Air date: February 1st, 2010 (UK), September 18th, 2010 (US)
Percy is at the Sodor Steamworks for repairs, so the Fat Controller puts Thomas in charge of the mail run. Thomas is excited about doing it, but Gordon tells him to take advice on how to do it from Percy. Thomas ignores Gordon and doesn't ask advice from Percy as he heads back to Tidmouth Sheds.
Early next morning, Thomas collects the mail coaches and makes deliveries at the Quarry, Brendam Docks, and the Steamworks. To alert the management at each location, Thomas blows his whistle loudly and he accidentally wakes up Mavis, Cranky, Victor, and Kevin. On his way back to Tidmouth, Thomas is surprised to see Mavis and Cranky making mistakes with their work, unaware that they have fallen asleep as a result of being woken up too early.
When Thomas returns to Tidmouth Sheds, the Fat Controller scolds him for blowing his whistle too loudly as Mavis and Cranky have made mistakes. Thomas feels bad; however, he has the chance to redeem himself as Percy is still under repair, so he'll take the mail train again. Gordon overhears the conversation, and recommends, again, that Thomas should ask Percy for advice. Thomas puffs to the Steamworks to ask Percy, he tells Thomas to deliver the mail train quietly and to not blow his whistle this time.
So, when Thomas takes his second mail train, he makes his deliveries very quietly and does not blow his whistle. When he arrives at the Steamworks, Thomas is very happy, and then falls asleep.
Tropes featured in the episode:
- An Aesop: Don't disturb others, especially when they're sleeping, unless it's important.
- Go-to-Sleep Ending: The episode ends with Thomas falling asleep as he talks to Percy.
- No Indoor Voice: Thomas' whistle is so loud it wakes up anyone who's there.
- Rule of Three: Thomas unknowingly wakes up Mavis, then Cranky, and finally Victor.
- Series Continuity Error: A few:
- Thomas says that he always wanted to pull the mail train although he has done it before without any trouble (i.e., "Thomas, Percy and the Post Train").
- Thomas mentions that Mavis and Cranky never made any mistakes, even though they have in episodes such as "Mavis" and "No Sleep for Cranky". While an argument could be given that Thomas wasn't there to witness those events, he was front and centre to see all of Cranky's mistakes and bad behaviour in "Cranky Bugs".
