Ep 3. Throwing the Track Switch

Ash and his friends continue their journey through the Sinnoh region and arrive at a train station where they meet the conductor, who invites them to take a ride on the historic train. The train is considered a cultural treasure and travels through scenic routes across the region. The friends are excited about the opportunity and climb aboard.

During their ride, they learn that the train is powered by a special type of coal that is harvested deep in the mountains. The conductor explains that the tracks are outdated and need to be updated, but the train company does not have enough resources to fund the project.

Ash and his friends offer to help and are tasked with the job of diverting the train to a new track. They agree and split up to search for the switch. Dawn and Piplup explore a nearby tunnel, where they stumble upon a group of wild Pokémon who are playing near the tracks. Dawn quickly realizes that the switch is located near the Pokémon and tries to convince them to move out of the way. However, the Pokémon refuse to budge, and Dawn realizes that they are protecting something.

Meanwhile, Ash and Pikachu team up with a group of engineers who are helping to lay down new tracks. They work tirelessly throughout the night, but they are unable to finish the job in time. Brock, who has been exploring the nearby town, comes up with an idea to catch the wild Pokémon and move them out of the way. With the help of his Pokémon, he succeeds and the group finally locates the switch, though by this point it seems they may not have enough time to get it into place.

Just as things seem to be going south, a group of Pokémon arrives to help. The friends recognize them as the same group from earlier and realize that they want the train to continue to run on the original tracks. For a moment, it seems as if their efforts may be in vain, but Ash speaks to the group and convinces them of the importance of the new tracks. With their help, the group manages to finish the job just in time, and the train is able to continue on its planned route.

The train company is grateful for the group's help and rewards them with a ride on the newly updated train. Ash and his friends reflect on their journey and the new friends they have made along the way, knowing that their adventures have only just begun.

With an emotional conclusion that showcases the importance of friendship and teamwork, "Throwing the Track Switch" is a heartwarming adventure that demonstrates once again why Pokemon has become a beloved franchise for generations.