recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Buster

**Buster** is a simple steamroller who goes about his job with pride and content. He works for the Packard & Co.

## Biography

Buster is a hard worker with heart and commitment in what he does and he is a good dreamer. He goes about his job with glee and pride knowing all's right with the world. What Buster lacks in imagination, he makes up for with heart, commitment, and hard work. He is liked by all the machines for his wonderful enthusiasm and kindness to help with everything.

## Basis

Buster is based on an Aveling and Porter R10 class steamroller.

## Livery

Buster is painted brownish-red with yellow and red lining. The words "Packard & Co. No. 9" are painted on the sides of his roof in yellow and the alloys of his rollers are painted red.

## Appearances

### Season 8

* Oliversaurus *(does not speak)*
* Buster 1, Moles 0

### Season 9

* Nelson Gets Carried Away *(cameo)*
* Scaredy, Scaredy *(cameo)*
* Byron Saves the Day *(cameo)*
* The Tortoise and the Hare
* The Great Discovery

## Trivia

* In the original TV Series, Buster was the only member of the Pack with no visible number, since there might not have been a convenient place on his bodywork for one. The Sodor Stories take on him has the title “Sodor Construction Company” painted on his roof replaced with “Packard & Co. No. 9”.
* He is the second known steamroller on Sodor, the first being George.
* He, Ned, and Isobella are the only steam-powered vehicles currently in the Sodor Construction Company.
China Clay Pits

The **Sodor China Clay Company** (abbreviated as **SCC**) is a company based at Brendam, which is responsible for the supply and transportation of China clay to Brendam Docks.

The company operates a privately owned railway which runs from Brendam Docks to the China clay quarry, which is known as the **Clay Pits** or the **China Clay Works**. There are also China clay mines in the quarry, which are known as the **Clay Mines**.

## History

The clay beds were discovered in 1948 and the company was formed to work them. A new harbour, capable of accommodating ocean-going vessels, was built in Brendam, some one and a half miles south of the old one, and a private railway laid down to link the Workings with the harbour and the North Western Railway. The clay is used in making porcelain, paper, paint, plastics, medicines and cosmetics. It is shipped from Brendam all over the world.

Nowadays, the majority of Brendam's 4,500 inhabitants are employed in one way or another by the Sodor China Clay Company. Spoil, consisting of quartz and sand, from the pits has been dumped in heaps some two miles to the northwest of Brendam and have been dubbed "white mountains".

In the fifth season, the Clay Pits were struck with a large avalanche. Luckily, Bill and Ben were able to help evacuate the Clay Pits before anyone was injured. Bill and Ben were relocated to Ffarquhar Quarry to work with Mavis until the Clay Pits could be rebuilt.

In Tale of the Brave, Timothy and Marion were shown to work there alongside Bill and Ben. Two large landslides occurred at the Clay Pits, Bill and Ben rescuing Thomas from one and another one was triggered a while after, which involved Percy rescuing James. Dinosaur fossils and bones were also found at the Clay Pits, the skeleton of a Megalosaurus, which were mistaken as the bones of a monster by Thomas and Percy. These were later dug out and the rebuilt skeleton now stands on display at the Town Square.

Since the Clay Pits were restored, two sheds are located at the Clay Pits, one for Bill, Ben and Timothy and another one for Marion.

## Trivia

* The Sodor China Clay Pits are based on the Clay Pits of Port of Par, where Bill and Ben's basis worked.
Edward the Very Useful Engine

**Edward the Very Useful Engine** is the fifteenth episode of the sixth season and the 147th episode overall.

## Plot

Gordon's hatred of Edward resurfaces, but he takes it to greater extremes this time: he insists that Edward is worthless and deserves to be unceremoniously retired. The other big engines agree with him, but Percy is concerned about this. He tells his driver about what Gordon said about Edward and the driver tells the Fat Controller, who attends to the matter immediately.

The Fat Controller arranges for Edward to teach Daisy to run the completed line extension to Callan Castle, while BoCo does Edward's work. Duck is happy about this, but it makes no difference to Gordon. Edward enjoys working with Daisy, but BoCo does not enjoy working with the trucks, especially when they hold him back on Gordon's Hill. BoCo is stuck on Gordon's line, and it is too late to switch Gordon, who is due any minute, to the middle line, so the guard tries to flag Gordon down. However, Gordon passes by and tries to push BoCo up the hill, but it is no use.

Gordon's crew sends for Edward to help both engines, and as the strange train sets off and pulls into Maron Station, Gordon feels rather embarrassed. He is then told off by the Fat Controller for saying very rude things about Edward, who has proven to be useful, reliable and very helpful. As a result, Gordon apologizes to Edward by thanking him for his help the next day, telling him that he really is a useful engine after all. The Fat Controller's plan has worked, and there is no more talk about Edward retiring from this point on.

## Characters

* Thomas
* Edward
* Gordon
* Percy
* Duck
* Troublesome Trucks
* The Fat Controller
* Henry *(does not speak)*
* BoCo *(does not speak)*
* Daisy *(does not speak)*
* James *(cameo)*
* Oliver *(cameo)*
* Annie and Clarabel *(cameos)*

## Locations

* Haultraugh Beach
* Haultraugh Lighthouse
* Reagh Viaduct
* Toryreck
* Gordon's Hill
* Tidmouth Sheds
* Knapford
* Wellsworth Yards
* Killdane
* Misty Valley
* Maron
* Wellsworth

## Trivia

* Despite Edward being the main character of this episode, he only has two lines of dialogue.
* Percy says that Edward does not have tyres, which is ironic as all locomotives and rolling stock have them, just not rubber ones which automobiles use.
* This episode seems to be loosely based on the Railway Series story, Super Rescue.
* The episode plot would later be similar to the twelfth season episode, Old Reliable Edward.
Gordon Runs Dry

**Gordon Runs Dry** is the fourth episode of the eleventh season and the 234th episode overall.

## Plot

At Knapford, Gordon is waiting impatiently for Percy to shunt his express coaches. He is only made more upset when Thomas suggests that he should fetch his own coaches. Gordon claims express trains are more important than local trains because local trains stop at every station.

Meanwhile, Paxton is pulling a stone train from Blue Mountain Quarry. Before he reaches the junction to the main line, the signal turns red. He avoids a near collision with Gordon, but one of the rocks from his train bounces off Gordon's boiler, puncturing a hole in it. Instead of allowing his crew to check over the damage, Gordon hurries away to stay on time. Gordon's boiler begins to run dry, but instead of filling up on water, he passes by the water tower. However, he cannot help but think about water when he passes the viaduct and a stream.

Eventually he does stop to fill up, but his passengers complain about being behind schedule. At Wellsworth, Henry makes fun of Gordon for being late. Once again, he passes by a water tower instead of filling up, but a little further, he cannot help but stop. On his way with the Local, Thomas notices a trail of water on the tracks that lead to Gordon. They conclude that the rock had put a hole in Gordon's boiler.

Thomas takes Gordon's express passengers and Paxton shunts the express coaches into a siding before shunting Gordon to the Steamworks. At first, Gordon keeps his brakes on, embarrassed that he has to be shunted. After being repaired, the engines still make fun of him for letting his boiler run dry.

## Characters

* Thomas
* Henry
* Gordon
* James
* Percy
* Paxton
* Annie and Clarabel *(do not speak)*
* Toby *(cameo)*
* Victor *(cameo)*
* Henrietta *(cameo)*
* The Fat Controller *(mentioned)*

## Locations

* Tidmouth Sheds
* Knapford
* Kellsthorpe Road
* Wellsworth
* Maron
* Sodor Steamworks
* Sodor Suspension Bridge
* Reagh Viaduct
* Tidmouth (mentioned)
* Lower Tidmouth (mentioned)
* Crosby (mentioned)
* Cronk (mentioned)
* Killdane (mentioned)
* Blue Mountain Quarry (mentioned)

## Voice Cast

* Ben Small as Thomas
* Keith Wickham as Henry, Gordon, James, Percy and the Maron Station Speaker
* Steven Kynman as Paxton

## Trivia

* When Gordon is naming the stations, they are in the order in which they would appear on a map of Sodor.
* This episode's plot is similar to the magazine story Too Hot.
Diesel 10

**Diesel 10** is a diesel engine with an excavator claw arm.

## Biography

Diesel 10 was an experimental diesel on the Mainland, who was built at Swindon Works with a claw. When he hauled passenger and goods trains, he was deemed a failure, and was purchased for a good bargain by Sir Bertram Topham Hatt in 1966 to collect scrap metal to take to the Dieselworks.

When it was Christmas time during that year, Diesel 10 became jealous of the steam engines for having more decorations at Tidmouth Sheds than he and the diesels had at the Dieselworks. He began stealing decorations from the sheds to bring to the Dieselworks, enlisting a reluctant Paxton to help him. Diesel 10 was caught by Percy, who chased him back to the Dieselworks with the rest of the Steam Team, where Diesel 10 found out that the Fat Controller had, in fact, had Paxton deliver some decorations to the Dieselworks, so he gave the decorations back to the Steam Team. But as most of them had been damaged, he gave them the Dieselworks' decorations too the next day, as he and the other diesels considered Sidney to be a good enough decoration.

## Basis

Diesel 10 is based on a BR Class 42 diesel-hydraulic with an added non-regulation hydraulic claw. All but two members of the class were named after Royal Navy warships, so they, and the similar Class 43 (not to be confused with the InterCity 125 power cars with the same class number), were nicknamed "Warships". Two of these engines are preserved.

## Livery

Diesel 10 is painted ochre with tan stripes along his sides. His buffers and his claw are painted dark brown.
Cronk

**Cronk-ny-Braaid** (Sudric for **The Hill in the Valley**), more commonly known as simply **Cronk or Cronk Abbey**, is a fortified town located around roughly halfway along the North Western Main Line.

## History

The town and castle were built on a curiously shaped rocky eminence which commanded the entrance to the valley, leading to the heart of the Island. The town's full name derives from this, but it has fallen into disuse.

Cronk Abbey with its strategic position became a fortified town at an early date, but that castle was not completed until 1104. It is a development of a much earlier Celtic Peel or Refuge Tower, created by Sigmund, the first King of an independent Sodor. He pulled down the Peel, and replaced it with a Norman type motte and bailey. He would make it his capital. During the Regency, Cronk Abbey was part of the "triangle" usually occupied by the invading power.

During the Great Rebellion, Cronk Abbey, having been promised Irish help via Harwick and Peel Godred, it held out for four months against Oliver Cromwell's forces; but the relief never came so the garrison surrendered on honourable terms, and the castle was blown up. The ruins are now in the care of the Sodor Island Trust.

The town is a busy one but has no big employer. There are instead a large number of small firms all engaged in light electrical industry or instrument making of one form or another. Cronk Abbey is a fascinating town, and an ideal centre from which to explore the Island. It has a number of good hotels, of which The Crown of Sodor in Sigmund Street is considered the best.

In the early 1850s, the Sodor and Mainland Railway proposed to build a branch line from here to Peel Godred in order to get support from investors in the area, but ended up reaching neither town. Another failed attempt to build a railway to here was the Cronk and Harwick Railway, but this soon ran out of funds and went no further than Cregwir. Cronk Abbey was finally connected to the rest of Sodor by rail when the North Western Railway was built between 1913-14. Since then, the nearby village of Killdane has virtually become a suburb of Cronk Abbey.

## Trivia

* Cronk's depiction by C. Reginald Dalby formed the basis for Lower Tidmouth station.
Captain Joe

**Captain Joe** is Skiff's current captain and the lighthouse keeper at Arlesburgh Harbour.

## Biography

Captain Joe is a kind man. He cares for Skiff, as shown when he comforted him after Duck and Oliver were insensitive to him.

## Attire

Captain Joe wears a brown shirt, a grey undershirt, grey-blue jeans and a blue sailor's cap.

## Appearances

### Season 14

* Blown Away
* The Missing Breakdown Train (cameo)
* Cautious Connor (cameo)
* Hugo and the Airship
* Skiff and the Mermaid
Dream On

**Dream On** is the twentieth episode of the ninth season and the 210th episode overall.

## Plot

To the dismay of the Sodor engines, Spencer is visiting the Island of Sodor. While Rosie is shunting trucks, the Fat Controller tells her to help Spencer as he will be tired after his journey to Sodor. Upon steaming brashly into the yard, Rosie is still shunting, but Spencer insults Rosie that he is better than her and that Rosie is just a little tank engine, which infuriates Rosie, but she still helps Spencer by shunting his coaches into place. Rosie is tired when she gets back to the shed and Spencer continues boasting about himself, making Rosie cross and determined to show that she can be much faster, shinier and stronger than Spencer.

The next day, after picking up some trucks from the Ironworks, Rosie tries to go as fast as Spencer, but is warned by Emily as she approaches a bend in the track. Rosie stops just in time, knowing she cannot be faster than Spencer. Later, Rosie is at the washdown, where she is being given a shiny polish. Toby arrives to give a message to Rosie that she has to work at Ffarquhar Quarry and Rosie puffs away. When Rosie arrives, Mavis is impressed that Rosie is the shiniest engine she has ever seen, which makes her pleased. But after working at Ffarquhar Quarry, Rosie is dirty and her shine has disappeared.

As she makes it to Gordon's Hill, she tries to pull his load up the hill, but her train pulls her back down and the stones even fall off the trucks. Rosie realises that she is not better than Spencer after all. The next day, Rosie decides that she is more happy to shunt trucks. The Fat Controller arrives to tell Rosie that the Duke of Boxford needs to return to the mainland urgently for an important business.

Rosie delivers Spencer's coaches to Spencer, but his fire is slow to start and Rosie teases Spencer that he is the slowest to get fired up, making Spencer feel silly. Rosie, now wearing the coats of arms, takes the Duke to Brendam Docks where his boat is waiting, and the Duke thanks Rosie for saving the day. Even if Rosie is not better than Spencer, she is happier to be a reliable engine.

## Characters

* Rosie
* Toby
* Emily
* Spencer
* Mavis
* The Fat Controller
* The Duke and Duchess of Boxford *(Duke speaks only)*
* Gordon *(does not speak)*
* Henry *(cameo)*
* James *(cameo)*
* Bill and Ben *(cameos)*
* BoCo *(cameo)*
* Salty *(cameo)*
* Cranky *(cameo)*
* Big Mickey *(cameo)*

## Locations

* Barrow-in-Furness
* Vicarstown Bridge
* Vicarstown Yards
* Vicarstown Sheds
* Crosby Washdown
* Ffarquhar Quarry
* Gordon's Hill
* Brendam Docks
* Sodor Ironworks (mentioned)

## Trivia

* This episode is named after the song by American rock band, Aerosmith.
Bluff's Cove

**Bluff's Cove** is a small seaside village and station. It is located between Haultraugh and Arlesburgh West.

## History

In 1959, Bulstrode was towed to the nearby beach where he was turned into a children's play structure. He remains there today, most likely still grumbling.

A whale was once stranded on the beach here, but was rescued after being spotted by Toad.
Gina

**Gina** is an Italian tank engine who once participated in the Shunting Challenge at the Great Railway Show.

## Biography

Sweet and stylish, Gina can match the boys pound for pound when it comes to shunting trucks in the yard. She is very proud of her Italian heritage, and loves working on archaeological digs to uncover more about the history of her cherished homeland. Gina does not suffer fools gladly, and will often grow irritable when someone acts like they know it all - particularly about her areas of expertise. She also doesn't like it when someone implies that she "huffs and puffs". Nonetheless, she is loyal and caring, and will always set grudges aside for the sake of helping others.

## Basis

Gina is based on the Ferrovie Nord Milano 200 0-4-0T.

## Livery

Gina's livery is that of her basis. She is painted green with a black boiler, gold lining and red wheels. She has her name written in white lettering on her nameplates.

## Appearances

### Season 16

* Thomas’ Worldwide Travels (does not speak)

## Trivia

* Gina’s name means "queen" in Italian.
* She works in Milan, Italy.
Gone Fishing

**Gone Fishing** is the twenty-first episode of the eleventh season and the 251st episode overall.

## Plot

One day, Harvey is loading flatbeds of machinery at Brendam Docks when Porter arrives. Porter has never seen a crane engine before and is therefore interested in Harvey. He thinks Harvey looks like a really useful engine. Then Bill and Ben arrive and see Harvey. They tease him about having a hook and ask if he is going fishing.

Harvey shrugs off the twins and their teasing, but when Porter accidentally bumps into a freight car and the twins call him a "bumpy boiler," Harvey becomes a little annoyed. Porter tells Harvey to ignore the twins and let their teasing slide off him, like "water off a duck's back."

Later Harvey has loaded the flatbeds for Vicarstown. Murdoch is due to take them, but is delayed. Harvey suggests Bill and Ben should take them, but they claim to be needed at the clay pits. Porter then suggests that Harvey should take them. Harvey is not so sure as he does not usually pull cargo. The twins then suggest he pick the flatbeds up and carry them, like fish. Porter reminds Harvey of "water off a duck's back," which changes Harvey's mind. The Dock manager, and the Fat Controller, having arrived for a very important meeting, says it is an excellent idea and allows Harvey to proceed.

Harvey finds the job fun at first, but when he comes to Gordon's Hill, he realises that it is a lot harder to puff up it as he expected. But after some encouragement from Emily, he makes it to the top. However, he does not realize that he should apply his brakes and he races down the hill too fast. At the bottom is a bend and Harvey's speed and emergency braking causes the flatbeds to derail. Harvey is upset and wishes he had not taken the flatbeds.

Harvey begins to think about what sort of things Bill and Ben will say. After remembering what they said about using his hook, Harvey puts the flatbeds back on the rails in no time. Gordon, pulling the express and having seen the derailment, stops and asks Harvey what happened. Harvey reassures Gordon everything is fine and Gordon finishes his journey.

When Harvey returns to the docks, the Fat Controller has just finished his meeting with the Dock Manager. He praises Harvey and calls him a really useful engine. Harvey suggests that he can use his hook to go fishing, which causes everyone to laugh.

## Characters

* Gordon
* Emily
* Bill and Ben
* Harvey
* Porter
* The Fat Controller
* Rocky *(does not speak)*
* Cranky *(does not speak)*
* Merrick *(does not speak)*
* Molly *(cameo)*
* Diesel *(cameo)*
* Salty *(cameo)*
* Skarloey *(cameo)*
* Big Mickey *(faceless, cameo)*
* Murdoch *(mentioned)*

## Locations

* Brendam Docks
* Blue Mountain Quarry
* Suddery
* Gordon's Hill
* Suddery Junction
* Killdane
* Suddery Hill
* Vicarstown *(mentioned)*
* Sodor China Clay Company *(mentioned)*

## Voice Cast

* Jonathan Broadbent as Bill and Ben
* Steven Kynman as Porter
* Keith Wickham as Gordon, Harvey and the Fat Controller
* Matt Wilkinson as the Dock Manager

## Trivia

* The episode's title shares the same name with the song from the official TV Series.
Ballahoo

**Ballahoo** (Sudric for **The Farm on the River Hoo**) is a small station which services a nearby seaside village.

## History

The first attempt at cutting a tunnel through the Ballahoo Ridge was made by the Sodor and Mainland Railway, which collapsed due to a construction error, resulting in trains only running between here and Kirk Ronan.

Since 1914, the town has been served by the NWR's then named Ballahoo Branch Line. Following the 1925 Agreement with the LMS, Ballahoo has also been served by the joint NWR/BR hourly suburban service between Barrow-in-Furness and Norramby.

In November 1959, an annual seaside festival was held at the village with a special attraction for the visitors. Toby was invited to the festival once as the special attraction, but was sent away after learning there was no more room in the parade.

In 1962, the station was converted into a through station to serve the new extension to the Norramby Fishing Village.
Arlesburgh Bridge Street

**Arlesburgh Bridge Street** is a station on the Arlesdale Railway serving East Arlesburgh. It was originally a station on the now-closed Mid Sodor Railway.

## History

Arlesburgh Bridge Street is one of two stations serving Arlesburgh, the other being Arlesburgh West, and was originally opened in 1880. The site of this station can easily be found where the road comes south from the town bridge to the railway. The Mid Sodor had a level crossing here, now replaced by an over-bridge.

Bridge Street was the Mid Sodor's main station. All except boat and ore trains terminated here under an "all-over" timber roof which sheltered the two passenger platforms. An extensive yard provided space for goods, locomotive and carriage sheds. Since these had fallen into decay during the years of abandonment between 1938 and 1969, the Arlesdale Railway demolished the remains, and sold the surplus land. They kept one platform only, that on the town side of their line, and on it erected a wooden hut.

Though the majority of Summer passengers entrain at Arlesburgh West, having been brought by the Little Western, nevertheless Bridge Street has a small but regular all-the-year-round local clientele, whose numbers are swelled in Summer by holiday-makers lodging in the town. In consequence the platform has now been lengthened, and the timber shelter replaced by a substantial brick building.
Bradford

**Bradford** is Samson's trustworthy brake van who lives on the Mainland.

## Biography

Bradford is an officious and strict brake van who adheres to every railway rule, no matter how minor the rule might be. Although he means well and does his best to keep the trucks in order, his overzealous and military-like attitude makes his trains commonly run very late. Because of this, the engines find him annoying. He is also quite conceited, as he claimed he knew how much the engines "appreciated" him.

## Basis

Bradford is based on a standard LMS 20 ton brake van.

## Livery

Bradford is painted two-tone green with a red stripe across his sides. The number "0919" is painted inside his stripes in gold.

## Trivia

* Bradford is the first sentient brake van to be introduced in the series since Toad in the third season and the third overall. The first being The Spiteful Brakevan.
* Bradford apparently has a very keen sense of sight, as he is able to tell just from one glance the exact height of the load of stone in Thomas' trucks, and notice a tiny crack in Henry's lamp.
* Bradford's persona and dialogue are based on various characters portrayed by British actor Windsor Davies, in particular Battery Sergeant Major Williams from "It Ain't Half Hot Mum".
* Even though Bradford has tail lights facing towards his front, he is almost always seen coupled up facing his train instead of facing backwards, thus putting his side mounted tail lights into questionable use. To compensate for this, he has a back mounted tail light.
Duke and Duchess of Boxford

## The Duke and Duchess of Boxford

The **Duke and Duchess of Boxford** often visit Sodor with their private engine, Spencer. However, since the eleventh season, they appear to have lived at their summer house.

## Attire

The Duke wears a dark purple suit jacket, which has a crest on the left side, over a yellow shirt and grey trousers, with a brown boater hat, with a purple band. The Duchess wears a light purple dress, with white collars and pink floral patterns and a floppy brown sun hat. In Timothy And The Rainbow Truck, she wore a rainbow coloured dress with a matching sunhat.

## Appearances

### Season 9

* Dream On *(the Duchess does not speak)*

### Season 10

* Hero of the Rails
* Welcome Stafford!

### Season 11

* King of the Railway *(mentioned)*
* Percy’s Lucky Day *(Duchess only; does not speak)*
* The Afternoon Tea Express *(do not speak)*

### Season 12

* Timothy and the Rainbow Truck *(Duchess only; does not speak)*

### Season 13

* Two Wheels Good
* Diesel’s Ghostly Christmas *(cameos)*
* The Beast of Sodor *(mentioned)*

### Season 14

* Cautious Connor *(do not speak)*
* Engine of the Future

### Season 16

* Slow and Steady Wins the Race *(mentioned)*
Bad Look Out

**Bad Look Out** is the tenth episode of the fifteenth season and the 345th episode overall. It is based on the story of the same name from the nineteenth Railway Series book, Mountain Engines.

## Plot

Duncan is in a bad mood because the Thin Controller says he kept a bad look out, so Skarloey and Rheneas change the subject of the conversation by asking Culdee about his coaches. The discussion soon drifts to Culdee's automatic brakes, and the story of Godred, an engine who held too much faith in his automatic brakes. Despite frequent discipline and investigation into his behaviour, Godred continued in his way. Eventually, Godred fell off the tracks and down the mountainside. Since the manager had no money to repair Godred, he was sent to the back of the shed, where over time the drivers dismantled Godred for spare parts to mend Culdee and the other engines. Sir Handel and Duncan are mortified and remain silent, while Skarloey and Rheneas do not mention that the tale was made up.

## Characters

* Skarloey
* Rheneas
* Sir Handel
* Duncan
* Godred
* Culdee
* Catherine
* Lord Barrane
* Donald (does not speak)
* Ernest (indirectly mentioned)
* Wilfred (indirectly mentioned)
* Shane Dooiney (indirectly mentioned)

## Locations

* Crovan's Gate Sheds
* Kirk Machan
* Kirk Machan Sheds
* Culdee Fell Summit

## Trivia

* This episode is based on the Snowdon Mountain Railway's opening day accident with their first engine, L.A.D.A.S. Although Godred's accident resulted in no injuries, the accident that happened to L.A.D.A.S. involved the death of one person.
Crovan's Gate Wharf

**Crovan's Gate Wharf** is an interchange between the North Western and Skarloey railways. It is located south-east of Crovan's Gate.

The area contains a large shunting yard with factories and warehouses. Canals provide access around the complex for boats and barges to deliver and take on cargo.

## History

This horse worked “plate-way” was laid from Cros-ny-Cuirn to Balladwail in 1806. The Crovan's Gate Mining Company had a copper mine in the lower slopes of Ward Fell. The ore was brought to Cros-ny-Cuirn by pack-horses, and sent down in wagons to Balladwail for shipment. The Inn at Glennock was used as a staging point by the pack-horse boys on their upwards journey.

The Mining Company relaid this line in 1820 with “fish-belly” edge rail, and extended it up the Ben Glas valley to the mine. It was called quite simply "The Railroad", for there was no other in the whole Island, and it was considered a marvel in its day. From Cros-ny-Cuirn a chain of five successive inclines strode boldly up to Ward Fell, and their remains, much overgrown, can still be seen from the road north of the level-crossing at Cros-ny-Cuirn.

Following the Ffestiniog Railway's lead in 1863, improvements were called for. It was decided to replace the pack-horses with steam locomotives and James Spooner was engaged to survey a new route suitably graded for them. It was initially intended for the line to be for minerals only like its predecessor, but following the rediscovery of the ancient hollow of Skarloey the Board's thinking underwent a change. The line was opened in 1865, renamed to the Skarloey Railway.

In January 1961, Thomas went to clean snow here, and Rusty told him about an avalanche that Skarloey had to brave through to pass the time. After finishing the story, Gordon came with a snow machine and snow from the roof of the wharf shed fall all over him.

In Sodor Day 1965, Thomas and James finished a race for a special prize here, with James' prize being to unload barges at, and Thomas' 'special' special being to meet with Duncan at Crovan's Gate station and bring lumber from the hills down to the wharf.
Connor

**Connor** is an aquamarine streamlined tender engine from the Mainland, who is designed and built for speed. He usually transports passengers from the Mainland and on Sodor to Ulfstead Castle to visit the Estate Railway. He has his own rake of coaches painted in the same livery as him.

## Biography

Connor is a streamlined engine, designed and built for speed. Along with his friend Caitlin, Connor is an excitable and energetic character, who likes to be busy and loves to race. Both Connor and Caitlin are friendly and eager to get other engines to join in the fun with them.

## Basis

Connor is based on a New York Central Railroad J-3a Hudson built by Alco of Schenectady, New York City. Ten J-3a Hudsons, 5445 through 5454 were built with streamlined shrouds designed by Henry Dreyfuss in 1938 in order to do heavy hauling at a greater speed, most famously hauling the 20th Century Limited from New York City in New York to Chicago in Illinois.

## Livery

Connor is painted teal blue with aquamarine and yellow lining. He has golden nameplates on the sides of his boiler.

## Appearances

### Season 11

* King of the Railway
* Bill or Ben?
* Calm Down Caitlin

### Season 12

* Last Train For Christmas
* Not So Slow Coaches

### Season 13

* The Truth About Toby (cameo)
* Best Engine Ever

## Trivia

* Connor has been partially modified to work on British railways with a screwlink coupling and buffers on the back of his tender. He retains a streamlined cowcatcher on the front, so he is unable to shunt.
* Connor has been scaled down from his basis, though he is still slightly taller and wider than most engines. Connor's rescaling also doesn't affect his crew standing in his cab, although they stand higher than his side windows compared to his basis.
* Despite being based on an American locomotive, Connor speaks with a faint Irish accent.
All at Sea

**All at Sea** is the sixth episode of the third season and the 66th episode overall.

## Plot

Duck and Percy enjoy working at the Brendam Docks. One day, Duck and Percy notice the horizon is packed with sails flapping against the blue skies. Duck then tells Percy that he wishes he could sail to far away lands, but Percy thinks it is silly since engines cannot float. Harold soon arrives and tells the two engines that the boats are competing in the Regatta and that it is his job to hover around in case he is needed. Duck then asks Harold if he has ever been to the horizon, to which Harold says he has, and can also land on ships (aircraft carriers), anywhere and at any time.

Duck then goes on talking about the regatta all day, leading Percy to lose patience and tells Duck that their rails can take them to all the places they could ever wish to see. Suddenly, the docks’ emergency siren goes off; a man taking part in the Regatta had suffered a hand injury and Duck needs to take him to a hospital at the Suddery station. Harold brings the man ashore and Duck quickly races over. Harold states that he would have taken the man to the hospital himself, but he needs to stay at sea, in case of other emergencies. Duck soon makes his way down the line and arrives at the station, where the grateful sailor is dropped off and Brenda prepares to take him to the hospital. Brenda then compliments Duck, saying that he looks splendid flying along the line and it is no wonder they call him "Great Western." Duck then agrees with Percy that engines are happiest when their wheels are firmly on the rails.

The same night, Duck and Percy are staying longer at the quay when Duck notices a shooting star. Percy laughs and tells him that it is Harold hovering overhead. Something flutters down towards Duck and his driver manages to catch it. It is a flag from the Regatta that Harold has given to Duck as a present, which Duck sees as kind of Harold and he begins to understand just what an engine needs.

At this point, Duck still dreams about traveling to the horizon, but knows that he will never be happier than he is on Sodor with his friends and understands now that sometimes the best travels are those that only exist in dreams.

## Characters

* Percy
* Duck
* Brenda
* Harold
* Edward *(cameo)*

## Locations

* Brendam Docks
* Brendam School
* Crock’s Scrap Yard
* Suddery
* St. Tibba's Hospital (mentioned)

## Trivia

* Britt Allcroft has said this is one of her favourite episodes, alongside the first season episode, Down the Mine.
* This episode marks the first appearance of Brenda in an episode.
* This is one of two episodes from the third season that were originally written by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton, the other being Thomas and Percy's Christmas Adventure.
Edward and Gordon

**Edward and Gordon** is the second episode of the first season. It is based on Edward's Day Out and the story of the same title from the first Railway Series book, The Three Railway Engines.

## Plot

Edward is an old, blue engine, who is feeling sad, as he has not been out in a long time. One day, his driver and fireman see how upset he is, so they choose him over the other engines. Edward has a wonderful day pulling coaches. The coaches are very proud and impressed with Edward, as is his crew. That night, Edward tells the other engines that he will go out again tomorrow, but falls asleep before he could understand what they thought of it.

Next morning, Gordon is bragging to Edward. He tells the old engine to watch him rush by with express that afternoon. Edward ignores him and goes to shunt trucks in the yard. However, instead of coaches, Gordon is pulling a train of dirty trucks, much to his anger. He soon begins to climb a hill, and stops halfway up. Edward is soon called to be Gordon's banker. The big blue engine does not think that Edward can do it, though he pushes all the same. The train is brought back to the bottom of the hill and then both engines puff together up the hill. All the while Gordon persistently complains but to his surprise, they have made it to the top. Gordon thunders away at high-speed, cheering for himself, and leaves Edward far behind forgetting to thank him. Out of breath, Edward slowly runs into a siding at Maron Station, where his crew give him a long drink and promise to reward him a new coat of blue paint with red strip

## Characters

* Edward
* Gordon
* Troublesome Trucks
* Eagle *(not named; do not speak)*
* Henry *(not named; do not speak)*
* Thomas *(not named; does not speak)*
* Old Coaches *(do not speak)*

## Locations

* Tidmouth Sheds
	+ Tidmouth Goods Station
* Rail Under Road Bridge and Signalbox
* Gordon's Hill
* Sodor Steamworks
* Maron
	+ Maura Bridge

## Trivia

* In an interview, Rev. W. Awdry says that this episode is based on the common instances of trains stalling on the Lickey Incline near the Awdry family's home in King's Norton.
	+ This episode marks the first of several things:
		- The first episode in which the narrator says the line, "Then there was trouble."
		- The first time Edward has a speaking role.
		- The first episode of Edward as a main character.
		- The first episode in which Thomas appears, but does not speak.
		- The first time where Gordon is seen pulling trucks instead of coaches.
		- The first episode that was adapted from two stories of The Railway Series.
Crosby Washdown

**The Washdown** is a special facility where engines and vehicles of the North Western Railway are cleaned and polished. It has a single-road shed and a water column, and it is situated just off the Main Line. This washdown is located between Crosby and Crosby Tunnel. It is one of James' favourite locations since it helps get his paint "shiny and clean", as he would put it.

## History

After seeing how difficult it was to clean engines with hoses, a special place with cleaning equipment was to be built. Thus, not long after the construction of Crosby Tunnel, a washdown was built off the main line, so it had equal distance from the west and east sides of it. Furthermore, being close to Crosby, the washdown is close to the roads, and vehicles can get cleaned here too if they need to, or don't have time to go all the way to the Cronk Repair Garage.

In 1953, Gordon neglected to have a washdown, and splashed mud all over James, who had just finished being cleaned up. In 1961, Gordon and James were the last engines to use the washdown, leaving poor Percy to be dirty the rest of the day. Luckily for the little green engine, that same day he would have an accident at Mr. Jolly's Chocolate Factory, so the Fat Controller rewards him to have a "special" washdown and a new coat of paint. That same year, Thomas also hoged the washdown to be "squeaky clean" and pick up Alicia Botti, again, forcing Percy to stay dirty. However, Percy was the one who picked up the famous singer at the end, since Thomas' coaches had a mouse in them.

In Autumn 1963, Gordon, James and Henry went to the washdown to be clean for an inspection. Thomas tried to arrive there, but all three engines got to the washdown before him. However Thomas and Percy managed to be cleaner than the big engines at the inspection anyways. In 1965, Thomas, on his way to Knapford Harbour, saw Percy and Stanley having fun at the washdown with lots of bubbles, making the tank engine feel a bit jelaous.

In 1966, Thomas, Annie, Clarabel, and several other engines went to the washdown, to be clean for Sir Robert Norramby's arrival at Knapford. In summer 1967, Murdoch let Thomas have a washdown first, since he was covered in quarry dust and needed a washdown more than him. In Autumn 1971, James was being cleaned up here, before Charlie, Stafford and Scruff went past him and sang about wanting to be chosen to go the Great Railway Show. In 1972, James was being cleaned up here again, to be presentable when collecting the Mayor, but due to a scratch on his paint, he went quickly to the Steamworks to get repainted, a plan that didn't go as well as he planned.
Daisy (episode)

## Daisy

**Daisy** is the twenty-first episode of the second season and the 51st episode overall. It is based on the story of the same name from the sixteenth Railway Series book, Branch Line Engines.

## Plot

Percy and Toby arrive at Elsbridge Station feeling worried for Thomas after he had been sent to be repaired following his recent accident. The Fat Director waits for them in order to introduce Daisy, the diesel railcar who will help run the branch line while Thomas is away. Percy asks if she will leave after Thomas returns, and the Fat Director responds that it depends on her performance. Regardless, he expects Percy and Toby to welcome her and help her settle in. The two engines happily agree, so they start by taking Daisy to the engine shed for a rest.

Arriving at the engine shed, Daisy snobbishly tells Percy and Toby that she thinks the shed is "dreadfully smelly" and states that anything smelly is "bad for her swerves." This makes Percy and Toby cross, but the two carry on and take her to the carriage shed. Daisy prefers it, but asks what the "rubbish" is next to her. The "rubbish" she is referring to is Annie, Clarabel and Henrietta, all of whom are greatly offended by this, and refuse to stay where they're insulted. Percy and Toby are forced to take them out of the shed and stay up half the night trying to soothe their hurt feelings.

Percy and Toby end up feeling exhausted the next morning, while Daisy wakes up feeling full of energy as she goes to the station to take her first set of passengers. Arriving, she starts to show off to woo them. Her attitude, however, changes when she sees Toby coupling a milk tanker to her. Enraged, Daisy refuses to take it and, despite her driver's arguments, violently shudders, lurches backwards and blows a fuse. Everyone at the station argues with her, but to no avail. Daisy explains that her fitter ordered her to never take any trucks because she is highly sprung and pulling is bad for her swerves. No one at the station believes her excuse and start to wonder why the Fat Director brought an engine with such an attitude to the Island. With everyone now late, the crew is left with no choice but to leave the milk tanker behind and allow Daisy to enjoy her journey taking only the passengers. As she runs, Daisy chuckles to herself at how well her story worked and secretly decides that she will do only the work she wants to do.

## Characters

* Percy
* Toby
* Daisy
* Annie and Clarabel
* Henrietta
* The Fat Director
* Thomas *(mentioned)*

## Locations

* Elsbridge
* Elsbridge Sheds
* Ffarquhar Sheds
* Ffarquhar
* The Valley Bridge

## Trivia

* This episode marks the only time Daisy's fitter has ever been physically seen, not counting mentioned appearances.
* This episode marks Henrietta’s last speaking role until the twelfth series episode, Thomas the Quarry Engine.
* This is the first episode named after a single character.
Edward’s Brass Band

**Edward's Brass Band** is the fifteenth episode of the seventh season and the 166th episode overall.

## Plot

During the summer, there are a lot of attractions for visitors to the Island, like the brass band. One early-autumn day, Edward is very excited; the Fat Controller has given him the job of picking up the band and taking them to a concert staged for the next night. Edward cannot wait to hear their wonderful music.

But as Edward steams through Brendam Docks, he does not notice Big Mickey unloading a huge boiler from a ship. He accidentally swings the boiler, knocking Edward off the rails and into a pile of coal. Cranky had been watching Edward and insults him. The Fat Controller arrives and tells Edward that he will have to go to the Steamworks and Brenda will take the band to their concert, to his sadness.

That night, a huge storm rolls in while the workmen are trying to repair Edward, leaving him feeling sad and very damp. The next morning, Edward asks if the workmen will be finished soon. The Fat Controller tells Edward that he will not be repaired in time and that Brenda must take the band to the concert, making him feel worse.

Brenda collects the band from Wellworth and sets off to Rolf’s Castle. But she finds that the storm has flooded a large part of the road, so her driver decides to take a shortcut across a muddy field. But Brenda becomes stuck in the mud and she cannot budge. The band begins to worry that they will be late to the concert, but the leader has an idea.

By now, Edward has been fully mended and coupled to some coaches. Suddenly, he and his driver hear some music coming from the distance, which turns out to be a Morse code for help and hurry to see what the matter is. The band is delighted to see their old friend and Edward promises to get them to the concert on time. They climb aboard his coaches and they set off.

That night, the concert is a great success. Everyone loves the band's music, especially Edward.

## Characters

* Thomas
* Edward
* BoCo
* Brenda
* Cranky
* The Fat Controller
* Big Mickey *(does not speak)*
* Henry *(does not speak)*
* Gordon *(cameo)*
* James *(cameo)*
* Duck *(cameo)*
* Oliver *(cameo)*
* Salty *(cameo)*
* Skarloey *(cameo)*
* Trevor *(cameo)*

## Locations

* Kellsthorpe Road
* Haultraugh Beach
* Haultraugh Lighthouse
* Rheneas Viaduct
* Wellsworth Vicarage Orchard
* Wellsworth
* Wellsworth Yards
* Brendam School
* Brendam Docks
* Sodor Steamworks
* Suddery Hill
* Sodor Suspension Bridge
* Rolf's Castle

## Trivia

* This is the first time ever in the series that Edward gets into an accident, derailed or not.
Arlesburgh Sheds

**Arlesburgh Sheds** are a two-road engine shed situated in Arlesburgh Goods Yard. It is here where Ryan and Daisy sleep.

## History

Arlesburgh Sheds were initially built in the construction yard for use by engines assisting in the building of the Harwick Branch Line. The original shed was cobbled together using sheets of wood and corrugated iron on top of a frame made of I-beams. While Ryan used the shed, Thomas opted not to, initially to avoid Ryan, however later so that he could assist Skiff and Sailor John, prior to finding out Sailor John's true intentions.

Following the completion of the line, the shed was rebuilt with brick walls, windows and a new tiled roof, while the surrounding yards were converted into a shunting yard. After being transferred from Thomas' Branch Line to carry out passenger services to Harwick, Daisy joined Ryan in the sheds. Judy and Jerome were later relocated to the sidings outside the shed to assist with rescue operations on the west of Sodor.

## Residents

RyanTheHelpfulEngine.pngRyanDaisyJudy (sleeps outside shed)Jerome (sleeps outside shed)
As Good as Gordon

**As Good as Gordon** is the fifteenth episode of the eighth season, the 188th episode overall and the fourth story to be completely rewritten.

## Plot

Gordon has been invited to a steam gala on the Mainland. So the Fat Controller asks James and Emily to take over the express during his absence. After James makes a few delays and mistakes by showing off, Emily has the chance to not only do better than James, but to make up for the timber delay a few months back.

## Characters

* Gordon
* James
* Percy
* Emily
* Murdoch
* The Fat Controller
* Brenda *(does not speak)*
* Thomas *(mentioned)*
* Farmer McColl *(mentioned)*

## Locations

* Tidmouth Sheds
* Knapford
* Wellsworth
* Vicarstown
* The Mainland *(mentioned)*
* Brendam *(mentioned)*
* Maron *(mentioned)*

## Trivia

* There had been a decision on whether to have James be the main character due to the impatient mistakes shown or Emily as a continuation of her character from Emily Makes a Fuss. It was soon decided that both characters should have the focus.
* This story began its writing stages in 6th December 2021, but wasn’t finished until 22nd June 2022.

## References to Other Stories

* The narrator recalls Emily trying to make up for the timber delivery a few months back.

## Links to the Story

https://www.deviantart.com/jamesawilliams1996/art/As-Good-As-Gordon-rewritten-920083630
Dennis’ Wish

**Dennis’ Wish** is the twelfth episode of the sixteenth season, the 365th episode overall and the twelfth episode of the Original Stories Era of the series.

## Plot

After being late with a delivery and seeing all the high speed engines, Dennis wishes that he can be as fast as them. And with having no choice but to sleep out in the rain, Dennis got his wish, but not in the way he expected.

## Characters

* Gordon
* Dennis
* Ryan (does not speak)
* Connor (cameo)
* Caitlin (cameo)
* Judy and Jerome (cameo)

## Locations

* The Main Line
* Gordon’s Hill
* Knapford Harbour
* Vicarstown Dieselworks
* Arlesburgh Harbour
* Vicarstown (mentioned)
* Ulfstead Castle (mentioned)

## Voice Cast

* James A Williams as The Narrator, Dennis, Gordon, the Harbour Manager and Dennis’ Driver

## Trivia

* This story began its writing stages in 15th November 2017, but wasn’t finished until 19th November 2017.
* Despite the episode placement, this was actually the first original Thomas story James A Williams had ever written, back in 2017 as a one-off story. A few years later, he thought of more stories until it eventually evolved into a series of stories.

## Links to the Story

https://www.deviantart.com/jamesawilliams1996/art/Dennis-Wish-715874634