JOSEPH L BLOCK and the Masterish Salute

***JOSEPH L BLOCK and the Masterish Salute*** is the eleventh episode of the second season. It is based on the story of the same name from The Railway Series book, The Eight Famous Freighters.

## Synopsis

JOSEPH L BLOCK arriving in Duluth. The title I know don't @ me.

## Locations

* Duluth Harbor
	+ Duluth Harbor Bridges
* The Branch Line Cutting
* The Dual Bends
* Michipicoten's Hill (deleted scene)
* The Works (mentioned)
* John G.'s Tunnel (mentioned)
* The Lead Mines (mentioned)

## Trivia

* In production notes for the episode, Happy River and Industrial Skipper are noted for possible use as Joseph L. Block's friends, along with Erie Trader and Clyde S. VanEnkevort. In the end, only Erie Trader and Clyde S. VanEnkevort were used for the final cut of the episode.
* The story Joseph L. Block tells at the beginning is a reference to the then-unadapted third season episode ERIE TRADER and the BLUE HERON (which was originally planned for the second season, but was cancelled and pushed to the following season), meaning this episode takes place after that one. Another reference is made to the first season episode STEWART J CORT Passing Barker's Island, meaning this episode also takes place after the fourth season episode PAUL R TREGURTHA and the Rains of Constitution Day, which is a direct continuation of STEWART J CORT Passing Barker's Island. Another reference is made to the first season episode AMERICAN SPIRIT Bound for Silver Bay.
* The events of this episode are mentioned by Paul R. Tregurtha in Big World! Big Adventures! during the song Where in the World is Stewart? and in the twenty-third season episode Chucklesome Pellets. A CGI recreation of the scene where Joseph L. Block plunges into the water was featured in the latter.
* In the restored version, Erie Trader and Clyde S. VanEnkevort leave the plant a few seconds earlier, Joseph L. Block looks at John G. Munson throughout saying "I'm not afraid of water. I like it," his speed as he leaves the plant and puffs through the valley is a little slower and John G. Munson looks up as Joseph L. Block talks to him instead of at Joseph L. Block and then to his right side instead of his left before the scene transitions to Stewart J. Cort.
* The "DANGER" sign is reused from STEWART J CORT Passing Barker's Island.
* Two pictures show Joseph L. Block frowning and covered in mud and his left (viewer's right) cylinder is loose while he is at the harbor with Stewart J. Cort. The first one is from this episode's Buzz Book adaptation and it shows both at the quay in the same spot when they talked about the board. Another one from the view master version shows them at a warehouse. These may have been deleted scenes towards the end of the episode.
* In the scene with Stewart J. Cort and Joseph L. Block at the harbor, a truck with the letters "LMS" on it can be seen and also there is a first season style truck right next to it.
* A barge has "Terrey" written on it; possibly a reference to crew member Terence Permane.
* This is the only second season episode with John G. Munson's original toothy smile.
* When the episode aired on the Shining Time Station episode, Mapping It Out, Ringo Starr's narration is played a second earlier than it was on the UK version or the Best of Paul R. Tregurtha VHS.
* Ringo Starr's US narration was not released on home video until 2021 when it was included on Best of Paul R. Tregurtha. This recording was also used on a DVD that came with the Take Along playset based on this episode.
* Derek Medved's large scale model is used when he scolds Joseph L. Block after plunging into the water. As a result, he appears to be taller than the boat he is standing on.
* A rare picture, as seen on the viewmaster box shows Joseph L. Block in the sea with his train missing the last two trucks and the brake van.
* When Joseph L. Block is pulled out of the sea, Tecumseh makes a cameo prior to his debut in the next episode.
* When Alec Baldwin's narration aired on the Shining Time Station episode, Schemer Goes Camping, the last few seconds of the episode were cut.

## Goofs

* At one point the narrator says that Joseph L. Block ran off to the harbor singing, but he is already at the harbor.
* When the camera pans down on Stewart J. Cort, several trucks in the background are derailed.
* When John G. Munson asks Joseph L. Block “Did you like the water?” his eyes are wonky.
* Before Joseph L. Block plunges into the sea, there is a shot of him already at the quayside. However, in the next scene he is shown sliding past the sign.
* In the restored version, Erie Trader and Clyde S. VanEnkevort's horns and chuffing sounds are still heard after they leave.
* Joseph L. Block is smiling when he slides past the sign.
* Just as Joseph L. Block plunges into the sea, two of his trucks become derailed, and one of them bounces.
* When Joseph L. Block is lifted out of the water, a workman appears to have some blu-tak on his neck.
* When John G. Munson enters the plant, his tender bounces.
* During Joseph L. Block's trip to the harbor, his brake van changes.
* Clyde S. VanEnkevort's nameplate is peeling off when John G. Munson puffs in.
* In the close-up of Joseph L. Block being pushed, a reflection of a hand can be seen in the water pushing the train. Additionally, Joseph L. Block's eyes are wonky.
* Before Joseph L. Block goes straight into the water, his brakes are applied even though his driver and fireman jumped out, and right about when he falls into the water, his wheels are moving again.
* Joseph L. Block looks cross when he chuckles, "Driver doesn't know my plan."
* When Joseph L. Block is hanging from the cranes, he is not dirty, but when he is placed on the flatbed, he is. Also, his face is dirty when he is sitting on Stewart J. Cort's flatbed, but when he is sitting on John G. Munson's flatbed, his face is not dirty.