Closure

**Closure** is the fourteenth episode of the third season of the Stories of Sodor and the forty-ninth episode overall.

Closure/Transcript

## Plot

Edward had overheard Sir Handel Brown, the owner of the Mid Sodor Railway, talking to Sir Topham Hatt during the Autumn of 1954, particularly Sir Handel Brown saying, "It's amazing how quickly the fortunes of a business can change." Edward didn't think much about those words at the time, but it was obvious what he meant. At this time, the Peel Godred Branch Line was in service for a good year. The opening of this line had devastating effects on the MSR. Peel Godred's population and businesses relied heavily on the Mid-Sodor Railway for survival, given the town's relative isolation. However, when the branch line was built, the need for the MSR was bypassed and they lost lots of work. Being a privately owned business, the MSR couldn't rely on government support to survive. However, they still kept going thanks to the profitable coal and slate contracts of the region. Furthermore, Sir Handel began to turn his company's focus towards the tourist industry and to bring passengers back.

One day at Arlesburgh, Duke is prepared to take a tourist train with new coaches. Sir Handel is pleased to see the first excursion has sold out and expresses his determination in getting the new coaches and is confident the gamble has paid off. Stanley hopes it has, so it can make up for their meager goods, pointing over to two small trains that were barely worth getting out of the shed for. Duke sets off.

All is going well until along the Mountain Road, just after the cliff where Falcon derailed, Duke hears something and stops. Suddenly, a large rock landed on the tracks in front of him. They then hear the sound of an avalanche and they quickly reverse away just before the track is blocked by the rocks, forcing them to head back.

Duke returned and some ambulances arrived to check over the passengers. Some had gotten cuts and scrapes from flying rocks. Duke doesn't think about blaming himself, but feels partly at fault for harming them. Falcon assures the old engine not to and will criticise whoever says otherwise. Just then, George the Steamroller arrives, remarking how Duke took his passengers on an "adventure tour". Falcon angrily tells George to shove off. George reminds the steam engines that the road has made it to the top of the hill before long, they'll make it to King Orry's Bridge and the MSR won't be needed at all. Falcon doesn't believe this and says a railway is always needed, which George doesn't believe, saying, "Railways are no good; Pull 'em up, turn 'em into roads!" and heads off. Duke points out that George does know about the progress of the road, and predicts nothing good will come when it's finished.

The road was a council project started about two years earlier as part of an election promised to the regional towns. The road starts at Arlesburgh and snakes up through the hills, linking up with various communities before finally ending at Peel Godred, further circumventing the need for the Mid Sodor Railway. The hopes of drawing in tourism that day were dashed as the line had been cut off by the scenic highlands and they didn't have the resources needed to clear away the rocks. When the road was completed two months later, the MSR was dealt a severe blow. Afford-abilities and conveniences offered by buses and lorries further reduced the MSR's workload. The MSR was forced to shut down passenger services and now had essentially become a mineral tramway.

One day, at the slate quarry near Cas-ny-Hawin, one workman tells another the winch is worn out and it will need a complete overhaul, something they can't afford. Suddenly, the slate trucks begin moving by themselves down the slope. Meanwhile, Andreas had been approaching the mine, when he hears a crash and hurries over to find Atlas derailed and a pile of destroyed slate trucks. Atlas mutters now knowing how  Stuart felt as Andreas quickly races back to get help.

Soon, Stuart shunts Atlas into the workshop. Atlas hopes to be fixed quickly so he can get back to work. Andreas tells Atlas his well-being is much more important, and Atlas points out that they need to keep their railway open. Andreas admires Atlas' devotion and dedication and apologises to him for all his harsh words to him over the years, and how inspirational he is. Atlas thanks Andreas, who promises to cover his work, comforting him.

A few days later, Falcon meets up with George again, who teases him about Atlas' accident. They exchange taunts before Falcon sets off when George moves forwards, destroying three of Falcon's coal trucks. Falcon and George began furiously arguing over who was at fault.

That night, Falcon talks to the others about the incident. Andreas points out if anyone's been noticing the run of bad luck they've been experiencing, and Stanley agrees, though Duke points out that the incidents still would have happened if the lamp was still with them. Presently, Sir Handel arrives, telling them that George has been shunted for 20 days for his actions, and since George is a council owned vehicle, they were given compensation for the incident. However, the money wouldn't be enough, as Sir Handel tells his engines that the railway will be closing down. The coal and slate mines, their only justifications for keeping the line open, have shunt down, thanks to the broken winch and an inspection from the Coal Board. Instead the money will pay off the staff's redundancy payments, but it isn't enough to keep the company afloat. However, Sir Handel promises his engines that he will find them new homes and congratulates them for their service over the decades. Duke thanks Sir Handel, and tells him it was a pleasure working for their controller. Sir Handel thanks his engines before going off to a meeting and promises to speak to them soon. The engines are divided on their feelings, but Duke tells the others that they should adapt to the situation, carry themselves out like professionals. They can feel sad, but they can't give into it. Stuart sighs, saying how much he'll miss the place, though Duke is confident that they will end up in a good home.

The next morning, Atlas suddenly wakes the engines up, which Duke grumbles he almost burst his safety valve. Atlas had just gotten out of the works and heard that there were closing down, but tells them they've been sold, all of them having been purchased by the same company, which happens to be on Sodor.

We then cut to Duke, Atlas, Stuart, Falcon and Andreas on the Skarloey Railway, with Skarloey and Rheneas welcoming them to the railway, whereas Duncan hopes they won't be so overworked now. Falcon teasingly says, "Even without the nameplate, it's clear you're Duncan!" The Mid-Sodor Engines easily adapted to their new home and were warmly welcomed by the locals. Thanks to their help, business on the SKR boomed. Many are familiar with certain details surrounding the closure of the MSR and are wondering about what did and didn't actually happen. However, Edward says he's currently needed elsewhere, so that will have to wait until next time.

## Characters

* Duke
* Atlas
* Falcon
* Stuart
* Andreas
* Stanley
* Skarloey
* Rheneas
* Duncan
* George
* Sir Handel Brown
* Duke's Driver
* Edward *(narration only; does not speak)*
* The Fat Controller *(does not speak)*
* Arthur *(cameo)*
* Samson *(cameo)*
* Hurricane *(cameo)*
* Paul *(cameo)*
* Ivo Hugh *(cameo)*

## Trivia

* This episode takes place in the Autumn of 1954.
* This episode adapts The Railway Series story, "Steam Roller".
* This is the only episode of Season 3 to focus primarily on the narrow gauge railways of Sodor.
* Atlas's jump scare is a reference to Percy's running gag in the Sodor Shorts.
* This is the first time George has a speaking role in the Stories of Sodor.
* This is also the first episode in the series in which Duncan is actually seen smiling.