Busy Going Backwards

**Busy Going Backwards** is the eighteenth episode of the fifth season and the 127th episode overall.

## Plot

One day, Toad feels sad and bored; he can see engines and coaches moving forwards, unlike he who can only see things from behind. He decides to talk to Oliver about his problem and tells him that while he is always going backwards, he has forward thinking views and could be a leader. Gordon tells him that he cannot be a leader if he does not have a train to follow him, which makes Toad even sadder. Oliver tells him he is a Really Useful brake van, that he helps him brake and keeps trucks in order when they go down hills, though Toad says it would still be nice to go forwards for a change. The trucks overhear everything Toad says and are cross that he does not appreciate looking after them, so they vow to pay him back for his words.

So when Oliver takes a goods train up Gordon's Hill, and when they near the top, the trucks' chance comes, and break away the coupling from Oliver and go careering back down the line. The guard jumps off his post and leaves a helpless Toad in a state of shock. At first, Toad enjoys his journey travelling forwards, but his enjoyment is short-lived as he crashes through a closed crossing gate at, nearly colliding into Bertie, who just passes through it. Suddenly, Toad now realises that he is on the wrong track but narrowly avoids a very surprised Gordon, with the help of a nearby signalman. After thundering through Wellsworth Station, Toad sees James coming down the line with a slow goods train. Just when they are about to crash into each other, a shunter switches Toad off James' line just in time, leaving James perplexed at what just happened. The signalman calls ahead to the stationmaster at the next station. The stationmaster tells the signalman he will divert Toad and the trucks into a siding. When Toad thunders through Crosby Station and goes into a siding, the plan works, but it backfires when Toad is diverted back onto the main line from the yards, due to a points' failure.

Meanwhile, Oliver is racing to Toad's aid. Toad and the trucks speed past a surprised Henry and they are approaching a bridge under repairs. Luckily, the workmen have been warned about the runaway and divert Toad and the trucks onto an old siding, leading straight into a muddy pool. Although filthy, Toad is relieved that he has finally been stopped, while Oliver soon arrives and jokes about the situation. That night, Toad speaks to Oliver, apologising for any embarrassment he may have caused him. Oliver asks him what he thought of going forwards; Toad tells him it was a fun experience, but he will look forward to remaining backwards from now on as he now appreciates seeing everything from behind. In other words, "busy going backwards."

## Characters

* Gordon
* James
* Oliver
* Troublesome Trucks
* Toad
* Henry *(does not speak)*
* Edward *(cameo)*
* Bertie *(cameo)*

## Locations

* Knapford
* Knapford Yards
* Wellsworth
* Gordon’s Hill
* Suddery Junction
* Crosby
* Crosby Yards
* Tidmouth Hault Sheds

## Trivia

* Like the previous episode, this episode is based on a couple of "hair-raising" runaway trains in the Tondu valleys that occurred during David Maidment's time as Area Manager in South Wales.