Air Date: March 26, 1989
Thomas Stories: Percy Runs Away, Thomas Comes to Breakfast
Stacy brings the mail in to everyone. Matt, Tanya, and Stacy get mail, but a disappointed Harry doesn't. Tanya remembers it's his birthday, so Matt, Tanya, and Stacy prepare a surprise party for him. After working for a bit, Harry nearly catches them. They shoo him away and move locations. Shooing him away to fetch a box of cheese giggles to Schemer makes him grumble. The kids ask Mr. Conductor to help with the surprise party, but he is worried that Harry won't like him. Harry comes back, complaining that Schemer should get his own package. Going back into the workshop, Mr. Conductor tries to introduce himself to Harry, but can't. The three go to work on the surprise party. Schemer arrives, who notices there's two boxes of what he thinks is cheese giggles. One is cheese giggles, the other is an empty box filled with birthday presents. He decides to put one in the machine, and take the other one home. because he thinks both are cheese giggles boxes, he mistakenly takes the presents one. When Tanya and Matt come back, they forget about the cake. Mr. Conductor kindly makes them one. Stacy arrives, just as everyone notices the box of presents is gone. Schemer comes back, complaining the box had "artsy crafty" things. Harry yells at Schemer because he could've fetched the boxes himself. Schemer is very confused, but they all explain they are having a surprise party for Harry. Schemer joins in on the plan. Embarrassed he doesn't have a gift, Matt suggests Schemer should give Harry nickels for the jukebox. Stacy says Harry loves to play the jukebox. Schemer eventually gives in. They call Harry out and surprise him. He is very happy, just as the mail train arrives full of birthday cards for Harry. After the party, Harry is thinking that was the best birthday ever, just as Mr. Conductor goes in and introduces himself. They start talking about the presidential train, and realize they have a lot more in common than they both thought. They talk to each other for a very long time.
Tropes featured in this episode:
- Birthday Episode: In this episode, it's Harry's birthday, and Matt, Tanya, and Stacy prepare a surprise party for him.
- Real After All: Overcoming his shyness, Mr. Conductor finally introduces himself to Harry. The two get along quite well.
- Shout-Out: At the beginning of this episode, the item that Matt receives in the mail is a Sesame Street magazine with Bert and Ernie prominently featured on the cover.
- Surprise Party: The episode's plot revolves around Stacy, Matt, and Tanya setting up a surprise party for Harry.
