Air date: September 24th, 2002
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 and Jack looks for someone to help. He asks Oliver the Excavator and Byron the Bulldozer, who both decline the need for help and Byron tells Jack to talk to Kelly the Crane. When Jack introduces himself, a cheeky steam lorry named Isobella rudely tells him to mind her paintwork but apologizes and welcomes Jack 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 is right, he is 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, scooping up some of the rocks, and taking them up the slope himself. His banksman tries to stop him, but Jack is too eager to help. However, when he approaches the top of the slope to load Max, he overturns and slides sideways into a bunch of barrels.
Once Jack is back upright, Miss Jenny scolds him for his recklessness and reminds him that "safety first" means no one should jump in where they are not required. She decides he may not be ready to join the Pack just yet but gives Jack 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.
Tropes featured in the episode:
- Bittersweet Ending: The episode ends with Jack feeling down in the dumps after his screw-up and wondering if he is fit for the Pack, though he feels a little better when Isobella, Alfie, and Thomas console him.
- Bully Hunter: Jack doesn't hesitate to stand up to Max who was trying to bully Alfie.
- "Just Joking" Justification: Max asks Jack if he can't take a joke when Jack stops Max from picking on him and Alfie.
- Poorly Disguised Pilot: The episode (along with the next one) were intended to be this for the proposed spin-off "Jack and the Sodor Construction Company."
- Reasonable Authority Figure: Although Miss Jenny calls Jack out for not listening to the Foreman, she does give him another chance so he can improve his actions.
