Wrong Road

Wrong Road is the twenty-second episode of the second series. It is based on the story of the same name from the Railway Series book Main Line Engines.

Plot
Thomas and Edward's branch lines are very important to the railway, but their tracks and bridges are not as strong as those on the main line, so the Fat Controller does not allow the larger engines to run on them. Although this is purely for safety, Gordon believes the rule is for another reason entirely.

One day, Gordon complains to Edward about BoCo being allowed to take main line trains when he is only supposed to work on the Brendam Branch Line. Edward jokingly suggests that Gordon ask if he can take BoCo's trucks in return, but Gordon refuses to consider it. Edward notes that it might be a nice change, but Gordon claims the Fat Controller would never agree and states that branch lines are vulgar before snorting off, followed by an amused Edward.

Every evening, both Gordon and Edward take late-night trains from Knapford. Gordon takes the main line express at 6:25, while Edward leaves with his 6:30 train. That night, when it is nearly time for Gordon to start, a lady in a green floppy hat is on the platform, saying goodbye to a friend in the guard's van. Gordon's fireman, who is new to the job, sees the hat moving and thinks it is the guard waving his green flag. As a result, Gordon leaves with the guard and many of the passengers stranded on the platform.

Gordon is soon stopped and brought back, feeling humiliated. By now, Edward is late, so he sets off first instead. This causes more trouble however since no one informed the junction signalman about the plan changing, and Edward is accidentally sent down the main line. When Gordon follows, he is sent down the branch line and is forced to sleep in a siding at the harbour.

The next morning, Bill and Ben arrive to pick up trucks from BoCo in the yard. While neither BoCo nor the trucks are there, they much prefer the idea of harassing Gordon. They joke that the large blue engine is not Gordon what a pile of old iron, as Gordon would never go on branch lines as he thinks them vulgar. Bill considers taking Gordon to the scrapyard while Ben suggests throwing him into the sea. Unaware that the twins are joking, Gordon freaks out and cries for BoCo to save him. BoCo arrives and sends the twins off, by threatening to take the trucks he brought for them away. They quickly run off, as a relieved Gordon thanks BoCo. Not knowing the twins were only teasing, Gordon ends up thinking that BoCo saved his life.

Characters

 * Edward
 * Gordon
 * Bill and Ben
 * BoCo
 * Thomas
 * Troublesome Trucks
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * The Lady with the Floppy Green Hat
 * Stephen Hatt
 * Mrs. Kyndley
 * Jeremiah Jobling
 * Jem Cole
 * The Vicar of Wellsworth
 * The Little Boys
 * The Ffarquhar Stationmaster's Wife
 * The Barber's Customer
 * The Ffarquhar Policeman
 * The Firelighter
 * One Enthusiast

Locations

 * The Watermill
 * The Branch Line Bridge
 * Knapford
 * Yards
 * Sodor Shipping Company
 * Crosby
 * C&B Barber
 * The Viaduct
 * Hawin Ab
 * Brendam Docks
 * The Scrapyards
 * Suddery Junction

Trivia

 * Christmas lights are used for Gordon and Edward's headlamps. This would later happen in the following episode.
 * Gordon is shown pulling express coaches from the first series.
 * Several of the passengers are represented by 1:32 scale Scalextric figures.
 * This is the only episode from the first three series not released on multiple home video releases before the Complete Collection in the UK and Australia.
 * This was the final episode to air on Children's ITV in 1989. It was repeated in a double bill with The Diseasel a day before the TUGS episode "Quarantine" would premiere.
 * This episode is the first to use Gordon's tired/embarrassed and shocked faces, as well as the only appearance of these faces in the Clearwater Features era. Also, the last episode to show Gordon's surprised face on screen until the fourth series episode, A Bad Day for Sir Handel, with different eyebrows.
 * The JEI TV version of the Korean dub added subtitles to inform viewers what Main Line and Branch Line are.
 * The "busy" theme is heard in the first shot of Knapford in the UK, Welsh, original Norwegian and Japanese dubs.

Goofs

 * When Gordon and Edward talk about branch lines, before Gordon leaves, steam is rising in front of him. When he leaves, it continues rising. Additionally, in the restored version, the top of the set can be seen.
 * In the restored version at the beginning, studio equipment can be seen on the top of the set.
 * Edward is missing his eyebrows in the scene at Knapford. In the same scene, there is a gap in Edward's right eye (viewers' left).
 * When Gordon is brought back Blu-Tack is visible on the Fat Controller's shoes and his eyebrows are much bigger.
 * The back end of the coach's roof at the end of Edward's train seems to have snapped.
 * In one shot, BoCo is missing his eyebrows.
 * When the narrator says "Gordon started" and when Gordon comes back to the station, wires are visible on Gordon's and Edward's buffer beams.
 * Light bulbs are visibly sticking out from Edward's and Gordon's lamps.
 * When Edward crosses the viaduct, his last coach does not have any lighting.
 * Gordon pushes the buffers out of place when he comes into the siding.
 * When Gordon shouts "Stop, stop!", one of his eyes is not looking at Bill and Ben, making his eyes look very misaligned.
 * Gordon's front bogie wheels are derailed near the end. His left eye (viewer's right) is also scratched.
 * During the outro theme, static is audible.
 * When the scene cuts away from the guard and into the passengers, the woman's old friend can be seen among them.
 * In the Japanese dub, when Edward and Gordon are at Knapford Station, Ringo Starr's narration can faintly be heard in the background.
 * Edward does not cross the viaduct slowly despite it being under repairs.
 * In a close-up of Ben, his nameplate is falling off on his right (viewers' left) side.
 * When BoCo is threatening the twins, Gordon's eyes are wonky.
 * When BoCo threatens to take away the trucks for Bill and Ben, the twins are smiling.
 * After BoCo threatens Bill and Ben and they both leave, rolling stock sound effects are heard, even though the twins were not pulling any sort of train.

Quotes

 * Gordon: It's not fair.
 * Edward: What isn't fair?
 * Gordon: Letting branch line diesels pull main line trains.
 * Edward: Never mind, Gordon. I'm sure BoCo will let you pull his trucks/cars sometimes.
 * Narrator: Gordon spluttered.
 * Gordon: I won't pull BoCo's dirty trucks/cars! I won't run on branch lines!
 * Edward: Why not? It would be a nice change.
 * Gordon: The Fat Controller/Sir Topham Hatt would never approve. Branch lines are vulgar!




 * Gordon's (new) fireman: [whilst mistaking the lady's green floppy hat for the guard's green flag] Right away, mate!




 * Bill: What's that?
 * Ben: SHH! It's Gordon.
 * Bill: It looks like Gordon, but it can't be. Gordon never comes on the branch lines. He thinks them vulgar.
 * Narrator: Gordon pretended he hadn't heard them.
 * Ben: If it isn't Gordon, it's just a pile of old iron.
 * Bill: Which we'd better take to the scrap yard.
 * Ben: No, Bill. This lot's useless for scrap. We'll take it to the harbo(u)r and dump it in the sea!
 * Narrator: Gordon was alarmed.
 * Gordon: I am Gordon! STOP, STOP!




 * Gordon: BoCo! My dear engine! Save me!




 * Gordon: Those little demons. How do you do it?
 * BoCo: Ah well. It's just a knack.

Merchandise

 * Magazine Stories - Wrong Road

Home Media Releases
{{Scroll box|

UK

 * The Deputation and Other Stories
 * Ghost Train and other stories/Time for Trouble and other stories
 * The Complete Series 2
 * Edward's Exploit

VHS/DVD Packs

 * Classic Collection
 * Ghost Train and other stories/Time for Trouble and other stories

US

 * James Goes Buzz Buzz and Other Thomas Stories
 * Best of Gordon
 * Thomas & Friends Classic Volume 2

CAN

 * James Goes Buzz Buzz and Other Thomas Stories
 * Best of Gordon

DVD Boxsets

 * Best Tales on the Tracks
 * James Goes Buzz Buzz and Other Thomas Stories/Thomas and the Special Letter and Other Stories Double Feature
 * Ultimate Thomas Collection
 * Totally Thomas Volume 7
 * Best of Collection

NZ

 * The Deputation and Other Stories
 * Bumper Video Collection Volume 3
 * Thomas Train Set Compilation Video Volume 3

AUS

 * The Deputation and other Stories
 * The Complete Series 2

DVD Boxsets

 * Complete Series 1-10
 * Classic Collection
 * Series One and Series Two Double Pack

FRE

 * The Talkative Trains

JPN

 * Thomas the Tank Engine Volume 11
 * The Complete Works of Thomas the Tank Engine 1 Vol.2
 * Welcome to Sodor Island Tour!
 * The Complete DVD Box 1

KOR

 * Stories That Fosters Responsibility

PHL

 * The Deputation

SER

 * Thomas the Tank Engine 4

HRV

 * Better Late Than Never

NOR

 * Favourites From Thomas and Friends
 * Ghost Train

IND

 * Pop Goes the Diesel and Other Stories

MYS

 * Thomas Comes to Breakfast and Other Thomas Adventures
 * The Deputation and Other Adventures

GER

 * Percy's Predicament and 4 Other Adventures
 * Thomas and His Friends Vol. 5

ZA

 * Volume 4

ITA

 * The Brave Locomotive

ROM

 * Thomas Comes to Breakfast

DVD Packs

 * Triple Pack 2

GRC

 * A Lively Companionship

CHN

 * Thomas and Friends Season 1-4

THA

 * Thomas and Friends - Volume 7

HK

 * Thomas and Friends Volume 5
 * Thomas and Friends Volume 8

KOR
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 * The Stories That Foster Responsibility

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