Thomas the Tank Engine / Thomas and Friends Thomas the Tank Engine began as an 80’s Children’s TV show which was adapted from a series of books. These books didn't centre on Thomas, but instead covered a multitude of engines and their lives. Over time Thomas became more popular and became the lead engine. Thomas and his friends were created by the Reverend W. Awdry. When he retired his son Christopher continued to write the stories. Between then over 40 books were created. In 1984 the stories were adapted for television by the award-winning producer Britt Allcroft. The TV stories have been narrated (in the UK) by Ringo Starr and Michael Angelis. It was first broadcast on TV in 1984 and is shot in a 'live action animation' style. The show is shot in a 'live action animation' style. This means that the whole set is one massive train set, where the camera films the engines moving along. All that is changed is the facial expressions of the engines and the position of the people in it (none of the people are ever animated). Later the programme was renamed 'Thomas and Friends'. Here they slightly changed the format by introducing some computer generated fillers between the stories (some educational). Also the classic Thomas the Tank Engine tune was replaced by a song whose lyrics covered a number of his friends.      Story   The island of Sodor is a lovely picturesque place that is lush in greenery and has a a great rail network which uses steam trains. Unlike most steam trains, these ones have faces and their own personalities. They all want to be the best for the Fat Controller, who runs the railway. Most of the trains come back to Tidmouth Sheds in the evening to rest for the next day. Thomas is a cheeky, fussy little Engine who works for The Fat Controller on the beautiful Island of Sodor. He often gets into scrapes, usually by being over-eager to do things best left to bigger and more sensible engines.  However, clouds never last long in Thomas's life, and he's soon bustling about again in the Station Yard or on his very own branch line, of which he is extremely proud. Thomas the Tank Engine / Thomas and Friends Characters      Thomas He is a tank engine. He is probably one of the most considerate engines that you could meet, but every once in a while he becomes over eager which results in consequences. So when things start to go wrong he says 'Cinders and Ashes'. Once Emily kept bossing him around, which made Thomas more and more upset about it, so he decided the best course of action was to ignore her. But this plan backfired when one of the things she had said was to put on his snow plough. So when he got stuck in the snow, he wished he had listened to her.     The Fat Controller He likes to say 'confusion and delay'. His real name is Sir Toppan Hat and he is in charge of the rail network on Sodor. He likes his engines to be really useful and if certain ones are not pulling their weight, then he has a stern chat with them, to get them going again. I wonder if he has been threatened in the past, as he is always flanked by two other railway employees everywhere he goes.     James He is a rather cocky engine and likes to boast that he is the most really useful engine. This can infuriate the others, but normally he gets his comeuppance. He doesn't like to do the Black Loch Run as there are boulders on the line, which can scratch his buffers and paint. But most of all he is scared of the monster that lives in the loch. He is engine number 5.     Emily She is a Scottish engine, but she can come across as arrogant and bossy. This was evident when she kept telling off Thomas whenever she saw him and told him what he should do instead. She didn't mean to upset Thomas, she thought she was being helpful. It was only later when she realised that she should be more tactful.     Trucks They are always being troublesome. Thomas the Tank Engine - The Railway Thomas the Tank Engine - Thomas Thomas and Friends T-Shirts - NONE Thomas and Friends DVDs Region 2 (Europe) - Thomas and Friends DVDs Region 1 (USA) - Thomas and Friends DVDs Thomas and Friends Video Thomas the Tank Engine -
Thomas and Friends Episodes Series 1 (1984)  1. Thomas & Gordon  2. Edward & Gordon  3. The Sad Story Of Henry  4. Edward, Gordon & Henry  5. Thomas' Train  6. Thomas & The Trucks  7. Thomas & The Breakdown Train  8. James & The Coaches  9. Troublesome Trucks  10. James & The Express  11. Thomas & The Guard  12. Thomas Goes Fishing  13. Thomas, Terence & The Snow  14. Thomas & Bertie  15. Tenders & Turntables  16. Trouble In The Shed  17. Percy Runs Away  18. Coal  19. The Flying Kipper  20. Whistles & Sneezes  21. Toby & The Stout Gentleman  22. Thomas In Trouble  23. Dirty Objects  24. Off The Rails  25. Down The Mine  26. Thomas' Christmas Party   Series 2 (1986)   1. Thomas, Percy & The Coal  2. Cows  3. Bertie's Chase  4. Saved From Scrap  5. Old Iron  6. Thomas & Trevor  7. Percy & The Signal  8. Duck Takes Charge  9. Percy & Harold  10. The Runaway  11. Percy Takes The Plunge  12. Pop Goes The Diesel  13. Dirty Work  14. A Close Shave  15. Better Late Than Never  16. Break Van  17. The Deputation  18. Thomas Comes To Breakfast  19. Daisy  20. Percy's Predicament  21. The Diseasel  22. Wrong Road  23. Edward's Exploit  24. Ghost Train  25. Woolly Bear  26. Thomas & The Missing Christmas Tree   Series 3 (1991)    1. A Scarf For Percy  2. Percy's Promise  3. Time For Trouble  4. Thomas Gets Bumped  5. Gordon & The Famous Visitor  6. Donald's Duck  7. Thomas, Percy & The Dragon  8. Diesel Does It Again  9. Henry's Forest  10. The Trouble With Mud  11. No Joke For James  12. Thomas, Percy & The Post Train  13. Trust Thomas  14. Mavis  15. Toby's Tightrope  16. Edward, Trevor & The Really Useful           Party  17. Buzz, Buzz  18. All At Sea  19. One Good Turn  20. Tender Engines  21. Escape!  22. Oliver Owns Up  23. Bulgy  24. Heroes  25. Percy, James & The Fruitful Day  26. Thomas & Percy's Christmas Adventure   Series 4 (1995)   1. Granpuff  2. Bulldog  3. You Can't Win  4. Sleeping Beauty  5. Four Little Engines  6. A Bad Day For Sir Handel  7. Peter Sam & The Refreshment Lady  8. Trucks  9. Home At Last  10. Rock 'n' Roll  11. Special Funnel  12. Steamroller  13. Passengers & Polish  14. Gallant Old Engine  15. Rusty To The Rescue  16. Thomas & Stepney  17. Train Stops Play  18. Bowled Out  19. Henry & The Elephant  20. Toad Stands By  21. Bullseyes  22. Thomas & The Special Letter  23. Paint Pots & Queens  24. Fish  25. Special Attraction  26. Mind That Bike   Series 5 (1998)   1. Cranky Bugs  2. Horrid Lorry  3. A Better View For Gordon  4. Lady Hatt's Birthday Party  5. James & The Trouble With Trees  6. Gordon & The Gremlin  7. Bye George!  8. Baa!  9. Put Upon Percy  10. Toby & The Flood  11. Haunted Henry  12. Double Teething Troubles  13. Stepney Gets Lost  14. Toby's Discovery  15. Something In The Air  16. Thomas, Percy & Old Slow Coach  17. Thomas & The Rumours  18. Oliver's Find  19. Happy Ever After  20. Sir Topham Hatt's Holiday  21. A Surprise For Percy  22. Make Someone Happy  23. Busy Going Backwards  24. Duncan Gets Spooked  25. Snow  26. Rusty & The Boulder   Series 6 (2002)   1. No Sleep For Cranky  2. Salty's Secret  3. Harvey To The Rescue  4. A Bad Day For Harold The Helicopter  5. Elizabeth The Vintage Lorry  6. The Fogman  7. Jack Jumps In  8. A Friend In Need  9. It's Only Snow  10. Twin Trouble  11. The World's Strongest Engine  12. Scaredy Engines  13. Percy & The Haunted Mine  14. Middle Engine  15. James & The Red Balloon  16. Jack Frost  17. Gordon Takes A Tumble  18. Percy's Chocolate Crunch  19. Buffer Bother  20. Toby Had A Little Lamb  21. Thomas, Percy & The Squeak  22. Thomas The Jet Engine  23. Edward The Very Useful Engine  24. Dunkin' Duncan  25. Rusty Saves The Day  26. Faulty Whistles   Series 7 (2003)    1. Emily's New Coaches  2. Percy Gets It Right  3. Bill, Ben & Fergus  4. The Old Bridge  5. Edward's Brass Band  6. What's The Matter With Henry?  7. James & The Queen Of Sodor  8. The Refreshment Lady's Tea Shop  9. The Spotless Record  10. Toby's Windmill  11. Bad Day At Castle Loch  12. Rheneas & The Roller Coaster  13. Salty's Stormy Tale  14. Snow Engine  15. Something Fishy  16. The Runaway Elephant  17. Peace & Quiet  18. Fergus Breaks The Rules  19. Bulgy Rides Again  20. Harold & The Flying Horse  21. The Grand Opening  22. Best Dressed Engine  23. Gordon & Spencer  24. Not So Hasty Puddings  25. Trusty Rusty  26. Three Cheers For Thomas   Series 8 (2004) 1. Thomas & The Tuba 2. Percy's New Whistle 3. Thomas To The Rescue 4. Henry & The Wishing Tree 5. James Gets A New Coat 6. Thomas Saves The Day 7. Percy's Big Mistake 8. Thomas, Emily & The Snowplough 9. Don't Tell Thomas 10. Emily's New Route 11. Thomas & The Firework Display 12. Gordon Takes Charge 13. Spic & Span 14. Edward The Great 15. Squeak, Rattle & Roll 16. Thomas & The Circus 17. Thomas Gets It Right 18. As Good As Gordon 19. Fish 20. Emily's Adventure 21. Halloween 22. You Can Do It, Toby! 23. James Goes Too Far 24. Chickens To School 25. Too Hot For Thomas 26. Percy & The Magic Carpet Series 9 (2005) 1. Percy & The Oil Painting 2. Thomas & The Rainbow 3. Thomas's Milkshake Muddle 4. Mighty Mac 5. Molly's Special Special 6. Respect For Gordon 7. Thomas & The Birthday Picnic 8. Tuneful Toots 9. Thomas & The Toy Shop 10. Rheneas & The Dinosaur 11. Thomas & The New Engine 12. Toby Feels Left Out 13. Thomas Tries His Best 14. The Magic Lamp 15. Thomas & The Statue 16. Henry & The Flagpole 17. Emily Knows Best 18. Thomas's Day Off 19. Thomas's New Trucks 20. Duncan & The Old Mine 21. Bold & Brave 22. Skarloey The Brave 23. Saving Edward 24. Thomas & The Golden Eagle 25. Keeping Up With James 26. Flour Power Series 10 (2006) 1. Follow That Flour 2. A Smooth Ride 3. Thomas & The Jet Plane 4. Percy & The Funfair 5. The Green Controller 6. Duncan Drops A Clanger 7. Thomas' Tricky Tree 8. Toby's Afternoon Off 9. It's Good To Be Gordon 10. Seeing The Sights 11. Fearless Freddie 12. Toby's New Shed 13. Big Strong Henry 14. Sticky Toffee Thomas 15. Which Way Now? 16. Thomas & The Shooting Star 17. Edward Strikes Out 18. Topped Off Thomas 19. Wharf & Peace 20. Thomas' Frosty Friend 21. Emily & The Special Coaches 22. Thomas & The Colours 23. Thomas & The Birthday Mail 24. Duncan's Bluff 25. Missing Trucks 26. Thomas & The Treasure 27. James The Second Best 28. Thomas & Skarloey's Big Day Out Series 11 (2007) 1. Thomas & The Storyteller 2. Emily's Rubbish 3. Dream On 4. Dirty Work 5. Hector The Horrid! 6. Gordon & The Engineer 7. Thomas & The Spaceship 8. Henry's Lucky Day 9. Thomas & The Lighthouse 10. Thomas & The Big Bang 11. Smoke & Mirrors 12. Thomas Sets Sail 13. Don't Be Silly, Billy 14. Edward & The Mail 15. Hide & Peep 16. Toby's Triumph 17. Thomas & The Runaway Car 18. Thomas In Trouble 19. Thomas & The Stinky Cheese 20. Percy & The Left Luggage 21. Duncan Does It All 22. Sir Handel In Charge 23. Cool Truckings 24. Ding-A-Ling 25. Skarloey Storms Through 26. Wash Behind Your Buffers Series 12 (2008) 1. Thomas and the Billboard 2. Steady Eddie 3. Rosie's Funfair Special 4. Mountain Marvel 5. Henry Gets It Wrong 6. Heave-Ho Thomas! 7. Toby's Special Surprise 8. Excellent Emily 9. The Surprise Party 10. Saved You 11. Duncan and the Hot Air Balloon 12. James Works It Out 13. Tram Trouble 14. Don't Go Back 15. Gordon Takes A Shortcut 16. The Man In The Hills 17. Thomas Puts The Brakes On 18. Percy and the Bandstand 19. Push Me Pull You 20. Best Friends   Films   1. Thomas & The Magic Railroad (2000) Specials 1. Calling All Engines! (2005) 2. Thomas and the Great Discovery (2008) 3. Hero of the Rails (2009) Thomas and Friends Images (click to enlarge) Thomas the Tank Engine - The Fat Controller Thomas the Tank Engine - James Thomas the Tank Engine - Emily Thomas the Tank Engine - Trucks Thomas the Tank Engine - Singing Carols Thomas the Tank Engine - Time For Presents Thomas the Tank Engine - Harold Flies In Thomas the Tank Engine - Harold Zooms By Thomas the Tank Engine - Titles 2 Thomas the Tank Engine - The Engine Sheds Thomas the Tank Engine - Christmas Cheers Thomas the Tank Engine - Trouble Stopping Thomas the Tank Engine - A Happy Thoms Thomas the Tank Engine - Christmas Time Thomas the Tank Engine - James Ploughs On Thomas the Tank Engine - Trouble Ahead Thomas the Tank Engine - Titles Thomas the Tank Engine - A Race Thomas the Tank Engine - Neck And Neck Thomas the Tank Engine - The Island Of Sodor Thomas and Friends Merchandise Toys (Europe) - Thomas and Friends Toys Toys (USA) - Thomas and Friends Toys Books (Europe) - Thomas and Friends Books Books (USA) - Thomas and Friends Books Posters (Europe) - Thomas and Friends Posters Posters (USA) - Thomas and Friends Posters © JedisParadise.com
Bookmark and Share
Thomas The Tank Engine DVDs Toys & Gifts T-Shirts Bargain DVDs