Dudley the Post Train

Dudley the Post Train is the first episode of the first series.

Plot
The engines on the Island of Sodor work very hard, and are usually busy. They hardly get a rest, but they never complain. On the contrary, there is an engine that complains about his one, simple task. His name is Dudley. He is a Class 08 shunter brought from the other railway to take care of the Post. He constantly asks for help with it, though he can clearly do it on his own.

Later, Dudley idled around Ffarquar as he watched Thomas and Percy struggle with some heavy trucks. He didn't have any incentive to help the engines. But soon, Percy tells him that he won't get help with his task unless he helps others.

It was time for the post to leave, and Dudley was nowhere to be seen, so Percy grumpily did his job for him. When Dudley does arrive, he claims that he can't do the work because he can't get along with Mavis, but this is really a large fib. So, Thomas and Percy call Mavis over. In truth, Dudley is fine with Mavis. She explains to Thomas and Percy that Dudley has diplomatic immunity, and the Fat Controller won't care what he does. So, the engines decide to play a trick on Dudley themselves.

Thomas and Percy met with Mike the Steamroller to discuss how to get Dudley in trouble. To begin the plan, Mike pretended to break down at the level crossing so Dudley would crash into him if he was careless. Dudley arrived and smashed into Mike. Luckily, no one was hurt. As per usual, the Fat Controller was not cross with Dudley.

The next day, Dudley had appeared to have learned his lesson, leaving Thomas and Percy annoyed.

Characters

 * Dudley
 * Percy
 * Thomas
 * Mavis
 * Mike (does not speak)
 * The Fat Controller (mentioned)
 * Toby (cameo)
 * The Tractor (cameo)
 * The Hippie Van (cameo)

Locations

 * Ffarquhar

Goofs

 * When Dudley approaches his post train wagon, Mike can be seen in the shot even though at that point in the story, he is at the level crossing.