A Better View for Gordon

**A Better View for Gordon** is the third episode of the fifth season and the 112th episode overall.

## Plot

One morning, Gordon is complaining. This is annoying James, who asks why the blue express engine complains all the time. Gordon replies that he is a big engine that knows everything and shall complain whenever he wants, while James is just a small red engine with ideas above his station. He also states that one day he will show just what a big engine can really do, and also insults Percy for asking what a big engine can really do.

Later, Gordon is ordered by the Fat Controller to pull an empty express train to Kirk Ronan for a dress rehearsal to test the new station building. At first, he refuses to do it and says that Henry should go instead, but the Fat Controller who was starting to grow annoyed with Gordon’s attitude tells him to do as he is told. But while along the way, he begins to feel sick. His fireman tells him that he should go to the Steamworks as his pipes are clogged. Gordon soon arrives at the new station. He is impressed at first, but is disappointed when in front of him stands a blank wall and a huge set of buffers. Gordon remarks the "view" to be boring and says that important engines should have a panoramic view so that people can see him. He is relieved when it is time for his return journey.

On the return journey, Gordon tries to build up speed, but he breaks down and comes to a complete stop in a siding. His fireman tells him that something inside of him is broken and that he is in dire need of repairs at the Steamworks. When James arrives to collect his coaches, he tells Gordon that he was too puffed up in his smokebox and it serves him right.

When Gordon is repaired a few days later, he is still boasting and claims he is the finest engine on the Island of Sodor, and probably the world. He then leaves for the official opening of Kirk Ronan with the Fat Controller riding in the cab with his crew. When he approaches the station however, there is trouble; his crew are unable to apply his brakes due to an unknown jam. His driver reduces steam, but Gordon is still going too fast to stop in time and crashes through the back of the station, completely destroying the wall and suffering damage to his buffers and front undercarriage. His crew and The Fat Controller are injured from the impact and arrive onboard a scissor lift, where the Fat Controller tells Gordon that he knew he wanted a panoramic view, but that breaking through the wall is not the way to achieve it.

Upon his second return from the Steamworks, Gordon returns to the station for its second official opening and this time arrives safely. Gordon is delighted to discover the broken wall has been turned into a panoramic window, affectionately named, "Gordon's View." The Fat Controller tells him that it is here to stay, and he trusts that he will always see through it from the safety of his own rails. Gordon heartily agrees.

## Characters

* Gordon
* James
* Percy
* The Fat Controller
* Henry *(does not speak)*
* Duck *(cameo)*
* Donald *(cameo)*

## Locations

* Tidmouth Sheds
* Wellsworth
* Kirk Ronan
* Crosby Tunnel
* Sodor Steamworks *(mentioned)*

## Trivia

* This episode marks the first appearance of Kirk Ronan station in the series as well as the Kirk Ronan Branch Line in general.
* The scene where Gordon crashes into the station wall has become a popular internet meme, nicknamed the "station joke" by fans along with the YouTube channel, TheRealXboxNerd.
* Gordon's crash at Kirk Ronan was inspired by the Gare Montparnasse derailment in Paris, France. On 22nd October 1895, the Granville-Paris Express ran through the buffer stop, across the station concourse, and crashed through the station wall, landing in the Place de Rennes below. This event was also depicted in the 2007 novel *The Invention of Hugo Cabret* and its 2011 film adaptation *Hugo*.