Rough Engines is the eighth episode in Season 4, and the forty-fourth episode overall.
Plot
One day, Gordon returns to Knapford to pull the express after his five yearly service. He sees Donald taking Duck's passenger train on the next line, as Duck is ill. Gordon argues with Donald saying that the twins are 'too rough' and their blue paint doesn't make them anymore express-worthy. Donald is outraged and later that night he tells Duck and Douglas about the conversation.
The Fat Controller speaks to Gordon the next day about a ten minute change in the express timetable. To match this time, Gordon travels faster than usual. As he passes Elsbridge, Gordon gets a strange feeling in his left side. A little way up the line, one of Gordon's suspension springs collapsed, and he began to deform the rails. A little while later, Eric takes Gordon and his train to the station and left him on a siding. Eric departs with his goods train, leaving Gordon at Kellsthorpe Road. Donald and Douglas arrive and talk to Gordon about the express. Donald takes it on to Barrow and Douglas takes Gordon on his goods train to Crovan's Gate.
Characters
- Gordon
- Duck
- Donald and Douglas
- Eric
- Stephen Topham Hatt
- Thomas (cameo)
- Edward (cameo)
- Henry (cameo)
- James (cameo)
- Percy (cameo)
- Oliver (cameo)
- Daisy (cameo)
- Diesel (cameo)
- Annie and Clarabel (cameo)
- Bertie (cameo)
- Alice (mentioned)
Trivia
- In his Answer Time, WildNorWester mentioned that this episode was shunted to Season 4 after it was originally intended to be in Season 3, but there were too many episodes in that season.
Goofs
- Steam can be seen behind Gordon and the express and when Percy passes him with a goods train.
- Lighting for the steam between Gordon and Henry in the intro disappears and reappears in between them.
- When Donald says "thank you" to Duck at Arlesburgh Sheds, he speaks without a Scottish accent. Also, he and Douglas don't have this at Kellsthorpe Road after hearing Gordon's apology.
Gallery
Episode
