James and the Red Balloon

"Why, 'tis a floatin' basket with folk in it." "Whatever will they dream up next?"

- Donald and Douglas

James and the Red Balloon is the fifteenth episode of the sixth season.

Plot
It's summer holiday time on the Island of Sodor and the holidaymakers are coming to visit the Island. Thomas picks up a special to take to Dryaw Airfield, Thomas tells Percy he's taking a balloon, and Percy thinks it's a party balloon, but Thomas corrects him and says that it's a special balloon and chuffs away.

Thomas arrives at the airfield and the hot air balloon is starting to blow. James arrives and Thomas explains that the balloon is for taking holidaymakers around the island, but James is jealous because taking holidaymakers is a job for engines. He asks what will happen if the balloon takes their passengers and what will become of them. After hearing this, Thomas isn't excited about the balloon anymore. The balloon can be seen from everyone on the Island.

Later that day, Thomas and James are waiting at a crossing talking about the hot air balloon, until the hot air balloon falls on top of James after it runs out of hot air. James, petrified, lets off a huge burst of steam, which invariably blows the balloon up again. His driver cheers for him, but Thomas and James are upset that it would eventually take their passengers.

James arrives at Dryaw where a lot of visitors and the Fat Controller are waiting. He praises him, but James tells him that the balloon will take their passengers. The Fat Controller laughs saying that he's right, but also reminds him that the holidaymakers will need a ride home in a train. James is relieved, as the engines are now busier than ever taking vacations to and from the airfield for balloon rides. Whenever James sees the red balloon, he whistles hello, and sometimes when he's asleep, he wishes he could fly to, just like the red balloon.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * James
 * Percy
 * Donald and Douglas
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Duck (does not speak)
 * Stepney (does not speak)
 * Henry (cameo)
 * Annie and Clarabel (cameo)
 * Bertie (cameo)
 * George (cameo)
 * Butch (cameo)
 * Tiger Moth (cameo)
 * Stephen Hatt (cameo)
 * Bridget Hatt (cameo)
 * Jeremiah Jobling (cameo)
 * Jem Cole (cameo)
 * Farmer Trotter (cameo)
 * Nancy (cameo)
 * Cyril the Fogman (cameo)
 * Toad (faceless; deleted scene cameo)

Locations

 * Dryaw
 * Tidmouth Sheds
 * Maithwaite
 * Callan
 * Brendam Docks
 * The Viaduct
 * The Windmill
 * The Lighthouse
 * The Watermill (deleted scene)

Trivia

 * This story may be loosely adapted from the mini book by Christopher Awdry, James and the Balloons.
 * This is the first episode of the sixth season to re-narrated by Michael Brandon in the US with New Series Music.
 * A faceless Toad model can be seen in a rare picture.
 * A ride of the same name is at Drayton Manor Theme Park. It opened in April 2017.

Goofs

 * When Percy pulls up next to Thomas, he is pulling trucks. But after that, they disappear. Additionally, the top of the set can be seen.
 * The end of the tracks crossing the level crossing are visible, more so for James' side.
 * The footage of the balloon collapsing on top of James is reversed, as the smoke goes inward.
 * In some shots at Dryaw, the tracks running through lead to bushes at both ends.
 * The tracks under the bridge in the last shot lead to bushes.
 * When Percy asks "What have you got there?" Thomas does not have a face. This is only apparent in the widescreen versions.
 * In the original American narration, Alec Baldwin does not even attempt a Scottish accent for Donald and Douglas' voices. This was later corrected in Micheal Brandon's re-narration.
 * In a scene when the balloon is falling on James, his cab roof is out of place.
 * When the narrator goes, "Duck gazed at it for so long," the balloon is static and is not moving.
 * In the original British narration, Michael Angelis accidentally uses a Scouse accent for Thomas at the start of the level crossing scene.

Merchandise

 * Books - Thomas, James and the Red Balloon and Thomas, James and the Red Balloon (Germany only)
 * Magazine stories - James and the Red Balloon

Home Media Releases
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UK

 * Brave Little Engines
 * The Complete Sixth Series
 * The Best of Thomas
 * The Best of James
 * All Aboard!

DVD Packs

 * 10 DVD Boxset (2014)
 * Classic Collection
 * The Best of Friends
 * Peep Peep Party/Brave Little Engines Double Pack
 * Brave Little EnginesThe Chocolate Crunch Double Pack

US

 * James and the Red Balloon and Other Thomas Adventures
 * Season 6 (Digital Download)

DVD Boxsets

 * Totally Thomas Volume 3

AUS

 * Twin Trouble
 * The Complete Sixth Series
 * My First Thomas with James
 * The Best of Thomas and Friends - Volume 1

DVD Boxsets

 * My First Thomas
 * My First Thomas (3 Disc Set)
 * 60th Anniversary - Limited Edition Boxset
 * Complete Series 1-10
 * 3 DVDs (Boxset)
 * Series Five and Series Six Double Pack

NOR/DK

 * Percy's Chocolate Crash

DK DVD Boxsets

 * Danish DVD Boxset (2008)

SWE

 * Percy's Chocolate Dip

MYS

 * Gordon Takes a Tumble and Other Thomas Adventures
 * Scaredy Engines and Other Adventures

JPN

 * Thomas the Tank Engine Series 6 Vol.6
 * Anytime With James! (Japanese DVD)

ITA

 * The Jet Engine (Italian DVD)

KOR

 * The Story of Getting to Know Nature

THA
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 * Thomas and Friends Volume 14 (Thai DVD)
 * Thomas and Friends - Volume 21 (Thai DVD)