Air date: September 10th, 2002
'Arry and Bert play a trick on Percy by shunting trucks in front and behind him, which leads to Percy being pushed onto the coal tipper by Henry by mistake. Percy is sent to work in the yard until the incident is sorted out, and the Fat Controller nominates James to do Percy's work after he makes a snide comment. When 'Arry and Bert play the same trick on James, he refuses to move and so Percy has to pull James to the Docks. Percy then jokes that James is learning to be a middle engine, and James gets heavily humiliated.
Tropes featured in the episode:
- Bully Hunter: While he didn't bother to defend Percy since he teased him earlier, James declares that he won't let 'Arry and Bert make him a middle engine. He was wrong.
- Characterization Marches On: When 'Arry and Bert first appeared in "Stepney Gets Lost", they were seen as villainous in attempting to scrap Stepney even with an unsettling voice saying "Bye bye, Stepney". In this episode, they are nothing more than mere bullies always harassing steam engines.
- Jerkass Ball: Even Sir Topham Hatt blamed the loading ramp on Percy, despite him picketing that it wasn't his fault.
- Karma Houdini: 'Arry and Bert receive no comeuppance for their actions.
- Noodle Incident: The narration makes a mention that Percy didn't want to fall for 'Arry and Bert's tricks again, implying that the two diesels had done this to Percy before.
- Sarcasm Mode: Bert's response to James telling them to prepare his trucks.James: Just get my trucks ready and stay out of my way!
Bert: Yes, sir. - The Worf Effect: Duck makes a cameo showing the concept of middle engine.
- What Happened to the Mouse?: What becomes of Arry and Bert for their misdeeds? Nobody knows.
