Shunted

**Shunted** is the twelfth episode of the second season of the Stories of Sodor and the twenty-seventh episode overall.

Shunted/Transcript

## Plot

Rail Gate Prison is located at around twelve miles west of York. There, any non-faceless vehicles who have committed a crime are shunted. Edward has talked about this previously, but also adds that not every vehicle who commits a crime is sent there. A non-faceless vehicle can be shunted within their local community, depending on the severity of the offense and the circumstances surrounding it, such as Donald being shunted for two weeks for bumping Dominic; Then there are occasions like when Diesel threw Coleen into the back of Percy and when Geoffrey sabotaged the Nor'easters' trains. For their crimes, they got 15 and 30 days at Rail Gate, respectively. While the Midis have usually gotten into trouble with the law, the Nor'Easters have also had their own run-ins, with one such incident being more well-known than the others.

Edward then brings back up the events of Trapped; Bob's destruction had caused numerous problems on Sodor and with the main line cut in half and passenger services disrupted, more buses began arriving on Sodor to compensate. After the main line had been repaired, more of a few of the passengers didn't come back, since they began to prefer to convenience and affordability by the newly formed Sodor Bus Company. One of the buses in its fleet was Bertie, who ran the service between Knapford and Ffarquhar. He bragged about it to the engines who worked on the branch, whom he drove around the bend by his bragging and Thomas was especially irritated with the red bus. One day, after the two had a conversation at Ballahoo, Thomas was left fuming and wants to pay Bertie out.

The next morning, Thomas is bringing some hikers up to Ffarquhar with Annie and Clarabel. Right outside Knapford, he meets up with Bertie and Knapford's Stationmaster, Willie Hanson. Willie introduces Thomas to David Hanson, who is the owner of the Sodor Bus Company and is Willie's cousin. Willie and David were talking the night before and were curious to see who would win between one of the company's buses and one of Mr. Star's engines. They had also heard about their conversation at Ballahoo the day before and find out who would win with a race, with the winner being the one who reaches Ffarquhar first. Willie and Thomas' crew agree and Thomas and Bertie begin their race.

Thomas is going well until just before Elsbridge, he sees a red signal and brakes hard. Eric was there and was surprised by how quickly Thomas had come in. The red signal was because Eric would be leaving in two minutes. Thomas is annoyed by this as Bertie had drawn ahead of him again. Thomas explains about his race with Bertie and Eric tells Thomas to go at once, because if Bertie were to win, they wouldn't hear the end of it. Thomas charges off after Bertie, soon catching up to and drawing ahead of him. Now Thomas had reached his full speed. Bertie tried hard, but Thomas was too fast; he triumphantly plunged into the tunnel, leaving Bertie toiling far behind. Thomas whooshed triumphantly into Ffarquhar and Bertie arrived shortly after. Bertie congratulates Thomas and apologises for thinking he could beat Thomas and that he wouldn't provide a challenge. Thomas also tells Bertie he really made him work for it. Bertie also remarks that he would have had to be an aeroplane to beat him over the hill, though Thomas tells Bertie wins wouldn't suit him and he looks better with wheels.

Later that day, Thomas is talking to Eric about the race at Elsbridge Harbour. Thomas also tells Eric that Bertie would like to call him a friend and have another race. Just then, Edward arrives. He had seen Thomas dash out of Elsbridge and is furious upon hearing Thomas was racing. Edward tells Thomas that he was breaking the law, by speeding while pulling a passenger train and reminds him what happened to Arthur when he did that. Edward is sure Mr. Star will be furious when he finds out, and he will be returning from London in a few days. Eric then tells Edward he had encouraged Thomas by letting him leave before him. Edward then asks Thomas why his crew didn't keep him in check. Thomas answers that his crew had a bet with Willie on who would win the race, and then Edward wonders if even Sir Topham Hatt would have been complicit. Edward also points out that with so many people knowing about the race, it would be a miracle if the police don't find out.

It seemed to be a miracle at first; two days passed, but Mr. Star would find out upon returning from London after an important meeting he and Mr. Zorro had with Sir Topham Hatt. Thomas and Eric told their director what they had done. Mr. Star was furious and took them off passenger duties. Mr. Star had also told the two tank engines and Edward to stay quiet about the story because it would cause controversy for the LNER. Mr. Star also reprimanded the railway men who were involved. Another two days went by and the details of the race still remained a mystery. However, their luck would soon run out.

Three days after Mr. Star and Mr. Zorro returned from London, people are at a nighttime gathering. Patrick, Mickey's driver, had returned from his holiday and heard about the race between Thomas and Bertie from a workman. The next morning, he told his engine the news. Patrick ponders if it's possible, since the rumour has gone around for almost a week and Mickey hopes it isn't true. Mickey meets up with the two at Toryreck, and they confirm to him about their race. They try to apologise, but Mickey tells them they are both to blame.

Joey had taken Thomas and Bertie into custody and a magistrate from the Ministry of Transportation was summoned. The tank engine and bus were both sentenced to ten days in Rail Gate on a number of charges. A larger investigation was opened that saw the Railway Board reprimand Mr. Star for failing to report the incident to the police. Thomas' driver and fireman were suspended along with Willie Hanson. The Sodor Bus Company had to pay a substantial fine and almost face bankruptcy. Eric was also shunted in the sheds for two days. Every single step of the investigation appeared in the newspapers and the coverage shattered the public image of the Nor'Easters. The Midis delighted in this and teased them to no end.

A few days after Thomas and Bertie were sent to Rail Gate, Diesel is mocking Kate about being heartbroken that Thomas was done in. Kate needs to organise more coal trucks and Diesel tells her to hurry as he needs to get back to Brendam. Kate needs to collect more trucks, and tells Diesel to help move them as they're a little stiff and hard for her to move. Kate points over to five empty trucks in the shed. Diesel goes over to collect them. Kate's driver asks her if those trucks were the ones with the faulty brakes and rusted frames and are marked to be scrapped, but Kate says she "can't remember". She goes over to Diesel who seems to have trouble moving the trucks. Diesel tries to move the trucks, only for a rusty coupling to break between the second and third trucks and Diesel shoots forward suddenly with two of the trucks and derails. Mickey then arrives and scolds Kate for not telling Diesel the empty trucks were under quarantine and that he clearly told her no engine except himself was allowed to touch them under any circumstances. Kate answers because she let Diesel move the trucks out of petty payback which Mickey does not buy.

Soon, Kate has been taken to Rail Gate to spend six days. Thomas is shocked to see her arrive and Kate explains to him about what she did. She says it wasn't worth playing the prank on Diesel. Bertie explains to Kate about what Rail Gate is about, being anxious about what will happen when they move after days of standing still. Kate positively says that she still has good company. Thomas tells Kate she looks lovely today, and the three begin talking.

Some goods things would come of the experience. This would be the only time the three of them would be on the wrong side of the law. Things would gradually return to normal for them, with the suspended staff returning alongside the passengers. A new level of harmony was also achieved with the Sodor Bus Company who began working in tandem with the Midis and Nor'Easters to provide an efficient travelling experience. While a mild level of resentment did remain among the engines for a while, it thankfully cleared up with time, and just in time for the operation that was about to follow…

## Characters

* Thomas
* Edward
* Eric
* Diesel
* Kate
* Mickey
* Eliza
* Bertie
* Percy *(does not speak)*
* Donald *(does not speak)*
* Joey *(does not speak)*
* Geoffrey *(does not speak)*
* Wendell *(does not speak)*
* Annie and Clarabel *(do not speak)*
* Dominick *(does not speak)*
* Coleen *(does not speak)*
* Mr. Star *(does not speak)*
* Mr. Zorro *(does not speak)*
* The Fat Controller *(does not speak)*
* Gordon *(cameo)*
* James *(cameo)*
* Toby *(cameo)*
* Douglas *(cameo)*
* Oliver *(cameo)*
* Reginald *(cameo)*
* Colin *(cameo)*
* Adam *(cameo)*
* Winston *(cameo)*
* The Black Engine *(cameo)*
* Diesel 10 *(cameo)*
* The Purple Tender Engine *(cameo)*
* George *(cameo)*
* Bulgy *(cameo)*
* Falcon *(cameo)*
* Stanley *(cameo)*
* Station Master Jeffries *(mentioned)*
* Arthur *(mentioned)*

## Trivia

* Stock footage from  Percy, Carriages, Sting, Trapped, Smuggling and Furness are used.
* This episode is Eliza's only speaking role to date.
* References to Percy, Carriages, Ghost, Sting, Thief and Trapped are made.
* This episode is an adaptation of the Thomas & Friends story; Thomas & Bertie, the difference being that their race has severe legal consequences. Diesel trying to move the trucks is based on the events of The Railway Series/Thomas and Friends story/episode "Pop Goes the Diesel".