Bad Day at Castle Loch


 * ''“There's no monster!"

"There is too!" "There is not!" "Is too!" "Is not!" "Is too!”'' Bad Day at Castle Loch is the eleventh episode of the seventh season.
 * ―Douglas and Donald arguing about a monster

Plot
Donald and Douglas enjoy working on Sodor, but sometimes they long to return to Scotland. One day, they arrive at the docks where the Fat Controller tells them that Lord Callan is reopening his castle. The twins are to take banners and bunting to the castle for the celebrations. Donald and Douglas are excited. Going to the Scottish castle would be like going home. Harvey tells Percy that the celebrations will be near Castle Loch, which worries Percy. Douglas teases Percy, asking if he thinks the monster who supposedly lives in the loch might catch him. Donald agrees, until Douglas reveals he was just joking and doesn't believe the monster really exists. Donald insists it does, and the twins argue as they set off.

The twins take their train along the line and spot the castle in the distance. But they have to stop suddenly to avoid hitting a tree that has fallen across their track. Then to make matters worse, a landslide behind them knocks the brake van off the rails, leaving the train stranded. Douglas' driver calls the Fat Controller, who promises to send help as soon as possible.

But by nightfall, no help has arrived. Suddenly, the twins see a very strange shape coming towards them through the mist. Douglas thinks it is the monster, but as it reaches them, the shape turns out to be Harvey pushing the breakdown train. Donald and Douglas are very relieved.

By morning the tracks are clear, and Donald and Douglas make their way to the castle. Lord Callan and the Fat Controller both call them very splendid and useful engines, to which the twins heartily agree.

Characters

 * Percy
 * Donald and Douglas
 * Harvey
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Lord Callan
 * The Tailor
 * Big Mickey (cameo)
 * Bridget Hatt (cameo)
 * Mrs. Kyndley (cameo)
 * Jeremiah Jobling (cameo)
 * Farmer McColl (cameo)
 * Farmer Trotter (cameo)
 * Sodor Brass Band (cameo)
 * The Lighthouse Keeper (cameo)
 * The Special Visitor (cameo)

Locations

 * Brendam Docks
 * Sodor Shipping Company
 * Castle Loch
 * Castle Loch Causeway
 * Misty Valley Branch Line
 * Suddery Castle
 * Sir Topham Hatt's Office
 * Norramby Fishing Village
 * The Viaduct (stock footage)

Trivia

 * Going by production order, this is the tenth episode of the seventh season.
 * Stock footage from Twin Trouble is used.
 * This episode's name is a reference to the movie "Bad Day at Black Rock."
 * The legend of the monster in Castle Loch is exactly the same as the legend of the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland.
 * Thomas does not appear in this episode.
 * This episode does not have Classic Series music in the US.
 * This episode never aired in the US in 2006, but it only aired on Thomas and the Really Brave Engines on DVD and VHS.
 * This episode marks a few things for Donald and Douglas:
 * Their only speaking roles in the seventh season.
 * The last time they are seen together until the eleventh season episode, Gordon and the Engineer.
 * The last episode to feature them as main characters until the twentieth season episode, Love Me Tender.

Goofs

 * When Donald and Douglas puff past the ruined castle, they are pulling the same train that they later take to Castle Loch. They are also missing their faces.
 * When the twins pull up next to Harvey, they have swapped tracks compared to the previous shot.
 * When the twins think they can see the monster, they are uncoupled from each other.
 * Cranky is missing from his usual spot at Brendam Docks, though his base is still visible.

Merchandise

 * Tomica (discontinued)
 * Magazine Stories - Monster Mistake!, The Scottish Connection, Castle Celebrations! and The Grand Controller