Season 4 Episode 16: Thomas and Stepney

I have expectations for this one. I am expecting Thomas to be a jerk. (Crosses fingers)

Thomas is an unusually cheery mood this day. He stops to speak with Percy for a moment. Thomas immediately goes into how wonderful his branch line is. And the look on Percy's face is priceless.

Oh please, scrap me!

Percy bursts Thomas' bubble with information of another branch line that is just as awesome. It just so happens to be Stepney's BlueBell Railway. And even better, Stepney may come visit The Fat Controller's engines.

This turns Thomas into a jealous rage. (YES!) 

Build it up, buttercup.

Meanwhile with Thomas' new enemy, Stepney, we find that he growing bored on his line. It is a little short for him. He speaks to Rusty about his problem. Rusty pops out the idea to tell his driver about it and heads off. Stepney does just that and the driver agrees. 

Later that night, his driver breaks the news that they have been invited to visit the North Western Railway.  

I hope the driver models his scarf.

The next day, they set off on the long ride to see the other engines. 

The build up of Stepney visiting is the word on the street with the other engines. They talk all about him making Thomas' jealously grow bigger. Thomas grumbles and heads off to fetch his coaches.

As soon as Thomas leaves, Stepney arrives through the junction and at Knapford. The engines all cheer for him. Total Hottie Edward mentions he should met Thomas. (I wonder if Edward was an evil streak in him like me?)

Stepney heads over to help Duck shunt some coaches for the day. 

Later that evening, Thomas arrives and totally snubs Stepney. And rushes to do his last train.

I think Duck was waiting for it too.

Shortly after Thomas to take his last train, the alarm sounds to stop all trains. A special is coming and they need Thomas shunted off so it can pass through. Thomas grows angry at this and gripes. 

And low and behold it's Stepney!

I love it!

Morning arrives and Thomas still has a bug in his ass over Stepney. His sits in a siding, complaining like a teenager who has their phone taken away. Stepney pulls up along side and apologizes. (Why are you apologizing? It is hilarious!)

Stepney then explains that a special passenger approached them right after Thomas had left. He demanded a special train and Duck gave it to him. (Yeah, I am pretty sure that is not how it works.) Stepney then pads Thomas' ego by telling him he was nervous. 

Aw, thank you. And one day you, little Stepney, can be one a million little boy's t-shirts.

So with that, Thomas and Stepney became frenemies. 

Season 4 Episode 15: Rusty To The Rescue

Introducing, the BlueBell Railway. Rusty loves to visit there. It is his version of Henry's forest. 

One day, Rusty is taking on water when Thomas passes by. Thomas points out that Rusty's driver looks worried. (Well, he works on Sodor and these engines are screw ups.) Rusty asks his driver, "What's his butt?"
The driver thinks the railway needs a new engine to help. 

And I have to poop!

Rusty pulls up to Douglas and Percy and questions "Where he can find another slave on Sodor?"

Douglas brings up the "Other Railway" where he found Oliver. He states he can not help since it is now diesel territory. This makes little Rusty determined to go on his own.

Um, I have a headache!

Rusty later tells his driver all about what they are going to do. The driver came back to the shed that night and informed Rusty. "His plan is a go per the manager." So, the two plan to go the following day because, screw work!

The next day, Rusty heads out. It takes so long to get to the other railway that it was night by the time he arrived. He creeps into the old scrapyard and immediately gets the willies. 

Thomas! He's dead!

Some diesels on the sidings, shout at Rusty. Rusty claims, he is an inspection engine and he wants to stamp their underwear. This works on the diesels and tricks them into giving away the location of one very lonely steam engine. 

I win!

Rusty goes on to find a little tank engine on a siding looking pitiful. His driver, who is very attached to this engine is huddled up inside the cab chilling out. (Is he homeless?)

But at least, he looks fierce!

Rusty sneaks up beside the engine and asks, "If he likes Bluebells?"

The engine answered he does. Rusty explains that he is there to bust him out.

The crew work to commence the rescuing. They fire up the new engine, Stepney and set off. 

Just like E.T.

When the two engines arrive back, a celebration is taking place. And for the first time, we see the BlueBell Railway's manager.

He reminds me of The Reverend from Dr. Quinn. But, I doubt most of you know that reference.

Stepney's driver remarks, "That you are one lucky son of a bitch, Stepney!" (And I am sure he is thrilled he is not sleeping in the cab anymore.)

Now a days, Stepney is enjoying his life on the BBR and no longer fearing his death by scraping. Well, until he was retired this year...

Aw, shit!