Thomas and the Rainbow

"The old story was right, there is something magical at the end of a rainbow - my friends!"

- Thomas seeing the end of the rainbow

Thomas and the Rainbow is the second (first in Australia) episode of the ninth season.

Plot
After an overnight storm knocks the telephone poles down, the Fat Controller tasks Thomas to take engineers to fix them. Thomas goes to Brendam Docks with Annie and Clarabel and whilst the engineers climb aboard his train, he sees a rainbow in the sky. Edward, who is shunting trucks nearby, tells Thomas that according to legend "you will find something magical at the end of a rainbow." This prompts Thomas to find the end of the rainbow.

During his journey, Thomas meets Percy at a junction, but does not have time to talk to him as he wants to find the end of the rainbow. Climbing up Gordon's Hill, the end of the rainbow seems to be at the summit; but when Thomas gets there, the rainbow has moved. After dropping off some engineers by a bridge, Thomas ignores some children's calls of "hello" as he carries on finding the rainbow. Unfortunately, Thomas gets so carried away trying to find the end of the rainbow that he ignores Henry's call for assistance with his trucks and Toby's warning that something is blocking the track ahead. It turns out to be a broken telephone pole, which Thomas runs into and derails.

Now Thomas cannot finish his job and as all the telephone poles are not fixed, his driver cannot call for help. However, Thomas sees Percy passing by on another line and whistles for help to him, but Percy does not respond; Thomas thinks Percy is not listening because he did not have time to talk to Percy. But Percy does hear Thomas' call for help and sends the message down the line. The message eventually reaches Harvey, who sets off to the rescue.

Finally Harvey arrives and gets Thomas, Annie and Clarabel back on the rails; he also tells Thomas that all of his friends worked together to rescue him. Thomas carries on with his work, but now ignores the rainbow. Once all the telephone poles are fixed, Thomas goes home to Tidmouth Sheds to find the end of the rainbow. The something magical is his friends.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Edward
 * Percy
 * Toby
 * Harvey
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Henry (does not speak)
 * James (does not speak)
 * Annie and Clarabel (do not speak)
 * Bertie (does not speak)
 * Harold (does not speak)
 * Gordon (cameo)
 * Emily (cameo)
 * Salty (cameo)
 * Trevor (cameo)
 * Cranky (cameo)
 * Tiger Moth (cameo)
 * Stephen Hatt (cameo)

Locations

 * Tidmouth Sheds
 * Brendam Docks
 * Sodor Shipping Company
 * Kirk Ronan Junction
 * Gordon's Hill
 * Neville's Bridge
 * Stepney's Branch Line
 * Shen Valley
 * The Ruined Castle
 * Dryaw
 * Wellsworth
 * McColl Farm
 * The Hay Farm

Trivia

 * A pre-filmed edited scene from the ninth season episode Thomas and the Birthday Picnic is used.
 * In the US, this episode aired before the special Calling All Engines! was released, meaning that the audience would not know about the new Tidmouth Sheds.
 * Going by production order, this is the first episode of the ninth season.
 * The episode was nominated for a BAFTA award.
 * Stock Footage from the Season 8 Learning Segment 'Helping One Another' is used.

Goofs

 * At the beginning of the episode, Henry has Gordon's whistle sound.
 * In the shot of the workman getting into Annie, a wire can be seen through her window.
 * When Thomas passes Henry, all three signals are up, but Thomas passes the signal at danger.

Merchandise

 * Tomica (discontinued)

Home Media Releases
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UK

 * The Spirit of Sodor
 * The Complete Series 9

DVD Packs

 * Classic Collection

AUS

 * The Complete Series 9

DVD Boxsets

 * Complete Series 1-10 (Boxset)
 * The Essential Collection (5 DVD Boxset)
 * Series Nine and Series Ten Double Pack
 * Series Nine and The Great Discovery Double Pack

US

 * Thomas and the Toy Workshop
 * Summertime Fun
 * Engine Friends

DVD Packs

 * Thomas and the Toy Workshop/Thomas and the Really Brave Engines and Other Adventures Double Feature
 * Playtime Pals and Summertime Fun Double Feature
 * Sodor Friends Holiday Collection
 * Ultimate Thomas Collection
 * Thomas' Holiday Collection (coming soon)

JPN

 * Thomas the Tank Engine Series 9 Vol.1
 * Thomas and the Rainbow (Japanese DVD)
 * Tell Me About A Fun Day

MYS

 * Best of Thomas Collection
 * James Gets a New Coat and Other Adventures
 * Magical Collection
 * Thomas and the Rainbow and Other Adventures

NOR/DNK/FIN/SWE/GER/NL/SA

 * Thomas and the Rainbow

HK

 * 65 Years

CHN

 * 65th Anniversary
 * Thomas & Friends - 65 Years (DVD)

SPN

 * Thomas and Friends - Volume 8 (Spanish DVD)

DVD Boxsets

 * First Season (Spanish DVD)

THA

 * Thomas and Friends - Volume 27 (Thai DVD)
 * 65th Anniversary
 * Thomas and Friends Volume 24 (Thai DVD)

HUN
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 * Thomas the Tank Engine 6 - Thomas and the Rainbow