Air date: September 25th, 2002 (UK)
Thomas is taking some trucks along the line, thinking about his new friend, Jack, who hopes he has improved himself, after having broken the rules for jumping in where he does not belong. The Pack is at work widening the road near the Old Quarry Bridge. After loading Max with Alfie, Jack, having completed his first assignment for working hard, behaving well, and following all the rules, feels proud of himself, but he is also worried that Miss Jenny still will not accept him into the Pack.
Meanwhile, Ned the Steam Shovel is cleaning up a pile of rocks and loads Max, who tries to warn him to be careful of his very full bucket. Thomas is excited to cross the Old Quarry Bridge, as he can see how Jack is doing and knows the Pack is working on the road construction below. Back at the site, the foreman orders Oliver to move a pile of topsoil. Jack initially attempts to help him once again by jumping in, but just before he fills his bucket, Jack suddenly remembers Miss Jenny's warning to not jump in where anyone should not belong from last time. Oliver arrives to do the job, and Jack tells him that the topsoil moving was actually for him. Oliver kindly thanks Jack, while Kelly, Alfie, and Isobella congratulate him. Later, Ned approaches the Old Quarry Bridge and tries to go as slow and cautiously as he can as he is going under it. However, he ends up not lowering his arm down far enough, and he accidentally knocks a keystone out of the bridge which begins to crumble.
Meanwhile, Thomas nears the Old Quarry Bridge, unaware of the danger that has unexpectedly laid ahead but is unable to stop. Before Thomas rolls onto the bridge, Jack jumps in and holds the bridge up with his scoop until Thomas can reverse back to safety. Kelly rushes to Jack's aid, but Jack is unable to hold the bridge much longer as he lets it go, causing the bridge section to collapse before Kelly can help.
Thomas brings Jack back to the yard, and after having damaged his arms, Jack is very worried about what Miss Jenny might say, but she is pleased with Jack's bravery and accepts him into the Pack. Jack is then sent to the works to get his arms repaired tomorrow.
Thomas, now very happy, then returns home to Tidmouth Sheds and welcomes Jack to the Pack.
This episode contains examples of:
- Chew-Out Fake-Out: Jack is worried that Miss Jenny will be cross with him for damaging his arms, but she is pleased instead for his bravery.
- Earn Your Happy Ending: After his bravery, Jack now officially becomes a part of the Pack.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Max may be a bit of a bully, but he's just as concerned about Jack as everyone else is after the bridge collapses.
- Load-Bearing Hero: When Thomas is about to cross the collapsing bridge, Jack rushes under it and holds it up with his bucket. He manages to hold it up long enough for Thomas to back off back to safety, albeit damaging his arms in the process.
- Track Trouble: Ned accidentally knocks loose the bridge's keystones, causing the bridge to crumble. When Thomas approaches the bridge, Jack holds it steady until Thomas backs up to safety. When Jack is unable to hold the bridge any longer, the bridge collapses.
