The days passed until the summer ended and it wasn't along before autumn had come to the Island of Sodor. Around this time of year, the wind bustled and the leaves blew along the tracks. One morning, as Thomas chuffed along the branch line, he noticed the leaves changing from green to brown and the fields changed from yellow stubble to brown earth. As Thomas stopped at a signal, a tractor was plowing close by whom he had never seen before.
(Thomas stops at a signal to see Terrence plowing close by)
Terrence: Hello there, little friend. My name's Terrence. I'm plowing now that it's autumn. Who are you?
Thomas: I'm Thomas and I'm pulling a train. I run this branch line. (looks at his wheels and chuckles) Oh, Terrence. What ugly wheels you've got.
Terrence: They're not ugly, Thomas. They're caterpillars. They take me to anywhere I want to go. Even rails.
Thomas: I don't wanna go 'anywhere.' I like my rails, thank you. (signal clears and Thomas whistles) Goodbye, Terrence. (chuffs away)
As the weeks passed, Thomas would often see Terrence plowing and though he whistled, Terrence would never answer.
Terrence: (to himself) Hmph! I'm not talking to that engine until he learns some respect for my caterpillars.
(Scene cuts to wintertime on Thomas' branch line)
Winter came to the Island of Sodor and with it, dark heavy clouds full of snow. Thomas' driver had a bad feeling about this.
Driver: I don't like what I'm seeing, Thomas. A heavy fall is coming. I hope it doesn't stop us.
Thomas: Ha! Snow! Silly soft stuff! It won't stop me. Just you wait and see.
But his driver begged to differ. By the time they safely finished their journey, the country was covered and the rails were too dark lined standing out in the white snow.
(Scene cuts to Tidmouth Sheds with Thomas. His crew stand near him with a blue snowplow)
Driver: You'll need your snowplow for the next journey, Thomas.
Thomas: Ha! Silly soft stuff! It won't stop me!
(Thomas' driver gives him a stern look. Thomas feels uneasy)
Driver: (sternly) Now, you listen to me, Thomas. We are going to fix your snowplow on so I will have no nonsense please.
(Scene cuts back to Thomas' branch line. Thomas passes by the field and Terrence laughs as he sees Thomas struggling with his snowplow)
The snowplow was awkward and comfortable and made Thomas cross. He shook it and he banged it and when they got back to the sheds, it was so damaged that the driver had to take it off.
Driver: You are a very naughty engine, Thomas! (shuts the shed door and the other engines laugh, except Edward)
Edward was in the berth next to Thomas and backed down into the sheds to talk to him.
Edward: I'm afraid this is how winters get on Sodor, Thomas. It's a big responsibility for us engines. Even on branch lines.
Thomas: But I don't like wearing my snowplow. (sighs and looks the other way)
Next morning, Thomas' driver and fireman came early and tried to mend the snowplow in time for Thomas' journey. But they couldn't make it fit properly. Thomas puffed away, feeling proud.
Thomas: I shan't have to wear it. I shan't have to wear it.
He went on saying it to Annie and Clarabel all morning. But they were rather worried.
Annie
And We hope it's all right. We hope it's all right.
Clarabel:
Fireman: It's not bad here, driver.
Driver: Indeed, fireman. But it's sure to be deep in the valley.
It was snowing and the rails were covered by the time Thomas started.
Thomas: Silly soft stuff! I didn't need that stupid old thing yesterday and I shan't today. Snow can't stop me.
Thomas rushed into a tunnel, thinking how clever he was. But there was a large snow drift on the other side.
Thomas: Silly old snow!
And he charged it, only to get crash right into it.
Thomas: Cinders and ashes! I'm stuck!
Annie
And We told you so! We told you so!
Clarabel:
Driver: Back, Thomas! Back!
Thomas tried reversing but his wheels spun and he couldn't move. More snow fell and piled up around him. The guard went back for help while Thomas' crew and passengers tried to dig the snow away. But as fast as they dug, more snow slipped down until Thomas was nearly buried.
Thomas: Oh, my wheels and coupling rods! I shall have to stay here until I'm frozen! What a silly engine I am!
(A tear drops from Thomas' eye)
And Thomas began to cry.
(Scene to Bertie taking Thomas' passengers away and then Terrence comes to Thomas' rescue)
A bus soon arrived to take the passengers and who should come to Thomas' rescue but Terrence?
Terrence: Hold on, Thomas. Snow never stops me.
(a rendition of Terrence's theme plays by Robert Hartshorne as Terrence reverses and backs up to Annie and Clarabel)
Terrence pulled the empty coaches and then came back for Thomas. Thomas' wheels were clear but still spun helplessly when he tried to move. Terrence tugged and slipped and slipped and tugged and at last dragged Thomas clear from the snowdrift and into the tunnel, ready for the journey home.
(Scene cuts to the other side of the tunnel with Thomas, Annie and Clarabel besides Terrence. Terrence's theme ends)
Thomas: Thank you, Terrence. I'm sorry I called your caterpillars ugly. They're actually splendid.
Terrence: Thank you, Thomas. It seems that you and I can be friends after all.
Driver: I hope you'll be sensible now, Thomas.
Thomas: I'll try, sir.
And Thomas puffed home.