Sundowner

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***Sundowner*** is the eighth episode of the eleventh series of *The Dark Railway Series*.

## Plot

Gordon's visit to the Dark Railway comes to an end and he bids everyone a fond farewell. As the other engines pick up the slack following his departure, Andy notices that he is only being assigned to minor jobs. One morning he decides to ask Zeke what is going on, and Zeke admits that he has been purposely keeping him off harder jobs because of his poor condition and availability. Andy pleads to be given a chance to earn the society more money and Zeke agrees to let him take an engineering train to Bellgrave. To Andy's delight, he manages to complete the journey without issue despite his engine feeling hot at times. When he arrives back at Merecombe Zeke agrees to put him back on the duty roster. However, as Andy goes to leave the scene, he finds himself unable to move and suddenly, with a loud crack, he fails completely. Zeke goes for help as Andy sits in terrible pain.

Mr. Chairman soon arrives and learns that the extent of the damage to Andy this time is catastrophic: his generator has ruptured and gearbox destroyed, among several other issues. Mr. Short and the society's remaining members also soon arrive on the scene. They have the idea to finally bring Mr. B back into service, but Mr. Chairman admits to them that he sold Mr. B months ago. The members berate him for going behind their backs, but Mr. Chairman calls all of them out for their complete disregard for their engines' feelings. Zeke further calls them out for their lack of competence or interest in helping the railway anymore, a trait emphasised by their protests when Mr. Chairman suggests returning to their roots and doing the less desirable jobs around the line. Mr. Short suggests getting a loan from Zeke to repair Andy, but Zeke tells him bluntly that he would only do so for Mr. Chairman alone. He follows this up by formally ending all association with the DRPS, evicting them from the railway and justifying it with their 13 months of unpaid rent.

As a flustered Mr. Short tries to rally the other members, they decide that it's all over for the society and call for its disbandment. They call a near unanimous vote, formally ending the Dark Railway Preservation Society. Mr. Chairman agrees to oversee their remaining affairs and the members depart, while Zeke bans a protesting Mr. Short from his land. Mr. Chairman rejects Zeke's offers of help, wanting to handle everything himself to atone for his failures. The men leave the scene as the reality of the situation washes over Andy. He is taken back to the sheds, his future now uncertain.

## Characters

* Ed
* Ryan
* Andy
* Gordon
* Zeke Dark
* Mr. Chairman
* Mr. Short
* Allan (*does not speak*)
* Dave (*cameo*)
* Sid (*cameo*)
* Caracus Smash (*cameo*)
* Colossus (*cameo*)
* Turbo (*cameo*)
* Warrior (*cameo*)
* Stan (*cameo*)
* Leno (*mentioned*)
* Goose (*mentioned*)
* Mr. B (*mentioned*)

## Locations

* Merecombe Shed
* Colhapper
* Colhapper Tunnel
* Bellgrave
* Axley
* Lake
* Upway
* Upway Bank
* Manston Fore
* Merecombe
* Galen Junction (*mentioned*)
* Walschurch Viaduct (*mentioned*)
* Walschurch (*mentioned*)
* North Western Railway (*mentioned*)

## Trivia

* The music used for the end credits of this episode is a remixed version of "Retro Disco" by Dark DJ.
* The end credits foreshadow the events of the next episode.