Air Date: September 5th, 2007 (UK), September 22nd, 2007 (US)
Hector indulges in social distancing.
Bill and Ben bring a new coal hopper, Hector, to the coal yards, and warn Thomas that he is very aggressive. Hector proves that point when Thomas tries to shunt him, to which he replies by roaring "KEEP AWAY!" He later scares Rosie and Thomas decides to teach Hector a lesson by bumping him very hard. Unfortunately, he bumps Hector so hard that he derails. When he helps Hector back on the rails, Hector reveals he was aggressive so he would not have to carry coal, as he was scared. Thomas shows him it is no hardship, and now Hector is the best-behaved coal truck in the yard.
Tropes featured in the episode:
- An Aesop: Even the meanest of people have a reason behind their behavior and have at least some good in them.
- Anti-Villain: Hector.
- Big Brother Instinct: Hector scaring away Rosie was enough to anger Thomas.
- Borrowed Catchphrase: Thomas scolds Hector for "causing confusion and delay", something that Sir Topham Hatt typically says whenever his engines screw up.
- Bully Hunter: Thomas didn't take too kindly when Hector yelled at Rosie, causing her to run away, so he biffed him a couple of times until Hector reveals why he acts this way.
- Character Catchphrase: Hector's "KEEP AWAY!" However, this was only temporary.
- My God, What Have I Done?: Thomas feels bad after biffing Hector so hard he derails and tries reasoning with him instead.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: After Hector roars at Rosie, she trembles in fear and leaves the yard as fast as she can
- White Sheep: Hector, as a result of Thomas' kindness, is now among the very few well behaved trucks on Sodor.
- The Worf Effect: Hector is introduced giving Trickster Twins Bill and Ben a hard time.
