Thomas & Friends (series 5)

Thomas (the Tank Engine) & Friends is a children's television series about the engines and other characters working on the railways of the Island of Sodor, and is based on The Railway Series books written by the Reverend W. Awdry.

Thomas & Friends
Series 5
DVD cover art
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of episodes26
Release
Original networkCartoon Network UK
Original release14 September (1998-09-14) –
19 October 1998 (1998-10-19)
Series chronology

This article lists and details episodes from the fifth series of the show, which was first broadcast in 1998. This series was narrated by Michael Angelis for audiences in the United Kingdom, while Alec Baldwin narrated episodes for audiences in the United States.

In the United States, this season was first aired in 1999 on Fox Family. This was the first season of the series that was not aired on PBS Kids.

This was the last season produced by Gullane Entertainment's original name, The Britt Allcroft Company before its current rename in 2000.

Production

Stories

The show's staff had decided since Series 3 that most of the best stories of The Railway Series had been adapted, the rest involving too many new characters or closely resembling previous stories.[1] With Series 5, the decision was made to write a full series of original, staff-written stories. One reason for this was producer Britt Allcroft's desire to create a theatrical Thomas the Tank Engine movie. She requested that director David Mitton show off his modelling skills.[2]

Some inspiration for the stories 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. Days later, 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. As a result, Maidment received writing credit alongside Allcroft and Mitton. 10,000 pounds ($14,406 in U.S. money) was donated to the Railway Children for his work.[2]

These stories are amongst those adapted:

  • "A Better View for Gordon" - the Granville-Paris Express ran through the buffer stop, across the station concourse, and crashed through the station wall; landing in the Place de Rennes below.
  • "Baa!" – a ram invades a railway station and attacks some vandals; additionally, the idea of a "Best Kept Station" competition.
  • "James & the Trouble with Trees" – rain erodes an embankment, causing a tree to slide down and stand upright on the tracks.
  • "Double Teething Troubles" – a diesel stalls while banking a train.
  • "A Surprise for Percy" - a runaway in the Garw Valley that occurred during David Maidment's time as Area Manager at Bridgend.
  • "Busy Going Backwards" - a couple of "hair-raising" runaway trains in the Tondu valleys that occurred during David Maidment's time as Area Manager in South Wales.
  • "Gordon & the Gremlin" – bathwater in a luxury coach splashes around the compartment.[2]

The design for each new character would be chosen by David Eves, and given to David Mitton for approval.[1]

Filming

Mitton shot 2,700 slates for Series 5, the most of any of the series he shot for Thomas, and music from seasons 3 and 4 play while recording the audio to 5.1 surround sound while the final cut uses stereo audio.[2]

The filming for this season lasted from September 1, 1997, to April 30, 1998.

Broadcast

Previously Thomas had only appeared in the US as a segment on the TV show Shining Time Station, but Series 5 aired in the US as part of the half-hour Storytime with Thomas program. Each episode would include a new Series 5 episode, an episode of Britt Allcroft's Magic Adventures of Mumfie, and a Series 4 episode narrated by George Carlin, with music videos and footage of Day Out with Thomas in between.

Episodes
Main article: List of Thomas & Friends episodes
No.
overall		No. in
series		UK title (top)
Main title (middle)
US title (bottom)		Directed bySourceOriginal air date
1051"Cranky Bugs"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton		14 September 1998 (1998-09-14)
A tower crane called Cranky causes trouble for Thomas and Percy, calling them "bugs". But one night in a storm, Duck and the big engines are stuck at the docks. Cranky gets knocked over by an old tramp steamer, and needs the engines' help.
1062"Horrid Lorry"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton		15 September 1998 (1998-09-15)
When Percy shows up late for work one morning, Cranky loses patience with the engines not working hard enough and arranges for three snide lorries to arrive, and take over the engines' work. The lorries bully the engines, particularly Percy and Toby, but eventually, the tables are turned, and the lorries wreck themselves and get sent away.
1073"A Better View for Gordon"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft, David Mitton, and David Maidment		16 September 1998 (1998-09-16)
Gordon complains that engines like him should have a panoramic view from the back wall of the new station. He takes on his first test runs, with empty coaches and he stops at the station just fine. When he takes the coaches for another try, he breaks down before the station. At the grand opening of the new station, his brakes jam and he crashes through the station wall. The last time, it is a success for the 2nd grand opening of the new station, and the Fat Controller tells Gordon that his panoramic view is there to stay.
1084"Lady Hatt's Birthday Party"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft, David Mitton, and David Maidment		17 September 1998 (1998-09-17)
It's Lady Hatt's birthday, and the Fat Controller is determined to get to her party at the station on time. On his way, his car hits a hole in the road. He then gets a ride with Caroline, until her engine overheats, causing her to break down. George takes over, until he loses control and goes into a muddy ditch, resulting in the Fat Controller's suit getting ruined. Thomas gladly takes the Fat Controller to Kirk Ronan station, where he gets off. When he arrives, Lady Hatt comments about his ruined suit, saying that she didn't know it was about "fancy dressing" for her party.
1095"James & the Trouble with Trees"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft, David Mitton, and David Maidment		18 September 1998 (1998-09-18)
James is boastful about his new coat of paint, and he ignores warnings from Henry and Terence about trees that are too close to the line. While delivering a goods train of troublesome trucks during a storm, James comes across an old tree that gets blown onto the line in front of him. The tree nearly falls on James, but Thomas rescues him just in time.
1106"Gordon & the Gremlin"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft, David Mitton, and David Maidment		21 September 1998 (1998-09-21)
Gordon is selected by the Fat Controller to give a VIP a tour of the island. However, Gordon's fire does not light and the turntable malfunctions, causing the other engines to believe these problems are caused by gremlins. Gordon disagrees, until he has trouble with the VIP in his coach.
1117"Bye George!"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton		22 September 1998 (1998-09-22)
George is once again up to no good. He bullies Rheneas, Skarloey, and Percy, then tarmacs asphalt over the tracks where later, Thomas derails and ends up crashing through a barn. The next day, George bullies Duck and blocks his way, making Gordon ram Duck's last truck and send it flying into the air. After hearing about all these disturbances, the Fat Controller punishes George from rolling for a week.
1128"Baa!"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft, David Mitton, and David Maidment		23 September 1998 (1998-09-23)
A competition for "The Best Dressed Station" is being held across Sodor. But Percy crosses paths with a hungry ram on his way to help decorate Maithwaite and later, the station's decorations are ravaged when he goes to take a snooze. At first, the ram is blamed for the mess, but three boys confess they made the mess out of boredom and volunteer to clean it up. A few days later, Maithwaite wins first prize, and the Fat Controller gives a pumpkin to the ram. However, Harold's arrival leads to the Fat Controller's hat getting blown off and eaten by the ram. The Fat Controller then jokes that he wouldn't be able to eat his own hat even if he had to.
1139"Put Upon Percy"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton		24 September 1998 (1998-09-24)
Percy is feeling put upon after a hard day's work without rest, and to make matters worse, Thomas laughs at him about it. While working at the coal mine one day, some of the troublesome trucks escape from Percy and crash inside the mine, causing it to collapse. Percy escapes backwards and gets trapped under an avalanche, but luckily he is found and rescued. For his bravery, the Fat Controller rewards Percy with a new coat of paint, and Thomas apologises for teasing him.
11410"Toby & the Flood"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton		25 September 1998 (1998-09-25)
After weeks of rain, Toby goes to investigate a dam on his branch line. As he is on it, he discovers it's about to break and rushes away. On his way back, the bridge of the river floods away with him on it. Harold and Percy rescue Toby, with Harold securing a rope and Percy pulling him to safety. After the dam is mended, a party is held in Toby's honour.
11511"Haunted Henry"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft, David Mitton, and David Maidment		28 September 1998 (1998-09-28)
Edward warns Henry of a misty forest and a spooky old station. Henry does not believe Edward until he sees the forest and the station for himself. The next night, Henry takes a goods train of troublesome trucks into the forest, but the trucks get spooked upon seeing the station, and plunge into a deep ravine due to an unsafe viaduct. The ghost is then revealed to be a fogman called Old Bailey. Henry's crew apologises for ignoring Old Bailey's warning about the viaduct, and to thank him, they arrange for him to operate the old station, in exchange for his promise not to spook Henry again.
11612"Double Teething Troubles"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft, David Mitton, and David Maidment		29 September 1998 (1998-09-29)
When Bill and Ben argue, a new diesel with "teething" troubles arrives to help. When Thomas tells Percy about the diesel, he misunderstands him by thinking he has a toothache, and passes this on to the twins. The next day, the diesel overheats and breaks down whilst pushing a train, and the twins must pull him back to the quarry.
11713"Stepney Gets Lost"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton		30 September 1998 (1998-09-30)
Stepney takes a break from working with Rusty and goes to work at the quarry with Toby and Mavis. However, after a delivery with a goods train, he gets lost and ends up in the smelters yard, where diesels called Iron 'Arry and Bert want him for scrap. Fortunately, the Fat Controller finds him and helps him get back home.
11814"Toby's Discovery"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton		1 October 1998 (1998-10-01)
Toby is spooked when he stumbles across a disused mine. Thomas' tale of the "Old Warrior" ghost does not help, but Toby finds out that "The Old Warrior" is actually an old narrow gauge engine called Bertram and is given the nickname due to his courageousness.
11915"Something in the Air"David MittonThomas the Tank Engine & Friends magazine story
by Andrew Brenner		2 October 1998 (1998-10-02)
Henry teases Thomas after his accident with fish, and refuses to listen to Thomas' warning about the damaged tracks near the beach. As a result, he is mistakenly diverted onto the coastal track and gets into an accident.
12016"Thomas, Percy & Old Slow Coach"David MittonThomas the Tank Engine & Friends magazine story
by Andrew Brenner		5 October 1998 (1998-10-05)
When Thomas and Percy deliver some empty trucks to the smelters yard, they meet an old slow coach due for scrap called Old Slow Coach, and try to find ways to make her useful again. After a fire burns down the workmen's hut, the engines decide to use Old Slow Coach as the workmen's new home.
12117"Thomas & the Rumours"David MittonThomas the Tank Engine & Friends magazine story
by Andrew Brenner		6 October 1998 (1998-10-06)[nb 1]
"Thomas & the Rumors"
Thomas wants to help save a children's playground, but when Percy informs the other engines that Harold is flying an important visitor around, they jump to the false conclusion that Harold will replace them. Gordon tries to show he's better than Harold, but misses a red signal and crashes into an unfinished tunnel. The Fat Controller explains to Thomas that the visitor was using Harold to look for a spot to build a new playground, and that Thomas should never listen to rumors.
12218"Oliver's Find"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton		7 October 1998 (1998-10-07)
Oliver is feeling sad because he is starting to miss the long runs. Soon, he encounters some troublesome trucks who want Percy (who doesn't appear in this episode) and angrily shunts them into the turntable well. That night, the Fat Controller scolds Oliver for his thoughtless conduct and gives him the post train job for a while. During the postal run, Harold arrives late after a problem with one of his arms and the signalman falls asleep, resulting in Oliver being diverted onto an old track which leads to an old rundown station as Oliver crashes into the nearby shed. When the Fat Controller finds Oliver the next morning, he sees an old mansion nearby and comes up with a plan to reinstate it and open it to visitors.
12319"Happy Ever After"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton		8 October 1998 (1998-10-08)
Percy is given the task of putting together a good luck parcel for Mrs. Kyndley's daughter's wedding, with something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. Percy manages to find the components for the parcel: Old Slow Coach, a new set of buffers, a borrowed flatbed truck, and a ribbon-decorated Thomas.
12420"Sir Topham Hatt's Holiday"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton		9 October 1998 (1998-10-09)
The Fat Controller arranges for Thomas to take his family on a vacation around the island, but Lady Hatt, feeling hot and tired, refuses to ride on Annie and Clarabel, saying they are "old and uncomfortable". Soon after, the Hatts face more trouble when a biplane called "Tiger Moth" crashes, and their canal boat gets stuck on a mud bank. Percy rescues them and Thomas gives them a ride home on Annie and Clarabel, who have just been refurbished.
12521"A Surprise for Percy"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft, David Mitton, and David Maidment		12 October 1998 (1998-10-12)[nb 2]
"A Big Surprise for Percy"
Percy is bored and wants excitement, but Bertie tells him surprises only come when he does not expect it. Percy's wish comes true when the troublesome trucks break away and he manages to stop them, with the help of the Fat Controller and Bertie.
12622"Make Someone Happy"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton		13 October 1998 (1998-10-13)
When James complains about having to shunt trucks instead of pulling passengers, Thomas tells him to think of someone else for once. And when Mrs. Kyndley is upset when her sister cannot visit, James gladly takes part in cheering her up.
12723"Busy Going Backwards"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft, David Mitton, and David Maidment		14 October 1998 (1998-10-14)
Toad is upset about always going backwards, wanting to see things the other way. When Oliver takes him up Gordon's Hill, the troublesome trucks decide to teach Toad about being careful what he wishes for, and break away.
12824"Duncan Gets Spooked"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft, David Mitton, and David Maidment		15 October 1998 (1998-10-15)[nb 3]
Duncan teases Peter Sam, when his slate trucks break away and fall off a bridge, saying his lost slate trucks will haunt him, so Rusty tells him a story about a ghost engine that crosses the bridge at night. Duncan does not believe it at first, but Duncan and Peter Sam's drivers plan to trick him into going on the haunted bridge at night.
12925"Rusty & the Boulder"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton		16 October 1998 (1998-10-16)[nb 4]
A new quarry is being built under a mountain, where a huge and mysterious boulder dwells. Rusty worries that the boulder is watching him. The next day, the boulder falls and chases Rusty, Rheneas, and Skarloey before narrowly missing Percy and demolishing a shed. The Fat Controller then orders the quarry to be shut down and the boulder to be moved to a hill, where it can do no more damage.
13026"Snow"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton		19 October 1998 (1998-10-19)[nb 5]
When Thomas gets stuck while trying to clear a snowdrift from a tunnel, Rusty tells him about the worst winter of all when some slate trucks caused an avalanche, that fell right on top of Skarloey, who miraculously survived, due to his warm boiler. After Rusty's story, Gordon arrives with his snow machine to help clear the tunnel, but inadvertently causes an avalanche to fall on him. Thomas laughingly remarks that a big, proud engine like Gordon would surely be able to laugh about surviving a snowfall, since Skarloey did.

Characters
Main article: List of Thomas & Friends characters

Introduced
  • Old Slow Coach ("Thomas, Percy & Old Slow Coach")
  • The Horrid Lorries ("Horrid Lorry")
  • Cranky ("Cranky Bugs")
  • Old Bailey ("Haunted Henry")
  • Derek ("Double Teething Troubles") (not named)
  • 'Arry (not named) and Bert (does not speak) ("Stepney Gets Lost")
  • Dowager Hatt ("Gordon & the Gremlin") (not named)
  • Bertram ("Toby's Discovery") (does not speak)
  • Butch ("Horrid Lorry") (does not speak)
  • Thumper ("Rusty & the Boulder") (does not speak)
  • Tiger Moth ("Sir Topham Hatt's Holiday") (does not speak)

Recurring cast
  • Thomas
  • Edward
  • Henry
  • Gordon
  • James
  • Percy
  • Toby
  • Duck
  • Oliver
  • Bill and Ben
  • Stepney
  • BoCo
  • Mavis
  • Skarloey
  • Rheneas
  • Duncan
  • Rusty
  • Annie and Clarabel
  • Troublesome Trucks
  • Toad
  • Terence
  • Bertie
  • George
  • Caroline
  • Harold
  • The Fat Controller
  • Lady Hatt
  • Stephen Hatt
  • Bridget Hatt
  • Mrs. Kyndley
  • Jem Cole
  • Farmer Trotter (not named)
  • S.C.Ruffey (not named)
  • Peter Sam (does not speak)
  • Henrietta (does not speak)
  • Donald (cameo)
  • Trevor (cameo)
  • Farmer Finney (cameo)
  • The Vicar of Wellsworth (cameo)
  • The Refreshment Lady (cameo)
  • Nancy (cameo)
  • Duke (portrait cameo)
  • Bulstrode (faceless cameo)

Home Video Releases

All twenty-six episodes were released on VHS in the UK by Video Collection International in four volumes. The last volume was also released on DVD, making it the very first DVD release of the show.

DVD TitleRelease DateIncluded Episodes
Spooks and Surprises 5 October 1998
  • "Horrid Lorry"
  • "Gordon & the Gremlin"
  • "Haunted Henry"
  • "Toby's Discovery"
  • "Thomas & the Rumours"
  • "A Surprise for Percy"
  • "Duncan Gets Spooked"
  • "Snow"
  • "Rusty & the Boulder"
Happy Holidays 8 March 1999
  • "Sir Topham Hatt's Holiday"
  • "A Better View for Gordon"
  • "Bye George!"
  • "Toby & the Flood"
  • "Oliver's Find"
  • "Make Someone Happy"
Rescues on the Railways 1 October 1999
  • "Cranky Bugs"
  • "James & the Trouble with Trees"
  • "Put Upon Percy"
  • "Stepney Gets Lost"
  • "Something in the Air"
Peep Peep Party[lower-alpha 1] 9 October 2000 (VHS)
6 November 2000 (DVD)
  • "Lady Hatt's Birthday Party"
  • "Baa!"
  • "Double Teething Troubles"
  • "Thomas, Percy & Old Slow Coach"
  • "Happy Ever After"
  • "Busy Going Backwards"

The entirety of Series 5 was released on VHS in June 2002, and on DVD in November 2004 as part of a boxset before being reissued on its own in February 2007. Series 5 episodes have also been released as part of other DVD and VHS releases in the United Kingdom.

Notes
  1. This episode was first released on the Spooks & Surprises VHS on 5 October 1998.
  2. This episode was first released on the Spooks & Surprises VHS on 5 October 1998.
  3. This episode was first released on the Spooks & Surprises VHS on 5 October 1998.
  4. This episode was first released on the Spooks & Surprises VHS on 5 October 1998.
  5. This episode was first released on the Spooks & Surprises VHS on 5 October 1998.
  1. This release also contains the Series 1 episode "Thomas' Christmas Party" and the Series 2 episode "Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree", alongside the Series 1 episode "Thomas and Gordon" as a DVD-exclusive.

References
  1. http://www.sodor-island.net/steveasquithinterview.html
  2. http://www.sodor-island.net/interviews.html
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