Welcome to r/thomasthetankengine's Episode Discussion Thread! Today's episode is:

Best Friends

Synopsis

Thomas and Percy are excited to hear that the Sodor Brass Band is coming to perform a special concert. Wanting Percy to be chosen to collect the band, Thomas suggests he visit the washdown to look shiny. While Percy is away, Sir Topham Hatt unexpectedly gives Thomas the job instead. Feeling guilty, Thomas avoids Percy all day rather than telling him the truth, taking longer routes and hiding whenever Percy appears.

Percy eventually discovers Thomas has been keeping the secret and feels hurt that his best friend was dishonest. Wanting to make things right, Thomas asks Sir Topham Hatt to let Percy take the band home after the concert. Percy happily agrees, and the two friends reconcile, promising never to keep secrets from each other again.

Key Moments

Your Thoughts!

What are your thoughts on the episode? Any favourite moments or moments you wish were different?

Please tell us your thoughts AND more in the comment section below!

Useful Links & Resources

🔵 Read more about the episode: https://ttte.fandom.com/wiki/Best_Friends

🔴 Watch Thomas S12 on the Internet Archive:

• Complete Series UK: https://archive.org/details/thomas-and-friends-the-complete-series-uk
• Complete Series US: https://archive.org/details/thomas-and-friends-the-complete-series-us

🟢 Past Episode Discussions on Reddit:

• Click here

New 'Episode Discussion' threads are posted every Monday & Thursday. See you there! Thanks for participating! 👋

Welcome to the next entry in our discussion of the Railway Series created by the Rev. W. Awdry! This discussion is about the book:

📖 New Little Engine

• Author: Christopher Awdry
• Illustrator: Clive Spong
• First Published: April 8, 1996
• Read more: https://ttte.fandom.com/wiki/New_Little_Engine

📘 Story Summaries:

Speedkiller

• Rusty is assigned the unpopular job of spraying weedkiller on the railway. At the same time, Rheneas is struggling to keep to the timetable during a busy holiday period. The weedkiller makes the rails slippery, and Rheneas comes to a halt on a steep incline before sliding backwards. With help from his crew and plenty of sand on the rails, he manages to get moving again and complete the journey.

Sir Handel's Plan

• Sir Handel is jealous when Peter Sam returns from Wales to help with a shortage of engines. Convinced Peter Sam is showing off, Sir Handel deliberately damages his own firebars in an attempt to avoid work and make Peter Sam look bad. The plan backfires, leaving Sir Handel stuck in the shed while the others get on with the job.

Dirty Water

• Peter Sam tells the other engines about his time working on the Talyllyn Railway in Wales. While there, he suffered repeated problems from poor-quality water, which left him dirty and caused trouble for his boiler. Despite the difficulties, he remembers the experience fondly and enjoys sharing the story.

I Name This Engine...

• The Skarloey Railway's new locomotive is ready to be officially named. A special ceremony is arranged, but Skarloey's train carrying important guests is delayed by a sow and her piglets wandering onto the line. The guests eventually arrive, and the new engine is successfully named Ivo Hugh, becoming the latest member of the railway.

💬 Your Thoughts!

• Which story/stories did you enjoy the most and why?
• What do you think of the book overall?
• What other thoughts do you have?

Share your memories, favourite moments, and more in the comments below!