Air date: April 20th, 1995
Adapted from: Really Useful Engines, "Fish"
A special load of fish is ordered and extra vans are needed for "The Flying Kipper" and, to Henry's annoyance, the only ones available are old and unsafe. Duck shunts them into position and moments later, Thomas arrives with the post train and he warns him to take care, reminding him of his own experience with fish. Henry is still complaining about his extra load, but his driver tells him that at least another engine will be there to help.
At Wellsworth, Duck waits for Henry and when he arrives he moves to the back to help him to the top of Gordon's Hill. While Duck is pushing him up the hill, the tail-lamp falls off. After that, Henry slows down while Duck suddenly loses sight of the train and as he frantically runs after it he crashes into the last van, causing loads of fish to spill out and bringing the train to a halt.
The mess is cleared up in the morning, and the missing tail lamp is found at the bottom the hill. The Fat Controller tells Duck that the accident was not his fault and that the crew should have fitted the tail lamp on properly, and Duck reflects that Thomas' earlier advice about fish was right.
Tropes featured in the episode:
- Adaptation Expansion: The episode includes a scene where Thomas warns Duck about the fish, one that was recounted but never shown in the book Really Useful Engines.
- Call-Back: Thomas tells Duck about the time he had fish inside his water tank in "Thomas Goes Fishing" and warns him to take care with fish. After Duck has his accident, he remarks that Thomas was right.
- Covered in Gunge: After his accident with the Flying Kipper, Duck has the distinct smell of fish on him.
- Misplaced Retribution: Averted. The Fat Controller actually assures Duck that the accident wasn't his fault, and that the crew should have checked that the tail lamp had been put on properly. In reality, communication between lead engine and banking/helper engine via whistles is essential. If Duck lost sight of Henry and wasn't getting an answer, he should've stopped immediately.
- Older Is Better: Averted. The Fat Controller ordered extra vans be coupled to the Flying Kipper, but the only ones available were old and hadn't been used in a long time. So old, the tail lamp falls off the bracket.
- Poor Communication Kills: Duck and Henry work together to haul the extra-long Flying Kipper up Gordon's Hill. Henry pulls his train harder than he realises. Not coupled on, Duck falls behind. Then a tail lamp falls off the rear-most old van. Duck loses sight of the train. He whistles, but gets no reply. Without his banking/helper engine, Henry starts to slow down, and Duck crashes into the rear of the Flying Kipper.
- Stock Footage: Footage from "A Bad Day for Sir Handel" is used.
