| Stepney's Find | |
|---|---|
| Season 5, Episode 24 | |
| |
| Written by | Britt Allcroft & David Mitton (original story) Stephen Patton (adaption) |
| Directed by | Stephen Patton |
| Episode guide | |
| Previous Thomas and the Rumours |
Next Washout! |
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- “I'm sorry I was horrid/mean to you, Stepney. I shouldn't have been waited impatiently for you. I'll be patient next time."
"Thank you, Spencer. You know? Getting lost can be interesting but being found is much nicer. Especially when it makes an engine feels really useful.” - ―Spencer apologizing to Stepney
Stepney's Find is the twenty-fourth episode of the fifth series. It aired back to back with Something in the Air during an airing of Storytime with Thomas in the US.
Plot[]
One day, Stepney is just finishing with his wash down and Spencer's driver tells the silver engine it is his turn now, but Spencer angrily lets off steam and mud flies all over his driver, the workmen, and even Stepney. Spencer's driver scolds him and now he has to wait until Stepney gets another wash, but Spencer is worried, thinking rudely it'll take thousands of hours. He pretends to feel bored while he is waited, snoring loudly. Spencer's driver wakes him up, telling him that snoring is the meanest thing he would do. Spencer confused the word "mean" for me (his driver), but his driver corrects him being mean. Spencer argues that he was bored while he was waiting until Stepney whistles loudly to stop the argument, telling him that he is trying to take a nice washdown. The Fat Controller arrives to tell Spencer that he will take the goods train to Brendam Docks while waiting.
But the Dock Manager runs up to Spencer who is about to deliver the goods to the docks, he tells him that Stepney had already finished being washed and tells him to go back to the washdown. Spencer groans that he wanted to deliver the goods to bad. But the dock manager tells him to stop and get back to the washdown while Edward takes the goods. He is glad that he's washed.
Later that night, the new job cheers Stepney up as he makes good time on the mail route along the Coastal Run, until he stops to collect mail from Harold. Harold is late due to mechanical problems, which annoys Stepney. While trying to make up speed, he sees a red signal. He does not realise that the signalman has dozed off waiting for them and forgotten to change the points. After whistling several times, Stepney and his crew decide to proceed with caution and find out what the problem is at the signal box. Unknowingly, they are switched down an old, dilapidated branch line. The fireman points out that they are running low on water and, after passing an old station, they crash into a shed.
A concerned Sir Topham Hatt sends out a search party the next morning. They find Stepney and his crew are pulled to safety by Spencer. Sir Topham Hatt knows the accident was not Stepney's fault. While chatting, Sir Topham Hatt notices an abandoned house nearby. He goes to inspect it and, when he returns to Stepney, he thanks him for finding the new house. He announces his plans for making it a tea house, where visitors can have refreshments and Stepney and Spencer properly make up for their quarrel.
Characters[]
- Stepney
- Spencer
- Harold
- Sir Topham Hatt
- Stepney's Driver
- Spencer's Driver
- Signalman Template:Edited stock footage; does not speak
- Henry (cameo)
- James (cameo)
- Harold's Pilots (cameo)
- Duke Template:Stock footage and portrait; cameo
- Dilly (deleted scene)
- Edward (mentioned)
Locations[]
- Ulfstead Valley
- Crosby Washdown
- Brendam
- Brendam Docks (mentioned)
- Stepney's Shed
- Whistling Woods
- Whistling Woods Junction
- Adventure Bay (mentioned; portrait)
- Tidmouth
- The Old Station
Trivia[]
- Stock footage, pre-filmed footage from Sir Topham Hatt's Holiday, and edited stock footage from Bye George! is used.
- The picture of Duke from Bulldog is in the signal box.
- This is the second episode to use the phrase, "confusion and delay" after Cranky Bugs. It is also the first episode where a character says it instead of the narrator.
- The LT building, the three berth garage and some Shrimper boat models from TUGS appear during this episode.
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