel gets special wheels, passengers get ice cream, but I'm not even polished!
- Driver: [after an emergency phone call] One of Skarloey's coaches has come off the rails. We'll have to take workmen there right away.
- Duncan: All this extra work! It wears an engine out.
- Driver: Rubbish! Come on!
- The Fat Controller/Sir Topham Hatt: No passnegers means no polish.
- Duncan: And no polish means no passengers.
Merchandise
- My Thomas Story Library - Duncan (discontinued)
In Other Languages
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Home Media Releases
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| #01 Granpuff | #10 Rock 'n' Roll | #19 Henry and the Elephant |
| #02 Sleeping Beauty | #11 Special Funnel | #20 Toad Stands By |
| #03 Bulldog | #12 Steam Roller | #21 Bulls Eyes |
| #04 You Can't Win | #13 Passengers and Polish | #22 Thomas and the Special Letter |
| #05 Four Little Engines | #14 Gallant Old Engine | #23 Paint Pots and Queens |
| #06 A Bad Day for Sir Handel | #15 Rusty to the Rescue | #24 Fish |
| #07 Peter Sam and the Refreshment Lady | #16 Thomas and Stepney | #25 Special Attraction |
| #08 Trucks | #17 Train Stops Play | #26 Mind that Bike |
| #09 Home at Last | #18 Bowled Out | |