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Thomas & Friends (series 4) facts for kids
| Thomas & Friends | |
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DVD cover art
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| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| No. of episodes | 26 |
| Release | |
| Original network | Cartoon Network |
| Original release | 10 September 1994 – 30 May 1995 |
Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends is a popular children's television series. It's all about the engines and other characters who work on the railways of the Island of Sodor. The show is based on The Railway Series books, which were written by the Reverend W. Awdry.
This article tells you about the 4th series of the show, which aired in 1994 and 1995. For viewers in the United Kingdom, Michael Angelis was the narrator. In the United States, George Carlin narrated the episodes. This was his last series as narrator. This series was also the final time Thomas appeared in the US as part of Shining Time Station. After that, it became its own program on Mister Moose's Fun Time and Storytime With Thomas.
Two episodes in this series have two different titles. The first title is from the United Kingdom broadcasts, and the second is the American title. Britt Allcroft (Thomas) Limited produced this series.
Contents
Making the Show
How They Filmed It
The 4th series brought in smaller engines called narrow-gauge engines. To make filming easier, bigger models of these characters were used from series 5 onwards. From series 6-7, these larger models were almost always used.
The episode Thomas and the Special Letter was first called The Fat Controller's Engines. It was shown on Nickelodeon UK from March 19, 1999, to March 23, 2001.
The Stories Behind the Episodes
In the 4th series, only one new story was written by the show's team. This was "Rusty to the Rescue," written by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton. Most other episodes were based on The Railway Series books. The show sometimes changed the book stories a little to make them fit the episode time and be easier to understand. From series 5, all stories were created by the show's writers, not from the books.
For example, Stepney, an engine based on a real train, had a different background story in the show compared to the books. In the show, he was seen on a fictional version of the Bluebell Railway or as part of The Fat Controller's railway.
The show also decided to make Rusty a gender-neutral character. In the books, Rusty was always male. This change was made because some people felt the show didn't have enough female characters. Later, some releases of the same episode used male words for Rusty again.
Who Narrated and Appeared
Initially, each episode was shown as a part of the children's TV show Shining Time Station. Two stories from Series 4 were also shown in special "Family Specials" in 1995. The rest were broadcast in a six-episode show called Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales. Later, they aired in a new half-hour show called Storytime with Thomas. This show also included a Series 5 episode narrated by Alec Baldwin and an episode from Britt Allcroft's Magic Adventures of Mumfie.
Episodes
| No. overall |
No. in series |
UK title (top)
US title (bottom) |
Directed by | Source | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 79 | 1 | "Granpuff" | David Mitton | Duke the Lost Engine by Rev. W. Awdry |
10 September 1994 | |
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Thomas tells the other engines about Duke, an old narrow-gauge engine. Duke was admired by younger engines, Stuart and Falcon. But when his railway closed, Duke was hidden away.
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| 80 | 2 | "Sleeping Beauty" | David Mitton | Duke the Lost Engine by Rev. W. Awdry |
12 September 1994 | |
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Thomas continues Duke's story. Rescuers searched for Duke, but his shed was covered. They knew Duke was still there and kept searching for the old engine.
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| 81 | 3 | "Bulldog" | David Mitton | Duke the Lost Engine by Rev. W. Awdry |
14 September 1994 | |
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Falcon (now Sir Handel) must take the Mountain Road with Duke. Falcon isn't careful and ends up hanging from a cliff. Duke holds on tight to save him.
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| 82 | 4 | "You Can't Win!" | David Mitton | Duke the Lost Engine by Rev. W. Awdry |
21 September 1994 | |
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Duke feels unwell, and Stuart teases him. Soon, Duke is too sick to work alone, so Falcon and Stuart help him. But Duke still has enough energy for a trick on Stuart.
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| 83 | 5 | "Four Little Engines" | David Mitton | Four Little Engines by Rev. W. Awdry Based on Skarloey Remembers and Old Faithful |
25 September 1994 | |
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On the Skarloey Railway, coaches make Falcon (Sir Handel) derail, so he can't work. Skarloey wants a good run. His front spring breaks, but he still gets the passengers back safely.
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| 84 | 6 | "A Bad Day For Sir Handel" | David Mitton | Four Little Engines by Rev. W. Awdry Based on Sir Handel |
30 September 1994 | |
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Skarloey and Rheneas are overworked. Stuart (Peter Sam) and Sir Handel come to help. But Sir Handel is grumpy and makes things worse for himself.
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| 85 | 7 | "Peter Sam & the Refreshment Lady" | David Mitton | Four Little Engines by Rev. W. Awdry |
2 October 1994 | |
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Peter Sam enjoys working alone. Henry threatens to leave if he's late, so Peter Sam rushes. He accidentally leaves the Refreshment Lady behind.
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| 86 | 8 | "Trucks"
"Rusty Helps Peter Sam" |
David Mitton | The Little Old Engine by Rev. W. Awdry |
7 October 1994 | |
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While Skarloey is fixed, a diesel named Rusty helps out. Sir Handel doesn't want to work, so Gordon suggests he pretend to be sick. But when Peter Sam does Sir Handel's work, troublesome trucks cause Peter Sam to have an accident.
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| 87 | 9 | "Home at Last" | David Mitton | The Little Old Engine by Rev. W. Awdry |
9 October 1994 | |
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Skarloey returns from repairs and meets Rusty. Peter Sam tells him about Duncan, a rude engine. Skarloey later has to rescue Duncan from a falling tunnel.
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| 88 | 10 | "Rock 'n' Roll" | David Mitton | The Little Old Engine by Rev. W. Awdry |
14 October 1994 | |
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Duncan is annoyed by Rusty's good advice. With a tip from James, Duncan causes trouble and derails himself. Rusty helps him, and Duncan says sorry for being rude.
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| 89 | 11 | "Special Funnel" | David Mitton | Gallant Old Engine by Rev. W. Awdry |
20 October 1994 | |
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Peter Sam's funnel is still broken from his accident. He was promised a new one, but he starts to lose hope. An icicle even knocks off his old funnel.
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| 90 | 12 | "Steam Roller" | David Mitton | Gallant Old Engine by Rev. W. Awdry |
14 January 1995 | |
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Sir Handel wants to show his special wheels are best. He agrees to handle George, a rude steamroller who hates rails. But George and Sir Handel are both very stubborn.
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| 91 | 13 | "Passengers & Polish" | David Mitton | Gallant Old Engine by Rev. W. Awdry |
30 January 1995 | |
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Duncan gets angry when others get special treatment. He complains a lot. He stops on the viaduct, causing delays and making passengers furious. The Fat Controller tells him, "No passengers means no polish!"
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| 92 | 14 | "Gallant Old Engine (or The Gallant Old Engine)" | David Mitton | Gallant Old Engine by Rev. W. Awdry |
2 February 1995 | |
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Skarloey wants to help a grumpy Duncan. He tells the story of Rheneas, who bravely went through a steep hill and bad weather for his passengers. Duncan calms down and promises to behave. Rheneas comes home, and all the engines cheer.
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| 93 | 15 | "Rusty to the Rescue" | David Mitton | Original by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton |
7 February 1995 | |
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The Bluebell Railway needs a new engine. Douglas suggests Rusty look where Oliver was found: the scrapyard. Only diesels usually go there, but Rusty bravely goes and rescues an engine named Stepney.
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| 94 | 16 | "Thomas & Stepney" | David Mitton | Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine by Rev. W. Awdry Based on Bluebells of England and Stepney's Special |
10 February 1995 | |
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Thomas feels jealous when the visiting engine Stepney gets more attention. He gets even angrier when he's sent to his own branch line for Stepney that night.
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| 95 | 17 | "Train Stops Play" | David Mitton | Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine by Rev. W. Awdry |
16 February 1995 | |
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Stepney's driver and fireman watch a cricket game. A player hits the ball into one of Stepney's trucks. The players chase Stepney in their old car, Caroline, to get their ball back.
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| 96 | 18 | "Bowled Out" | David Mitton | Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine by Rev. W. Awdry |
20 February 1995 | |
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Stepney's visit is ending. A new, rude diesel arrives. An inspector's hat soon teaches him a lesson. Duck and Stepney pull the Express. Stepney leaves with praise, while the embarrassed diesel quietly slips away.
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| 97 | 19 | "Henry & the Elephant" | David Mitton | Troublesome Engines by Rev. W. Awdry |
12 March 1995 | |
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The circus arrives. Henry and Gordon are upset when James pulls the circus train. Later, Henry investigates a blockage in his tunnel and finds part of the circus.
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| 98 | 20 | "Toad Stands By" | David Mitton | Oliver the Western Engine by Rev. W. Awdry |
19 March 1995 | |
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Oliver is sad when troublesome trucks tease him about his past accident. Toad has a plan to teach the trucks a lesson. Their leader, Special Carriage Ruffey, is the one who really gets it.
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| 99 | 21 | "Bulls Eyes" | David Mitton | Branch Line Engines by Rev. W. Awdry |
2 April 1995 | |
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Daisy laughs at Toby's cowcatchers, thinking they're useless. She believes she can just tell a cow to move. But her boasting is tested when she meets a bull named Champion on the tracks.
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| 100 | 22 | "Thomas & the Special Letter" | David Mitton | The 8 Famous Engines by Rev. W. Awdry Based on The Fat Controller's Engines |
4 April 1995 | |
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The Fat Controller reads a letter inviting engines to the big city. He tells them they must show other engines their jobs. Thomas shows Oliver how to handle coaches. But Thomas becomes too proud after beating Bertie in a race, causing an accident that might stop his trip.
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| 101 | 23 | "Paint, Pots & Queens"
"Thomas Meets the Queen" |
David Mitton | Gordon the Big Engine by Rev. W. Awdry |
6 April 1995 | |
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As The Queen plans to visit Sodor, Thomas and Gordon have made up. A paint accident with boastful Henry creates new jobs for them.
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| 102 | 24 | "Fish" | David Mitton | Really Useful Engines by Christopher Awdry |
8 April 1995 | |
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Henry is assigned to deliver the Flying Kipper. Duck becomes Henry's helper engine when extra vans are added. However, a tail lamp that isn't properly attached causes problems on Gordon's Hill.
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| 103 | 25 | "Special Attraction" | David Mitton | Toby, Trucks and Trouble by Christopher Awdry Based on Toby's Seaside Holiday and Bulstrode |
1 May 1995 | |
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Toby is sad because there isn't enough room for him at a seaside festival. Meanwhile, Percy goes to the harbor to deal with troublesome trucks and a grumpy barge named Bulstrode.
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| 104 | 26 | "Mind that Bike!" | David Mitton | Really Useful Engines by Christopher Awdry |
30 May 1995 | |
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A postman named Tom Tipper is upset because he lost his van and has to use a bike. Percy accidentally flattens Tom's bike while rushing. In the end, Tom gets a brand new van.
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Characters You'll See
- Stepney the Bluebell Engine ("Rusty to the Rescue")
- The Diesel ("Bowled Out")
- Duke ("Granpuff")
- Rheneas ("Granpuff" (cameo) / "Four Little Engines")
- Falcon / Sir Handel ("Granpuff" / "A Bad Day for Sir Handel")
- Rusty ("Trucks")
- 'Special Carriage' Ruffey ("Toad Stands By")
- George ("Steam-Roller")
- Caroline ("Train Stops Play")
- Bulstrode the Barge ("Special Attraction")
- The Refreshment Lady ("Peter Sam and the Refreshment Lady")
- Nancy ("Passengers and Polish")
- Champion the Bull ("Bulls Eyes")
- Staurt/Peter Sam ("Granpuff")
Other Regular Characters
- Thomas
- Edward
- Henry
- Gordon
- James
- Percy
- Toby
- Duck
- Donald and Douglas
- Oliver the Great Western Engine
- Daisy
- Bill and Ben
- BoCo
- Mavis
- The Fat Controller
- Annie and Clarabel
- Henrietta
- Toad the Brake Van
- Troublesome Trucks
- Bertie
- Terence
- Trevor
- Harold
- Bulgy