Air date: April 21st, 1992 (UK), November 26th, 1991 (US)
Adapted from: Gordon the Big Engine, "Leaves"
One morning, Thomas is being cleaned when Gordon arrives, covered in mud. Thomas cheekily tells Gordon that it looks as though he had a mud bath and advises him to have a wash down instead. Gordon states that he does not have time to talk about appearances and leaves. Along his way, a strong wind is blowing and Gordon's driver tells him to slow down, making the big blue engine cross at being both dirty and late at the same time.
At the next station, Gordon sees a sign saying "All trains must wash down daily". James is just finishing with his wash down as Gordon's driver tells him it is his turn now, Gordon angrily lets off steam and mud flies all over James. Gordon's driver scolds him and tells him that James will have to get another washdown while he waits for his. Gordon pompously retorts that he does not have time for water and leaves to pull the Express. The Fat Controller is waiting for Gordon at Knapford and tells him that, because he is muddy, Henry will have to take the express and strongly advised him to get clean immediately.
Gordon finally gets a wash down and then pulls trucks for the rest of the day, much to his disgust. James is getting ready to pull the express. When Gordon returns, he warns James about the hills being slippery and says that he may need help. James rebuffs this and leaves off with his train. Earlier, a storm had swept across Gordon's Hill, blowing leaves onto the tracks. Though the storm had passed, the hill was still slippery.
When James goes up to Gordon's hill, his wheels begin to slip and he rolls back down the hill where an amused Gordon watches. Nevertheless, he pushes behind the express and helped James up the top. That night, Gordon was miserable. Thomas asks the Fat Controller if Gordon can pull the express again. The Fat Controller responds that, as long as he stays clean, then yes. Gordon was delighted.
Tropes featured in the episode:
- Adaptation Expansion: The novel version carried on from "Off The Rails". Naturally due to the story rearrangement, extra story is added as to why James ends up pulling the Express.
- And This Is for...: Gordon does this while shunting trucks, one after another.Gordon: That's for you! And you! And you!
James: Trucks will be trucks.
Gordon: They won't with me! I'll show them! - Berserk Button: Gordon has to pull trucks for the rest of the day after getting cleaned. The U.S. version has him indignantly shouting "Freight trains! Freight trains!"
- Covered in Mud: Gordon. And later James after Gordon hisses mud all over him.
- Here We Go Again!: Right after James gets washed, Gordon hisses mud all over him, causing him to get another shower before it's his turn.
- Kick the Dog: Gordon letting off steam spraying mud all over James was a dick move as James, who was just in the way has to get cleaned all over again.
- Leave Me Alone!: James refused to have Gordon help him up the hill where it's slippery, but eventually reconsiders.
- Metal Reminder: "Dirty or clean, I'm a famous machine!" One of the few times the locomotive characters acknowledge that they're sentient vehicles.
- Vitriolic Best Buds: Gordon and James show a bit of this.
