Thomas' Train, retitled to A Big Day for Thomas in American releases, is the fifth episode of the first season of Thomas & Friends. It was first aired in the UK on 23rd October 1984.
Plot
Thomas' job is to fetch coaches for the larger engines when they need to pull passenger trains, recently however, Thomas has been grumbling about this, and wishes that he two could pull passenger train's, instead of just shunting them. The other engines only tease Thomas, telling him that if he pulled a train he would most certainly forget something, Thomas however is determined to show them different.
That night at the sheds, Thomas is alone with Henry, who has fallen ill. The workmen try to make him feel better, to no avail. Next morning Henry is still ill, so Thomas decides that he will take Henry's train. After bringing the coaches to the station platform, Thomas' is eager to get to the front of the train, however his driver has him wait, citing that he should be more patient. Soon afterwards, the coaches are filled and ready to go, Henry is nowhere to be seen, much to Thomas' delight. The Fat Controller arrives to find out what's going on, and is soon informed about Henry. It is found that Thomas is the only other engine available, and thus he is allowed to pull the train.
An excited Thomas quickly backs to the front of the train, despite his driver insisting for him to be more patient. For reasons unknown, Thomas' isn't coupled to the train, and unknown to the tank engine, he sets off without them. The passengers are cross, and the men in the signal box try to stop Thomas, but it's too late.
Thomas continues down the line, believing coaches are much easier to pull than what he was told. Eventually Thomas is stopped at a signal box, were a signalman informs him that he isn't pulling coaches, much to Thomas' horror. Thomas is very distraught by his mistake, and sets back to the station to collect the coaches.
At Knapford, an angry crowd of passengers are complaining to the Fat Controller, saying what a bad railway it is. When Thomas arrives, the passengers realize how sorry he is, and are no longer cross. Thomas' is given a second chance, and this time successfully pulls the train. The larger engines teased Thomas about his predicament with the coaches for a long while afterwards, much to the tank engine's annoyance.
Episode
