- Thomas arrogantly takes his driver's kidding seriously about how he could drive himself, and decides to try - and runs into trouble since he can't control himself.
- Thomas' driver jokes about not needing him anymore, but Thomas takes this seriously and boasts about it to his friends. His friends think he is being ridiculous and would never go out without his driver. He tries to boast to them again but runs into trouble.
- Thomas has run his his branch line for many years and knows it very well. Thomas' driver jokes that Thomas could almost manage without him. Thomas doesn't realize that his driver's only joking and becomes conceited. Later, he brags to Percy and Toby that he doesn't need a driver. They both disagree with this and firmly state they would never even consider running without one, but Thomas insists he's not scared and ignores their concerns.
The next morning, a firelighter comes and starts up the engines' fires. Thomas wakes up as the warmth spreads through his boiler. When he sees Percy and Toby asleep, he decides to take the opportunity to run by himself and prove them wrong. Thomas slowly starts moving along the track, but then realizes that he's only moving due to a careless cleaner fiddling with his controls and tries in vain to stop and wheesh steam, but is unable to without a driver. Sitting at the end of the tracks is the stationmaster's house, where he and his family are about to have breakfast. Thomas runs right through the fence and crashes into the house, destroying the wall. Plaster and broken glass are everywhere, and the stationmaster's wife angrily scolds Thomas for ruining their breakfast. She decides to cook some more and storms out of the dining room, slamming the door in a fit of rage, thus causing more plaster to fall on Thomas who feels depressed.
After workmen lay rails through the garden, Donald and Douglas arrive and pull Thomas clear of the house. There are pieces of fencing, a bush and a broken window frame lying on his front, which has been badly twisted by the impact. The twins laugh and leave Thomas behind as he's now in disgrace.
Back at the sheds, the Fat Controller scolds Thomas for his recklessness and decides to sent him to the Works for repairs. In his absence, a diesel railcar is going to be brought in to run his branch line. Thomas is shocked to hear this, but the Fat Controller just tells him that diesels always stay in their sheds until they're wanted and never gallivant off to breakfast in stationmasters' houses.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content