Thomas the Trackmaster Adventures Episode 35: Gordon's New Tender

Previous Episode: Episode 34 Next Episode: Episode 36 Episode 35: Gordon's New Tender Gordon wishes he could be as splendid as Flying Scotsman, his brother. Gordon overhears that he might be getting two tenders. After his two tenders cause him problems, he decides to be a single tendered engine again. But when Spencer has a mishap, Gordon wears the second tender again. Characters: Henry Gordon James Spencer Sir Topham Hatt The Duke and Duchess of Boxford Molly (non-speaking role) Thomas (cameo) Percy (cameo) Emily (cameo) Flying Scotsman (cameo)

Transcript
Narrator: Gordon is a Gresley A3 Pacific. Few of them are left. Only he and his brother No. 4472 Flying Scotsman remain. Flying Scotsman is an East Coast legend. He has two tenders. One night, Gordon was talking to the other engines at Tidmouth Sheds. Gordon: I wish I could be just like my brother Flying Scotsman. With the publicity and all. I wonder what I'd look like with two tenders. James: Gordon, if you get two tenders, pigs will fly! Everyone knows it's Flying Scotsman's trademark. You'd just be copying him. Narrator: Gordon went silently to sleep. That night he had a dream - he was rocketing down the line, two shining tenders bouncing behind him. One read his number "4", and the other read "N W R", as in the North Western Railway. When he awoke next morning, he told the others. Henry: Gordon, there aren't any engines on this railway with two tenders. What makes you think you'll be the first to get another? Gordon: {upset} I'll never be as splendid as Flying Scotsman... Narrator: And he went to collect his train. At the station, Gordon buffered to his coaches. The automatic couplers set, and he hissed quietly. Sir Topham Hatt was talking to his driver. Sir Topham Hatt: Gordon's tenders will look better than ever! He'll look just like his brother. Narrator: Gordon felt happiness and excitement flourish through his boiler. Gordon: I will! I will be like Flying Scotsman! Narrator: And he roared out of the station. That afternoon, Spencer had returned from pulling the Duke and Duchess of Boxford around the island. He backed into Knapford Sheds. Gordon was telling the others about what Sir Topham Hatt had said. Spencer: Gordon, you and I both know you're a sterling member of your class. Narrator: Suddenly, Madison the parrot flew overhead, and Spencer was covered in droppings. {During this, Spencer exclaims "Ugh!!! Bird &%$#! Oh, get it off me!} He shouted bitterly until someone was sent to clean him. The others laughed, while Spencer muttered in his sleep. The next day, Gordon awoke to find his driver moving him towards the Sudrian yards. Gordon: What's going on? Gordon's driver: Sir Topham Hatt has a surprise for you. Narrator: Gordon arrived at the coal chute, to see a tender just like his original being filled with coal and water. It's sides were completely blue, but there wasn't anything written on them. Sir Topham Hatt: Gordon, I'd like you to have another tender. You'll be happy,wearing it everywhere. I hope you like it. Narrator: Gordon was delighted. He backed onto the tender after being turned around. Special pipes from the water tanks hooked up to his original tender. This would allow water to be transferred to his boiler. Another pipe moved coal to his cab. Gordon puffed slowly and elegantly out of the yard. The others thought Gordon looked very splendid. But Spencer was not impressed. That night, when work ended, Gordon backed into the shed. Suddenly, there was a bang, and the sound of coal shaking could be heard. Gordon's tender had already reached the shed end! His smokebox still stuck out of the shed door! Gordon slept cold and uncomfortably that night. The next day, Gordon's problems weren't over. Gordon backed quickly over some points into Elsbridge station. Gordon's driver: Be careful, Gordon! With two tenders, you can't go as fast around corners anymore! You could have an accident! Narrator: And he forced the regulator shut. Gordon felt upset. Halfway down the line, Gordon began to slow. Gordon: More coal, please! Narrator: His driver opened the coal pipe with the lever. No coal came. Gordon's driver: Rats! Clogged. Narrator: He stopped the train, got out, and had to use a plunger to open the pipe. Molly passed by with a goods train. She felt sorry for Gordon. Gordon's driver then began to pick at the large coal lump with a knife. At last, the lump grew smaller. The pipe continued to get clogged all day long. Gordon had to continually stop because of this. The new tender was making him cross. Gordon had another uncomfortable sleep that night. Finally, he had enough. When he arrived to Knapford Station, he spoke with Sir Topham Hatt. Gordon: Sir, this second tender keeps giving me problems! I can't go fast, have a nice sleep, and always need to stop when the coal pipe clogs! This is ridiculous! Sir Topham Hatt: That's alright, Gordon. I knew this tender wouldn't be a good idea anyway. We could get sued for imitating your brother. Narrator: Gordon was happy the next day to be a single tendered engine again. The morning afterwards, Gordon and Spencer were waiting in the Sudrian yards for coal. Spencer was still angry with Gordon. Spencer: So, Mr. Two-Tenders, lost it, have you? Narrator: He was in a good mood. He was taking the Duke and Duchess of Boxford back home. The coal chute stopped loading, and Spencer started away. His driver had overlooked something. He had left the regulator in reverse! Spencer backed up. He banged into some coal trucks. They were being loaded. Spencer was under the chute. Coal and dust covered him all over. He coughed loudly, as coal dust flew all around him. Spencer: {coughing} Oh, bloody hell! I can't pull the train like this! Narrator: He was right. The Duke and Duchess refused to ride home on a dirty engine. Gordon remained clean. The Duke: We'd like to ride a special engine. Can Gordon get his second tender on? Narrator: And so, it was arranged. The pipes on the tenders were expanded. This would help a little. Gordon: Well, at least it won't be for the whole day. Narrator: And he puffed elegantly out, with the Coat of Arms rattling on his boiler. He made it to the mainland early. The Duke and Duchess were impressed. The Duchess: Very good Gordon! Narrator: Gordon returned home. He and Spencer made up their quarrel. Now, he only wears the second tender on special occasions. He is proud to still look as good as his brother, and not have any trouble at all!

Fun Facts
This is the first appearance of Gordon's second tender. He shall wear it on special occasions. This is the first appearance of Flying Scotsman (non-speaking role).