Hunter Valley Steamfest 2012

As you may or may not know, on Saturday and Sunday, I went to the Hunter Valley Steamfest in Maitland, NSW, Australia. The steam event is always held in the month of April and is filled with things devoted to steam in the area that has a long and rich history with the coaling industry.

The event started back since the last coal operating steam haulage freight service on the 'South Maitland Railway' ceased in 1983 by one of the SMR10 class tank engines. In response this special event began its life in 1986 to celebrate the life of steam. Over the years there are many different engines such as 3801, 3526, 3830, 3642 and even the world famous 'Flying Scotsman' made an appearance during its Australian journey in 1988-1989.

This year, 3642, 3526 and 3265 were once again the visitors of this event. the 36 and 35 are owned by the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum, Thirlmere, NSW and 3265 is owned by the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, which is stored at Thirlmere. 3801 and 3830 were visitors too, but 3801 is now under a major overhaul and waiting for a new boiler from Germany. While 3830 is having a boiler refit.

3642 (RTM) is ready for departure for Newcastle

28/4/12

I've booked tickets with my dad and we bought four tickets for two trains. We begin with Saturday. We left home at 7:30 am as the first train we're riding on leaves Maitland at 10:10 am to Paterson. After a three hour drive on the highway from the city of Sydney, we arrive at Maitland and the activity was building up and 3642 pulls into the station with its empty carriages ready for its first train for the event. While 3265 and 3526 await for their trip to Branxton. As we depart we have a nice trip to and fro. 

After the first trip, I started to film and take pictures of the steam locomotives and other passing trains. The Hunter Valley area is busy with passengers and freight as most coal trains go to Queensland as their are diesels from QR. Then later on outside of civilisation of Maitland, we went to the 'Richmond Vale Railway Museum' in Kurri Kurri, which was part of the former South Maitland Railway line. The locomotive that was running was shunting tank engine 'Marjorie' to Pelaw. A lovely little tank engine that was built by Clyde Engineering in Sydney in 1938 and looks a bit like Percy, in the eyes of a small child. 

'Majorie' heading for Pelaw Main

28/4/12

Later that day we went back to Maitland at High Street station to see 3265 and 3526 heading back from Newcastle with a CityRail Hunter car alongside for passengers to observe the two steam engines. Saturday was great fun and made me tired. So my dad and I went to our hotel we were staying at and spent the night around the area and getting ready for Sunday. 

3642 getting ready for the 'Barrington Bullet'

29/4/12

The next day, the sun was shining and as we left our hotel, we went down to Maitland to take part of a train journey that we go on every year. 'The Great Train Race'. This train usually concludes the festivities but since 2010, it was moved to morning and has been like this for two years now. I think because of freight and passenger traffic as back in 2009, we took part in it with 3830 and the Hunter Car as we were dreadfully delayed. But in 2012, we first saw 3642 getting ready for its train that it will take the whole day to Dungog and will be providing shuttle trips for the locals. 

Meanwhile, we hopped on board 3526 as it will take its passengers to Newcastle. While 3265 takes its share of passengers to Broadmeadow ready for shunting. We got the best view of the 32 class engine. 

3526 at Newcastle ready for 'The Great Train Race'.

29/4/12

While we head for Maitland, the Tiger Moth bi-plane, which also took part of the race from the 'Newcastle Aero Club', won the race. But the 35 class engine came second place and the whole race really reminded me of 'Percy and Harold' from 'Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends'. Afterwards I filmed 3265 leaving for Branxton and 3526 once again heading for Newcastle and heading into Newcastle, we left for Sydney. 

3265 thundering by during 'The Great Train Race'

29/4/12

I usually go to the Hunter Valley for this event. But I do go their for some other events, depends if I like to go. Last year I went to Broadmeadow for the 'Our Town Model Show' and next month on May 20th, I'll be heading for Newcastle again on the RTM's train 'Newcastle Flyer' a famous express train that ran from Sydney - Newcastle non-stop. The train was commonly hauled by the NSWGR 38 and 36 class locomotives. 

RailAroundNSW Will be presenting 

a special edition video of this event in June 2012. 

'The Great Train Race' is now uploaded on YouTube on

NWR1991. The Saturday event from my iPhone will be uploaded soon. 

Thanks to the Hunter Valley Steamfest for a wonderful event and I'll be looking forward to it in 2013, hopefully 3801 will be back in steam in time. But time takes time ;)

S14 Ep.15: Jumping Jobi Wood

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OWN OPINION AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE.

JUMPING JOBI WOOD

Written by Sharon Miller

Directed by Greg Tiernan

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Air Date:

29/10/10

Plot:

Thomas is ordered to collect some precious Jobi wood from Misty Island, but chaos ensues when Old Wheezy starts throwing the logs around.

PRO:

- Ferdinand calling the Fat Controller 'Boss' was pretty funny

CON:

- 'Ol' Wheezy and Hee Haw won't be any trouble for us'. Really? Look at Misty Island it's a death trap! Logs being thrown everywhere by poorly maintained cranes, where is the Occupational Health and Safety inspector (OH&S) in all this?

- Once again Edward is a wimp and not in his usual old but wise self.

- The logs bashing Edward on the 'Shake-Shake Bridge' that would've damaged the bridge and of course Edward severely. 

- How the logs were loaded on the flatbeds was unrealistic. That can kill people, if there is people on Misty Island.

In the words of Dash from this episode. This episode is 'just plain crazy'. Despite that I like the logging locos, I don't like Misty Island. Look at it it's a death trap for the engines and people. Logs being thrown everywhere, a bridge that doesn't even break and poorly maintained cranes just buzzing about acting like junk. If there is going to be another episode of Misty Island, my suggestion is to clean it up and make it new again instead of leaving it a mess for the merchandising range. 

Edward and Thomas, what has happened to you? Edward is the usual wimp on the Fat Controller's new and improved railway and Thomas is the idiotic engine of the day thinking he knows everything from magnets to death trapped island of misfit engines.

But, despite the flaws and my dislike of Ferdinand, the 'Boss' scene was funny. But this episode by its writing is just crazy, weird and not a firm favourite. Though I do have to say the title is catchy, but that doesn't matter. 

Rating: 1/5

S14 Ep: 14 Thomas' Crazy Day

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

THOMAS' CRAZY DAY

Written by Sharon Miller

Directed by Greg Tiernan

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Air Date (UK):

28/10/10

Plot:

The Fat Controller enlists Thomas to teach the silly Logging Locos how to be useful, but he has already promised to play a game with Percy.

PRO:

- The scene when the 'Logging Locos' saw Cranky for the first time and him lifting Ferdinand was funny.


- Ferdinand said one line and that's 'This is not right!'

CON:

- Piston's can't pop, they can be jammed like in the annual story 'Responsibilities', this goes to show how HIT's writer don't understand anything about locomotives or railways.

- Why have Playtime on the railway when their are more important things like passengers or freight? 

- I do like the 'Logging Locos' but I have to agree with everyone about Ferdinand, he is a bland one dimensional character that constantly repeats 'That's Right' after every sentence in the episode and it gets annoying every minute. 

This had gone on since the beginning of HIT era of Thomas. 'Engine X popped or broke a piston'. For those people who don't know what a piston is, go on the official Thomas & Friends YouTube, a tutorial video is their from the 'Day of The Diesels' DVD and Blu-Ray about how steam engines and diesel engines work. But anyway, I have a collection of annuals written by Christopher Awdry, the son of the father who created these characters and not the Logging Locos. There is this story called 'Responsibilities' where Gordon teaches Percy about how to run the railway efficiently and later on Gordon's pistons got jammed, that can happen and they do not pop. Another thing, I do like 'The Logging Locos' and I understand that there are many people who don't like these character and that's fine by me, but if I chose one of them as my least this goes to Ferdinand. Since his debut in 'Misty Island Rescue' all he says was 'That's right!' does he have any other lines at all? Despite the one in this episode. Many people don't like to have these back in future episodes or specials, but I think Andrew Brenner should give these engines a chance with a much more better personality and more lines from the Climax loco. The two funny scenes I pointed out cannot save the episode. This episode is boring, but I do like the episodes focusing on the friendship between Thomas and Percy. But sadly it was not good.

Rating: 2/5  

S14 Ep: 13 Thomas and The Snowman Party

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

THOMAS AND THE SNOWMAN PARTY

Written by Jessica Sandys Clarke

Directed by Greg Tiernan

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Air Date:

27/10/10

Plot:

Thomas must find a special hat for a snowman before the party can begin.

PRO:

N/A

CON:

- Thomas' driver and fireman should at least know not to take people's hats without permission

- 'Thomas' best friend Percy was there.' We get it, Thomas and Percy are best friends, do we really need to hear that so often, kids would know it too.

Like 'Splish, Splash, Splosh' this has to be, for me, the worst episode in Season 14. There is a bad moral for children in this episode, Thomas' crew taking hats without permission! If they're trying to tell kids not to take things without permission, the Fat Controller would punish Thomas and his crew for stealing and they learn an important lesson about how wrong stealing is. I even hate the overuse of the sentence since the CGI series began how the narrator kept saying, 'Thomas' best friend Percy was there', why? We get it, they're best friends, i'm sure kids would know that by now since they've been hanging around in every episode. Yep, this episode is boring, repetitive with rhyming and not worth the watch again. 

Rating: 1/5

S14 Ep: 12 Merry Winter Wish

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OWN OPINION 

AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

MERRY WINTER WISH

Written by Miranda Larson

Directed by Greg Tiernan

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Air Date (UK):

26/10/10

Plot:

Thomas delivers the Star of Knapford, a festive light that makes wishes come true.

PRO:
N/A

CON:

- Why does 'Star of Knapford' come from the mainland. If its from Knapford then it should stay at Knapford!
- I hate the 'Winter Holiday' term they used in the episode, thankfully they put Christmas back into the show in S16. 
- How the way the star just flew away was just unrealistic. 

An episode that is part of the 'Merry Winter Wish' DVD that got delayed in the UK due to newspapers talking about how Political Correctness got Thomas for not saying Christmas. Yes, even I don't like how they put the term 'Winter Holidays' in the show, but thanks to Hilary Awdry, who's father is a vicar of course and the many parents and older fans complaining about this, they got the word Christmas in the show again in Season 16. But this episode is bad and I didn't enjoy it, kids would like it though. But to me their are no positives for the shows, except for the animation, but sadly that would not save the episode from being written badly. 

Rating: 1/5

S14 Ep: 11 Being Percy

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OWN OPINION AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE.

BEING PERCY

Written by Rachel Dawson

Directed by Greg Tiernan

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Air Date (UK):

25/10/10

Plot:

Percy decides to imitate Gordon in order to get the other engines to take notice of him.

PRO:

- This episode has a great moral about 'Being Yourself'

- The accident was great, it almost felt like Gordon and Percy's first near miss in 

'Percy Runs Away'.

CON:

- Thomas and James' appearance was really pointless, there was no explanation why they were at the docks in the first place and it should've just been Salty shunting some trucks out of the way.

I really enjoyed this episode, it teaches children about being themselves, we all wanted to be like our friends or hero's, but its more important to be yourself. The accident as well was clever, as Gordon and Percy neared each other, the accident reminded me of 'Percy Runs Away' from the first season, when Gordon stopped inches away from Percy at Wellsworth. However, I do find the scene with Thomas and James just sitting their like sitting ducks and having no explanation on why they were there. They were just there and thats it, but that didn't disappoint me. This episode is good with a perfect moral. 

Rating: 4/5 

S14 Ep. 10 Thomas In Charge

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

THOMAS IN CHARGE

Written by Mark Daydy

Directed by Greg Tiernan

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Air Date:

22/10/10

Plot:

The Railway Inspector pays a visit to Sodor, but Thomas' ambitious plans to impress him lead to chaos.

PRO:

- I do like it how Thomas reversed back to Mavis instead of magically turning around and talked to her, like Misty Island anyone?

- I love the interior of Gordon's cab, well done to the animators.

CON:

- Why did the Fat Controller gone to Gordon's cab since he had the express with him.

- 'But shunting will please the inspector most of all!' no it won't, there are other jobs that are more important then shunting trucks, there are passengers, mail and heck even transporting trucks.

- The accident was highly unrealistic and can be seen miles away with the coal dust and the loud bang.

- A railway inspector doesn't just check all the engines are busy. They need to check the engines, the railway lines, signals, stations etc. Just like at the beginning of 'Spic and Span' in Season 8.

This episode is just boring. There is pointless rhyming and one of my least favourite episodes in the CGI series thanks to the writing. Shunting is good, because you need to keep the trucks in order for the engines, but there are more important jobs for the engines. The accident was unrealistic and a railway inspector doesn't check if the engines are busy. I've watched 'Postman Pat and The Train Inspector' once and they actually show what a railway inspector does. He checked around the station and the engine. And seeing 'Spic and Span' from Season 8, you can see all the stationmasters and workmen were actually busy making the stations looking good and the signals working well. However, I do like it how Thomas didn't magically turn around to talk to Mavis, not like from this movie:

Which I will review later in June in time for the world premier of 'Blue Mountain Mystery' in Australia. And the interior of Gordon's cab was a nice feature to the episode. However, despite the wonderfully made CGI from Nitrogen Studios, this episode's writing is a bore to look at.

Rating: 1/5

S14 Ep: 9 Victor Says Yes

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

VICTOR SAYS YES

Written by Denise Cassar 

Directed by Greg Tiernan

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Air Date (UK):

21/10/10

Plot:

Victor bites off more than he can chew when he agrees to fix almost every engine on Sodor on the same day.

PRO:

- 'Arry and Bert are back in full CGI since season 12

- Gordon's regulator and the engines parts were a nice addition of realism

- The episode has the same plot of 'Steamy Sodor', but only a little bit

- There is a moral to this episode, 'Their is a time to say no.'  

CON:

- I'm sure Victor could have plenty of time to fix Thomas' footplate, that is if the workmen were helping out if they're not seen for decorations.

- The episode is repetitive with the engines saying what parts they need fixing

- I don't think black soot burst out of Gordon's pistons. 

I enjoyed this episode more than 'Steamy Sodor', there were more engines and plus 'Arry and Bert being back for the episode. However, I remember hearing people saying that they should be at the Dieselworks, well let me say this, these episodes would've been written around 2009 or 2010 so the Dieselworks wasn't planned around that time. Gordon's regulator was a nice addition to see as well as the engines mentioning their parts that need fixing, however, I don't think Gordon's pistons would burst out black smoke, but he would've cramps with his traction rods jammed, as so it happened in a Thomas annual story 'Responsibilities'. Despite that the episode have some flaws, this was a enjoyable episode. 

Rating: 4/5

S14 Ep: 8 Pop Goes Thomas

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

POP GOES THOMAS

Written by Mark Robertson

Directed by Greg Tiernan

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Air Date (UK):

20/10/10

Plot:

Thomas is amused by the popping sounds coming from his load of lemonade, but when he delivers the cargo, he discovers that the bottles are empty.

PRO:

- The way the cork knocked Mr. Bubbles nose was a laugh

CON:

- Why was Thomas allowed on the 'bumpy track'? When the line is in need of repairs, you close the line to lay new lines and sleepers.

- Despite the Mr. Bubbles scene being funny, a flying like that can seriously cause damage to his nose.

Only two dislikes and like and this episode is just flat out boring and pointless, despite that I said it was funny seeing Mr. Bubbles having his nose knocked off by a cork, but it can damage his nose. 

Rating: 1/5

S14 Ep: 7 Diesel's Special Delivery

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

DIESEL'S SPECIAL DELIVERY



Written by Jessica Sandys Clarke

Directed by Greg Tiernan

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Air Date (UK):

19/10/10

Plot:

Diesel swaps his dull load of slate for a haul of shiny red apples and bright flowers in order to please Sodor's schoolchildren.

PRO:

- Despite Diesel was portrayed as nice in this episode, it's actually great to see Diesel and not another 'steam team' character.

- Interesting to see a 'push pull' combination from Diesel.

CON:

- How the way the engines transport the fruit and vegetables, if they're going to be loaded into open wagons, they should put tarpaulins to stop the ashes.

- I have to say, I don't like how James discriminate Diesel as being a Diesel because he never gets to take the piglets. It's just unfair to Diesel, despite him being devious. 

- I know, I know, why was Diesel being nice?

- Why did Diesel push the van of piglets when Thomas was in the way?

Along with Edward and Toby losing their original personalities, Diesel's personalities was gone too! What happened to the word 'Devious' for this character since his introduction in 'Pop Goes The Diesel'. Not only that, but how the way James said to Diesel that he can't pull piglets because he's a diesel, I know this happened in the Railway Series books during the time Rev.W.Awdry wrote them, but around the time Christopher Awdry wrote them, he made James realised that Diesels are useful, why can't have a episode were engines realised that diesels are useful? 

But however, it's nice to see Diesel having an episode to himself, but that didn't save the episode for being poor.

Rating: 1/5

S14 Ep: 6 Henry's Health and Safety

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

HENRY'S HEALTH AND SAFETY

Written by Sharon Miller

Directed by Greg Tiernan

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Air Date (UK):

18/10/10

Plot:

Henry becomes so concerned about safety, he interferes with Percy's jobs.

PRO:

- The beginning shot really gives the nostalgia of the second series with the viaduct.

- I'm glad they classified Henry as old.

- It was funny how Victor says 'Bam!'

- This episode does show how rolling stock can cause accidents if they are stranded on the main line.

CON:

- Their was a workmen near the truck that Henry crashed into, why couldn't he warn him?

- How can Henry's traction rods break after a bump like that?

- How did Victor know about Henry crashing into a truck?

- Despite that Henry is old, he should at least know what health and safety is.

- Instead of lifting the flatbed of telegraph poles and Percy on another line, why can't Henry shunt them to a siding?

This episode I give about 50/50, many fans thought this episode is about crashes, I thought so as well when I first saw this too. But looking back, it shows what can happen to an engine if rolling stock was left on the main line, despite that happened in other pre-season 14 episodes during the HIT era. There have been a few flaws, but this episode is good and I enjoyed. 

Rating: 4/5

S14 Ep: 5 Toby and The Whistling Woods

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

TOBY AND THE WHISTLING WOODS

Written by Louise Kramskoy

Directed by Greg Tiernan

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Air Date:

15/10/10

Plot:

 Thomas and James help Toby get through the Whistling Woods.

PRO:

- The waterfall and the owl are the only good things about this episode, almost looks like as it was filmed instead of animated and the owls gliding past was great too.

CON:

- Like Edward, Toby just lost his old but wise personality that he had since the beginning. Now he just a wimpy tram engine.

- Toby wouldn't go at that speed when bumped the trucks off the rails.

- Why was the driver at the back of Toby's cab?

- Thomas and James are older then Toby, there basis were built before him as Thomas was made in 1913, James in 1913/14 and Toby being built in 1914.

What has happened to the loveable tram engine? He was a great character to look up to during the golden era of Thomas the tank engine and now he is a wimpy character who can be scared of anything. I hope the new writing staff and production team bring back the old personality of Toby. How the way Toby bashed into the trucks the last time being derailed was highly unrealistic. Toby can't go at that speed to do something like that. Another thing, Michael Angelis says that Thomas and James are young engines. Thomas and James are much older then Toby with their building years.

The only positive thing that I have for this episode is how the CGI created that wonderful waterfall and the owl gliding past. That is the wonders of the CGI from Nitrogen studios, but despite the wonderfully created waterfall and owl, this episode's writing went down.

Rating: 2/5

Titanic 100 Years On

On April 15th 1912, the RMS Titanic struck an iceberg taking 1,517 people along with it in the icy waters. 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the passenger ship tragic accident. This day is for the victims who never got a chance to make it out alive, all of the men, women and children who never got to see another light of day. Rest in Peace to the people who died in the Titanic and to the survivors whom are not with us today.

S14 Ep: 4 Charlie and Eddie

THESE ARE MY OWN OPINION AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS AND FRIENDS FAN BASE

CHARLIE AND EDDIE

Written by Sharon Miller
Directed by Greg Tiernan
Produced by Nicole Stinn


Air Date (UK):
14/10/10


Plot:
Edward tries to show Charlie that he is a fun engine instead of delivering the Fat Controller's car to a mechanic.


PRO:
- The chase scene with Bertie did bring a nostalgic moment of 'Bertie's Chase'.
- I was watching the US version of this episode and I have to say 
Charlie's recent voice in Season 16 is much more better then this one in the episode


CON:
- Edward was wise about his job at first and then after that
Charlie have accused him for being old to be fun, he's out of character again.
- The plot is very similar to 'Play Time'.
- Why put a funnel in car? What are the IQ's of the workmen at the Steamworks?
- Why did the Fat Controller blame Edward instead of Charlie for what happened to his car?

Edward has always been claimed as an old but wise engine in the Railway Series and the TV series. He was determined about his job until Charlie appeared and you'll know that this episode is going down the drain. I hate it how Charlie accused Edward of not being 'fun' when really Edward wouldn't even care about having fun, just doing his normal jobs is more important. I hate how the Fat Controller accused Edward for what happened to his car when really it was Charlie's fault for not letting Edward going to the mechanic on time! The Fat Controller would've trusted Edward instead of accusing him. 

Then again, some CGI episodes does leave some nostalgic easter eggs, by accident or just for fun, we had the Original Thomas theme in 'Percy and The Calliope' and in this episode it reminded us about 'Bertie's Chase' when Edward and Charlie were chasing Bertie who had the mechanic. Another thing, while I was watching the US version on YouTube, since I couldn't find the UK one and while I was writing this review at work, I can't download the updated Adobe player on Dailymotion, where the UK version is. But anyway hearing Charlie's US voice in this episode and then hearing his recent one in 'Race To The Rescue' I actually like his recent voice more then his old one. He sounds more like an adult with his S13 - S15 voice. Despite that I never like Charlie since his debut and that Edward is out of character in this episode, this one is an OK, but it need some work and a better plot. This felt like 'Play Time'. 

Rating: 2/5  

S14 Ep: 3 Pingy Pongy Pickup

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

PINGY PONGY PICKUP

Written by Miranda Larson

Directed by Greg Tiernan

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Air Date (UK):

13/10/10

Plot:

Emily must pick up the Sodor United football team's kits

PRO:

- It's great to see Sodor having a football team (soccer team) 

- The near miss from James was the best scene of in this episode

CON:

- When did the Fat Controller given the engines power to do which job? Here's what he says in 'Duck Takes Charge', "This is my railway and I give the orders!"

- The truck would've been pulled apart instead of falling over, very unrealistic 

- Wouldn't the team uniform's be dirty anyway since Emily had them dry from her smoke box to cab.

This episode is...OK to me, it was nice to see Emily having a role to herself but there has been some moments that were unrealistic like the truck toppling over, haven't the writers seen 'Toad Stands By'? The truck would've been pulled apart. How the way Emily was transporting the uniforms was just stupid, they would've got dirty anyway and why on earth did the Fat Controller give Thomas the power to tell the engines to do which job? Seriously there is a reason why he is called the Controller of the railway. However, the episode does have a good near miss scene and it was great seeing Sodor has a football team on their island alongside with cricket. I do like Emily, yes she has some personality changes when HIT took over, but she's a very sweet character around the seventh season and she was trying to help the other engines with the Sodor United team. 

Rating: 3/5 

S14 Ep. 2 James In The Dark

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

JAMES IN THE DARK

Written by Mark Robertson

Directed by Greg Tiernan

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Air Date (UK):

12/10/10

Plot:

 James refuses to wear an old fashioned head lamp at night and picks up Farmer McColl, Farmer Trotter, and their animals instead of Alicia Botti.

PRO:

- The night sky was animated perfect and was looking pretty too.

CON:

- James should be fitted with a lamp at all time.

- James should know that a lamp will help him and his crew to see things at night

- Why did James mistaken engines like Thomas and Edward as Henry and Percy, sure it may be dark, but, surely the voice sounded familiar.

- The station need to leave their lights on when trains are coming, to know that they're in service.

Lamps are an important safety feature to an engine at all times. They're there for the engine and its crew to see things at night like workmen or stray animals on the line. Stations should also keep their lights on too, to know that they are in active service, as mentioned in 'North Eastern Steam' by DoctorTankEngine in Episode 1 when the 'Milk Train' arrived at the station that the lights are on. However, despite the problems this episode has, this is much better then the season opener. The only pro I give for this episode is stunning animation set at night and I have to say, I love the watermill at night. This episode is good, but do need some tweaking. 

Rating: 3/5 

S14 Ep.1: Thomas' Tall Friend

After 'Misty Island Rescue' came out in late 2010 on DVD and Blu-Ray, Season 14 made its debut in the UK's 'milkshake' channel in October 2010. This is the only time that Series 13 and 14 played together in one year. So I'll be reviewing all 20 episodes from Series 14. But first...

THESE ARE SOLEY UNDER MY OWN OPINION 

AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

THOMAS' TALL FRIEND

Written by Sharon Miller

Directed by Greg Tiernan

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Air Date (UK):

11/10/10

Plot:

Thomas must deliver a giraffe to the Animal Park, 

but is too excited to wait for its keeper.

PRO:

- It's great to see Stanley's return as a cameo

- The Giraffe is animated nicely and realistically 

- Edward being back in old persona, but sadly for two episodes.

- The book at the end was a surprise to see at first.

CON:

'They have never seen a giraffe before', I know there hasn't been a giraffe before in these two episodes, but, wouldn't they know once since 'Henry and The Elephant' or 'Thomas and The Circus'?

- I hate how the way Thomas calls everything 'Mr.' we all know Toad did it before, but Toad doesn't say 'Mr.' to an animal or a some wind or even an inflatable snowman.

- If the giraffe was the tallest animal on Sodor, how come it came to the docks and not living at a wildlife park on Sodor?

- How did Thomas and the Giraffe turn around when they were leaving the docks?

- The giraffe would be unsuitable to travel like in episode.

I have to say this is another weak opener. First with the pro's, it was great to see Stanley returning, but we don't get to see him speak until the next season, I love how the animators animated the animals making them looking so real. I did remember hearing people saying the Edward is back in his old persona, I do agree with that, but sadly it only last with two episodes, this and 'Charlie and Eddie' and the book at the end was a surprise to see. But even with those pros it is still a weak opener the fourteenth series. 

I hate it how the way the episode says that the engines have never seen a giraffe before, yet, there could some in 'Henry and The Elephant' and 'Thomas and The Circus'. I also don't like how Thomas called everything 'Mr.' like Giraffe and other episodes such as wind in 'Topped Off Thomas' and 'Thomas' Frosty Friend'. It would be unsuitable for a giraffe or any animal to travel on a train like that. There are no cables attached to the crate and also why is there a low bridge on the way to the animal park? wouldn't there be any other way? But this episode is weak, but if anyone likes it, that's great, but I'm not into this episode that much. 

Rating: 1/5