Mainline Priorities

**Mainline Priorities** is the first episode of Season 1 of Sudrian Stories.

## Synopsis

After Sir Topham Hatt finds out Derek hasn't been fixed in a while, he sends him to get repaired. When the express is due, Derek is told to take it since Gordon is no where to be found. He doesn't believe he can do it but gets help along the way.

## Plot

Percy and Rosie are shunting trucks near Knapford Station, trying to see who has shunted more trucks. Thomas arrives in the station, teasing Percy about dropping out of the Great Railway Show. Then, Gordon rushes in with the express. Percy races over to talk to Gordon, who isn't interested in what the little engines are doing. An oily smell approaches the station as Derek rolls in, looking for Sir Topham Hatt. Sir Topham Hatt sends Derek to get his engine repaired, and mentions that he'll need another engine to pull the express [because Gordon would also be going to the works, although this was not mentioned in the episode].

The next morning, Derek arrives to pull the express, but he's worried about breaking down. Thomas and Sir Topham Hatt reassure Derek that he'll do just fine. Derek finally sets off, seemingly having no trouble until... Gordon's hill. Derek's wheels slip and his engine stalls, bringing the whole train to a halt. Derek's driver calls for help and Edward arrives as a banker.

The two engines make it to the station just in time. Edward informs Derek that he only helped push him up the hill, and Derek was capable of pulling the express on his own after all. Meanwhile, Gordon has been shunting trucks in the yard. Sir Topham Hatt lets him know that he can go back to pulling the express tomorrow. Gordon, relieved, starts up backwards only to hear a loud creaking sound coming from his safety valve. Derek laughs as Gordon is the one to break down and get sent to the works this time.

In a post credits scene, Derek hypes himself up to a lonely truck who tells the diesel to go to sleep.

## Characters

* Thomas
* Edward
* Gordon
* Percy
* Rosie
* Derek
* A China Clay Truck
* Sir Topham Hatt
* Derek's Driver
* Henry (*cameo*)
* James (*cameo*)
* Stanley (*cameo*)
* Hurricane (*cameo*)
* Diesel (*cameo*)
* BoCo (*cameo*)
* Sidney (*cameo*)
* Philip (*cameo*)
* Stafford (*cameo*)
* Den (*cut from script*)
* Dart (*cut from script*)

## Cast

* Shortround551 as Thomas
* Ilovetrains323 as Percy
* Supermariokyle100 as Edward
* Fantastic Mr. S as Gordon and Derek
* Rosiethecutie1995 as Rosie
* MainlandStudios as Sir Topham Hatt
* JD41796 as Derek's Driver
* Light & Coal as a China Clay truck

## Trivia

* Rosie's model was sent to EpicLafiteau early before final release hence the missing freckles.
* This episode's title was an idea suggested by TheHymekBear.
* Since the intro was not created until episode 3, this episode does not feature one.
* Shortround551, Ilovetrains323, Supermariokyle100, Fantastic Mr. S, Rosiethecutie1995, MainlandStudios, JD41796 and Light & Coal join the voice cast.
	+ This is the only episode where Shortround551 voices Thomas.
* This is the first episode written by EpicLafiteau.
* The working title for this episode was **Derek and the Express**.

## References to the Official Show

* Percy references the Shunting Competition during *The Great Race*.
* Thomas and Percy reference the time Thomas left his train behind in *Thomas' Train*.
* Gordon questioning how many times he has to say "tender engines don't shunt" is a reference to *Trouble in the Shed*.

## Goofs

* Some of the sound effects are inconsistent throughout the episode.
* Percy clips through the Knapford Station platform.
* Due to script cuts, it's unknown why Gordon had to go to the works, couldn't pull the express, and then have to go to the works again.
	+ In the original script, Gordon overslept and another engine had to be found to do the job. Since Derek was up and ready to go after being repaired, he was asked to do it.