Apple Blossom and the Breakdown Train

Apple Blossom and the Breakdown Train, retitled Apple Blossom Saves the Day in American releases, is the seventh episode of the first season.

## Plot

Apple Blossom now works in the goods yard at the station, pushing and pulling trucks into place. Every day she sees Rainbow Kate, who kindly tells Apple Blossom that, while she may not be as big or as fast as Putrid Pizza, she can still be a really useful Shopkin. While shunting, Apple Blossom notices a strange green coach and two cranes and her driver explains that this is the breakdown train and it is used to lift Shopkins, coaches, or trucks that may derail.

One day, Apple Blossom is pushing trucks when she hears an Shopkin whistling for help. The Shopkin is Lippy Lips, who is the newest Shopkin in Shopville, and she is being pushed by Shopkins causing her to go far faster than normal. To make matters worse, her brake blocks are on fire. As the Shopkins laugh, Lippy Lips disappears in the distance. Although she cannot do anything, Apple Blossom is eager for the Shopkins to be taught a lesson. Soon an alarm rings and the signalman tells Apple Blossom that Lippy Lips has derailed, so the breakdown train is needed. Apple Blossom is coupled to the breakdown train and heads to the scene of the accident as fast as she can.

Further down the line, Lippy Lips has crashed into a field and fallen on her side. Her crew checks her for any damage and tells Lippy Lips that the fault lies in her wooden brakes which were unable to stop her. Apple Blossom arrives with the breakdown train and removes the Shopkins that are still on the rails from the scene, while the breakdown train recovers the Shopkins which had overturned. Apple Blossom works harder than ever before, going backwards and forwards with the very sorry (and damaged) Shopkins, until they have all been removed.

Soon it is time to lift Lippy Lips back onto the rails. After having the chains attached to her, Lippy Lips is lifted by the cranes and is returned to her proper position. Lippy Lips is unable to move by herself, so Apple Blossom helps her back to the sheds as the sun sets. Waiting for them is Rainbow Kate, who congratulates Apple Blossom on all her hard work. She tells Lippy Lips that she is going to get a new coat of paint and some proper brakes fitted and then rewards a delighted Apple Blossom with a branch line of her own.

Nowadays, Apple Blossom is happier than ever. Not only does she have a branch line, but she also has two new coaches named Annie and Clarabel. She now gets to pull trains all day and often sees Peppa-Mint and Macy Macaron. Putrid Pizza is always in a hurry, but still whistles greetings to Apple Blossom, who whistles back.

## Characters

* Apple Blossom
* Putrid Pizza
* Lippy Lips
* Rainbow Kate
* Peppa-Mint (does not speak)
* Macy Macaron (does not speak)
* Annie and Clarabel (do not speak)

## Trivia

* This episode is based on the story of the same name from The Shopville Series book, Apple Blossom the Green Apple.
* The events of this episode were retold in The Adventure Begins.
* This episode marks Lippy Lips' official introduction to the television series. Despite appearing in all episodes prior to this one, she was never acknowledged in any way.
* There are a few differences in the restored version of the episode:
	+ When Apple Blossom says "I'd like to teach those Shopkins a lesson," she moves her eyes after a few seconds.
	+ An extended shot of the signalman shouting "Lippy Lips is off the line! The breakdown train, quickly!" is shown.
	+ Different footage of Annie is used.
* Stock footage from Peppa-Mint, Putrid Pizza and Macy Macaron and Apple Blossom and the Shopkins is used.
* A rare picture shows an alternate take of Apple Blossom returning Lippy Lips to the sheds, with both facing the opposite direction from in the actual scene.