- “Hooray for Duncan's mistake!”
- ― The narrow gauge engines
The Runaway Elephant is the sixteenth episode of the seventh series.
Plot
A new park is being opened on the Narrow Gauge Railway, and Duncan is bossing the other engines about and telling them to do their work quicker. Skarloey complains to Rusty about him being bossy. But Rusty reassures him that it is better being safe than being fast.
When Duncan finishes his jobs, The Fat Controller asks him to take an elephant statue down to the park. The stationmaster tells him to wait for a brake van, but Duncan claims he does not need one as he has pushed heavier loads plenty of times. So, he sets off with the statue. As usual, Duncan is being careless and boasts that he will get the job done first. He starts to speed up as a result. His driver attempts to brake, but Duncan is unable to slow down and thus runs out of control, almost colliding with a tractor, and rockets past Rusty who shouts at him to slow down. Duncan arrives at the Elephant Park and crashes into the buffers, which causes Duncan to come off the tracks and the force from the crash catapults the elephant statue into the lake.
The Fat Controller ends up scolding Duncan for his carelessness and for not waiting for the brake van. Thankfully, Duncan is repaired in time for the opening, but is surprised to find the elephant still in the lake due to general favour of the elephant's position and embarrassed to be lauded by the others for his fortunate mistake.
Characters
- Skarloey
- Duncan
- Rusty
- Sir Topham Hatt
- Lady Hatt
- Rheneas (not named)
- Peter Sam (not named)
- Jem Cole (cameo)
- Refreshment Lady (cameo)
- Headmaster Hastings (cameo)
- The Hill Farm Farmers (cameo)
Locations
- The Depot
- Skarloey Railway Yard
- West Lakeside Junction
- Whispering Waterfall
- Elephant Park
- Rumblin Bridge
- Tea Room Station
- The Old Trestle Bridge
- Rocky Ridge Line
Trivia
- Going by production order, this is the twenty-third episode of the seventh series.
- A deleted scene from The Grand Opening is used.
- This is the fourth and final episode (in the UK) to use a rendition of William Tell Overture, March of the Swiss Soldiers by Gioachino Rossini and the second time it was used in the seventh series.
- This is the first episode since the fourth series episode, Gallant Old Engine, in which Duncan speaks in a Scottish accent in the US dub. His previous three appearances in the last two seasons had him speak in a Liverpudlian accent and in a standard American accent with an obnoxious tone.
- This episode marks Rheneas' last speaking role in the Classic Series.
- The events of this episode were later mentioned by Duncan in the eighteenth series episode, Emily Saves the World.
- The small scale elephant statue prop was sculpted and formerly owned by Sean Hedges-Quinn who ended up selling the sculpture to former Twitter user IsaacM6991, who later sold it to Twitter user ModelsThomas.
- Not counting a deleted scene from the ninth series episode, The Magic Lamp, this is the last episode of the Thomas & Friends live—action model era where Duncan's large scale wincing/sleeping face is shown on screen.
- The new music used at the beginning is also heard in the beginning scene of the thirteenth series episode, The Early Bird with the middle and the ending scenes, the fourteenth series episode, Merry Winter Wish and the sixteenth series episode, Ho Ho Snowman.
Goofs
- Just before Duncan arrives at the station to collect the statue, he can be seen standing completely still in the right corner on his line for a few seconds.
- When Duncan arrives at the sidings to collect the statue, the trucks that were previously there when he was at the station have disappeared. Also, Duncan arrives from a dead end.
- In one scene, Duncan's driver changes appearance.
- When the narrator says that people waved and cars tooted as Duncan sped by with the statue, Elizabeth and Sir Topham Hatt's Car's horn sounds are heard, but both are nowhere to be seen.
- When Duncan rushes past Rusty, the narrator says that Rusty whistled, but he is a diesel engine and diesels have horns. Also, the tracks behind Rusty leads to bushes.
- In the opening credits for the UK version, Britt Allcroft is not listed as the series creator.
Quotes
- Skarloey: Duncan thinks he's fast. But he's just a bossy boiler.
- Rusty: Better safe than fast.
_____________________________________________________
- Stationmaster: You must wait for the brake van. The statue is very heavy.
- Duncan: Nonsense. I pushed heavy loads in plenty of times.
- Driver: Let's go, Duncan, but we must be careful.
_____________________________________________________
- Rusty: Slow down!
- Duncan: I CAN'T! (speeds past)
Merchandise
- TrackMaster (discontinued)
- Magazine Stories - Elephants and Engines
In Other Languages
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Home Media Releases
UKDVD Boxsets
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DVD Boxsets
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DKDVD BoxsetsITAKORTHAHKTWN |
| #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 | |