Spic and Span

Spic and Span is the thirteenth episode of the eighth series.

Plot

The railway staff is busy preparing for the arrival of the Railway Inspector, checking signals, scrubbing platforms, and making sure the railway looks its best. Eventually, the day of his arrival comes. Percy asks what a Railway "Inspectacles" does, to which Gordon corrects him as Railway Inspector. Thomas explains that the Railway Inspector comes every year to make sure everything looks "spic and span." The Fat Controller tells his engines that the inspector will give a special prize to the best turned out engine this year, so he wants his engines to look their best. Thomas and Percy become excited and wonder if they can win, but Gordon, Emily, and James are very confident that they will win first prize instead, since Gordon is an Express engine, Emily has big wheels, and James is a splendid red engine. Thomas tells Percy not to listen to them, that a really useful engine can look as grand as any engine.

That afternoon, Thomas and Percy are working at the quarry, collecting stone to take to Brendam Docks. However, Thomas gets covered in stone dust. Percy is worried that Thomas will not win first prize, but Thomas knows he just needs a good washdown, so he sets off to get cleaned. Emily is already at the washdown, so Thomas asks her to hurry up so he can be cleaned, too. Emily tells him that there is no need for him to be cleaned; she will be the grandest at the inspection. Thomas is cross, so he leaves to help Percy with the stone trucks, still confident in winning first prize.

Thomas and Percy deliver the stone trucks to the docks, where Thomas sees the Fat Controller with the Railway Inspector examining the Docks. Realizing he's still dirty, Thomas rushes back to the washdown, only to find James there ahead of him. Like Emily, James boasts Thomas that there is no point in him being clean; he will be the shiniest at the inspection. Thomas begins to lose confidence, but he still wants to win first prize, so he heads off to finish his job with Percy.

Back at the docks, Thomas helps Percy with shunting the stone trucks into the sidings; by now, Percy is also dirty, and Thomas is dirtier than ever, so they both head for the washdown. This time, Gordon is there, having just finished being cleaned. Thomas notices how splendid Gordon looks, and then James and Emily arrive. Emily's wheels are shinier than ever, and James's paint sparkles in the sun. Seeing how splendid all three bigger engines look, Thomas is sure he will never win now and gives up hope. Percy knows that with a good washdown they still have a chance. In no time, Thomas and Percy are being cleaned. Percy is happy, but Thomas is sad, as he now believes that the bigger engines were right: He will never look as splendid as they do.

James, Emily, and Gordon arrive at the coaling plant where the Fat Controller and the Railway Inspector will meet them. They complement how the sunlight makes them sparkle, shine, and glimmer. Trying to find the sunniest place in the yard, James reverses, only to bump into a flatbed. The flatbed accidentally knocks into a lever, releasing the hatch on the coal hopper. James realises his mistake, but it's too late. Suddenly, coal begins pouring onto the tracks and coal dust spreads all over Gordon, James, and Emily. Now, they aren't gleaming or shiny anymore.

The Fat Controller and the Railway Inspector soon arrive, but they are shocked and cross to see the three engines so dirty. Gordon, trying to clean out his funnel, sends coal shooting out into the air, which lands all over the Fat Controller, his bodyguards, and the Railway Inspector. Just then, Thomas and Percy arrive, now looking spic and span. The Railway Inspector is so impressed with Thomas and Percy's appearance, saying they are just what engines should look like. The two little engines both win first prize, having each received special rosettes. Thomas tells Percy he's glad he convinced him to come to the inspection, and Percy tells Thomas that he was right; A really useful engine can look as grand as any engine.

Characters

• Thomas
• Gordon
• James
• Percy
• Emily
• Sir Topham Hatt
• The Black Suited Railway Inspector
• Henry (cameo)
• Annie and Clarabel (cameo)
• Allicia Botti (mentioned on poster)
• Troublesome Trucks (deleted scene)

Locations

• Maron
• The Coaling Plant
• Knapford
• Maithwaite
• Three Tier Bridge
• Brendam Docks
• Ffarquhar Quarry
• The Washdown

Trivia

• Going by production order, this is the ninth episode of the eighth series.
• This is the first episode written by Marc Seal.
• Stock footage from A Bad Day for Harold the Helicopter is used. Also, instead of matted into widescreen, the scenes are stretched into widescreen.
• A poster at Knapford reads "Allicia Botti Flower Show Grand Opening!" in a close-up of some workmen.

Goofs

• After Emily says "And my wheels glimmer," her siderods go up.
• A few of the engines' facemasks move a bit in some shots such as:
  • When Gordon says "The sunlight here makes my dome sparkle."
  • Emily's face moves after she and Gordon get covered in coal dust.
• The Railway Inspector is skinny in some close-up shots, but in a non close-up rare picture, he is chubby.

Merchandise

• Magazine Stories - Spick and Span

In Other Languages

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