Thomas and the Circus

"Sharing your work makes things much easier, but sharing the fun is the best fun of all!"

- Thomas after sharing his load

Thomas and the Circus is the sixteenth (fourteenth in Australia) episode of the eighth season.

Plot
Thomas is told to take the circus train and to share the load with another engine because of its weight, but Thomas is so excited to be pulling the train that he wants the glory all to himself, and turns down offers of help from Salty, Percy and James. This turns out to be a bad decision when Thomas' siderods break from the strain. Luckily, Percy and James come to help and the three deliver the circus to the grounds on time.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * James
 * Percy
 * Salty
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Annie and Clarabel (do not speak)
 * Cranky (does not speak)
 * Kuffy the Clown (not named; does not speak)
 * Edward (cameo)
 * Henry (cameo)
 * Gordon (cameo)
 * Emily (cameo)
 * Caroline (cameo)
 * Stephen Hatt (cameo)
 * Bridget Hatt (cameo)
 * Jeremiah Jobling (cameo)
 * Refreshment Lady (cameo)
 * Sodor Brass Band (cameo)

Locations

 * Tidmouth Sheds
 * Brendam Docks
 * Sodor Shipping Company
 * Maron
 * Kirk Ronan Junction
 * Wellsworth
 * Gordon's Hill
 * Maithwaite
 * The Windmill
 * The School

Trivia

 * Stock footage from Percy's Big Mistake is used.
 * The music video for Pride shows a deleted scene of Salty pulling Annie and Clarabel at Brendam Docks.
 * Going by production order, this is the fourteenth episode of the eighth season.
 * This episode marks Caroline's first appearance since the fifth season.
 * A faceless Toad is used as the brakevan.

Goofs

 * A wire is visible underneath Thomas when he is repaired and puffs away.
 * The sound of Thomas' traction rods breaking happens long before they do on screen.
 * When James is pushing the brakevan he is pushing it slightly up off the rails.
 * Bridget and Stephen Hatt are seen as two of the children on the bridge waving to Thomas, but they were just seen at Maron station in the previous scene.
 * In the overhead shot of Thomas passing through Maron, the line ahead is leading to bushes.

Merchandise

 * Books - Thomas and the Circus and Thomas Gives the Circus (China only)
 * Capsule Plarail - the Clowns

Home Media Releases
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UK

 * Peep! Peep! Hurray! Three Cheers for Thomas
 * The Complete Eighth Series
 * Party Time! Children's Favourites

DVD Boxsets

 * 5 Adventurous DVDs
 * Classic Collection
 * Triple Pack
 * The Ultimate Collection

US

 * Thomas' Sodor Celebration!

DVD Boxsets

 * Fun Pack
 * Celebrate with Thomas
 * 60th Anniversary DVD
 * Steamies vs. Diesels and Other Thomas Adventures/Thomas' Sodor Celebration!

AUS

 * Peep! Peep! Hurray! Three Cheers for Thomas
 * The Complete Eighth Series
 * It's Party Time!

DVD Boxsets

 * Complete Series 1-10
 * 60th Anniversary - Limited Edition Boxset
 * The Essential Collection (5 DVD Boxset)

IDN

 * You Can Do It, Toby! and other stories

GER

 * Powerful Locomotives Traveling

SPN

 * Thomas and Friends - Volume 3 (Spanish DVD)

FIN/DEN/NOR/SWE

 * Thomas Saves the Day/Thomas the Hero

MYS

 * Percy and the Magic Carpet and Other Adventures
 * Spic and Span and Other Adventures
 * Tooty Holiday Compilation

POL

 * Thomas and Circus

HUN

 * Thomas the Tank Engine 3 - Thomas and the Circus

DVD Boxsets

 * Thomas the Tank Engine & Gift Keys extension box

THA

 * Thomas and Friends - Volume 36 (Thai DVD)

ROM

 * Beep! Beep! Hooray!
 * Thomas and Friends - Vol. 3 (Romanian DVD)

DVD Packs

 * Triple Pack 3
 * Six DVD Set

JPN

 * Thomas the Tank Engine Series 8 Vol.6

TWN
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 * Thomas and Friends Volume 21 (Taiwanese DVD)