Bertie (episode)

***Bertie*** is the thirdteenth episode from the third series.

## Plot

A special holiday is being celebrated and many visitors are traveling on Class 08's Main Line. Bulgy and the engines are all kept very busy taking them to and from their destinations. One day, Class 08 was waiting at Tidmouth Station when he spots a small and unfriendly looking red bus. He grumbles as he sees the happy passengers boarding Class 08’s train and states he would not have brought them as he had he known they would be traveling on a railway. He bluntly tells Class 08 that one day, the railways will be torn up and replaced by roads. Class 08 is shocked by the bus' behaviour; Bulgy would have never made such claims. The bus is dismissive of Bulgy's opinion, declaring him "too big in size to be of any use."

At Haultraugh, Class 08 meets D5701 and tells him about the bus. D5701 explains that he calls the bus "Bertie" and simply laughs off his threats. That afternoon, however, D5701 is much more serious since another equally rude bus has arrived and is taking Bertie’s passengers so Bulgy himself can take the two Othe Railway diesels' to the big station. Class 08 insists that the route is quicker by rail, but D5701 explains that Bertie apparently knows a shortcut.

Later, Class 08 prepares for the afternoon rush, but is surprised to discover he has no passengers. Then, D5701 spots them in Bertie, who has a sign on his side claiming he is a "Railway Bus." Bertie leaves and Class 08 quickly follows after him. Sometime later, he is flagged down at a bridge where the line crosses a narrow road, where he discovers that Bertie has wedged himself under the bridge. The passengers explain that they had been tricked by Bertie, who wanted them to think railways were no good; he claimed to be a "Railway Bus." but would not accept their return tickets. Class 08 and his crew agree that helping the passengers outweighs the risk of the damaged bridge and cross it carefully. Bertie begs him to stop as bricks fall from the bridge, fearing it might collapse on top of him. Fortunately, the bridge does not collapse, but Class 08 states that it would have served him right for lying if it had.

Class 08 soon arrives back at the big station and all his passengers catch their trains on time. The bridge is eventually repaired, but Bertie’s ways remain unchanged until he is eventually taken out of service. He is now a henhouse in the field beside the bridge and any lies he does tell are ignored by the resident hens.

## Characters

* Class 08
* Diesel 5701
* Bertie
* Lady Hatt (*not named*)
* Mrs. Kyndley (*not named*)
* Jeremiah Jobling (*not named*)
* Jem Cole (*not named*)
* Farmer Trotter (*not named*)
* The Ffarquhar Stationmaster's Wife (*not named*)
* Bulgy (*does not speak*)
* Diesel (*cameo*)
* Diesel 199 (*cameo*)
* Dennis (*cameo*)
* Edward (*cameo*)
* Express Coaches (*cameos*)
* Bridget Hatt (*cameo*)
* The Boy (*cameo*)
* One Little Boy (*cameo*)
* The Injured Sailor (*cameo*)
* Bertie's Friend (*mentioned*)

## Trivia

* The episode is based off the twenty-third episode of the third series from *Thomas & Friends*, Bulgy.
* It is never revealed exactly what holiday is being celebrated. A banner in the background of one shot even reads "Special Holiday."
* This episode marks the first time Lady Hatt has a speaking role.
* This episode marks the only appearance of Haultraugh in the series to date, as well as Bulgy's only speaking role, let alone starring role, until the seventh series episode, Bertie Rides Again.
* This episode marks the last appearance of Tidmouth in the series to date.