Thomas and Stepney

"He runs a famous branch line, did you know that?" "Huh! It may be famous, but my branch is first on the line. Everyone knows that too!"

- Percy and Thomas

Thomas and Stepney is the sixteenth episode of the fourth season. It aired in the US on the Shining Time Station special Once Upon a Time in 1995.

Plot
Thomas is shocked to learn from Percy that there is an engine with a branch line as famous as his and that the engine might visit. The engine, Stepney, has become bored with the Bluebell Railway and is delighted to discover that 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 is time for Thomas' last train, he is furious to be shunted to let another train pass and is amazed to find Stepney pulling it. Thomas grumbles about it next morning, but Stepney explains the situation: he took a passenger who ordered a special train which Duck let him take, yet when he is unable to finish, Thomas realises he was nervous since he didn't know the line. Stepney flatters Thomas by calling him an expert, and Thomas proceeds to tell Stepney all about his branch line.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Edward
 * Percy
 * Douglas
 * Stepney
 * Rusty
 * The Important Passenger
 * Duck (does not speak)
 * Henry (cameo)
 * Gordon (cameo)
 * James (cameo)
 * Annie and Clarabel (cameo)
 * Jeremiah Jobling (cameo)
 * The Vicar of Wellsworth (cameo)
 * Sir Topham Hatt (mentioned)

Locations

 * Bluebell Valley Station
 * Stepney's Branch Line
 * Knapford
 * Tidmouth Sheds
 * Sodor Shipping Company
 * Shunting Yards
 * Callandale

Trivia

 * This episode is based on the stories Bluebells of England and Stepney's Special from The Railway Series book, Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine.
 * In the UK and international versions, when the special is ordered, music is heard. This is absent in the US version. Towards the end of the episode, the background shunting noise is cut off and some whistle sounds are also missing in the US version.
 * On PBS Sprout airings, this episode uses the unrestored opening credits.
 * The area that Thomas puffs down in the very first seen is the same set Sir Handel and George had their altercation but with standard gauge track added.

Goofs

 * When Thomas puffs past the field at the beginning, studio equipment is visible in the top-right corner.
 * While Percy is telling Thomas about Stepney, as the camera is on Thomas, Percy's right lamp iron is bent but when the camera is on Percy, it is normal.
 * While the engines wait for Stepney, a tar wagon, perched on another tar wagon, is visible behind Gordon and Henry.
 * Stepney has Smudger's whistle sound in the US version and Rheneas' in the UK and international versions. Rheneas' whistle is used once in the US version as well.
 * Stepney has Duke's whistle sound when he is working with Duck.
 * In the US version, when Percy finishes talking about Stepney, his whistle sound is a higher pitched version of Thomas' whistle.
 * In the UK and international versions, Gordon, Duck and Douglas have the same whistle sound.
 * When Thomas says "Why are we waiting? My passengers are being delayed," a black box is attached to his cab.
 * George Carlin says "Stop all train!" instead of "Stop all trains!"
 * Stepney is already wearing his express head lamps long before he is allocated to take the special train.

Home Media Releases
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UK

 * Thomas and Stepney and other Stories
 * The Complete Fourth Series

DVD Boxsets

 * Classic Collection

WAL

 * Thomas the Tank Engine: Bumper Special 2

US

 * Rusty to the Rescue and Other Thomas Stories
 * Best of Thomas
 * Season 4 (Digital Download)

DVD Boxsets

 * Adventure On the Tracks
 * Best Tales on the Tracks
 * Platinum Edition
 * Best of James/Best of Thomas Double Feature
 * Ultimate Thomas Collection
 * Best of Collection

JPN

 * New Thomas the Tank Engine Vol.5
 * The Complete Works of Thomas the Tank Engine 2 Vol.4
 * Try to Get Along

AUS

 * Thomas and Stepney and other Stories
 * The Complete Fourth Series
 * The Best of Thomas and Friends - Volume 1

DVD Boxsets

 * Complete Series 1-10
 * Classic Collection
 * Series Three and Series Four Double Pack

NZ

 * Thomas and Stepney and other Stories

NOR

 * Favourites From Thomas and Friends (Norwegian VHS/DVD)
 * Thomas and Stepney (Norwegian VHS)

ITA

 * Here Comes the Queen

MYS

 * Peter Sam and the Refreshment Lady and Other Adventures

DK

 * The Brave Engine and Other Stories

NL

 * Rock 'n Roll (Dutch DVD)
 * The Greatest Stories: The Adventures of Thomas

PHL

 * Paint Pots and Queens (Philippine DVD)

GR

 * A Day at the Station

DVD Boxsets

 * 3 DVD Boxset 2

SVN

 * Thomas and Stepney (Slovenian DVD)

UKR

 * A Train Thomas and Friends
 * Thomas and Friends - Season 4 (Ukrainian DVD)

IN

 * Trucks and Other Stories

CHN

 * Thomas and Friends Season 1-4 (DVD)

THA

 * Thomas and Friends - Volume 14 (Thai DVD)
 * Thomas and Friends Volume 10 (Thai DVD)
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