Gresley’s Greatest

Plot
Sir Nigel Gresley has visited Sir Bertram Topham Hatt with a proposition. Gresley's new prototype has proven extremely successful in London and he wants to see how he'll do in a less populated area. Bertram is aware that he needs more engines and agrees to purchase Gordon for a bargain price. When Bertram is confronted by Gresley about how he's handling the Big Four, Bertram admits he has no idea which side he wants to choose. Gresley then suggests privatization, and Bertram agrees to meet with the LNER's head office. Gordon, the A1 prototype, arrives on Sodor and proves to be arrogant and disagreeable. He immediately forms a dislike for Edward and Thomas. Bertram states that he will soon be determining the permanent express engine on the Sodor Railway and that Edward, Henry, and Gordon will all take turns pulling the express to see who does it the fastest, safest, and most reliably. Soon after, Bertram and Nigel travel to the mainland to visit the LNER's head office, and after a bit of persuasion and discussion, Sodor's Railways are granted as a private company entitled the North Western Railway. Bertram returns to Sodor to announce privatization and to oversee the engines' trials. Edward's trial goes well and he manages to hit top speed, something he hasn't done since the railway first opened. Henry's run goes well too, and he manages to show how far he's come since he first arrived. Gordon's trial ends up being a failure after Gordon plays a trick on Thomas by dragging Thomas along for the run. Gordon is scolded and punished for his behavior and Henry is named permanent express engine. However, after Bertram asks Henry to pull the flying kipper, Henry ends up in a serious accident leaving him extremely damaged. Henry is sent to Crewe works for a complete rebuild and Gordon is placed in charge of the express after he apologizes for his behavior.

Characters

 * Gordon
 * Sir Bertram Topham Hatt
 * Henry
 * Sir Nigel Gresley
 * Edward
 * Thomas
 * William Whitelaw
 * Henry's Driver
 * Henry's Fireman
 * Rheneas (DOES NOT SPEAK)

Trivia

 * This episode took the least amount of time to produce, taking only a week to film and two weeks to edit
 * It is heavily debated whether or Gordon or Sir Bertram Topham Hatt is the lead in this episode. GTSH intended for Gordon to be the lead but the episode seems to lean more towards Sir Bertram
 * The Adam Norman scene at the beginning is part of a huge plot-point revealed at the end of Boomer's Reign
 * The Adam Norman scene at the beginning of the episode was added in last minute because GTSH wanted Adam Norman to have little scenes sprinkled throughout the first two seasons.
 * The scenes involving Sir Bertram and the LNER head-office were not included in the initial draft and were only added in during the second draft.
 * Rheneas is the only narrow gauge engine to appear in this episode.