The Branch Line Incident

*The Branch Line Incident* is the fifth episode of *Sodor I.* It was released on September 3, 2017.

## Plot

In an encounter with the trucks, Emily hurtles off the line at the bottom of Gordon's Hill; the Fat Controller vows to find out what caused the accident. She is taken to the Steamworks, where Gordon is still being repaired. Victor urges him to stay to have his brakes fixed, but Gordon leaves in a hurry, worried he'll be late for his trains.

Duck takes a delivery to the Smelter's Yard, where Diesel 10 accuses him of trying to kill Diesel, and intimidates him with his claw, Pinchy. Duck tells the Fat Controller he was threatened by Diesel 10, and that he believes the diesels are up to something, but the Fat Controller dismisses it as a mere suspicion. He talks with Toby in the sheds; Toby suggests asking Diesel to spy on them, as he is good friends with the diesels and, given his recent change of heart, would likely be willing to do so. Toby then does so; Diesel is initially offended and refuses, but later changes his mind.

After some initial friendly small talk, the diesels reveal to Diesel that they were behind Emily's accident; Arry took a truck full of leaking kegs of wine over the track on Gordon's Hill, then Bert instructed the trucks to push Emily down the hill. Diesel 10 reveals a larger plan to discredit steam engines by causing major accidents, and confirms their involvement with the Flying Scotsman's crash, which was originally intended for Billy.

He then clues Diesel in on their next hit: Gordon. The plan begins with hiding Annie and Clarabel, causing Thomas to waste time looking for them. This will cause Gordon to leave before Thomas, and the unassuming signalman will divert Gordon onto Thomas' branch line. Gordon will have picked up much speed, but his faulty brakes (which Arry learned about at the Steamworks earlier) will render him unable to slow down. Percy will be waiting at a signal; Diesel 10 will push him from behind, sending him into Gordon's path. Diesel is horrified by this deadly plan, but says nothing. Diesel 10 offers to let him take part, but Diesel politely declines. He does, however, reluctantly accept his offer to stay the night at the Smelter's Yard.

The following morning, Diesel hurriedly informs Duck and Toby of the plan. Toby helps Thomas find his coaches, but they are too late. Gordon is diverted onto Thomas' branch line, and his brakes fail. Duck finds Percy and urges him get away from the branch line; this prevents the planned collision with Percy, but Diesel 10 blocks their escape and tells them Gordon will still crash. But he is mistaken: Diesel waits up ahead, and starts moving as Gordon approaches. As soon as Gordon bumps into him, he slams on his brakes, and they slide to a stop. The passengers are saved, and Gordon congratulates Diesel.

After the incident, Duck and Diesel put aside their differences and become tentative allies. The Fat Controller gathers Duck, Diesel, Toby, Arry, Bert and Diesel 10 at Knapford; he congratulates the former three on their heroic actions, before giving Diesel 10 one hour to leave his railway. Arry and Bert laugh at his misfortune, but they are given a punishment of their own: a permanent job at Whiff's Waste Dump. As Whiff tearfully bids farewell to his "pride and joy", the Iron Twins ponder if Diesel 10 will ever return.

Meanwhile, Ben's driver informs him that everyone survived the Branch Line Incident, and that he doesn't have to worry about those diesels anymore. The driver also tells him that Bill has woken up, and delivers a message from him: "Don't stop having fun!" Ben asks to send a reply: "Hurry up and get over here before I lose my mind!"

## Cast and Characters

All characters are voiced by CyberRusty99.

* Emily
* The Fat Controller
* Victor
* Gordon
* Flying Scotsman
* Arry and Bert
* Duck
* Diesel 10
* Toby
* Diesel
* Thomas
* Percy
* Elizabeth
* Dennis
* Whiff
* Ben
* Billy (*flashback, does not speak*)
* Annie and Clarabel (*do not speak*)
* Rosie (*cameo*)
* Harvey (*cameo*)
* James (*cameo*)
* Stanley (*cameo*)
* Skarloey (*cameo*)
* Flora (*cameo*)
* Bill (*mentioned*)