The fifth series of Thomas & Friends first aired on television in September 1998 in the UK and September 1999 on Storytime with Thomas in the US. It had twenty-six episodes narrated by Michael Angelis in the UK and Alec Baldwin in the US.
Production
Following the death of creator Wilbert Awdry in 1997, the decision was made to write a full series of original stories penned chiefly by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton, instead of adapting any more books of The Railway Series. One reason for this was producer Britt Allcroft's desire to create a theatrical Thomas the Tank Engine film and requested that director David Mitton test and refine his modelling skills to accommodate higher-budgeted action and atmosphere. The fifth series also boasted numerous darker plot lines and included much more intense action and crashes.
Some inspiration for the episodes came from a former LMR manager named David Maidment. In 1997, Maidment met with Steven Wright about the possibility of supporting the Railway Children charity and while Wright told him the series' staff commonly received such requests, they would consider. During their meeting, Maidment relayed stories about his railway experiences working in South Wales and as the manager at Crewe station. Maidment received a call asking if he would allow some of his stories to be used as material – the stories from the Railway Series were frequently based on true events and Allcroft and Mitton preferred this. Maidment agreed and was also asked to review each story to make sure that the railway in the show operated realistically, acting as a "railway consultant" in place of the deceased Wilbert Awdry. As a result, Maidment received writing credit alongside Allcroft and Mitton on several episodes, particularly those based on nonfictional railway incidents (such as "A Better View for Gordon"). £10,000 (British pounds) were later donated to the Railway Children for his work. For unknown reasons, Maidment would not be rehired for subsequent production cycles, leaving the show without a "railway consultant" from the sixth to the sixteenth series.
The design for each new character would be chosen by David Eves and given to David Mitton for approval. The series was filmed from 1 September 1997 to 30 April 1998. For ease of filming, the fifth series would introduce larger-scale versions of the narrow gauge engines and from the sixth to twelfth series, these larger models were used almost exclusively. They were built to a larger scale than the gauge 1 engines and ran on O gauge track; they were close to 16mm scale but slightly larger. Alongside them, nine human figures were made (eight engine crews and a workman). The small scale models were still used in this series for the in between shots where they would interact with the gauge 1 scaled characters and sets until the latter could be scaled up. Originally, the character Bertram was intended to have his own model but the financial difficulty in building a new model made them repaint Duke's model with Smudger's face.
Episodes
(Note: * means that an episode has an alternate title card only for a US release.)
Screenshot | UK title (top) US title (bottom) |
Written By | Episode number # |
---|---|---|---|
Cranky Bugs | Britt Allcroft David Mitton |
#01 | |
A new crane named Cranky arrives at the docks and causes trouble for Thomas and Percy but he eventually needs their help after a storm. | |||
Horrid Lorry | Britt Allcroft David Mitton |
#02 | |
Three horrid lorries arrive on Sodor and start taking over the engines' jobs. Eventually, the tables are turned and the lorries all end in failure. | |||
A Better View for Gordon Better View for Gordon * |
Britt Allcroft David Mitton David Maidment |
#03 | |
Gordon complains about the plainness of a new station and longs for a panoramic view, which he gets unexpectedly. | |||
Lady Hatt's Birthday Party | Britt Allcroft David Mitton David Maidment |
#04 | |
The Fat Controller runs into a series of problems, like his car getting a flat tyre, Caroline being broken down again and falls from George into a muddy ditch, which ruins his suit on his way to his wife Lady Hatt's birthday. | |||
James and the Trouble with Trees | Britt Allcroft David Mitton David Maidment |
#05 | |
James's bragging prevents him from listening to Henry, Percy and Terence's warnings about trees that are too close to the line. | |||
Gordon and the Gremlin | Britt Allcroft David Mitton David Maidment |
#06 | |
Gordon has problems with his fire and the others joke of gremlins. Later, a special visitor arrives and her dog runs away into Thomas's cab. | |||
Bye George! | Britt Allcroft David Mitton |
#07 | |
George causes a great deal of trouble for Percy, Thomas, Duck and Gordon. After the Fat Controller finds out everything, George eventually gets punished. | |||
Baa! | Britt Allcroft David Mitton David Maidment |
#08 | |
A "Best Dressed Station" contest is being held across Sodor. However, as Percy is helping decorate Maithwaite station, a hungry ram is found at the station and the decorations are ruined. | |||
Put Upon Percy | Britt Allcroft David Mitton |
#09 | |
Percy complains that he is overworked. While working at the coal mine, some runaway trucks escape and crash inside the mineshaft, which causes the mine to collapse. | |||
Toby and the Flood | Britt Allcroft David Mitton |
#10 | |
Toby is sent to inspect a dam and discovers a few leaks in it. It eventually collapses and causes an unsafe bridge to break, causing him to drift towards a waterfall and it is up to Harold to save him from falling down it. | |||
Haunted Henry | Britt Allcroft David Mitton David Maidment |
#11 | |
Henry refuses to believe in ghosts, until he and his crew encounter a series of spooky events during the night. | |||
Double Teething Troubles | Britt Allcroft David Mitton David Maidment |
#12 | |
Bill and Ben are worried when they hear that a diesel engine is going to help them work in the clay pits. In the end, it turns out that Derek is a friendly diesel. | |||
Stepney Gets Lost | Britt Allcroft David Mitton |
#13 | |
The Fat Controller invites Stepney to work with Toby and Mavis at the quarry. Stepney gets lost on the way home, eventually arriving at the smelter's yard with two diesels until the Fat Controller found him. | |||
Toby's Discovery | Britt Allcroft David Mitton |
#14 | |
Toby takes the Hatt family on an expedition, finding a castle and an old mine. The destinations are reopened but Toby is spooked by Thomas' story about "The Old Warrior". It then turns out that The Old Warrior is actually a narrow-gauge tender engine named Bertram who wants to meet Toby. | |||
Something in the Air | Britt Allcroft David Mitton |
#15 | |
Henry is cross when Thomas delays him and refuses to listen to his warning about a line eroded by high tides, which he ended up plunging in the sea. | |||
Thomas, Percy and Old Slow Coach | Britt Allcroft David Mitton |
#16 | |
Thomas and Percy discover an old coach named Old Slow Coach in the scrapyard and want to save her. | |||
Thomas and the Rumours Thomas and the Rumors |
Britt Allcroft David Mitton |
#17 | |
The engines discover that Harold has been hired to show a special visitor around the island and fear being replaced until the Fat Controller told Thomas that he should not listen to rumours. | |||
Oliver's Find | Britt Allcroft David Mitton |
#18 | |
Oliver is put on mail duty but ends up going down to an old branch line, forcing the Fat Controller to search for Oliver and discovering an old abandoned house. | |||
Happy Ever After | Britt Allcroft David Mitton |
#19 | |
Mrs. Kyndley asks Percy and his driver to make a "good luck package" for her daughter's wedding, which he succeeded in doing so. | |||
Sir Topham Hatt's Holiday | Britt Allcroft David Mitton |
#20 | |
The Hatt family go on holiday, even though things start to go wrong for them and a biplane named Tiger Moth. | |||
A Surprise for Percy A Big Surprise for Percy * |
Britt Allcroft David Mitton |
#21 | |
Percy moans about his work in the coal mines and wants something exciting to happen. His wish comes unexpectedly true when a line of trucks breaks away from him on the hill, so he and Bertie must stop them. | |||
Make Someone Happy | Britt Allcroft David Mitton |
#22 | |
James sees Mrs. Kyndley, who is upset that her sister cannot come and visit. A "mystery tour" is arranged for her and James is chosen for the special job. | |||
Busy Going Backwards | Britt Allcroft David Mitton David Maidment |
#23 | |
Toad is feeling bored about going backwards all the time and confesses to Oliver that he wishes to go forwards for a change. On Gordon's Hill, the coupling snaps and Toad goes on a wild ride with the trucks through the Main Line. | |||
Duncan Gets Spooked | Britt Allcroft David Mitton David Maidment |
#24 | |
Duncan teases Peter Sam after some trucks fall into a ravine but, when he crosses the old iron bridge, he gets a very spooky surprise. | |||
Snow | Britt Allcroft David Mitton |
#25 | |
Thomas is cross with the snow, so Rusty tells him about Skarloey's own experience in an avalanche. | |||
Rusty and the Boulder | Britt Allcroft David Mitton |
#26 | |
Rusty is suspicious of a strange boulder lodged in the mountains, which chases him and the other engines until it demolishes the nearby shed, narrowly avoiding Percy in the process. |
Screenshot | Title | Original UK release date | Episode number # |
---|---|---|---|
Cranky Bugs | 14 September 1998 | #01 | |
A new crane called Cranky arrives at the docks and causes trouble for Thomas and Percy but he eventually needs their help after a storm. | |||
Horrid Lorry | 15 September 1998 | #02 | |
Three very Horrid Lorries arrive on Sodor and start taking over the engines' jobs. Eventually, the tables are turned and the lorries all end in failure. | |||
A Better View for Gordon | 16 September 1998 | #03 | |
Gordon complains about the plainness of a new station and longs for a panoramic view, which he gets unexpectedly. | |||
Lady Hatt's Birthday Party | 17 September 1998 | #04 | |
The Fat Controller runs into a series of problems, like his car getting a flat tyre, Caroline being broken down again and falls from George into a muddy ditch, which ruins his suit on his way to Lady Hatt's birthday party. | |||
James and the Trouble with Trees | 18 September 1998 | #05 | |
James' bragging prevents him from listening to Henry, Percy and Terence's warnings about trees that are too close to the line. | |||
Gordon and the Gremlin | 21 September 1998 | #06 | |
Gordon has problems with his fire and the others joke of gremlins. Later, a special visitor arrives and her dog runs away into Thomas' cab. | |||
Bye George! | 22 September 1998 | #07 | |
George causes a great deal of trouble for Percy, Thomas, Duck and Gordon. After the Fat Controller finds out everything, George eventually gets punished. | |||
Baa! | 23 September 1998 | #08 | |
A "Best Dressed Station" contest is being held across Sodor. However, as Percy is helping decorate Maithwaite station, a hungry ram is found at the station and the decorations are ruined. | |||
Put Upon Percy | 24 September 1998 | #09 | |
Percy complains that he is overworked. While working at the coal mine, some runaway trucks escape and crash inside the mineshaft, which causes the mine to collapse. | |||
Toby and the Flood | 25 September 1998 | #10 | |
Toby is sent to inspect a dam and discovers a few leaks in it. It eventually collapses and causes an unsafe bridge to break, causing him to drift towards a waterfall and it is up to Harold to save him from falling down it. | |||
Haunted Henry | 28 September 1998 | #11 | |
Henry refuses to believe in ghosts, until he and his crew encounter a series of spooky events during the night. | |||
Double Teething Troubles | 29 September 1998 | #12 | |
Bill and Ben are worried when they hear that a malfunctioning diesel is going to help them work in the clay pits. In the end, it turns out that the diesel is friendly. | |||
Stepney Gets Lost | 30 September 1998 | #13 | |
The Fat Controller invites Stepney to work with Toby and Mavis at the quarry. Stepney gets lost on the way home, eventually arriving at the smelter's yard with two diesels until the Fat Controller finds him. | |||
Toby's Discovery | 1 October 1998 | #14 | |
Toby takes the Hatts on an expedition, finding a castle and an old mine. The destinations are reopened but Toby is spooked by Thomas' story about "The Old Warrior". | |||
Something in the Air | 2 October 1998 | #15 | |
Henry is cross when Thomas delays him and refuses to listen to his warning about a line eroded by high tides, which he ended up plunging in the sea. | |||
Thomas, Percy and Old Slow Coach | 5 October 1998 | #16 | |
Thomas and Percy discover an old coach named Old Slow Coach in the scrapyard and want to save her. | |||
Thomas and the Rumours | 6 October 1998 | #17 | |
The engines discover that Harold has been hired to show a special visitor around the island and fear being replaced until the Fat Controller told Thomas that he should not listen to rumours. | |||
Oliver's Find | 7 October 1998 | #18 | |
Oliver is put on mail duty but ends up going down to an old branch line, forcing the Fat Controller to search for Oliver and discovering an old abandoned house. | |||
Happy Ever After | 8 October 1998 | #19 | |
Mrs. Kyndley asks Percy and his driver to make a "good luck package" for her daughter's wedding, which he succeeded in doing so. | |||
Sir Topham Hatt's Holiday | 9 October 1998 | #20 | |
The Hatt family go on holiday, even though things start to go wrong for them and Tiger Moth. | |||
A Surprise for Percy | 12 October 1998 | #21 | |
Percy moans about his work in the coal mines and wants something exciting to happen. His wish comes unexpectedly true when a line of trucks breaks away from him on the hill, so he and Bertie must stop them. | |||
Make Someone Happy | 13 October 1998 | #22 | |
James sees Mrs. Kyndley, who is upset that her sister cannot come and visit. A "mystery tour" is arranged for her and James is chosen for the special job. | |||
Busy Going Backwards | 14 October 1998 | #23 | |
Toad is feeling bored about going backwards all the time and confesses to Oliver that he wishes to go forwards for a change. On Gordon's Hill, the coupling snaps and Toad goes on a wild ride with the trucks through the Main Line. | |||
Duncan Gets Spooked | 15 October 1998 | #24 | |
Duncan teases Peter Sam after some trucks fall into a ravine but, when he crosses the old iron bridge, he gets a very spooky surprise. | |||
Rusty and the Boulder | 16 October 1998 | #25 | |
Rusty is suspicious of a strange boulder lodged in the mountains, which chases him and the other engines until it demolishes the nearby shed, narrowly avoiding Percy in the process. | |||
Snow | 19 October 1998 | #26 | |
Thomas is cross with the snow, so Rusty tells him about Skarloey's own experience in an avalanche. |
Screenshot | Title | Original US release date | Episode number # |
---|---|---|---|
A (Big) Surprise for Percy * | 6 September 1999 | #01 | |
Percy moans about his work in the coal mines and wants something exciting to happen. His wish comes unexpectedly true when a line of freight cars breaks away from him on the hill, so he and Bertie must stop them. | |||
Snow | 6 September1999 | #02 | |
Thomas is cross with the snow, so Rusty tells him about Skarloey's own experience in an avalanche. | |||
Bye George! | 7 September 1999 | #03 | |
George causes a great deal of trouble for Percy, Thomas, Duck and Gordon. After Sir Topham Hatt finds out everything, George eventually gets punished. | |||
Double Teething Troubles | 7 September 1999 | #04 | |
Bill and Ben are worried when they hear that a malfunctioning diesel is going to help them work in the clay pits. In the end, it turns out that the diesel is friendly. | |||
Happy Ever After | 8 September 1999 | #05 | |
Mrs. Kyndley asks Percy and his driver to make a "good luck package" for her daughter's wedding, which he succeeded in doing so. | |||
Busy Going Backwards | 8 September 1999 | #06 | |
Toad is feeling bored about going backwards all the time and confesses to Oliver that he wishes to go forwards for a change. On Gordon's Hill, the coupling snaps and Toad goes on a wild ride with the freight cars through the Main Line. | |||
Something in the Air | 9 September 1999 | #07 | |
Henry is cross when Thomas delays him and refuses to listen to his warning about a line eroded by high tides, which he ended up plunging in the sea. | |||
Oliver's Find | 9 September 1999 | #08 | |
Oliver is put on mail duty but ends up going down to an old branch line, forcing Sir Topham Hatt to search for Oliver and discovering an old abandoned house. | |||
Cranky Bugs | 10 September 1999 | #09 | |
A new crane called Cranky arrives at the docks and causes trouble for Thomas and Percy but he eventually needs their help after a storm. | |||
Horrid Lorry | 10 September 1999 | #10 | |
Three very Horrid Lorries arrive on Sodor and start taking over the engines' jobs. Eventually, the tables are turned and the lorries all end in failure. | |||
Thomas, Percy and Old Slow Coach | 11 September 1999 | #11 | |
Thomas and Percy discover an old coach named Old Slow Coach in the scrapyard and want to save her. | |||
Thomas and the Rumors | 11 September 1999 | #12 | |
The engines discover that Harold has been hired to show a special visitor around the island and fear being replaced until Sir Topham Hatt told Thomas that he should not listen to rumors. | |||
James and the Trouble with Trees | 12 September 1999 | #13 | |
James' bragging prevents him from listening to Henry, Percy and Terence's warnings about trees that are too close to the line. | |||
Make Someone Happy | 12 September 1999 | #14 | |
James sees Mrs. Kyndley, who is upset that her sister cannot come and visit. A "mystery tour" is arranged for her and James is chosen for the special job. | |||
Lady Hatt's Birthday Party | 13 September 1999 | #15 | |
Sir Topham runs into a series of problems, like his car getting a flat tire, Caroline being broken down again and falls from George into a muddy ditch, which ruins his suit on his way to Lady Hatt's birthday. | |||
Sir Topham Hatt's Holiday | 13 September 1999 | #16 | |
The Hatt family go on holiday, even though things start to go wrong for them and Tiger Moth. | |||
Stepney Gets Lost | 14 September 1999 | #17 | |
Sir Topham Hatt invites Stepney to work with Toby and Mavis at the quarry. Stepney gets lost on the way home, eventually arriving at the smelter's yard with two diesels until Sir Topham Hatt found him. | |||
Rusty and the Boulder | 14 September 1999 | #18 | |
Rusty is suspicious of a strange boulder lodged in the mountains, which chases him and the other engines until it demolishes the nearby shed, narrowly avoiding Percy in the process. | |||
Toby and the Flood | 15 September 1999 | #19 | |
Toby is sent to inspect a dam and discovers a few leaks in it. It eventually collapses and causes an unsafe bridge to break, causing him to drift towards a waterfall and it is up to Harold to save him from falling down it. | |||
Toby's Discovery | 15 September 1999 | #20 | |
Toby takes the Hatts on an expedition, finding a castle and an old mine. The destinations are reopened but Toby is spooked by Thomas' story about "The Old Warrior". | |||
(A) Better View for Gordon * | 16 September 1999 | #21 | |
Gordon complains about the plainness of a new station and longs for a panoramic view, which he gets unexpectedly. | |||
Gordon and the Gremlin | 16 September 1999 | #22 | |
Gordon has problems with his fire and the others joke of gremlins. Later, a special visitor arrives and her dog runs away into Thomas' cab. | |||
Haunted Henry | October 1999 | #23 | |
Henry refuses to believe in ghosts, until he and his crew encounter a series of spooky events during the night. | |||
Duncan Gets Spooked | October 1999 | #24 | |
Duncan teases Peter Sam after some cars fall into a ravine but, when he crosses the old iron bridge, he gets a very spooky surprise. | |||
Baa! | October 1999 | #25 | |
A "Best Dressed Station" contest is being held across Sodor. However, as Percy is helping decorate Maithwaite station, a hungry ram is found at the station and the decorations are ruined. | |||
Put Upon Percy | October 1999 | #26 | |
Percy complains that he is overworked. While working at the coal mine, some runaway cars escape and crash inside the mineshaft, which causes the mine to collapse. |
Screenshot | Title | Original JPN release date | Episode number # |
---|---|---|---|
クレーンのクランキー (Cranky the Crane) | 12 December 1998 | #01 | |
A new crane called Cranky arrives at the docks and causes trouble for Thomas and Percy but he eventually needs their help after a storm. |
Unknown Airdates
The airdates of the following episodes in Japan are currently unknown:
Screenshot | Title | Original JPN release date | Episode number # |
---|---|---|---|
3だいのトラック (3 Nasty Trucks) | TBA | #02 | |
Three very Horrid Lorries arrive on Sodor and start taking over the engines' jobs. Eventually, the tables are turned and the lorries all end in failure. | |||
ゴードンのまど (Gordon's Window) | TBA | #03 | |
Gordon complains about the plainness of a new station and longs for a panoramic view, which he gets unexpectedly. | |||
ハットきょうふじんのたんじょうび (Lady Hat's Birthday) | TBA | #04 | |
Sir Topham runs into a series of problems, like his car getting a flat tire, Caroline being broken down again and falls from George into a muddy ditch, which ruins his suit on his way to his wife Lady Hatt's birthday. | |||
ジェームスがあぶない (James in Danger) | TBA | #05 | |
James' bragging prevents him from listening to Henry, Percy and Terence's warnings about trees that are too close to the line. | |||
ゴードンとおばけ (Gordon and the Goblin) | TBA | #06 | |
Gordon has problems with his fire and the others joke of gremlins. Later, a special visitor arrives and her dog runs away into Thomas' cab. | |||
バイバイ ジョージ (Bye Bye George) | TBA | #07 | |
George causes a great deal of trouble for Percy, Thomas, Duck and Gordon. After Sir Topham Hatt finds out everything, George eventually gets punished. | |||
パーシーとひつじ (Percy and the Sheep) | TBA | #08 | |
A "Best Dressed Station" contest is being held across Sodor. However, as Percy is helping decorate Maithwaite station, a hungry ram is found at the station and the decorations are ruined. | |||
ゆうかんなパーシー (Hapless Percy) | TBA | #09 | |
Percy complains that he is overworked. While working at the coal mine, some runaway trucks escape and crash inside the mineshaft, which causes the mine to collapse. | |||
ながされたトビー (Washed Away Toby) | TBA | #10 | |
Toby is sent to inspect a dam and discovers a few leaks in it. It eventually collapses and causes an unsafe bridge to break, causing him to drift towards a waterfall and it is up to Harold to save him from falling down it. | |||
きりのなかのできごと (Strange Goings On in the Woods) | TBA | #11 | |
Henry refuses to believe in ghosts, until he and his crew encounter a series of spooky events during the night. | |||
なかよくやろうよ (Let's Get Along) | TBA | #12 | |
Bill and Ben are worried when they hear that Derek, a malfunctioning diesel, is going to help them work in the clay pits. In the end, it turns out that Derek is a friendly diesel. | |||
まいごになったステップニー (Stepney Has a Near Death Experience) | TBA | #13 | |
Sir Topham Hatt invites Stepney to work with Toby and Mavis at the quarry. Stepney gets lost on the way home, eventually arriving at the smelter's yard with two diesels until Sir Topham Hatt found him. | |||
トビーのたんけん (Toby's Adventure) | TBA | #14 | |
Toby takes the Hatts on an expedition, finding a castle and an old mine. The destinations are reopened but Toby is spooked by Thomas' story about "The Old Warrior". | |||
みどりのくじら (Green Whale) | TBA | #15 | |
Henry is cross when Thomas delays him and refuses to listen to his warning about a line eroded by high tides, which he ended up plunging in the sea. | |||
トーマスとふるいきゃくしゃ (Thomas and Old Slow Coach) | TBA | #16 | |
Thomas and Percy discover an old coach named Old Slow Coach in the scrapyard and want to save her. | |||
トーマスとうわさばなし (Thomas and the Gossip) | TBA | #17 | |
The engines discover that Harold has been hired to show a special visitor around the island and fear being replaced until Sir Topham Hatt told Thomas that he should not listen to rumors. | |||
オリバーのはっけん (Oliver's Discovery) | TBA | #18 | |
Oliver is put on mail duty but ends up going down to an old branch line, forcing Sir Topham Hatt to search for Oliver and discovering an old abandoned house. | |||
めでたし めでたし (Happily Ever After) | TBA | #19 | |
Mrs. Kyndley asks Percy and his driver to make a "good luck package" for her daughter's wedding, which he succeeded in doing so. | |||
トップハム・ハットきょうのきゅうか (Sir Topham Hatt's Holiday) | TBA | #20 | |
The Hatt family go on holiday, even though things start to go wrong for them and Tiger Moth. | |||
パーシーびっくり (Percy Surprised) | TBA | #21 | |
Percy moans about his work in the coal mines and wants something exciting to happen. His wish comes unexpectedly true when a line of trucks breaks away from him on the hill, so he and Bertie must stop them. | |||
ひとだすけ (An Act of Compassion) | TBA | #22 | |
James sees Mrs. Kyndley, who is upset that her sister cannot come and visit. A "mystery tour" is arranged for her and James is chosen for the special job. | |||
うしろむきのトード (Backwards Toad) | TBA | #23 | |
Toad is feeling bored about going backwards all the time and confesses to Oliver that he wishes to go forwards for a change. On Gordon's Hill, the coupling snaps and Toad goes on a wild ride with the Troublesome Trucks through the Main Line. | |||
まんげつのよるのできごと (Full Moon Night Event) | TBA | #24 | |
Duncan teases Peter Sam after some trucks fall into a ravine but, when he crosses the old iron bridge, he gets a very spooky surprise. | |||
ゆき (Snow) | TBA | #25 | |
Thomas is cross with the snow, so Rusty tells him about Skarloey's own experience in an avalanche. | |||
いわのボルダー (Boulder Rock) | TBA | #26 | |
Rusty is suspicious of a strange boulder lodged in the mountains, which chases him and the other engines until it demolishes the nearby shed, narrowly avoiding Percy in the process. |
Songs
Screenshot | Title | Composers | Original release date |
---|---|---|---|
It's Great to Be an Engine | Mike O'Donnell Junior Campbell |
5 October 1998 (UK, cassette) | |
| |||
Sir Topham Hatt | Mike O'Donnell Junior Campbell |
5 October 1998 (UK, cassette) | |
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Accidents Will Happen | Mike O'Donnell Junior Campbell |
5 October 1998 (UK, cassette) | |
| |||
Night Train | Mike O'Donnell Junior Campbell |
5 October 1998 (UK, cassette) | |
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The Snow Song | Mike O'Donnell Junior Campbell |
5 October 1998 (UK, cassette) | |
| |||
Harold the Helicopter | Mike O'Donnell Junior Campbell |
5 October 1998 (UK, cassette) | |
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Donald's Duck | Mike O'Donnell Junior Campbell |
5 October 1998 (UK, cassette) | |
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Percy's Seaside Trip | Mike O'Donnell Junior Campbell |
5 October 1998 (UK, cassette) | |
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Every Cloud has a Silver Lining | Mike O'Donnell Junior Campbell |
5 October 1998 (UK, cassette) | |
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Come for the Ride | Mike O'Donnell Junior Campbell |
5 October 1998 (UK, cassette) | |
|
Game
Cover | Title | Composers | Original release date |
---|---|---|---|
Magical Adventure | Mike O'Donnell Junior Campbell |
17 July 1998 (Japan, PC) | |
Players get to drive as Thomas, Gordon or Percy and they can play a few minigames, as well as watching a few episodes from the series. |
Characters
- Thomas
- Edward
- Henry
- Gordon
- James
- Percy
- Toby
- Duck
- Oliver
- Bill and Ben
- Stepney
- BoCo
- Mavis
- Skarloey
- Rheneas
- Duncan
- Rusty
- Troublesome Trucks
- Troublesome Vans
- Annie and Clarabel
- Toad
- Terence
- Bertie
- George
- Caroline
- Harold
- Sir Topham Hatt
- Lady Hatt
- Mrs. Kyndley
- The Firelighter
- Harold's Pilots
- The First Dock Manager
- The Sodor China Clay Company Manager
- The Ffarquhar Quarry Manager
- Stephen Hatt (not named)
- Bridget Hatt (not named)
- Jem Cole (not named)
- Farmer Trotter (not named)
- Mr. Walsh (not named)
- Peter Sam (does not speak, speaking role cut)
- Henrietta (does not speak)
- Donald (cameo)
- Trevor (cameo)
- Jeremiah Jobling (cameo)
- Farmer Finney (cameo)
- The Vicar of Wellsworth (cameo)
- Refreshment Lady (cameo)
- Nancy (cameo)
- The Tidmouth Stationmaster's Wife (cameo)
- The Hatts' Second Butler (cameo)
- One Cricket Club Member (cameo)
- The Boy with His Father (cameo)
- The Crovan's Gate Policeman (cameo)
- The Tailor (cameo)
- The Barber's Customer (cameo)
- The Railway Society (cameos)
- The Mid Sodor Railway Manager (cameo)
- David Mitton (cameo)
- The Bowler Hat Inspector (cameo)
- The Parade Organizer (cameo)
- Prince Philip (cameo)
- Märklin Engine (scrapped model/chassis cameo)
- City of Truro (scrapped model cameo)
- Bulstrode (faceless cameo)
- Big Mickey (faceless cameo)
- Duke (portrait cameo)
- Douglas (music video cameo)
- Daisy (music video cameo)
- Class 40 (music video cameo)
- Sir Handel (music video cameo)
- The Chinese Dragon (music video cameo)
- Tom Tipper (music video cameo)
- Elizabeth II (music video cameo)
- The New Ffarquhar Constable (music video cameo)
- The Stone-dropping Boys (music video cameos)
- The Hatts' First Butler (music video cameo)
- The Barber (music video cameo)
- The Tidmouth Stationmaster (music video cameo)
- The Tidmouth Stationmaster's Children (music video cameos)
- The Injured Sailor (music video cameo)
- S.C. Ruffey (deleted scene cameo)
- Diesel (extended scene cameo)
Characters Introduced
- Old Slow Coach
- The Horrid Lorries
- Cranky
- Old Bailey
- The Flour Mill Foreman
- The Coal Mines Foreman
- The Knapford Yards Manager
- The Sodor Ironworks Manager
- The Fire Brigade
- Mrs. Kyndley's Daughter
- Tiger Moth's Pilot
- The Marshalling Yards Foreman
- Derek (not named)
- 'Arry (not named)
- Dowager Hatt (not named)
- The Tidmouth Lighthouse Keeper (not named)
- Bert (does not speak)
- Bertram (does not speak)
- Rusty's Ghost Engine (does not speak)
- Butch (does not speak; possible role cut)
- Thumper (does not speak)
- Tiger Moth (does not speak)
- Toby's Village Villagers (do not speak)
- The Wedding Guests (do not speak)
- Boulder (does not speak)
- The Storyteller (cameo)
- The Hot Air Balloon Pilot (cameo)
- Harry Topper (mentioned)
- The Fisherman (mentioned)
Locations
- Island of Sodor
- Bertram's Old Mine
- Boulder Hill
- Boulder Quarry
- Brendam Docks
- Callan
- Crosby
- Dryaw
- Echo Pass Ravine
- Ffarquhar
- Gordon's Hill
- Hackenbeck Tunnel
- Hawin Lake
- Kirk Ronan
- Knapford Harbour
- Knapford Yards
- Maithwaite
- Miner's Halt
- Old Iron Bridge
- Old Manor Station
- Old Stone Bridge
- Rheneas Viaduct
- Skarloey Slate Quarry
- Sodor China Clay Company
- Sodor Fuel Depot
- Sodor Ironworks
- Standard and Narrow Gauge Tunnel Runby
- Stepney's Shed
- The Old Castle
- The Church Station
- The Coal Mines
- The Dam
- The Fishing Village
- The Flour Mill
- The Hay Farm
- The Intersection Station
- The Narrow Gorge
- The Tunnel Under Repair
- The Unsafe Tree Hill
- The Waterfall
- Tidmouth Bay
- Tidmouth Beach
- Tidmouth Hault
- Tidmouth Sheds
- Toby's Shed
- Toby's Village
- Tower Windmill
- Wellsworth
- Bluebell Valley (stock footage)
- Bridge Signal Box (stock footage)
- Lower Suddery (stock footage)
- Post Windmill (stock footage)
- Rheneas (stock footage)
- Skarloey (stock footage)
- Sodor Castle (stock footage)
- Crovan's Gate (map only)
- Rheneas Bridge (map only)
- Rheneas Tunnel (map only)
- Lakeside (map only)
- Vicarstown (map only)
- Arlesdale End (mentioned)
- Hawin Lake Viaduct (mentioned)
- Henry's Forest (mentioned)
Trivia
- This was the first series of several things:
- The first series not to have any episodes based on books of The Railway Series by Wilbert and Christopher Awdry.
- The first series with an episode where some railway on Sodor is referred to as its American term, "railroad". This occurs in Duncan Gets Spooked.
- The first series to introduce original characters with no connection to The Railway Series.
- Alec Baldwin's first series as the US narrator.
- The first series where Bulgy, Sir Handel, Duke, Smudger, Class 40, S.C. Ruffey, Bulstrode and Elizabeth II do not appear since their debuts.
- The first series where Peter Sam does not speak in any of his appearances.
- The first series where Edward does not have any major roles in any of his appearances.
- The first series not to air on Shining Time Station due to the show ending around 1996. Episodes from this series (as well as the first four) were aired on FOX Family's Storytime with Thomas.
- The first series to use a Proteus 2000 to compose the music.
- The first series not produced in Ukrainian and the only one until the twenty-first series.
- The first series to air in Canada.
- The first series dubbed by The Maidstone Studios.
- The first series narrated by Kim Il for re-dub in South Korea.
- The first series aired by EBS, Tooniverse and Daekyo Kids TV in South Korea.
- The first series that released completely on DVD in South Korea.
- The first series released on DVD by Adongmoonhak.
- The first series to feature stereo audio in Albania.
- The first series to feature stereo audio for DVD in South Korea.
- The first series to have two dubs until the twelfth series in South Korea but they had three dubs.
- The first series that was not aired on television in Sweden.
- The first series in which the phrase, "confusion and delay" is said.
- The first series in which Elsbridge does not appear.
- The first series where food items are transported in open wagons.
- The first series to refer Sudrian locations by their actual names instead of nicknames such as "the big station" or "the harbour".
- The first series dubbed at "Studio Hamburg Synchron" in Germany. It was also the first series featuring Henning Stegelmann as the translator and dialogue director of the German dub.
- The first series to feature Thomas' alarmed and jolly faces, Gordon's astonished face and Bertie's shocked face.
- The first series to feature Henry's ill face and Gordon's sulky face since their appearances in the first series.
- The first series to feature Percy's smug face, Gordon's shocked face and Duck's shocked face since their debuts in the second series.
- According to an interview with David Mitton before his death in 2008, this series was supposed to be a showcase for Thomas and the Magic Railroad.
- This series features more songs than any other, at a total of ten.
- This was also the final series of several things:
- The last series made by Gullane Entertainment under its original name The Britt Allcroft Company.
- Britt Allcroft's final series as writer and producer.
- David Mitton's final series as producer.
- Angus Wright's last series as executive producer.
- The last series to premiere in the UK on Cartoon Network. This is also the last time the franchise would debut on said network in an English-speaking country until Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go over 20 years later.
- The last series filmed completely in 4:3 fullscreen. However, the first six episodes of the next series would also be filmed in 4:3, with some scenes being filmed in 16:9 widescreen.
- The last series to be released on VHS in New Zealand, albeit incomplete.
- The last series to feature BoCo.
- The last series to be released in the 1990s, the twentieth century and the second millennium.
- The last series shown first to run fully on American television until the eighth series. The sixth series would be released exclusively on home video in the United States until 2005 and the seventh series would run concurrently with the eighth series.
- The last series shown in Germany, Latin America and Brazil until the eighth series.
- The last series DVD released by DVD Acadamy in South Korea.
- The last series to have voice over English dubs in South Korea.
- The last series to have two dubs in Poland.
- The last series to have a railway consultant until the seventeenth series.
- The last series where Annie and Clarabel speak in more than one episode.
- The last series to use the sound effects in Dolby Surround Sound for diesel engines, though the sound system is still used for steam engines, road vehicles, rolling stock and people.
- The last series to have all its episodes released on VHS in the UK and Australia.
- The last series before the release of Thomas and the Magic Railroad.
- The last series narrated by Manfred Steffen in Germany.
- The last series aired by TVP3 for original Polish dub in Poland.
- The last series that had not released a music video completely on DVD in South Korea.
- The last series to feature Thomas' second smiling face, James' duplicate happy face and Percy's original wincing, drowsy and smug faces.
- The last series where Thomas' shocked face has its buck tooth.
- This was also the only series of several things:
- David Maidment's only series as railway consultant and writer.
- The only series where Donald appears without Douglas, although the latter appears in music videos.
- The only series not to feature Diesel since his introduction in the second series. Despite not appearing in any released episodes, Diesel does make a few appearances in music videos and a deleted shot from Cranky Bugs.
- The only series in which Knapford does not appear.
- The only series to feature Kirk Ronan until Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go.
- The only series mixed in Dolby Surround.
- The only series that was not released completely on VHS in New Zealand (the only two episodes that were not released on VHS in the country were Bye George! and Something in the Air).
- The only series to feature Thomas' jolly face.
- Michael Angelis was not credited in the opening titles for the UK dub. However, he is credited as narrator in the Hindi dub despite the episodes being re-dubbed.
- In addition to the US dub, Alec Baldwin is credited in the opening titles for the Spanish and French dubs despite the episodes being re-dubbed.
- Korean DVD releases of this series from C4U Media and Adongmoonhak credit Michael Angelis as the narrator despite the episodes being re-dubbed.
- In the Vietnamese dub, Michael Angelis' dub can be heard in the background as a dubbing track was not used. Additionally, he is also credited as the narrator despite the episodes being re-dubbed.
- In Finland, all of the episodes were never released on home video. they were shown exclusively on television by MTV3 in 2009.
- This series was filmed in the same room that Tugs was filmed in.
- The Japanese video game Magical Adventure utilises specially shot footage from this series.
- According to a news article in the Daily Mirror, this series was planned to air on the BBC.[1] Had this series aired on the BBC as initially planned, it would have been the first in the television series to do so.
- Eighteen sets of rushes from this series on hi-8 tape are currently in the possession of Twitter/YouTube user ThomasTankMerch.
- James' tender still had its fourth series black lining, as it has not been updated in the fifth series. It is visible in the episodes Cranky Bugs, Horrid Lorry, A Better View for Gordon, Gordon and the Gremlin, Put Upon Percy, Something in the Air, Thomas and the Rumours and beginnings of James and the Trouble with Trees, Baa! and Make Someone Happy.
Reference
Series 5 |
#01 Cranky Bugs | #10 Toby and the Flood | #19 Happy Ever After |
#02 Horrid Lorry | #11 Haunted Henry | #20 Sir Topham Hatt's Holiday |
#03 A Better View for Gordon | #12 Double Teething Troubles | #21 A Surprise for Percy |
#04 Lady Hatt's Birthday Party | #13 Stepney Gets Lost | #22 Make Someone Happy |
#05 James and the Trouble with Trees | #14 Toby's Discovery | #23 Busy Going Backwards |
#06 Gordon and the Gremlin | #15 Something in the Air | #24 Duncan Gets Spooked |
#07 Bye George! | #16 Thomas, Percy and Old Slow Coach | #25 Rusty and the Boulder |
#08 Baa! | #17 Thomas and the Rumours | #26 Snow |
#09 Put Upon Percy | #18 Oliver's Find | |