Thomas & Friends: King of the Railway 2013

Crate spill reveals armor and crown legend

Thomas and Percy's playful shunting at Brendham docks ends with a crate breaking open, revealing a suit of armor. Cranky warns of danger and hints at a hidden history of Sodor. The scene recounts the legend of King Godred and the missing golden crown, inviting curiosity about what lies ahead.

Preparations for Sir Robert's arrival

Thomas is sent for a wash down with Claribel and Annie, while rumors spread that Spencer will bring the Earl of Sodor, Sir Robert Norramby, to the estate. Sir Topham Hatt orders everything to look its best for the visitor. The estate hums with anticipation about the new arrival.

Sir Robert arrives with Spencer; 2 o'clock meeting

Spencer pulls into the station carrying Sir Robert aboard. He steps out to greet everyone and mentions he plans to be at the estate by 2 o'clock. The engines grow curious about Millie, the estate engine rumored to be in her shed.

Thomas finds Millie and the armor crate; crown missing

Thomas delivers crates to the estate and meets Millie, the long-hidden estate engine. The armor crate from the earlier spill sits nearby, and Sir Robert notes that the crown is missing. The missing crown deepens the mystery surrounding King Godred.

Spencer returns as private engine; race planned

Spencer resumes his role as the Earl's private engine, sharpening the island's rivalry. In the roundhouse, he and Gordon argue about who is the fastest and agree to a race the next morning. The challenge adds tension and excitement for the days ahead.

Morning race: Spencer vs Gordon with a shortcut

The race begins with both engines, but Spencer speeds away with no fair start and heads toward the estate. Gordon is hampered by pulling four coaches, making the competition more uneven. The shortcut hints at Spencer's cunning and foreshadows further races.

Spencer brings Sir Robert for dock manager meeting

Later that day, Thomas finds Spencer near the docks with Sir Robert aboard. They arrange a meeting with the dock manager to discuss the estate's operations and the mysterious crate. The meeting signals growing collaboration and intrigue around the Crown mystery.

Thomas and Spencer haul stones to the estate

Thomas joins Spencer to haul a trainload of large stones to the estate, keeping the momentum going. This assignment sends them toward Blue Mountain Quarry to fetch the cargo. The work underscores the scale of preparations for the castle project.

Triple-engine effort to move heavy goods up the hill

Henry has broken down, leaving Percy, James, and Thomas to pull a heavy goods train to the estate. The climb up the hill proves grueling and requires all three engines to work in tandem. The moment highlights the strain of moving the estate's ambitious shipments.

Castle restoration reveal; crate to Steamworks; Stephen introduced

At the estate, Sir Robert reveals his secret project: restoring Castle Ulfstead. He orders that one car be moved to the Steamworks, and the three engines agree to transport it there. There, a new crate arrives that introduces Stephen, a very old engine with a surprising backstory.

Stephen discovered at Steamworks; keep quiet about him

The Steamworks crew discover Stephen, a wooden-bodied engine with a storied past. Sir Robert asks that his existence be kept quiet for now, building anticipation for a bigger reveal. The discovery adds a new layer to the island's history.

Stephen's past and present: 'The Rocket' and repair talks

Emily meets Stephen and learns he is one of the earliest engines to pull trains. He recalls being called 'The Rocket' and discusses how the era used to rely on horses. Stephen's testimony ties the old era to the modern day on the island.

Special scaffold project across three tracks

Sir Topham asks Thomas, Percy, and James to help with a special project: pulling a scaffold across three parallel tracks to install large steel beams for a newly planned ceiling. The feat requires precise coordination and careful handling of the beams.

Mine incident reveals crown; Stephen's entanglement

Thomas and Percy push the Troublesome Trucks down the clifftop, and they become too heavy to control. They push Stephen into a boarded-up mine entrance, triggering a rockfall that traps the engine. Inside the mine, Stephen discovers a wooden trunk containing the long-missing crown of King Godred and signals for help.