As Good as Gordon

"I'm learning patience. But if only I could learn it faster."

- Emily

As Good as Gordon is the eighteenth episode of the eighth season.

Plot
Gordon is pulling the Mayor of Sodor on an important trip and Emily is chosen to pull the Express while he's away. Gordon brags that he can pull the Express to Vicarstown and back before teatime, so Emily challenges that record. She collects the coaches and sets off before the brake coach is coupled on. She makes good time, and, on the journey back, gets cross at Edward for delaying her with his goods train. She later waits at Maithwaite for Bertie, but is so impatient she leaves too soon, ironically just as he pulls in. She soon has to take on water, but James is at the next standpipe and she goes on instead. She is approaching Brendam when she runs out of water and stops. James pulls her to Brendam, and Emily offers to take his "slow goods" train. She later meets Thomas at a signal, and proudly announces she is "learning patience".

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Gordon
 * James
 * Emily
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Edward (does not speak)
 * Bertie (does not speak)
 * Henry (cameo)
 * Percy (cameo)
 * Toby (cameo)
 * Caroline (cameo)
 * Annie and Clarabel (cameo)
 * Cranky (cameo)

Goofs

 * Edward was pulling a goods train, so Emily and the Express should have taken first priority.
 * In the opening shot of Tidmouth Sheds Gordon's wheels are derailed.
 * Why would Bertie be a "guarenteed connection" with the Express. In Bertie's Chase and Better Late Than Never, Bertie the Bus was shown as a "guarenteed connection" on Thomas' branchline, not with the main line Express.