Thomas, Terence and the Snow

**Thomas, Terence and the Snow** is the thirteenth episode of the first season. It is based on the story of the same name from the fourth Railway Series book, Tank Engine Thomas Again.

## Plot

Autumn has arrived on the Island of Sodor, turning the fields and trees from green to brown. One day, Thomas is running along his branch line when he spots a tractor ploughing the fields. The tractor introduces himself as Terence. Thomas cheekily tells Terence he has ugly wheels, but the tractor explains they are caterpillars and allow him to go anywhere as he does. Thomas is indignant, telling Terence he likes his rails as he leaves.

Soon, winter comes with dark clouds full of snow. Thomas' driver is worried that a heavy fall is coming, but Thomas is not scared of something like snow. He successfully finishes a journey at the last station only to find his snowplough waiting for him, much to his annoyance. Thomas' driver explains that he will need to wear it for the next journey, but Thomas is certain snow will not stop him. Thomas finds his snowplough heavy and uncomfortable, making him angry and causing him to shake and bang it throughout his journey. By the end of the day, the plough is so badly damaged that his driver has to remove it, and he scolds Thomas for his naughtiness as he shuts him up in the shed for the night.

The next morning, Thomas' crew arrive early to try and mend the snowplough, but cannot make it fit. Thomas is very pleased that he does not have to wear it and boasts to Annie and Clarabel who are worried about the snow, as is Thomas' driver knowing the snow will be deep in the valley. Thomas is not concerned at all and rushes into a tunnel thinking of how clever he is, only to find a massive snowdrift at the other end of the tunnel which he runs straight into.

Thomas is stuck and tries to reverse out, but his wheels cannot get any traction on the slippery rails, thus immobilizing him. The guard goes for help as Thomas' crew and the passengers try to dig him out, but this only causes more snow to fall until he is nearly buried. Thomas is very upset and begins to cry, believing he will stay there until he is frozen, realizing that it is his fault for not wearing his snowplough.

A bus arrives to pick up the passengers and none other than Terence arrives to rescue Thomas. After taking the now-empty Annie and Clarabel away, Terence returns for Thomas, who has had most of the snow dug off him but still cannot budge. A chain is attached to the two and Terence is finally able to pull Thomas free after a lot of effort.

Thomas is now able to move on his own again and picks up Annie and Clarabel while thanking Terence for the rescue and praising his caterpillars. Thomas' driver hopes that Thomas has learned his lesson and will act more sensible in the future. Thomas promises to try, as he humbly heads back to the sheds.

## Characters

* Thomas
* Annie and Clarabel
* Terence
* Bertie *(not named; does not speak)*
* Troublesome Trucks *(cameos)*
* Farmer Finney *(cameo)*

## Locations

* Terence's Field
* Ffarquhar
* Tidmouth Sheds
	+ The Works
* Knapford
* Hackenbeck Tunnel

## Trivia

* This is the first episode of several things:
	+ The first appearance of Terence in the series.
	+ The first episode to feature talking non-rail vehicles.
	+ The first time Thomas' catchphrase "Cinders and ashes!" is said.
	+ The first episode where Thomas cries.
* The events of this episode were referenced and recreated in the fifteenth season episode Terence Breaks the Ice.
* Bertie the Bus makes an unnamed appearance in this episode; he would be properly introduced in the next episode.