Fugitive

Fugitive is the fifth episode of the first series of Bertram: Old Warrior. It was first released on 6 August 2020.

Synopsis
Bertram risks everything to help save an engine on the run from scrap. But with scrap dealers on their tail and the Alun Railway engines out to catch the intruder, is Bertram out of his depth?

Plot
A chase ensues on the Alun Railway as a worn-down tank engine, Lloyd, is pursued by an unusual-looking engine, Bowen, whose masked driver is armed with a gun. Lloyd reaches the damaged Aberfa Bridge where, seeing no other way out, takes a huge rick and jumps over the gap, barely landing on the other side.

At the Alun Mine, Bertram is fed up with the relentless work and the strict attitude of the foreman, complaining as he is sent to fetch more trucks. Deep in the woods, a smartly dressed man, Albert Woodham, look through a telescope, telling his henchmen how enthralling it is to hunt an engine. Bowen returns and Woodham is angry when he reveals Lloyd got away. His mood changes however when Bowen mentions a nearby mining institution.

Bertram and Lloyd run into one another and after a short chase, Lloyd ends up cornered on a siding. Bertram approaches him and tries to help but Lloyd is defensive and warns him to keep back. He suddenly tells him to be quiet, as a monstrous-looking engine, Robyn, moves through the trees, searching for something. Shocked, Bertram demands to know who Lloyd is, who responds that he is on the run from scrap. Meanwhile, Matthew when Albert Woodham arrives meets Caderyn Gerralt, sucking up to him before informing of a serious situation that they should discuss.

Lloyd tells Bertram of his past but Bertram insensitively chimes in how he also is unhappy with his railway's workload. Lloyd snaps and accuses Bertram of being selfish and ungrateful; he is lucky to be safe and protected with a home. Bertram apologizes but Lloyd is stubborn. Bertram has an idea and says Lloyd should join the Alun Railway, planning to speak to Caderyn Gerralt who could do with another engine. However, Albert Woodham informs Caderyn that Lloyd is a dangerous runaway who will cause great damage to the railway. Alarmed, Caderyn gathers his engines and warns them.

Bertram hides Lloyd in the mines before making his way to the loading bay, where he learns Lloyd has been outed as a fugitive who must be caught. Bertram and Proteus return to the mine where Bertram breaks the news to Lloyd that he won't be able to stay. Lloyd is angry and upset but Bertram has a plan to get him out, encouraging Lloyd not to give up and keep fighting. Lloyd warns Bertram of the dangers of helping him but Bertram is prepared to risk his life.

Nightfall comes, and Woodham & Sons lie in wait. Proteus acts as a decoy, distracting Mighty Mac, giving Lloyd an opportunity to flee. However, Arwel spots Lloyd and chases him to a junction where he meets Matthew who sends him in the wrong direction. Bertram arrives and explains the situation to Matthew who agree to help by letting them pass. As Mighty Mac pursues Proteus, he crashes, blocking the line, stopping Arwel in his tracks. However, Albert Woodham is not fooled Proteus' decoy, and gets in his car, eventually spotting Lloyd on another track. He drives to an opening and waits with a gun. As Lloyd and Bertram race past, Woodham fires, but missed by a fraction and they escape much to his annoyance.

Proteus runs into Robyn who threatens him. Proteus lies that Lloyd is heading north towards the Port but Robyn does not believe him and tries to cut him apart with his buzzsaw. However, Hywel arrives, startling Robyn; it's clear the pair recognize each other. Robyn flees and meets Bowen, telling him that Lloyd has fled to the port. Bertram and Hywel hide in an overgrown tunnel beside them and watch as the scrap engines head off, as they head in the other direction.

As the sun rises, Lloyd thanks Bertram for his help and apologises for his cruel words but Bertram agrees that he was extremely ungrateful and short-sighted, his eyes opened at how lucky he is to have a home. Lloyd bids him farewell, as he hits the road, back to his life on the run.

At the Port, Woodham is furious with Robyn for being tricked by Proteus, but Robyn points out, regarding Hywel, that "it was him", to which Woodham is surprised.

Characters

 * Bertram
 * Proteus
 * Arwel
 * Hywel
 * Matthew
 * Mighty Mac
 * Lloyd
 * Bowen
 * Robyn
 * Caderyn Gerralt
 * Albert Woodham

Locations

 * Alun Mine
 * Loading Bay
 * Port

Cast

 * Bertram - Neil Lambert
 * Proteus - Enterprisingengine93
 * Lloyd - Turtlesandthomas
 * Caderyn Gerralt - Neil Lambert
 * Arwel - Neil Lambert
 * Hywel - Thomasandfriends47
 * Matthew - Turtlesandthomas
 * Mighty Mac - Matt Rhyndale
 * Bowen - HiroTheJapaneseTrain
 * Robyn - Thomasandfriends47
 * Albert Woodham - Neil Lambert
 * Workman - Thomasandfriends47

Trivia

 * This was originally the fourth episode in the series but was pushed back after Clash was remastered and split into two episodes.