Hero of the Rails facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hero of the Rails
DVD cover
Directed by	Greg Tiernan
Produced by	Nicole Stinn
Written by	Sharon Miller
Starring	See below
Music by	Robert Hartshorne
Editing by	Kevin Pavlovic
Studio	HiT Entertainment Nitrogen Studios
Distributed by	HiT Entertainment Lionsgate Home Entertainment (US)
Release date(s)	September 8, 2009 (2009-09-08) (US DVD) October 12, 2009 (2009-10-12) (UK DVD)
Running time	60 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Money made	$137,630

Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails is an exciting 2009 animated adventure film. It's part of the popular British children's TV series Thomas & Friends. This movie was special because it was the first time the show used full CGI animation. This meant the characters looked more realistic than the old models. It also added a voice cast for the characters, which was new for the TV series.

The film features the voices of Ben Small and Martin Sherman as Thomas the Tank Engine. Ben Small voiced Thomas in the UK, and Martin Sherman voiced him in the US. The movie first came out on DVD and iTunes in early 2010. To celebrate the film, a "Day Out with Thomas" tour happened in 2010. Fans could enjoy fun activities and even ride a large replica of Thomas the Tank Engine.

A mobile app called Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails was released in May 2011. The DVD was also included in "The Heroic Collection" in 2019. This collection featured other Thomas & Friends movies like Misty Island Rescue. This special film takes place between the twelfth and thirteenth seasons of the TV show.

The Story of Hero of the Rails

One summer, on the beautiful Island of Sodor, Spencer arrives. He is there to help the Duke and Duchess build their new summer house. Spencer is quite a show-off and teases the other engines. Thomas decides to challenge Spencer to a strength contest. They have to pull heavy cargo around the island.

During the challenge, Thomas's brakes fail after climbing a tall hill. He speeds out of control down an old, unused railway line. There, Thomas discovers an old, abandoned Japanese engine named Hiro. Hiro is worried that the Fat Controller will find him and scrap him. Thomas promises to keep Hiro a secret. He also promises to help make Hiro "Master of the Railway" again.

Later, Thomas goes to the Sodor Steamworks for repairs. He finds old parts that could be for Hiro. With permission from Victor, the Steamworks engine, Thomas takes the parts. But he soon realizes Hiro's hiding spot is very close to the Duke and Duchess's new house.

Helping Hiro in Secret

The next day, Thomas tells Percy about Hiro and asks for his help. Percy agrees to do Thomas's job while Thomas helps Hiro. However, Percy misplaces his mail trucks and breaks down. Thomas has to bring Percy to the Steamworks. The Fat Controller finds out and scolds Thomas. He makes Thomas do Percy's work as a punishment.

With no one else to ask, Thomas tells his other friends about Hiro. They all work together to help Hiro. They bring him new parts, distract Spencer, and keep the secret from the Fat Controller. Meanwhile, Thomas and Percy try to find the missing mail trucks. Hiro becomes good friends with all the engines. But he starts to miss his home island.

On the day the last part for Hiro is supposed to arrive, Spencer finds Percy's mail trucks. Thomas, James, and Toby corner Spencer. The Fat Controller then accuses Spencer of stealing the trucks and tells him to return them to Percy.

The Truth Comes Out

While Thomas and Hiro wait for Percy with the last part, they hear Spencer's whistle. They try to run away. Spencer finds them and chases them. Without the last part, Hiro falls apart and has to stop. Luckily, Gordon distracts Spencer, and Thomas moves Hiro to a new hiding place.

The Duke and Duchess are very angry with Spencer for leaving his work. Thomas offers to help Spencer. This helps Thomas keep an eye on Spencer and also gain the Fat Controller's trust. Meanwhile, the other engines visit Hiro to cheer him up.

When Thomas finally decides to tell the Fat Controller about Hiro, Spencer tries to stop him. But Spencer falls through a rickety bridge that collapses beneath him.

Hiro's Happy Ending

When Thomas explains Hiro's situation to the Fat Controller, he reassures Thomas. He says he would never scrap the "Master of the Railway." The next day, Thomas and Percy bring Hiro to the Steamworks. There, Victor and his assistant, Kevin the Crane, work hard to fix Hiro.

Once Hiro is like new, he and Rocky (voiced by Matt Wilkinson in the UK and Glenn Wrage in the US) rescue Spencer. Then, Hiro and Spencer work with Thomas on the summerhouse. Spencer apologizes to Thomas and Hiro. He says they are "both fine engines and fine friends." Hiro misses his home island, so the Fat Controller arranges for Hiro to return home. A farewell party is held at the docks. Thomas promises Hiro that Sodor will always be his home too.

Voice Cast

Note: The first UK trailer for the movie used different voices for Thomas and Spencer. This was because the footage came from an earlier version of the film. In that version, Kerry Shale voiced Thomas and Spencer. Their parts were later re-recorded for the final movie. Toby's US voice can also be heard in that early trailer.

Songs from the Film

A music video for an original pop rock song called "Go Go Thomas!" was included on the DVD. The song was sung by Sam Blewitt.

Other Media Based on the Film

A mobile app called Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails was created by Callaway Digital Arts. It was released on May 13, 2011. Kirkus Reviews, a book review magazine, gave the app a good rating. They said it offered the same fun experience as the videos and books, but with added interactive features.

A video game based on the film was also released for the Nintendo Wii and DS consoles. It came out in Europe on June 29, 2010. The game was planned for North America, but it was never released there.

The movie was also turned into a Little Golden Book with the same name. This book was released on May 11, 2010.