Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Day of the Diesels ☁☁☁☁☁

Pros: The songs, the story, a Diesel based movie, development of the Sodor Search and Rescue Center & Victor, introduction of so many great characters.
Cons: Sir Topham Hatt's treatment of the Diesels vs. Steamies.

On the Island of Sodor it had been a long, hot summer. Thomas was chuffing along as the skies turned black. Up ahead there was a fire on a farm!

Thomas pulled up to the fire to see Percy offering his water from his boiler to help put out the fire, and at Percy’s pleading, Thomas did the same.

Suddenly, they heard a bell, and out of the smoke, steamed a new big, blue engine, Belle. Sir Topham Hatt asked Belle to buffer us, as they needed her water. She shot water from 2 spouts on top of her tank. This was far more efficient. Belle, Thomas, and Percy made pleasantries as the fire went out. Sir Topham Hatt congratulated them all.

Thomas decided that he and Percy would shunt Belle to the wash down after Belle ran out of water. Percy deferred to his best friend Thomas, even though Percy was late for his mail cars and did not have extra time. 

Later at the Steamworks, Sir Topham Hatt congratulated Belle again. She was a heroine. Belle suggested that Flynn the Fire Engine should come to Sodor, as he was a real fire engine and a hero. Hatt agreed, as he had said that Belle could not fight fires alone. He told Thomas to show Belle around Sodor and implored Percy to get to the mail cars, which were now very late. Kevin was excited to meet Belle, since he had never met a hero before. Belle told Kevin that Sodor engines were all heroes to her.

The next morning Belle met Thomas at Tidmouth Sheds. Thomas took off and ignored Percy saying “Good Morning” to him. All the engines liked Belle, even Cranky at Brendam Docks liked her and offered to help her at any time. However, Cranky denied Percy’s request for help with his mail cars. Diesel laughed at Cranky.

Later at Knapford Station, Belle wanted to talk to Percy about his mail cars, but Thomas rushed her off. Diesel saw Percy’s distress and felt bad for Percy.

Later that day at the Steamworks Diesel saw Percy alone and asked if he was ok. He noted that while Percy was busy, Thomas was busier with Belle. Belle saw Diesel asked if the Diesels had someplace as grand as the Steamworks. Diesel replied that they had the Dieselworks but it was nothing like this place.

Thomas told Belle that Sodor Steamies do not go to the Dieselworks. It is dark, dirty, and full of Diesels, which can be devious. Diesel was disgusted by the racism against Diesels, so he bid Percy adieu. Thomas and Belle whooshed away.

The next day at Wellsworth Station, Diesel saw Percy again. Diesel smiled at Percy and told Percy that he should find a new best friend who has time for him. Percy asked Diesel is he wanted to deliver the mail with him. Diesel said he would like to, but his friends were waiting for him at the Dieselworks. Percy was sad that Thomas was not waiting for him.

One day later, at Brendam Docks, Percy has given the hose for Flynn the Fire Engine and told to deliver it to the Sodor Search and Rescue Center. Diesel oiled up and told Percy that this was one more friend for Thomas to spend his time with. That meant less time with Percy. Percy wanted to argue with him, but he knew Diesel was right.

Diesel told him that last night, he told his friend about Percy. Diesel’s friend told Diesel to invite Percy to the Dieselworks. He would be a very special visitor and would have plenty of time for him and would listen to him.

Thomas and Belle chuffed up, so Diesel slid away. Percy invited them to join him, but they rejected his offer, as they had something to do together. Percy was cross. He had been ignored and had his requests denied for almost a week!

At a junction, Percy stopped and though about what Diesel said and Thomas’ racist comments against Diesels. He decided to ignore what Thomas said, and instead of going right to the Sodor Search and Rescue Center, he would go left to the Dieselworks.

Percy arrived at the Dieselworks. He remembered what Thomas said, but again ignored it, and decided to be with someone who had time for him. Percy had never seen anything like the Dieselworks before. It was nothing like the Steamworks. Percy felt special and brave.

As he pulled up, a shape came out of the shadows. It was Diesel 10. Diesel greeted him with a smile and said it was an honor to have Percy visit. Diesel 10 said Diesel had been telling him all about Percy. Diesel 10 said Percy was a special engine. Thomas did not think Percy was special anymore, so Percy followed Diesel 10 in to the main building.


Once inside, Percy saw Diesel 10, Diesel, ‘Arry and Bert, Diesel 10 said they were happy to have them even though the Steamworks was not grand like the Steamies’ Steamworks. Then Den and Dart, 2 diesel engines he had never met before, oiled up and introduced themselves. Dart told Percy a joke, so Percy told one to the Diesels. All the Diesels left, including Paxton who pulled up next to Percy and Sidney who was elevated in the air to be repaired, but Diesel 10 laughed the loudest.

Diesel 10 was glad that Percy was there with them. He asked Percy to tell them all about himself. Diesel 10 told Percy that his job pulling the mail cars was very important. Percy realized he needed to take the hose to the Sodor Search & Rescue Center. Diesel 10 told Dart to take care of it for Percy. Diesel 10 agreed that it was a very important parcel.

Suddenly, Mavis pulled up, being shunted by Salty. She needed repaired and was happy yet surprised to see Percy. Salty told Percy that Den fixes them all, even though the Dieselworks was old, broken down, and shoddy. Percy said that they should ask Sir Topham Hatt for a new Dieselworks. Diesel 10 told him that they had, many times, but Hatt doesn't listen to Diesels, he only listens to Steamies.

Percy had an idea. He would tell Thomas to ask Sir Topham Hatt to do this, because he always listened to Thomas. He would help his friends. Diesel 10 was pleased and thanked Percy for his kind idea. Percy shunted off quickly to find Thomas. Diesel 10 asked him to come back soon, that he would be waiting for him.

At Brendam Docks, Flynn had just arrived. Cranky was curious said that he had never seen a fire engine that could drive on roads and on rail before. At the Dieselworks, Percy tried to talk to Thomas, but Sir Topham Hatt chastised Percy for being late to meet Flynn. Thomas told Percy that he was going to show Flynn around the island. Percy left and was alone at Tidmouth Sheds. Since nobody noticed him here, he decided that in the morning, he would go to the Dieselworks where Diesel 10 took notice of him and would be pleased to see him.

Early the next day Percy went to the Dieselworks. Diesel 10 was pleased to see Percy. He asked if Percy did as he said he would do. Percy apologized for not doing what he said he would do when he left. Pinchy, Diesel 10’s claw clenched. Dart crashed in to their broken crane, Happy Hook, and complained about it always being in the way and not working. Den told Dart to slow down. Dart complained that they had asked for a new crane many times, and still just have a broken crane that always in the way. Diesel 10 told everyone to be quiet. Everyone complied.

Percy agreed with Dart. He said that Victor always says that you can’t fix an engine without a hook. Mavis told Percy that Victor was right. Diesel 10 was sad, he told Percy that now he sees how much trouble the Diesels have. The Steamies have Kevin, but the Diesel have nothing, and that is not fair!

Percy chuffed to the Steamworks. He told Kevin about going to the Dieselworks and how they do not have a crane. Kevin was shocked and dropped the items on the pallet he was carrying; he said Percy should not have gone there. Victor chastised Kevin for dropping train parts. Percy told him how nice the Diesels were. Then Kevin repeated what Victor said about engines repair and cranes. 

Percy had an idea, he told Kevin he should go to the Dieselworks and that Diesel 10 would call him a hero! Kevin said he had never been called a hero before. He would like to be considered a hero.
Thomas pulled up and told Percy he had been looking for him all day. He had gone to get the hose from the Sodor Search and Rescue Center, but it was not there. Percy tried to talk to Thomas, but Thomas would not listen. Kevin told Percy, he thought about it and would like to go to the Dieselworks, but he did not know where it was. 

Percy looked all around Sodor for the hose. Rocky asked if he could help, but Percy said he did not need help. At night he went to Tidmouth Sheds and was surprised to the Flynn in his berth. Flynn told him that Thomas said he could stay there… …until Percy came back, of course. Percy told Flynn he was busy and left.

At the Steamworks, Victor was sleeping while Kevin cleaned up. Percy pulled up and offered to take Kevin to the Dieselworks. Kevin got on a flatbed and Percy quietly took him to the Dieselworks. Diesel 10 was delighted. He said they were very honored and that Kevin was a hero. Den and Dart introduced themselves. Diesel 10 told Percy that he was very pleased with him for bringing Kevin to them.

Diesel 10 asked about Percy’s promise to talk to Thomas. He knew that Diesel 10 would be cross. Percy apologized, saying that Thomas had no time to talk to anyone. Diesel 10 suggested he bring Thomas to them instead. That way they would have Thomas’ full attention. Percy agreed that this was a good idea, but was afraid that Thomas would not want to come.

The next morning, Percy went to Knapford Station where the other Steamies were surprised. They asked where he was and told him that Thomas was worried and looking for him. Percy puffed proudly, stating that he was with his friends. When Thomas said they were his friends, Percy said, no… …my new friends, the Diesels. All the assembled Steamies, Thomas, Henry, Toby, Emily, and Stanley were shocked.

Gordon pulled up and announced that Kevin was missing. Percy told them than he was being very useful at the Dieselworks. Thomas told Percy he needed to go tell Victor… now.
Kevin was having fun with Happy Hook at the Dieselworks. Diesel 10 told him there was a lot that needed to be done, so they did not have time for games and to please move the garbage. Kevin agreed.

At the Steamworks, suddenly everyone was listening to Percy. He told them about how unfair it was that the Dieselworks was dilapidated and they needed Kevin. Victor said that he needed Kevin.
Thomas still was not listening, but just looking at Flynn, so Percy made a decision and told Victor that he knew he wanted Kevin back, so Thomas must go to the Steamworks to collect Kevin. That way he could finally do what he had been promising Diesel 10 for over a week now!

Victor took off to go tell Sir Topham Hatt about all that occurred. Percy went to the Dieselworks. At the Dieselworks, Diesel 10 smiled his biggest smile yet. Kevin was being very useful, Thomas was going to come to the Dieselworks, and since Victor was gone, they were going to take over the Steamworks so that Sir Topham Hatt might finally listen to them. Percy would lead them and be their hero!

Percy asked about Thomas. Pinchy clanked. Diesel 10 said that Thomas and Kevin would wait at the Dieselworks until they sent for them. Then, Thomas arrived. Diesel 10 welcomed him, stating that it had been a very long time that they had been waiting for him. Den and Dart introduced themselves and took Thomas to the back shed. Kevin, Den, and Dart were going to take care of Thomas.

Pinchy clanked, sparks flew. Diesel 10 asked is Percy was ready to be a hero. Percy confirmed he was ready. He felt grander than Gordon and more special than Spencer. As Den and Dart took Thomas to the back shed, he called out for Percy, but Percy was already gone. He was leading the charge of the Diesels: Diesel 10, Diesel, ‘Arry, Bert, Paxton, and Norman. They thundered through Henry’s tunnel as they raced to the Steamworks.


The Steamworks was quiet and calm. Percy was proud. He wanted Diesel 10 to cheer and clap. But Diesel was too busy looking around. He got overzealous and announced the Steamworks was all theirs. Diesel 10 got a little too excited and said they would not give it back. Percy told him he must give it back, so Diesel 10 told him no and called him a “Silly Steamy”.

Percy asked about Thomas. Diesel 10 said Thomas was theirs too. Percy felt less special. It was his fault that the Diesel had taken over the Steamworks and Thomas was stuck at the Dieselworks. He decided to go get Thomas. On the way back to the Dieselworks, he thought about it and agreed that he had been a Silly Steamy. Shortly after he arrived, he saw a fire in the main shed.

RACISM ALERT: The movie makes it appear that this was due to sparks from Pinchy, Diesel 10’s claw, but the book shows it was from Percy braking very hard after going too fast!

Percy knew he needed to save the Dieselworks, so he headed to the Sodor Search and Rescue Center. Flynn and Belle were ready to help, but Flynn did not have his hose. Percy figured it must still be at the Dieselworks. Maybe Diesel 10 kept it there because they had nothing at the Dieselworks.

Once the 3 engines got back to the Dieselworks, they whooshed to the back shed, where Den. Dart, Thomas, and Kevin were. Kevin had been loaded on a flatbed and connected to Thomas so that they would be ready when Diesel 10 called for them to come to the Steamworks. Percy asked where the hose was, Den was not sure, but when Percy told them it was an emergency, Dart told him Den did not know what he was talking about, but that it was around back with the garbage. Belle and Flynn went to get the hose.

Percy demanded that they let Thomas go. When Den and Dart refused until Diesel 10 ordered them to do so, Percy told then that the main shed was on fire. So Den and Dart decided to let them go. Kevin was scared because of the fire, but Flynn told him not to fear as he and Belle would put the fire out. That was exactly what they did.

Percy asked Thomas to help him take the Steamworks back. Thomas said he would, but first they needed to gather their friends first. Percy thanked Flynn & Belle, then they were off to gather the Steam Team.


At the Steamworks, the Diesels were having a party, hooting and honking. It was so nice to be in modern, clean Works. Diesel 10 was whirring on the round-table  Diesel 10 said the Steamworks was theirs now. Thomas said that it was not, it was theirs. Pinchy clanked. Diesel 10 was cross. Percy said he knows they want it, but taking it was not right. Diesel 10 tricked him, but they will not trick him.

Pinchy clanked. Diesel 10 asked how they will help the Diesels. Percy said Thomas will talk to Sir Topham Hatt. Thomas said he will tell Hatt that they need a new Dieselworks. Just then, Sir Topham Hatt arrived with his 2 guards. He was cross and asked Diesel 10 what he thought he was doing. Hatt told him he will do what Hatt says when Hatt says it. Hatt said he caused confusion and delay and because of him none of his engines are being really useful. Hatt told him that Diesel 10 must put everything right. Diesel 10 realized he had been overzealous in his pursuit for a better home for the Diesels. He was speechless and embarrassed.

Percy spoke up and told Sir Topham Hatt that Diesel 10 is sad because the Dieselworks is old and dirty. Thomas added it is oily and noisy. Kevin added that it does not even have a crane! Percy said that is why Diesel 10 was bad. Thomas asked for Hatt to please make a new Dieselworks.
Called out on his neglect of the Diesels, Sir Topham Hatt said that of course the Diesels would get a new Dieselworks. He explained that things take time and they would just have to wait their turn. He told Diesel 10 that it would be well worth the wait. Diesel 10 smiled.

The Steamies and the Diesels worked together for many days to rebuild the Dieselworks. Thomas and Percy worked side by side; Henry and Edward pushed and pulled heavy loads; Gordon and Emily worked in the yard; Den and Dart had never worked so long or hard before. Finally, the Dieselworks was finished. It was grand! Even Happy Hook was fixed!

The, Sir Topham Hatt arrived. He smiled from ear to ear. The engines hushed. He said that the new Dieselworks is a very special building. Not just because it is new, not just because it is grand, but because it shows what can happen when Really Useful Engines work together.

Hatt told the engines that they must all know that none of his engines are ever forgotten, that they are all special, and that he is proud of them all. The Steamies and Diesels honked and hooted in agreement. Diesel 10 smiled.

Cue the Day of the Diesels music video. Great stuff!
Once upon a time, not so very long ago
There was a little trouble going on
The Diesels made the Steamies pretty mad
And none of them could even get along 
There they go, heading for the Steamworks
Honking horns, listen to the rolling thunder, rolling thunder
Day of the Diesels
'Arry, Bert, Paxton, Diesel, and Den
Day of the Diesels
Norman, Dart, and Diesel 10 
Percy thought he didn't have a friend in the world
How very, very wrong could he be
With a friend like Thomas rolling by his side
He couldn't be in better company 
There they go, heading for the Steamworks
Whistles blow, listen to the rolling thunder
Day of the Diesels
'Arry, Bert, Paxton, Diesel, and Den
Day of the Diesels
Norman, Dart, and Diesel 10
Day of the Diesels 
'Arry, Bert, Paxton, Diesel, and Den
Day of the Diesels
Norman, Dart, and Diesel 10 
Thomas and Percy, Gordon and Henry
Fiery Flynn, He roars to the rescue
James and Edward, Toby and Emily
Don't forget Belle, big, brave, and bright blue
Rolling thunder, Rolling thunder 
With the Dieselworks all cinders and ashes
there’s only one thing to do
put aside your worries and just pull together
it’s the only way to get through.
There they go, building it together, building it together
Dieselworks rising from the rolling thunder, rolling thunder 
Day of the Diesels, yeah, yeah, yeah
'Arry, Bert, Paxton, Diesel, and Den
Day of the Diesels, whoo, whoo
Norman, Dart, and Diesel 10 
Day of the Diesels
'Arry and Bert, Paxton, Diesel, and Den
Day of the Diesels, yeah, yeah, yeah
Norman, Dart, and Diesel 10 
Day of the Diesels
The end.

Click the following links to buy this story on BOOK and DVD.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Misty Island Rescue ☁☁☁☁


Pros: The songs, the story, introduction of the Sodor Search and Rescue Center, return of Diesel 10, further development of Hiro.
Cons: The Logging Locos (all 3 of them) are horrible characters, racism against Diesels.

The Island of Sodor is a world of wonder. There was great excitement on the island. A new search and rescue center was being built. Harold had just rescued a climber.

Jobi wood was going to be brought in to Brendam Docks for building the Sodor Search & Rescue Center All the Steam Team engines were getting supplies for building the new center. Thomas was sent to take the hiker to Knapford Station then he was to go meet Percy. Thomas and Percy wondered which engine would pull the Jobi logs to the SSRC.
Later, all the engines were at the docks with Thomas and Percy. Hiro told them that Jobi is the strongest wood in the world and it comes from his Island of Japan. Sir Topham Hatt announced that the most “Really Useful Engine” would get to take the Jobi logs to the Sodor Search & Rescue Center. The engines puffed away to do their jobs.
Thomas said that every day he was a very useful engine and he wanted to pull the Jobi logs. Diesel oiled up and asked Thomas what about him. Diesel was always a Really Useful Engine too. Thomas told Diesel that Sir Topham Hatt meant a really useful Steamy, and that Diesel would never be that. Then Thomas steamed away.
Diesel was cross. He was tired of steam engines always calling diesel engines dirty and not special. Diesel decided he would show the racist Steamies that Diesels can be special engines too. 

Diesel decided to take the Jobi logs to show how special he was and how he was a Really Useful Engine. Diesels are no good, Steamies always say, thought Diesel. He would show them how special he was, by the end of the day.
Thomas saw Diesel shunting the Jobi wood. He yelled at Diesel to stop and made chase. Diesel saw and heard Thomas, but he was not going to listen. Diesel went faster to get away from the Steamy that was chasing him down. Diesel went faster and faster to get away. Thomas said he would puff ahead of him, so Diesel went even faster. Thomas got stuck at a red signal and was delayed in chasing the really useful Diesel.
Diesel kept going as fast as he could. Then there was trouble! He went as fast as he could and went over the hill and around the bend, to find that the bridge was not completed! (5 broken bridges in 5 movies!) He skidded to a stop, but too late! He slowly lost each car of Jobi wood, one car at a time, as the hung over the broken track ahead. Eventually he lost them all, and was hanging over the edge of the broken track at the broken bridge. Jobi wood, being a very special wood, did not break when it hit the rocks below the very high cliff, and sunk when it landed in the water!
Thomas pulled up and asked Diesel what he should do. Diesel did not know. He was hanging half on and half off the track! Thomas pulled up and coupled up to Diesel and pulled him back to safety. Thomas congratulated himself and Diesel thanked Thomas.
That night Thomas told the story at Tidmouth Sheds. Sir Topham Hatt congratulated Thomas on his decision to save Diesel. The SSRC would be delayed, so Sir Topham Hatt was cross. As a reward for saving Diesel, Sir Topham Hatt would be sending Thomas to the Search and Rescue Center on the mainland (England).
The next day after the ship was loaded, Spencer was loaded on. Salty the diesel engine told a story about Misty Island at the urging of Percy. He said that there were weird engines there and many mysteries. Edward recalled seeing the Island a long time ago. Salty told about the time that there was a lost engine that was only found after he puffed 3 puffs 3 times. Diesel arrived, thanked Thomas again, said goodbye and wished Thomas good luck. Thomas just smiled, but said nothing. Diesel went back to work.

There was no room left for Thomas, but at Thomas’ insistence, he was loaded on to an unsafe rail raft connected by a very rusty chain. Thomas said that Sir Topham Hatt told him he makes good decisions, so this decision had to be good too. Percy the Small Engine was worried, but Thomas the Tank Engine wrongly and arrogantly thought all of his decisions were infallible now.
Thomas was far out to sea, darkness and the mist fell. Thomas could not see anything, but it did hear the chains break! He cried for help, but nobody could hear him, not even Spencer. Thomas floated away and fell asleep. In the morning his rail-raft crashed into a railway at the shore of an island! It was very misty and no trains could be found, so he looked for a dock.

Thomas heard the sound of rails on rusty tracks and called out, but nobody answered. Next, he was showered by small stones, but he saw no engine anywhere. He heard a low steam whistle and got scared. He chuffed faster and come to 3 very strange engines that did not look friendly.

Thomas introduced himself. The trains introduced themselves and let him know that he was on Misty Island. They were exiled from the mainland for being too wild and too naughty. Bash would start a sentence, Dash would finish it, and then Ferdinand would say, “That’s right!”
Thomas thought these Logging Locos were strange, so he rejected their offer to play and he left them to look for a way to Sodor on his own. He thought all of his decisions were right, including this one.
Back on the Island of Sodor, Sir Topham Hatt got the call that Thomas had been lost at sea. He was sad. Harold the helicopter flew all over Sodor looking for Thomas with no luck. Sir Topham Hatt rode on Captain the boat and they searched the seas.
The next morning, Thomas awoke and realized he was lost, alone, and had no idea how to get home. He decided to go back and ask the Logging Locos, but he was lost. Eventually he found a river and decided to follow it to find them thinking they needed water, so a river would go to them. He ended up at an abandoned logging station and soon found the 3 trains. Thomas shouted a hello to them.
The Logging Locos were cross. They said hello to him yesterday, but he did not want to play. They told Thomas they were too busy loading logs. Thomas was shocked, they were Jobi logs! He apologized and then told the Locos about the Sodor Search and Rescue Center and how they needed Jobi Logs. Unfortunately for Thomas, these 3 engines were Really Non-Useful Engines!
On Sodor, Sir Topham Hatt told all the engines to look for Thomas since neither Harold nor Captain could find Thomas.
At the logging station, Thomas told Bash, Dash, & Ferdinand that they needed to work faster. He told them that he makes good decisions all the time. The Logging Locos just laughed and went away to do their work.

On Sodor, Sir Topham Hatt visited Whiff the Garbage Shunting Steam Engine, to get his help in finding Thomas. Whiff told him about the tunnel to Misty Island that was never used. They used it for garbage instead. Sir Topham Hatt had no time to listen.
On Misty Island, the Logging Locos told Thomas that they were low on oil, so they could not work fast. Thomas was surprised. They were Steamies, why would they need oil? The Locos explained that instead of burning coal to make steam, they used oil and logs. These engines were strange indeed! Thomas told them he makes good decisions and he is sure that they have enough oil. He wanted the logs to be loaded quickly for the SSRC.
The Logging Locos crossed a very unsafe wobbly bridge. Thomas said they should not use the bridge because it was unsafe. The Locos laughed at him and told him it was the only way to go, so Thomas used the unsafe bridge.
Thomas would not use the log loading crane, Old Wheezy, as he threw logs haphazardly rather than being an efficient loader, instead he told the Logging Locos to use Hee-Haw, the oil burning crane, as it would load logs much more efficiently. This used up all of the remaining oil that Bash, Dash, and Ferdinand had.

Sir Topham Hatt was out in the ocean with Captain. They were calling for Thomas.
The Logging Locos told Thomas that now that they were loaded they could wait for the ship or take the tunnel to Sodor. However, the tunnel was dangerous, the Locos claimed. Thomas made the decision to take the tunnel. The Locos laughed at Thomas and mocked his arrogance. The Locos told Thomas that they did not have enough oil, but Thomas insisted that they did. The locos still followed Thomas’ lead.
Once they entered the tunnel, it collapsed in front of them and then behind them. The trains together bashed in to the rocks blocking their way. Nothing happened except that Bash, Dash, and Ferdinand ran out of oil. Thomas realized that all of his decisions on Misty Island had been wrong after all. Thomas apologized, and the Logging Locos told him nobody can be right all the time.
At Brendam Docks, Percy stared sadly out to sea. He begged Cranky to look for Thomas. There was no sign. Salty told Percy there was nothing to see with all the mist.
On Misty Island the tunnel started to cave in more and an opening in the rock appeared above them. Ferdinand felt fresh air. Bash and Dash told Thomas to pull up and puff 3 puffs of steam 3 times and that someone would see it.
Suddenly, the mist started to lift. Percy, Cranky, and Salty saw Misty Island with 3 puffs of steam rising from the island again! Percy raced off to get Sir Topham Hatt. Hatt came along with the other engines and they all saw 3 puffs of steam rising. Hatt ordered Edward, James, and Gordon to board a ship with him and to go to rescue Thomas. Percy suggested the old tunnel. Hatt ordered Percy to meet up with Whiff and to take the tunnel to try to make it to Misty Island as well.
As the ship with Sir Topham Hatt and the 3 engines headed to Misty Island they saw a 3rd burst of 3 steam clouds. At the tunnel, Whiff and Percy heard Thomas. They had Thomas back up, and they crashed and smashed through to Thomas and the Logging Locos.
On Misty Island, James, Gordon, and Edward arrived as the mist started coming down. Sir Topham Hatt said they would not stop until they found Thomas.
Whiff took the lead and pulled out the engines to the Sodor Search and Rescue Center where they met the rest of the Steam Team. The Steam Team told Thomas that the others were on Misty Island. Harold arrived and told them that the steamship had returned and the mist had lowered, so there was no way for him to go share the news that he had been found.
Thomas decided to go back through the tunnel and find the rescue team and being them home. The rest of the Steam Team took the Logging Locos to the Steamworks to be fixed, cleaned up, and repainted. Victor greeted them. They liked Kevin, especially when he crashed.
Sir Topham Hatt was so happy when Thomas found them. Hatt threw his hat in to the misty air, losing it. The rescue trains followed Thomas back to the SSRC where they met the Logging Locos. All the engines helped bring Jobi wood to build the Sodor Search and Rescue Center.
At the opening of the SSRC, Hatt made an official welcome to their new friends, Bash, Dash & Ferdinand, calling them Really Useful Engines.
Cue Misty Island Rescue music video. Good stuff!
Misty Island Rescue, here we goMisty Island Rescue, here we gowith boilers all a-bubblingthe engines are a-comingMisty Island Rescue, here we go 
Searching through the tunnels one by onesearching through the tunnels one by oneWhiff and Percy huntingwith pistons all a-pumpingSearching through the tunnels one by one 
Bash, Dash, Ferdinandthey’re the Logging Locosalways there to lend a handThomas has to make amendsso he needs his brand new friends...todayHelp in every way! 
Edward, James and Gordon on the wayEdward, James and Gordon on the waySteaming across the oceanthe rescue is in motionEdward, James and Gordon on the way 
Bash, Dash, Ferdinandthey’re the Logging Locosalways there to lend a handThomas has to make amendsso he needs his brand new friends...todayHelp in every way! 
Misty Island Rescue, here we goMisty Island Rescue, here we gowith boilers all a-bubblingthe engines are a-comingMisty Island Rescue, here we go 
Misty Island Rescue, here we goMisty Island Rescue, here we goMisty Island Rescue, here we go!
Up above them, Diesel 10 looked down and laughed. These joking engines that were not very useful were being called Really Useful Engines just because they were Steamies. Diesel 10 was tired of the racism against diesel engines. He said those silly Steamies would soon be laughing on the other side of their boilers soon.
The end.

Click the following links to buy this story on BOOK and DVD.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Hero of the Rails ☁☁☁☁☁

 Pros: The songs, a Steamie villain, 2 great character introductions (Hiro & Victor), great morals, excellent CGI.
Cons: No Diesels.

As Thomas and Friends did their normal tasks, a silver streak flew by each of them. Once he slowed down, and said hello at Knapford Station, they saw that it was Spencer, here to help build the Duke and Duchess of Boxford build their new summer home.

Thomas was upset that Thomas would be on Sodor for the whole summer. Spencer mocked the Steam Team for their slowness and age as he came upon them doing their jobs. Spencer was taking loads 5 times as big as the Steam team. Thomas stated that he could pull just as heavy loads as Spencer and go just as fast as him, so Spencer challenged him to a contest of strength and speed. Thomas was worried; he knew he had boasted too much.

Both trains were carrying 7 cars, but this proved to be too much for Thomas. His brakes broke as he reached the top of a hill. Thomas raced down the hill and hit other cars, getting on an old railway track through overgrown bushes and trees. Thomas did not know where he was or what he should do.

Suddenly, Thomas heard a voice. It was from the tracks ahead. Very slowly Thomas chuffed ahead and gasped. There was a very old, rusty, and broken engine smiling at him. He looked kind and gentle but Thomas was a little scared. The old engine introduced himself, his name was Hiro.

Hiro told Thomas about how he came from Japan a long time ago. He was the strongest engine in Japan and called “The Master of the Railway”. He had the same nickname when he came to Sodor. Hiro eventually started to break down, but on Sodor they had no parts for the Japanese engine, so he was pushed to a siding to wait, but the parts never came and eventually he was forgotten.

Thomas wanted to go tell Sir Topham Hatt, but Hiro refused to let him, afraid that he would be taken to the Smelting Yard since they could not have the parts on Sodor and Hiro could not be a Very useful Engine. Thomas agreed not to tell Hatt and to take care of him, to make him the Master of the Railway again. Hiro smiled.

Later that morning, Thomas made it to the Steamworks and had his brakes fixed. Thomas liked the Steamworks and its manager, Victor. Spencer came to gloat, but Thomas simply congratulated him. Victor shooed Spencer away, which made Spencer cross. Behind Kevin the Crane, Thomas saw a car full of supplies. He hoped he could take them to Hiro. After Thomas was done with his work for the day, he asked Victor about the parts. Victor said they were old, so Thomas offered to take them away. Spencer almost caught Thomas taking the parts to Hiro, but Thomas was able to take the parts, but found out the Duke and Duchess of Boxford’s new summer home was very close to Hiro’s location. He carefully chuffed back to Tidmouth Sheds.

Sir Topham Hatt arrived to tell them that they all would need to work extra hard and extra early tomorrow. Hatt said Thomas should not pull heavily loads, as he did not need very broken engines, but Very Useful Engines. Now Thomas was very afraid for Hiro.


The next day, Thomas asked others to do his work, so he could help Hiro. Percy left his mail trucks is a hidden siding while he took away Thomas’ load. Spencer saw Thomas and was suspicious. Thomas was not on his Branch Line. Thomas eventually made it to Hiro and his driver and fireman helped put the new parts on Thomas. As Thomas left, Spencer followed him and came upon a broken down Percy. Thomas shunted Percy to the Steamworks. Percy was scared that Sir Topham Hatt would be cross since he failed to deliver the mail today. Thomas promised to help him tomorrow.

Victor chastised Thomas for giving his work to Percy. Thomas saw more old parts and asked for help. Thomas told Victor about Hiro. Looking after another engine, especially an old engine, is very important, said Victor. Victor wanted to tell Sir Topham Hatt, but agreed not to after he shared his concerns about Hiro being scrapped.

That night Hatt was cross and chastised Thomas for having Percy do his work, causing the mail to not be delivered. Now Percy’s mail cars were missing. Thomas promised to help find them tomorrow. Once Hatt left, he told his friends about Hiro and asked for their help.

The next day Thomas worked extra hard. Spencer did not work, but watched Thomas’ every move. After a full day’s work, Thomas headed to the Sodor Steamworks. On the way, he met Gordon, who had taken parts to Hiro that day. Sir Topham Hatt was at the Steamworks and cross that the mail cars still had not been found. Thomas and Percy left and Victor told Thomas he would have something for him when he returned. Thomas took Percy to meet Hiro. Hiro told the 2 small engines how he loved Gordon’s smile.

The next morning Thomas and Percy looked for the missing mail cars. Emily was busy doing Thomas’ work. Spencer asked Emily why Thomas had been by the new summer house. Emily replied that Thomas was a very busy engine and that is why she was helping him. Edward took parts to Hiro. Hiro thought Edward was very wise. Thomas and Percy still could not find the mail cars. They even checked the Ffarquhar Quarry. Spencer arrived and Mavis the Diesel Engine ran interference for the small Steamies. Spencer backed up and slate went in his funnel, making him inoperative. He had to be taken to the Steamworks!

James, Emily, and Thomas all chuffed parts to Hiro the next day. Hiro was starting to look like a complete steam engine. Thomas promised Hiro that tomorrow Percy would get the last part.

That night, Sir Topham Hatt was cross. The mail cars were still missing and Thomas had not been working on his branch line. His friends promised that tomorrow everything would be alright.

The next day Spencer was fixed. Spencer searched for clues. He found Percy’s mail cars. James and Toby chased Spencer away from Hiro. Thomas boxed in Spencer and told Hatt that Spencer had taken the mail cars. Hatt ordered Spencer to take the mail cars to Percy. When Thomas visited Hiro, they heard Spencer. He had found them! The two trains chuffed away and Spencer caught up to them. Hiro’s parts started to shake. Without the last part, Hiro started to have problems. Parts started to come off. Hiro could not chuff anymore. Gordon distracted Spencer by challenging him to a race. Thomas hid Hiro is a siding. When they got to Maithwaite Station, the Duke and Duchess chastised him for not getting the work done. Thomas pulled up and offered to help Spencer get the work completed.

Hiro was depressed, he was sure he would go to the Smelter’s Yard now. Thomas decided that after he helped build the summer house, he had to tell Sir Topham Hatt about Hiro, as their attempts at fixing him had failed. While Thomas and Spencer worked on the summer house, the rest of the Steam Team visited Hiro and kept him very happy. After many days Thomas visited Hiro and promised him everything would be fixed.


Thomas headed to Knapford to speak to Hatt, but Spencer started to chase him, wanting to get Hiro taken to the Smelting Yard. Thomas went over a rickety raised railway that was too fragile for a big, heavy train like Spencer and the small bridge collapsed under Spencer’s weight (4 bridges destroyed in 4 movies)! Thomas promised to go get help for Spencer.

Thomas told Sir Topham Hatt everything. Hatt was familiar with the Master of the Railway. He was very excited and anxious to help him. Hatt ordered that Hiro be sent to the Steamworks, not the Ironworks! After Hiro was fixed, Spencer would be fixed. After Hiro was fixed, Spencer was pulled out of the mud by Hiro, who was pulling Rocky, and taken to the Sodor Steamworks. Once Spencer was fixed, Spencer, Hiro, and Thomas worked together on the summer house. Spencer apologized to the other engines and told them that they were good friends.

Hiro loved his new friends but missed his old friends in Japan. He had not been in Japan in a very long time. Thomas asked Sir Topham Hatt to let him go home for a visit. Hatt agreed. As Hiro was loaded on the ship for Japan, Thomas reminded Hiro that Sodor will always be his home too.

Cue “Go, Go, Thomas” music video. Great stuff!
Go, go Thomas...
Go, go Thomas...
Go, go, number one...
Go, go Thomas!

Something good is gonna happen today
Oh my my, hey hey hey!
Use your ears, use your eyes
Thomas is in for a big surprise!

On the track, behind the trees
Far away, where nobody sees
Lives an engine, Hiro by name
And Thomas is going to help him shine again!

Edward, Emily, James, and Toby too,
Gordon, Henry, Percy coming through!
Thomas and Friends making Hiro brand new,
They're the really useful crew!

Go, go Thomas... Thomas number one!
Go, go Thomas... Thomas number one!
Little by little, day by day
Oh my my, hey hey hey!
All the friends are helping him out
Now we get ready to shout it out!

Edward, Emily, James, and Toby too,
Gordon, Henry, Percy coming through!
Thomas and Friends making Hiro brand new,
They're the really useful crew!

Go go Thomas... Thomas number one.
Go go Thomas... Thomas number one.
Go go Thomas... Thomas number one.
Go go Thomas... Thomas number one.

Thomas and Hiro. Thomas and Hiro. Good, good friends.
Thomas and Hiro. Thomas and Hiro. Good, good friends.

Go go Thomas... Thomas number one.
Go go Thomas... Thomas number one.
Go go Thomas... Thomas number one.
Go go Thomas... Thomas number one.
Go go Thomas... Thomas number one.
Go go Thomas... Thomas number one. 
Thomas and Hiro. Thomas and Hiro. Good, good friends.
Thomas and Hiro. Thomas and Hiro. Good, good friends.
Thomas and Hiro. Thomas and Hiro. Good, good friends.
Thomas and Hiro. Thomas and Hiro. Good, good friends.
Thomas and Hiro. Thomas and Hiro. Good, good friends.
Thomas and Hiro. Thomas and Hiro. Good, good friends.
The end.

Click the following links to buy this story on BOOK and DVD.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

The Great Discovery ☁☁

Pros: The songs, the production value, last movie using the models.
Cons: The narrow gauge engines are boring characters, the story drags, no Diesels.

Sodor Day was coming to the Island of Sodor.

Thomas and James were racing to the wharf. Whoever won would get a very special special.

Cue the “Thomas and James are Racing” music video. Good stuff.
Thomas and James are racing, racing to the Wharf.
Everyone likes to be the first, not second, third or fourth!
Pistons pumping wildly, boilers fit to burst,
There's something really special for the engine who comes first. 
Steaming through the countryside, imagine their elation
speeding past the platforms, they're not stopping at the station.
Racing under bridges and then rattling round the bends.
A very special prize awaits the winner when it ends. 
Thomas and James are racing, racing to the Wharf.
Everyone likes to be the first, not second, third or fourth!
Pistons pumping wildly, boilers fit to burst,
There's something really special for the engine who comes first. 
Children on the bridges, waving as they both rush by…
Go so fast, if trains had wings, you'd think they'd start to fly!
Wheeshing and then whooshing, oh, but what's that up ahead?
It can't be true . . . they'll have to stop . . . the signal's turned to red! 
Come on, come on, I'll win this race…
I'll take a rest, then set the pace…
He's out of puff; he's out of steam…
Hurray, hurray! The signal's green! 
Thomas and James are racing, racing to the Wharf.
Everyone likes to be the first, not second, third or fourth!
Pistons pumping wildly, boilers fit to burst,
There's something really special for the engine who comes first. 
Thomas and James are racing, racing to the Wharf.
Everyone likes to be the first, not second, third or fourth!
Pistons pumping wildly, boilers fit to burst,
There's something really special for the engine who comes first.
James led most of the way, but at the end, Thomas won by a nose. Mr. Percival, the Narrow Gauge Controller congratulated both engines. James will unload barges at the wharf, a job he enjoyed. The special special went to the winner, Thomas. He would work with Duncan, the narrow gauge steam engine bringing timber down to the wharf. Duncan and Thomas teased each other. Thomas made Duncan cross.

Duncan decided to play a trick on Thomas and teased him, convincing him to take a scary shortcut to the wharf. Thomas went down the track. Duncan told him to cross the bridge then it was downhill to the wharf. Thomas stopped at the bridge, because he was scared. He decided to chuff slowly. Once he got halfway across, the bridge started to shake as he heard rocks fall. All of the bridge in front of him collapsed (that is 3 bridges in 3 movies)! As he backed up slowly more of the bridge collapsed. Just as he got off the bridge, the entire bridge collapsed in to the ravine below!

Thomas backed up to a junction and took the left fork in the track and decided to go that way. The track was steep and covered in trees, but Thomas went on, getting all scratched up. Thomas gasped when he arrived at an old abandoned town. He was very excited and came to a stop, looking around. He chuffed off and told Madge, a pickup truck who spread the word to all the other vehicles, engines, and people of Sodor.

Sir Topham Hatt was very happy that Thomas had discovered the ancient town of Great Watertown. Hatt declared that they would restore the town for Sodor Day and gave each of the engines important jobs.

Cue the “There’s a Job for Everyone” music video.
Jobs a-plenty, five, ten, twenty – jobs for everyone.
Jobs galore and still there's more, more jobs that must be done!
Train it, crane it – you name it – then we all can say:
The town that time forgot will shine like new on Sodor Day!

There's jobs for main line engines
And narrow gauge as well.
Jobs for workmen in the woods
With trees to clear and fell.
And guess who's trying hardest
To do more than the rest?
It's Thomas! But the others know
They all will do their best.

Jobs a-plenty, five, ten, twenty – jobs for everyone.
Jobs galore and still there's more, more jobs that must be done!
Train it, crane it – you name it – then we all can say:
The town that time forgot will shine like new on Sodor Day!

Emily and Gordon
Take fallen trees and rocks.
James and Edward bringing stone,
While Henry's at the Docks.
And Toby drops off workmen
To work with Jack and Ned
When Percy drops supplies.
No time to rest at Tidmouth Sheds.

Jobs a-plenty, five, ten, twenty – jobs for everyone.
Jobs galore and still there's more, more jobs that must be done!
Train it, crane it – you name it – then we all can say:
The town that time forgot will shine like new on Sodor Day! 
Jobs a-plenty, five, ten, twenty – jobs for everyone.
Jobs galore and still there's more, more jobs that must be done!
Train it, crane it – you name it – then we all can say:
The town that time forgot will shine like new on Sodor Day!

The town that time forgot will shine like new on Sodor Day!
Thomas’ job was to find all of the tracks around town and to be in charge of the restoration. Hatt would bring in a new steam engine, Stanley, to do his regular work. Stanley was newer, bigger, brighter, and stronger than Thomas. James huffed up to tell Thomas about Stanley. Thomas showed James his new shed in Great Waterton, but was visible bothered about how beloved the new engine was.

Thomas spied on Stanley doing his work and was sad to see how he and Percy got along. He was cross when he saw that Stanley was in his berth at Tidmouth Sheds. Thomas went back to Great Waterton alone.

The next day Thomas was pulling his load too fast and he derailed. Luckily, no one was work. Edward and rocky came to get him and take him to be fixed at the repair shed of the Steamworks. Sir Topham Hatt was cross and told Thomas that Stanley would take over his job in Great Waterton too. Thomas was cross to see that all the engines loved Stanley and welcomed him happily to Great Waterton.

Thomas promised he would return and be more useful than Stanley. When he got to Great Waterton, everyone was talking about Stanley. Sir Topham Hatt called Thomas over to Stanley. Hatt told him that Stanley was doing so good that Thomas would work for Stanley, who would stay in charge. Stanley gave him an assignment right away, shunting cars in a line for Stanley. Thomas decided to play a trick on Thomas, trying to make a line of too many cars so Stanley would fail.

Stanley started up the steep hill. He used all of his power. It was far too heavy. Suddenly the coupling snapped and the cars rolled away… down in to Great Waterton and into the tower, making it collapse. The engines gasped in horror. Thomas knew it was his entire fault. (The 2nd tower destroyed by Thomas in 2 movies!)

Sir Topham Hatt came to see what had happened. Hatt knew it was all Thomas’ fault, and did not answer when Thomas was asked why he did it. The other engines were shocked that Thomas would do such a thing. Thomas felt very bad and took an old track away. Hatt said the town may not be ready in time, but that with extra work by all the engines, maybe it could be done. No one spoke to Thomas.

That night, Thomas thought maybe he could work and fix the problems he created. After getting all the cars, he found one remaining near an old mine. Hitting it too hard, it went in to the mine. Thomas went after it to get the last car. It was a scary but exciting journey after the runaway car. At a junction Thomas went the wrong way, but kept on going, enjoying the ride, until he saw his way ahead was blocked. He crashed right through the blocked track and in to underground water. He was scared! The water was pushing him through an underwater river.

The next morning the other trains were worried. No one had seen Thomas. Sir Topham Hatt was called about it. He called a State of Emergency, stating all engines must look for Thomas now.

Cue the “Where, Oh Where is Thomas?” music video.
Where, oh where is Thomas, where has Thomas gone?
Perhaps he's playing hide and seek, or something's really wrong.
Sir Topham Hatt has spoken "Thomas must be found,"
So everyone is searching every inch of Sodor ground. 
The engines search the sidings and every length of track.
They look for him round Tidmouth Sheds:
The front, the side, the back.
The children get a day off school to hunt for you-know-who
and even Lady Hatt joins in, in case she finds a clue.
Where, oh where is Thomas, where has Thomas gone?
Perhaps he's playing hide and seek, or something's really wrong.
Sir Topham Hatt has spoken "Thomas must be found,"
So everyone is searching, but look who's underground. 
Thomas is having a whale of a time.
He's trapped inside a disused mine.
He's rocking and rolling down the flooded track.
He just can't say when he's coming back!
He just can't say when he's coming back! 
Meanwhile up above him, Jeremy flies high.
Harold too is swooping low across the Sodor sky.
Everyone is searching, Salty at the docks.
Bertie, Terence, everyone, behind each ragged rock. 
Where, oh where is Thomas, where has Thomas gone?
Perhaps he's playing hide and seek, or something's really wrong.
Sir Topham Hatt has spoken "Thomas must be found,"
So everyone is searching every inch of Sodor ground. 
So everyone is searching every inch of Sodor ground.
All the engines were sad, even Stanley. Stanley thought over everything that had occurred and realized that Stanley was probably jealous and that is why he ran away. Stanley made it his mission to find Thomas, since he was the cause of that jealousy.

The underground river popped out of the ground and Thomas came out too, crashing down near an old train track. Thomas realized he had made a series of mistakes and that his predicament was his entire fault. Thomas heard Stanley and with his last bit of steam, whistled to Stanley, alerting him as to where he was. Thomas told Stanley the whole story and apologized to Stanley. With a mighty heave, Stanley pulled Thomas to the tracks, but it caused Stanley’s boiler to burst. Now it was Thomas’ turn to save Stanley. After putting Stanley’s dry coal in to Thomas, Thomas shunted Stanley home.

Soon the word about Thomas spread in the same manner that the news about the discovery of Great Waterton had.

Among the happy trains were Diesel, Dennis, Diesel 10, Mavis, ‘Arry, Bert, and Salty. 

Soon Great Waterton was restored and ready for Sodor Day. Thomas gladly gave his important job of bringing all the important people of Sodor to Great Waterton to Stanley.

Cue the “Engine Roll Call: The Great Discovery Version” music video. Good stuff!
They're two, they're four, they're six, they're eight,
Shunting trucks and hauling freight.
Red and green and brown and blue,
They're the Really Useful crew.
All with different roles to play
'round Tidmouth Sheds or far away,
Down the hills and round the bends,
Thomas and his Friends. 
Thomas, he's the cheeky one,
James is vain but lots of fun.
Percy pulls the mail on time,
Gordon thunders down the line.
Emily really knows her stuff,
Henry toots and Edward puffs.
Stanley, he's the new one there,
Toby, well, let's say, he's square. 
They're two, they're four, they're six, they're eight,
Shunting trucks and hauling freight.
Red and green and brown and blue,
They're the Really Useful crew.
All with different roles to play
'round Tidmouth Sheds or far away,
Down the hills and round the bends,
Thomas and his Friends.
Cue the “Thomas, You’re the Leader” music video. Good stuff!
It's Thomas (Thomas),
You're the leader (leader). 
They're two, they're four, they're six, they're eight,
Shunting trucks and hauling freight.
Red and green and brown and blue,
They're the useful crew (that's who).
All with different roles to play
'Round Tidmouth Sheds and far away.
Now Stanley's joined this friendly pack,
But who's this coming down the track?
Thomas, he's my number one,
Shining in the morning sun,
Working hard but having fun,
Thomas, you're the leader.
Thomas, you're the leader.
Thomas has so many friends,
The list is long, it never ends.
James and Percy huff and puff,
And Emily, she knows her stuff,
Henry, Edward, what a pair,
Toby, like I say he's square.
Gordon thunders down the line.
Everyone's a friend of mine.
(That's right) 
Thomas, he's my number one,
Shining in the morning sun,
Working hard but having fun,
Thomas, you're the leader.
Thomas, you're the leader. 
Let's not forget the narrow gauge,
Where small and strong is all the rage.
Sir Handel, Rusty, Mighty Mac (whoa),
Fearless Freddie at the back.
Rheneas and then Peter Sam,
Skarloey, Duncan, he's my man.
With Mr. Percival in charge,
No work's too hard, no job's too large. 
Thomas, he's my number one,
Shining in the morning sun,
Working hard but having fun,
Thomas, you're the leader.
Thomas, you're the leader. 
Jeremy and Harold, Rocky, Harvey too,
Salty, Mavis, Bertie, the Really Useful crew.
It's not just engines full of steam,
There's Jack and all his building team.
Tipping stones and digging roads,
Filling trucks and loading loads.
Sir Topham Hatt, he keeps an eye
on every engine passing by.
Everything is ticket-y boo,
'Cause out in front is you-know-who.
The End.

Click the following links to buy the currently out of print BOOK and  DVD.