- “Gordon's not the only one who's set a new record, I've set one too.”
- ― Diesel
Emily and the Special Coaches, retitled Emily and the Special Cars in American releases, is the twenty-first episode of the tenth season.
Plot
All the engines are excited because Gordon has broken a speed record for pulling the Express. The Fat Controller has told Emily to collect some special coaches to present to Gordon in honour of his achievement.
On her way to collect the coaches, Emily is approached by Diesel at a water tower. Taking notice of Emily's excitement, she explains to him about the record and the coaches. When Diesel insists that Gordon is not the only one who is special, Emily insults him and steams off. Diesel angrily rattles away.
Later, Emily arrives at the Shunting Yards to find that the coaches are already gone. Thomas explains that Diesel tricked him into thinking it was Diesel's job to take the coaches, and not Emily's. She goes in search of Diesel and the coaches all across the island. She finds Diesel at Kirk Ronan Junction, but does not want to hear Diesel's explanation for stealing the coaches. Because of this, Diesel refuses to return them. Emily tries to chase him down and retake the coaches but to no avail. At Maithwaite, Emily tells the Fat Controller about what has happened.
Meanwhile, Diesel has hidden the coaches in a siding and is feeling sick and sluggish. Emily and the Fat Controller find Diesel and demand that Diesel show them where the coaches are. At the siding, Emily is reunited with the coaches but notices that Diesel is billowing black smoke. After explaining that his engine has worn out, Emily blames him for running around with the coaches. Diesel also explains that he did this because she would not listen to him. He tells Emily that he has broken the record shunting the most trucks in a day and this time, Emily listens. He then splutters away, leaving Emily feeling guilty.
After delivering the coaches to Knapford, Emily tells the Fat Controller about her plan to reward Diesel for his record. After he agrees with the plan, Emily goes off to find Diesel and tells him to go to Knapford. Later during Gordon's ceremony, the Fat Controller presents him with the coaches but Emily also presents Diesel with a new motor. Emily learns that both diesel and steam engines are special.
Characters
- Thomas
- Gordon
- Emily
- Diesel
- Sir Topham Hatt
- Henry (cameo)
- Percy (cameo)
- Molly (cameo)
- Refreshment Lady (cameo)
Locations
Trivia
- Stock footage from Squeak, Rattle and Roll is used.
- A reference to The World's Strongest Engine is made.
Goofs
- The narrator in the UK version said Diesel showed Emily the trucks in the siding, but they are coaches.
- The US title is misleading since the episode was not centred around freight cars or trucks.
- Diesel's face mask is crooked when the narrator says "But he wasn't feeling well, he started to slow down," and when Diesel talks to the Fat Controller.
- When Emily arrives at Knapford, her steam platform is visible.
- In one close up of Emily at Knapford Station, her front buffers are not hooked up to Diesel's engine load, but later is.
- When Gordon is at Knapford with his special coaches, the tracks behind him dead ends at the bushes.
- Diesel's new engine seems to be bigger than himself.
Merchandise
- Books - Thomas, Emily and the Special Coaches, Thomas, Emily and the Special Coaches, Emily's Special Surprise and Bad! The Special Compartment is Gone
- Magazine Stories - Emily's Present
Home Media Releases
UKDVD PacksAUS
DVD Boxsets
POL
HUN
NOR/FIN/SE/DKDVD BoxsetsNLSAUSPNDVD BoxsetsTHAMYS
JPN |
Episode
| #01 Follow that Flour | #11 Fearless Freddie | #21 Emily and the Special Coaches |
| #02 A Smooth Ride | #12 Toby's New Shed | #22 Thomas and the Colours |
| #03 Thomas and the Jet Plane | #13 Big Strong Henry | #23 Thomas and the Birthday Mail |
| #04 Percy and the Funfair | #14 Sticky Toffee Thomas | #24 Duncan's Bluff |
| #05 The Green Controller | #15 Which Way Now? | #25 Missing Trucks |
| #06 Duncan Drops a Clanger | #16 Thomas and the Shooting Star | #26 Thomas and the Treasure |
| #07 Thomas' Tricky Tree | #17 Edward Strikes Out | #27 James the Second Best |
| #08 Toby's Afternoon Off | #18 Topped Off Thomas | #28 Thomas and Skarloey's Big Day Out |
| #09 It's Good to Be Gordon | #19 Wharf and Peace | |
| #10 Seeing the Sights | #20 Thomas' Frosty Friend | |