On Site with Thomas
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Jack and the Pack is a direct-to-video release for the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends series, much like the movie: Calling All Engines. These thirteen episodes feature the return of the Sodor Construction Company, better known as The Pack, their first appearance since Season 6. It was released in North America on 15 August 2006. It was released in the UK on the 2 October 2006. It was not called "On Site with Thomas". It was called Thomas' Trusty Friends, but it had the same episodes except for Jack Owns Up and Percy's Scary Tale. They were released separately though and they can be seen on YouTube. All episodes are narrated by Michael Brandon in the North American release, while the UK release was narrated by Michael Angelis.
[edit] Episodes
[edit] 1. A Visit from Thomas
One day, Thomas was taking Sir Topham Hatt to a construction site for a new school. It will have a football field, a library, and a swimming pool. He inspects everything, and is impressed. Meanwhile, Oliver the Excavator is loading Max. Max orders him to hurry up, but Oliver's shovel hits something. He digs at it, and uncovers something unusual. Miss Jenny calls the Workmen, the Workmen call Sir Topham Hatt, and Sir Topham Hatt calls the Experts. They say it is a dinosaur bone, and they tell Oliver to dig for more. Oliver's shovel is replaced with a chisel, and he uncovers a whole skeleton of a Triceratops. The next day, Sir Topham Hatt arrives and shows Oliver that he is featured on the front cover of a newspaper, and Oliver is very proud.
- Featuring Oliver (Pack), Max, Alfie, Ned, Miss Jenny Packard, The Fat Controller, Thomas, Jack, Buster, and the Dinosaur Experts.
- Cameos by Kelly and Isabella
- First appearance of Buster, Oliver's chisel and The Dinosaur Experts.
[edit] 2. Jack Owns Up
One summer morning, Thomas was taking Jack and Alfie to the Workshop area, where the other Pack members are. While there, Miss Jenny warns all the vehicles to be very careful. And if they aren't careful, one of them will be sent back to the yard. But Jack isn't careful, he was being very reckless. Elswhere, Ned tries very hard to be careful. Jack is so careless that he knocks over a pile of slate! Jack doesn't want to be sent away, so he drives off, with the accident being blamed on Ned. Miss Jenny scolds Ned, and Jack realises he should own up. Right as Ned is being lifted onto Thomas' flatbed, Jack tells all of them the truth. Miss Jenny tells him she's proud he owned up, but she sends him back to the yard anyway for pitting the blame on poor old Ned. While being sent back to the yard, Thomas tells Jack it's always good to tell the truth.
- Featuring Jack, Ned, Oliver (Pack), Kelly, Alfie, Miss Jenny Packard and Thomas.
- Cameo by Byron.
[edit] 3. On Site with Thomas
One day, Thomas was at the Construction Site where the Pack are building a new community centre. A building foundation was being made with cement from Patrick the Cement Mixer. Patrick is done loading Thomas, and drives off saying how he is the most important. But Jack and Alfie don't agree, and start asking the other Pack members who is the most important. Jack asks Byron, who says that preparing the land for foundations is important, so he is. Alfie asks Oliver, who says that digging up dirt is important, so he is. Jack then asks Nelson the Ballast Tractor, who says that transporting is important, and he declares he is. And Alfie asks Ned, who says that the Operators are the most important. Soon Jack and Alfie give up! Eventually, Max and Monty the Dump Trucks start to argue over who is the most important. They go to get more loads of dirt from Ned and Oliver, and they start to nag for "more". Then both Max and Monty drive off, and start racing down the lane. Before they know it, they make Patrick swerve off the road, and crash right into the foundation he's poured, getting cement all over Thomas. Miss Jenny soon hears about this, and tells them that no one is most important, as they are all a team. Jack tells her about Patrick, and she turns and says "Patrick, were you bragging about Cement again?" and he replies, "I... might have said something...".
- Featuring Jack, Alfie, Patrick, Byron, Oliver (Pack), Nelson, Ned, Max and Monty, Kelly, Miss Jenny Packard, and Thomas.
- Introducing Patrick, Nelson, and Monty.
- Cameo by Isabella.
[edit] 4. Percy's Scary Tale
It's Halloween again! That dark, foggy night, Percy was taking Jack and Alfie to the Maithwaite construction area, where the other Pack members are. Since it is break time, Kelly the Crane decides to tell a spooky story. Percy and Alfie hope it won't be too scary. And then, Kelly tells the story. He tells the pack a story about the One-Eyed Truck, and how it searches for its lost headlamp. Percy and Alfie are already scared and spooked, so when break time is over, Max and Monty decide to take advantage of the fear. They taunt and tease the other vehicles, until they get enough. The Workmen orders Max and Monty to take some dirt to the dumping area... on the other side of the forest. They go out to unload and dump their dirt, but on the way they hear spooky and mysterious sounds. Then they hear a shrill whistle, and a bright glowing headlamp. They immediately assume it's the One-Eyed Truck, and they race frightening back to the site. When they get there, Thomas the Tank Engine pulls in. Even though Max and Monty feel a little bit foolish for thinking that Thomas is the One-Eyed Truck, they still think it could be out there... wanting to steal your headlamp...
- Featuring Percy, Jack, Alfie, Kelly, Max and Monty, Isabella and Thomas.
- Cameos by Oliver (Pack), Ned and Buster.
[edit] 5. Kelly's Windy Day
It was a very windy day on the Island. Thomas was taking Kelly the Crane to the construction site, where the other Pack members are. Miss Jenny warns all the vehicles that high winds can be dangerous, and tells them to be careful. Soon all of the vehicles are working very hard, and Kelly is unloading steel pylons. Soon his crane arm starts to wobble, and the high wind makes him tip over, and crashing into an empty shed! Luckily no one was hurt, but Kelly's wheels and crane arm were damaged. Later, he has to spend the night at the workshop getting his wheels and crane arm repaired. The next day, Miss Jenny tells Kelly that Isabella has come off the road near the track! But Kelly is so shaken by his experience, he doesn't want to come out anymore. But he knows he must rescue his friend. Meanwhile, Isabella is dangling over the edge of the road that overlooks the track. When Kelly gets there, he unloads the piano from Isabella's truck bed, and starts to pull Isabella back on the road. But he soon remembers his accident, so he stops. Then he remembers he must help Isabella, so he tries again to pull Isabella back up. Soon he has saved Isabella, and Miss Jenny and Thomas are very proud.
- Featuring Kelly, Isabella, Jack, Alfie, Miss Jenny Packard, and Thomas.
- Cameo by either Max or Monty (indefinite).
- This is the first episode (of any kind) in the series in which a vehicle loses a wheel.
[edit] 6. A Happy Day for Percy
One overcast and wet day, Percy was taking Jack and Alfie to the construction site, where the other Pack members are. While there, Miss Jenny tells the vehicles to be careful in the mud, as it could be dangerous. But Max and Monty don't listen, and they begin to be very mischievous. Meanwhile, Byron tries to show how careful he is, but no one is paying attention. Not even Oliver or Ned! Elsewhere, Alfie is enjoying the mud, but Max and Monty race by, kick up mud onto Percy, and hit a water stand-pipe. The stand-pipe spews out water onto the mud where Alfie is, and it gets into it, and causes him to start sinking! The workmen turn off the water, but its too late for Alfie. But Byron has an idea. He has Alfie grab onto his blade, and he starts to pull him out. His plan starts failing, but soon, he pulls Alfie safe out of the mud. Later that day, Miss Jenny scolds Max and Monty, and praises Byron. Meanwhile, Percy is glad to have all the mud washed off him!
- Featuring Byron, Jack, Alfie, Max and Monty, Oliver (Pack), Miss Jenny Packard, Kelly and Percy.
[edit] 7. A Tale for Thomas
A very rare, old tree has been struck by lightning, so the Pack have to prop it up before it falls over. But Max and Monty cause trouble, and end up running into the tree, greatly increasing it's danger of collapsing. Immediately Alfie, Oliver, and Kelly try to prop up the tree, but are failing. Jack hurries to get the props from Thomas to hold it up. Will all the machines be able to pull together and help to repair the tree before it falls over?
- Featuring Thomas, Jack, Alfie, Kelly, Oliver (Pack), Max & Monty, The Fat Controller and Miss Jenny.
- Cameos by James and Henry.
[edit] 8. Thomas and the Moles
Buster feels left out when a big storm makes lots of damage on the Island of Sodor because there is nothing for a steamroller to do! When Miss Jenny discovers the Dryaw FC Football ground is covered in molehills she immediately calls for Buster!
- Featuring Thomas, Jack, Isabella, Buster, Miss Jenny, and the moles.
- Cameos by Toby, Percy, Ned, Alfie, Max Monty, Nelson, Oliver (Pack) and Kelly.
- The moles in this story appear to be able to talk, and wear clothes. They also have moving heads.
[edit] 9. Percy Helps Out
When Miss Jenny sends Nelson the Ballast Tractor to carry Thomas for repairs, he confides in Thomas that he'd like to be carried by someone else. He is delighted when the Fat Controller instructs Percy to carry him all the way back to the yard.
- Featuring Thomas, Percy, Miss Jenny, Nelson, Byron, and Buster.
- Cameos by Oliver (Pack), Jack, Alfie, Ned, Max, Monty and Patrick.
- This is the first episode (of any kind) in the series in which Thomas loses a wheel.
[edit] 10. The Tortoise and the Hare
Working on the Sodor Rally Track, Buster dreams of being the fastest steamroller. Max and Monty tease him for being slow but when they are all asked to test the track Max and Monty are so busy arguing that Buster rolls over the finish line first!
[edit] 11. Thomas' Trusty Friends
Ned is disappointed that his only job on demolishing a building is to clear up the rubble. When Oliver's wrecking ball won't knock down the building, Ned comes to the rescue-by accident! Meanwile at the demolishon Site.
- Featuring Ned, Oliver (Pack), and Thomas
[edit] 12. Alfie Has Kittens
Alfie the Excavator is sent to help demolish a building, but the other machines tease him for being small. Later when a mother cat and her kittens are discovered in the building only Alfie is small enough to rescue them.
- Featuring Thomas, Alfie, Jack, Ned, Oliver (Pack), Kelly, Max & Monty, Miss Jenny, Isabella, and a cat with some kittens.
[edit] 13. Mud Glorious Mud
Isabella does not like getting dirty, but when all the machines run out of diesel she has to get some more - by driving across some very muddy fields!
- Featuring Thomas, Jack, Alfie, Isabella, Miss Jenny Packard, and a policeman.
- Cameos by Henry, Gordon, James, Trevor, Salty, Max & Monty, Byron, Kelly, and Oliver (Pack).
[edit] New Pack Members
[edit] Nelson
Nelson is a Ballast tractor (a type of transporter lorry). He carries the number 10 on his cab. Nelson likes to carry his friends to their work sites or to repairs atop his flatbed trailer, but often yearns for someone to carry him for a change...
[edit] Monty
Monty is Max's twin brother and, like Max, is often unruly and mischievous. He carries the number 16 on his cab. His appearance to Max only differs by his number, and bumper bar, which is two long rods; whereas Max's is a thick one-piece bumper bar.
[edit] Patrick
Patrick is an old cement mixer. He carries the number 23 on his cab. He has a slight Irish accent. He often believes that mixing cement is one of the most important jobs in construction, and is often insulted when told otherwise; however, he has a kind heart underneath and is always willing to help his friends.
[edit] Buster
Buster is a red steamroller, similar to George, the Island of Sodor's other steamroller. Buster likes to roll over things with his roller, and dreams of being the fastest steamroller in the world... when in actuality he is not that fast at all. He has a dark red livery unlike George. Buster is also much nicer to the engines than George is, and is the only member not to carry a number (or at least visibly).
[edit] Featured Characters
- Thomas
- Henry (Cameo Only)
- Gordon (Cameo Only)
- James (Cameo Only)
- Percy
- Toby (Cameo Only)
- Salty (Cameo Only)
- The Fat Controller
- Annie and Clarabel
- Troublesome Trucks
- Trevor (Cameo Only)
- Jack
- Alfie
- Kelly
- Oliver (Pack)
- Ned
- Isabella
- Byron
- Max
- Monty
- Nelson
- Buster
- Patrick
- Miss Jenny Packard
- The Dinosaur Experts
- The Piano Lady
- Football Coach
- Football Players
- The Moles
[edit] Places/Things Introduced
- The Warehouse
- Old Brick Works
- Dryaw FC Football Field
- Sodor Race Track
- Community Centre
- New School Grounds
- Lightning Tree
- Repair Yards
- Prop Trolley/Trailer
- Miss Jenny's Van
[edit] Trivia
- These are the first ever direct-to-video released Thomas the Tank Engine episodes, they didn't make their debut on television, and are therefore the first of their kind.
- Apart from his excavating scoop, we learn that Oliver can change between a chisel, scissor claw and a variety of wrecking balls.
- First appearance of 'The Pack' since Season 6
- Gordon, Henry, James, Toby, Salty, Trevor, make appearances, but they never actually saw The Pack.
- Ned appears to have had modifications since Season 6, in the form of his darker-coloured wheels, and now wearing 'Sodor Construction Company' on his sides, rather than 'Packard & Co.'
- First appearances of Pack members: Monty, Nelson, Buster and Patrick.
- Songs featured are 'Engine Roll Call' and 'The Work Song'.
- This series was filmed with the 'classic' 35mm film, although some shots were filmed using the new digital cameras.
- Each episode is 5 minutes long, instead of the current 7 minute episodes.
- The Yard where the Pack live is finally revealed more, as numerous sheds with a railway line running on one side, and surrounded by a brick wall, with a gate, featuring a 'Sodor Construction Company' sign above.
- The six spaced Tidmouth Sheds model returns, it was last seen in Season 8
