Duke the Lost Engine is a 2020 special which marks the 75th Anniversary of the Railway Series.
Plot[]
Duke, Falcon, and Stuart are three engines who live on the Mid Sodor Railway. Duke is wise, but Falcon and Stuart are young and cheeky and often make fun of "Granpuff," as Duke is affectionately known. This goes on until Duke tells them the story of a reckless engine named Stanley, otherwise known as No. 2, who was rough and often derailed and was punished by being turned into a pumping engine. The three have many adventures together, until their line closes. Falcon and Stuart are purchased and in due course wind up on the Skarloey Railway, where they are painted red and re-named Sir Handel and Peter Sam respectively, but Duke is not wanted and is sheltered in the Arlesdale shed. Duke, unaware that the current Duke does not know of his existence, goes to sleep...
In the old days of the Mid Sodor Railway, when Sir Handel was blue and named Falcon, the Manager arranged for him to double-head with Duke to learn the mountain road. Falcon ignores Duke's warnings and when they reach a sharp part of the line, he derails, and hangs dangerously over the edge. Duke holds back, but is in need of more water to build up more steam. With the help of the passengers gathering water from a cottage, he gathers enough strength to pull Falcon back. Falcon is grateful, but Duke is modest and says he only did what he did because he did not want Falcon's paint spoilt if he rolled down the mountain.
Duke is old and Stuart jokes he may have to be kept in order. Duke merely laughs, but later his valves begin leaking and Falcon and Stuart come to the rescue. The cavalcade split up at Marthwaite, as Falcon takes Duke's passengers to catch their boat at Arlesburgh, while Stuart takes Falcon's train with Duke coupled in front. Duke and his driver, hearing Stuart's triumphant chortles, make a plan, and on the last hill Duke gives a great effort. At Arlesdale, a boy inquires as to why there were two engines, to which his father replies Stuart needed assistance, and so Duke came to help.
The Small Controller, the Thin Clergyman and the Fat Clergyman hear the story of Duke and go looking for him. They then offer the small engines a chance to be in a book if they are good. After a long search the Fat Clergyman stumbles and falls onto Duke's boiler. Duke is apprehensive, but cheers up when he finds the Duke is coming. Duke, to his dismay, is sent to Arlesburgh by lorry, but is happier to discover he is still popular, and Donald carries him to the Skarloey Railway on a flatbed. Sir Handel and Peter Sam find him beside the shed, and tease him by saying they can now keep him in order. Duke plays along and falls asleep happily in the sunshine.
Characters[]
- Thomas
- Edward
- Henry
- Gordon
- James
- Percy
- Toby
- Duck
- Donald and Douglas
- Oliver
- Stephen
- Glynn
- Ryan
- Daisy
- Skarloey
- Sir Handel/Falcon
- Peter Sam/Stuart
- Duncan
- Duke
- Smudger
- Millie
- Bert
- Rex
- Mike
- Annie and Clarabel
- Toad
- Judy and Jerome
- Fergus Duncan
- The Thin Clergyman
- The Fat Clergyman
- Sir Robert Norramby
- Rheneas (does not speak)
- The Owner (does not speak)
- Mr. Hugh (does not speak)
- Neil (cameo)
- Sodor and Mainland Railway Numbers 1 and 3 (cameos)
- Emily (cameo)
- Bertram (cameo)
- Rusty (cameo)
- Henrietta (cameo)
- Slip Coaches (cameo)
- Caroline (cameo)
- Sir Topham Hatt (cameo)
- Lady Hatt (cameo)
- Dowager Hatt (cameo)
- Ferdinand (portrait cameo)
- Victor (portrait cameo)
- The Dukes (mentioned)
Characters Introduced[]
- Albert
- Jim
- Tim
- Jerry
- Atlas and Alfred
- Stanley (narrow gauge) (not named)
- Other Mid Sodor Railway Engines (cameos)
- Coronel Church (mentioned)
Trivia[]
- This special (along with The Adventure Continues) is made to celebrate the 75th Anniversary.
- This special marks the first of a few things: