Air date: November 7th, 2003 (UK), November 20th, 2004 (US)
When Rusty crosses a wooden bridge, the little diesel hits a bump. Rusty's driver inspects the bridge, realising that it is in the early stages of collapsing. As the bridge may soon be dangerous to cross, Rusty immediately hurries off to warn the other engines. Arriving at the depot, where all the engines are getting their coal, he warns them about the bridge, but Duncan is skeptical, asking how Rusty would know, saying that Rusty is only a diesel. He puffs away without waiting to be filled with coal. Rusty tells the Fat Controller about the bridge, and he agrees to send engineers to inspect it. After Rusty's driver puts up a sign reading "Line Closed", the engines have to travel a different route.
Meanwhile, Duncan is planning on getting more coal for the journey home, but the coal bunker is empty, so he asks Skarloey where he can find more coal. Skarloey tells him it is on the other side of the wooden bridge, warning Duncan not to cross it under Rusty's orders, but Duncan ignores his warnings, and he and his driver decide to face the risks. When Duncan arrives at the junction, his driver removes the warning sign, and they puff towards the bridge. Not knowing it is a mistake, Duncan runs out of steam, causing him to stop on the bridge, which then suddenly starts to crumble from Duncan's weight. Hearing the news from Skarloey, Rusty races off to rescue Duncan. The little diesel pulls him off the bridge, just before it finally collapses.
That evening, the Fat Controller scolds Duncan for his actions. Duncan thanks Rusty for saving him and being brave, and the Fat Controller praises the little diesel as a Really Useful Engine.
This episode contains examples of:
- Aesop Amnesia: Duncan hasn't learned his lesson in "Rock 'n' Roll", where he learns to treat Rusty nicely.
- Fantastic Racism: Duncan to Rusty, again:Duncan: How would you know? You're only a diesel!
- Laser-Guided Karma: After ignoring warnings from Rusty and Skarloey (and for being rude to Rusty), Duncan gets stuck on the bridge after running out of coal, which then crumbles, and ends up needing to be rescued by Rusty.
- Stock Footage: This episode begins with a scene where Rusty and Stepney pass by each other from "Stepney Gets Lost", which itself was a
Deleted Scene from "Rusty to the Rescue". - Too Dumb to Live: Duncan and his driver are sure that a trip across the unsafe bridge wouldn't be a problem. This turns out to be a mistake when the bridge starts to collapse.
- Track Trouble: When Duncan gets stuck on the old bridge, it (and the track he is on) starts to collapse under his weight.
- What the Hell, Hero?: The Fat Controller scolds Duncan for going over the bridge despite Rusty's warnings.
