Air date: February 2nd, 1995
Adapted from: Gallant Old Engines, "Gallant Old Engine"
Duncan is grumbling about being overworked, not being polished and especially passengers. Skarloey is dismayed by Duncan's stubbornness and poor attitude, especially in regards to the time he stopped on a viaduct in protest and bluntly tells him that he hopes Rheneas, who is due to return home soon, can talk some sense into him. When Duncan demands to know what Rheneas has to do with passengers, Skarloey points out that Rheneas single-handedly saved the Skarloey Railway.
At Peter Sam's insistence, Skarloey tells the two engines about the railway prior to when they arrived. It had been facing hard times and faced the threat of closure if the engines could not keep it running. Skarloey had been feeling sick, so Rheneas did his work for him, always reaching a station to rest no matter how tired he felt. Skarloey explains to an annoyed Duncan that Rheneas did this so as not to upset his passengers, as they get cross when a train stops where it should not. He then recalls a time that Rheneas stopped in the wrong place.
That day, the weather was bad and Rheneas was puffing home with a full train, including passengers in the brake van. The ride was very uncomfortable. When they approached a steep hill, his wheels kept slipping but he made it to the top. Unfortunately, he was heading back down when his valve gear on one side jammed and he was forced him to stop in the middle of nowhere. Rheneas' crew fixed him up as best they could and urged him to get the passengers to the next station. Rheneas promised to do so and continued on. Despite feeling very sore and tired to continue, he kept going, knowing that the railway could close should he fail. After one last valiant effort, Rheneas finally reached the station. The passengers thanked him and promised to tell their friends about the railway. Rheneas' driver praised his "gallant little engine" and promised to fix him up ready for tomorrow.
Skarloey concludes his story by explaining that Rheneas was always "ready for tomorrow." A humbled Duncan admits he was wrong and thanks Skarloey for telling him about Rheneas. The next day, Edward brings Rheneas home and a big celebration is held from the Skarloey Engines and some of the standard gauge engines. Rheneas is delighted to be back, especially with Skarloey and says he feels he truly has come home.
The next day, Rheneas returns and a big celebration is held. However, Rheneas feels happiest when he is back with his friend, Skarloey.
Tropes featured in the episode:
- Disneyfication: Skarloey's chewing out of Duncan is considerably milder in comparison to the source material. There’s no mention of the fact that no passengers means the railway will close down, and the engines will end up on the scrap heap.
- Determinator: Rheneas won't let a steep hill, a jammed valve gear or bad weather stop him from getting his job done.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Duncan was earlier complaining about the passengers, but after Skarloey told him a story of Rheneas, he starts to appreciate them more.
- Whole Episode Flashback: Skarloey tells Duncan of the story of how Rheneas saved the Skarloey Railway.
