Air date: September 5, 2019 (UK), May 18, 2019 (US)
In Brazil, Thomas meets Gustavo, a big, blue engine who reminds him very much of Gordon.
Tropes:
- An Aesop: Before you judge someone new, give yourself a chance to get to know them a little better. They might even become a good friend.
- Big Damn Heroes: Gustavo comes to help Thomas when he strands himself on the express line.
- The Big Guy: Gustavo is the biggest Brazilian engine on the railway.
- Continuity Nod:
- "One time, when Gordon was specially streamlined for a race, he set off without his safety valve…"
- In the life lesson segment, Thomas recalls the events of "Thomas, Terence and the Snow", with stock footage from "Terence Breaks the Ice" used to avoid having footage from the model era clash with the current aesthetic.
- Cassandra Truth: Gustavo warns Thomas not to take his express line, but Thomas, mistaking him for being arrogant like Gordon, decides to take it anyway. Gustavo's express line is electric only, so with no coal or water stops for miles, Thomas soon runs out of fuel and ends up stranded.
- Expy: Gustavo is a Brazilian electric version of Gordon. Both are big, blue express engines with the number 4, and Gustavo even says some of Gordon's catchphrases in Portuguese. This ends up being a Downplayed Trope; while he shares many of Gordon's traits, he's less arrogant and more empathetic.
- Fatal Flaw: Being an electric engine, Gustavo's limited to running on electric lines, hence his dedicated express line.
- Gratuitous Foreign Language: Gustavo says some phrases in Portuguese.
- Imagine Spot: Thomas has one where he sees a bunch of clones of Gustavo and Gordon.
- Oh, Crap!: Thomas has this reaction when he runs out of coal and water on the express line and Gustavo almost crashes into him.
- Scenery Porn: The express line is detailed and beautiful, and almost looks real.
- Token Minority: Gustavo is the second electric engine in the series, following Stafford. However, Gustavo is the first to be powered by catenary, as Stafford is battery powered.
