Edward the Very Useful Engine, retitled Edward the Really Useful Engine in American releases, is the twenty-third episode of the sixth series.
Plot[]
Gordon's hatred of Edward resurfaces, but he takes it to greater extremes this time: he insists that Edward is worthless and deserves to be unceremoniously retired. The other big engines agree with him, but Percy is concerned about this. He tells his driver about what Gordon said about Edward and the driver tells the Fat Controller, who attends to the matter immediately.
The Fat Controller arranges for Edward to teach Stepney to run the completed loop line, while Duck does Edward's work. Henry is happy about this, but it makes no difference to Gordon. Edward enjoys working with Stepney, but Duck does not enjoy working with the trucks, especially when they hold him back on Gordon's Hill. Duck is stuck on Gordon's line and it is too late to switch Gordon, who is due any minute, to the middle line, so the guard tries to flag Gordon down. However, Gordon passes by and tries to push Duck up, but it is no good.
Gordon's crew sends for Edward to help both engines and as the strange train sets off and pulls into the station, Gordon feels rather embarrassed and is told off by the Fat Controller for saying very rude things about Edward, who has proven to be useful, reliable and very helpful. The next day, Gordon apologises to Edward and thanks him for his help, telling him that he really is a useful engine. The Fat Controller's plan had worked, and there was no more talk about Edward retiring.
Characters[]
- Thomas
- Edward
- Henry
- Gordon
- Percy
- Troublesome Trucks
- Sir Topham Hatt
- Stephen Hatt
- Duck (does not speak)
- Stepney (does not speak)
- James (cameo)
- Annie and Clarabel (cameos)
- Mrs. Kyndley (cameo)
- Farmer Trotter (cameo)
- Tom Tipper (cameo)
- Sir Topham Hatt's Brown-haired Assistant (cameo)
- The Storyteller (cameo)
- The Lighthouse Keeper (cameo)
- Oliver (deleted scene)