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- “The Fat Controller/Sir Topham Hatt chose me because I'm as red as a rocket and twice as grand!”
- ― James
Thomas and the Firework Display is the eleventh episode of the eighth series.
Plot
Tonight is the Fat Controller's harvest fireworks display, for which he decides to give James the job of collecting the fireworks from the depot. This upsets Thomas because he wanted that job, but James tells him that he was chosen because he is as red as a rocket and twice as grand.
At the Coaling Plant, Thomas is furious about James' job and angrily shunts some trucks around. James arrives at the depot to collect the fireworks and chuffs off to Knapford Station. But along the way, James breaks down and his driver goes to phone for help.
Thomas arrives at Knapford Station where Gordon is letting off people from all over the island to see the fireworks and seeing the children happy makes Thomas happy. The Fat Controller gives Thomas the news that James has broken down and that Thomas must push him to the station or the fireworks will be cancelled. Realising that this would make the children sad, Thomas heads off to find James.
Thomas finds James and calls him busted boiler, teasing him that he does not look really useful now, which makes James cross. Thomas tells James that he must look out for things ahead for him as he can not see ahead. James is still cross, but forgives Thomas after hearing that the children would be upset if the fireworks do not get to Knapford and they start on their way.
Back at Knapford Station, the Fat Controller sees that it is late and near the children's bedtime, so he decides to cancel the display. While heading towards Knapford, James is confused that a signal they have reached is red. Thomas thinks a passenger train is coming and James realises that Gordon is taking the children home, so they blow their whistles, but no one can hear them.
As Gordon is just about to leave, Thomas has an idea to let his driver set off a firework and Gordon and the Fat Controller see it realising it is a signal from Thomas and James and that the fireworks display is on again. The signal then turns green and Thomas and James arrive at the station.
At Tidmouth Sheds, Thomas and James watch the fireworks. James tells Thomas that they are both Really Useful Engines and Thomas says that they are most useful when they work together.
Characters
- Thomas
- James
- Sir Topham Hatt
- Gordon (does not speak)
- Troublesome Trucks (speaks in the US and Finnish dubs)
- Stephen Hatt (cameo)
- Bridget Hatt (cameo)
- Nancy (cameo)
- Annie and Clarabel (stock footage cameo)
- Jem Cole (stock footage cameo)
- Farmer Trotter (stock footage cameo)
Locations
- Tidmouth Sheds
- Knapford
- The Coaling Plant
- The Hay Farm (stock footage)
- The Watermill (deleted scene)
Trivia
- Going by production order, this is the first episode of the eighth series.
- Stock footage from Thomas and the Rumours and Emily's New Route is used.
- In the All Aboard with the Steam Team and Songs from the Station DVD narrations and the Nick Jr. broadcasts, the timing of when James asks, "Why would the signal be red?" is a few seconds earlier than in The Complete Series 8 DVD, US PBS broadcasts and other UK television broadcasts.
- In the US version, on the Songs from the Station DVD, the trucks say "Oh" after Thomas biffed them the last time. This is absent on the PBS airing.
- In The Complete Series 8 DVD and other television broadcasts, the music is omitted at the end of the episode.
- This episode and Percy Gets it Right share the same opening shot while also being stock footage.
- This episode marks Nancy's last appearance to date.
- This is the last episode to use stock footage from an episode produced by The Britt Allcroft Company.
Goofs
- When the driver lights the rocket, there is a thin wire used to pull the rocket.
- In all of the night shots, light can be seen coming from the back of Thomas' headlight.
- In the closeup shot of Thomas pushing James and the firework train into Knapford station, Thomas is not making any smoke.
- When Thomas says "And good work, James!", the cars he is pushing disappear.
- Because stock footage is used, Annie and Clarabel appear in their old liveries.
Merchandise
- Books - Thomas and the Firework Display
- Take Along - Fireworks Car (discontinued)
In Other Languages
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Home Media Releases
UK
DVD Boxsets
AUS
DVD Boxsets
USDVD Packs
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DVD BoxsetsINIDNJPNSPNDVD BoxsetsHKTHATWN |
| #01 Thomas and the Tuba | #10 Emily's New Route | #19 Fish |
| #02 Percy's New Whistle | #11 Thomas and the Firework Display | #20 Emily's Adventure |
| #03 Thomas to the Rescue | #12 Gordon Takes Charge | #21 Halloween |
| #04 Henry and the Wishing Tree | #13 Spic and Span | #22 You Can Do It, Toby! |
| #05 James Gets a New Coat | #14 Edward the Great | #23 James Goes Too Far |
| #06 Thomas Saves the Day | #15 Squeak, Rattle and Roll | #24 Chickens to School |
| #07 Percy's Big Mistake | #16 Thomas and the Circus | #25 Too Hot for Thomas |
| #08 Thomas, Emily and the Snowplough | #17 Thomas Gets It Right | #26 Percy and the Magic Carpet |
| #09 Don't Tell Thomas | #18 As Good as Gordon | |