This article lists and details episodes from the fourth series of the show, which was broadcast in 1995. It was produced by Britt Allcroft.
This series was narrated by Michael Angelis for the United Kingdom audiences, with George Carlin narrating the episodes for the United States audiences, on what was also his final series. This was also the final series where Thomas appeared in the United States as a segment on Shining Time Station; after that it became a program on Mister Moose's Fun Time and Storytime With Thomas. This was the final series to be produced before the death of Wilbert Awdry in 1997.
Two of the episodes in this series have two titles: the original ones from the United Kingdom broadcasts are shown on top, while the American-adapted titles are shown underneath.
In the UK, episodes 1–3, 6, and 8-11 were first released on VHS with a different take of Michael Angelis' narrations than the later versions on TV and other VHS releases.[a]
Production
Filming
Filming for Series 4 lasted from June to November 1994. On November 7, the first 8 episodes were released direct-to-video in the UK. On July 3, 1995, the rest of the series was released on 2 other UK VHS releases. Several episodes were also featured on the Shining Time Family Specials, released throughout 1995 in the US, before the series made its official UK television debut on October 16, 1995.
The 4th series saw the introduction of the smaller narrow gauge engines. For ease of filming, series 5 would introduce larger-scale versions of the characters, and from series 6, these larger models were used almost exclusively.[citation needed]
Stories
Half of the third series had consisted of stories written by the show's staff, but only one original story, "Rusty to the Rescue" (written by Allcroft and Mitton), was written for the fourth series. The episodes which used The Railway Series did take some liberties with the source material, in order to fill the runtime and make the stories more accessible. From series 5 onward, all stories would be staff-written, without using the Awdrys' books as a source.
Stepney (a character based on a real-life engine and used to highlight the Preservation Movement in the books) was given an entirely different background when he was introduced. This decision carried on into later series, in which he was seen on either a fictionalized Bluebell Railway or as a member of The Fat Controller's railway.
The show had come under fire for having too few female characters, and a conscious decision was made to rewrite Rusty, who was always a male character in the books, as gender-neutral.[1]Thomas' new owners initially defended the decision, citing Rusty's gender neutrality since Series 4 until series 7. Later episodes substituted male pronouns in reference to Rusty.
Talent
Initially, each episode was broadcast in installments of the children's television program Shining Time Station. 2 stories from Series 4 were aired in each of the hour-long "Family Specials" in 1995. The rest were broadcast in a 6-episode offshoot called Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales in 1996. In 1999, they aired in a new half-hour program called Storytime with Thomas, which also included Series 5 episodes narrated by Alec Baldwin and episodes of Britt Allcroft's Magic Adventures of Mumfie.
Thomas tells the story of Duke, an old narrow gauge tank-tender engine who the younger engines, Stuart and Falcon admired, to the other engines. However, when his line closes, the old engine is put away in a shed.
Thomas continues his story of Duke. Some rescuers go search for him, but his shed was long since covered. However, they know that Duke is around, and continue the grand search.
Falcon (known as Sir Handel) is sent to take the Mountain Road with Duke. Falcon does not pay attention to where he is going, and winds up dangling from a cliff with Duke holding tight. Falcon later apologizes and thanks Duke for saving him.
Duke is not feeling well, and Stuart teases him for it. Soon, Duke is too ill to manage on his own, so Falcon and Stuart assist him. But Duke has enough energy for a trick on Stuart.
83
5
"Four Little Engines"
David Mitton
Four Little Engines by Rev. W. AwdryBased on Skarloey Remembers and Old Faithful
20 October 1995 (1995-10-20)
On the Skarloey Railway, the coaches derail Falcon (known as Sir Handel), meaning that he is unable to work. Skarloey itches for a good run, and his front spring breaks but he still manages to get the passengers back to the station.
84
6
"A Bad Day for Sir Handel"
David Mitton
Four Little Engines by Rev. W. AwdryBased on Sir Handel
Skarloey and Rheneas become overworked, so Stuart (known as Peter Sam) and Falcon (known as Sir Handel) come to help. But Sir Handel is in a bad mood, and only makes matters worse for himself.
85
7
"Peter Sam & the Refreshment Lady"
David Mitton
Four Little Engines by Rev. W. Awdry
24 October 1995 (1995-10-24)
Peter Sam is pleased running the line on his own, but Henry's threat to leave if he is not on time makes him rush, and he accidentally leaves the Refreshment Lady behind.
While Skarloey is being mended, a little diesel called Rusty comes to help. Regardless, Sir Handel does not feel like working, so Gordon suggests he feign illness. However, when Peter Sam is doing Sir Handel's work at the slate quarry, some of the Troublesome Trucks of slate mistake him for Sir Handel and cause Peter Sam to have an accident.
Skarloey returns home from being repaired and meets Rusty. Peter Sam tells him about Duncan, a rude and careless engine, whom Skarloey must later rescue from under a crumbling tunnel.
Duncan is cross about Rusty telling him what to do, even though it is sensible advice. With a tip from James, Duncan is off on his own and causes trouble. He ends up derailing himself much to his own embarrassment. Rusty comes to his aid, and Duncan apologizes for his rudeness.
Peter Sam's funnel is still in bad condition from his accident with the slate trucks. He has been promised a new funnel, but he starts to lose hope in it, especially when an icicle knocks off his old funnel.
Sir Handel wants to prove his special set of wheels make him superior, so he agrees to handle George, a grumpy steamroller who hates rails. But George and Sir Handel are too evenly hot-headed, which soon after causes ensuing chaos.
Duncan loses his temper when the passengers and the other engines get luxuries instead of him, and doesn't stop complaining. Duncan is in a bad mood, and to make matters worse, he stops on the viaduct, which causes confusion and delay, making the passengers furious. The Fat Controller later tells him, "No passengers means no polish!"
92
14
"Gallant Old Engine"
David Mitton
Gallant Old Engine by Rev. W. Awdry
2 November 1995 (1995-11-02)
Skarloey wants to talk some sense into a grumpy Duncan, so he tells the story of Rheneas, who once went through a steep hill and crude weather for the sake of his passengers. Duncan is mollified and agrees to behave. In the end, Rheneas comes home and all the engines whistle as a celebration.
A new tank engine is needed for the Bluebell Railway, and Douglas suggests to Rusty that he searches the spot Oliver was found - the scrapyard. Only diesels go there, so Rusty sets out bravely on his mission, and luckily finds and rescues, an engine called Stepney.
94
16
"Thomas & Stepney"
David Mitton
Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine by Rev. W. AwdryBased on Bluebells of England and Stepney's Special
Thomas is jealous when the visiting engine Stepney gets more attention than he does. It does not help his anger when he is shunted on his own branch line for Stepney that night.
As Stepney's driver and fireman watch a game of cricket, a player hits the ball so hard it lands in one of Stepney's trucks. Therefore, the players chase Stepney in their elderly car Caroline to retrieve their ball.
Stepney's visit is coming to an end, and a new visitor, a rude and snobbish diesel arrives. An inspector's hat soon puts him in his place, and Duck and Stepney pull the Express. Stepney leaves with high praises, whilst the embarrassed diesel slips away quietly.
97
19
"Henry & the Elephant"
David Mitton
Troublesome Engines by Rev. W. Awdry
9 November 1995 (1995-11-09)
The circus has arrived and Henry and Gordon are upset when James gets to pull the circus train instead of one of them when it's time for it to leave. Later, Henry is called to investigate a blockage in his tunnel, where he unhappily comes across an elephant which the circus troupe had inadvertently left behind.
When Oliver returns to the rails after his accident in the turntable well, the Troublesome Trucks (led by S.C.Ruffey) tease him for his previous accident by singing songs rude and loud. The next day, Toad confers with Douglas and then Oliver about his plan to put the troublesome trucks in their place. Soon, Oliver pulls S.C.Ruffey apart, much to the horror of the trucks and the delight of Duck and Toad. Soon after, S.C.Ruffey learns his lesson and says nothing at all.
99
21
"Bulls Eyes"
David Mitton
Branch Line Engines by Rev. W. Awdry
13 November 1995 (1995-11-13)
Daisy makes fun of Toby's cowcatchers, claiming that Toby is afraid of getting hurt. Daisy also brags that she can just command a cow to move out of her way. However, her boasting is tested when she comes across a bull named Champion on the line, that will need more than a command to move away.
100
22
"Thomas & the Special Letter"
David Mitton
The Eight Famous Engines by Rev. W. AwdryBased on The Fat Controller's Engines
14 November 1995 (1995-11-14)
After finishing his last journey for the day, Thomas sees a parade of engines and wonders what is going on. At the engine sheds, the Fat Controller reads a letter to the engines asking them to visit the big city. He then tells the engines who are going that they must show other engines their tasks. Thomas shows Oliver how to manage coaches, but while reminiscing the time he beat Bertie in a race, he runs through some buffers, slides down a grassy slope and crashes into a brick wall, putting the big trip in jeopardy.
Gordon and Thomas puff back to the sheds after Gordon fell into a ditch, which Thomas later teased him about, and when Thomas fell down a mine and Gordon came to rescue him. As Her Majesty The Queen plans to visit the Island, Thomas and Gordon have made up for their disgraces, and a paint accident with a boastful Henry opens up some jobs for them.
Henry is assigned to deliver the Flying Kipper, and Duck becomes Henry's back engine when extra vans are added to the train. However, a badly attached tail lamp causes problems on Gordon's Hill.
103
25
"Special Attraction"
David Mitton
Toby, Trucks and Trouble by Christopher AwdryBased on Toby's Seaside Holiday and Bulstrode
Toby is upset when he realises there is not enough room for him at a seaside festival. Meanwhile, Percy is sent to the harbour to deal with the troublesome trucks, and a self-propelled barge called Bulstrode.
104
26
"Mind That Bike"
David Mitton
Really Useful Engines by Christopher Awdry
20 November 1995 (1995-11-20)
A postman called Tom Tipper is upset about losing his van and having to ride a bike to deliver the post. Percy inadvertently flattens Tom's bike as he is in a rush. In the end, Tom gets a smart new van.
As with Series 3, much of Series 4 debuted on VHS before the TV screenings. The Video Collection released "Rock 'n' Roll and Other Stories" in November 1994 which contained eight episodes. Another selection of eight episodes was released as "Thomas & Stepney and Other Stories" in July 1995, and two more episodes debuted on the compilation release "Thomas' Train and 17 Other Stories" in July 1995. The last remaining five episodes which had already aired on television at that point were released as "Story and Song Collection" in 1996, with five songs produced for the series.
Video Collection International released a complete series VHS set in 2001, 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.
Episodes from the series (such as "Peter Sam & the Refreshment Lady" and "Four Little Engines") have also made it to various compilation releases with other series. Such as "Playtime" in March 1997 and "Chases, Races and Runaways" in October 1997.
Notes
^Audio from Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends: Rock 'N' Roll and other Stories (1994).
^ abcdefghThis episode was first released on the Rock 'N' Roll and other Stories VHS on 7 November 1994.
^ abcdefThis episode was first released on the Thomas & Stepney and other Stories VHS on 21 August 1995.
^ abcdeThis episode was first released on the Thomas' Train and 17 other Stories VHS on 3 July 1995.
