Gordon is irritated James covered him in mud at the washdown, so he tricks him into collecting the Queen of Sodor. He doesn't realise it is actually an old barge until he arrives. James is determined to prove that he can stay clean, even while pulling a dirty barge.

A new tank engine named Arthur has a spotless record, meaning he has never been naughty or had an accident. Thomas gets a cheeky idea and plays a trick on Arthur to spoil his spotless record.