Scruff normally does not mind the way he looks, and is horrified when he is told to get a repaint. However, he soon becomes impressed with his new shiny coat, and refuses to work at the Waste Dump because he does not want to get dirty.

During a near-collision with Paxton, Gordon's boiler is damaged by a stone from the diesel's train. Gordon refuses to get looked over, and continues on. He soon craves more water as his boiler his leaking, but his constant stops annoy the passengers. Gordon becomes so impatient that his boiler nearly runs dry.