Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Calling All Engines! ☁☁☁☁☁


Pros: The songs, the story, the educational factor, lots of Diesels, return of Diesel 10 & Lady.
Cons: Racism against Diesels, asking children to help Thomas trick Diesel.

Summertime is always beautiful on the Island of Sodor.

The film starts off with all the engines being busy. The engines are showing visitors all the splendid sites. James shows them the seaside. Emily shows them the windmill. Thomas shows them the Sodor Suspension Bridge, one of the vacationers’ favorite sites. Each night when the work is done, the engines go to their sheds. Most of the Steam Team sleeps at Tidmouth Sheds.

One morning Sir Topham Hatt came to Tidmouth Sheds to tell the engines that Sodor was building an airport so more visitors could visit.

Cue up the “Busy” music video. Great song!
We’re busy, so busy,
Our wheels don't touch the ground,
Dizzy we're dizzy,
With rushing round and round,
It's pulling this and shunting that,
No Sir, Yes Sir Topham Hatt,
We'll go here and there and back,
We're busy, busy, busy.

We’re busy so busy,
Preparing all the sights,
The Windmill, the Seaside,
Just two of our delights,
We might be here, we might be there,
not a second we can spare,
Now that summer's in the air,
We're busy, busy, busy.

Every night it's time to take a rest,
At Tidmouth Sheds,
The place we love the best,
Our boilers cool, all is peace but then,
Its rise and shine, look at the time,
'cause off we go again

We’re busy so busy,
So many things to do,
Huffing and puffing,
It's work the whole day through,
Pick up workmen from the Docks,
'Where's that toolkit?'
'Where's that box?'
Just keep working round the clock,
We're busy, busy, busy.

We take supplies, way up in the hills,
To Sodor Bridge, a very special thrill
The air's so cool.
Look at the view but then,
The whistle blows, it’s time to go
So here we go again!

We’re busy so busy,
Our wheels don't touch the ground,
Dizzy we're dizzy,
With rushing round and round,
It's pulling this and shunting that,
No Sir, Yes Sir Topham Hatt,
We'll go here and there and back,
We're busy, busy,
Busy, busy, busy, busy, busy!

We’re busy so busy,
Preparing all the sights,
The Windmill, the Seaside,
Just two of our delights,
We might be here, we might be there,
Not a second we can spare,
Now that summer's in the air,

We're busy, busy, busy
Busy, dizzy, dizzy, dizzy, dizzy
Wishy wizzy, izzy dizzy
Busy, busy, busy

Thomas and Percy show up at the airport carrying bricks and timbers. Thomas and Percy stop in the middle of the railway and talk.

RACISM ALERT: What the deleted scenes show is that Percy and Thomas were working with ‘Arry and Bert. Percy said that he does not like Diesels, which makes the Diesels cross.

‘Arry and Bert are shunting supplies and accidentally run in to Thomas and Percy who were illegally stopped in the middle of the railway. ‘Arry and Bert are upset that the Steamies were stopped where they should not be, slowing down the work again. Thomas and Percy say they do not like Diesels because they are ‘very different’ than Steamies!

Cue up the educational segment on the technical differences between Steamies and Diesels. Great stuff!
Thomas arrived to be loaded with building supplies and ‘Arry and Bert were getting ready to be loaded. They told Thomas that they had an important job. Thomas was cross that Diesels had an important job, so he thought up a very naughty idea.

He decided to crash into ‘Arry and Bert’s cars just before their supplies were about to loaded in to their cars. The supplies landed all over the train tracks. This caused ‘Arry and Bert to be delayed and not get their now supplies to their very important job.

Thomas laughed, saying they would be late and he left away. Thomas and Percy went and made messes at the yard. Diesel told them that they have made big trouble for ‘Arry and Bert, but that they better not cause trouble for him since he had a very important job to do.

Diesel backed up to be loaded with building supplies. Thomas decided to play a trick on Diesel and cause more trouble.

Cue up the educational segment on how to play a trick on Diesel. There are cars of timber and cars of bricks, but Thomas gives Diesel the cars of bananas instead.

Thomas and Percy went to the Smelting Yard of the Ironworks to collect steel girders. There they saw Diesel 10 being a Very Useful Engine. They watched him work and thought Diesel 10 looked very scary, so they once again avoided work and raced away until evening, when they went home to Tidmouth Sheds.

When they pulled up they saw the bridge was not painted, the airport was not completed, and Tidmouth Sheds were in disrepair. Diesel told Thomas that rebuilding Tidmouth Sheds was the important job that he, ‘Arry and Bert had today, which Thomas prevented them from completing. Sir Topham Hatt told Thomas that bananas were no good for building.

The Steamies were cross with the Diesels, thinking that they had destroyed the home of the “Steam Team”, but Thomas was sad, knowing it was his entire fault, although he did not admit it to any of the other Steamies and let them errantly remain angry with the Diesels.

The Steamies had to sleep in differing places. James had to sleep at the coaling plant. Edward had to stay at the Quarry with Diesel. Percy & Henry had to stay at the Smelter’s Yard. Gordon had to sleep under a tent. Toby was at his personal shed made just for him. Thomas felt bad that many jobs were not finished because of him. He slept at Knapford Sheds with Emily. Thomas promised Emily he would fix everything tomorrow.

That night a hurricane hit Sodor. It tore down trees; it ripped off roofs, flattened fences, and destroyed the Sodor Suspension Bridge. (2 bridges destroyed in 2 movies!)

Sir Topham Hatt told the engines that everyone will have to work extra hard to get the airport open now. Percy asked if Tidmouth Sheds would be fixed. Hatt replied that only after everything else was fixed, would Tidmouth Sheds me repaired. (After all, it was all Thomas’ fault!)

Cue up the educational segment on which steam engines should be assigned to which jobs. Great stuff!
Thomas arrived at the Sodor Suspension Bridge with the workmen, where Diesel was at, ready to work. He told Thomas he was not talking to him after all the destruction, delays, and devious acts that Thomas was responsible for. Thomas said he was not talking to him either. ‘Arry & Bert were likewise upset with the Steamies. The other Steamies sis not talk to any of the Diesels because they wrongly thought that the Diesels had destroyed their home. Later Thomas came upon Diesel 10 again. Diesel 10 was being a Very Useful Engine, clearing debris from the tracks. Thomas realized that claw was very strong!

That night at Knapford Station, Thomas was talking to Emily, but Emily wanted nothing to do with his talking, once he went to sleep, he started Sleep Whistling, giving Emily no sleep.

Sir Topham Hatt told Thomas that an important part of the bridge needed to be taken from Brendam Docks to the bridge and that Thomas would probably need help. Diesel said he or any Diesel could do the job. Thomas said he was a Steamy, so he could do it by himself, refusing any help from a Diesel and refusing to accept that a Diesel could do his job.

Cue up the “Trying To Do Things Better” music video. Great stuff!
Anything that Diesels do
Steamies know that they can too
Diesels! Steamies! Engines who
Try to do things better
they both have a different role
"We need oil!", "We need coal!"
All of us have just one goal
Trying to do things better! 
Who can shunt the most trucks of bricks
On trains that are much longer
Steamies may get up to tricks
But Diesels are much stronger
Who has gleaming piston rods
and paintwork bright and shiny
Who can pull the longest train
and still keep perfect timing! 
Anything that Diesels do
Steamies know that they can too
Diesels! Steamies! Engines who
Try to do things better
they both have a different role
"We need oil!", "We need coal!"
All of us have just one goal
Trying to do things better!

Who goes bumping into trucks
causing so much trouble
who can lift those heavy loads
and clear the lines of rubble
Who can only honk their horns
while Steamies whistle loudly
Who's that straining up the hill
while Gordon steams by proudly! 
Anything that Diesels do
Steamies know that they can too
Diesels! Steamies! Engines who
Try to do things better
they both have a different role
"We need oil!", "We need coal!"
All of us have just one goal
Trying to do things better!

Who can shunt the most trucks of bricks
On trains that are much longer
Steamies may get up to tricks
But Diesels are much stronger
Who has gleaming piston rods
and paintwork bright and shiny
Who can pull the longest train
and still keep perfect timing! 
Anything that Diesels do
Steamies know that they can too
Diesels! Steamies! Engines who
Try to do things better
they both have a different role
"We need oil!", "We need coal!"
All of us have just one goal
Trying to do things better!
All of us have just one goal
Trying to do things better!
Thomas, after lots of effort, got the heavy load moving at a slow pace.

Cue of the education segment on which path is the best to take with a long, heavy load. Great stuff!

RACISM ALERT: What the deleted scenes show is that ‘Arry and Bert see Thomas stopped, taking a break, and they offer to help, but Thomas refuses, saying he does not need help from a Diesel.

Thomas finally gets to the bridge to cheers. Thomas is exhausted and only wants to rest, but now the heavy load needs to be set in place. Diesel, being much stronger than the tired Steamy offers to help and do it, but Thomas insists on doing it. Thomas barely did it, making the workmen very worried. Thomas was as tired as he had ever been and told Diesel that Steamies were better than Diesels, which made Diesel cross.

Thomas went to go get a load of paint, and Diesel decided to crash in to his load like Thomas had done to ‘Arry and Bert, to show him that Diesels were not inferior. Thomas then went and crashed ‘Arry. ‘Arry crashed in to James. Then the Steamies and Diesels were biffing and bashing each other all over the island until, causing messes everywhere and every engine needed a wash down.

Sir Topham Hatt said the engines had caused Confusion and Delay, making no work get done. The airport will not be finished and the bridge will not get painted. All of the engines were miserable.

That night they all had nightmares about what would happen if no vacationers would come and they could not be Very Useful Engines. Thomas however has a dream about the Misty Mountain track with Lady the Magical Steam Engine and Rusty the Narrow Gauge Diesel Engine. Lady said that they always get their work done when they work together. Thomas was surprised to see Steamies working with Diesels. When he woke up, he knew what he must do. Thomas went and found Mavis, a Diesel Engine.

Cue of the education segment on how to find Mavis by using sound and visual cues. Great stuff!

Thomas told Mavis about his plan, to get the Steamies and Diesels to work together. Mavis agreed that it was the only way to get the airport open in time. Thomas asked how to get the Diesels and Steamies to work together. Mavis said they needed to have a meeting. Thomas decided that they would meet tomorrow at the Steamies’ Coaling plant.

Thomas went and told the Steamies. Mavis went and talked to the Diesels except Diesel 10. Thomas wanted to tell Diesel 10. Thomas watched Diesel 10 being a Very Useful Engine and decided not to tell him, assuming he would never want to work with the weaker Steamies anyway.

Thomas was too tired to go to Emily’s shed and slept in a siding with his lantern on. Emily found she actually missed Thomas.

The next morning all of the engines met at the coaling plant, except Thomas, who was late. The coaling plant was very busy, so the manager was wondering why all the engines were there. He called Sir Topham Hatt who departed for the Coaling Plant.

The Diesels were cross that Thomas, who called them together, was so late, especially since he caused all the confusion and delay in the first place.

Thomas finally arrived and said that the Steamies and Diesels had to work together. He said if the airport does not open, it would be bad for both Steamies and Diesels.

Sir Topham Hatt arrived in Harold the Helicopter, asking why they were all there. Thomas shared his plan with Hatt, who was pleased.

Cue of the education segment on which Steam engine should work with what Diesel engine based on size, strength, design, and role. Great stuff!

The Diesels and Steamies paired up to do their important jobs. Soon the airport was completed, but there was still one more job to do. Thomas did it himself, shunting supplies to the airport. While Thomas claimed he was being careful, the supplies derailed, knocking the water tower over, cracking the runway and blocking the train tracks. Luckily no one was hurt.

Unless it could be fixed, the airplane on the way would have to go back. The Diesels were cross. They had put up with stinky Steamies all day and then Thomas ruined everything.

The foreman said that he needed George the Steamroller to finish fixing the runway. Thomas whined that the tracks were blocked and that George was too slow to get to the airport on his own. The airport manager called for Harvey to clear the tracks, but Harvey the Crane Steam Engine was too far away and too slow to get there in time.
Thomas suddenly had an idea and puffed away. He was sure that Diesel 10 could clear the track. Diesel 10 was clearing the track elsewhere. Thomas asked Diesel 10 to help. Diesel 10 smiled and asked why he would help a Steamy. Diesel 10 said he would help after encouragement by Thomas that he would be the most useful engine.

The Diesels thought Thomas had run away after realizing he caused all the problems recently. Soon Thomas arrived with Diesel 10. Percy exclaimed that Diesel 10 was not as scary as Thomas had thought.

The Diesels were surprised to see Thomas and Diesel 10 working together. A smiling Diesel 10 was a Very Useful Engine and cleaned up the mess in record time. Percy suggested all the Diesels and Steamies work together so that the airplane might still land.

As soon as the tracks were cleared, Thomas went and got George the Steamroller. George smoothed the runway. Harold the helicopter landed. Sir Topham Hatt declared the airplane would land soon.

Thomas stated that working with Diesels was not so bad after all. Diesel replied that working with Steamies was not bad either. They all knew that while they are different, they all love to be Very Useful Engines.

Cue the “Together We Made It” music video. Great stuff!
Climb aboard, the train's departing
Our airport's built... the visitors here
The sights of Sodor all are waiting
Sit back and we'll take you there
Through the wind and rain we trundled
So we did our jobs on time
Though we're tired, we never grumbled
Soon we knew the sun must shine.

Together we made it happen
Together we saw it through
That's why we'll pull together
Whenever there's work to do
We've mended the sights of Sodor
and everyone's come to see
We ended the work we started
and that's how it's meant to be.
Up the hills we're cheerfully chuffing
There's so many sights to see
Through the tunnels, happily puffing
So many places we could be
As we steam across out island
People come from everywhere
Just to see the bridge of Sodor
Hanging proudly in the air!

Together we made it happen
Together we saw it through
That's why we'll pull together
Whenever there's work to do
Thomas has seen the answer
It came to him in a dream
From now on we've all decided
Together we'll stay a team.
One is strong but two are stronger
So put your differences aside
One works long but two work longer
We didn't know until we tried!

Together we made it happen
Together we saw it through
That's why we'll pull together
Whenever there's work to do
Thomas has seen the answer
It came to him in a dream
From now on we've all decided
Together we'll stay a team!
That evening the engines met with Sir Topham Hatt at Tidmouth Sheds, which they were surprised to see were rebuilt and better than ever. Emily was sad. She was going to miss Thomas. Percy noticed there were now 7 berths at Tidmouth Sheds. Hatt declared that this was for Emily. All night the Steam Team talked about Steamies, Diesels, and Airplanes.

Cue the “Engine Roll Call: Calling All Engines Version” music video. Great 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.

All the engines are on hand,
Waiting for a plane to land.
Be they diesels, be they steam,
All keep working as a team.
Emily will now go to bed
With all the rest at Tidmouth Sheds.
And no one can remember when
Steamies worked with Diesel 10.

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.
The end.

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

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Thomas and the Magic Railroad ☁


Pros: The first Thomas and Friends movie, the introduction of Diesel 10. 
Cons: Anything to do with Shining Time Station.

The film starts with bossy steam engine Gordon telling Thomas the Tank Engine that he is late and that it is important to be “Really Reliable and Right on Time” as Sir Topham Hatt expects. Thomas gets ready to leave to pick up Mr. Conductor, who will be controlling the trains of Sodor while Sir Topham Hatt is on a much needed holiday.

As the engines finish their conversation, Diesel 10 speeds by, telling them to get out of his way because he has unfinished business and wants to finish it fast.

Gordon and Thomas fear the powerful and fast Diesel 10, who they have had run-ins with before. Thomas says there is likely trouble around the corner.

Thomas haphazardly crashes in to buffers near the sheds and talks to naughty James who had been sent to the sheds because he had been a bad steam engine.

Thomas tells fellow steam engine, James, that Sir Topham Hatt is just trying to make the railway better and that they need to be “Really Useful Engines” so Sir Topham Hatt will not need to keep bringing the more efficient diesel engines to Sodor to help the older steam engines.

Diesel 10 pulls up during the conversation and laughs as James shakes in fear. Diesel 10 says they have to help steam engines because Steamies are cowardly, cranky. worn out, hunks of metal that could not hurt a fly. James says that they are not.

Diesel 10 tells James and Thomas that he is back to look for a lost steam engine that needs to be destroyed and that he will be the dominant train engine on Sodor. Diesel 10 says that when he dominates, Steamies will be nothing but useless scrap, since Diesels are much faster, more efficient, and powerful.

James calls Diesel 10 a big bully and Thomas declares that they truly are “Really Useful Engines” and that Diesel 10 will not dominate them or destroy the missing steam engine, who Thomas identifies as a female. Thomas states that the Steamies will not allow it and neither will Mr. Conductor.

Cut to the magical world of Shining Time Station. We see Lady hidden away and find out she is the link between Sodor and Shining Time Station. Burnett Stone, her caretaker says that long ago a devious Diesel tried to destroy her. He chased her, she went too fast and she ran out of coal and he crashed her. So Mr. Stone brought her to this mountain and has been trying to restore her ever since with no luck.

Back on Sodor, Pinchy, Diesel 10’s claw, has carved the image of Diesel 10’s face in to the side of a mountain, much to the delight of Diesel 10. We meet “Splodge”, the team of Splatter and Dodge, Diesels who are residents of Sodor. Diesel 10 states that he is looking for a steam engine. Splodge reply that this request is easy because Steamies are everywhere on Sodor. Diesel 10 lets them know it will not be easy as this Steamy escaped him once before and if she is destroyed the “others” will not exist. Splodge tell him that it will not be easy because Mr. Conductor will not allow it. Diesel 10 states he can do whatever he wants and he can get Mr. Conductor too, with Pinchy, who goes crazy, out of control of Diesel 10.

Cut to Shining Time Station. We officially meet Mr. Conductor who promises to be “Responsible, Reliable, and Really Useful” in Sodor. We find out that he uses “Sparkle” which later is also called “Gold Dust” to travel to Sodor. Mr. Conductor states that a picture drawn by Burnett Stone that was found in Shining Time Station looks like it is from Sodor.

Back in Sodor, Thomas finds Mr. Conductor. Diesel 10 is joyfully singing and laughing.

Cut back to the magical world of Shining Time Station. Burnett Stone is remembering a time from his childhood when he told his future wife that Mr. Conductor and his universe (Shining Time Station) will disappear if Diesel 10 was able to destroy Lady.

Back on Sodor, the Steamies were working hard. James is complaining. Gordon is talking about how he knows everything and Thomas is small and useless. Henry says that Lady is more powerful than Diesel and that is why he wants to destroy her. Percy says the Steamies need to find her first. Gordon and James say to leave it to the big engines. Thomas says “Little Engines Can Do Big Things”!

Splodge is laughing as sneezing powder has been laid all around Tidmouth Sheds. When Hector the Helicopter comes by it gets in Thomas’ funnel and all over Splatter and Dodge too. Sir Topham Hatt has left a note for Mr. Conductor, angry that he was late. Sir Topham Hatt tells Mr. Conductor to be “Responsible, Reliable, and Really Useful” and to watch out for Diesel 10, who Mr. Conductor errantly calls, “Diesel”.

Mr. Conductor sleeps in Tidmouth Sheds with the Steamies. There is a big hole in the sheds which has scaffolding around it. Diesel 10 pulls up and Pinchy knocks down the scaffolding. Diesel 10 calls Mr. Conductor “Twinkle Toes”, and tells him that he has a plan and Mr. Conductor is not in it, confirming what Burnett Stone has said before, that Diesel 10 is simply trying to keep the inhabitants of the magical Shining Time Station out of Sodor. Mr. Conductor tries to use his “Sparkle” to no avail. Pinchy starts clanking around as Diesel 10 asks Mr. Conductor where Lady is. Mr. Conductor threatens to destroy Diesel 10 by putting sugar in him. Diesel 10 retreats, telling Mr. Conductor to enjoy tonight, because he will not enjoy tomorrow. Mr. Conductor and the Steamies go to sleep.

The next day, Mr. Conductor is cleaning out James’ nose, to get the sneezing powder out. James says that Diesel told him that red is a tiring color, but that James thinks it looks so nice against the snow. Mr. Conductor tells him red is bright and cheerful. Mr. Conductor heads towards Toby’s Windmill. The Steamies meet and talk about how Mr. Conductor’s “Sparkle” is all gone. Henry’s nose is plugged up & Thomas is still sneezing, which Gordon wrongly blames on nasty fumes from Diesels. Toby fears that destroying Lady will destroy all Steamies.

Mr. Conductor calls his cousin, “C Jr.” and asks him to bring more “Gold Dust” from Shining Time Station to him. Mr. Conductor sleeps on the side of the tracks like a homeless person as Thomas looks for him. That night Percy asks Thomas how Mr. Conductor comes to Sodor. Thomas tells him by “Gold Dust”. Percy says he thinks there must also be a magical railway to get from magical Shining Time Station to the Island of Sodor because in his sleep, Percy heard Mr. Conductor talk about the magical buffers. Diesel 10 has been listening to the whole conversation and Toby follows Diesel 10 as he shunts away.

Diesel sings as he meets up with Splodge at the Ironworks. He tell them that Mr. Conductor’s Magic Railway will be gone soon along with the buffers that lead there. He says he will do this himself. Toby overhears and rings his bell, making Pinchy go crazy, knocking the roof in on the sheds at the Ironworks where Diesel 10 is talking to Splatter and Dodge. Splodge ask their boss if he meant to do that, after he chastises Pinchy, and Diesel 10 embarrassingly says he always means what he does.

The next day the Steamies were working around Sodor being “Really Useful Engines”. Thomas goes to collect 6 coal trucks of Sodor Coal but accidentally sent one car in to the Special Buffers that lead to the Magic Railroad to Shining Time Station.

Diesel 10 drives by Mr. Conductor who is walking along the railway. Mr. Conductor runs, knowing he had threatened Diesel 10’s life before. Diesel 10 notes that Mr. Conductor forgot his sugar, and has Pinchy pick up Mr. Conductor as they head towards a bridge that has just lost its keystone, unbeknownst to Diesel 10. Diesel 10 tells Mr. Conductor that he knows about the magical buffers and to tell him where Lady is. Mr. Conductor pulls out a tool and cuts a hydraulic hose on Pinchy and is thrown to Toby’s Windmill, where he lands on bags of flour.

Splodge asks Diesel 10 why he let Twinkle Toes escape. Diesel 10 said it was on purpose, to see if he could escape without the “Gold Dust”. Splatter & Dodge doubt his story. That makes Pinchy go crazy. Unfortunately the diesel engines are at the Coaling Plant, under a coal loader, and Pinchy’s actions cause all the coal to fall on top of Diesel 10.

Cut to the magical world of Shining Time Station. Burnett is asking Lady what he should do. She does not answer. C Jr. meets up with Burnett’s granddaughter, Lilly, at the station and use the “Gold Dust” to go on the magic railroad to Sodor, passing the missing coal car on the way.

On Sodor, Thomas is not happy to see Junior, as Junior put party poppers inside Thomas last time they met. Thomas abandons his carriages, Annie and Clarabel, for Percy to come get later. Thomas takes Junior and Burnett’s granddaughter to Mr. Conductor at Toby’s Windmill. C Jr. climbs on the windmill and after a gust of wind is blown away, landing on top of Diesel 10.

Thomas sends Percy to guard the magic buffers, where he finds Splodge. Mr. Conductor and Lilly talk about Lady, who used to travel the Magic Railroad. Lilly talks about how he has heard Lady whistling.

Cut back to the magical land of Shining Time Station. Burnett talks to Lilly’s friend, “Patch”, about Lady, the magic railroad and her whistle. Mr. Conductor sends Thomas to the Magic Railroad to take Lilly home. Thomas gets the Sodor coal and makes it to the magical land of Shining Time Station. Lilly tells her Grandpa Stone about her journey to Sodor. Lilly sends Patch to get some of the Sodor Coal, which she thinks will make Lady steam again.

Meanwhile Thomas has fallen off the mountain he was on, following the invisible Magic Railroad back to Sodor. The Sodor Coal, however, was left behind.

On Sodor, Diesel 10 takes an apologetic Junior to the Ironworks where mysteriously James, the most racist Steamy is. Diesel 10 brakes hard, flinging Junior on to James, who is backing towards the smelter as Diesel 10 approached. C Jr. uses the last of his emergency “Sparkle”, to transport them both back to Toby’s Windmill. James then shunts away from the windmill.

Cut to the magical land of Shining Time Station. Burnett regrets that he never got to talk his now-deceased wife, Tasha, on a ride in Lady. He puts the Sodor Coal in Lady then Burnett, Lilly, and Patch all get on board and take the Magic Railroad to the Island of Sodor.

Gold sparkles start to come from the back of Lady, the magical steam engine. Lady is happy that Mr. Stone has not forgotten about the magic inside. They meet Thomas who is excited and finds Lady to be beautiful. Lady stops at the windmill and meet up with Mr. Conductor and Junior who recognize Lady as the Magical Engine who can take them back to Shining Time Station, if only they can get more “Gold Dust”.

Diesel 10, Splatter, and Dodge are following Thomas who seemingly led them to Lady. Diesel 10 asks them to destroy Lady, but they decline, deciding not to follow Diesel 10 anymore. Thomas tells Lady to run and that he will help. Diesel 10 tell Splodge he does not need them. Mr. Conductor tries to warn Lady and Thomas about the viaduct, the bridge with the missing keystone, that it is dangerous.

Diesel 10 tells Lady that he will get her, but Stone, who is driving Lady, says he will not, because he does not believe in her magic. Pinchy starts going crazy again, apparently because he hates these magicians from Shining Time Station, but heeds Diesel 10’s warning to duck when they go through a tunnel. Diesel 10 notes that Lady is pretty fast for a puffball. 

Thomas and Lady cross the bridge as more stones fall from it. However, Diesel 10 is not able to. The tracks break and Diesel 10 falls. Pinchy is able to grab a piece of track that has not collapsed for a moment, giving Diesel 10 the chance to fall on a ferry that is passing under the bridge right after the partial collapse. (This trend of collapsing bridges in Sodor will continue in the movies that follow).

Mr. Conductor, Junior, Lilly, and Patch realize that the gold sparkles mixed with the water from the windmill well will make new “Gold Dust” and do so. C Jr. gives Lilly some of the “Gold Dust” that Mr. Conductor & Junior are sharing. Mr. Conductor takes a call from Sir Topham Hatt and goes to Tidmouth Sheds to meet him. Lilly shares her “Gold Dust” with her grandfather.

Everyone goes back to their respective homes and live happily ever after…

… Except for Diesel 10 who, in theory, is going to have continue to deal with visitors from the magical land of Shining Time Station. However, we never see them return, which must please Diesel 10 and moviegoers everywhere.

The End.

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

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Movie Reviews Overview

I will be reviewing one Thomas and Friends Movie a week on this blog. First, however, I wanted to give my overview of how I rate the various movies before I give in depth plot descriptions, summaries, and reviews. I will rate them on a scale of 0-5 puffs of steam, with 5 being the best.
  1. Thomas and the Magic Railroad: ☁
    Pros: The first Thomas and Friends movie, the introduction of Diesel 10.
    Cons: Anything to do with Shining Time Station.
  2. Calling All Engines!: ☁☁☁☁☁
    Pros: The songs, the story, the educational factor, lots of Diesels, return of Diesel 10 & Lady.
    Cons: Racism against Diesels, asking children to help Thomas trick Diesel.
  3. 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.
  4. Hero of the Rails: ☁☁☁☁☁
    Pros: The songs, a Steamie villain, 2 great character introductions (Hiro & Victor), great morals, excellent CGI.
    Cons: No Diesels.
  5. 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.
  6. Day of the Diesels: ☁☁☁☁☁
    Pros: The songs, the story, a Diesel based movie, development of the S.S.R.C. & Victor, introduction of so many great characters.
    Cons: Sir Topham Hatt's treatment of the Diesels vs. Steamies.
  7. Blue Mountain Mystery: ☁☁☁
    Pros: The songs, the story, further development of Paxton & Victor, Diesels being involved heavily.
    Cons: Narrow gauge engines are boring characters.
So now you get a very basic feel of how I like the various movies. In the blog posts ahead, you will learn why.

    Wednesday, November 7, 2012

    If I were Sir Topham Hatt...

    If I were to replace Sir Topham Hatt, I would repaint the trains and make sure that they all had proper numbers, including the Diesels. 

    1. I would make Thomas the Tank Engine orange with black detailing to match Annie and Clarabel.
    2. I would paint Edward the Blue Engine steel grey to match the freight cars he pulls.
    3. I would paint Henry the Green Engine blue and make sure The Flying Kipper was also blue, a proper color for fish.
    4. I would paint Gordon the Big Engine yellow and green or yellow and red, whatever color The Express is today, make him match that scheme.
    5. I would paint James the Red Engine black to match the Troublesome Trucks including The Spiteful Caboose that I would make him pull. That might kill his extreme vanity and racism.
    6. I would paint Percy the Small Engine bright red to match The Mail Cars and give him a red caboose.
    7. Toby the Tram Engine would stay brown and pull a brown HenriettaVictoria, Helena, & Elsie the Caboose.
    8. Emily the Sterling Engine could stay Emerald green since her coaches already match her, but I would make her the new #8 since Duck (Montague) the Great Western Engine, the previous green #8, is A.W.O.L. for the last many years.
    9. Belle the Fire Engine would be dark red, the same color as Rocky and she could pull him around all day too.
    Why would I replace Sir Topham Hatt? Because he likely will one day be jailed! ;-)