Gordon's Fallout

**Gordon's Fallout** is the second episode of the twelth season of NWR Tales.

## Plot

In 1969, a year after the Great Railway Show, Scott arrives at Vicarstown and meets Thomas and Gordon. His reunion with Gordon turns sour quickly when he blames Scott for leaving him stranded at the race they both participated in.

In the sheds later, Scott announces that he will be touring the United States, much to the other engines' surprise. The Scottish twins express concern about his fate there, similar to Queen Mary, which Scott rebuffs. However, Gordon notes that he might as well end up like Queen Mary, and continues to blame him for his inaction at the Railway Show. Donald tells him to find another shed if he keeps up the attitude, and Gordon ultimately departs. Scott becomes a bit concerned, but the Scottish twins assure him that siblings argue all the time and get back together again in the end. Yet despite this, Scott and Gordon don't talk to each other for the remainder of the former's stay. By the time Scott departs from Sodor, he takes the opportunity to apologise to Gordon, but he doesn't listen.
Scott enjoys his time away in the United States, and takes trains of products to show to possible investors. He also gets the urge to take passengers, but is barred from doing so by law.

The next year, concerns begin to boil as little has been heard from Scott. Sir Charles Topham Hatt informs that the British prime minister has revoked funding for Scott, saying he is bad marketing for the country. Gordon becomes especially worried, but Sir Charles puts his faith in Scott's owner to handle the situation. As time passes, Gordon begins to really miss Scott, and he does likewise.

Two years later, in 1972, Sir Charles explains that Scott's owner has sought bankruptcy, leaving his fate more dire then before. Donald berates Gordon for his earlier remarks three years prior, to which Gordon expresses his regret and pleads with Sir Charles to save Scott. Despite his wish to do so, Sir Charles abstains from it due to the costs it would demand. The dire situation starts affecting Gordon so much that he is relegated to local trains for his own good, and making him sluggish. Gordon makes one last effort to convince Sir Charles to purchase Scott, but he again doesn't relent. He notes that Gordon missing his brother has affected his work efficiency and adds that Scott would not want to see him in such a state. Gordon realises that he is right and gradually starts to improve his work efficiency again.

A year later, Sir Charles receives a call from the Mainland, and afterwards asks Gordon to take the express to Vicarstown to meet someone. But when Gordon arrives, all he sees is photographers and enthusiasts. After turning around for the return trip, he is finally greeted by none other then Scott who has returned from the United States. The two forgive each other for their past remarks and reconcile. Sir Charles introduces Scott's new owner, William McAlpine, and tasks the two to take coaches back to the big station. After their shares trip and return to the sheds, the two express a desire to visit other countries and Scott even jokes about more tour offers. But we all know that America wasn't the only place Scott would visit.

## Characters

* Thomas
* Gordon
* Donald and Douglas
* BoCo
* The Flying Scotsman
* Sir Charles Topham Hatt
* William McAlpine
* Henry (*cameo*)
* James (*cameo*)
* Duck (*cameo*)
* Emily (*cameo*)
* Murdoch (*cameo*)
* Bear (*cameo*)
* Flora (*cameo*)
* Lily (*cameo*)
* Neil (*cameo*)
* Annie and Clarabel (*cameo*)
* Isabel and Dulcie (*cameo*)
* Bertie (*cameo*)
* Mary Ider (*cameo*)
* Boris (*indirectly mentioned*)

## Trivia

* References to The Great Race and Love Me Tender are made.
* This is currently the longest episode in the series.