Paint Pots and Queens

**Paint Pots and Queens** is the thirtieth and final episode of the first season. It is based on the story of the same name from the eighth Railway Series book, Gordon the Big Engine.

## Plot

Thomas and Gordon are puffing home together after having reconciled and formed an alliance. They arrive back at the sheds to discover decorations are being put up. Thomas wonders what is happening, and Percy tells him to remain silent, saying that they are about to find out. Right on cue, the Fat Director tells the engines that the Queen is coming to visit Sodor. The engines then wonder who will pull the Royal Train. Edward says he is too old and Gordon says he is still in disgrace. James thinks he will be chosen, but Henry disagrees, claiming James cannot climb hills and then brags that *he*will pull the Royal Train and have a new coat of paint too.

The next day, rain is pouring and Henry's driver and fireman cover the cab for shelter from the rain at Knapford. A painter is on a ladder above the line, but Henry's steam blows high into the air, making the painter lose sight and cause him and his paint pot to fall onto Henry, much to both Henry's shock and the painter's fury. The Fat Director then decides that Henry's appearance will not be appropriate for the Royal Train and that he must make other arrangements, much to Henry's disappointment. Later, Thomas and Gordon are waiting for the Fat Director, who can see that both engines are sorry and deserve a treat. He tells the two blue engines that Thomas will look after the coaches, Edward will go in front to clear the line and Gordon will pull the Royal Train.

The great day comes and the engines are busy bringing in people from all over the island for the special occasion. Edward soon steams in and announces that the Queen has arrived. Gordon then pulls into the station with the Queen and her train with white buffers and carrying the Royal Arms. The Fat Director stands to attention and welcomes the Queen. She thanks him for a splendid ride and asks to see the engines. When Percy whistles and Toby rings and cheer for the Queen, Henry and James initially shush them angrily, trying to enjoy the event in peace, but Percy and Toby ignore them by carrying the noise on, prompting the other engines to join in. When it is time for the Queen to leave, she speaks especially to Thomas, courtesy of providing her coaches, Edward and finally Gordon, who takes her home, and all of The Fat Director's engines whistle proudly, and cannot be more proud.

## Characters

* Thomas
* Edward
* Henry
* Gordon
* James
* Percy
* Toby
* The Fat Director
* Elizabeth II *(does not speak)*
* Henrietta *(cameo)*
* Mrs. Kyndley *(cameo)*
* Prince Philip *(cameo)*
* The Queen's Mother *(cameo)*

## Locations

* Wellsworth
* Tidmouth Sheds
* Knapford
* Vicarstown Sheds *(stock footage)*
* The Lead Mines *(stock footage)*

## Trivia

* This episode was originally part of the fourth season in the official TV Series. But it has been moved to the first season of the Sodor Stories series. The reason for this change was the events of Down the Mine continue into this episode and Gordon still has his winch on after he rescued Thomas from the Lead Mines.
* This is the last episode to feature Gordon's winch.
* This episode is based on two events, one where a station painter fell at Preston in 1906 and the other where HM Queen Elizabeth II arrived on a train at Llandrindod Wells in 1952, the year she took the throne, is very reminiscent of the scenes in Sodor the following year, after her Coronation in 1953.
* The flag of Saint George's Cross is visible in one scene. In real life, the same flag is used to represent England.
* The events of this episode were later mentioned by Gordon in the twelfth season episode, Emily Saves the World.
* This episode marks the only appearance of Queen Elizabeth II.
* The man and woman who come to Sodor with the Queen appear to represent Prince Philip and the Queen Mother.

## References to Other Stories

* The events of Off the Rails and Down the mine, the previous episode, are shown in a flashback.
* Henry says that James can't climb hills as seen in The Trouble with Mud.