Gallant Old Engine

**Gallant Old Engine** is the fifteenth episode of the fourth season and the 98th episode overall. It is based on the story of the same name from the seventeenth Railway Series book, Gallant Old Engine.

## Plot

Duncan has been grumbling about being "overworked," not being polished and mainly the passengers. Skarloey is dismayed by Duncan's stubbornness and poor attitude, especially in regards to the time he stopped on a viaduct in protest and bluntly tells him that he hopes Rheneas - who is due to return home soon - can talk some sense into him. When Duncan demands to know what Rheneas has to do with him, Skarloey points out that Rheneas single-handedly saved the Skarloey Railway.

At Peter Sam's insistence, Skarloey tells the two engines about the railway prior to when they arrived. It had been facing hard times and faced the threat of closure if the engines could not keep it running. Skarloey had been feeling sick, so Rheneas did his work for him, always reaching a station to rest no matter how tired he felt. Skarloey explains to an annoyed Duncan that Rheneas did this so as not to upset his passengers, as they get cross when a train stops where it should not. He then recalls a time that Rheneas stopped in the wrong place.

That day, the weather was bad and Rheneas was puffing home with a full train. The ride was very uncomfortable and there were even passengers in the guard's brake van. When they approached a steep hill, Rheneas' wheels kept slipping but he made it to the top. Unfortunately, he was heading back down when his valve gear on one side jammed and he was forced to stop in the middle of nowhere. Rheneas' crew fixed him up as best they could and urged him to get the passengers to the next station. Rheneas promised to do so and continued on. Despite feeling very sore and tired to continue, he kept going, knowing that the railway would close if he failed. After one last valiant effort, Rheneas finally reached the station. The passengers thanked him and promised to tell their friends about the railway. Rheneas' driver praised his "gallant little engine" and promised to fix him up ready for tomorrow.

Skarloey concludes his story by explaining that Rheneas was always "ready for tomorrow." A humbled Duncan, who now finally realised that passengers were more important then his selfish needs, admits he was wrong and thanks Skarloey for telling him about Rheneas. The next day, Edward brings Rheneas home and a big celebration is held from the Skarloey Engines and some of the standard gauge engines. Rheneas is delighted to be back, especially with Skarloey and says he feels he truly has come home.

## Characters

* Skarloey
* Rheneas
* Peter Sam
* Duncan
* Edward *(does not speak)*
* Thomas *(cameo)*
* Henry *(cameo)*
* Gordon *(cameo)*
* James *(cameo)*
* Percy *(cameo)*
* Sir Handel *(cameo)*
* Rusty (cameo)

## Locations

* Crovan's Gate Sheds
* Skarloey
* Ben Glas
* Hawin Doorey Bridge
* Rheneas Tunnel
* Rheneas Viaduct
* Rheneas
* Crovan’s Gate Yards

## Trivia

* This episode's plot is similar to Edward's Exploit and Four Little Engines.
* The events of this episode were inspired by events that occurred on the Talyllyn Railway in 1951.

## References to Other Stories

* Skarloey tells Duncan that passengers get cross if you stop in the wrong place.