The Skarloey Railway begins an ambitious expansion into the Nartwin Valley. Unfortunately, its progress is hindered by issues and setbacks, resulting in a tragedy that changes the future of the railway.
Tropes:
- Chekhov's Gun: Once again, Andreas shows that Non-faceless engines can move without a crew. It inadvertently saves Andreas' driver's life when he stays behind due to poor health while the small yellow engine delivers the dynamite without him.
- Fantastic Racism: Duncan believes Rusty is a heartless monster since diesel engines are the new norm on the railways built to replace them.
Duncan: A diesel with a conscience? Now I've heard everything.
Rusty: What's that supposed to mean?
Duncan: It means how can your kind feel bad about anything when you were built solely to replace steamies?
- Heroic Sacrifice: Andreas is killed protecting Duncan from the landslide caused by the explosion from his dynamite train (which was improperly secured).
- Irony: Despite disliking Stanley for his racism, Duncan equally dislikes Rusty for being a diesel engine.
- Killed Off for Real: Andreas.
- Mythology Gag:
- The episode features lines from Home At Last, such as Skarloey complementing Rusty on how smooth the line is, and Sir Handel scolding Duncan for his rotten attitude saying his career is on the line.
- Duncan giving Rusty crap for being a diesel is a reference to their first meeting in the show.
- Nepotism: The supervisor is the foreman's son...and he acts as incompetent as one would expect.
- You Have GOT to Be Kidding Me!: Andreas when the supervisor not only threatens to go crying to his father, but also when he really does it.
