U.S. Title: Percy's Ghostly Trick
Air date: December 10th, 1986
Adapted from: Tramway Engines, "Ghost Train"
Percy is telling Thomas and Toby the story of a ghost train that his driver told him the night before. Percy is afraid to think of it, however Thomas doesn't believe a word and runs off calling Percy a silly little engine. Percy tells his driver that Thomas didn't believe in the ghost and Percy's driver explains that he doesn't either; it was a story on television. Percy can't help but be disappointed.
That evening, after his work at the harbour is done, Percy runs light back to the shed. Percy enjoys running at night and knows exactly where he is despite the dark. What Percy doesn't know is that a broken cart of lime is ahead on the tracks. While Sam the farmer has gone for help, Percy comes down the line and smashes the cart to pieces and the lime completely covers him, who runs to the nearest signal box.
At the signal box, Percy meets Toby and his driver explains to the signalman what happened. The signalman arranges to sort out the hazard on the line, but suggests Percy be cleaned up as he looks like a ghost. This gives Percy an idea to scare Thomas. Toby promises to help.
At the shed, a scared Toby arrives and tells Thomas, who is preparing to take his evening train, that Percy has had an accident. Thomas is concerned for Percy, but also worries that this will make him late. Toby tells him the line has been cleared, but that he thinks he saw Percy's ghost. Thomas is unconcerned and tells Toby not to worry.
However, after this, a ghostly voice comes from outside demanding to be let in. Thomas is frightened as the shed doors open and reveal what appears to be Percy's ghost. Thomas, terrified, quickly runs off to collect Annie and Clarabel.
The next morning, Thomas finally returns and meets Toby at the station. Toby asks what happened and Thomas reveals he slept in the goods shed claiming he didn't want to intrude as Toby would be sad about Percy. However, as he makes his excuse, Percy whistles in the distance and Thomas runs off.
Percy, now cleaned up and none the worse for his adventure, arrives having heard everything. Percy can't help but be pleased as Toby remarks that Thomas is acting as if he had seen a ghost.
Tropes featured in the episode:
- Coincidental Accidental Disguise: Percy gets covered in lime after hitting the cart, making him look like a ghost.
- Digital Destruction:
- In the restored version, the shot of Toby heading for the sheds uses an alternant take where he sets off later than he does in the original. Despite this, the puffing sound effects still play at the same time, meaning they noticeably start before Toby does.
- Also Averted; It's daytime at the beginning of the original episode, but the restored version makes it look like dusk so Percy's scary tale can have more atmosphere.
- Gag Echo: One is given at the very end of the episode.
- Ghost Train: Exactly What It Says on the Tin. The episode begins with a ghost engine moving on the viaduct in Percy's story.
- I Need to Go Iron My Dog:Thomas: Oh, sorry, can’t stop! Got to see a coach about a train!
- Jerkass Ball:
- Thomas is quite unpleasant in the episode. He calls Percy a silly little engine for believing in the ghost story, and when Toby tells him Percy got into an accident (which was a part of a prank), he is less concerned about Percy than about the accident making his own train late.
- There's also Percy, who fakes his own death just to get back at Thomas for teasing him.
- Jerk with a Heart of Jerk: Thomas, who upon hearing about Percy's accident laments "Poor engine..." only to realise that the accident will likely mean a delay in his own train leaving.
- Karmic Trickster: After getting covered in lime, Percy comes up with a plan to scare Thomas to pay him back for calling him a silly little engine.
- Miles Gloriosus: Thomas claims that he isn't scared of ghosts, but as he hears Percy's ghostly voice...
- Never Say "Die": In part of Percy's trick on Thomas, Toby informs him that Percy had an accident and the worst part is he saw what may be Percy's ghost.
- Oh, Crap!: Thomas's face when he first hears Percy pretending to be a ghost says this more clearly than any expletive!
- "Psycho" Strings: Used in the Ghost Train's theme, combined with a Drone of Dread.
- Shout-Out: Percy and Toby's exchange at the sheds spoofs The Three Little Pigs.Percy: [in a ghostly tone] Peep! Peep! Pip pip pip peep! Let me in! Let me innnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!
Toby: No, no! Not by the smoke of my chimney-chim-chim!
Percy: I'll chuff! And I'll puff! And I'll break your door innnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn! - Skewed Priorities: When Toby informs Thomas that Percy had an "accident", Thomas is more annoyed about being late than being concerned for Percy.
