Gordon is a proud locomotive and does not let the others forget it, but he sometimes gets too big for his buffers and that sometimes gets him into predicaments, like the time he took a tumble trying to show Salty the diesel a thing or two –but he only got himself into trouble with the Fat Controller.
So, one night in his shed, Gordon was asleep, dreaming of being the fastest engine ever, when, he awoke with an idea.
"I know...I shall challenge my brothers, Flying Scotsman and Kristoff, to a race!" He declared to himself, so as not to wake the other engines. "It shall be a race like no other! Now, the Railway Show's round the corner- maybe Scotsman could be made available for a day when we can all race together. I better decide where we're racing to, and when..."
...
A few days after Gordon's sudden decision to race his brothers, it was a lovely, sunny day on Sodor, and Kristoff the Mighty Engine sat sizzling outside Knapford Station, chatting to James, who was waiting to collect his passengers.
"I shall be a blazing glory to watch with my fabulous red paint!" The red engine boasted gleefully.
"Just try and not catch fire, James!" Kristoff retorted cheekily.
James spluttered in response and glared at Kristoff- just as Gordon sidled into view.
"Well, good morning, James, brother mine- lovely weather we're having, isn't it?" He asked them both.
"Yes- all the better for showing off my paintwork!" James replied, smirking at the two Gresley engines. Kristoff and Gordon just ignored him.
"So, little brother, are you doing anything at the moment?" Gordon asked Kristoff.
"Well, no- why are you asking me?" Then, he saw Gordon's face, and he realised what was happening.
"Oh, looks like Gordon's up to something!" Philip sang from across the yard, where he was shunting. "It looks like he wants to race today!"
"What- that's preposterous, Philip! How could you possibly in the name of the North Western Railway know that?"
"Well, you have that face on, Gordon..." Philip replied cheekily. "Who are you racing- is it James?"
"Most certainly not, Philip- that's not a challenge at all! That's just ego inflation!" Gordon retorted, pretending that he didn't hear James give an indignant squeak of protest. "I'm here to challenge Kristoff."
"Why?" Kristoff asked Gordon warily. "If it's competition you want, then you"-
"Oh, it's just a friendly little brotherly competition," Gordon interrupted in reply, his smirk still on his face.
"Okay, where to?" Kristoff asked, deciding it couldn't hurt to take part in a little race round Sodor. It had been a while since anything interesting had happened.
"Well...we're racing from here at Knapford Station, to"-
"I think by this point, your hill will be lame for you, Gordon." James barged in.
"Unless we're taking Express Coaches!" Kristoff answered with a cheeky wink, and the two engines fell about laughing.
"Wha- how dare you?" Gordon demanded huffily. "We, Kristoff, are racing from here to Carlisle!"
That statement, spoken boldly, caused both engines to pause in their guffaws. In the distance, the guard's whistle blew- but James didn't pay attention.
What- Carlisle?" Kristoff asked. "Easy peasy! That doesn't sound like a challenge at all!"
"Careful, Kristoff," Advised James. "Gordon never has had challenged anyone to race from Sodor to the Mainland before. Or if he has, I've forgotten. But either way, be careful!"
"I'll be fine!" Kristoff boasted cockily. "What could go wrong? Just the two of us, racing from here, all the way to"-
Gordon coughed, interrupting his younger brother. "I would also like to say that there are actually three of us in the race."
James' eyes widened at the realisation. "How did you get...him?"
"Oh, easily enough- considering the Great Railway Show is coming up." Gordon answered. "Though I did wonder if he was going to be busy..."
At that, a loud whistle blew, and a long, green engine slid alongside Gordon, leaving James' line clear. The red engine in question could not believe his eyes.
"Gordon...you got Flying Scotsman to come to the Island?!" He asked in astonishment.
"Yes, indeed." Gordon replied. "We three engines are going to going to take part in a race between Knapford Station and Carlisle- today!" He announced grandly.
"Uh, why?" Kristoff asked, but Gordon ignored him.
"As for you, James, you should move your tender- the guard's whistle blew nearly ten minutes ago." The large blue engine replied dryly.
James suddenly realised his passengers were grumbling like mad, and he blushed. "Sorry!" He called out, and he sped off as fast as his wheels could carry him.
"Idiot," Sighed Gordon.
"So, are you ready, Kristoff?" Flying Scotsman asked his youngest brother.
Kristoff looked between the two engines, and he smiled broadly at the challenge. "I was built ready!" He retorted.