Thomas and Stepney

"Thomas and Stepney" is a fourth season episode.

Plot
Thomas is shocked to learn that there is an engine with a branchline as famous as his and that the engine might visit. The engine, Stepney, has gotten bored with the Bluebell Railway and is delighted to discover he has been invited to visit the North Western Railway. When Thomas hears the news, he is jealous and refuses to meet Stepney, but the others welcome him and he works with Duck happily all day. When it's time for Thomas' last train, he is furious to be shunted to let another train pass, and amazed to find Stepney pulling it. Thomas grumbles next morning, but Stepney explains the situation and flatters Thomas, who proceeds to tell Stepney about his branchline.

Featured characters

 * Thomas
 * Edward
 * Percy
 * Douglas
 * Stepney
 * Rusty
 * Duck (does not speak)
 * Annie and Clarabel (do not speak)
 * Gordon (cameo)
 * Henry (cameo)
 * James (cameo)

Goofs

 * It seems unlikely Thomas would not know who Stepney was: he was there when Stepney first came to the Bluebell Railway.
 * When Percy whistles after speaking to Thomas his whistle is muffled.
 * For unknown reasons, Stepney has a different whistle in the US version. Although he uses his UK one once.
 * While the engines wait for Stepney, a tar wagon is visible behind Gordon and Henry, perched on another tar wagon.
 * When the special is ordered, the music is not heard in the US version.
 * When Stepney speaks to Edward his right eyebrow is faded.
 * When Thomas explains that his branchline was the first Duck is seen pushing trucks past him. Later, when Stepney puffs into Knapford, he's on Duck's track when he pushed the trucks. A wall is seen at the end of the station with buffers, and Duck should've been at those buffers, but he's missing.
 * The siding where Thomas was shunted on was not on Stepney's line, so he could have taken his passengers without colliding with Stepney.
 * A single passenger shouldn't have needed two coaches.