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“Safety first! Means you don't rush in where you don't belong."
"I'm sorry, Miss Jenny."
"Maybe you're not ready for the Pack. We'll see if you can do better tomorrow.”
― Miss Jenny and Jack

Jack Jumps In, originally titled Jack Goes to Work, is the seventh episode of the sixth series. It is also the official pilot episode for Jack and the Sodor Construction Company.

Plot

Thomas is sent by the Fat Controller to pick up a special from Jenny Packard. He arrives to see that his special is an eager front loader named Jack to help Miss Jenny's construction company, the Pack, clear ground for railway lines at the quarry. After warning Jack to be careful of Max (a troublesome member of the Pack), Thomas drops him off there and Jack looks for someone to help. He asks Oliver the Big Excavator and Byron the Bulldozer, whom both decline the need for help and Byron tells Jack to talk to a mobile crane named Kelly. When Jack introduces himself, a cheeky steam lorry named Isobella tells him to mind her paintwork, but apologises and welcomes the Pack after Kelly scolds her. They advise Jack to see the Foreman.

The Foreman introduces Jack to his banksman and tells him to work with a little excavator called Alfie, and warns him to remember an important rule: "Safety First." Jack and Alfie are having fun clearing soil until Max comes along and causes dust to fly over the machines. Jack can see that Thomas was right about him being trouble and Max is about to rush towards him, but stops just in time. Jack becomes furious and whilst refusing to move, defends Alfie by scolding Max, who immediately races away in frustration.

Later, the Foreman orders Oliver to move a pile of rocks, but Jack tries to help him by foolishly taking over and picks some of the rocks up a hill himself. His banksman tries to stop him, but Jack is too eager to help. However, when he approaches the top of the hill to load Max, he overturns and slides sideways downhill into a set of barrels.

Once Jack is back upright, Miss Jenny reminds him that "safety first" means no one should jump in where they are not required. She thinks Jack may not be ready to join the Pack, but gives him another chance so he can improve. After Miss Jenny leaves, Jack feels sad for what he has done, but Isobella, Alfie and Thomas assure Jack that he is a good worker and a very good friend, making Jack feel just a bit better.

Characters

Locations

Trivia

  • This is the first episode of several things:
    • The first appearance of the Pack.
    • The first episode directed by Stephen Asquith.
    • The first appearance of the well wagon in the television series.
    • The first episode not directed by David Mitton. However, he worked as model consultant for this episode.
    • The first episode that was not released on VHS in Australia, although it was featured on the DVD version of Thomas and the Jet Engine.
    • The first episode filmed in 16:9 widescreen and not matted from 4:3 fullscreen.
    • The first episode written by Abi Grant.
    • The first episode to prominently feature Thomas' gauge 3.5 model, constructed during the fifth series but never primarily used to portray Thomas (only used in close-ups of his wheels) until this episode. As a result, Thomas' model has some noticeable differences in its appearance compared to prior episodes.
  • This marks the only appearance of the Quarry Construction Site.
  • This episode marks the only episode of two things for Byron:
  • Extended pre-filmed footage from the next episode is used.
  • The working title for this episode is Jack Goes to Work. It was also given that title on TVO's schedules from 2004, the Thomas and the Jet Engine DVD in Australia and the Harvey to the Rescue VCD in Malaysia.
  • Prior to being released on Amazon for digital download in May 2016, Alec Baldwin's narration had only been broadcast on the Canadian television station TVO Kids, and the narration itself was never released on DVD.
  • The US DVD release New Friends for Thomas and Other Adventures features this episode, having been re-narrated by Michael Angelis for American audiences.
  • This episode was repeated on the episodic DVD releases in Australia. It first appeared on Thomas and the Jet Engine, then made a comeback on Rusty Saves the Day in 2007.
  • When the episode was live-streamed along with other episodes from the fifth and sixth series on the official UK YouTube channel, Oliver was given his original name Buster in the description.
  • A turntable was used to make Max spin around.
  • The Take Along four-pack based on this episode includes Mavis, however, she was not seen in this episode.
  • This episode premiered in the UK on the same day that the US DVD release Salty's Secret and Other Thomas Adventures was released.

Goofs

  • In Michael Angelis' US dub, the line "Snapped the lorry" was still used.
  • Thomas leaves with the well wagon after delivering Jack. But in the closeup of Jack, the well wagon is still behind him.
  • Studio equipment can be seen in the top-right corner when the narrator says, "Byron the Bulldozer was shoving rock and rubble with his giant blade."
  • The narrator says that the Foreman says "Oliver, move this rock!", but it is actually his banksman.
  • When Jack introduces himself to Alfie, Alfie's front-left tyre is flat.
  • In some shots, a wire is visible under Alfie's hydraulic arm.
  • When Isobella yells "NOOOO!" when Jack goes up the hill, wires can be seen in her cab. Also, Jack's tyres are far dustier than they were in the previous scene.
  • When Thomas first meets Jack, a diesel engine is briefly heard as if Jack is idling.
  • In the shot of Max spinning around, the turntable used to spin him is visible.
  • In the Welsh dub, David Mitton is still credited as the director instead of Stephen Asquith.

Quotes

Miss Jenny: Spot on, Thomas! You'd make a mother proud!
Thomas: Thanks, Miss Jenny. Is this my special?
Miss Jenny: Very special.
Jack: I'm Jack the front loader. I can load, unload and carry lots of things.
Thomas: I can haul and shunt.
Miss Jenny: And I can get you two chatterboxes off to the quarry.

Thomas: Is this your first job on the quarry?
Jack: It's my first job on the Island!
Thomas: Look out for Max, he's trouble!

Jack: I'm Jack, can I help?
Oliver the Excavator: Oh my, no. Help Byron.
(Jack finds Byron the Bulldozer moving rocks)
Jack: I'm Jack, can I help?
Byron: I don't need help. Try Kelly the Crane.

Jack: I'm Jack!
Isobella: Mind my paint!
Kelly: Isobella!!!
Isobella: Sorry, welcome to the Pack.
Kelly: And if you want to work...
Isobella: See the Foreman. He's in charge.

(The Pack's foreman introduces Jack to his banksman)
Jack's Banksman: I'm here to help you work safely.
Foreman: No speeding and no horseplay, now go and help Alfie.
Jack: Yes, sir!
Jack's Banksman: Remember, safety first!

Jack: I'm Jack, I'm here to help!
Alfie: More help means more dirt; more dirt means more fun. I'm Alfie!
(While Jack and Alfie are at work, a dump truck named Max races by)
Alfie: MAX!!!
Jack: So that's Max. Thomas was right, he is trouble!
Alfie: (Max almost collides with Jack) Look out, Jack!

Jack: Stop bullying!
Max: Can't you take a joke?

Foreman: Oliver, move this rock!
Jack: I'll do it! (loads his bucket of the said rock)
Jack's Banksman: Stop!
(Jack does not stop and makes his way up the hill)
Isobella: NOOOOO!!!!!
Jack: Oh, no! (overturns and falls downhill) Oops!

Miss Jenny: "Safety first" means you don't rush in where you don't belong.
Jack: I'm sorry, Miss Jenny.
Miss Jenny: Maybe you're not ready for the Pack. We'll see if you can do better tomorrow.
(Jack is sad after being scolded by Miss Jenny; Isobella saw everything)
Isobella: You're a good front loader.
Alfie: And a good friend.
Thomas: Being a good friend is important.

Merchandise

In Other Languages

View content
Language Title
Albanian Xheku Shkon në Punë
Chinese Mandarin 杰克的加入
Czech Honza jde do práce
Danish Jack hænger
Dutch Jack Gaat aan het Werk
Finnish Jaako mene töihin
Hungarian Jack Munkába Áll
Italian Arriva Jack!
Japanese やりすぎたジャック
Korean 일을 좋아하는 잭
Norwegian Jack stepper inn
Polish Jacek jedzie do pracy
Romanian Jack Intra în Echipă
Russian Джек идет на работу
Serbian Džekova pomoč
Slovenian Jaka priskoči na pomoč
Swedish Jack rycker in
Welsh Gwaith i Jac

Home Media Releases

UK

DVD Packs

WAL

US

CAN

  • New Friends for Thomas and Other Adventures (Michael Angelis' dub)

DVD Packs

AUS

DVD Packs

SWE/DK

SVN

MYS

ITA

NOR

PHL

JPN

KOR

HK

THA

TWN


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