- “I shall never be shy about my special horn again!”
- ― Rusty
Tuneful Toots is the eighth episode of the ninth series.
Plot
Whenever Rusty journeys near the lake, he likes to toot his horn there as it echoes and has high and low notes, like a tuneful toot. Unfortunately, the other engines thinks it is the worst noise they have ever heard, making Rusty sad.
One morning, Mr Percival announces that Sir Topham and Lady Hatt are visiting the Skarloey Railway, and the brass band have been invited to play. Skarloey and Rheneas are delivering tables and chairs and Duncan and Peter Sam are delivering apples and pears. Rusty is to take the band on a tour of the Skarloey Railway. Thomas arrives with the bandstand and hears Rusty's horn thinking it is very special. After Rusty leaves, Mr Percival tells him not to return late, but Rusty is busy tooting his horn and does not hear him. He soon forgets all about returning on time to the concert. Rusty decides to take them to the lake, but when he gets there, he runs out of fuel on the causeway.
Thomas arrives with Sir Topham and Lady Hatt, but they see that everyone is worried about the fact that Rusty has not returned. The band is worried that no one will find them, but Rusty has an idea; if the band plays their instruments loudly while he toots his horn, someone will know where to find them. They start to play, everyone hears Rusty and the brass band, and comes to the rescue. Rusty is surprised that no one is telling him to stop tooting his horn. The engines think that Rusty's sound is a special sounding horn of all. The concert begins with all the engines blowing their whistles and Rusty tooting his horn.
Characters
- Thomas
- Skarloey
- Peter Sam
- Duncan
- Rusty
- Sir Topham Hatt
- Mr. Percival
- Sodor Brass Band
- Rheneas (does not speak)
- Lady Hatt (does not speak)
- Mighty Mac (cameo)
Locations
- Middle Station
- Culdee Fell Hill
- Hawin Doorey Castle
- Rocky Ridge Line
- The Transfer Yards
- Skarloey Bridge
- Rheneas Viaduct
- Skarloey Apple Orchard (mentioned)
Trivia
- Going by production order, this is the tenth episode of the ninth series.
- This is the only episode until Blue Mountain Mystery where Rusty has a high and low sounding horn.
- A deleted scene shows Peter Sam helping Rheneas delivering the apples and pears instead of Duncan, as they are going the opposite way.
- In some early American narrations of this episode, Rusty is referred to as a female. The Radio Times even refers to Rusty as female in its description.
Goofs
- Throughout this episode, Rusty's driver is not seen inside his cab.
- The Thai title: "Whistle Choo Choo" is inaccurate, as Rusty is a diesel, and cannot do either of those.
- When Rusty was on Skarloey Bridge, the narrator says, "The sound of the notes filled Rusty's funnel", but Rusty is a diesel and does not have a funnel.
In Other Languages
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Home Media Releases
UKDVD Boxsets
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DVD Boxsets
USDVD Boxsets
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SPNDVD BoxsetsTHAHKTWN |
| #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 | |