Air date: October 19, 2010
It is market day on Sodor and all the engines are taking fruit and vegetables to market. All except Diesel, who is taking slate to the school because the school's roof is broken and rain had been forecast. At Maithwaite, Diesel sees a group of children clapping and cheering for James because he is pulling a special special - Farmer Trotter's piglets. Diesel, who wants to be clapped and cheered for as well, follows James. Then Diesel meets up with Thomas who is taking shiny apples to the market. Diesel thinks that the apples are just as good as James' piglets, so he offers to take Thomas' load to market, leaving his slates in a siding. Diesel catches up with James at Maron station. Once again, children are clapping and cheering at James and no one claps for Diesel.
Later, Diesel meets up with Rosie at a signal. Rosie is pulling a flatbed of colorful flowers to market. Diesel thinks that the flowers are just as good as the piglets and offers to take the flowers. Rosie agrees and Diesel sets off with both the flowers and the apples. Next, Diesel spots James at a crossing. Stephen, Bridget, and another child clap and cheer for him and his piglets. Once again, no-one claps and cheers for Diesel.
On the way back from market, Diesel passes Farmer Trotter's Pig Farm where he spies James' van of piglets. Diesel steals the truck and takes it to show the children at the school. When he arrives at the school, the children do not clap and cheer. They are standing in the rain and are getting wet. Diesel realizes his mistake and, after the Fat Controller scolds him, he sets off to put everything right.
Diesel takes the piglets back to Farmer Trotter's and apologizes. Then, he collects the slate truck from the siding and hurries back to the school. At the school, the children are delighted to see Diesel. They shout hooray, clap, and cheer for him.
Tropes featured in the episode:
- An Aesop: Even the most mundane of deliveries turn out to be very useful.
- Attention Whore: Diesel wanted the admiration of children.
- Fantastic Racism: When Diesel asks James why the children aren't cheering for him, James replies with "Because you're a diesel!".
- Kindness Ball: Diesel is inexplicably nice as opposed of being devious.
