Sting

**Sting** is the thirteenth episode of the first season of the Stories of Sodor and the thirteenth episode overall.

Sting/Transcript

## Plot

The episode begins with Edward explaining that there are few words that evoke as many emotions as "progress". This is because on a railway, while things are constantly changing, change is often abrupt due to its engineers always working and innovating. Edward mentions that Diesel is perhaps the best example, because he was actually an experiment to test the viability of diesel powered propulsion. He was ahead of his time, but back in the 1930s, diesel locomotives were very primitive constructs and not many people knew how to maintain them properly. Diesel was considerably more efficient than a steam engine, but was very weak in strength. This is why he was the only one of his class that was built, which had always been a great source of pride for him. Just like Diesel, Gordon was the only A0 ever built, which was a prototype of the LNER's entire line of Pacific express locomotives.

One summer afternoon, Gordon arrives back at Knapford with the express, but coming back from Barrow, he heard that they lost to Australia in the Fourth Test match. Edward says he doesn't care much for the sport, much to Gordon's outrage. Edward says he isn't outraged by the news because "it's inevitable, we'll get them back." Presently, they hear an unfamiliar whistle, which Gordon recognises as his brother, the LNER A3 Flying Scotsman, better known as "Scott". Scotsman has arrived on Sodor because his train is filled with holiday makers who want to get out of London. Gordon introduces his brother to Edward. Scott has heard about Edward, more specifically the time he needed help from the Midi's goods engine. Edward hasn't forgotten what the reporter who wrote the article had referred to him as. Scott does agree, but praises Edward as a true Nor'easter. Just then, the three engines hear another unfamiliar whistle, which Scott recognises. A red engine passes by them, remarking to Scott, "So, Scottie, they let you out of the works did they? No matter. I'm sure you'll be back there in short order! Mwahahahaha!" That engine was Geoffrey, an experimental express-mix-traffic locomotive for the Midis, who has been performing above and beyond expectations and in his four years of service, he has never had to visit the works.

The rest of the Nor'easters soon made their acquaintances with Scott, whom they all took a keen liking to rapidly. As his passengers enjoyed their holidays on Sodor, Mr. Star arranged for the famous engine to help them out around the island. Similar to Scott, Geoffrey too was a hard-working and charismatic character among the Midis, who they all took a keen liking to rapidly, especially Diesel.

Geoffrey explains to Diesel about his technique he has employed numerous times before and that the Nor'easters have never caught on. Geoffrey then asks Diesel about his partner, whom Colin is bringing in. Upon arriving, Colin is curious why Diesel and Geoffrey need Coleen, but quickly decides he doesn't want to know and leaves. Diesel then points over to a train Henry will be taking out soon to Coleen. He and Geoffrey plan to add Coleen to the train and for her to experience "brake problems" further down the line. Soon, Geoffrey removes the first four trucks from the train and Diesel puts Coleen in front of the fuel tankers. Geoffrey then puts the first four trucks back onto Henry's train. Soon, Henry arrives to take the train out, unaware of Diesel and Geoffrey's plan.

The train Diesel and Geoffrey added Coleen to was an important train Henry needed to take to the mainland. Edward recalls that she probably didn't act sooner, like on Gordon's Hill, because it was out of respect for what happened to Dominick. Just before Maron, Coleen starts yelping because she claims she's running a hot box. Henry's crew stops the train and goes back to inspect Coleen. They discover that her brakes have apparently slipped on. Since her brakes can't turn off, they would have to call in Mickey.

Diesel had been unfortunately right to trust Coleen, since he had used her before, which was when he had thrown her into the back of Percy. Coleen had also been very quiet about the incident, despite intense questioning. Mickey inspects Coleen and asks her if he knows her from somewhere. Coleen gives the chief a vague answer, but it doesn't work on him. Diesel and Geoffrey had picked a perfect time since regardless of where Coleen had acted, the mainline would have been blocked and that only the Nor'easters were occupying the mainline, causing considerable confusion and delay for them. Mickey would soon learn about this and always watched Coleen. A few days later, she got involved in a near-identical incident with Thomas, and Mickey reported his suspicions to Joey, who had quickly organised a sting.

At Barrow, Joey runs through the operation to Whiff. Presently, the two engines hear Adam's whistle and Joey goes to the rear of the yard as Adam arrives. Whiff instructs Adam to leave his train where it is and he will shunt it. Later, Whiff shunts Adam's train close to where Joey is hiding and leaves Coleen there. Coleen is surprised to find Murray in the siding who tells her he heard rumours about some troublemaker on Sodor and immediately thought it was Coleen since it was the Nor'easters getting grief. Joey, having heard enough, shoots out of the shed and tells Coleen that he and her will have a long talk about her own choices.

Coleen gave up Diesel who confessed to his past actions involving her. Diesel then told Joey that Geoffrey was behind the scheme. Joey wasn't surprised because Geoffrey had long been suspected in a string of similar incidents on the mainland. At Carldon yard, Joey has organised another Sting. Coleen complains about the predicament she's in, but Joey tells her that she must accept the consequences of doing Diesel's dirty work. Expecting Geoffrey to arrive soon, Joey goes into a shed and orders Coleen to not let Geoffrey know Joey is here. Soon, Geoffrey arrives and tells Coleen he will be adding her to a train that Scott will be taking. Geoffrey tells Coleen she should have her accident ideally in the heart of Knapford station. Joey then shoots out of the shed and places Geoffrey under arrest for conspiracy to commit corporate espionage and threatening a witness. The evidence of Geoffrey's past crimes flooded in as a result of his arrest. Throughout his trial, he swore fierce revenge on Diesel and Coleen. Joey promptly took Geoffrey away from Sodor and to RailGate Prison. Although Geoffrey would be shunted for a long time afterwards, it unfortunately would not be the last the Midis and Nor'easters would ever see of him.

## Appearances

* Edward
* Henry
* Gordon
* Colin
* Adam
* Diesel
* Mickey
* Joey
* Whiff
* Geoffrey
* Flying Scotsman
* Coleen
* Murray
* Thomas *(does not speak)*
* James *(does not speak)*
* Percy *(does not speak)*
* Toby *(does not speak)*
* Eric *(does not speak)*
* Mr. Star *(does not speak)*
* Lily *(cameo)*
* Donald and Douglas *(cameo)*
* Neil *(cameo)*
* Matthew *(cameo)*
* Peter *(indirectly mentioned)*

## Trivia

* This episode marks Coleen's first speaking role, and the first appearance of Geoffrey.
* Stock footage from Percy is used.