Wrong Road

**Wrong Road** is the twenty-fifth episode of the second season and the 55th episode overall. It is based on the story of the same name from the twenty-first Railway Series book, Main Line Engines.

## Plot

Thomas’ and Edward's branch lines are very important to the railway. However, their tracks and bridges are not as strong as those on the main line, so the Fat Director does not allow the larger engines (like Henry and Gordon for example) to run on them. Although this is purely for safety, Gordon believes the rule is for another reason entirely.

One day, he complains to Edward about BoCo being allowed to take main line trains when he is only supposed to work on the branch line. Edward jokingly suggests that Gordon ask if he can take BoCo's trucks in return, but Gordon refuses to consider it. Edward notes that it might be a nice change, but Gordon claims the Fat Director would never agree and states that branch lines are vulgar before snorting off, followed by an amused Edward.

Every evening, both Gordon and Edward take late-night trains from Knapford. Gordon takes the main line express at 6:25, while Edward leaves with his 6:30 train. Normally, everything runs fine, but that evening, there is trouble; a lady wearing a green floppy beach hat is on the platform, saying goodbye to a friend in the guard's van when it is nearly time for Gordon to start. Looking back, Gordon's fireman (who is the new to the job) sees what he thinks is the guard waving the green flag, but is actually just the lady's hat moving. Gordon leaves with the majority of his passengers, their luggage and the guard stranded on the platform as a result. Everyone is surprised and mostly cross.

Gordon is soon stopped and brought back, feeling humiliated. By now, Edward is late, so he sets off first instead. This causes more trouble however since no one informed the junction signalman about the plan changing, and Edward is accidentally sent down the main line. When Gordon follows, he is sent down the branch and ends the evening by being forced to sleep in a siding at the harbour.

The next morning, Bill and Ben arrive to pick up trucks from BoCo in the yard. While neither BoCo nor the trucks are there, they do not mind, as they much prefer the idea of teasing Gordon. After joking that the large blue engine near them cannot be Gordon, as Gordon would never go on branch lines as he thinks them vulgar, they jokingly conclude that he is a pile of old iron. Bill considers taking the old iron to the scrapyard while Ben suggests throwing it into the sea. Gordon, unaware of the twins' joking nature, starts to panic and begs BoCo to save him when the diesel arrives with some trucks. BoCo soon realises what is happening and sends the twins off by threatening to take the trucks he brought for them away. They quickly run off, as a relieved Gordon thanks BoCo. Not knowing the twins were only teasing, Gordon ends up thinking that BoCo saved his life.

## Characters

* Edward
* Gordon
* Bill and Ben
* BoCo
* Thomas *(does not speak)*
* The Fat Director *(does not speak)*

## Locations

* The Watermill
* The Branch Line Bridge
* Knapford
	+ Yards
* Crosby
	+ C&B Barber
* The Viaduct
* Brendam Docks
* The Scrapyards *(mentioned)*
* Suddery Junction *(mentioned)*

## Trivia

* This episode is based on a real event that occurred at Sittingbourne, Kent in 1911.