Air date: October 10th, 2002 (UK), February 25th, 2003 (US)
Bill and Ben have been working hard in the quarry. One day, the Fat Controller comes to inspect the quarry's engines, he discovers Mavis and Bill are in satisfactory condition, but finds that Ben's buffers are damaged, so the Fat Controller sends him to the works to have replacement buffers fitted. Bill, jealous of Ben, tells Ben that he only needs new buffers because he is clumsy and the two argue. Mavis scolds them for being grouchy and Bill goes back to work while Ben leaves.
Bill, still thinking of Ben's new buffers, becomes careless, causing him to knock a pipe into his funnel and sneeze it out. He tries thinking about birds, trees, and anything that might make him forget about Ben's new buffers, but it is no use. Mavis tells him to be happy that he is in working order (and not in need of new buffers), but Bill simply huffs and wheeshes soot all over her.
When the trucks overhear that Bill is cross about Ben getting new buffers, they start teasing him, making him crosser still. Bill tries to stop the trucks from their teasing by bumping them but accidentally crashes into a ditch and damages his buffers in the process. Ben arrives from the works with a new pair of shiny buffers and sees his twin's predicament. When the Breakdown Train arrives to rescue Bill, the Fat Controller scolds him for his misbehaviour and tells him that before he gets new buffers, he must learn how it is important to be responsible and reliable.
Once back on the rails, Bill compliments his twin on his new buffers and the two properly make up for their quarrel.
Tropes featured in the episode:
- Alliterative Title: "Buffer Bother".
- An Aesop: Don’t be jealous of someone just because they get something that you want.
- Argument of Contradictions: Bill and Ben get into this until Mavis tells them to stop:Bill: You're only getting new buffers because you're clumsy.
Ben: No, I'm not!
Bill: Yes, you are!
Ben: No, I'm not!
Bill: Yes, you are!
Mavis: Will you two stop being grouchy? - Cold Turkeys Are Everywhere: Bill tries to think about other things such as birds or trees instead of Ben's new buffers, which doesn't work.
- Green-Eyed Monster: Bill is jealous of Ben getting new buffers.
- Laser-Guided Karma: Bill spends the whole episode complaining about Ben's new buffers. Near the end, he becomes too careless and accidentally backs into a ditch, damaging his own buffers as a result. He does get to go to the works to get new buffers, but not before the Fat Controller scolds him for his misbehaviour and tells him that he must learn how to be responsible and reliable.
- Luminescent Blush: Bill becomes literally green with envy over Ben's new buffers, sporting a green blush on his face.
- Pop-Culture Pun Episode Title: The episode’s
Working Title, "Bill and Ben’s Excellent Adventure", is a play on the film Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. - Team Mom: Mavis is to the twins, having to try to stop them from fighting and trying to sooth Bill's bad feelings.
