Bill or Ben?

**Overview**GalleryCredits

"**Bill or Ben?**" is the fifteenth episode of series 17 of *Thomas & Friends*. It first aired in the United Kingdom on 4 October 2013.

## Official synopsis

*When a new engine called Connor arrives on Sodor, Bill and Ben play a trick on him that nearly leads to him having an accident.*

## Plot

While they are out on the main line, Bill and Ben are stopped at a red signal when a big streamlined engine they have never seen before pulls onto their track and speeds off. Further along the line, the twins meet Thomas, who tells them that the engine they saw is Connor. The twins think Connor must be full of himself with how he races about and surprises other engines. Thomas tries to explain that Connor is friendly, but the twins are not convinced. Later, the twins are going through Henry's Tunnel when Connor passes by again. He whistles hello to Bill, but does not see Ben as he is still inside the tunnel. The twins decide to play a trick on Connor.

When Connor next returns to Sodor, he meets Bill, who challenges him to a race to Ulfstead Castle. Connor thinks it would be unfair to race such a small engine, but at Bill's insistence, he reluctantly agrees. The signal turns green and Connor speeds off, leaving Bill far behind. Connor believes he has already won, only to find himself shocked when he finds Ben - who he mistakes for Bill - already waiting for him at the platform. Ben suggests he had been going too fast for Connor to see him pass him and suggests they race back to Vicarstown Bridge. Connor accepts the challenge and the race begins.

This time, Connor takes no chances and is only focused on beating the little tank engine. He is so concentrated on the race that he runs through a red signal and almost collides with Henry at a junction, only stopping inches away from him. Connor's relief is short-lived, as the Fat Controller, who has seen everything, pulls up in Winston and scolds him for nearly causing a serious accident. Connor apologises and is just about to explain himself when Bill and Ben arrive, causing him to realise he had been tricked. The Fat Controller is not amused with the twins' antics and punishes them by ordering for Bill to be repainted so that they cannot be confused again. When Bill arrives at the Sodor Steamworks, he tries to get out of his repaint, but to no avail as Victor has already been warned in advance about the twins' trickery. Soon, Bill is repainted in a new blue livery.

At the shunting yard, Ben laughs when he sees his twin, but Bill is not happy

## Appearances

**Characters**:

* Thomas
* Henry
* Connor
* Victor
* Kevin
* Sir Topham Hatt
* Rosie **(cameo)**
* Winston **(cameo)**

## Trivia

### General

* The plot of this episode is similar to the magazine story *Diesel's Race*, which was also written by Andrew Brenner, as well as the series 2 episode "The Diseasel".
* This episode marks the first time that Bill and Ben have had leading roles in an episode since "Bill, Ben and Fergus" in series 7.

### Errors

* When Bill and Ben talk to Thomas, Ben is not coupled to the trucks.
* When Connor realises he has been tricked, his valve gear is not connected to his crosshead.