Air date: September 9th, 2007 (UK), October 20th, 2007 (US)
Thomas is given a special to show a new engine around. He arrives at the docks where he meets Salty just as the new engine named Billy arrives. He was eager to go, but Thomas tells him that they have to wait for the Fat Controller until he gives him his job. Soon the Fat Controller arrives and gives Billy three jobs, to take chickens from Farmer McColl and take them to the Docks, deliver diesel oil to the quarry and lastly, to deliver coal to the depot. The Fat Controller tells Thomas to show Billy how to be a really useful engine and leaves. Thomas warns Billy to stock up on coal and water, but Billy, in an angry mood, tells him off that he is bossy and races off to do his first job. Thomas knowing that he promised the Fat Controller that he would look after Billy chases after him.
Thomas finds Billy collecting chickens from the farm, but Billy puffs off too soon and the chickens are not loaded yet leaving Farmer McColl annoyed, calling him "Silly Billy." Thomas says "Bother Billy!" crossly, puffs after him and finds him at the quarry, but Billy leaves as soon as he sees Thomas. Thomas then finds him at the depot where Billy was collecting diesel oil to bring it to the quarry, but Billy leaves without the diesel oil to get away from Thomas.
Thomas finds Billy at the coaling plant where he was backing up to the coal hopper to fill his trucks, but he accidentally pushes Percy underneath the coal loader and coal fell all over him. Percy says crossly, "Watch out, Silly Billy!" to Billy. Thomas tells Billy that he must be careful and to take on coal and water. Billy is furious and calls Thomas bossy again. An exasperated and exhausted Thomas tells Billy to do it his own way. This greatly delights Billy, so he sets off, but has barely moved before he has run out of coal and water. Thomas realises that he did not show Billy how to be really useful and shunts Billy to be restocked. Thomas offers to help Billy so that no one will call him "Silly Billy."
After that, Thomas and Billy work together to deliver the chickens to the docks, the diesel oil to Mavis and Diesel at the quarry and the coal to the depot. Thomas was tired and was about to leave, but stopped after Billy thanks him for helping him out and saying that he is a really useful engine, which made Thomas happy that he made a good friend.
Tropes featured in the episode:
- An Aesop: Don't assume someone is being bossy just because they're giving important advice.
- Big Brother Mentor: Thomas to Billy, much to the latter's displeasure.
- In-Series Nickname: Billy has been referred to as "Silly Billy" a couple of times just until he learned his lesson.
- Irony: In spite of accusing Thomas of being bossy, Billy is the bossy one himself.
- Jerkass: Billy for being rude to Thomas, ignoring his advice, and wrongfully accusing him of being bossy. He learns his lesson, however.
- Karma Houdini: Billy receives no punishment for disobeying Thomas and accusing him of being bossy.
- Laser-Guided Karma: For ignoring Thomas, Billy runs out of coal and water.
- Leave Me Alone!: Billy who thought Thomas was bossy to him. He even goes over the usual "three strikes" formula in telling Thomas to stop telling him what to do and that he's a very bossy engine no less than five times.
- Tempting Fate: The last time Billy calls Thomas a very bossy engine, Thomas lets Billy do what he wants. Billy is excited and rushes away, but then he instantly runs out of coal and water.
