New Engine on the Mainline

**New Engine on the Mainline** is the first episode of Series 1, and the overall series.

## Plot

One summer day, Gordon speeds along with the express and arrives just on time at Maron. Ryan asks him if he had a good run, which he confirms, despite the increase of passengers. Gordon later arrives at Knapford, completely exhausted. The Fat Controller praises him for his efforts, and adds that they may need to add an extra coach to the express to combat the increasing number of passengers. Gordon assures him that he can handle it.
At the sheds that night, James teases Gordon for being overworked and that maybe he should pull the express. Gordon asserts that he is managing, but Thomas is concerned. He expresses his concerns to Percy the next morning, who shares his sentiment. Thomas then decides to speak to the Fat Controller about the issue, and arrives at Tidmouth to do so. It turns out that the Fat Controller also had taken note of it, and asks Thomas to bring him to Vicarstown to meet a new engine, while also asking Henry to order the other engines to meet at Knapford.

At Vicarstown, the Fat Controller is confused by the fact that the new engine is nowhere to be seen. However, behind some tankers, a shy engine named Rebecca, is nervous about meeting her new controller. Rosie decides to support her and comes with her to meet the Fat Controller and Thomas. They all welcome her warmly and Rosie wishes her well as she departs with Thomas and the Fat Controller.

At Knapford yards, the other engines gather as the Fat Controller introduces Rebecca to them, and they in turn introduce themselves. Gordon is reluctant to do so, and asserts how he is the railway’s express engine. The Fat Controller assures him that Rebecca isn’t replacing him or anyone else, but Gordon’s view doesn’t change. As the engines depart, Edward asks if he can stay at Wellsworth due to working on a project, which the Fat Controller approves. He also tells Rebecca to stay at Vicarstown, as she has a goods train scheduled for the next day. Henry offers to follow her there and stay at the sheds with her. Once there, he tells her that Gordon doesn’t cope well with changes, but assures her that he eventually will. Despite his assurance, Rebecca is still uncertain.

The next day, she picks up her trucks, who already show signs of being mischievous. They push her along the line as she departs Vicarstown, and is warned to slow down by Percy. She manages to bring them to a halt at a junction after missing a signal, to a surprised James. He assures her that it takes time to learn how to handle the Troublesome Trucks. Rebecca eventually arrives at the docks, where Thomas asks her how it went. Upset, she tells him that it didn’t go quit well before leaving.

At Vicarstown sheds, she is introduced to Logan, who is rudely interrupts by Connor for his rap introduction. Hiro notices how she seems upset and asks what’s wrong. She explains how she was keen to give a good first impression, but also how she almost caused an accident. Hiro assures her that things will be better over time, before he leaves to take a passenger train to the Mainland.

## Characters

* Thomas
* Edward
* Henry
* Gordon
* James
* Percy
* Emily
* Rosie
* Hiro
* Connor
* Logan
* Ryan
* Rebecca
* Troublesome Trucks
* Sir Topham Hatt
* Molly (*cameo*)
* Flora (*cameo*)
* Cranky (*cameo*)

## Cast

* PieceOfJakey as Thomas and Edward
* PanoramicViewStudios as Henry
* SteamTeam3211 as Gordon
* TramEngineStudios as James
* RosieTheCutie1995 as Rosie
* Mel Shiri as Hiro and a Troublesome Truck
* TheBlueE2 as Connor
* Mr.MerlinFan02 as Ryan, Logan and a Troublesome Truck
* LizProductions6 as Rebecca
* Trainz4Days as Sir Topham Hatt
* TheGermanOfSodor as Yard Workers

## Locations

* Island of Sodor
	+ Gordon's Hill
	+ Maron
	+ Knapford
		- Knapford Shunting Yards
	+ Tidmouth
		- Tidmouth Sheds
	+ Elsbridge
		- Elsbridge Yards
	+ Wellsworth
	+ Brendam
		- Brendam Docks
	+ Vicarstown
		- Vicarstown Sheds
		- Vicarstown Yards