Thomas & Friends series 3

Last updated

Thomas & Friends
Series 3
Thomas and Friends DVD Cover - Series 3.jpg
DVD cover art
No. of episodes26
Release
Original network ITV (Thames Television) (via Children's ITV)
Original release25 February (1992-02-25) –
14 July 1992 (1992-07-14)
Series chronology
← Previous
Series 2
Next →
Series 4
List of episodes

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.

Contents

This article lists and details episodes from the third series of the show, which was first broadcast in the UK between 25 February and 14 July 1992, and in the United States as part of Shining Time Station in November 1991 (shortly after being released direct-to-video in the UK). In 1993, the last ten episodes were released in the United States on Shining Time Station. This series was narrated by Michael Angelis for UK audiences, taking over from Ringo Starr from the previous two series, while George Carlin narrated the episodes for US audiences.

This was the first series produced by Gullane Entertainment (then known as The Britt Allcroft Company).

Some episodes in this series have one title: the original from the American titles are shown underneath.

In the US, this season was aired from 18 November 1991 to 7 June 1993 on Shining Time Station.

On episodes 1–16, the UK narration uses a different take on the TV broadcast compared to the original VHS releases. [1] [2]

Production

Filming

Series 3 was produced by The Britt Allcroft Company in association with Japanese television station Fuji Television. It was divided into two parts, one part having 16 episodes and the other having ten. The series was filmed and produced in 1991. 16 episodes were released direct-to-video on November 11, 1991, in the UK, and aired in the United States from November 18 to December 27, 1991, as part of Shining Time Station. They remained unaired in the UK until February 25, 1992, when the full series aired there. The last ten episodes aired on Shining Time Station in 1993. It was made at a cost of £1,300,000. [3] Before production of series 3, Clearwater Features closed down, with The Britt Allcroft Company becoming the sole producer. Producer Robert D. Cardona left before series 3, and Britt Allcroft took his place as co-producer alongside David Mitton.

Stories

The series was a combination of episodes derived from The Railway Series, stories in the Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends magazines (written by Andrew Brenner, the show's head writer from 2013 to 2018) (uncredited), and a couple of original stories by Allcroft and Mitton. One of the primary reasons for diverging from the original books was that many of the stories not yet used featured large numbers of new characters, which would be expensive to produce. Another was that the producers wanted more stories about Thomas, the nominal main character. Awdry complained that the new stories would be unrealistic. [3]

Awdry's complaints were directed at two aspects of the episode "Henry's Forest" in particular. One was that it was unrealistic to have a railway running through a forest, and that sparks from an engine's funnel could cause a wildfire. Britt Allcroft countered this aspect by claiming that she had seen a number of lines do the same thing.

The other aspect was that Henry stops to admire the view without alerting the signalman, which was in direct contravention of British Railways' Rule 55. This, Awdry argued, would never be allowed to happen in real life, and would be highly unsafe.

Episodes

No.
overall		No. in
series		UK title (top)
US title (bottom)		Directed bySourceOriginal air date
531"A Scarf for Percy" David Mitton Henry the Green Engine
by Rev. W. Awdry
Based on Percy and the Trousers		25 February 1992 (1992-02-25) [nb 1]
Percy doesn't like the cold, so he wants a scarf for his funnel to keep warm. But he gets more than he bargained for when he accidentally crashes into a luggage trolley at the station, and winds up covered in jam and with the Fat Controller's trousers wrapped around his funnel.
542"Percy's Promise"David MittonPercy the Small Engine
by Rev. W. Awdry		3 March 1992 (1992-03-03) [nb 2]
Percy promises Thomas to take the Sunday school class home with Annie and Clarabel, but a thunderstorm makes it very difficult to get there. Before long, Percy runs into a severe flood that leaks in and douses his fire. Nonetheless, Percy persists and is hailed by everyone when he gets home.
553"Time for Trouble"David MittonThe Eight Famous Engines
by Rev. W. Awdry
Based on Double Header		17 March 1992 (1992-03-17) [nb 3]
When the Fat Controller gives Gordon a break, and gives the express job to James, James lets it go to his head, boasting about being as reliable as clockwork. Meanwhile Toby goes to be repaired, but runs out of water on the main line. James must reluctantly push Toby to the station, whilst pulling the train.
564"Gordon & the Famous Visitor"David MittonDuck and the Diesel Engine
by Rev. W. Awdry
Based on Domeless Engines		24 March 1992 (1992-03-24) [nb 4]
Gordon is jealous of a visiting tender engine (the City of Truro) who has gone 100 miles an hour and wants to prove that he is just as special, but his dome simply cannot stand handling such dangerous speeds in the wind, causing the Troublesome Trucks to laugh at him.
575"Donald's Duck"David MittonOliver the Western Engine
by Rev. W. Awdry		31 March 1992 (1992-03-31) [nb 5]
Duck is conceited about his new branch, and Donald says that he might lay an egg as he quacks so much. Duck is very angry about this and he and his crew play a trick on Donald by hiding a duck in his water tank.
586"Thomas Gets Bumped"David MittonThomas the Tank Engine & Friends magazine story
by Andrew Brenner		7 April 1992 (1992-04-07) [nb 6]
Thomas is proud of his branch line, but he is very disappointed when he is forced to shunt trucks because of track repair, while Bertie takes his passengers home.
597"Thomas, Percy & the Dragon"David MittonThomas the Tank Engine & Friends magazine story
by Andrew Brenner		7 April 1992 (1992-04-07) [nb 7]
Percy is still gleefully teasing Thomas about the ghost engine prank. But the next night, Thomas has to take a paper Chinese dragon to the carnival. Percy has to stay in a siding overnight, and is terrified by the dragon when Thomas passes. The next morning, Percy tells the other engines about the dragon, but they refuse to believe him. As a result, Percy begins to believe that the dragon was just his imagination. However, he is proven wrong when Thomas arrives with the dragon. The two friends settle their quarrel and reconcile.
608"Diesel Does it Again"David MittonThomas the Tank Engine & Friends magazine story
by Andrew Brenner		14 April 1992 (1992-04-14) [nb 8]
Duck and Percy are very displeased when Diesel comes to work at the harbour, even though the Fat Controller promised that he would be gone for good for his last visit. Diesel proves to be disruptive to the troublesome trucks, prompting Duck and Percy to go on strike, until the Fat Controller sends Diesel away following an incident with some China Clay trucks.
619"Henry's Forest"David MittonThomas the Tank Engine & Friends magazine story
by Andrew Brenner		14 April 1992 (1992-04-14) [nb 9]
Henry loves going to the forest to admire the scenery. But one night, a big storm ruins the trees, making him sad. In order to make Henry feel happy again, new trees must be planted to replace the damaged trees.
6210"The Trouble with Mud"David MittonGordon the Big Engine
by Rev. W. Awdry
Based on Leaves		21 April 1992 (1992-04-21) [nb 10]
Gordon is too muddy to pull the express, and ends up pulling trucks instead. James is very boastful about getting the job, but he pays no attention to Gordon's warning about the slippery leaves scattered everywhere making the hill hard to climb, and he ends up getting stuck. Gordon comes to the rescue, and as a reward is permitted to pull coaches again, on the condition that he knows being clean is a necessity to every engine.
6311"No Joke for James"David MittonThomas the Tank Engine & Friends magazine story
by Andrew Brenner		21 April 1992 (1992-04-21) [nb 11]
When Gordon tells James that he is not as good as he is, James lies to Thomas that he will be pulling the express while Gordon has to take the goods. When his lie is exposed, it's up to James to regain his dignity.
6412"Thomas, Percy & the Post Train"David MittonThomas the Tank Engine & Friends magazine story
by Andrew Brenner		28 April 1992 (1992-04-28) [nb 12]
Thomas and Percy like taking the mail post, but one night a boat delays them, so Harold is given the new job for being more efficient. But the engines soon find another useful job.
6513"Trust Thomas"David MittonThomas the Tank Engine & Friends magazine story
by Andrew Brenner		28 April 1992 (1992-04-28) [nb 13]
Thomas agrees to help Bertie with the mystery of the tar tankers being held up, but James does not want to do Percy's work at the harbour yards and, with advice from Gordon, fakes sickness to get out of work and gets Thomas to take his trucks. However, the Troublesome Trucks thinking one engine is as good as another put Thomas in a sticky situation at the Callan Pond.
6614"Mavis"David MittonTramway Engines
by Rev. W. Awdry		5 May 1992 (1992-05-05) [nb 14]
The quarry has hired a young privately owned diesel shunter called Mavis who wishes she had better things to do instead of listening to Toby. With advice from Diesel, she ignores Toby's advice about a frozen crossing, and soon she gets stuck with her load of troublesome trucks.
6715"Toby's Tightrope"David MittonTramway Engines
by Rev. W. Awdry		5 May 1992 (1992-05-05) [nb 15]
Mavis wants to run on Toby's line again, but the trouble she caused forbids her to do so. So she makes a plan with the Troublesome Trucks that gets her on the line, but things go wrong when Toby takes the troublesome trucks instead and they push him onto a collapsing bridge.
6816"Edward, Trevor & the Really Useful Party"David MittonThomas the Tank Engine & Friends magazine story
by Andrew Brenner		12 May 1992 (1992-05-12) [nb 16]
Reverend Charles Laxey (known as the Vicar) is planning a garden party, and Trevor tells Edward about it. Edward wants to help. Despite the fact that Bertie is teasing Trevor for being slow, the party becomes successful for both Edward and Trevor.
6917"Buzz Buzz"David MittonMain Line Engines
by Rev. W. Awdry		12 May 1992 (1992-05-12)
James boasts to Duck and BoCo about not being afraid of bees, but later James gets a surprise when a beehive breaks and the bees cause havoc, resting on his hot boiler and stinging him on the nose.
7018"All at Sea"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton		19 May 1992 (1992-05-19)
While watching the local regatta, Duck tells Percy he wishes about going overseas to different places. But soon Duck must help an injured sailor to the hospital in order to show that engines are really useful.
7119"One Good Turn"David MittonThomas the Tank Engine & Friends magazine story
by Andrew Brenner		26 May 1992 (1992-05-26)
Bill and Ben work hard all day, and finally get to go on the turntable in the yard. But Bill and Ben end up being face to face. They argue with each other and split up. But Edward comes up with an idea to save their friendship.
7220"Tender Engines"David MittonEnterprising Engines
by Rev. W. Awdry
Based on Tenders for Henry		2 June 1992 (1992-06-02)
A double-tendered visitor unknowingly being the Flying Scotsman causes trouble. Although Gordon overcomes his problem about doubting steam engines' usefulness, Henry wants more than one tender, and his dream comes true in a very bizarre fashion.
7321"Escape!"David MittonEnterprising Engines
by Rev. W. Awdry
Based on the story of the same name (Escape) and Little Western		9 June 1992 (1992-06-09)
Edward tells Douglas about the time he saved Trevor from scrap. That night, as Douglas delivers a goods train to the scrapyard, he does the same by rescuing a Great Western tank engine called Oliver and his sidekick brake van called Toad.
7422"Oliver Owns Up"David MittonOliver the Western Engine
by Rev. W. Awdry
Based on Resource and Sagacity		16 June 1992 (1992-06-16)
Oliver is new to Sodor, and all the engines complimenting his courage is making him conceited. He pays no attention to Duck's warning about the troublesome trucks and they push him down into the turntable well.
7523"Bulgy"David MittonOliver the Western Engine
by Rev. W. Awdry		23 June 1992 (1992-06-23)
Duck and Oliver meet Bulgy, a double-decker bus who does not like rails. He tries to take Duck's passengers away by pretending to be a "railway bus" and taking them on an attempted shortcut. Duck finds him later, stuck under a collapsed bridge, and rescues his passengers, whilst Bulgy is punished.
7624"Heroes"David MittonThomas the Tank Engine & Friends magazine story
by Andrew Brenner		30 June 1992 (1992-06-30)
The Troublesome Trucks at the harbour cause trouble for Bill and Ben, but while working at the quarry the next day, they save the workers from a dangerous rockslide that destroys most of the quarry.
7725"Percy, James & the Fruitful Day"David MittonThomas the Tank Engine & Friends magazine story
by Andrew Brenner		7 July 1992 (1992-07-07)
James is collecting some fruit from the harbour. But when he breaks down during his trip, Percy is forced to take it himself, but he goes so fast that he winds up squashing it all.
7826"Thomas & Percy's Christmas Adventure"David MittonOriginal
by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton		14 July 1992 (1992-07-14) [4]
Thomas looks forward to delivering his mail to the people of the mountain village, but a blizzard delays the journeys, which means that he and Percy, along with Terence and Harold, must work together.

Characters

Introduced

  • Oliver
  • Mavis
  • The Chinese Dragon
  • Bulgy
  • Farmer Trotter (not named)
  • Flying Scotsman (not named; tenders and cab only; does not speak)
  • Toad (does not speak)
  • City of Truro (not named; faceless; does not speak)

Recurring cast

  • Thomas
  • Edward
  • Henry
  • Gordon
  • James
  • Percy
  • Toby
  • Duck
  • Donald and Douglas
  • Bill and Ben
  • Diesel
  • BoCo
  • Troublesome Trucks
  • Annie and Clarabel
  • Terence
  • Bertie
  • Trevor
  • Harold
  • The Fat Controller
  • Stephen Hatt
  • Mrs. Kyndley
  • Jen Cole
  • The Vicar of Wellsworth
  • Lady Hatt (not named)
  • Henrietta (does not speak)
  • Bridget Hatt (cameo)
  • Farmer Finney (cameo)

Home media

United Kingdom

The first two-thirds of Series 3 debuted on VHS by The Video Collection in November 1991, as two volumes titled "Time for Trouble and Other Stories" and "Trust Thomas and Other Stories". The other third of the series was released on VHS in 1992 following the TV airings, titled "Escape and Other Stories".

Video Collection International released a complete series VHS set in 2000, available as either a single-VHS or double-VHS release. It was soon released on DVD in 2004 as part of the "Classic Collection Boxset" before being released on its own in 2006. The 2012 re-release by HIT Entertainment utilised the 2003 restoration of the series.

Episodes from the series have also made it to various compilation releases with other series.

Notes

  1. ↑ This episode was first released on the Time for Trouble and Other Stories VHS on 11 November 1991.
  2. ↑ This episode was first released on the Time for Trouble and Other Stories VHS on 11 November 1991.
  3. ↑ This episode was first released on the Time for Trouble and Other Stories VHS on 11 November 1991.
  4. ↑ This episode was first released on the Time for Trouble and Other Stories VHS on 11 November 1991.
  5. ↑ This episode was first released on the Time for Trouble and Other Stories VHS on 11 November 1991.
  6. ↑ This episode was first released on the Time for Trouble and Other Stories VHS on 11 November 1991.
  7. ↑ This episode was first released on the Time for Trouble and Other Stories VHS on 11 November 1991.
  8. ↑ This episode was first released on the Time for Trouble and Other Stories VHS on 11 November 1991.
  9. ↑ This episode was first released on the Trust Thomas and Other Stories VHS on 11 November 1991.
  10. ↑ This episode was first released on the Trust Thomas and Other Stories VHS on 11 November 1991.
  11. ↑ This episode was first released on the Trust Thomas and Other Stories VHS on 11 November 1991.
  12. ↑ This episode was first released on the Trust Thomas and Other Stories VHS on 11 November 1991.
  13. ↑ This episode was first released on the Trust Thomas and Other Stories VHS on 11 November 1991.
  14. ↑ This episode was first released on the Trust Thomas and Other Stories VHS on 11 November 1991.
  15. ↑ This episode was first released on the Trust Thomas and Other Stories VHS on 11 November 1991.
  16. ↑ This episode was first released on the Trust Thomas and Other Stories VHS on 11 November 1991.

Related Research Articles

<i>Thomas & Friends</i> British childrens television series

Thomas & Friends is a British children's television series that aired for 24 series and 584 episodes from 9 October 1984 to 20 January 2021. Based on The Railway Series books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son Christopher, the series was developed for television by Britt Allcroft. The series follows the adventures of Thomas, an anthropomorphised blue steam locomotive on the fictional North Western Railway on the Island of Sodor with his friends Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Percy, Toby and others who are engines of The Fat Controller.

<i>Shining Time Station</i> American childrens television series

Shining Time Station is a children's television series jointly created by British television producer Britt Allcroft and American television producer Rick Siggelkow. The series was produced by Quality Family Entertainment, in association with Catalyst Entertainment in seasons 2 and 3, for New York City's PBS station WNET, and was originally taped in New York City during its first season and in Toronto during the rest of its run. It incorporated sequences from the British television show Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, which was in turn based on the books of The Railway Series written by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry. The series aired on PBS from January 29, 1989, until June 11, 1993, with four hour-long "Family Specials" premiering in primetime throughout 1995. Reruns continued to air on PBS until June 11, 1998. Shining Time Station reruns aired on Fox Family from 1998 to 1999, and on Nick Jr. from June to August 2000 to promote the theatrical release of Thomas and the Magic Railroad. The series also aired on Canadian television networks such as APTN and SCN. Elements from the show were incorporated into the 2000 film Thomas and the Magic Railroad.

Britt Allcroft is an English writer, producer, director and voice actress. She is the creator of the children's television series Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, Shining Time Station, Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales and Magic Adventures of Mumfie. She also wrote, co-produced and directed the film Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000).

<i>Thomas and the Magic Railroad</i> 2000 childrens fantasy adventure film

Thomas and the Magic Railroad is a 2000 children's fantasy adventure film written and directed by Britt Allcroft and produced by Allcroft and Phil Fehrle; the cast includes Alec Baldwin, Peter Fonda, Mara Wilson, Didi Conn, Russell Means, Cody McMains, Michael E. Rodgers, and the voices of Eddie Glen and Neil Crone. The film is based on the British children's book series The Railway Series by the Reverend W. Awdry, its televised adaptation Thomas & Friends by Allcroft, and the American television series Shining Time Station by Allcroft and Rick Siggelkow; it is the only theatrical live-action/animated film in the Thomas & Friends franchise. The plot is centered on Lily Stone (Wilson), the granddaughter of the caretaker (Fonda) of an enchanted steam engine who is lacking an appropriate supply of coal, and Mr. Conductor (Baldwin) of Shining Time Station, whose provisions of magical gold dust are at a critical low. Lily and Mr. Conductor enlist the help of Thomas the Tank Engine (Glen), who confronts the ruthless, steam engine-hating Diesel 10 (Crone) along the way.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gullane Entertainment</span> Defunct British independent production company

Gullane Entertainment PLC was a British independent production company which produced children's programming, including Thomas & Friends (1984–2021), Shining Time Station (1989–1995), and The Magic Adventures of Mumfie (1994–1998). The company was purchased by HIT Entertainment in 2002, and went defunct within the following year. As of today, most of Gullane's library is currently owned by toy company Mattel as a result of their subsequent acquisition of HIT Entertainment.

<i>Tugs</i> (TV series) British television programme

Tugs is a British television series produced by Tugs Ltd., for Television South (TVS) and Clearwater Features Ltd. and first broadcast on ITV from 4 April to 27 June 1989. It was created by Robert D. Cardona and David Mitton, who had previously produced the first two series of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends. Set in the Roaring Twenties, the series focuses on the adventures of two anthropomorphized tugboat fleets, the Star Fleet and the Z-Stacks, who compete against each other in the fictional Bigg City Port: "the biggest harbour in the world".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Mitton</span> British director, producer, writer, model maker and special effects technician (1939–2008)

David Nelson Godfrey Mitton was a British director, producer, writer, model maker and special effects technician. He was best known for producing and directing the children's television programmes Thomas & Friends and TUGS. During the 1960s, he worked with Gerry and Sylvia Anderson as a special effects technician on series such as Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, Joe 90, The Secret Service and UFO.

<i>Thomas & Friends</i> series 1 Season of television series

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.

<i>Thomas & Friends</i> series 2 Season of television series

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. It was produced by Clearwater Features Ltd. for Britt Allcroft (Thomas) Ltd. and Central Independent Television.

<i>Thomas & Friends</i> series 4 Season of television series

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.

<i>Thomas & Friends</i> series 5 Season of television series

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.

<i>Thomas & Friends</i> series 6 Season of television series

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.

<i>Thomas & Friends</i> series 7 Season of television series

Thomas & 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.

<i>Thomas & Friends</i> series 8 Season of television series

Thomas & 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.

Clearwater Features Ltd. was a British film production company that produced the first two series of the children's television series Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends from 1984 to 1986. Clearwater is also known for creating the short lived children's TV series TUGS.

Angus Mackenzie Nicholson Wright was a British television producer; he was co-founder and managing director of The Britt Allcroft Company PLC until his retirement in 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas the Tank Engine</span> Fictional steam locomotive

Thomas the Tank Engine is an anthropomorphised fictional tank locomotive in the British Railway Series books by Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher, published from 1945. He became the most popular and famous character in the series, and is the titular protagonist in the accompanying television adaptation series Thomas & Friends and its reboot Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go.

<i>Thomas & Friends</i> (franchise) Media franchise about a tank engine

Thomas & Friends is a media franchise created by Rev. W. Awdry and Britt Allcroft. The franchise revolves around a railway, called the North Western Railway, located on the fictional Island of Sodor. The current title character of the franchise is Thomas, an anthropomorphised steam locomotive, who works with other engines, including Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Percy, Toby and many others. The franchise began with stories told from Wilbert Awdry to his son. In 1984, it was turned into a television series, which spawned a reboot series, titled Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go.

References

  1. ↑ Audio from Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends: Time for Trouble and other stories (1991).
  2. ↑ Audio from Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends: Trust Thomas and other stories (1991).
  3. 1 2 Sibley, Brian (1995). The Thomas the Tank Engine Man. Heinemann. p. 318. ISBN   0-434-96909-5.
  4. ↑ "Thomas the Tank Engine - CITV Trust Thomas Video Promo, 14th July 1992". Youtube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.