This article is about the episode. You may be looking for the Chinese DVD or the book. |
- “You look like a big, red wobble on wheels!”
- ― Charlie teasing Flynn
Race to the Rescue is the first episode of the sixteenth series.
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 travelled 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. The Fat Controller 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
- Flynn
- Victor
- Rocky
- Bertie
- Butch
- Sir Topham Hatt
- A Dark Uniformed Boy
- Gordon (cameo)
- James (cameo)
- Emily (cameo)
- Rosie (cameo)
- Hiro (cameo)
- Scruff (cameo)
- Mavis (cameo)
- Kevin (cameo)
- Harold (cameo)
- Captain (cameo)
- Jem Cole (cameo)
- Farmer Trotter (cameo)
- Farmer McColl (cameo)
- The Photographer (cameo)
- Sir Topham Hatt's Assistants (cameos)
- The Blond-haired Engineer (cameo)
- Woodsmen (cameos)
- The Teacher (cameo)
- The Fat Baker (cameo)
- The Sodor Search and Rescue Centre Manager (cameo)
- One of Dowager Hatt's Friends (cameo)
- The Welsh Birdwatcher (cameo)
- The Blond-haired Boy (cameo)
Locations
- Wellsworth
- Crosby Washdown
- Sodor Slate Quarry
- Rail Under Road Bridge and Signal Box
- Sodor Steamworks
- Road, Rail and Level Crossing Interchange
- Sodor Search and Rescue Centre
- Three-Track Level Crossing
- Sir Topham Hatt's Shed
Cast
UK
- Ben Small as Thomas
- Matt Wilkinson as Charlie, Victor, Rocky and Butch
- Rupert Degas as Flynn and Bertie
- Keith Wickham as the Fat Controller and the Man at the Fire
- Teresa Gallagher as the School Boy
US
- Martin Sherman as Thomas
- Ben Small as Charlie
- Rupert Degas as Flynn and Bertie
- David Bedella as Victor
- Glenn Wrage as Butch
- William Hope as Rocky and the Man at the Fire
- Kerry Shale as Sir Topham Hatt
- Jules de Jongh as the School Boy
Trivia
- This is the first episode for several things:
- The first episode to have Ben Small as Charlie in the US and Matt Wilkinson as Butch in the UK.
- The first appearance of the Fat Controller's Car in an episode since the fourteenth series episode, Henry's Magic Box.
- The first episode produced by Ian McCue.
- The first episode dubbed by Philippe Catoire in France and French speaking Canada. However, Blanche Ravalec would still be the narrator in home video releases until the seventeenth series.
- The first episode imported, produced and dubbed by KBS Media since fourth series episode, Mind that Bike in South Korea.
- The first episode to have Baek Kyung-hoon and Lee Je-in as part of the voice cast in South Korea.
- The first episode recorded and mixed by An Ho-sung in South Korea.
- The first episode translated by Kim Hye-yeon in South Korea.
- The first episode directed by Lee Won-hee in South Korea.
- The first episode to not be dubbed in Finnish.
- This episode marks a few things for Bertie:
- The last episode where he is voiced by Rupert Degas.
- His only appearance in the sixteenth series.
- His last appearance in the Miller era.
Goofs
- When Flynn goes onto the road for the first time, his front wheels are not steering as he turns from left to right.
- This episode was incorrectly titled "Fiery Flynn" in the end credits of the original UK airing.
Merchandise
- Wooden Railway - Race to the Rescue 2-pack (Butch and Flynn) (discontinued)
- TrackMaster - Flynn's Fiery Rescue Set (discontinued)
- Books - Race to the Rescue!
- Engine Adventures - Flynn
In Other Languages
Language | Title |
---|---|
Czech | Závod za Záchranou |
French | Flynn se Dandine |
Galician | Preparado Para o Rescate |
German | Schnell zur Rettung! |
Hungarian | Siess és Segíts! |
Indonesian | Perlombaan untuk Menyelamatkan |
Italian | Missione Soccorso |
Japanese | ゆうかんなヒーロー フリン |
Korean | 불자동차, 플린 (dub) 구조 출동 (subtitles) |
Latin American Spanish | Carrera al Rescate |
Norwegian | Redningsproblemer |
Polish | Na Ratunek |
Portuguese | Correndo Para o Resgate |
Romanian | Cursa pentru Salvare |
Russian | Герой на Колесах |
Spanish | Listo para el Rescate |
Taiwanese Mandarin | 即刻营救 |
Home Media Releases
UKDVD PacksUS
CAN
AUS
MYSGERCHNTHAJPN |
#01 Race to the Rescue | #08 Thomas Toots the Crows | #15 Muddy Matters |
#02 Ol' Wheezy Wobbles | #09 Bust My Buffers! | #16 Whiff's Wish |
#03 Express Coming Through | #10 Percy and the Calliope | #17 Welcome Stafford |
#04 Percy and the Monster of Brendam | #11 Thomas and the Sounds of Sodor | #18 Don't Bother Victor! |
#05 Ho Ho Snowman | #12 Salty's Surprise | #19 Happy Birthday Sir! |
#06 Flash Bang Wallop! | #13 Sodor Surprise Day | #20 The Christmas Tree Express |
#07 Thomas and the Rubbish Train | #14 Emily's Winter Party Special | |