Air date: July 21st, 1995 (UK), October 28th, 1996 (US)
Adapted from: Four Little Engines, "Skarloey Remembers" and "Old Faithful"
Edward is sent to be mended. On the way, he meets a narrow gauge engine called Skarloey, who is resting in a shed. The two talk for a while, then Edward leaves.
Meanwhile, Sir Handel is pulling some coaches when he has to stop suddenly because a flock of sheep is on the line. The coaches are angry and bump him off the rails. Sir Handel limps home, but there is not an engine to take the passengers home. Skarloey volunteers, and makes good time until a spring breaks coming down a hill. Skarloey is determined, and manages to get home. Skarloey reflects afterwards that he is in no state to pull trains, but is delighted when his driver tells him he will be mended.
Tropes featured in the episode:
- Adaptational Jerkass: As a result of the below Series Continuity Error, the coaches just seem to have an unexplained dislike for Sir Handell despite trying to be nice. In the story that was supposed to precede it, Sir Handel was rude and insulting to them first. While they were still presented as in the wrong in this story, they at least had a reason to distrust him.
- Compressed Adaptation: Of "Skarloey Remembers" (Edward talks with Skarloey while waiting to be mended) and "Old Faithful" (Sir Handel is knocked off the line by the coaches and Skarloey, despite nearly breaking down, brings the passengers home).
- Determinator: Skarloey.
- Disneyfication: In the scene where Skarloey scolds the coaches for bumping Sir Handel, the episode omits the part where in the book, Skarloey had brushed off their explanation and severely warned them not to play tricks on him.
- Disproportionate Retribution: The coaches bumped Sir Handel off the rails although he unintentionally bumped them for a stop.
- Series Continuity Error: This episode was supposed to have taken place after "A Bad Day for Sir Handel" since Peter Sam and Sir Handel were introduced the Skarloey Railway in said episode. Also, Skarloey appears in the next two episodes despite being sent to the works. The coaches' hatred for Sir Handel was also explained in said episode.
- In addition, this episode was supposed to have taken place after "Old Iron" like in the novels where Edward was taken to the works to be mended and meets Skarloey.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Skarloey scolded the coaches for derailing Sir Handel. They apologized sincerely.
