Gordon's Hill

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Gordon's Hill is a steep hill on the fictional Island of Sodor located after Wellsworth station and before Maron station. It was first introduced in the story "Edward and Gordon" in The Railway Series, and it has also featured as a prominent location in the TV series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.

Gordon's Hill got its name after Gordon got stuck up on it and Edward had to push from behind. It is a place where a banking engine (incorrectly referred to in the TV series as a "back engine") is often required to help trains up the hill. A further risk is that of runaway trains if there is insufficient braking power.

When the railway was first built, this already difficult stretch of track was made more treacherous by strong winds. The line now runs up an avenue of trees, which were planted to reduce this problem. However, this does mean that in autumn there can be the additional hazard of slippery leaves on the line, as James once discovered.

Interestingly, there is a real place in London called Gordon Hill, although it seems likely that this is a coincidence.

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