Air Date: April 23, 1989
Thomas Stories: Double Trouble, James in a Mess
Stacy is in the Lost and Found Department searching for a briefcase that a passenger had mistakenly left behind. Stacy finds it and returns it to the grateful woman.
Matt and Tanya come in to inform Stacy that someone forgot their suitcase on the platform. Stacy asks Matt to bring it in so it can be stored in the station's Lost and Found. Stacy then notices and compliments the necklace that Tanya is wearing. Tanya explains that it used to belong to her grandmother, and that Harry gave it to her.
Matt and Tanya wonder what might be in the lost luggage, such as treasure or toys. They suddenly hear Mr. Conductor screaming. His voice is coming from one of the pieces of luggage and the kids frantically try to find which piece of luggage he's inside of. They settle on a round hat case and open it. He was searching for his lost pocket watch when he became trapped, but is happy to have found the watch. Tanya finds a name tag inside the case identifying that it belongs to a "Louella Burndoyne". Matt supposes that she left it behind on purpose to get rid of the carpet sweepings. Mr. Conductor agrees with Matt's deduction, but complains that now he's dirtier than Thomas and Percy combined.
Mr. Conductor says that he needs to wash up. He describes how he'll go about cleaning himself before sparkling away. As the kids clumsily attempt to put back the bags they moved while looking for Mr. Conductor, they causes a black case to fall and open on the floor. The kids are amazed to find a saxophone inside, and they begin to play with it.
The Jukebox Puppet Band hears the saxophone and they wonder what it is. Tex tells Rex that it sounds like the burping noise he makes after eating chili-dogs. Didi says that it's a totally new rad(ical) sound and that the "child dudes" are onto something.
Schemer is drawn by the kids' attempt to play the saxophone and comes over to investigate. Schemer insults their playing and claims that he once owned a saxophone just like this one. He claims to know how to play the instrument, but the kids laugh at his attempt to play a jazz version of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". As Schemer's about to claim the instrument as the one he had as a child, he tries a few more notes and gives up, saying that the saxophone must be broken. He returns it to the kids and leaves. The kids return the saxophone to its case and hide it at the back of the pile of lost luggage.
Harry tells them that he gave the necklace to Tanya's grandmother when he was a young man on the railroad, and that it cost him half a week's wages. She was pleased to receive it when he presented it to her in the sleeper car of the Honeymoon Special to Niagara Falls. Harry then tells them about passenger trains and sleeper cars and how the rocking soon put him to a good night's sleep. The nostalgia makes Harry want to take another passenger train trip in the near future as he leaves the station and the children go get the bucket of water.
Harry and a boy named Amani come into the station and Harry directs him to the Lost and Found. Stacy apologizes to the boy, saying that the black case he's looking for isn't there, and Amani is sad, Stacy promises to keep an eye out for it and tell him if it turns up. When the boy leaves, Stacy tells the kids that Amani lost a case containing his new saxophone that is very special to him.Mr. Conductor stands in front of his signal box and tells the kids to hurry up with the bucket. When they place it just below the signal box, Mr. Conductor surprises the kids by jumping into the bucket.
Mr. Conductor noticed that Tanya's necklace is missing. Tanya realizes that she's lost it and goes looking for it near the Information Booth saying that her grandfather will be furious. Harry overhears this, promptly, making Tanya to confess. Harry says that it was an accident and that he's not angry, but that they should all start looking for it.Suddenly, Harry and Amani come back. Amani found the necklace on the platform and returns it to a grateful Tanya. Harry explains that Amani was bringing the necklace to the Lost and Found. This prompts Tanya to get up and retrieve the saxophone case that she and Matt had hidden earlier. Amani thanks her and Harry requests that he play a happy tune on his saxophone. Amani treats the friends to a solo performance.
Inside the jukebox, Didi wonders from hearing the saxophone music if the kids have taken some serious lessons. Tito says that this time it's someone who really knows how to play. Tex suggests that they all play something as they can learn something from this boy, and they play "The Desperado" with Amani accompanying the music with his saxophone playing.
This episode provides examples of:
- Dreadful Musician:
- Matt's attempt to play the saxophone.
Rex: Oowee! What was that, Tex?Tex: Sound like the burping you do after you eat chili dogs, Rex.Rex: You know, you're a mighty handsome looking fella, Tex, but I think it's about time you cleaned up your language!- Schemer's attempt isn't any better, and he claims he owned a saxophone just like it!
- Lampshade Hanging: "Who in their right mind would fill a suitcase with carpet sweepings?"
- Plot Hole: Couldn't Mr. Conductor just teleport out of the hat case he was trapped in, instead of rudely telling Matt and Tanya to look for it?
- Stating the Simple Solution: Tanya asks Mr. Conductor why he couldn't just clean himself up with magic instead of washing himself. Mr. Conductor states that "there is absolutely no substitute for the magic of soap".
- Tempting Fate: Tanya states that Harry will be furious if he finds out that she lost her necklace.Harry: Why would Grandpa be furious?
