Other mistake: Thomas has two side rods when he crashes into the pile of dirt. The duplicated side rod moves even though Thomas' brakes are applied.
Other mistake: In the very first shot of Spencer, his coaches aren't textured.
Other mistake: In the Family Jr. airing, Davey Moore is not credited for writing the episode; Andrew Brenner is. This mistake was fixed in the UK airing.
Other mistake: In the distant shot of Vicarstown, the station is missing its letters.
Answer: Butch the breakdown truck must have pulled Gordon's tender all the way up the rails so the breakdown train can reach it and also Butch helped to get Gordon close to the winch.