Master of the Railway

*Master of the Railway* is the sixth episode of *Sodor I*. It was originally released on March 19, 2018. In 2021 the episode was unlisted, and was only accessible via CyberRusty99's The Archive playlist. An updated version, with additional voice actors and some reshot scenes, was released on October 13, 2023.

## Plot

Hiro and Spencer both visit the Island of Sodor. Spencer has brought with him Paul Maxwell, a billionaire entrepreneur, railway enthusiast, and CEO of Maxwell Limited; he is relocating his company to Sodor, and is meeting with the Fat Controller. After Spencer brags about being the fastest class of engine in the world, Hiro tells him about the bullet trains from Japan, which are much faster. Spencer refuses to believe it, which causes Henry to take offence on behalf of Hiro, calling him one of the truthful engines he's met. Once Hiro leaves, Spencer swears to triple the record of the bullet train. He goes to take on some coal, but finds the hopper occupied; he sees another, more defunct hopper elsewhere, and decides to use that one instead.

Paul Maxwell sees Hiro and asks the Fat Controller if he can buy him for his "World Collection". He has mistaken Hiro for a different engine, a JNR Class C56 that is allegedly in the North Western Railway's possession, and insists that Hiro is this engine. The Fat Controller stresses that he does not own Hiro, and that he has no knowledge of the C56 engine. The talk about the C56 engine surprises Hiro; he knows about the engine, but does not say anything.

Spencer has taken on bad coal, which causes him to hallucinate a bullet train. The bullet train, who strangely has a strong English accent, taunts Spencer and goads him into a race. Spencer travels much too fast, and his driver wonders who he's trying to catch up to. He stops at a signal, where the bullet train again appears out of nowhere to taunt him some more. Spencer starts going even faster, convinced that he's catching up to the bullet train, but narrowly avoids crashing into Connor. He then breaks down and comes to his senses, realising that the bullet train was a hallucination after all.

At Crovan's Gate, Hiro overhears Skarloey tell Rheneas and Duncan about the ghostly voice he heard at the Smelter's Yard, and that he believes it's Old Nigel; the engines don't believe him. Hiro is then instructed to go and help Spencer. Paul Maxwell angrily swears off traveling with Spencer ever again, before being taken away by Henry, who taunts Spencer. As Hiro moves Spencer into a siding to wait for the line to be clear, he reassures Spencer that he'll be fixed in no time. Spencer is ashamed of his impatience, and is thankful towards Hiro. Hiro tells him that while he'll never be as fast as the bullet train, being among the fastest class of steam engine makes him truly special. Spencer questions why Hiro is still nice to him after being wronged by him in the past; Hiro replies that he likes to see the good in everyone.

To pass the time, Hiro decides to tell Spencer a story. On a railway in a far away land, two engines are the closest of friends. One of them proved himself to be the strongest engine on his railway and was dubbed the "Master of the Railway"; Spencer recognises that as Hiro's nickname, and realises the story is about him. The two Japanese engines are then sent to an English railway; the Master of the Railway's friend grows jealous, and overworks himself trying to show him up. The engine becomes too ill, and the need to ship parts from his homeland makes it too expensive to repair him. It is revealed that Hiro was the jealous friend, and not the Master of the Railway as he had told everyone before. The Master of the Railway, a Class C56, is sent to the Island of Sodor, so he takes Hiro with him, hides him in a siding, and runs away, never to be seen again. Hiro has been protecting him ever since, but feels confident that Spencer will never tell anyone. Spencer is taken to the works, and wonders if there was anyone he truly knew.

## Cast and Characters

The original version of the episode features:

* Mr.Oily516 as Spencer and Toad

The updated version of the episode adds to the cast:

* Mike Studioz as Hiro
* Jonathan Asiamah as Skarloey
* C. Junior's Magic as Rheneas
* Jason's Junction as Duncan

All uncredited speaking roles are voiced by CyberRusty99.

* Connor
* Henry
* Paul Maxwell
* Poppycock
* Unnamed bullet train (*does not speak*)
* Percy (*does not speak*)
* The Master of the Railway (*flashback, does not speak*)
* Bertie (*cameo*)
* Isobella (*cameo*)
* Stafford (*cameo*)
* Scruffey (*cameo*)
* Donald (*cameo*)
* Skiff (*cameo*)
* Gordon (*cameo*)
* Flying Scotsman (*cameo*)
* Emily (*cameo*)
* Rusty (*mentioned*)