The Work Begins

Plot
Sir Handel is about to travel home one night when he hears a strangely familiar whistle in the distance. After his crew hear the whistle as well, they chase after it and end up at Rheneas Station. The crew go inside to see what it might be and Sir Handel is left all alone when he is confronted by the ghost of his dead brother Proteus. Proteus warns Sir Handel of the impending danger approaching Sodor and Sir Handel has a vision of the damage that could be done.

Patrick Boomer has been pulling strings for nearly 5 years and has gotten an anonymous associate from British Railways to force Sir Bertram Topham Hatt's hand in signing a contract that allows diesels to cross the bridge to Sodor. Now, Patrick Boomer has enlisted Diesel to go on trial on the North Western Railway to stir the pot and cause drama and tension between the engines.

Meanwhile on Sodor, Sir Topham Hatt has informed the engines of the diesel contract. The big engines are skeptical but Edward and Duck try to convince them that things will be alright. However, upon Diesel's arrival, the roles are quickly reversed. Gordon, Henry, and James quickly warm up to Diesel and Duck is given the cold shoulder after a rude first impression.

After Duck plays a trick on Diesel and claims that he is up to no good, Diesel frames Duck for making fun of the big engines in front of the trucks and gets Duck sent to Edward's Branchline. Duck then helps Diesel with the construction of the new harbor at Brendam.

Meanwhile, the big engines are growing more and more suspicious of Diesel. Diesel is sent to the mainland to deliver a goods train where he meets Diesel 10, who demands an update on the situation. Diesel informs him that Duck has been temporarily dealt with but that Bertram will be retiring soon and that Charles Hatt will be taking his place. Diesel 10 warns Diesel that he needs to finish quickly and that he extreme measures will be taken if he fails.

Diesel returns to Sodor with a lot on his mind and accidentally derails Gordon's Express Coaches. He pins this on Henry and then is found out by James. After James confronts Diesel, Diesel's driver starts James and causes him to become a runaway. Edward and Duck are pulling a train together when James races past. The trucks jolt away and start pushing Duck. Edward chases after James and manages to catch him, but Duck is unable to stop and crashes into a barber shop at Crosby. Duck is rescued and informed that Toby overheard Diesel's entire conversation with Duck in which he revealed his entire plan.

Duck and the others return to Knapford where they all confront Diesel on his lies. Diesel is sent away in disgrace and is given a stern tongue-lashing by Patrick Boomer. Boomer then takes Diesel 10 to the workshop where Diesel, Splatter, and Dodge were purchased and Diesel 10 kills all the men inside.

Characters

 * Duck
 * Diesel
 * Sir Bertram Topham Hatt
 * Edward
 * Patrick Boomer
 * James
 * Henry
 * Gordon
 * Diesel 10
 * Charles Topham Hatt
 * Toby
 * Percy
 * Splatter
 * Sir Handel
 * Proteus
 * Cranky
 * Thomas
 * Peter Sam
 * Skarloey
 * Rheneas
 * George Hugh
 * Peter Boomer
 * Dodge
 * Douglas
 * Oliver

Trivia

 * GTSH considers this to be his second best episode date, topped only by Boomer's Reign.
 * The Sir Handel/Proteus scene at the beginning was initially going to be in Episode 9, but it was brought to Episode 8 instead.
 * The episode was intended to be about 30-40 minutes, but ended up being over 50 minutes.