Ep 172. King Of The Railway

Thomas & Friends season 1 episode 172 is titled "King Of The Railway." The episode introduces a brand new character, a young and enthusiastic steam engine named Stephen. Stephen is an old engine that has been forgotten for years in a tunnel. When he is discovered and brought back to Sodor, Thomas and the other engines are excited to meet him.

The engines are in for a surprise when they learn that Stephen is not just any engine - he is a royal engine! He is one of the engines that used to pull the royal family's carriages, and he has stories to tell about his adventures. Stephen's knowledge and experience impress the other engines, and they all look up to him as a wise and respected engine.

However, Stephen's presence brings up a problem. The Earl of Sodor is planning to build a new railway, and he wants Stephen to lead the way. But Stephen is old and fragile, and the steep terrain of the new railway may be too much for him to handle. Thomas and the other engines are worried that Stephen may get hurt, and they all try to convince the Earl to find another engine for the job.

Meanwhile, Stephen starts exploring the island of Sodor with Thomas and his friends. He is amazed by all the changes that have happened since he was last on the island and is delighted to meet the new engines. However, he becomes disheartened when he discovers that his old shed has been torn down to make way for a new railway line.

The engines sense Stephen's disappointment and decide to cheer him up by throwing him a party in his honor. They invite all the engines from the island, and Stephen gets to relive his past glories by regaling everyone with stories about his adventures.

As the day of the construction of the new railway approaches, Thomas and the other engines become more and more worried about Stephen's safety. They try to talk to him about their concerns, but Stephen is determined to prove that he is still capable of leading the way.

On the day of the construction, Stephen sets out on his journey with the other engines following close behind. The terrain proves to be too much for Stephen, and he starts to struggle. However, he refuses to give up, and with the help of his friends, he manages to complete the job.

The episode ends with Stephen being hailed as a hero for his bravery and determination. The other engines realize that even though he is old, Stephen still has much to offer, and they all look up to him as a role model. The Earl of Sodor is pleased with Stephen's work and makes him the king of the railway, cementing his place as a beloved member of the Sodor railway family.