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- "James, I think trucks like to be useful, rather than clean!"
- ― Thomas teasing James
Thomas' New Trucks is the nineteenth episode of the ninth series.
Plot
Thomas is shunting at Brendam Docks, but his trucks are old and rusty. He is initially jealous when he sees that James has received brand new blue trucks, but is soon delighted when told his trucks are too old to use and he will have to use new ones.
At Brendam the next day, Thomas shows off his new green trucks. Bill and Ben even compliment his trucks by saying they are much nicer than James'. Thomas and James become competitive about keeping their trucks clean, but at the quarry, Thomas' trucks roll backwards and get covered in dust, much to Thomas' fury. Thomas orders his trucks to behave, but they ignore him and get Thomas and themselves showered in coal, much to his anger.
That evening at the washdown, James laughs that Thomas will never win, infuriating Thomas. But the next day, Thomas realises that if he uses his old trucks, he will not have to worry about getting them dirty. Thomas collects some coal and sets off, but on the way a coupling breaks and Thomas goes ahead of the trucks. He stops too soon, and the trucks crash into him and are smashed to pieces, flinging coal everywhere.
Harvey (equipped with a claw) brings with him the Fat Controller who reprimands Thomas for bringing his old trucks. Soon, Harvey and the workmen clear up the mess, Thomas collects his new trucks and has the coal loaded into them and arrives at Brendam without the trucks making any trouble. Thomas soon realises that his new trucks prefer to be useful than clean. James gloats his victory, but then his trucks keep him from pulling away; they now do not want to be clean anymore. Cranky's chain snaps and James is hit by a falling crate of melons and is laughed at by all the trucks. Thomas tells James that trucks prefer to be useful than clean, and the trucks giggle in agreement.
Characters
- Thomas
- James
- Bill and Ben
- Troublesome Trucks
- Sir Topham Hatt
- The Second Dock Manager
- Harvey (does not speak)
- Cranky (does not speak)
- Edward (cameo)
- Henry (cameo)
- Gordon (cameo)
- Big Mickey (faceless, cameo)
Locations
- Tidmouth Sheds
- Brendam Docks
- Ffarquhar Quarry
- Shen Valley
- The Coaling Plant
- Peel Godred
- Knapford Yards
- Gordon's Hill
- The Washdown
- Cream Signal Box and Siding Runby
Trivia
- Going by production order, this is the sixteenth episode of the ninth series.
- This marks several things:
- Bill and Ben's first physical appearance since the seventh series episode Bill, Ben and Fergus along with their smiling face, as they both appear in a deleted scene from the eighth series episode Thomas to the Rescue and a music video in Calling All Engines!
- The first and only time in an episode where Harvey is seen with his claw. It also appeared in the tenth series Learning Segment Right Sized Engine for the Job.
- The only appearances of Thomas and James' new trucks, not counting their faceless appearances.
- Bill's only appearance in the ninth series and last speaking role until the eleventh series episode Hector the Horrid!
- A promotional image shows Thomas pushing his rusty old trucks.
Goofs
- Throughout the episode, both Thomas and James' trucks keep gaining and losing their faces and their eyes are also misaligned.
- When Thomas is shunting his old trucks at the start of the episode, the narrator says he is at the yard. This is incorrect, as Thomas is actually shown to be at Brendam Docks.
- At Brendam Docks, both Thomas and James' trucks are coupled together in most scenes, but in the close up and several scenes, the trucks are uncoupled to show their faces.
- When Thomas collects his new trucks, the background to the left (perspective right) appears to be misplaced and tilted.
- In the widescreen version, when Thomas' trucks become mischievous at the quarry, there are two trucks behind him instead of one truck, most likely being filmed after they rolled backwards.
- When Thomas sets off to the Coaling Plant, his first four trucks are dirty, but are clean in the next scene.
- When Thomas gets covered in coal dust, his steam platform can be seen in front of him.
- When Thomas and James meet at the washdown, they have swapped trucks.
- The brakes sound is heard when Thomas applies his brakes, even though he brakes normally.
- Thomas's siderods change position when his old trucks crash into him.
- Thomas' face is crooked when puffing away with his new trucks after Harvey loads them with coal.
- In the close up Cranky:
- He is smiling when his cable breaks.
- His face is slightly crooked.
- His eyes are misaligned.
- When the melon crate falls on James, his trucks are shown to be messy too, even though the crate is only shown to hit James and not them. Additionally, the handrails on James' close-up model fell off upon being stuck by the melons.
Merchandise
- Take Along (discontinued)
- Bachmann
- Books - Percy and the Spirit of the Island of Sodor
- Magazine Stories - Truck Trouble!
- Lionel Trains
In Other Languages
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Home Media Releases
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KORTWN |
| #01 Percy and the Oil Painting | #10 Rheneas and the Dinosaur | #19 Thomas' New Trucks |
| #02 Thomas and the Rainbow | #11 Thomas and the New Engine | #20 Duncan and the Old Mine |
| #03 Thomas' Milkshake Muddle | #12 Toby Feels Left Out | #21 Bold and Brave |
| #04 Mighty Mac | #13 Thomas Tries His Best | #22 Skarloey the Brave |
| #05 Molly's Special Special | #14 The Magic Lamp | #23 Saving Edward |
| #06 Respect for Gordon | #15 Thomas and the Statue | #24 Thomas and the Golden Eagle |
| #07 Thomas and the Birthday Picnic | #16 Henry and the Flagpole | #25 Keeping Up with James |
| #08 Tuneful Toots | #17 Emily Knows Best | #26 Flour Power |
| #09 Thomas and the Toy Shop | #18 Thomas' Day Off | |