Thomas' Magical Birthday Wishes is the first out of four mini series of online videos made to celebrate the 75th anniversary of The Railway Series.[1] It revolves around Thomas using his thirteen magical birthday wishes to help his friends while they set up a surprise birthday party without his knowledge. The shorts are written by Eric Branscum, and the series features the UK voice cast in both dubs as opposed to redubbing the shorts with American actors. The shorts were animated by WildBrain Studios and use an animation style that is more cartoony than that of the main series, and feature the voices of John Hasler, Rob Rackstraw, Rachael Miller and Yvonne Grundy. Rackstraw and Miller also substitute the UK voice actors for many of the featured characters. The series ran for 14 videos and was succeeded by Learning with Thomas and The Sodor Springtime Parade.
Characters
- Thomas
- Gordon
- James
- Percy
- Toby
- Emily
- Rosie
- Belle
- Nia
- Rebecca
- Skiff
- Henrietta
- Harold
- Cranky
- Sir Topham Hatt
- Flynn (mentioned)
Cast
- John Hasler as Thomas
- Rob Rackstraw as Gordon, James, Percy, Toby, Skiff, Harold, Cranky and Sir Topham Hatt
- Rachael Miller as Emily, Rosie, Belle and Rebecca
- Yvonne Grundy as Nia
Trivia
- John Hasler and Yvonne Grundy were the only voice actors not to voice more than one character in the series.
- James and Toby were the only roles that Rob Rackstraw had voiced in the main series prior. Likewise, Rebecca was the only featured character Rachael Miller had voiced in the main show.
- Throughout the videos, all the vehicle characters do not have crews.
- Excluding the final short, James and Percy are the only characters to appear in multiple installments.
- Toby was the only former Steam Team member to appear.
- Nia was the only character other than Thomas not to have a substitute voice actor in this series.
Thomas and the Ants!
Thomas and the Ants! is the first video in the series. It was originally released on 2nd May 2020.
Plot
Some ants have taken the food Percy was supposed to deliver to the Animal Park, so Thomas decides to use one of his magical birthday wishes to become as small as an ant and get the food back.
Characters
Locations
- Sodor Animal Park (mentioned)
Cast
- John Hasler as Thomas
- Rob Rackstraw as Percy
Trivia
- Rob Rackstraw voices Percy in this video instead of Nigel Pilkington.
- Additionally, the voice Rackstraw uses for Percy is the same as Scoop from Bob the Builder.
- In a first in the franchise's history, Thomas can deform his shape in cartoonish stretching. He can also jump off the track, which along with the shape deformation will be more prevalent in the All Engines Go! 2D reboot.
Goofs
- In a few seconds, Thomas' wheels and siderods are not moving.
- Throughout the video, Percy's lamp irons are positioned incorrectly. This would continue through to future 75th Anniversary shorts.
In Other Languages
Language | Title |
---|---|
Brazilian Portuguese | Thomas e as Formigas |
German | Thomas und die Ameisen |
Italian | Thomas e Le Formiche! |
Polish | Tomek i mrówki |
Russian | Томас и муравьи |
Spanish | Thomas y las Hormigas |
Video
Thomas and the Balloons!
Thomas and the Balloons! is the second video in the series. It was originally released on 9th May 2020.
Plot
When Rebecca loses her balloons, Thomas uses one of his magical birthday wishes to become as light as a balloon and help out Rebecca.
Characters
Cast
- John Hasler as Thomas
- Rachael Miller as Rebecca
Goofs
- Rebecca has Raul's whistle sound.
In Other Languages
Language | Title |
---|---|
Brazilian Portuguese | Thomas e os balões |
German | Thomas und die Luftballons |
Italian | Thomas e I Palloncini |
Polish | Tomek i balony |
Russian | Томас и воздушные |
Spanish | Thomas y los Globos |
Video
Too Many Thomases!
Too Many Thomases! is the third video in the series. It was originally released on 16th May 2020.
Plot
Nia is trying to put up a tent but needs nine other engines to help her out before the party guests arrive, so Thomas uses his birthday wishes to create eight other Thomases to help himself and Nia out.
Characters
Cast
- John Hasler as Thomas
- Yvonne Grundy as Nia
Goofs
- In some shots, Nia's funnel can be seen clipping through the top of the tent.
In Other Languages
Language | Title |
---|---|
Brazilian Portuguese | Diez Mini Thomas |
German | Zehn kleine Thomase |
Italian | Dieci Piccoli Thomas |
Polish | Wielu Tomków |
Russian | Десять маленьких Томасов |
Spanish | Diez Mini Thomas |
Video
Thomas the Submarine
Thomas the Submarine is the fourth video in the series. It was originally released on 23rd May 2020.
Plot
When Cranky accidentally drops a crate into the ocean, Thomas uses one of his magical birthday wishes to become a submarine and find the crate.
Characters
Locations
Cast
- John Hasler as Thomas
- Rob Rackstraw as Cranky
Trivia
- Rob Rackstraw voices Cranky in this video instead of Matt Wilkinson.
- This is the first video where Thomas helps a non-Steam Team member.
- As a submarine, Thomas' funnel was reused from Nia's fantasy in the twenty-fourth series episode, A New Arrival.
In Other Languages
Language | Title |
---|---|
Brazilian Portuguese | Thomas o Submarino |
German | Thomas und das U-Boot |
Italian | Thomas Il Sottomarino |
Polish | Tomek Łódź podwodna |
Russian | Подводная лодка Томас |
Spanish | Thomas el Submarino |
Video
Super Bubble Thomas!
Super Bubble Thomas! is the fifth video in the series.
Plot
James is given the responsibility of cleaning Knapford Station, but he runs out of soap, so Thomas uses one of his magical birthday wishes to clean the station from inside a soap bubble.
Characters
Locations
Cast
- John Hasler as Thomas
- Rob Rackstraw as James
Trivia
- The goods section next to Line 6 of Knapford Station is replaced by brick walls.
- In South Korea, it was uploaded in the English dub.
In Other Languages
Language | Title |
---|---|
Brazilian Portuguese | Super Bolha Thomas |
German | Thomas und die Superseifenblase |
Italian | Thomas La Super Bolla |
Korean | 슈퍼 버블 토마스 |
Polish | Tomek i superbańka |
Russian | Большой пузырь Томас |
Spanish | Thomas la Super Burbuja |
Video
Thomas and the Monkeys
Thomas and the Monkeys is the sixth video in the series. It was originally released on 6th June 2020.
Plot
Thomas comes across Rosie, who is having trouble rounding up some monkeys who run away from her every time she tries to catch them, so Thomas uses one of his magical birthday wishes to turn himself invisible and entice the monkeys back into the animal park.
Characters
Locations
Cast
- John Hasler as Thomas
- Rachael Miller as Rosie
Trivia
- Rachael Miller voices Rosie in this video instead of Nicola Stapleton.
Goofs
- In one shot, part of Rosie's chassis is clipping through her smokebox.
- When Thomas says "What monkey can resist a floating banana?", his siderods do not move.
In Other Languages
Language | Title |
---|---|
Brazilian Portuguese | Thomas e os Macacos |
German | Thomas und die Affen |
Italian | Thomas e le Scimmie |
Polish | Tomek i małpki |
Russian | Томас и обезьянки |
Spanish | Thomas Y Los Monos |
Video
Thomas the Giant
Thomas the Giant is the seventh video in the series. It was originally released on 13th June 2020.
Plot
Thomas comes across Henrietta, who is looking for Toby after the coupling chain broke on Gordon's Hill. Thomas uses one of his magical birthday wishes to turn himself into a giant so Toby can see him and then reunite with Henrietta.
Characters
Locations
Cast
- John Hasler as Thomas
- Rob Rackstraw as Toby
- Rachael Miller as Henrietta
Trivia
- Rachael Miller voices Henrietta in this video instead of Maggie Ollerenshaw.
- This is the first video where Thomas helps a former Steam Team member and the first to feature more than two speaking characters.
- Buffering sound effects from the model series are used when Thomas' voice makes Henrietta shake.
Goofs
- When Thomas starts growing, he straddles over the track on Henrietta's left. When he finishes growing, he is no longer over the track and is instead beside it. He returns to his original position after Toby finds them.
- Toby has Flora's bell sound. This sound was also used for Lady in some games and on her ride at Drayton Manor Theme Park.
In Other Languages
Language | Title |
---|---|
Brazilian Portuguese | Thomas o Gigante |
German | Thomas und der Riese |
Italian | Thomas Il Gigante |
Polish | Tomek Olbrzym |
Russian | Гигант Томас |
Spanish | Thomas el Gigante |
Video
Thomas the Helicopter
Thomas the Helicopter is the eighth video in the series. It was originally released on 20th June 2020.
Plot
Harold has broken down whilst making a delivery to the Mainland, and with the Vicarstown Bridge out, Thomas uses one of his magical birthday wishes to turn himself into a helicopter and make Harold's delivery for him, as well as finding an engineer.
Characters
Locations
- Island of Sodor
- Vicarstown Bridge (mentioned)
- The Mainland
Cast
- John Hasler as Thomas
- Rob Rackstraw as Harold
Trivia
- This is the first video in the series to use YouTube's premiere function.
- Rob Rackstraw voices Harold in this video instead of Keith Wickham.
- This is the first video in the series to feature a human character, albeit only a minor one at the end.
- The rotors are reused from an animation sequence from You Can Only Be You. In this video, however, the rotor shaft is mounted in Thomas' funnel instead of his dome.
Goofs
- The station is missing two of its doors.
In Other Languages
Language | Title |
---|---|
Brazilian Portuguese | Thomas o Helicóptero |
German | Thomas der Hubschrauber |
Italian | Thomas L'Elicottero |
Polish | Tomek Helikopter |
Russian | Вертолет Томас |
Spanish | El Helicoptero Thomas |
Video
Thomas the Rescue Engine
Thomas the Rescue Engine is the ninth video in the series. It was originally uploaded on 22nd June 2020 before premiering five days later on the usual date. A South Korean dub was released on 3rd November 2020 in Naver TV and 6th November 2020 on YouTube.
Plot
Thomas uses one of his magical birthday wishes to help Belle put out a burning barn that she cannot reach.
Characters
Locations
- Sodor Bakery (mentioned)
Cast
- John Hasler as Thomas
- Rachael Miller as Belle
Trivia
- This is the first video in the series not to be uploaded first on a Saturday, albeit only as an unlisted video in a playlist.
- Rachael Miller voices Belle in this video instead of Teresa Gallagher.
- Thomas' equipment includes Flynn's horns, sirens, ladder, headlights and winch, Butch's wheels and Belle's water cannons.
In Other Languages
Language | Title |
---|---|
Brazilian Portuguese | Thomas o Trem de Resgate |
German | Thomas der Rettungswagen |
Italian | Thomas Il Mezzo di Soccorso! |
Korean | 토마스, 소방차로 변신 |
Polish | Tomek Strażak |
Russian | Спасательная машина Томас |
Spanish | Thomas el Camion de Rescate |
Video
Thomas and the Lighthouse
This article is about the magical birthday wish video. You may be looking for 'the episode, the book, the Swedish/Norwegian/Danish/Finnish DVD, the German DVD, the Dutch DVD, the South African DVD ,the Spanish DVD or the magazine story. |
Thomas and the Lighthouse is the tenth video in the series. It was originally released on 4th July 2020.
Plot
On a cloudy day, a lighthouse by the shore stops working, so Thomas uses one of his magical birthday wishes to help Skiff and become as bright as a lighthouse and guide the ship away from the rocks.
Characters
Cast
- John Hasler as Thomas
- Rob Rackstraw as Skiff
Trivia
- Rob Rackstraw voices Skiff in this video instead of Jamie Campbell Bower.
In Other Languages
Language | Title |
---|---|
Brazilian Portuguese | Thomas e o Farol |
German | Thomas und der Leuchtturm |
Italian | Thomas e Il Faro |
Polish | Tomek i latarnia morska |
Russian | Томас и маяк |
Spanish | Thomas el Faro |
Video
Thomas Full Speed Ahead
Thomas Full Speed Ahead is the eleventh video in the series. It was originally uploaded on 1st July 2020, before premiering ten days later on the usual date.
Plot
Gordon breaks down on the Main Line with a train full of passengers, so Thomas uses one of his magical birthday wishes to become super fast and get them to their destination on time.
Characters
Locations
Cast
- John Hasler as Thomas
- Rob Rackstraw as Gordon and Percy
Trivia
- Rob Rackstraw voices Gordon in this video instead of Keith Wickham. Additionally, this is the first time a character other than Thomas has appeared in more than one video.
- This is the second time someone other than Gordon has said “Oh, the indignity.”
- A reference to The Adventure Begins is made when Thomas says "Wake up, lazybones!".
Goofs
- When Thomas whistles at Gordon, no steam comes out of his whistle.
- Gordon says he has an express coach, when he actually has more than one. Additionally, only one of the coaches has visible passengers.
- The station is missing two of its doors and bulletin boards. Also, the window frames are painted red instead of white.
In Other Languages
Language | Title |
---|---|
Brazilian Portuguese | Thomas a todo vapor |
German | Thomas Volle Kraft voraus |
Italian | Thomas A Tutto Gas |
Polish | Superszybki Tomek |
Russian | Томас на полной скорости |
Spanish | Thomas a Maxima Velocidad |
Video
Thomas the Rubber Band
Thomas the Rubber Band is the twelfth video in the series. It was originally released on 18th July 2020.
Plot
When James is running out of control, Thomas wishes himself to become elastic so he can stop James before he crashes into the station.
Characters
Locations
Cast
- John Hasler as Thomas
- Rob Rackstraw as James and Sir Topham Hatt
Trivia
- Rob Rackstraw voices Sir Topham Hatt in this video instead of Keith Wickham.
- This is the first video where Thomas helps a human character. It is also the first time he has helped someone a second time.
Goofs
- Thomas' siderods clip through his frames when James collides with him.
- Thomas and James' crews are missing from the engine's cabs.
- In the German version:
- The apostrophe on the title card is misplaced and it says "Thomas 'magische Geburtstagswünsche".
- James lost his Texan accent he had in his previous video. Instead, Sir Topham Hatt gained the accent.
In Other Languages
Language | Title |
---|---|
Brazilian Portuguese | Thomas e o Elástico |
German | Thomas und das Gummiband |
Italian | Thomas L'Elastico |
Polish | Tomek z gumy |
Russian | Резинка Томас |
Spanish | Thomas la Banda Elastica |
Video
Thomas the Elephant
Thomas the Elephant is the thirteenth video in the series. It was released on 25th July 2020.
Plot
When Emily loses a baby elephant, Thomas sets off to find him, using a magical birthday wish to turn into an elephant and help the little animal.
Characters
Cast
- John Hasler as Thomas
- Rachael Miller as Emily
Trivia
- Rachael Miller voices Emily in this video instead of Teresa Gallagher.
- The baby elephant is animated in a more cartoony design, most notably having larger eyes than in real life along with more spheroid proportions.
- Like in Series 8 to the half of Series 17 as well in some merchandise along with some games, Emily has Henry's whistle sound.
- This is the first online video where Emily has her number.
- Elephant Thomas became a popular internet meme after this video.
In Other Languages
Language | Title |
---|---|
Brazilian Portuguese | Thomas e o Elefante |
German | Thomas und der Elefant |
Italian | Thomas e L'Elefante |
Polish | Tomek i słoń |
Russian | Слон Томас |
Spanish | Thomas el Elefante |
Video
Thomas and the Birthday Surprise
Thomas and the Birthday Surprise is the fourteenth and final video in the series. It was released on 1st August 2020.
Plot
Thomas attempts to wish for a birthday party for himself, but he finds out that he has run out of magical birthday wishes. His friends, however, have already prepared a party for him at Knapford station to thank him for helping them.
Characters
Locations
Cast
- John Hasler as Thomas
- Rob Rackstraw as Gordon, James, Percy, Toby, Harold and Sir Topham Hatt
- Rachael Miller as Emily, Rosie, Belle, Rebecca and Henrietta
- Yvonne Grundy as Nia
Trivia
- Every character featured in the Magical Birthday Wishes shorts appears with the exception of Cranky and Skiff.
- When Thomas blows his whistle, it budges up and down similarly to how Nitrogen Studios animated the whistles.
- Everyone (with the exception of Thomas and Percy) sings "A Thomas Birthday Wish" from the album Happy Birthday Thomas!. Prior to this, Thomas would sing snippets of the song to himself at the end of the prior videos.
Goofs
- At one point during the song, Thomas blows his whistle, but no steam emits from it.
- On the Latin American YouTube channel, the Polish version of this video was uploaded instead of the Latin American Spanish version. The Latin American version of this video was later uploaded on the Latin American YouTube on 1st September 2020, where it was included in a compilation with the previous shorts.
In Other Languages
Language | Title |
---|---|
Brazilian Portuguese | Thomas e a Festa Surpresa |
German | Thomas und die Geburtstagsüberraschung |
Italian | Thomas e La Sorpresa Di Compleanno |
Polish | Tomek i urodzinowa niespodzianka |
Spanish | El Cumpleaños Sorpresa de Thomas |
Video
In Other Languages
Language | Title |
---|---|
Brazilian Portuguese | Desejos Mágicos de Aniversário do Thomas |
German | Thomas' magische Geburtstagswünsche |
Italian | I Desideri Magici del Compleanno di Thomas |
Korean | 토마스의 생일 소원 |
Polish | Magiczne życzenia urodzinowe Tomka |
Russian | Волшебные пожелания день рождения Томаса |
Spanish | Deseos Mágicos de Cumpleaños de Thomas |
References