Thanks to a police strike, the island is subjected to numerous acts of vandalism.
Tropes:
- Ask a Stupid Question...: When Toad is vandalized, Wendell asks if he didn't wake up when it happened. Toad says he did and politely asked them to keep going, which makes Wendell realize that was a stupid question.
- Cassandra Truth: The vandals that tried to derail William deny having done the same to Geoffrey, but nobody believes them...until the real culprit is said to strike later.
- Closest Thing We Got: When vandals sabotage the turntable, Geoffrey is the only mainline engine that can actually leave the shed, due to the turntable being aimed at his berth.
- Killed Off for Real: Geoffrey when he derails due to sabotage, sending him tumbling down a hillside, killing him along with his crew.
- No Sympathy: Discussed. When someone spray paints the word "killer" with a swastika onto Peter's tender, one of the remaining cops remarks, "Sounds about right." Peter himself admits that remark was justified and that he doesn't deserve any sympathy.
- Police Are Useless: Somewhat justified, as, according to Edward, what bobbies didn't walk out of the police force had to operate on a smaller scale with fewer resources, owing to the strike and all.
- Strike Episode: The majority of the police go on strike and negotiations with the council are dragged out so much, that the public has to pressure them into making agreements after getting sick of the increasing destruction and disruption of the vandalism.
- Surprisingly Realistic Outcome: When Donald has an accident at a level crossing, he assumes it's because of vandals, but Derek tells him it was actually because of faulty points. Donald tries to chide Derek for him and Micky apparently not fixing them good enough, but Derek fires back that it's an unwritten rule that anything mechanical is bound to go awry sooner or later.
- That Came Out Wrong:
- William spots some vandalism in a very high place, and admits that he "sometimes has to admire their determination." Toad gives him a Death Glare which makes emphasize sometimes.
- After Geoffrey is killed when taking the Flying Kipper, Henry sadly claims he should've been the one taking it instead. Emily is less than amused.
