Time for Trouble

**Time for Trouble** is the second episode of the third season and the 62nd episode overall. It is based on the story Double Header from the twelfth Railway Series book, The Eight Famous Engines.

## Plot

It is a very busy time for the Fat Director's engines, as the Island of Sodor has a lot of visitors. The Fat Director schedules more trains to cope with the demand, with Gordon in particular having to make more journeys than usual. Gordon is eager to ensure all his trains are on time and works harder than ever to make sure this happens. Things are so hectic that at times Gordon has no sooner dropped off one load of passengers that he has to take another. Gordon does not mind this, however, and does his increased workload without fuss. Despite this, the Fat Director soon decides that Gordon deserves a rest and James will take the express instead. James is delighted at the chance to show off and be as respected as Gordon.

One day in the yard, James boasts to Toby about how important he is and how he is never late. The Fat Director arrives and tells Toby it is time for him to go to the Works to have his worn parts replaced. Toby is upset at having to go for repairs and asks if Henrietta can come with him, but the Fat Director states that he needs all coaches to be available. Percy promises to look after Henrietta while Toby is gone.

Toby puffs away to the Works on the main line, but he starts to make some clanking sounds. Since he has a smaller water tank than most of the other engines, he soon feels thirsty. He is glad when he starts to approach Maron and stops to take on water, as he and his driver do not think it will be a problem. However, the signalman - who is new to the job - has never met Toby, and he orders him to continue on and clear the line for James and the express. Toby sadly leaves and struggles to Crovan’s Gate to replenish, but runs out of steam and is left stranded on the main line.

Toby's fireman knows they have to warn James about the blockage on the line, and Percy comes by with Henrietta. Although she hates leaving Toby stranded, Percy cheers her up by saying she is helping Toby by carrying the fireman. The fireman reaches the station in time and tells James' crew what has happened. The signalman apologises for causing the trouble while James is angry, knowing this will make him late, and he fumes when his driver tells him he will need to push Toby as well as pull the express.

James finds Toby and gives him a bump before starting to push him along. James works harder than ever, having to push and pull his train at the same time, and by the time he reaches Crovan's Gate, he is exhausted. Some children on the platform see this and joke that as the express is late and James is tired, it must mean that he could not pull it alone and needed Toby's help. Toby assures James the children are only teasing, but James does not find it amusing at all, and sarcastically laughs, while Toby just smiles.

## Characters

* Gordon
* James
* Percy
* Toby
* The Fat Director
* Henrietta *(does not speak)*
* Thomas *(cameo)*
* Edward *(cameo)*
* Annie and Clarabel *(cameo)*

## Locations

* Tidmouth Hault
* Wellsworth
* The Viaduct
* Knapford
	+ Knapford Yards
* Elsbridge
* The Valley Bridge
* Maron
* Crovan's Gate
* Sodor Steamworks (mentioned)

## Trivia

* This episode marks the first appearance of Crovan's Gate station in the series.
* This episode is based on an event where an LNER J70 (Toby's basis) had to be moved to the ex-GER works in Stratford for an overhaul after the engine had been stranded without water.