Hero of the Rails

"Hero of the Rails" is a feature-length "Thomas and Friends" film. It was released on September 8th, 2009, in the United States, and set to be released on October 12th, 2009, in the United Kingdom.

Plot
The movie starts with Thomas taking on water, when suddenly, Spencer rushes past. All of the engines soon have similar experiences and gather at Knapford to figure out what's going on. As it turns out Spencer is staying for the summer to help the Duke and Duchess build their summer house. Needless to say, nobody's pleased by the news, especially when Spencer rushes around with his work, teasing the other engines. That night, all of the engines are tired and cross. They had all been teased by Spencer.

The next morning, at Brendam Docks, Spencer teases Thomas about his size and strength. Thomas has had enough, and the other engines agree with him. Spencer then challenges Thomas to a race to take place at dawn the next day. All of the engines gather in the Yard to wish Thomas good luck. Thomas and Spencer are coupled to their loads, and Edward announces the start of the race.

Spencer and Thomas race around the Island. Spencer draws ahead while Thomas struggles up a hill with his load. Then the inevitable happens - Thomas' breaks break, and he thunders down the hill and along the main line until he slides onto a rickety old track. There Thomas comes to find an old, abandoned engine named Hiro. Thomas is amazed, and asks Hiro what he was doing there. Hiro tells how he once worked on another island far away, and was known as "Master of the Railway". He sailed to Sodor on a big ship. Sodor was nothing like his old home, but he was still very happy. However, as the years went on, he began to show his age, but Sodor didn't have the necessary parts to repair him. He was hidden to avoid scrap, but the parts never came from his island, and he was quietly forgotten. Thomas's immediate reaction is to tell the Fat Controller, but Hiro believes that if the Fat Controller finds out, he'll be scrapped. So instead, Thomas promises to not tell the Fat Controller until Hiro can be a Really Useful Engine once again.

After he finds Hiro, Thomas goes to the Sodor Steamworks to have his breaks fixed. The Steamworks is a busy, bustling place, with all sorts of work being done. One particular engine lives there, named Victor, a kind and enthusiastic engine. Thomas is soon repaired, and then Spencer puffs into the Sodor Steamworks. Spencer starts to boast, but Thomas simply congratulates him on his win. Victor scolds Spencer for taking up space sitting around chattering, and Spencer leaves, cross about having been spoken to in such a manner.

This is when we meet the clumsy but happy Kevin, who also works at the Steamworks. Victor scolds him for rushing around, while Thomas notices some engine parts on a flatbed. Thomas finishes his day's work, and then comes by later to take the parts to Hiro. Victor says it's only taking up space anyway, so Thomas rushes off with it.

As he leaves, he hears Spencer behind him, and quickly hides in a siding covered with trees. Spencer rumbles past, and doesn't see Thomas. Thomas drops the parts off at Hiro's Hideout, and sets for home when he notices that the new summer house is dangerously close to where Hiro is hidden. Thomas knows he promised Hiro that he'd look after him, but now he's worried.

That night, all of the engines are at the Shed. Thomas tells them all about his race, and is about to mention Hiro when the Fat Controller arrives. The Fat Controller tells them that there's lots of hard work in the morning, so they need to be up early, and he tells Thomas not to rush around with heavy trucks for no reason; he wants Really Useful Engines - not Really Broken Engines, which makes Thomas worry more about Hiro.

The next morning, Thomas is taking machines to Farmer McColl, but he wants to help Hiro. Percy shows up, and Thomas tells him everything. He asks Percy to deliver the machines for him while he goes to help Hiro. Percy does so, shunting his Mail cars into a siding in the meantime.

As Thomas heads to Hiro's Hideout, Spencer appears, wondering why Thomas isn't working on his Branch Line. Thomas makes up a quick lie about going to the Docks, and rushes off. Thomas waits a while before seeing Hiro again. Once there, his engineer and his assistant put the new part on Hiro. Hiro is very greatful, and Thomas heads off. He finds Percy down the line, having broken down while delivering the goods to Farmer McColl. Spencer teases them, but Thomas takes no notice, and brings Percy to the Steamworks.

At the Steamworks, Thomas and Percy tell Victor all abour Hiro. Victor wonders why Thomas doesn't tell the Fat Controller, but promises to help. He tells them that every day, he will leave some trucks in a siding with parts for Hiro. But that night, the Fat Controller is very cross. Percy's Mail cars have mysteriously vanished, and nobody can find them. Thomas promises that he'll find them, but he knows this means he won't be able to help Hiro. So as soon as the Fat Controller leaves, Thomas tells the rest of the engines about Hiro.

The next day, Thomas is hard at work. Spencer isn't; he's spying on Thomas to see what he's up to. At the same time, Gordon sneaks along and delivers more parts for Hiro. Thomas is beyond greatful, and rushes to the Steamworks. There, Percy has been finished, but the Fat Controller is still cross about the missing mail cars. Victor tells Thomas he'll have something for him later, and the two engines rush off.

Thomas takes Percy to see Hiro. Percy is nervous about Hiro at first, but when Hiro complements him, the two become fast friends. Hiro tells them how he misses his friends from home, and also jokingly talks about how he finds Gordon's face to be very unusual. The two later head back home. As they do so, Spencer watches from the siding, determined to find out what they're up to.

The next day, Thomas and Percy go out to search for the missing mail cars, under the Fat Controller's orders. Meanwhile, Spencer tries to harass Emily for information, but she tells him to go find out for himself. Spencer is so cross that he doesn't notice Percy and Thomas passing on the bridge behind him, with Edward coming down the other way.

Hiro, now in a very "patchwork" design, is feeling much better. Hiro mentions that James would be coming tomorrow, Percy comments on how he feels about James, sending Hiro laughing for the first time in years.

The next day, Thomas and Percy head to the Quarry to search for the mail cars. Spencer had secretely followed them there. But before he can do anything, Mavis appears and offers to show him around (as in, shooing him away from Thomas and Percy while James sneaks away for more parts for Hiro). Spencer ends up under a chute, and his funnel gets filled with slate.

Thomas and Percy are later getting coal, and Emily is puffing off to give Hiro more parts. Edward and Henry pass with Spencer in tow, bringing him to the steamworks. While Spencer is being taken care of, Thomas arrived. Kevin starts droping things, which causes Spencer to wince and shut his eyes. As he does so, Thomas sneaks away with more parts.

But that night, the Fat Controller is furious. The summer house is nowhere near done, Spencer has been wandering around the Island, and the mail cars STILL have not been found. All Hiro needs is one more part before he's completed, so the other engines promise to guard Hiro until Percy delivers the last part.

The next morning, Spencer is up early, searching around to find out what Thomas is up to. Just then, he finds Percy's mail cars in a siding, and whistles loudly. James and Toby, meanwhile, are guarding Hiro, and puff off to protect him. Spencer races along with James and Toby whistling behind him, just as Thomas arrives in front of Spencer, blocking his way. The Fat Controller scolds Spencer for playing around with Percy's mail cars, and orders him to give them back at once. Spencer's infuriated, and vows to make sure Thomas doesn't get away with this.

Thomas finds Hiro, and tells him that Percy's on his way with the final part. The two are excited, until they suddenly hear Spencer's whistle. Thomas encourages Hiro to puff away from Spencer on his own. As the two make their escape, Spencer appears. Hiro speeds past him, and Spencer is very surprised, having seen Hiro for the first time. As Hiro struggles on, parts begin to fall off of him. He cries out for Thomas to help, who can only beg him to keep going. Eventually, Hiro knows he can't go on, and comes to a stop. Spencer can hardly contain himself. He tells Thomas that the engine is bound to be scrapped. Suddenly, Gordon rushes by with the Express, challenging Spencer to race him. As Spencer speeds away, Thomas notices a siding where he can hide Hiro. He tells him that everything will be alright, but Hiro feels worse than ever.

Gordon and Spencer race to the station. Spencer's exausted, having been running around all day. Gordon wins the race, and who should step out of the coaches but the Fat Controller and the Duke and Duchess! While they scold him, Thomas arrives, saying he'll help Spencer finish the summer house. The Duke and Duchess are pleased, but Spencer's pride is shattered.

Hiro is miserable, knowing that he'll be soon sent for scrap. Thomas begs him not to give up, as he knows how to make everything better. That night, Thomas tells the other engines that he'll work so hard on the summer house that the Fat Controller will be pleased, hopefully pleased enough to understand Hiro's case and have him restored. Meanwhile, he encourages the other engines to visit him and keep him company. Thomas works very hard, and the summer house is almost finished. While Spencer is talking to the Duke and Duchess, Thomas sneaks off to tell Hiro that soon, everything will be alright. He returns just in time to say goodbye. But as Thomas leaves, Spencer knows where Thomas is going and what he's about to do, and decides to chase him down. The two engines race to the Station. The two soon cross a bridge that goes over marshland, but one part is broken and can't hold Spencer's weight. As he crosses, it snaps beneath him, and he slithers into the mud.

Thomas makes it to Knapford Station, and the Stationmaster calls the Fat Controller, asking for him to come right away. When he arrives with the Duke and Duchess, Thomas tells him all about Hiro. The Fat Controller isn't cross, nor does he want Hiro scrapped; in fact, Hiro is a very famous engine, the "Master of the Railway"! He tells Thomas to bring Hiro to the Steamworks at once. Spencer, meanwhile, has to stay where he is.

Thomas heads over to Hiro to tell him the wonderful news, and the two engines are overjoyed. Thomas and Percy bring him to the Sodor Steamworks the next day. The Fat Controller and Victor promise to have him running like new again. And so, Hiro's restoration begins!

When Hiro is completed, all of the engines are there, and they're amazed at how wonderful Hiro looks! Thomas and Hiro quickly leave to find and help Spencer, who had been stranded where he is for some time. Spencer doesn't even recognize Hiro when he sees him. He's more than shocked when he finds out that the engine rescuing him is an engine he tried to have scraped.

Rocky gets hooked up to Spencer, and as he pulls, Hiro pulls Rocky, and Spencer is soon free of the marsh. They then bring him to the Steamworks. After Spencer is repaired, he works with Thomas and Hiro on the summer house. He also apologizes for his behavior. The Duke and Duchess absolutely love their nice new summer house.

That night, Hiro confesses to Thomas that despite everything, he's become very homesick. Understanding, Thomas tells the Fat Controller, who promises to take care of everything. Some time later, a big farewell party is held at the docks in Hiro's honor; the Fat Controller had arranged for him to return to his homeland. The engines whistle at him, and he whistles back. Before he leaves, he talks to Thomas and Percy one more time. Thomas hopes to visit Hiro's railway someday, and Percy wonders if Hiro would ever return. Thomas promises that Hiro would always have a home on the Island of Sodor, and with that, Hiro puffs away to his ship.

Featured characters

 * Thomas
 * Edward
 * Henry
 * Gordon
 * James
 * Percy
 * Toby
 * Emily
 * Spencer
 * Mavis
 * Hiro
 * Victor
 * Kevin
 * Rocky
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * The Duke and Duchess of Boxford
 * Annie and Clarabel (cameo)
 * Henrietta (cameo)
 * Rosie (cameo)
 * Diesel (cameo)
 * Cranky (cameo)
 * Arry or Bert (cameo)
 * Farmer McColl (mentioned)

Merchandising
Several Wooden Railway, Trackmaster, and Take-Along sets and merchandising were made, and book adaptations were printed.

Bonus features

 * "Thomas and Spencer" Racing Game
 * "Who's Pulling into the Station" Game
 * "Go, Go Thomas" Karaoke Music Video
 * "Thomas and Friends Bedroom Makeover"

Trivia

 * This is the first time since Season 6 that Thomas' branchline is mentioned.
 * This marked the first time we hear the Duke and Duchess speak.
 * This movie was directed by Greg Tiernan.
 * The Sodor Oil Tankers' logo of the word OIL was replaced with a picture of an oil rig with oil coming out of it.
 * The arched bridge on the other side of Gordon's Hill is seen again for the first time since season 5.
 * Spencer has his first accident.
 * In the scene where Spencer is staring at Emily, you notice that Thomas and Percy pass on the bridge with nothing behind them. In the trailers, however, the same scene is shown, but Thomas and Percy are pulling flat beds full of engine parts. It can be assumed that the trailer showed a deleted version of the scene.
 * This is the first time that we see Hiro's island, Japan.

Goofs

 * The box says the movie is in full screen, but its really in wide screen.
 * Spencer defys the laws of physics when he slows down on the hill to make fun of Percy and Thomas. He should have stayed at his current speed until he reached the top.
 * It was impossible for Toby to "lose" his green light.
 * When Thomas is going down the old track towards Hiro, he has a different whistle. This is assumed to be an experiment with the "Doppler" effect.
 * In real life, Thomas would have severly derailed when he bangs into the trucks.
 * How did Thomas move further into the old track and stop when his brakes are broken?
 * When Diesel goes into Sodor Steamworks, he is front first. When he is leaving, he somehow turns around, with no turntable to be seen.
 * Rosie's siderods aren't moving as she enters the Steamworks.
 * It is very unlikely that no Crew Members of any of the engines told The Fat Controller.
 * The points weren't switched, but Spencer is still able to change lines.
 * How did Sir Topham Hatt, the Duke, and Duchess not see Hiro, when they were in Gordon's train?
 * After Gordon and Spencer's race, Thomas got in front of Gordon.
 * Hiro's crew should have known better than to run him while he was in such poor condition, especially when he was missing a part as vital as the water injector.
 * The narrator talks about Hiro's engine breaking down, but Hiro is a steam engine, and thus IS the engine.
 * Gordon's brake coach was at the front of his train throughout the entire film.
 * Wouldn't Spencer's crew have been severly hurt in the accident?
 * When Edward speaks to Hiro in his second hiding spot, Hiro's green smokedeflector is on, but Hiro lost it in the chase with Spencer.
 * When Hiro moves, his traction rods don't move, but his wheels do. The same thing happens to Victor when we first see him.
 * How could Hiro pull Rocky? He has uncompatible Japanese knuckle-couplers.
 * It was very unsafe for Rocky to pull Spencer along a parallel track. Spencer should have been placed on a flatbed.
 * At the part where Hiro exits the steamworks, the narrator says, "All the engines were there." Only the Steam Team was present. The other engines never appeared.
 * When Hiro tells Thomas about his story, his traction rods don't move.
 * When Spencer chases Thomas, why doesn't Hiro stay behind Spencer?
 * When Thomas, James, and Toby block Spencer, they should have collided with each other.
 * How can Thomas be faster than Spencer?
 * Near the end of the US version of the movie, Spenser loses his gruff sounding voice.
 * Why would Spencer keep the mail cars if he could have simply given them to Thomas?
 * How can Hiro work on Sodor if he keeps his Japanese knuckle- couplers?
 * Emily passes Thomas and Percy with engine parts on a two way track, so how can Henry, Spencer, and Edward pass if there is no loop line in sight?
 * The Narrator says "James was so cross, he could barely puff." This is wrong, as he continues to move at the same speed.
 * When Kevin drops an engine part the first time, his words aren't in time with his mouth.
 * A brake van should have been on Thomas' train during the race.
 * In real life, bushes would not slow down Thomas.
 * Hiro is surely the same weight as Spenser, probably heavier. So how come the bridge didn't collapse under his weight?

Trailer
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