Air date: March 20th, 1995 (UK), September 25th, 1995 (US)
Adapted from: Oliver the Western Engine, "Toad Stands By"
When Oliver returns from the Works, the trucks, prompted by their ringleader, S. C. Ruffey, sing Pop Goes Old Ollie to spite him, and refuse to stop even when threatened by Thomas, Percy and Duck. Toad, fearing that the matter may escalate, asks to speak with Oliver and gives him an idea. Oliver, feeling a sense of responsibility, agrees with Toad. Oliver shunts S. C. Ruffey and his lieutenants and prepares to pull them, but S. C. Ruffey whispers to the trucks to hold back, and they do. Oliver, however, is determined and simply pulls S. C. Ruffey apart. When the Fat Controller scrutinizes the remains, he attributes it to S. C. Ruffey's poor build, but tells Oliver to keep it under his dome. After the incident, the trucks become fearful of Oliver and whisper to each other not to anger him. S. C. Ruffey, who was repaired, wisely keeps his mouth shut.
Tropes featured in the episode:
- Adapted Out: The more colorful Troublesome Truck characters in the original novel version of the story note are not present in this adaptation, with more generic-looking trucks taking their places.
- Bully Hunter: Toad the Brake Van helps Oliver to get back at the troublesome trucks for their teasing.
- Composite Character: While Duck is among the engines who tries to shut the trucks up after they make fun of Oliver both here and in the original story, Thomas and Percy are used here in place of Donald and Douglas in the original thing.
- Continuity Nod: The trucks mock Oliver to the tune of "Pop Goes the Weasel", just as they had done to Diesel in "Pop Goes the Diesel".
- Disneyfication: See Karmic Death.
- The Dreaded: Oliver becomes this to the trucks after pulling S. C. Ruffey apart. They are now terrified of him and actively warn each other not to mess with him when he has to take them.
- Flashback Cut: Doubles with Stock Footage. Footage of the trucks pushing Oliver down the turntable well in "Oliver Owns Up" is used.
- "The Hero Sucks" Song: The troublesome trucks sing "Pop Goes Ol' Ollie" to Oliver referring to his accident in "Oliver Owns Up"."Oliver's no use at all;
Thinks he's very clever.
Says that he could manage us;
That's the best joke ever!
When he orders us about,
With the greatest folly,
We just push him down the well!
Pop Goes Ol' Ollie!" - Jerkasses: S.C. Ruffey and the other troublesome trucks.
- Karmic Death: Subverted. S.C. Ruffey did get scrapped in the book, but in the television series, he was repaired and never made the same mistake of making fun of Oliver again.
- King Mook: S.C. Ruffey is built the same as the other trucks, but only with a company's name painted on and with a different face.
- Large Ham: You can tell that Michael Angelis really was hamming it up during the UK dub of "Pop Goes Old Ollie".
- Laser-Guided Karma: Oliver pulling S.C. ruffey apart.
- My Nayme Is: S. C. Ruffey's name is pronounced "scruffy", without the punctuation or the E.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: The trucks show their anxiety for the first time!
- Series Continuity Error: This episode was supposed to take place after Season 3's "Oliver Owns Up" due to Oliver returning from the works after the trucks pushed him down the turntable.
- Spared by the Adaptation: S.C. Ruffey. See Karmic Death.
- Tear-Apart Tug-of-War: This episode's climax has Oliver attempt to take a goods train with S.C. Ruffey at the front of it. S.C. Ruffey orders the Troublesome Trucks to hold Oliver back, but Oliver sands the rails to give him traction. Oliver and the Troublesome Trucks pulling S.C. Ruffey in opposite directions proves to be too much for him to handle, especially given his rotten wood and rusty framework, and he ends up being torn apart. Cue the Troublesome Trucks having a horrified Oh, Crap! reaction and being traumatized so badly that they vow never to anger Oliver again, while S.C. Ruffey wisely, though begrudgingly, shuts his mouth and never speaks ill of Oliver again.
