Jack Jumps In, originally titled Jack Goes to Work, is the seventh episode of the sixth series. It is also the official pilot episode for Jack and the Sodor Construction Company.

Plot

One day, The Fat Controller sends Thomas 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 a big excavator named Oliver and a bulldozer named Byron, both of whom decline the need for help and the latter tells Jack to talk to a mobile crane named Kelly. When Jack introduces himself, a cheeky steam lorry named Isobella tells him to mind her paintwork but apologises and welcomes him to the Pack 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 small excavator named Alfie and warns him to remember an important rule: "Safety First." Jack and Alfie have fun clearing soil until a large dump truck named Max flies past, causing dust to fly over the machines. Jack can see that Thomas was right about him being 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 take some rocks to Max, but Jack impulsively tries to take over the job. When he approaches the top of the hill to load Max, he overturns and slides down the hill into a set of barrels. Once Jack is back upright, Miss Jenny tells him that "safety first" means staying out of situations where one is not required. Though doubtful about his readiness to join the Pack, she allows him another chance to prove himself. Jack feels upset about his mishap, but Isobella, Alfie and Thomas comfort him by telling him that he is a hard worker and a good friend.

Characters

• Thomas
• Jack
• Alfie
• Oliver
• Max
• Kelly
• Byron
• Isobella
• Jenny Packard
• The Foreman
• Ned (cameo)
• Sir Topham Hatt (mentioned)

Locations

• The Church Runby
• Sodor Construction Company Yard
• Single-Track Signal Box and Seaside Runby
• Cronk
• Old Quarry Bridge
• The Quarry Construction Site

Trivia

• This is the first episode of several things:
  • The first appearance of the Pack.
  • The first episode directed by Stephen Asquith.
  • The first appearance of the well wagon in the television series.
  • The first episode not directed by David Mitton, who was a model consultant for this episode.
  • The first episode that was not released on VHS in Australia, although it was featured on the DVD version of Thomas and the Jet Engine.
  • The first episode filmed in 16:9 widescreen and not matted from 4:3 fullscreen.
  • The first episode written by Abi Grant.
  • The first episode to prominently feature Thomas' gauge 3.5 model, constructed during the fifth series but never primarily used to portray Thomas (only used in close-ups of his wheels) until this episode. As a result, Thomas' model has some noticeable differences in its appearance compared to prior episodes.
• This marks the only appearance of the Quarry Construction Site.
• This episode marks Byron’s only speaking role:
  • In the main series.
  • Until the Jack and the Sodor Construction Company episode, On Site with Thomas.
• Extended pre-filmed footage from the next episode is used.
• The working title for this episode is Jack Goes to Work. It was also given that title on the Thomas and the Jet Engine Australian DVD from 2003, TVO's schedules from 2004, the Harvey to the Rescue Malaysian VCD from 2006 and The Complete Sixth Series UK DVD from 2007. This title is retained in the Russian dub
  • In addition, TVO lists this episode as "JACK GOES TO WORK (PLANTED SPINOFF PT. 1)", further hinting at the Jack and the Sodor Construction Company spinoff.
• Prior to being released on Amazon for digital download in May 2016, Alec Baldwin's narration had only been broadcast on PBS Kids Sprout in the US and TVOKids in Canada; Alec Baldwin's narration was never released on home video in the US or Canada.
• The US DVD release New Friends for Thomas and Other Adventures features this episode, having been re-narrated by Michael Angelis for American audiences.
• When the episode was live-streamed along with other episodes from the fifth and sixth series on the official UK YouTube channel, Oliver was given his original name Buster in the description.
• A turntable was used to make Max spin around.
• The Take Along four-pack based on this episode includes Mavis; however, she was not seen in this episode.
• This episode premiered in the UK on the same day that the Salty's Secret and Other Thomas Adventures VHS/DVD was released in the US and Canada.

Goofs

• Thomas leaves with the well wagon after delivering Jack. But in the closeup of Jack, the well wagon is still behind him.
• Studio equipment can be seen in the top-right corner when the narrator says, "Byron the Bulldozer was shoving rock and rubble with his giant blade."
• When Kelly tells off Isobella, he is smiling in spite of the narration implying he was stern.
• The narrator says that the Foreman says "Oliver, move this rock!" but it is actually his banksman.
• When Jack introduces himself to Alfie, Alfie's front-left tyre is flat.
• In some shots, a wire is visible under Alfie's hydraulic arm.
• When Isobella yells "No!" when Jack goes up the hill, wires can be seen in her cab. Also, Jack's tyres are far dustier than they were in the previous scene.
• When Thomas first meets Jack, a diesel engine is briefly heard as if Jack is idling.
• In the shot of Max spinning around, the turntable used to spin him is visible.
• On the official YouTube channel, this episode is incorrectly labeled as the eleventh episode of the sixth series.
• In the Welsh dub, David Mitton is still credited as the director instead of Stephen Asquith.

In Other Languages

Merchandise

• Take Along (discontinued, four-pack and film car)
• My Thomas Story Library book - Jack (discontinued)

Home Video Releases

Episode

Jack Jumps In - US (Alec Baldwin)

US narration (Alec Baldwin)