Jinxed

**Jinxed** is the fourteenth episode of the first season of the Stories of Sodor and the fourteenth episode overall.

Jinxed/Transcript

## Plot

The episode begins with Edward explaining about the history of the Mid-Sodor Railway and its engines, and that since they didn't have to share their line with a rival company, is undoubtedly the reason why Duke, Andreas, Stuart, Falcon and Atlas were so happy for so many years.

One day, Stuart and Falcon are double-heading a goods train to Arlesburgh and when they arrive, they see Duke with a new engine. As they approach Duke, he introduces them to the new engine, Stanley, who is to be the Mid Sodor's dedicated goods engine. Duke tells Stuart to show Stanley around the line and get turned around and he will help Falcon sort out the goods train. However, as Stuart heads off, he derails at a set of points. Stanley then reveals he is jinxed and that his former manager was desperate to get rid of him. Duke orders Falcon to go get a crane and soon, Duke and Falcon have cranes ready to re-rail Stuart, but both of the cranes' cranks break. Since the cranes were out of commission, Duke decided to pull Stuart back onto the rails. Falcon and Stanley pulled him back onto the rails, with the latter doing most of the work. Stuart, Falcon and Duke are all amazed by Stanley's strength. Stuart wants to get back to work, but Duke reminds him that he will have to be examined first, so Falcon can show Stanley around the line via taking the afternoon Limited, which is a direct run to King Orry's Bridge.

Soon, Falcon and Stanley are coupled up to the Limited and they depart for King Orry's Bridge, with Falcon touring Stanley about the places they pass by. After they go through a tunnel, Falcon suddenly derails and hangs dangerously over the edge of the cliff, but Stanley is able to re-rail him. The two engines creep slowly along the cliff side rails to avoid another incident and once they were past the precarious stretch, Falcon resumed orientating Stanley, but he didn't have much interest. Stanley was sullen and bitter by the time they reached their destination, but he quickly cheered up due to the praise from the passengers. When the next morning came, his jinx seemed to have disappeared. Over the next several weeks, the transfer yards at Arlesburgh reached new heights of efficiency and productivity.

One day, Stanley was sent to work at the Cas-ny-Hawin Slate Quarry, where Stuart and Andreas are. When Stanley arrives, Stuart and Andreas explain to him how the incline works. Stuart tells Stanley that he will marshal the trucks while Stanley delivers the trains to Arlesburgh. The two engines and the workmen began their work, which was going well until Falcon arrived with a shipment of petrol. Stuart, who was at the bottom of the incline waiting for the loaded trucks to come down, blows his whistle in reply to Falcon. Suddenly, the winch breaks and the trucks speed downhill towards Stuart and they crash into him, damaging his funnel.

As Atlas and Falcon fix up Stuart, Falcon reveals to Stuart that Duke has been talking to Stanley for almost an hour. Atlas debates on whether Stanley is jinxed or not, since they've had more serious incidents since his arrival. Falcon says he wants to check something at a later date, and after Stuart is fixed. Stuart was hoisted back onto the rails and put in the Mid Sodor's workshop shed at Arlesburgh. The workmen examined his funnel and determined that it would have to be replaced. Stuart had to wait, while the other engines had to do Stuart's work as well as their own.

Several days later, Thomas delivered the replacement funnel and on that day, Falcon decided to test his theory. Falcon has theorised that Stuart's whistle may somehow be causing Stanley's jinx. Stuart, however, thinks this is nonsense and pure coincidence. In an attempt to prove he is right, Falcon organises a test - Stanley arrives and Falcon tells Stuart to sound his whistle. Stuart does so, and nothing happens. Just then, the three workmen carry over a crate to in front of Stuart, which inside, is Stuart's new funnel, but upon opening it, it is revealed to be a drain pipe. Stanley thinks he should be put in a place where he shouldn't cause any harm and Andreas tells him that they need a new generator at the sheds, which Falcon calls him out on saying it, and Andreas immediately regrets saying so. Stuart, Andreas and Falcon tried to think of a way to help Stanley, but nothing came to mind. Thankfully, nearby and having heard everything was Toby. Toby was determined to find a way to assist Stanley, and he would find a solution, on the Skarloey Railway.

## Characters

* Duke
* Atlas
* Falcon
* Stuart
* Andreas
* Stanley
* MSR Coaches
* Thomas *(does not speak)*
* Toby *(does not speak)*
* Peter *(does not speak)*
* Edward *(narration only; cameo)*
* Percy *(cameo)*
* Colin *(cameo)*
* Lily *(cameo)*
* Skarloey *(cameo)*

## Trivia

* This shares the same name as an episode of *Tugs*.
* It is possible that the was going to based on the episode, where Joey, who is the police engine, was an unlucky engine in a magazine story, similar to Boomer. It could also be possible that the red tank engine was to be in his place as a police engine.
* Events from Bulldog and Trucks take place, the difference being that Stanley pulled Falcon to safety, and Rusty didn't show up to help Stuart since the orange diesel wasn't built at the time.

## Goofs

* In the first shot of Duke pulling a train, he has two brake vans in it.
* When Stanley leaves the sheds at the end of the episode, a small section of track goes missing, as well as a set of points he passes over.
* In some instances, the crack on Stuart funnel seemed to have gone away.