A Friend in Need

**A Friend in Need** is the ninth episode of the sixth season and the 141st episode overall.

## Plot

Thomas is taking some trucks to Callan Castle, on the Peel Godred Branch Line, thinking about his new friend Jack who hopes he has improved himself after having broken the rules for jumping in where he does not belong. The Pack is at work widening the road under the bridge near Abbey. Jack - having completed his first assignment for working hard, behaving well and following all the rules - feels proud for himself after he and Alfie loading Monty, but he is also worried that Miss Jenny still will not accept him into the Pack.

Meanwhile, Ned the steam shovel is cleaning up a pile of rocks the workmen had cut and loads Monty, who tries to warn him to be careful of his very full bucket. Thomas is excited to cross Abbey Bridge, as he can see how Jack is doing and knows the Pack is working on the road construction below. Back at the site, the foreman orders Oliver to move a pile of topsoil. Jack initially attempts to help him once again by jumping in. But just before he fills his bucket, Jack suddenly remembers Miss Jenny's warning to not jump in where anyone should not belong from last time. Oliver arrives to do the job, and Jack tells him that the topsoil moving is actually for him. Oliver kindly thanks Jack, while Kelly, Alfie and Isobella congratulate him. Later, Ned approaches the bridge and tries to go as slow and cautiously as he can as he is going under it. However, he ends up not lowering his arm down far enough and accidentally knocks the keystones out of the bridge which begins to crumble.

Meanwhile, Thomas nears the bridge with more supplies, unaware of the danger that has unexpectedly laid ahead. Hearing Thomas blowing his whistle, Jack jumps in and pushes the bridge up with his scoop. Thomas sees Jack’s banksman waving a warning flag about the collapsing bridge. Thomas' driver applies the brakes, but he slides onto the bridge and is in peril. Jack's arms begin to bend as he holds Thomas and the bridge all at once. Finally, Thomas reverses back to safety. Kelly rushes to help Jack who is unable to hold the bridge much longer as he lets it go, causing the bridge section to collapse before Kelly can help.

Thomas brings Jack back to the yard, and after having damaged his arms, Jack is very worried what Miss Jenny might say, but she is pleased with Jack's bravery and accepts him into the Pack. Jack is then sent to the repair garage to get his arms repaired the next day. Jack is thrilled and revs his engine and bounces his crooked bucket in delight. Thomas, now very happy, then returns home to Ffarquhar Sheds and welcomes Jack to the Pack.

## Characters

* Thomas
* Jack
* Alfie
* Oliver the Excavator
* Monty
* Kelly
* Ned
* Isobella
* Jenny Packard
* Byron *(cameo)*

## Locations

* Cronk Abbey
* Hawin Lake Station
* Abbey Bridge
* Knapford Yards
* Crosby Tunnel
* Killdane
* Sodor Construction Company Yard
* Cronk Repair Garage *(mentioned)*
* Ffarquhar Sheds *(mentioned)*

## Trivia

* The episode's title is a reference to the quote "A friend in need, is a friend indeed". It's also the title of one of the "Dogs Playing Poker" paintings, six short films, a movie and regularly used for episodes of several TV shows (two of which, "Doctors" and "Holby City", have both had two different episodes of said title).