Thomas and the Firework Display

"The Fat Controller chose me because I'm as red as a rocket and twice as grand!"

- James

Thomas and the Firework Display is the eleventh episode of the eighth season.

Plot
Thomas is upset when James gets to deliver the fireworks for a firework display, but when James breaks down Thomas goes to the rescue. The two come across a red signal and realise Gordon is pulling the children home from the canceled display, but Thomas' driver sets off a firework to warn Gordon that the display is on again.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * James
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Gordon (does not speak)
 * Annie and Clarabel (cameo)
 * Stephen Hatt (cameo)
 * Bridget Hatt (cameo)
 * Jem Cole (cameo)
 * Farmer Trotter (cameo)
 * Nancy (cameo)

Locations

 * Tidmouth Sheds
 * Knapford
 * The Coaling Plant
 * The Watermill (deleted scene)

Trivia

 * Stock footage from Thomas and the Rumours is used.
 * On the PBS Kids Broadcast this episode is called "Thomas and the Fireworks Display".
 * In Germany, Norway, Hungary, Denmark, and Sweden, this episode is named "Thomas and the Fireworks". In Japan, it is called "Thomas and the Firework Navigation". In Poland this episode is called "Thomas and Fireworks".
 * In the All Aboard with the Steam Team DVD narration and the Nick Jr broadcasts, the timing of when James says, "Why would the signal be red?" is a few seconds earlier than in The Complete Eighth Series DVD and other UK television broadcasts.
 * Going by production order, this is the first episode of the eighth season.
 * This episode marks Nancy's last appearance to date.

Goofs

 * If James was returning to Knapford, Thomas should have seen him from the opposite direction, not from behind.
 * The trucks should have derailed at the force that Thomas was biffing them crossly when shunting.
 * Surely a signalman would have heard Thomas and James if they were waiting at a red signal.
 * No explanation is given as to why James broke down.
 * When the driver lights the rocket, there is a thin wire used to pull the rocket.
 * Why would Sir Topham Hatt care about the children's bedtime when he runs a railway, and organised the firework display?
 * In all of the night shots, light can be seen coming from the back of Thomas' headlight.

Merchandise

 * Books - Thomas and the Firework Display
 * Take-Along - Fireworks Car (discontinued)
 * TrackMaster - Carnival Fun (with ring-a-bottle truck and elephant truck; discontinued)