Runaway Train is the second episode of Series 8. It was written by Lee Pressman.
Plot[]
Gareth Griffiths prepares to take passengers on a scenic trip on the newly-opened Pontypandy Flyer. Before the journey begins, his daughter Bronwyn gives him a sausage sandwich for lunch. While Gareth is distracted, the mischievous dog Nipper, smelling the delicious food, climbs onto the train to steal it. In his attempt to get the sandwich, Nipper accidentally activates the train's controls, causing the engine to chug away from the station with passengers on board but no driver.
As the train begins its out-of-control journey, the passengers quickly realize they are in trouble and call for help. Gareth and Bronwyn raise the alarm and the Pontypandy fire and rescue team is mobilized. Fireman Sam quickly recognizes the danger and coordinates a rescue effort with Tom Thomas and his helicopter, Wallaby 1, as the runaway train heads towards a potential disaster at the end of the line.While the main crisis unfolds, a separate but related incident is happening back at the fire station. Elvis Cridlington attempts to repair Station Officer Steele's favorite mug using some strong glue. He and Steele end up in a "sticky situation" themselves when they get stuck together by the fast-drying adhesive, creating an amusing subplot that contrasts with the high-stakes rescue happening elsewhere.
Characters[]
- Fireman Sam
- Penny Morris
- Elvis Cridlington
- Station Officer Steele
- Gareth Griffiths
- Mrs. Chen
- Nipper
- Dilys Price
- Norman Price
- Mandy Flood
- Helen Flood
- Tom Thomas
- Lily Chen (does not speak)
Vehicles[]
Trivia[]
- This episode probably takes place after the events of Water Tower Inferno.
- The "sticky situation" Elvis Cridlington and Station Officer Steele get into is somewhat different from the one Norman Price got into in the episode A Sticky Situation.
- This episode marks the first appearance of Mrs. Chen, her daughter Lily and Gareth Griffiths.
- Ifan Huw Dafydd, the voice of Gareth Griffiths, is credited among the voice cast for the first time.
- Gareth is revealed to be Bronwyn's father.
- The French title is "Un train sans conducteur" (A Driverless Train).
Goofs[]
- When Nipper wraps his lead round Gareth, a frame skips.
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