Air date: October 15th, 2004 (UK) October 16th, 2004 (US)
The railway staff is busy preparing for the arrival of the Railway Inspector and the Fat Controller tells his engines that there is a cleanliness competition for the best looking engine, so all engines must be "spic and span". Gordon, Emily, and James are very confident that they will win first prize, but Thomas tells Percy that a really useful engine can look just as grand as any engine.
However, whilst Thomas and Percy are working at the quarry, Thomas gets covered in stones. Percy is worried that Thomas will not win first prize, but Thomas knows that he just needs a good washdown. But Emily is at the washdown ahead of Thomas and she tells him that there is no need for him to be cleaned; she will be the cleanest at the inspection. Thomas leaves to help Percy with the stone trucks, still confident in winning first prize.
Thomas and Percy deliver the stone trucks to the docks. The he sees the Fat Controller with the Railway Inspector examining the docks. Thomas rushes back to the washdown, only to find James there ahead of him. Like Emily, James tells Thomas that there is no point in him being clean. Thomas begins to lose confidence.
Back at the docks, Thomas helps Percy with shunting the stone trucks into the sidings. Now Percy is dirty too so they both head for the washdown. This time, Gordon is there as well as James and Emily. All three look splendid and Thomas is sure he will never win now. Percy knows that with a good washdown they still have a chance.
James, Emily, and Gordon arrive at the coaling plant where the Fat Controller and the Railway Inspector will meet them. Trying to find a good place in the sunlight, James reverses, only to bump into a flatbed which accidentally knocks into a lever, releasing the hatch on the coal hopper. Suddenly, coal is pouring onto the tracks and coal dust spreads all over Gordon, Emily, and James. The Fat Controller and the Railway Inspector are shocked to see the three engines so dirty. Gordon, trying to clean out his funnel, sends coal shooting out into the air, which lands all over the Fat Controller and the Railway Inspector.
Just then, Thomas and Percy arrive, nice and clean. The Railway Inspector is so impressed with Thomas and Percy's appearance that they both win first prize and Percy tells Thomas that he was right; a really useful engine can look as grand as any engine.
Tropes featured in the episode:
- Break the Haughty / Laser-Guided Karma: Happens to Gordon, James, and Emily as they were all showered in coal dust after James accidentally bumped a flatbed knocking into a lever of the coal hopper.
- Earn Your Happy Ending: Despite the messy work in the quarry and several attempts to get themselves to the washdown, Thomas and Percy win first prize for best looking engine.
- Jerkasses: Gordon, James, and Emily who haughtily doubted Thomas and Percy's chances in winning first prize and look as grand as they are. This is notably the first time Emily has acted as the third member of this trio instead of Henry.
- Oh, Crap!: James' reaction after knocking the lever of the coal hopper.
- Right on Queue: Each time Thomas tries to wash down, Emily, James, and Gordon are already there.
- Well, Excuse Me, Princess!: Emily snootily tells Thomas he'll never get cleaned and she will be the cleanest engine in the inspection.
