Air date: November 12th, 1986
Adapted from: More About Thomas the Tank Engine, "Better Late Than Never"
Work has become hard for the engines on the Island of Sodor. The viaduct on the main line is being repaired, with the arches being strengthened. As the Fat Controller is unwilling to close the railway during repairs, the work is taking a long time and all engines crossing the viaduct must cross slowly and carefully, lest they risk it collapsing under them. Because of this, the engines are often late making it to the junction where Thomas waits for his passengers.
Thomas complains that the engines are just going slowly to make him late; one morning he grumbles at Henry for his lateness. Henry defends himself by telling Thomas that they have to go at a reduced speed during the repair work, but Thomas is uninterested and he leaves to try to make up for lost time.
Normally when Thomas stops at the station, Bertie arrives soon after and his passengers go straight from him to Thomas. However, when the larger engines are late for Thomas, then Thomas is late for Bertie's passengers and now they often find themselves waiting on the platform, causing Bertie to become angry with Thomas. When Thomas arrives that day, Bertie tells Thomas that he thought he could go faster than that. He then remarks they should have another race, thinking he could now beat him causing an exhausted Thomas to become angry and blame the main line engines for "dithering" on the viaduct and claims it to be an excuse for laziness.
Another day, James arrives later than ever. He apologises, a hold-up at the station combined with the delay at the viaduct causing his lateness. Thomas, as usual, has no interest in excuses and leaves grumbling. He attempts to get to the station as fast as he can, but is unable to make up very much time. However, things change when Thomas spots Bertie at the level crossing, where his radiator is steaming. Thomas tells Bertie he is late, but Bertie tells Thomas that he feels dreadful and his driver is unable to repair him. Thomas running so late is a bit of relief, as he can now pick up the passengers here instead of having them be stranded. Thomas no longer feels angry and is sorry for Bertie, and promises to send help at the next station. Thomas leaves and takes the passengers home.
When Bertie is repaired, he and Thomas make up their argument and both agree that sometimes being late can actually be quite useful.
Tropes featured in the episode:
- An Aesop: As Thomas states, being late sometimes isn't such a bad thing.
- Anachronic Order: In the US, this episode aired before "Saved from Scrap". This means that the audience would not know who Trevor is. It also aired before the previous episode "A Close Shave".
- Berserk Button: Thomas was furious when Bertie teased him for being late and will beat him in a race the next time they met.
- Breather Episode: Between the events of Duck and Diesel and the Scottish Twins causing trouble, this episode is just about Thomas dealing about being late.
- The Chain of Harm: A more petty example. Thomas is particularly antsy about other engines making him late, dismissing any excuses as just cover ups for laziness or teasing him. In this episode, it's revealed he has to pick up more passengers from Bertie, who in turn teases Thomas over his lateness. Following Bertie breaking down himself and being more sympathetic, Thomas in turn accepts delays more willfully.
- Comically Missing the Point: When Henry asks Thomas what would he do if there were no passengers if he rushed over the viaduct, causing it to collapse. Thomas responds that he would run his train on time anyways, not understanding that the people could be killed if engines quickly went over the viaduct.
- Luminescent Blush: Thomas' face has a rather pink tinge after he arrives at the station.
- No Sympathy: Thomas brushes off Henry and James' explanations on how the viaduct made them late and sees this as an excuse for laziness. He is also given this treatment when Bertie called him out for being late and teases him about beating him in their next race.
- Series Continuity Error: Because this is from the book More About Thomas The Tank Engine, Thomas' impatience towards delays remains in "Woolly Bear", while this story and others in More From Thomas The Tank Engine marked his Character Development into a more patient and humble engine.
- Stock Footage: Footage from "Thomas' Train", "Thomas and the Guard", "Thomas and Bertie", an alternate shot from "Bertie's Chase" and a deleted scene from "Thomas and Trevor" are used.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Attempted when Henry tries to call out Thomas for his impatience, telling him that if they hurried across the viaduct it might collapse, and Thomas would have no passengers at all. This didn't set Thomas straight, however.
