When Bertie breaks down while they are racing, Thomas takes on his passengers. One elderly man says that Bertie always drops him off between stops. Soon Thomas is getting requests for lots of other unscheduled stops, which makes him run late and upsets his own passengers and the Fat Controller.

When Rosie is painted red she is challenged to a race by fellow red engine James. A screeching sound leads Rosie to suggest that James should get his brakes checked, but he is too proud to do that, which leads to trouble.