The Great Race

The Great Race is the 2016 special.

Description
Thomas wants to go to the Great Railway Show, but the big engines only laugh at him. They say he's not strong or big enough to compete from the best around the world, but Thomas is determined to find a way. First, he tries to get himself streamlined, but the Fat Controller decides that it would better be suited for Gordon. Then, he tries to get himself repainted like a brightly coloured engine named Ashima, from India. His plans go horribly wrong. Thomas learns how to be himself when he finally discovers a way to compete. Thomas nearly gets to the show when Diesel threatens his chance once again.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Henry
 * Gordon
 * James
 * Percy
 * Duck
 * Donald and Douglas
 * Oliver
 * Bill and Ben
 * Flying Scotsman
 * Emily
 * Spencer
 * Hiro
 * Stephen
 * Connor
 * Caitlin
 * Porter
 * Winston
 * Victor
 * Diesel
 * Salty
 * Dart
 * Den
 * Paxton
 * Sidney
 * Philip
 * The Three Diesel Shunters
 * Annie and Clarabel
 * Harold
 * Cranky
 * Kevin
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * The Docks Manager

Characters Introduced

 * Ashima
 * Vinnie
 * Frieda
 * Gina
 * Ivan
 * Raul
 * Yong Bao
 * Axel
 * Carlos
 * Shane
 * Etienne
 * Rajiv

Edward, Toby and Daisy are also likely to appear.

Locations

 * Island of Sodor
 * The Mainland
 * Brendam Docks
 * Knapford Yards
 * Sodor Dieselworks
 * Sodor Steamworks
 * Sodor Suspension Bridge
 * Shunting Yards
 * Vicarstown
 * Vicarstown Bridge

UK and AUS

 * Mark Moraghan as the Narrator
 * John Hasler as Thomas
 * Keith Wickham as Henry, Gordon, James, Den, Harold and Sir Topham Hatt
 * Nigel Pilkington as Percy
 * Teresa Gallagher as Emily, Annie and Clarabel
 * Matt Wilkinson as Spencer and Winston
 * Jonathan Broadbent as Bill and Ben
 * Kerry Shale as Diesel
 * Steven Kynman as Duck, Paxton and Dart
 * Rasmus Hardiker as Philip
 * Joe Mills as Donald and Douglas
 * Bob Golding as Stephen and Sidney
 * Tina Desai as Ashima
 * Rob Rackstraw as Axel and the Race Announcer
 * Robert Wilfort as a Judge
 * William Hope as the Docks Manager

US

 * Mark Moraghan as the Narrator
 * Joseph May as Thomas
 * Kerry Shale as Henry, Gordon, Diesel and Harold
 * Rob Rackstraw as James, Axel and the Race Announcer
 * Christopher Ragland as Percy
 * Glenn Wrage as Spencer
 * Matt Wilkinson as Winston
 * Jonathan Broadbent as Bill and Ben
 * Keith Wickham as Den and Sir Topham Hatt
 * Steven Kynman as Duck, Paxton and Dart
 * Rasmus Hardiker as Philip
 * Joe Mills as Donald and Douglas
 * Bob Golding as Stephen and Sidney
 * Teresa Gallagher as Annie and Clarabel
 * Tina Desai as Ashima
 * Robert Wilfort as a Judge
 * William Hope as the Docks Manager

Bonus Features

 * Four new songs

Trivia

 * This special will be shown in select UK cinemas beinging on May 21st.
 * This special will introduce the most new characters to date, at a total of twelve.
 * This special will be released in the same year Flying Scotsman returned to service in real-life.
 * Tina Desai joins the voice cast.
 * This special marks the first of a few things:
 * The first full appearance of Flying Scotsman in the television series, and his first appearance since the third season.
 * The first appearance of Vicarstown station in the television series.

Merchandise
{{Scroll box|

Wooden Railway

 * Ashima
 * Gina
 * Vinnie
 * Frieda
 * Vicarstown Station
 * Race Day Relay set
 * Diesels in Disguise Pack

Take-n-Play

 * Ashima
 * Ivan
 * Raul
 * Racing Vinnie
 * Shooting Star Gordon
 * Streamlined Thomas

TrackMaster

 * Thomas' Sky High Bridge Jump Playset
 * Thomas and Percy's Railway Race set
 * Flying Scotsman
 * Shooting Star Gordon
 * Trophy Thomas}}