Bad Day at Castle Loch

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“There's no monster!"
"There is too!"
"There is not!"
"Is too!"
"Is not!"
"Is too!”

― Douglas and Donald arguing about a monster

Bad Day at Castle Loch
Director	David Mitton
Producer	Phil Fehrle
Writer	Jenny McDade
Narrator	Michael Angelis (UK) Michael Brandon (US)
Air Date	20th October 2003 (UK) 23rd February 2004 (CAN) 31st March 2004 (KOR) 19th June 2004 (JPN) 26th October 2004 (AUS) 19th September 2009 (HUN)
Previous episode	Toby's Windmill/ Toby and the Windmill
Next episode	Rheneas and the Roller Coaster

Bad Day at Castle Loch is the eleventh episode of the seventh season.

Plot

Donald and Douglas enjoy working on Sodor, but sometimes they long to return to Scotland. One day, they arrive at the docks where the Fat Controller tells them that Lord Callan is reopening his castle. The twins are to take banners and bunting to the castle for the celebrations. Donald and Douglas are excited. Going to the Scottish castle would be like going home. Harvey tells Percy that the celebrations will be near Castle Loch, which worries Percy. Douglas teases Percy, asking if he thinks the monster who supposedly lives in the loch might catch him. Donald agrees, until Douglas reveals he was just joking and doesn't believe the monster really exists. Donald insists it does, and the twins argue as they set off.

The twins take their train along the line and spot the castle in the distance. But they have to stop suddenly to avoid hitting a tree that has fallen across their track. Then to make matters worse, a landslide behind them knocks the brake van off the rails, leaving the train stranded. Douglas' driver calls the Fat Controller, who promises to send help as soon as possible.

But by nightfall, no help has arrived. Suddenly, the twins see a very strange shape coming towards them through the mist. Douglas thinks it is the monster, but as it reaches them, the shape turns out to be Harvey pushing the breakdown train. Donald and Douglas are very relieved.

By morning the tracks are clear, and Donald and Douglas make their way to the castle. Lord Callan and the Fat Controller both call them very splendid and useful engines, to which the twins heartily agree.

Characters

• Percy
• Donald and Douglas
• Harvey
• Sir Topham Hatt
• Lord Callan
• The Tailor
• Big Mickey (cameo)
• Bridget Hatt (cameo)
• Mrs. Kyndley (cameo)
• Jeremiah Jobling (cameo)
• Farmer McColl (cameo)
• Farmer Trotter (cameo)
• Sodor Brass Band (cameo)
• The Lighthouse Keeper (cameo)
• The Special Visitor (cameo)

Locations

• Brendam Docks
• Sodor Shipping Company
• Castle Loch
• Castle Loch Causeway
• Misty Valley Branch Line
• Suddery Castle
• Sir Topham Hatt's Office
• Fishing Village
• The Viaduct (stock footage)

Trivia

• Going by production order, this is the tenth episode of the seventh season.
• Stock footage from Twin Trouble is used.
• This episode's name is a reference to the movie "Bad Day at Black Rock."
• The legend of the monster in Castle Loch is exactly the same as the legend of the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland.
• This episode marks a few things for Donald and Douglas:
  • Their only speaking roles in the seventh season.
  • The last time they are seen together until the eleventh season episode, Gordon and the Engineer.
  • The last episode to feature them as main characters until the twentieth season episode, Love Me Tender.
  • The final appearance of Donald until the eleventh season, excluding deleted scenes from Peace and Quiet and the eighth season episode, Edward the Great and a stock footage cameo in Harold and the Flying Horse.

Goofs

• When Donald and Douglas puff past the ruined castle, they are pulling the same train that they later take to Castle Loch. They are also missing their faces.
• When the twins pull up next to Harvey, they have swapped tracks compared to the previous shot.
• When the twins think they can see the monster, they are uncoupled from each other.
• Cranky is missing from his usual spot at Brendam Docks, though his base is still visible.

Merchandise

• Tomica (discontinued)
• Magazine Stories - Monster Mistake!, The Scottish Connection, Castle Celebrations! and The Grand Controller

Home Media Releases

UK Happy Little Helpers (Direct-to-Home Video) The Complete Series 7 DVD Boxsets Classic Collection WAL Hip Hip Hooray for Thomas US Thomas and the Really Brave Engines and Other Adventures Thomas' Halloween Adventures Thomas & Friends Classic Volume 7 DVD Boxsets Discovery on the Rails Thomas' Halloween Adventure/Percy's Ghostly Trick Double Feature Thomas and the Toy Workshop/Thomas and the Really Brave Engines and Other Adventures Double Feature Thomas Gets Tricked and Other Stories/Thomas' Halloween Adventures Double Feature Play Date Pack Totally Thomas Volume 4 AUS The Complete Series 7 My First Thomas with The Twin Engines DVD Boxsets Complete Series 1-10 Series Seven and Series Eight Double Pack MYS Emily's New Coaches and Other Adventures DK Hip Hooray for Thomas and Other Stories DVD Boxsets Danish DVD Boxset JPN Thomas the Tank Engine Series 7 Vol.4 The Engine Twins SWE Hooray for Thomas! ITA The Queen of Sodor (Italian DVD) KOR The Story of Getting to Know Nature TWN Thomas and Friends Volume 17 (Taiwanese DVD) THA Thomas and Friends - Volume 24 (Thai DVD)

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#01 Emily's New Coaches	#10 Toby's Windmill	#19 Bulgy Rides Again
#02 Percy Gets It Right	#11 Bad Day at Castle Loch	#20 Harold and the Flying Horse
#03 Bill, Ben and Fergus	#12 Rheneas and the Roller Coaster	#21 The Grand Opening
#04 The Old Bridge	#13 Salty's Stormy Tale	#22 Best Dressed Engine
#05 Edward's Brass Band	#14 Snow Engine	#23 Gordon and Spencer
#06 What's the Matter with Henry?	#15 Something Fishy	#24 Not So Hasty Puddings
#07 James and the Queen of Sodor	#16 The Runaway Elephant	#25 Trusty Rusty
#08 The Refreshment Lady's Tea Shop	#17 Peace and Quiet	#26 Three Cheers for Thomas
#09 The Spotless Record	#18 Fergus Breaks the Rules