S4 Ep.26: Mind That Bike

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

MIND THAT BIKE

Originally Written by

Christopher Awdry

Adapted for Television by

Britt Alllcroft and David Mitton 

Air Date:

30/5/95

Plot:

Tom Tipper's post master can't spare money for Tipper's van and so he has to use a bicycle to do his rounds. One day, Tom was to sign important papers for the Fat Controller, which will make him and he left his cycle near Percy's mail van and Percy moved crushing the bike to bits. Tom was sad, but the next day, Tom got a new van by the postmaster and he's now happy. 

PRO:

- N/A

CON:

- Tom Tipper went to Lakeside, he would let the Skarloey Railway engines deliver the mail.

- Tom didn't leave his bike near Percy's mail van, some boys took it and rode down the platform.

I have no problem with the episode. But there are three flaws. But really, why did Tom Tipper leave his bike near one of Percy's mail vans? He never did that in the story, he actually left it somewhere near the fence and some boys rode on, went down the platform with it and nearly killed themselves. They should've adapted that part and show us why we need to be safe when it comes to play around near railway property. The episode did leave a bit of Railway Series trace, but it's more of a Britt Allcroft and David Mitton script.

Rating: 2.5/5

OVERALL RATING:
90.3/100

OVERALL:

Season 4 is an OK season, it's filmed fantastically and the stories do stick with the Awdry story. But some lacked and some were just out of placed and pointless to adapt. The 'Duke The Lost Engine' series was just in random places and episodes like 'Paint Pots and Queens' is just pointless to adapt, you can see why in my review of it. However Mike O' Donnell and Junior Campbell have changed the tempo of the music and had made some new ones. I especially like the 'Skarloey Railway' theme. It's nice, calm and relaxing. Michael Angelis shows some enthusiasm towards the episodes and have provided great acting. George Carlin, I'm not too fond of the US narration, but I do watch some episodes with his narration and he great as well. It's a shame that this is the last series to adapt Rev.Awdry's stories as Britt Allcroft bought the whole rights of the books. Series 4 is OK and I do enjoy it, its not my huge favourite. 

S4 Ep.25: Special Attraction

Since yesterday was 'Remembrance Day' this is delayed until today, in honor.

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

SPECIAL ATTRACTION

Originally Written by

Christopher Awdry

Adapted for Television by

Britt Allcroft and David Mitton 

Air Date:

1/5/95

Plot:

The seaside is hosting a 'special attraction' and Toby is to be one. But they don't have room and don't need a special attraction at all. Meanwhile, there is trouble at the harbour and it was Bulstrode a disagreeable barge who never stops complaining. He wanted the trucks to be shunted, but as Percy pushed the trucks they burst through buffers and landed right down on the barge. Bulstrode was left stranded on the beach until he is useful. 

PRO:

- The crash was awesome!

CON:

- Why put the two stories together. Toby's seaside happened in the past and Bulstrode happened in recent time. 

- Why were buffers and then a few miles further on, there is still more track?

I don't see why they merged these two stories together? 'Toby's Seaside Holiday' would be an episode itself as well as 'Bulstrode' and I don't know why there is more track when the trucks burst through some buffers? But then again the crash is just awesome and I do enjoy it. The episode is OK, but they should've kept the Bulstrode part as an episode itself.

Rating: 3/5 

S4 Ep.24: Fish

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FISH

Originally Written by

Christopher Awdry

Adapted for Television by

Britt Allcroft and David Mitton 

Air Date:

20/4/95

Plot:

Henry is taking 'The Flying Kipper' once again, but with some old vans that have never been used for years. Duck is to be banking the train from Wellsworth over the top of Gordon's Hill. But the tail lamp broke off and Duck crashed into the train. In the end, Duck now knows why fish are troublesome, thanks to Thomas warning him.

PRO:

- The setting of the harbour was nice at night. 

CON:

- This also in the Railway Series story, but, wouldn't Duck be taking care of his branch line, even at night?

- Such a shame that Duck's front end was not damaged, like in the RWS story.

The episode is really not bad, but there a few flaws that I think both this episode and its story I think that got wrong. First off as I was watching the Railway Series story on YT, Ted Robbins says, 'Duck often waited at Edward's Station...' I know it could happen, but wouldn't Duck need to look after his branch line? I guess maybe with Oliver, Donald and Douglas around he can do this work, but then again, they could be busy with other stuff around the main line. But this only a nitpick I pulled out. It's a shame also that Duck's front was not badly damaged like in the story. A crash like that can make an engine's part all mangled up. But the setting of the harbour is nice and I do like the crash. But to me, I think they should have an episode of the 'Flying Kipper' and make it a jinxed train since there has been many crashes involved with the train both in the TV series and the Railway Series books. The episode is good, it did stick with the original story, despite a few flaws. 

Rating: 4.5/5

S4 Ep.23: Paint Pots and Queens

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

PAINT POTS AND QUEENS

Originally Written by

The Rev.W.Awdry 

Adapted for Television by

Britt Allcroft and David mitton 

Air Date:

16/4/95

Plot:

The Queen of England is coming to Sodor. But Edward thinks he's too old, Gordon's in disgrace and Henry was being rather boastful that he'll be chosen. But his dome get all covered in paint as his smoke billowed the painters view of the big station canopy. Meanwhile, Thomas and Gordon were in a siding and Gordon asked the Fat Controller would he has his branch line again. So as a reward, Gordon is to haul the royal train and Thomas is to look after the coaches. The day came and the Queen looked at all the engines and they felt proud. 

PRO:

- The decoration on the big station and Gordon was a nice touch

CON:

- This should've been kept in the first season

- Why three express coaches for one royal passenger?

This episode should've been kept for the first season. First off the punishment that Thomas and Gordon received. Thomas lost his branch line because of him falling down a mine and Gordon's punishment for not taking the express was because of him falling down a ditch. That happened in the Railway Series book 'Gordon the Big Engine', here we see no explanation towards it. In the end, why would Gordon take about three carriages for one royal passenger? One is enough. But I have to say, the setting of the big station was really nice with all the flags and bunting and the flags and so was Gordon, but I wish they made the royal coat of arms on his running board and not on the sides of his smokebox. 

When I was a kid, I thought the two headboards were actually advertisements for a bakery. Don't know why? But I was a kid when I first saw this on VHS.

 Rating: 3.5/5

S4 Ep. 22: Thomas and The Special Letter

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THOMAS AND THE SPECIAL LETTER

Originally Written by 

The Rev.W.Awdry

Adapted For Television by

Britt Allcroft and David Mitton 

Air Date:

10/4/95

Plot:

A little girl wrote to Thomas and his friends inviting them to come to the 'Big City' (London). Which is why he brought the other engines to help out with the work while they're away. But Thomas had an accident and it almost disrupted the plans for their trip to London, but Thomas was repaired and at the big city all the engines were align in a splendid shed with all the children seeing the engines because of a letter written by a little girl.

PRO:

- The accident was amazing.

- The shed looks like something at the NRM

CON:

- Thomas' accident was by smashing into buffers not through the buffer and then a brick wall. 

- Why would TFC have all the other engines like Donald, Douglas, Oliver, BoCo etc. to do the engine's work?

What a great episode to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Railway Series and this being the 100th episode of the TV series. This is personally one of my favourite episodes, its focused on all the engines and the setting looked fantastic along with the accident. Yes, in the Railway Series book they were to line up with each other, but to me they could've based it off the NRM's (National Railway Museum) Great Hall, minus the viewing platform, that the two locomotive crew members were on. If they have adapted 'Thomas and The Great Railway Show', they could've kept the shed for the museum hall for Thomas being on display:

Aside from the accident being amazingly filmed, there is a few flaws. In the Railway Series he was smashed into some buffers only, there was not a brick wall never seen nor heard. And it's a shame we never get to see 'Pug' or 'Jinty' as Thomas characters, they would've been great and not using the engines that TFC had already own. The episode is OK, but they should've adapted it closely towards the story. But there is also one scene were Thomas was being told off by the Fat Controller for being careless and it should've shown kids what reckless accidents can do before important days. 

Rating: 4.5/5

S4 Ep.21: Bulls Eyes

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

BULLS EYES

Originally Written by 
The Rev.W.Awdry

Adapted for Television by
Britt Allcroft and David Mitton 

Air Date:
3/4/95

Plot:
Daisy was boasting that she's not afraid of bull eyes and called Toby's cowcatchers stupid, but Daisy words got the better of her.

PRO:
N/A

CON:
- Shame that Daisy was shunned away during the whole of Season three and was given only three episodes.
- Why does Champion sound like a cow when really he's a bull? 

Again, no problem with the episode, but they could've kept this for the second season. Daisy had already matured herself after 'Percy's Predicament' and yet she's reverted back into her stubborn and snobbish personality just for this episode. Not only that, but its such a shame that this was the last appearance of the diesel rail-car and yet she had two episodes in the second, being replaced by Diesel in 'Mavis' and that this is her third and final episode. I hope Andrew Brenner brings her in for more stories in future. To me this episode is now just pointless to adapt since it wasn't kept in line with the 'Branch Line Engines' saga.

Rating: 2/5

S4 Ep.20: Toad Stands By

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

TOAD STANDS BY

Originally Written by

The Rev.W.Awdry

Adapted For Television by

Britt Allcroft and David Mitton 

Air Date:

20/3/95

Plot:

Oliver has been to the works. But S.Cruffey and the trucks teased him for falling down in the turntable well. However, things changed when Oliver snapped S.Cruffey to bits.

PRO:

- The splintering crash was just amazing.

- Perfect moral about bullies. 'They get what's coming to them'.

CON:

- The episode is out of order and should've been kept for the third season.

- Why was S.CRuffey repaired?

Like I said, the crash was amazing and with this episode its the second time since 'Breakvan' that we get to see a splintering crash. The episode has a great moral too for kids about bullying, 'Bully's gets what's coming to them.' now that is something for kids. But the episode out of order and why was S.CRuffery repaired? Sure maybe they don't want kids to know that he died, but hey, they never fixed the Spiteful brake van.

Rating: 4/5

S4 Ep.19: Henry and The Elephant

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HENRY AND THE ELEPHANT 

Originally Written by

The Rev.W.Awdry 

Adapted For Television by

Britt Allcroft and David Mitton

Air Date:

12/3/95

Plot:

The circus arrived and all the engines were excited. But as the circus left, Gordon and Henry were cross that James gets to take it home. But the Fat Controller sent Henry to Henry's tunnel and it turns out there was an elephant! It hosed all over Henry after he let off steam. The elephant returned to his owner but Henry felt embarrassed. 

PRO:

- The hosing, the inside of the tunnel and the elephant pushing Henry back were filmed terrifically. 

CON:

- The episode is out of order and should've been kept for Series 1.

This episode is out of order, they should've kept this for Season 1. Though I do have to say, the three thing I've mentioned were filmed terrifically.

 Rating: 3.5/5

S4 Ep.18: Bowled Out

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BOWLED OUT

Originally Written by

The Rev.W.Awdry

Adapted for Television by

Britt Allcroft and David Mitton 

Air Date:

20/2/95

Plot:

Stepney's visit is coming to an end. Meanwhile a new Diesel came to the Island and was being boastful to the engines. They want to teach him a lesson, but their chance came sooner then expected. An inspector's hat was blown away by the wind and was sucked through the Diesel's air intake and caused him to break down. A train is due out, Duck and Stepney took the train to Crovans Gate for Gordon right on time. Stepney left Sodor with cheers and whistles and the Diesel sulked away without any goodbyes. 

PRO:

- Remarkable modelling of the Class 40. 

CON:

- It's a shame that Stepney and Duck's train aren't fifteen coaches.

- Why did James have a BR style whistle?

First off, I love the Class 40 model that they've made for 'The Diesel', it looks like a BR Class 40 and I do hope that Andrew Brenner brings in another one for the series, show some strong diesels in the series instead of the little ones. But it's a shame that Stepney and Duck's train aren't fifteen coaches and that they started the train from the yard and not at the big station. The episode is good, but its a shame that in the RWS book 'Stepney the 'Bluebell' Engine', there was no explanation why he came to Sodor in the first place. 

Rating: 4/5

S4 Ep.17: Train Stops Play

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

TRAIN STOPS PLAY

Originally Written by

The Rev.W.Awdry

Adapted For Television by

Britt Allcroft and David Mitton 

Air Date:

16/2/95

Plot:

Stepney is enjoying himself on the Island of Sodor. He was with Thomas, Toby and Percy at the yards and Stepney admitted that he missed taking trucks and that trucks are fun. Much to the engines dismay, the trucks can be troublesome. At the harbour, Stepney took some empty trucks and they stopped by a Cricket pitch. Then there was trouble, a cricketer's ball went high in the air and landed in one of his trucks and Stepney and his crew didn't know. The cricketers took their car 'Caroline' to chase Stepney. When they reached the station, they found their ball but Caroline overheated and so Stepney took her and the cricketers back to the playing field.

PRO:

- The chase reminded me of chasing a steam train by car.

CON:

- It would've been dangerous for Percy to catch up towards Stepney.

- Why was Stepney in the middle of the main line? It's not even a siding.

- The conversation with Thomas, Percy and Toby should've been taking place on Thomas' branch line.

I have no problem with the episode, but there are the flaws. First off, the conversation with Thomas, Percy and Toby should've been taken place at Ffarquhar, but in this season, Thomas' branch line is no where to be seen. Second, it would've been dangerous for Percy and Stepney to travel on the same line towards the harbour. Finally, why is Stepney on the branch line when he was resting? What if a train want to get through? But the episode did bring me to the thought of me and my dad chasing a steam train from Sydney to Robertson, in the Southern Highlands of NSW back in 2010.

Rating: 3/5

S4 Ep.16: Thomas and Stepney

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THOMAS AND STEPNEY

Originally Written by

The Rev.W.Awdry

Adapted for Television by

Britt Allcroft and David Mitton 

Air Date:

10/2/95

Plot:

Thomas was jealous that there is an engine who is more famous then him. Stepney enjoys being on the 'Bluebell Railway', but he was sad that the railway was short and he missed a long run. The driver brought him great news that the manager and the Fat Controller have invited Stepney to the Island of Sodor. On the Island, Stepney worked with Duck, but one night, a special was waiting and Thomas was to be shunted from his branch line to let Stepney's special past. Stepney explained the whole situation and later on Thomas and Stepney became good friends.

PRO:

N/A

CON:

- What's wrong with the title 'Stepney's Special'?

- It would be great to see Edward and Stepney's conversation at Wellsworth.

- Why two coaches for one passenger?

Another adaptation that has not stuck close with the Reverend's story. First off the title, what's wrong with the actual title of the story? You still have the same story and why on earth would one passenger need two coaches? I don't know. Shame they never even mentioned the signal bell codes, it would've teach kids about the signalling system of the railway. Rev. Awdry explained that in the book. 

Rating: 1.5/5

S4 Ep.15 Rusty To The Rescue

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

RUSTY TO THE RESCUE

Written by 

Britt Allcroft and David Mitton

Directed by

David Mitton 

Air Date:

7/2/95

Plot:

Rusty visits a railway filled with bluebells and line needs to run by a 'bluebell' engine. Rusty went to the Other Railway and spotted an old tank engine named 'Stepney'. Rusty's crew repaired him and now Stepney works on the Bluebell Railway.

PRO:

- The diesel scene was brilliantly filmed.

CON:

- The 'Other Railway' is heavily modified as Crovans Gate.

- The real Stepney was stuck in a siding, but not saved by a Narrow Gauge diesel.

- Why was Thomas at the 'Bluebell' Railway?

This episode is a terrible episode. The episode is obviously a rewrite of 'Escape' and this is a total disgrace to the Bluebell Railway. The real Stepney was of course found on a siding, as according to the story 'Train Stops Play', but he was found by the Bluebell Railway staff and was restored in time for the 1960 season when the railway was first opened. Plus, what was wrong with 'Bluebells of England'?  Sure the story seems short, but it gives us a backdrop on what the real railway really tells us with detail. If the model makers find it hard to adapt it due to budget, why don't they just film the railway and their locomotives during the flashback?  

But I do have one pro towards this episode and that is Rusty confronting the diesels on the Other Railway. It was filmed brilliantly. But this episode is my least favourite of the whole fourth series and I think 'Bluebells of England' would've been more suitable.

Rating: 1/5

S4 Ep.14 Gallant Old Engine

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

GALLANT OLD ENGINE

Originally Written by

The Rev.W.Awdry

Adapted for Television by

Britt Allcroft and David Mitton 

Air Date:

2/2/95

Plot:

Rheneas is coming home but Duncan was still boasting about himself and not caring about the passengers. Skarloey told him the story of how the Skarloey Railway was neared closing. It was a dreadful day and Rheneas' valve gear is jammed! As he was making his way to the station, he was stuck. They could go as far as the next station and in the end, tried but triumph he brought the train home. Duncan was amazed by the story and knew that passengers are important after all. The next day, Rheneas came home, all the engines large and small greeted him warmly. 

PRO:

- N/A

CON:

- What was the point of using the 'Mid-Sodor' set? The two engines are to be at Crovans Gate.

- Although the rain is good for the setting, there were no clouds in the original story, just high wind.

The episode is great, but there a couple of flaws like the Mid-Sodor set being used and that it was raining when really in the book, it was wind. But the episode is OK although not with its Railway Series counterpart. I do like the ending scene with the big engines and little engines all being together at Crovans Gate. 

Rating: 3.5/5

S4 Ep.13: Passengers and Polish

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

PASSENGERS AND POLISH

Originally Written by

The Rev.W.Awdry

Adapted for Television by

Britt Allcroft and David Mitton

Air Date:

30/1/95

Plot:

Nancy, the guard's daughter, was cleaning Skarloey. Duncan like to have a polish too, but Nancy is to help the Refreshment Lady that afternoon. This made Duncan cross. One of Skarloey's coaches have been derailed and Duncan is to take them home. But he was still cross. Duncan stop on a causeway and then on a viaduct. Skarloey had to pull him back to the station and the passengers were cross and told them what a bad railway it was. 

PRO:
- The adaptation did stick with the story.

CON:
- I don't see what's wrong with stopping at a station? What's the point of the causeway?

The adaptation did stick with the original story minus one visual flaw. I don't see why stopping at the cause way? I know many engines stop in the middle of a heritage railway line to build up steam, I seem to recall a video of LNER V2 'Green Arrow' stopping somewhere to build up steam during her last year in service, 2007. But what is wrong with Duncan stopping at a station? They've built many sets of the SKR so why not any of the stations? But anyway, it's an OK adaptation and I do enjoy watching it.

Rating: 4/5

S4 Ep.12: Steamroller

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

STEAMROLLER

Originally Written by

The Rev.W.Awdry

Adapted for Television by

Britt Allcroft and David Mitton

Air Date:

14/1/95

Plot:

Sir Handel was boasting about his new 'steamroller' wheels. Skarloey decided to let Sir Handel learn his lesson by boasting to George, a new steamroller to help with the road works. George boasted about ripping up rails and turning them into road. Sir Handel and George met up with each other and the next day, George smashed into Sir Handel's train. So a fence was made and George and the construction set for home, but Sir Handel thought he made George sent away. He boasted about, but some boys teased him about. 

PRO:

- The crash was filmed perfectly.

CON:

- Looking at the RWS book, it would've been more better if they met George at the road and not at their sheds. 

The episode is average, but it really did stick close to the book's visuals, like George's introduction. But the crash was filmed perfectly. 

Rating: 4/5

S4 Ep.11 Special Funnel

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SPECIAL FUNNEL

Originally Written by

The Rev.W.Awdry

Adapted for Television by

Britt Allcroft and David Mitton

Air Date:

9/1/95

Plot:

Winter arrived and Peter Sam was having trouble with his old funnel, ever since his accident with the trucks it wobbles about. Manager says that Peter Sam will be giving a 'special' funnel. A bridge was broken down one windy day and as the bridge was finished, Peter Sam was making his passenger runs. But as he was making his way through a tunnel a thick icicle knocked his old funnel off and later found an old drain pipe. Back at the sheds, everyone teased him. Until at last, his new special funnel arrived, it was Giesl funnel and it made Peter Sam more stronger and the engine stopped their and wished they have one like it.

PRO:

- Peter Sam without his funnel was good

CON:

- The giesl funnel looks like pieces of cardboard glue together and painted it black.

- How the way the funnel was wobbling about, looks dangerous for an engine to run with.

- How can it snow in one scene and then rain without any?

- Why did Peter Sam puffed into the sheds with his passengers? Shouldn't they be at the station?

Again, don't hate it, just found a new nitpicks. One, how on earth did snow one day and then rain the next without snow? It just seems highly illogical and confusing and how the way the funnel was wobbling about, it looks dangerous for an engine even to run with and I know it happened in the RWS book too, but it I think its more better to keep Peter Sam out of service, but then we would have no plot. But my big complaint is the giesl funnel, that looks nothing like a giesl, heck, it looks cardboard glued together and made a smoke stack kind of thing. The real funnel is now on display at the Talyllyn Railway, I saw it and here's a picture:

Even in Australia, one of the 36 class has one and still has it even to this day. The Rev.W.Awdry shows the real size and even Nitrogen Studios showed the actual funnel. Although the story is focused towards the original, but it could've been done better.

Rating: 4.5/5

S4 Ep.10: Rock 'N' Roll

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ROCK 'N' ROLL

Originally Written by

The Rev.W.Awdry

Adapted for Television by

Britt Allcroft and David Mitton 

Air Date

14/10/94

Plot:

There's a dodgy bit of line on the Skarloey Railway. The engines like Peter Sam, Sir Handel and even Skarloey take care on that bad bit of line, but not Duncan. Rusty warned him, but Duncan didn't care and called Rusty a 'smelly diesel'. Duncan later took some coaches to the station where James was waiting. Duncan told him about Rusty, but James was boastful and lied that he sent a diesel packing which made Duncan filled with admiration. As Duncan was rocking and rolling, he derailed himself on the bad bit of line. Rusty was sent to rescue him as Skarloey told him about the passengers. The workmen and passengers lifted Duncan back onto the line and in the end, Duncan and Rusty made amends. 

PRO:

- The accident was brilliantly made.

CON:

- N/A

Nothing bad about this episode, but the story didn't take place in one day. Despite that, the episode is not that bad, sure it didn't stay too close with the original and I do love the accident scene, it was made and filmed brilliantly. 

Rating: 4.9/5

S4 Ep.9 Home at Last

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

HOME AT LAST

Originally Written by

The Rev.W.Awdry

Adapted for Television by

Britt Allcroft and David Mitton 

Air Date:

10/10/94

Plot:

Skarloey came back from the works, Rusty took him home back to Crovans Gate and surprised the injured Peter Sam. He told him about Duncan who rock and roll's. One day, Duncan was stuck in a tunnel and Skarloey got the works train and headed towards the tunnel. Duncan was free and Skarloey  pushed him all the way home. Much to the Fat Controller's anger he threat Duncan that he'll be cut down to size and that made Duncan silent for the rest of the night.

PRO:
- The tunnel scene was filmed well.

CON:
- Shame they haven't made the new coaches like in the RWS book.

Despite that most scenes aren't what they're like in the book, it was a nice adaptation. It's a shame they haven't made the new coaches who are Ada, Jane and Mabel and Cora, it would've been nice to see some saloon carriages as well. But I love how the tunnel was made all broken it looked a bit realistic. The adaptation is OK, despite that the Fat Controller is running the Skarloey Railway.

Rating: 4.5/5

S4 Ep.8: Trucks

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

TRUCKS

Originally Written by

The Rev.W.Awdry

Adapted for Television by

Britt Allcroft and David Mitton

Air Date:

7/10/94

Plot:

Rusty was a new diesel engine who was sent to the Skarloey Railway to help out with the other engines. As Peter Sam and Sir Handel were glad to see Rusty, Sir Handel wouldn't stop grumbling and started to bash the trucks around. Gordon saw this and told Sir Handel he could get out of the work if he's ill. So Sir Handel did. There was no time to explain, so Peter Sam, along with his coaches, took the trucks and so did Rusty. One day, Peter Sam was at the slate mines, but there was a problem. The loaded slate trucks thought he was Sir Handel and as the cable broke, the truck violently smashed into him causing him to be battered and broken. The Fat Controller knew Sir Handel pretended to be ill and wanted to give Gordon a piece of his mind. Rusty cleared the mess and purred home meeting up with Harold.

PRO:

- The accident was spot on!

CON:

- Why would the trucks mistaken him as Sir Handel? 

- Shame they didn't explain the whole reason of the incline.

The story did compare with the original story, but not the Harold and Rusty scenes. Plus, how would the trucks mistaken Peter Sam as Sir Handel? In the RWS they're all red and in the TVS, they are all different colours. Plus it was also a shame that their was not even more facts about the incline, sure they have a time limit, but it would be nice to give some info on the incline. Despite those two flaws, the accident was really spot on, shame Peter Sam was not pushed violently as mentioned in the story.

Rating: 3/5

S4 Ep.7 Peter Sam and The Refreshment Lady

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PETER SAM AND THE REFRESHMENT LADY

Originally Written by

The Rev.W.Awdry

Adapted for Television by

Britt Allcroft and David Mitton 

Air Date:

3/10/94

Plot:

As Sir Handel was shut up in his shed, Peter Sam was doing all the work. One day, he met up with Henry. The big green engine told him that if he's late again, he would go off and leave his passengers behind. Peter Sam was worried. At the lakes station, Peter Sam was impatient and then he started off without the guard's whistle and leaving the refreshment lady behind! When they reached the station, Henry was already waiting. But the refreshment lady was still cross, Peter Sam explained the whole story and in the end, the refreshment lady told him that Henry's teasing him and that he's a 'guaranteed connection'. 

PRO:

- Some TUGS easter eggs at the lakeside station

- The lakeside station looks wonderful.

CON:

Why was Henry wearing one of Gordon's faces?

This episode is a really good adaptation, it did stick with the Reverend's story, but not too much of it. There are some easter eggs with the refurbished model of O.J and the shrimpers and the Lakeside station looks fantastic, kudos to the model makers. But the only con is Henry with Gordon's face, I don't why they put that on there, maybe they lost one of his face masks? I don't know. But the episode is great and a fine adaptation. 

Rating: 4/5