Thomas and Friends - Season 8

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Thomas and Friends (previously known as Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends) is a children's television series about the engines and other characters working on the railways of the Island of Sodor, and is based on The Railway Series of books written by Rev. W. Awdry.

This article lists and details episodes from the eighth season of this series, which was first broadcast in 2004. This season was narrated by Michael Angelis, although Michael Brandon narrates the episodes for American audiences.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

[edit] Episodes

[edit] Thomas to the Rescue

The quarry has an important order to fill, so the Fat Controller sends Thomas to help out. However, he has also drafted Diesel into helping out. Diesel is soon playing tricks on Thomas, and teasing him for being a 'steamie.' But it is when he tells Thomas that the Fat Controller is planning to scrap all steam engines that Thomas starts to worry. The little tank engine has trouble sleeping because of it.

The next morning, new fuel arrives for Diesel and Mavis. But unfortunately, water has leaked into the tanks, and they're soon out of action, as are all of the other diesels on the Island. Thomas is sent to collect fresh diesel fuel from the docks. He travels all around the island, delivering fresh fuel for all the diesels. When he arrives at the quarry, the two diesels are very grateful, and work soon continues as normal, and the important order is finally filled. Later, the Fat Controller arrives, and tells Thomas he's a 'really useful engine'. And even Diesel agrees!

[edit] Henry and the Wishing Tree

As of late, Henry has mostly been responsible for goods trains and (particularly after Gordon insults him for this) he wishes to pull passengers for a change. One day, he comes across children making a wish at the 'Sodor Wishing Tree' so decides to make a wish himself; to pull passengers for a change. And by chance, Gordon is sent to the works, and Henry is asked to pull the express in his place. Henry is excited, but soon learns that pulling passengers is a lot different from pulling freight, and before long (especially after an incident with the dining car), he is wanting to return to pulling freight. He stops in the forest, whilst pulling the express, to wish that he could go back to pulling freight. The Fat Controller arrives, and tells him off, and that Gordon is due back tomorrow. Henry is pleased to be back pulling freight, but the next day, makes one more wish; to never pull passengers again!

[edit] Thomas and the Tuba

Lady Hatt is having another birthday Party, and the Fat Controller has arranged for the Brass Band to play at the party. Thomas is very excited when he is asked to collect the Brass Band from Knapford station, but he is such a hurry that he accidentally leaves the Tuba player behind. When he realises, he heads back to look for him, but the Tuba Player has already gone looking for a way to get there, first catching a lift with Bertie the Bus, then Elizabeth, then Trevor. Thomas is so busy looking for the tuba player that he doesn't hear the tuba player playing his tuba when he passes him on his travels several times. He is so busy looking that he doesn't notice Percy coming towards him on the same line, pushing trucks full of bunting. Thomas hits the trucks, sending the bunting everywhere. When Harvey re-rails Thomas, he tells him to look and listen. When Thomas applies this new theory, he soon hears the sound of a tuba, and soon finds the tuba player with Trevor. Once on board, Thomas races to the station, the player makes it in time for the party, and everyone enjoys the music.

[edit] Squeak, Rattle and Roll

Diesel tells Gordon that when the Fat Controller realizes how 'clapped out' steam engines are, they'll all be scrapped. Gordon dismisses this and puffs away. But as he puffs along, he hears a squeaking sound coming from his pistons. But he also realizes that the sound seems to disappear when he goes slowly, so he puffs slowly along so no one can hear his squeak. That night, the Fat Controller tells him that tomorrow, he has to take some children to the docks, but he has to go fast so that they don't miss the boat. Gordon is faced with a dilemma; if he goes slowly, the children will miss the boat, but if he goes fast, the Fat Controller will hear his funny noises and might send him to the scrap yard. Gordon sets off slowly, but the Fat Controller scolds him. But when he reminds him that he's the fastest engine on Sodor, Gordon's confidence is boosted, and he decides that he'll get the children to his boat on time, even if it's his last trip. He arrives at the docks, squeaking and rattling and knocking, but right on time. The children congratulate Gordon, and the Fat Controller asks Gordon why he hasn't been to the repair yard about his noises. Gordon tells the Fat Controller he thought he'd be scrapped, but the Fat Controller assures him he'd never do that; who else would pull the express? So the next day, Gordon's joints are oiled and tightened, and he is soon back to work as normal, feeling happier than ever!

[edit] Percy's New Whistle

In winter, engines often have to whistle to each other to let them know they're coming. One day, when 'Arry and Bert frighten Percy with their loud horns, he sets out to try and outdo them. After practicing loud whistling, he returns to the quarry, and blasts his whistle very loud, frightening the two diesels. Percy is very pleased, and goes around the island showing off his loud whistle. However, it causes trouble; Thomas is so startled that he bumps his trucks, and Bertie ends up skidding off the road. That night, Thomas tells Percy off, but the next day, Percy, believing no one's around, decides to have another 'loud whistle'. However, he is unaware that Trevor is on a nearby hill, delivering hay and logs to the farm. When Percy whistles, Trevor is so startled that he bumps one of the logs, which rolls down the hill. Snow sticks to it, and it soon forms a giant snowball, which rolls right into Percy. Soon the Fat Controller arrives, and scolds Percy. Percy promises to use his whistle safely from now on.

The next morning, as Percy puffs out of a tunnel, he sees a snowdrift has come right across the line. Then, he hears Thomas's whistle; he's heading straight for it. Percy decides theirs only one way to warn him, and with a deep breath, he takes the loudest whistle he's ever taken. Thomas slows down, and just avoids hitting the snowdrift.

That night, the Fat Controller congratulates Percy for being a really useful and safe engine. Percy is very proud, and now uses his whistle safely.

[edit] Thomas and the Firework Display

Every harvest time, the Fat Controller holds a fireworks display. Thomas is cross when James gets to collect the fireworks for this years display; he wanted to bring them to see the happy children. James is very excited to be collecting them. He soon collects them and is on his way, but suddenly, he breaks down, and his driver goes for help. At Knapford, the Fat Controller tells Thomas that he must help James or the display will be cancelled. It's dark when Thomas arrives, and he teases James, and in turn, he refuses to move. But when Thomas tells him that the children will be disappointed, James decides to help Thomas out after all, keeping a good look out for him. Soon they arrive at a red signal, and realize that the Fat Controller must've cancelled the display, and Gordon must be bringing the children back; and they're right!

Suddenly, Thomas has an idea; launch a firework to let them know they're coming. His driver does so, and when the Fat Controller sees it, he tells Gordon to stop; the display is back on. As the signal turns green, Thomas and James steam happily into Knapford to a chorus of cheers from the children. The two engines then watch the display from the sheds, and decide that they are most useful when they work together.

[edit] Too Hot for Thomas

It's summertime, and James and Toby are taking children to the seaside. Thomas however, has to deliver some raspberry syrup to the ice cream factory. However, when he arrives, the manager tells him that the beach stall has run out of ice cream, and need him to fetch ingredients to make more. His driver reminds him that the quicker they help, the quicker they can be finished and take some children to the seaside. Thomas quickly collects the cream, then the strawberries. He puffs quickly to the chocolate factory, but he puffs so fast that the signalman didn't get time to change the points, and he is diverted onto a siding. Then he has to wait for Toby to go past before he can get back to work

When Thomas arrives at the chocolate factory, he doesn't realize that one of the trucks brakes are on, so when he pulls hard, the coupling breaks, and cocoa powder is sent everywhere. Fortunately, the mess is soon cleared, and Thomas is on his way again. He finally arrives back at the ice cream factory, and has to wait for the ice cream to be made. When it is, he puffs to the seaside. It is now far too late to take the children, but when he arrives at the beach, he sees that the children and the Fat Controller are very pleased with him; they had been waiting for the fresh ice cream. This makes Thomas feel very happy.

[edit] Emily's Adventure

A summer storm rages across the island, and causes lots of damage, including blowing the roof right off Farmer McColls barn. He worries that his calfs will get cold, so he telephones the Fat Controller for help. He asks Emily to take some timber to the barn for a new roof. On Emily's journey, she has to stop and wait for Trevor to move a fallen tree from the line. Trevor struggles with the heavy load, and Emily impatiently whistles and tells him to hurry up. When she does, Trevor works faster, and as soon as the line is clear, she puffs away without saying 'thank you'. Emily applies this strategy throughout the day to get everyone to hurry up. However, when she tries to get Elizabeth to hurry with moving a fallen water tower, Elizabeth is offended, and purposely stops trying. Later, when Thomas arrives, Emily tells him that Elizabeth isn't doing what she's telling her to do. Thomas suggests that she ask nicely. Emily reluctantly does so, and Elizabeth suddenly starts working again, and as soon as the line is clear, Emily says 'thank you' and continues on with her journey. And for the rest of the day, she is polite to everyone she passes. She soon arrives at Farmer McColls, and by nightfall, the roof is mended and the calves are safely back in their barn. Farmer McColl is very pleased, and Emily now realizes that asking nicely gets things done much quicker!

[edit] You Can Do It, Toby!

Toby is not as strong as the other engines. One day, whilst he struggles up Gordon's Hill with some milk, Gordon, who is being pushed up the hill by Edward, passes him, and tells Toby that he's not a proper steam engine. This makes Toby feel very sad.

That night, the Fat Controller tells Toby that tomorrow, he has to stand in for Edward at Wellsworth. Toby worries that he'll not be good enough, especially when he arrives and sees the huge amount of trucks that need shunting. But with Thomas's encouragement, Toby soon has the trucks shunted into place. But soon, he hears that Gordon needs a back engine to push him up the hill. Toby doubts he'll be able to push Gordon, but Thomas assures him that he can do it. Gordon is cross when he hears that Toby will be helping him. When Toby arrives, he is unable to get the train moving, and Gordon tells him they should've sent a proper engine. Toby is about to give up and head back when he remembers Thomas's words of encouragement, and with a huge effort, he manages to get the train moving, and before long, Gordon and the express are over the other side of the hill. And that night, the Fat Controller comes to Toby's shed, and congratulates him for being a really useful engine. This makes Toby feel very proud.

[edit] Edward the Great

The Duke and Duchess of Boxford have returned to Sodor to visit their summer house, and have brought Spencer with them. The other engines want to take their furniture, to give them a chance to race Spencer, but the Fat Controller chooses Edward for that job. Gordon and James are cross; they know Edward will lose and let the railway down. Edward sets off with the furniture, but in a few seconds, Spencer overtakes him and is far in front. Fortunately, Spencer stops at Wellsworth so the Duke and Duchess can have refreshments, so Edward gets a chance to catch up. As Edward steams through the station, the workmen cheer him on. But once the Duke and Duchess are back on board, Spencer soon overtakes Edward again. Further up the line, Spencer stops so the Duke can take pictures of the countryside. Spencer decides to sleep; he's too far in front to worry!

Gordon soon passes Spencer, but not much further up the line, he passes Edward. Amazed at Edward's efforts, he cheers him on. This boosts Edwards confidence, and he picks up speed. He soon passes Spencer. The Duke and Duchess then get back on board, but Spencer doesn't wake up. When his driver manages to wake him up, he sees Edward ahead of him, and sets off as fast as he can. But it is too late; the tracks to the house are old, so the driver slows him down. Spencer is embarrassed; he knows he's lost. Meanwhile, Edward steams triumphantly to the summer house. He is indeed the pride of the railway!

[edit] James Goes Too Far

James feels that every other engines have more important jobs to do than him, and he wants to be a really important engine. That afternoon, the Fat Controller gives him a very important job; delivering coal to all the stations on the island. However, the importance makes James puffed up in his smokebox; he doesn't wait to take on water, and when Edward asks for help with his jobs, James tells him he can't, as his job is far too important. James soon arrives at the coaling plant and sets off with the trucks. But before long, he comes to a complete stop; he's run out of water! Edward passes, but he can't help; because James didn't help him, he's running late with his passenger train. However, Edward does warn the signalman, who sends Salty to help James. Salty is cross with James for not helping Edward. James tells him that he had too important a job, but Salty reminds him that no job is more important than helping another engine.

Soon, James is on his way again, but up ahead, he sees Diesel, who has broken down. Remembering Salty's words, he decides to help Diesel, and pushes him to the works. James then continues on with his own job, and delivers the coal, keeping the passengers nice and warm. And the next morning, the Fat Controller congratulates James on learning his lesson and being really useful. James now knows that being really useful is better than being important!

[edit] Percy and the Magic Carpet

The annual Sodor Flower Show, and Alicia Botti is coming to open it. Percy is sent to collect a special load from the docks. While he is very pleased, he is disappointed when he sees that his load is nothing more than a roll of carpet. Salty suggests that the carpet could be a magic carpet. The carpet isn't tied down properly, so as Percy puffs away, it unrolls, puzzling the little green engine.

When Percy comes across Gordon at a junction, the wind blows the carpet into the air. Percy tells Gordon the carpet must be magic, but Gordon crossly tells him that magic carpets don't exist. The carpet lands down on a truck on Murdochs goods train, and Percy chases after him. Murdoch doesn't stop, and neither does the carpet; it blows off Murdochs trucks and onto Toby's roof. Percy chases after Toby, but he doesn't stop either. When Toby arrives at the station, the carpet blows onto one of the tracks. Suddenly, the engines hear Thomas's whistle; he's coming along the track that the carpet is on! The engines whistle to warn him, but Thomas is unable to stop in time. But suddenly, a gust of wind blows the carpet clear just in time, and back onto Percy's goods train, much to Gordon's amazement. The carpet is then tied down and Percy finishes his journey. When he arrives, the Fat Controller assures him that magic carpets don't exist, but congratulates Percy on being really useful. Gordon soon arrives with Alicia Botti, and the flower show proves a great success. But despite the Fat Controllers words, Percy and Gordon are still unsure whether magic carpets exist or not.

[edit] Gordon Takes Charge

It's winter, and the roads are often blocked. Because of this, the Fat Controller schedules extra passenger trains, and asks Percy to pull some of them. Percy is worried, having not pulled passengers in a while, but the Fat Controller tells him that Gordon will teach him how to pull them. Gordon is cross, but when the yard manager praises him on his excellent buffering up to the coaches, Gordon decides it might be fun teaching Percy. As the day progresses, Gordon enjoys showing Percy what to do, but Percy is getting cross; he thinks Gordon's just showing off.

Gordon is indeed showing off; he soon starts trying to find other engines to show how smoothly he puffs. As he approaches the station, he is so busy showing the passengers on the platform how smoothly he puffs that he doesn't notice the icy rails. Gordon slides straight through the station and into a siding, ending in a bank of snow. His passengers have to walk through the snow, and the Fat Controller is cross, and Gordon gets very embarrassed when Percy puffs smoothly into the station, with his passengers getting out at the platform. Edward soon arrives to pull Gordon out. But that evening, Gordon learns his lesson, and asks Percy to go first, and show him how smoothly he puffs. Percy does so, and the two engines puff happily along. Back at the sheds, Gordon congratulates Percy on a good job. But of course, he also compliments himself on being a good teacher!

[edit] James Gets a New Coat

James becomes heavily conceited when he is given a new coat of paint. But he feels so ‘above himself’ that when given the task of helping Percy bring some coal trucks down to the harbour, he spends more time looking at his reflection in the canal that he forgets about the delivery. James then decides to find passengers and engines to show his new coat of paint too. Meanwhile, Percy struggles on without James's help, but the huge amount of trucks, not to mention that they're feeling very troublesome today, makes it very hard, and the Yard Manager is furious. After showing his coat of paint, James then heads to the coaling plant, and to make up for lost time, James has to take an extra load of coal trucks to the docks. James is thrilled; there'll be lots of people to see his coat there. Percy warns him that the trucks will be troublesome, but James doesn't listen.

As James puffs along, the trucks bump and bash each other, and coal dust is sent all over James. When James brakes hard when the trucks drag him down Gordon's Hill, more coal dust flies on him, and when he bumps them, even more dust covers him. It is only now that he starts being seen; Edward, Emily and Thomas pass him. And when he arrives at the docks, Gordon and his passengers are amazed at how filthy he is. James is now in a much less presentable state. However, despite feeling very foolish, he can't help but laugh.

[edit] Thomas Saves the Day

A new station is being built and every morning, Thomas has to take the workmen to the building site, and bring them home. On the way, there is a difficult bend which he has to go around. He doesn't like it, but with Annie and Clarabel's guidance ('slow down and puff with care') he always makes it round the bend. But one day, the Fat Controller tells him that Annie and Clarabel are to be sent for a re-fit, and he must use other coaches. Thomas is very sad. When he goes to pick the workmen up and take them home, he forgets Annie and Clarabel's advice and goes fast to get around the bend quickly, and he ends up coming off the rails. Harvey soon has him back on the rails, but he feels very bad.

As Thomas puffs home, a train of runaway trucks goes straight past him on the other line. They're heading straight for the new station, so Thomas chases after them. He soon overtakes them, but the difficult bend is near. When he arrives, he suddenly remembers Annie and Clarabel's advice, so he slows down, and makes it round safely. He then speeds up, and warns the signalman of the runaway trucks. The trucks are diverted into a siding, and crash into the buffers, but the new station is safe. The next day, Thomas puffs to the Grand Opening of the new station with Annie and Clarabel. As he approaches the difficult bend, he remembers to slow down; it's not difficult any more. The new station looks magnificent, and the Fat Controller thanks Thomas for saving the station; he really is a useful engine!

[edit] Percy's Big Mistake

Percy has a busy schedule to uphold, and one day, when he arrives late at the Docks, the manager goes to have a word with the Fat Controller. Back at the sheds, Percy overhears them, and he hears the Fat Controller say that he'll send Percy to the Scrap yard. The little green engine is very worried.

The next morning, Thomas assures him the Fat Controller would never do such a thing, but to make sure, Percy decides to work extra hard. Unfortunately, Cranky is deliberately slow in loading some pipes, and when they're done, Percy is in such a hurry that they're not tied down properly, and fall off. Later, Percy has to deliver some tar barrels, but goes so fast that he loses control when going down the hill. He ends up being diverted onto the other line, where up ahead, Gordon is waiting at a signal. The trucks crash into him, and Gordon is covered in tar. Percy decides this is one mistake too many and runs away.

Later, the Fat Controller arrives, wanting to speak to Percy. Thomas tells him that he overheard him talking last night, so the Fat Controller sets everyone out to look for Percy. No one can find him, but then Thomas has an idea; Tidmouth Sheds. He is indeed right; Percy is hiding there. The Fat Controller then assures him that he wasn't going to scrap him; he wanted him to take some trucks to the scrap yard. before being put on mail duty for a week; Percy's favorite job! Percy is very pleased, and learns never to jump to conclusions again.

[edit] Thomas, Emily and the Snowplough

Emily tries to offer advice to Thomas to help him work better throughout the day. Unfortunately, she does one time too many, and a furious Thomas, who sees her as being bossy, decides to not listen to Emily in future. The next morning, Thomas has to leave early to deliver trucks from the quarry to the docks. But later, the Fat Controller arrives to tell the engines that they need to have their snowploughs fitted; a heavy fall is on the way. He tells Emily to go and tell Thomas that he wants him to have his snow plough fitted. As soon as Emily's plough is fitted, she goes to find Thomas. She tells Thomas he must wear his snow plough, but Thomas just thinks she's being bossy, so ignores her and steams off.

Later, the heavy snow fall arrives, and Thomas can't get through. His driver goes for help, and soon Emily arrives. Emily is cross with him, and he is cross at her too. Emily takes Thomas back to Tidmouth Sheds, where the Fat Controller tells him off for not listening to him. Thomas didn't know that the Fat Controller had wanted him to have the plough fitted, and feels bad. Emily feels bad for not telling him that, and she owns up. The Fat Controller, amazed at having two engines who don't listen, sends Thomas for his snow plough fitted. Thomas and Emily make their peace, and Thomas decides to listen to Emily in future

[edit] Don't Tell Thomas

It's winter time, and Thomas has been working hard to clear the lines of snow. The other engines have been grateful of Thomas's help, and as Christmas is approaching, they decide to thank Thomas for his hard work. One day, as Thomas arrives at the station, he hears Harold whisper to Toby, 'Don't Tell Thomas about the surprise.' They both leave before Thomas can ask, and he feels left out. Later, he comes across Percy with trucks full of presents, but he leaves too so that he doesn't spoil the surprise. He then comes across Emily with a load covered up by a tarpaulin (a tree), and when she puffs off, Thomas quietly follows her, but she is diverted onto a different line, so he has to go straight ahead.

Later, Thomas overhears the engines talking at the sheds, and they stop just as he arrives. Thomas, feeling very left out, decides he doesn't want to know, so steams away. At last, the surprise is ready, but no one can find Thomas. At last, Harold finds him in a siding, and he tells Thomas that the surprise is ready, and they weren't leaving him out. Thomas puffs to the station to collect the children, and takes them to a village station, and he sees his surprise; a huge Christmas Tree, covered with lights and bourbels, and with lots of presents underneath. Thomas is even given some tinsel. He is very happy, and decides it's the best surprise he's ever had!

[edit] Emily's New Route

Emily is very excited when she is given the flour mill run. James, meanwhile, has been given the Black Loch run; there's boulders on the tracks, and a monster supposedly resides in the lake. When he tells Emily about it, she's glad she's not doing the Black Loch run. On her first flour run, the trucks hold her back, making her late, and angering the Fat Controller, who tells her she'll do the Black Loch Run if she's late again. But the next day, she leaves too soon, and only takes half the flour. When she realizes, she heads back to the flour mill. But the trucks tease her, and she is so cross that she bumps them too hard, sending them into a muddy ditch, and sending flour everywhere. That night, the Fat Controller tells Emily that now, she'll take over the Black Loch run. Emily is scared, but Thomas tells her it might not be that bad.

The next morning, Emily sets off with her passengers. She is soon going well, but when she arrives, a rockslide occurs in front of her, and she has to wait. Whilst she is waiting, she sees something moving in the water. Emily is frightened, and is about to steam back when she remembers the passengers; she can't let them down. Suddenly, the water settles, and Emily sees what was moving in the water; a family of seals. She is very relieved. Soon the line is clear, and she continues her journey. But that night, she returns to Black Loch with Thomas to see the seals; the route isn't so bad after all!

[edit] Spic and Span

The Railway Inspector is paying a visit to the Island, and the Fat Controller tells the engines that he's going to give a rosette to the cleanest engine. Gordon, James and Emily are certain that they're going to win, but Thomas assures Percy that a really useful engine can look as grand as any engine. Later, at the quarry, stone pours from the chute all over Thomas. He puffs to the washdown, but Emily is already there being cleaned, so he goes back to work. When Thomas and Percy arrive at the docks, Thomas sees the railway inspector, and steams away to get cleaned before he sees him. However, James is at the washdown now, so Thomas steams back to work. After shunting all the trucks, both Percy and Thomas are very dirty, so they head to the washdown, only to see Gordon has just been cleaned. When James and Emily arrive, Thomas admits defeat; they'll never look as grand as the big engines, so they may as well not go to the inspection. However, Percy assures him otherwise, and they go to get cleaned.

Meanwhile, at the coaling plant, the big engines are waiting for the inspector when James knocks a truck into a lever. Suddenly, coal pours out from the chute, sending a huge cloud of coal dust over the big engines. Just then, the inspector arrives, amazed at how dirty the engines are. But when Thomas and Percy arrive, shiny and clean, the inspectors mood improves, and he awards the rosettes to them. As Thomas said, a really useful engine can look as grand as any engine!

[edit] Thomas and the Circus

The circus is coming to Sodor, and the Fat Controller chooses Thomas to pull the circus train, but to share the load if it's too heavy for him. Thomas arrives at the docks, and is amazed to see how great the train looks. It takes a huge effort to get the train moving, but the sound of the band playing and everyone cheering makes Thomas think this is the most wonderful special ever. He is soon making good progress, but is having so much fun that he tells Percy he doesn't need any help to keep the train to himself, which saddens Percy. Soon, Thomas starts to struggle, but he still wants to keep the train to himself, so tells James he doesn't need help. But soon, the strain is too much and Thomas's side rods break. Thomas feels bad for not sharing the load, and when Percy and James arrive with new traction rods (and hay for the horses), Thomas apologises for not sharing earlier, but they don't mind; now they can all share. And so the train is divided into three, and the engines continue the journey to the showground. As they watch the big tent being put up, Thomas decides that sharing the load is the best fun of all!

[edit] Thomas Gets It Right

After a storm, the engines are all asked to help with the clean up. They all want to be really useful and see who can make the most deliveries. Thomas is sent to meet Farmer McColl at Maron station. He has several eggs which need delivering around the island. However, Farmer McColl wants to make sure his eggs are delivered safely, so he decides to travel in Thomas's cab to make sure he goes slow and steady. Thomas is sad; he wants to go fast and get as many deliveries done as possible. When he stops at Maithwaite station to deliver some eggs, he sees James, who has just made his third delivery, and boasts about it, making Thomas sad. He soon comes across Toby, who has also made more deliveries than him. Thomas decides to try and be fast and careful, but he isn't being careful at all, and some eggs fall and break. Farmer McColl orders him to stop; he is very cross, and Thomas now feels bad. Fortunately, only a few eggs are broken, and Thomas continues his journey very slowly. He realizes that going slow can be just as important as going fast. That night, the Fat Controller congratulates the engines on their splendid efforts. Thomas tells him he only made one delivery and broke some eggs, but the Fat Controller doesn't mind; most eggs were delivered safely, and he ate the broken ones for tea!

[edit] As Good as Gordon

Gordon is to take the new Mayor of Sodor on a tour of the island, and Emily will take his express for him. Gordon boasts that she'll never be as fast as him; he can make it across the island 'twice by teatime.' Emily sets out determined to be as good as Gordon. When she arrives at Knapford, she pulls away too soon, and leaves the brake coach behind. Emily makes it across the island once in good time, but it's the return journey that causes problems. First, she has to wait for Edward at a crossing, and she whistles impatiently for him to go faster. Then at Maithwaite, she has to wait for Bertie, but he's running late due to a delay with a flat tyre. Emily knows she has to be as good as Gordon, so decides to go on, but just as she leaves, Bertie arrives. Next, she has to take on water, but as James is at the water tower, she orders him to move. James tells her to wait her turn, but Emily feels too important to wait, so she continues on. However, as she approaches the Docks (her last stop), she comes to a complete stop; she's run out of water. The Fat Controller arrives on James, and tells her that she must learn to be more patient. James takes the express the rest of the way, so the Fat Controller needs to find an engine to take the slow goods in his place. Emily volunteers, and the Fat Controller agrees. So once she fills up with water and coal, she collects the goods train, and this time, she shows much more patience.

[edit] Fish

The fishermen are celebrating their biggest catch of fish ever, and Thomas is sent to the fishing village to help Arthur take the fish trucks to the docks. Thomas isn't pleased; he really dislikes fish. When he arrives, Arthur warns Thomas that the route they are taking is old and bumpy, so he must go slowly and only take five trucks at a time. But Thomas wants to get this smelly job over and done with, so he takes all the trucks at once. But when he reaches the top of Gordon's Hill, the heavy trucks drag him down the other side, and they crash into Salty (who's waiting at a signal), sending fish everywhere. Harvey arrives to clear the mess, and the Fat Controller tells Thomas that he must take more care in future. So once the tracks are clear, Thomas collects five trucks, and steams off with them. As there's less trucks, Thomas manages to have better control of them, and they cause less trouble for him. After several trips, Thomas manages to deliver all of the fish just before the ship leaves. The Fat Controller praises Thomas for his efforts, but Thomas has somewhere he has to go...the washdown to hose the smell of fish off his boiler!

[edit] Halloween

The engines always like Halloween; they love seeing the children in their Halloween costumes, and hearing ghostly tales of ghost engines that haunts the scrapyards and the smelters and conquer Sodor. However, as night approaches, The Fat Controller asks Thomas and Emily to collect some iron from the smelters and watch out for ghosts. Percy worries for his friends and remember the times that Thomas did got scared, as the smelters is a very scary place, but Thomas and Emily aren't worried, and they puff confidently on their way. But when they approach the smelters yard, smoke swirls around the scrap iron outside, making everything look very spooky. 'Arry and Bert don't make things easier for the two engines; they make ghostly sounds, and bump trucks to frighten them. Thomas and Emily puff bravely into the smelter shed. Whilst being turned around on a turntable, Emily didn't notice a huge white tarpaulin, it fell on covering her from funnel to footplate. Believing that the Ghost Engine has got her, Emily's driver was so scared that he pull against the brakes and Emily puffs quickly away as fast as her pistons can pump. And when Thomas, 'Arry and Bert see her, they think she is the Ghost Engine, and race away too. The engines all race the way to Tidmouth Sheds, and as they arrive, the wind blows the tarpaulin off Emily and onto the tracks. The engines didn't feel scared anymore but they did feel foolish, and even more so when The Fat Controller arrives. However, 'Arry and Bert own up to the tricks they played, and The Fat Controller crossly sends them back to the smelters to collect the iron. When Thomas and Emily go back, they realize that there's nothing to be scared of; ghosts are just silly and make believe!

[edit] Chickens to School

After a late night, Thomas looks forward to getting back to the sheds for a rest. But when the Fat Controller arrives with three jobs to do, Thomas wants to be useful, and volunteers. The jobs are to take sheep to the farm, chickens to the market, and children to the school. However, Thomas foolishly takes Gordon's advice that 'really useful engines don't need help!' He collects all three trains, but his lack of sleep starts to catch up on him. However, he still doesn't accept help, and ends up in a great muddle; he delivers the sheep to the market (where they eat the vegetables), children to the farm (where they dirty their uniforms), and chickens to the school (where they cause great chaos)!

Thomas arrives back at the sheds, looking forward to his rest, when the Fat Controller arrives and tells him of the muddle he's caused. Thomas feels bad, but the Fat Controller tells him that he can sort the mess out with some help from his friends. Thomas tells him about what Gordon had said, but Edward points out that he's always helping Gordon, making Gordon very embarrassed. Soon, Thomas, Edward and Percy have the right trains delivered to the right places, and that night, when Thomas finally gets some much needed sleep, he dreams of chickens, sheep and children!

[edit] Notes

  • No characters are introduced in this season, as this season saw a focus on the "Steam Team" for the first time (The "Steam Team" consists of Thomas, Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Percy, Toby and Emily).
  • The stations are now referred to by their names, including Knapford Station, previously known as The Big Station.
  • This season features the final appearance of Murdoch, Arthur and Elizabeth (to date).
  • Digital Cameras are now fully used.
  • The engines now wear a new set of faces.
  • Only season (since their debuts) in which Bill, Ben and the Narrow Gauge engines are absent.
  • Two episodes, Thomas Saves the Day and Fish, are also the titles of previous episodes from Season 1 and Season 4, respectively. (NOTE: "Thomas Saves The Day" was the American title for the episode Thomas and the Breakdown Train in Season 1)
  • Sodor seems to have settled down in terms of land and infrastructure growth. It appears to now only have several main locations, rather than a bunch of reappearing and disappearing ones in previous seasons.

[edit] Featured Characters


The world of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends
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Book series: The Railway Series
TV Series: Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends
Series particulars
List of Railway Series Books
TV Series Seasons: 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10
Movie and spin-off releases: Thomas and the Magic Railroad • Calling All Engines • On Site with Thomas
Characters
Thomas • Edward • Henry • Gordon • James • Percy • Toby • Duck • Donald and Douglas • Emily
The Fat Controller • Bertie • Terence • Trevor • Harold

The Railway Series: Major characters • Minor characters • Unfeatured characters
TV Series: Major characters • Minor Characters • Rolling Stock • Non-rail vehicles • People & animals
Movies: Movie-only characters
Locations
Island of Sodor
Railways: North Western • Skarloey • Arlesdale • Culdee Fell • Mid Sodor • Sodor & Mainland • "Other"

Other locations - The Railway Series • TV Series
Significant people and organisations
Rev. W.V. Awdry (series creator) • Christopher Awdry
Britt Allcroft • Gullane Entertainment • HIT Entertainment
Other relevant pages
WikiProject Thomas
The Railway Stories (audiobooks) • Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends merchandise • Video releases
Shining Time Station • TUGS
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