Double Teething Troubles

**Double Teething Troubles** is the fourteenth episode of the fifth season and the 123rd episode overall.

## Plot

Bill and Ben have been working hard in the Clay Pits near Brendam Docks. Their jobs are important and can make them naughty, especially when it is very hot and dirty for the twins.

One day, Bill and Ben indeed become very naughty and argue over who has rights to some trucks in front of them. When BoCo shows up he tries to break up the twins and warn the two of getting in trouble with the Fat Controller, but the two ignore him and collide into each other and derail at the points when they both try to take the trucks. The Fat Controller eventually intervenes and warns Bill and Ben to behave better and threatens to send them to their sheds, should they persist. He then decides to send a diesel to help them, and hopes that he will make a good impression. BoCo also suggests that the twins just simply go back to work right away. Meanwhile, the Fat Controller has doubts about the idea; he is concerned that the new diesel may have teething troubles more than confusion.

The Fat Controller is right; the new diesel (Derek) is having issues while going up Gordon's Hill, and (while halfway up) his engine coughs and breaks down causing black smoke to billow out of his exhaust. BoCo is then prompted to rescue him, who apologizes for the breakdown and explains he has teething troubles. The news soon spreads, and Thomas tells Percy about Derek's teething troubles. Percy misunderstands Thomas, and thinks this means the diesel has "toothache." Percy then tells Bill and Ben about Derek and wishes them good luck, as they know they need another to help out. The manager then arrives and sends the twins to take their loads from the quarry to the docks, where they will be resting as there is hard work to be done the next morning.

That evening, Bill and Ben take their loads to sidings by the quay and head off to the sheds where Edward is resting. Edward notices the twins' worried looks and tells the twins that "teething troubles" means that Derek is new, but he is having frequent breakdowns which, in his case, is his cooling system, making the twins even more nervous.

The next day, Bill and Ben prepare their load of China Clay trucks to Wellsworth, until Derek arrives at the Clay Pits and helps the twins with a long train of trucks by pushing from behind with Bill and Ben pulling at the front. However, during the journey, they come to a hill and another breakdown from Derek occurs from overheating. Bill and Ben pull him and the trucks and it works.

That night, the Fat Controller arrives at Wellsworth Sheds and congratulates Bill and Ben for their hard work and explains that Derek is sent to the works. The twins agree to manage their work alone and apologize to BoCo for being rude and explain that Derek was very friendly. Then Edward explains that friends always say goodnight to each other, and so they do, but all four engines still talk about Derek and his teething troubles all night long.

## Characters

* Thomas
* Edward
* Percy
* Bill and Ben
* BoCo
* Derek
* The Fat Controller

## Locations

* Sodor China Clay Company
* Gordon's Hill
* Elsbridge
* Wellsworth
* Brendam Docks
* Suddery Hill
* Wellsworth Sheds
* Vicarstown Dieselworks *(mentioned)*

## Trivia

* This episode marks the first and only appearance of Derek. Plus, he is the first non-Awdry standard gauge engine to be introduced into the series.
* This episode is based on the inept attempts of the Class 14 Paxman diesels to bank trains up to Ebbw Vale that occurred during David Maidment's time as Area Manager in South Wales; they would run hot halfway up the bank and cut out, leaving the Class 37 to pull the train and banker.
* Teething troubles usually occur while steam engines, diesels, and other machinery are operating for the first time after being constructed or restored to working order.