Ventura

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***Ventura*** is the first episode of the twelfth series of *The Dark Railway Series*.

## Plot

The impact of Mr. Smash's works being closed is taking its toll on the engines who are struggling due to their minimal maintenance over the Christmas period. A surprisingly jovial Dave and Stan cover for the others when they can whilst they make plans for a trip to Stan's home in New Wessex. To their disappointment, Zeke reveals that he can't let either of them go yet due to the others' issues, but he also tells Dave that something else is happening soon that he might enjoy. Dave realises what this means and wonders how long it will be until the replica is ready, whilst also being annoyed he can't talk about it to Stan.

One morning, Warrior's engines won't start. The big diesel goes into a panic, fearing he will end up meeting the same fate as Andy, or worse, if the problem is too serious. At that moment, Zeke and Mr. Smash arrive and try to calm him down. Mr. Smash reveals that he has been learning more on repairing diesel hydraulics so he can take care of Warrior better in the future. Far from cheering him up, however, Warrior suddenly becomes angry. He and the others demand to know why Zeke and Mr. Smash didn't try and keep Andy stored safely until they were in a position to help him rather than letting him leave the railway. This turns into a further tirade about the works and their overall lack of maintenance. The two men remind them all that it was Andy who ultimately chose to leave before further revealing that the works will be reopening shortly so they can all be properly repaired at last. Caracus also admits his bitterness that his owner has stopped coming to see him, to which Mr. Smash apologises. As the men leave the scene, Colossus defends their actions, asserting that they have clearly acted for the best. Away from the scene, Mr. Smash reveals to Zeke that DR1202 is ready and will be woken up that night.

That evening, Zeke asks Dave to take the dining train to Colhapper, as he wants him to then go to the Junction and be there when DR1202 wakes up. He excitedly agrees and before long he is outside the works, ready to see the new engine properly for the first time...

## Characters

* Dave
* Raymond
* Ed
* Sid
* Caracus Smash
* Barry
* Colossus
* Ryan
* Mr. B
* Warrior
* Buzz
* Stan
* Zeke Dark
* Mr. Smash
* Clyde (*does not speak*)
* Turbo (*does not speak*)
* Theo and Otto (*mentioned*)
* Eddie (*mentioned*)
* Hannah (*mentioned*)
* Andy (*mentioned*)
* Seaforth Highlander (*mentioned*)
* Falkland Islands (*mentioned*)
* Mr. Chairman (*mentioned*)
* Robert Stovell (*mentioned*)
* Sir Topham Hatt (*mentioned*)
* DR1202 (replica) (*not named; mentioned*)
* Bear (*not named; mentioned*)

## Locations

* Manston Fore
* Merecombe Shed
* Colhapper Shed
* Upway
* Merecombe
* Galen Junction
* Galen Junction Railway Museum
* Caracus Smash Ltd
* Colhapper
* New Wessex (*mentioned*)
* North Western Railway (*mentioned*)

## Trivia

* The title of the episode is a reference to the song of the same name by Dark DJ. The song was used as the music for opening credits.
* The end credits foreshadow the events of the following episode.