4 Little Engines (episode)

**4 Little Engines** is the 5th episode of the 4th series. It is based on the stories Skarloey Remembers and Old Faithful from The Railway Series book of the same name.

## Plot

Edward is on his way to the Works to be mended. He later meets a narrow gauge engine called Skarloey, who is resting in a shed and is lonely, because his friend Rheneas is going to be mended. The two talk for a while until some workmen come to take Edward. Edward says goodbye and that Skarloey's railway is lovely before leaving.

Meanwhile, Sir Handel is having issues with some coaches. His punishment has ended and tries to be kind to the coaches but they refuse to trust him and become awkward and rude. When he has to stop due to a flock of sheep straying onto the line, the coaches angrily think that he deliberately bumped them, so they lurch into Sir Handel and bump him off the rails. Not even a disaster strikes and no one is hurt, but Sir Handel limps home. With no engine to take the passengers home, Skarloey volunteers and goes to fetch the coaches.

When Skarloey arrives, he scolds the coaches for their behaviour and how they could have hurt their passengers. The coaches apologize and as soon as the guard blows his whistle, Skarloey's journey begins. Skarloey stops at every station making good time until they get to a hill. Skarloey thinks it would be easy when they go down, but it is not, as his springs become weak from age and the rail joints jar his wheels. But as soon they come down the hill one of his springs becomes completely broken, tilting him on one side. His driver says they now need a bus to take the passengers. Skarloey refuses the idea as he is determined to get them back to the last station.

Later, James waits impatiently at the station but Skarloey makes it on time. James collects the passengers and takes them home. Everyone is pleased, but Skarloey reflects afterwards that he is in no state to pull trains, but is delighted when his driver tells him he will be mended and that he deserves it.

## Characters

* Edward
* Skarloey
* James (does not speak)
* Rheneas (does not speak)
* Sir Handel (does not speak)
* Peter Sam (does not speak)
* Sir Topham Hatt (does not speak)
* Thomas (cameo)
* Percy (cameo)
* Duck (cameo)
* Douglas (cameo)
* Oliver (cameo)
* Annie and Clarabel (cameo)
* Terence (cameo)
* Mrs. Kyndley (cameo)
* Farmer Finney (cameo)
* 1 Little Boy (cameo)

## Locations

* Valley View
* Rheneas
* Callan
* Skarloey Engine Sheds
* Crovan's Gate Yards
* Crovan's Gate
* Glennock
* Rheneas Viaduct
* The Works (mentioned)

## Trivia

* Despite being the 5th episode of the 4th series, This episode actually takes place after the events of A Bad Day for Sir Handel and Peter Sam & the Refreshment Lady.
* This marks the last time that Sir Handel and Peter Sam are referred to as Falcon and Stuart.
* This is the only episode in the entire series named after a Railway Series book, as opposed to 1 of its individual stories. It is also 1 of a handful of episodes adapted from 2 Railway Series stories.
* James has different whistle sounds for the rest of the series.
* This is the first episode in which:
	+ An engine has problems with springs, the 2nd being Springtime for Diesel.
	+ An engine is pushed by a coach, the 2nd being Hasty Hannah.

## Home Media Releases

### UK

* Chases, Races and Runaways
* Truck Loads of Fun
* The Complete Series 4

#### DVD Boxsets

* Classic Collection
* Bumper Party Collection! and Truck Loads of Fun **Double Pack**

### US

* Thomas Meets the Queen and Other Stories
* Thomas & Friends Classic Volume 4

### AUS

* Thomas and the Special Letter and other stories (Australian VHS) (Direct-to-Home Video)
* ABC For Kids - Bumper Collection
* Truck Loads of Fun
* The Complete Series 4

#### DVD Boxsets

* 60th Anniversary - Limited Edition Boxset
* Essential Collection (Five Disc Collection)
* Trainloads of Thomas Fun
* Complete Series 1-10
* Classic Collection
* Series Three and Series Four **Double Pack**

### NZ

* Thomas and the Special Letter and other stories

### WAL

* Thomas the Tank Engine: Bumper Special 2

### JPN

* New Thomas the Tank Engine Vol.3 (Direct-to-Home Video)
* The Complete Works of Thomas the Tank Engine 2 Vol.5
* Look Out! Look Out! A Great Crisis

### NOR

* Anniversary (Norwegian VHS/DVD)
* The Old Coach (Norwegian VHS/DVD)

### DK

* Four Little Locomotives and Other Stories

### MYS

* Four Little Engines and Other Thomas Adventures
* One Good Turn and Other Adventures

### UKR

* A Train Thomas and Friends
* Thomas and Friends - Series 4 (Ukrainian DVD)

### NL

* The Greatest Stories: The Adventures of Thomas, Percy and Gordon
* Merry Christmas!

### HK

* Thomas and Friends Volume 9 (Hong Kong DVD)
* Thomas and Friends Volume 2 (DVD)

### THA

* Thomas and Friends - Volume 12 (Thai DVD)

### TWN

* Thomas and Friends Volume 1 (Taiwanese DVD)