Air date: October 24th, 2003 (UK), October 1st, 2005 (US)
Arthur is new to the railway and is still learning his way around. One morning, he discovers the fishing village and soon sees it as his favourite place on the island. That evening, the Fat Controller comes to the shed looking for an engine to run the line. Arthur hopes he will be chosen, but the Fat Controller ends up choosing Thomas, who is not very pleased. Arthur is disappointed when the Fat Controller sends him to haul coal to the Steelworks instead.
Later, Thomas is having a washdown when Arthur arrives and teases him. Thomas complains of the smell and Arthur knows he would be happier than Thomas if he was running the line.
Thomas is sent to collect some fish and is impatient to be loaded up when a fisherman tells him to enjoy the smell, to which Thomas snorts in disgust. When he leaves, the trip initially starts smoothly, but a set of malfunctioning points leaves the trucks heading in the right direction while Thomas is diverted onto an old pier line. He falls off the pier into a tidal pool, much to the trucks' delight. When the Fat Controller hears the news, he checks the timetables and sends Arthur to assist Thomas.
Due to the heat, the ice keeping the fish fresh begins to melt and Thomas is worried that it will go off. Arthur is surprised to find Thomas in the water, but Thomas is not concerned about himself and tells Arthur to take the fish and leave him. Arthur takes the fish away and hurries to Brendam Docks, delivering the fish just in time.
Later, Arthur finds Thomas in the fitter's yard, who proposes that they trade jobs. When the Fat Controller is looking for a replacement for Thomas, Arthur volunteers and asks the Fat Controller if he could run it permanently. The Fat Controller agrees and allows Arthur to run it. Arthur is proud to be running his routine work on the fishing line.
This episode contains examples of:
- Deadpan Snarker: The fisherman in response to Thomas' rudeness:Thomas: Hurry up! I'm a busy engine!
Fisherman: And a fussy one, too! - Early-Bird Cameo: Murdoch and Spencer make appearances, even though the two won't be properly introduced until "Peace and Quiet" and "Gordon and Spencer", respectively.
- The Freelance Shame Squad: The troublesome trucks laugh at Thomas for falling in the tide pool:Troublesome Trucks: He's fallen in the water!
- Got Volunteered: The Fat Controller chooses Thomas to run the new line to the fishing village. Thomas, disgusted with fish, reluctantly goes along with it.
- Shout-Out: When Thomas falls off the pier, the trucks shout "He's fallen in the water!".
- What Happened to the Mouse?: Thomas is chosen to run the line to the fishing village, but it is never mentioned who is running his own branch line while this happens.
