Air date: July 28th, 1995 (UK), November 11th, 1996 (US)
Adapted from: The Little Old Engine, "Rock 'n' Roll"
Skarloey tells Rusty the railway looks drastically different since he has returned from the works because of the repairs to the lines. Rusty explains that the manager had planned to give Skarloey a surprise upon his return. Rusty however warns Skarloey that there is still a damaged portion of track on the line just outside the first station and worries that Duncan, with his habit of "rock 'n' roll." will derail there. Duncan overhears the engines' conversation and demands to know why they are talking about him. Rusty attempts to warn him, but Duncan dismisses the warning and rudely calls Rusty a smelly diesel.
Duncan collects his coaches and arrives at the station where James is waiting for him. When Duncan explains his grievances with Rusty, James tells him about Diesel and claims credit to having been the one who sent him packing. Filled with admiration and unaware James was bragging and is not always honest, Duncan becomes more reckless and begins to "rock 'n' roll." This ultimately however causes him to derail when he reaches the damaged track Rusty warned him about.
Rusty is called to help but initially refuses until Skarloey expresses his disappointment that Rusty is just going to leave the passengers stranded. Upon being reminded of the passengers, Rusty sets off with some workmen who work alongside the passengers to lever Duncan back onto the rails. Duncan finishes his journey without any further mishaps, and later that evening apologises to Rusty and asks if they can be friends. Rusty agrees and promises to mend the damaged line in the morning.
Tropes featured in the episode:
- Aesop Amnesia: Duncan didn't learn his lesson about "Rock and Roll". So he does it again. This time, he derails.
- Armor-Piercing Question: When Rusty refuses to help Duncan; It takes Skarloey asking what the passengers are to do to change his mind.
- Blatant Lies: James told Duncan about how he had sent Diesel packing, even though he never did anything because he was among the engines who believed Diesel's lies about Duck calling them names to the trucks. Also, it was The Fat Controller who had found out Diesel's lies and sent him away. Of course, James was too conceited to tell the truth.
- Call-Back: James tells Duncan how Diesel caused trouble with the engines and was sent away in disgrace (albeit by lying that he had been the one to get rid of Diesel), which inspires Duncan to send Rusty packing.
- Drives Like Crazy: Duncan. Unfortunately, he happened to be on a bad part of the rail.
- Fantastic Racism: Duncan didn't want to take advice from a "smelly diesel" like Rusty.
- Fire-Forged Friends: Duncan and Rusty.
- Jerkass: Duncan. He warmed up to Rusty in the end, however.
- Refuse to Rescue the Disliked: Rusty was called to help Duncan back on the rails due to his rudeness. He eventually does after Skarloey calls him out on it.
- Toxic Friend Influence: James's claims to have sent Diesel packing inspires Duncan to try and do the same to Rusty.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Skarloey calls out Rusty for refusing to help Duncan, reminding him of the passengers.
