GORDON AND SPENCER

Based upon the episode by Lee Pressman

Adapted by Zack Wanzer and Rachel Ravens

Because of Thomas' near miss at the construction site near Maithwaite, his branch line had been temporarily closed while repairs were going on. This had little to no effect on the construction of the station itself, however, although the Ffarquhar engines - save for Thomas, who was being repaired - had to be relocated for the time being. Mavis was allocated to work at the china clay works with Bill and Ben; Percy was put on the Little Western looking after Annie and Clarabel; Toby was working at the harbor at Arlesburgh; and Daisy was helping with passengers on the Kirk Ronan branch line. Meanwhile, Bertie helped out with the passengers while Poppy, Alex, David and Jasmine helped with some of the goods work whenever they were available.

Gordon was waiting at Knapford, and saw Percy coming in with Annie and Clarabel.

"Haven't done this for a while," said Percy as he braked to a stop.

"You still got your touch," smiled Annie.

"How are you three coping with another branch line?" asked Gordon.

"It'd been pretty good so far," Percy replied. "It's quite different with Duck, Oliver and the Scottish twins, but it's been fun. How have things been going on the main line?"

"Very busy," sighed Gordon. "Henry, James, Bear and I think Pip and Emma should be loaned to help us for the summer rush."

"So, would that mean you'd have more goods trains to handle?" chuckled Percy. Gordon glared at the little green saddle tank for a moment - Annie and Clarabel snickered at the comment - before Sir Topham Hatt came to speak with them.

"Ah, there you four are," he said. "I'd like every engine to know that we'll be expecting some very important guests. A party will be held here at Knapford for the Duke and Duchess of Boxford at four o'clock tomorrow afternoon."

"The Duke and Duchess of Boxford, sir?" asked Percy. "Who are they, and where's Boxford?"

"Boxford is a village in Suffolk on the mainland," Sir Topham Hatt explained. "The Duke and Duchess are keen steam enthusiasts and have heard many positive things about the North Western Railway; so, they asked me personally if they could come and I obliged."

"Oh, that's good," smiled Clarabel.

"You can never have too many rail enthusiasts here," added Annie.

Sir Topham Hatt walked back to his office, and Gordon gave a proud grin. "Well, I believe I'm going to take the Duke and Duchess to this special occasion," he said.

"What makes you certain?" asked Percy.

"I did take the Queen of England a few years ago," Gordon replied.

"Well, yes… that's true…" Annie said, quietly. Percy and Clarabel just blinked doubtfully. Gordon's guard soon blew their whistle, and the big blue express engine puffed out of the station.

Gordon was making good time with the express until he approached Kellsthorpe Road. He was surprised when he saw that he was being flagged down.

"What's the meaning of this?" he asked the stationmaster. "Doesn't the express take priority?"

"There's a special coming through in a few minutes," the stationmaster explained. "I'm afraid you'll have to stop until it's come through."

Gordon was cross to hear this. "I'm going to be late!" he grumbled. As he waited, Johnson the goods engine arrived with some trucks.

"Hello, Gordon," he greeted. "It's quite rare for you to stop here."

"That wasn't actually planned, my dear Johnson," sniffed Gordon, but before he could say anymore, the two engines heard an unfamiliar whistle in the distance. Then, before anyone could say "Sir Topham Hatt", a large streak of silver thundered past, taking both engines by surprise.

"Steaming pistons!" cried Gordon. "Who was that?!"

"I don't know who that was," said Johnson, "but that has to be the fastest I've seen any steam engine go by!"

Later that afternoon, Gordon found out who it was that had sped by at Kellsthorpe Road. There, standing at Knapford yards with several other engines surrounding was a large streamlined tender engine. He was painted silver, had the same wheel configuration as Gordon, a large tender, black wheels and lining, a crest painted on his tender, and the number 60179 on his cab. The large silver engine was humming quietly to himself.

"Huh?" Gordon blinked in surprise. "No… it can't be…"

The new arrival then caught sight of the big blue engine. "Ah, so you must be the last surviving brother of the one and only Flying Scotsman," he said.

"Wh-who are you?" asked Gordon; he felt rather intimidated by the new arrival, but couldn't really explain why.

"Silver Bullet," replied the other engine, "but everyone just calls me Spencer. One of my brothers, Mallard, broke the world speed record for steam engines at 126 miles per hour."

"Wait… Mallard's my… cousin…" Gordon trailed off. "So… you're…"

"Why, yes," smirked Spencer. "That would make us cousins as well. Why, family reunions seem to be commonplace around here."

"Yes, and not all of them were pleasant…" Diesel muttered to himself. Spencer blinked.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Long story," Gordon sighed. "So, we know who you are; do you know who the other engines are?"

Before Spencer could answer that question, Sir Topham Hatt walked over to the engines and addressed the silver engine.

"Ah, Spencer," he greeted, tipping his hat. "I'm glad to see you've arrived. Did you enjoy getting to know the other engines?"

"Why, of course, sir," Spencer replied, casually. "They are quite a pleasant bunch. It would be my honor to work alongside them for the summer." James, Henry, Bear and Emily raised eyebrows amongst themselves; Spencer hadn't chatted with them at all before Gordon had shown up, and he only briefly spoke to Diesel just then.

"Good, I'm glad to hear that, Spencer," said Sir Topham Hatt; he hadn't noticed the other engines' curious expressions. "Now, tomorrow, you're to take the Duke and Duchess to the party at Knapford, following a round trip at Vicarstown so they can see the whole island."

"Of course, sir," said Spencer. "I'd imagine that Their Graces will have a splendid trip across your humble railway."

"It's a long way from Knapford to Vicarstown," said James. "And you have to climb over Gordon's Hill twice."

"You might want to take on plenty of water for the return trip," suggested Gordon.

"I can manage just fine!" scoffed Spencer. "I've got plenty of water for a round trip."

"I was only trying to be helpful…" muttered Gordon as Spencer puffed snootily away.

"Ugh, never mind him, Gordon," sighed Bear. "He's just full of hot air."

"I can't believe we're both related to him," grunted Henry. "Well, half-related in my case, but still."

"I guess that's something we have in common now," Diesel sighed. "Estranged relatives…" Gordon and Henry grunted in agreement.

The following morning, Spencer stood at Knapford station with a single bogie coach in tow. The Duke and Duchess of Boxford were aboard to board it.

"Why on earth would Spencer have a single coach?" asked Julian to Martha and Emily. "He could easily take on more pulling power than some engines around here."

"It's like using a sledgehammer to crack open a walnut," agreed Martha. "It's overkill."

"I only need to pull around two people," grunted Spencer. "Two very important people, but still."

"So, you wouldn't mind if someone like Toby, Duck or Oliver took them then?" asked Emily, innocently. "They could do it just as easily as you can, maybe even more so."

"On a branch line, maybe," retorted Spencer. "They could never handle the main line."

"Oh, so you were listening to our talk yesterday," grunted Emily. "You did recognize those names, but you didn't choose to acknowledge us. What are you? A spy?"

Before the argument could escalate, Spencer heard the guard blow the whistle. With a blow of his own whistle, he slowly pulled out of the station.

"He won't get far with an attitude like that," muttered Emily. Martha and Julian could only agree with their engine.

Out on the main line, Spencer showed the Duke and Duchess the many sights of Sodor. One of them was the stone viaduct between Maron and Cronk.

"I've heard from Sir Topham Hatt," said the Duke to his wife, "that Henry saved a bunch of passengers from falling off this viaduct during Duck's first week on the island."

"A very brave engine indeed," gasped the Duchess. "Maybe we should ride with him sometime."

That green engine couldn't possibly compare to an engine of my caliber, Spencer thought to himself, resentfully.

Eventually, Spencer came to Killdane station, where the Duke and Duchess got out to admire the Standing Stones.

"I recall there being a legend that the old kings and queens of Sodor used to be crowned here," said the Duchess.

"Yes, I've also heard that they were constructed about fifteen centuries ago," added the Duke. "No one knows why that is or how it happened."

Spencer just rolled his eyes, not caring less about ancient Sudrian history. His attention instead turned to the cables that ran from Killdane up the branch line. Simon the black electric engine was pulling into the yards with some trucks in tow.

"So, you're the visitor, I guess," Simon sighed. "Henry said you were on your way up."

"This railway has electric engines too?" grunted Spencer. "I thought diesels were bad enough. At the very least, you're confined to one area."

"I beg your pardon?" snapped Simon. "If it wasn't for us running this line, people wouldn't get to see special sights like the mountain railway or horses trotting about in fields!"

"Really, horses?" Spencer remarked. "Why would anyone want to see them when–"

"Oh, I love horses," smiled the Duchess when she and the Duke returned. "They are just beautiful animals. I used to ride a pony when I was a little girl."

"I… er, y-yes," stammered Spencer, forcing a smile. "I-I suppose they are majestic creatures."

"Well, there's a lot of horses down at the stables," said Simon. "You two should come and watch everyone ride sometime."

"I think we shall," nodded the Duke. "Thank you… oh, what was your name?"

"Simon," smiled the black electric engine. "A pleasure to meet you, Your Graces."

Spencer just stared in shock as Simon rolled away with a smug look.

The next stop for the Duke and Duchess was Kellsthorpe Road; Spencer had arrived just as Lauren did with Hilary, Audrey and Mark in tow. He was surprised at Lauren's number.

"There's twenty-one steam engines here?!" Spencer gasped. "I swear I've only seen about four of them so far."

"There's actually fifteen of us under the North Western," said Lauren. "Bill and Ben aren't counted as they're privately owned."

"Then what on earth is going on with your numbering system?" grunted Spencer. "First there's diesels, then there's an electric engine, and now this!"

"I don't know why Julie, Johnson and I were given numbers higher than thirteen with gaps either," said Lauren, "but as the saying goes, 'numbers don't affect performance'."

"I suppose that's true," sighed Spencer.

"Hold up a minute," said Lauren, remembering what the silver engine had said moments ago. "You did not just speak negatively about diesels and electric engines! They're our friends!"

"Friends?!" cried Spencer in shock. "How in the Great Railway can you and the others be friends with them? Diesels and electric engines replaced our kind on the mainland."

"Electric engines have been around alongside steam engines," argued Lauren. "Some were around before you were even drawn or thought of!"

"I don't believe this!" exclaimed Spencer. "There is no way those silent snakes would have worked along with elegant steam engines like myself. That black one I saw couldn't have been around earlier than the 50s or 60s."

"Well, Lisa and Carole have been around since–"

"Spencer," said his driver, walking over after he finished his lunch break. "We're running a bit low on water. Perhaps we should top off before–"

"Oh, nonsense!" scoffed Spencer. "We've got more than enough water to make the trip back to Knapford. I've been told to give the Duke and Duchess a tour of Sodor, and that's what I shall do." And with that, the streamlined engine huffed away.

"He's going to land himself in trouble soon," sighed Audrey; Hilary and Mark quietly agreed with their sibling, as did Lauren.

Later that day, Spencer was making the return trip from Vicarstown. He would soon be passing Crovan's Gate station again, where Gordon stood with the express. Duke was on the narrow gauge platform with Gertrude and Millicent in tow.

"That visitor is giving you a hard time, Gordon?" Duke guessed. "Emily mentioned he wasn't a pleasant sort."

"You don't know the half of it," the big blue engine sighed. "One of Spencer's brothers reached 126 miles per hour compared to Scotsman's hundred. Even at my quickest, I can't possibly compete with that!"

"I wouldn't worry about speed records, Gordon," said Duke. "So long as you get your passengers to a station safely, that's all that matters."

"Trust a remark like that to come from an old timer like you!" came Spencer's cocky voice. "They should retire you before it's too late!" He had sped through the station before Duke even had a chance to tell him off.

"Don't forget to take on water!" called Gordon.

"Who cares?!" By now, Spencer was out of earshot of the two engines.

"Such impudence, disregarding advice and disrespecting their elders!" grunted Duke. "I don't know myself what Spencer's Grace believes in, but mine had a lot of common sense when I was young."

"Spencer better be thankful Peter Sam and Sir Handel didn't hear that," sighed Gertrude.

"Especially the latter," said Millicent. "And we know how defensive he gets when someone insults Duke…" Gordon, Duke and Gertrude had to agree.

Further up the main line, as Spencer was passing through Maron, he began to feel himself slowing down.

"What is this?" he gasped. "Driver, I need to get over that hill!"

"Not with an almost empty water tank, you're not!" retorted the driver. "If you hadn't been so stubborn about not taking on any water, you'd be over that hill by now! We'll bring Their Graces to a stop before we risk any damage to you."

And so, Spencer came to a stop just before Gordon's Hill. While the fireman dampened down the silver engine's fire, the driver informed the guard, the Duke and Duchess about the situation.

"I'll run back to Maron and call for help," said the guard.

"Why didn't they build any water troughs?" grumbled Spencer. "I've never had this problem on the London and North Eastern!"

At Vicarstown station, Gordon had made good time with the express and was getting ready for the return trip. He was surprised to see the stationmaster running up to him.

"I've just received a message from Maron," he reported. "You'll need to rescue Spencer; he's stuck east of Gordon's Hill. Bear will look after your return express so you can attend the party at Knapford."

Gordon was pleased that the express was being looked after, but he was most looking forward to seeing Spencer.

"Go show that silver showoff what we North Westerners can do," smiled Bear as he was coupled to the express.

Back at Gordon's Hill, Spencer was feeling rather sorry for himself. His mood only soured when he heard Gordon's whistle, and the big blue engine came puffing alongside him, chuckling at the silver engine's misfortune.

"Have you run out of water?" Gordon asked, innocently.

"No, I thought I'd stop for a while and admire the scenery– Of course I bloody well ran out of water!" snapped Spencer.

"Perhaps it must be a leaky tank," smirked Gordon. "Ah well, we live and learn. We'd better hurry if we want the Duke and Duchess to get to Knapford on time."

"Oh, how droll…" muttered Spencer as Gordon puffed away to switch tracks.

Within the next few minutes, Gordon was backing down onto Spencer and was coupled up to the stricken train.

"Don't you worry, Your Graces," he called over to the Duke and Duchess. "I'll get you to Knapford in no time at all!" With an affirmative blow of his whistle, Gordon pulled Spencer and his coach over his namesake hill.

Henry and James were already at Knapford, the latter with the red coaches in tow. Sir Topham Hatt was waiting anxiously for his visitors to arrive and looked up at the clock.

"It's almost four," he said to his assistants. "I'm worried that if the Duke and Duchess don't make it–"

The controller was then cut off by the all-familiar sound of Gordon's whistle, proudly towing Spencer and his coach behind him and coming to a smooth stop at the platform.

"You see? We're right on time!" Gordon said, proudly. Spencer didn't say anything; he just looked away with embarrassment.

"Well, well," chuckled Henry. "What do you think of Spencer now?"

"Too much puff and not enough steam!" laughed James.

"Wait until I tell Thomas about this," chuckled Gordon.

"Well done, Gordon," smiled Sir Topham Hatt. "You've done a great job looking after our visitors."

"Thank you, sir," replied the express engine, modestly.

Indeed, Thomas did hear about the incident at the Steamworks some days later. His repairs were just about completed, and he was being given one final inspection before he could go back to work.

"It's one thing to stop on the hill with a loaded train," he said, "but to stop there with a single coach, especially an engine like Spencer… that certainly is one for the history books."

Gordon just had to laugh along with Thomas at that remark. While the duo were chatting, there was another less than pleasant conversation nearby…

"It was one thing to disregard your elders," Duke snapped, "but to insult and/or ignore other engines here?! Your behavior would never suit His Grace!"

"I wouldn't be surprised if you were put onto goods trains following this incident," remarked Peter Sam.

"Yes, how dare you insult Granpuff like that!" added Sir Handel, crossly. "Although," he added with a cheeky smirk, "the island could do with an express goods engine."

The ex-Mid Sodor trio burst into laughter, while Spencer scowled. I think it's safe to say that Spencer has a lot to think about. Wouldn't you agree?

THE END

Author's Comments

The very first rewrite of Series 7 in this redux is also the most popular episode of said season, and for good reason. Besides Emily, Spencer is the only other newbie from said season to leave a lasting impact in the show, eventually making his way into the CGI series and becoming a recurring visitor to Sodor up until Series 21 (a few mentions in the BWBA era don't count, for the record). Another reason for this is Spencer's rivalry with Gordon, given that both are of North Eastern heritage, especially in the former's debut story. Besides making this episode part of a small recurring story arc with Thomas' branch line being repaired - and this will also apply to the next three episodes - not much has changed from the original in terms of story structure. As usual, we expanded upon the story as if it was being written in the style of the CGI series - for example, letting the characters speak for themselves and (theoretically) having the narrator speak when needed.

Upcoming stories:

- The Sky's the Limit

- Salty's Secret

- Oh Gnome!

- Jack Owns Up

- Derek the Reliable