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Season 4 (Thomas & Friends)

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This article is about the season. You may be looking for the digital download release.


The fourth season of Thomas & Friends first aired on television in October 1995 in the UK. It aired between 1995 and 1996 on Shining Time Station and Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales in the US. All twenty-six episodes were narrated by Michael Angelis in the UK and George Carlin in the US.

Production[]

The fourth series saw the introduction of the smaller narrow gauge engines. For ease of filming, the fifth series would introduce larger-scale versions of the characters and from the sixth-twelfth series, these larger models were used almost exclusively.

Half of the third series consisted of stories written by the show's staff, but only one original story, Rusty to the Rescue was written by Allcroft and Mitton for the fourth series. The episodes which used The Railway Series did take some liberties with the source material, in order to fill the runtime and make the stories more accessible. From the fifth series onwards, all stories would be staff-written, without using the Awdrys' books as a source until the twentieth series which would later finally introduce the Arlesdale Railway. The characters would then be led by their television personas and no longer by their storybook roots.

Stepney, a character based on a real-life engine and used to highlight the preservation movement in the books, was given an entirely different background when he was introduced. This decision carried on into later series, in which he was seen on either a fictionalised Bluebell Railway or as a visitor helping out on the Fat Controller's railway.

Episodes[]

(Note: * means that an episode was shown in the Shining Time Station Family Specials).

(Note: ** means that an episode was shown in the Shining Time Station spinoff, Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales).

(Note: *** means that an episode was shown on both).

Title Image Airdate Plot Number
Granpuff*
Granpuff15
16th October 1995 Thomas tells the story of Duke, a narrow gauge engine who worked with Stuart and Falcon. However, when their railway closed, the young engines were sold and the old engine was left abandoned in a shed. #01
Sleeping Beauty*
SleepingBeauty(Thomas&Friendsepisode)50
17th October 1995 After many years had passed, some rescuers began a journey to find Duke and reunite him with his old friends. #02
Bulldog (** / *****)
Bulldog(Thomas&Friendsepisode)38
18th October 1995 Falcon was sent to take the Mountain Road with Duke. However, he was impatient and did not pay attention to Duke's advice. He eventually winded up dangling from a cliff. #03
You Can't Win (** / *****)
YouCan'tWin54
19th October 1995 One evening, Duke is too ill to manage by himself. Stuart teases him about this, but Duke gets his own back and he proves that he still has a lot of life left in him. #04
Four Little Engines (** / ****)
FourLittleEngines56
20th October 1995 Sir Handel is pushed off the rails by some angry coaches. Skarloey is the only engine available and is determined to get his passengers home, even when one of his front springs breaks. #05
A Bad Day for Sir Handel (** / *****)
ABadDayForSirHandel29
23rd October 1995 Sir Handel and Peter Sam are brought in to help Skarloey and Rheneas. Sir Handel is in a bad mood and deliberately derails himself to get out of work. #06
Peter Sam and the Refreshment Lady (** / *****)
PeterSamandtheRefreshmentLady54
24th October 1995 One day, Henry threatens to leave without Peter Sam's passengers. In a haste to meet his connection, Peter Sam accidentally leaves the Refreshment Lady behind. #07
Trucks
Rusty Helps Peter Sam (** / *****)
Trucks52
25th October 1995 Gordon advises Sir Handel to get out of work by pretending to be ill, leaving Peter Sam and a little diesel named Rusty to take over. However, some trucks mistake Peter Sam for Sir Handel and crash into him at the incline. #08
Home at Last (** / *****)
HomeAtLast33
26th October 1995 Peter Sam informs Skarloey of the newest arrival, a careless and bad-tempered engine named Duncan. Soon, Skarloey is sent to Duncan's aid when he is stuck under a decrepit tunnel. #09
Rock 'n' Roll (** / *****)
Rock'n'Roll37
27th October 1995 Rusty is concerned about Duncan, who ignores his warning about a broken section of track. After Duncan derails, Rusty grudgingly comes to the rescue. #10
Special Funnel **
SpecialFunnel44
30th October 1995 Peter Sam's funnel is knocked off by an icicle and is temporarily replaced by a drainpipe. However, Peter Sam gives the other engines a run for their money once his new funnel arrives. #11
Steam Roller (** / *****)
SteamRoller36
31st October 1995 Skarloey tells Sir Handel of an anti-railway steamroller named George, whom Sir Handel vows to pay out, only to find that both he and George are too evenly hot-headed. #12
Passengers and Polish **
PassengersandPolish47
1st November 1995 Duncan complains about not getting polished. His rudeness reaches its peak when he stops on the viaduct and refuses to move. #13
Gallant Old Engine **
GallantOldEngine43
2nd November 1995 Skarloey tells Duncan the story of how Rheneas saved the railway from closure, even after suffering a serious breakdown. #14
Rusty to the Rescue *
RustytotheRescue40
3rd November 1995 When Rusty hears that an engine is needed to help run the Bluebell Railway, he ventures out to find one and meets a steam engine named Stepney. #15
Thomas and Stepney *
ThomasAndStepney64
6th November 1995 Stepney has been invited to visit Sir Topham Hatt's railway. Thomas is jealous when the visiting engine is talked about more than he is and is shunted for Stepney to pass with a special train that night. #16
Train Stops Play (** / ****)
TrainStopsPlay77
8th November 1995 Stepney does not realise that a cricket ball has landed in one of his trucks. Caroline the car sets off with the players in pursuit of Stepney along the branch line. #17
Bowled Out (** / *****)
BowledOut29
7th November 1995 A stuck-up diesel insults the engines and makes a fool of himself when he sucks an inspector's bowler hat through his air-intake vent. Duck and Stepney volunteer in taking his train. #18
Henry and the Elephant (** / *****)
HenryandtheElephant60
9th November 1995 A circus comes to Sodor but Henry and some workmen are called to investigate a blockage in a tunnel, where he unhappily comes across an elephant. #19
Toad Stands Up ***
ToadStandsBy40
10th November 1995 Toad advises Oliver on how to regain the trucks' respect. Oliver struggles to pull a goods train, but he is so determined that he accidentally pulls S.C. Ruffey apart. #20
Bulls Eyes (** / ****)
BullsEyes44
13th November 1995 Daisy claims that she would simply have to "toot" to scare animals off. However, when she comes across a bull, she realises that it will need more than a command to move it away. #21
Thomas and the Special Letter***
ThomasAndTheSpecialLetter70
14th November 1995 After the Fat Controller reads a letter inviting the engines to visit the Mainland, Thomas becomes very conceited and puts his big trip in jeopardy. #22
Paint Pots and Queens
Thomas Meets the Queen **
PaintPotsandQueens53
15th November 1995 Henry misses the chance of pulling the Queen's royal train after a paint accident, giving Gordon and Thomas a special opportunity. #23
Fish **
Fish62
16th November 1995 Extra vans are added to the Flying Kipper and as a result, Henry needs a back engine to help him up Gordon's Hill. Duck offers to help but a badly attached tail lamp causes problems. #24
Special Attraction *
SpecialAttraction47
17th November 1995 Percy is called into the harbour to deal with Bulstrode, a highly disagreeable barge. Bulstrode makes the trucks more troublesome than usual, though he pays dearly for it. #25
Mind that Bike (** / ****)
MindthatBike63
20th November 1995 Tom Tipper, a postal-worker, is unhappy when his post van is replaced by a bicycle. Percy manages to help him out, but not in the way he intended. #26

Songs[]

Screenshot Title Composers Original release date
Let's Have a Race Mike O'Donnell

Junior Campbell

4th March 1996 (UK; VHS)
A lesson that's worth learning
One you never should forget...
Gone Fishing Mike O'Donnell

Junior Campbell

21st February 1995 (US; VHS)
Sometimes it's nice to take some time out
Do what you really want to do...
Toby Mike O'Donnell

Junior Campbell

4th March 1996 (UK; VHS)
North of the Island, there lives a dear old train,
A little tram engine, Toby is his name...
Don't Judge a Book By its Cover Mike O'Donnell

Junior Campbell

15th August 1995 (US; VHS)
Thomas first saw Terence the Tractor
Ploughing in a field one day and he said, "My oh my, you do look funny.

Where are your wheels, are your wheels, are your wheels? How ever do you move along? You really do look funny." "Don't be so rude," said Terence the Tractor "I don't have wheels like you Because my caterpillar tracks are so much better. And I can go anywhere, anywhere, anywhere I don't need rails like you. One day I will prove it, show you how I do it Then you will understand..."

The Island Song Mike O'Donnell

Junior Campbell

4th March 1996 (UK; VHS)
Picture a land where the sky is so blue
A storybook land of wonder, a magical island just waiting for you, island of sodor will make your dreams come true...
Really Useful Engine Mike O'Donnell

Junior Campbell

20th November 1995 (UK; VHS)
He's a really useful engine, you know
All the other engines they'll tell you so, he huffs and puffs and whistles, rushing two and fro, he's the really useful engine we adore...
That's What Friends Are for Mike O'Donnell

Junior Campbell

1993 (UK; cassette)
When you think life's unfair
And you feel nobody cares...
Rules and Regulations Mike O'Donnell

Junior Campbell

1993 (UK; cassette)
As you go from day to day
Looking for a better way...

Documentaries[]

Screenshot Title Composers Original release date
The Thomas the Tank Engine Man Mike O'Donnell

Junior Campbell

25th February 1995
A is a television documentary produced by Nicholas Jones of Quanta Films Ltd for the BBC Bookmark series.
The Making of Thomas the Tank Engine Mike O'Donnell

Junior Campbell

1995
A behind the scenes featurette released on Channel Nine Australia's 60 Minutes.

Characters[]

Characters Introduced[]

Trivia[]

  • This was the first series of several things:
    • The first series to feature the Skarloey and Mid Sodor Railways.
    • The first series to feature Callan and The Misty Valley Branch Line.
    • The first series not to end with a Christmas-themed episode and the first not to feature a Christmas-themed episode.
    • The first series to add Proteus 1 Pop/Rock to compose the music. This was the acousitc guitar sample (Patch #5) when Daisy encounters Champion in the episode Bulls Eyes.
    • The first series to have episodes released on more than one VHS before airing on television.
    • The first series where Bertie, Terence, Trevor and Bulgy appear, but do not speak in any of their appearances.
    • The first series to feature a television series-exclusive engine, with that being Smudger.
    • The first series to premiere on Cartoon Network in the UK.
    • The first series where Bill and Ben, Diesel, Harold, Terence, Trevor and Farmer Finney all appear in only one episode each.
    • The first series dubbed by Mike Erander.
    • The first series not to feature Bridget Hatt.
  • This series marks the only of several things:.
    • The only series to date where Terence is never referred to by name.
    • The only series to feature Duke physically to date, not counting his portrait cameos in the fifth series, his stock footage cameo in the seventh series and being dropped in the fifteenth series episode, Kevin the Steamie along with Sir Handel and Peter Sam.
    • The only series until the tenth series to feature Sir Handel.
    • The only series until the twenty-third series not to have an episode featuring James as the main character.
    • The only series to date in which where BoCo appears, but does not speak since his introduction.
    • The only series to feature Crovan's Gate in the model era.
    • The only series dubbed by The Family Channel Studios.
    • The only series until the eighth series to feature Thomas' upset face mask.
    • The only series to feature Bulstrode in the original series.
  • This was also the final series of a few things:
    • The last production to feature stories based on The Railway Series until The Adventure Begins and therefore the last to have Wilbert Awdry as a technical consultant.
    • The last series up until the twentieth series to feature episodes based on the stories from The Railway Series.
    • George Carlin's last series as narrator due to him moving onto continue on his comedy career before passing away a decade later in June 2008. Alec Baldwin would assume the role from the fifth - sixth series.
    • The last production to introduce characters from the Railway Series into the television series until Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure.
    • The last series shown on Shining Time Station.
    • The last series released completely on VHS in New Zealand.
    • The last series dubbed in Ukrainian until the seventeenth series.
    • The last series to feature Daisy in an episode until the nineteenth series.
    • The last series released on DVD in Finland until, the eighth series.
    • The last series to release some of its episodes early in the United States until the eighth series. But this time, on VHS/DVD instead of television.
    • The last series to reuse music from the Clearwater Features era with the Roland Jupiter 6 synthesizer. This happens during Daisy's theme in the episode Bulls Eyes.
  • With a number of twenty-four out of twenty-six episodes, series four holds the most episodes released directly to home video before television, with the exceptions of Rusty to the Rescue and Thomas and Stepney as they aired on television in the US on 7th January 1995 on the Shining Time Station special Once Upon a Time before being released on VHS. The only two episodes that aired on television in the UK before they were released on VHS were Four Little Engines and Peter Sam and the Refreshment Lady.
  • Two episodes of this series have aired in the United States before being released on VHS or broadcast in the United Kingdom in 1995; Rusty to the Rescue and Thomas and Stepney.
  • The first eleven episodes of this series, from Granpuff to Special Funnel have Michael Angelis' narration recorded in Dobey.
  • The last fifteen episodes of this series, from Steam Roller to Mind that Bike have Michael Angelis' narration recorded back to normal.
  • This series contained the 100th episode of the television series, which was Thomas and the Special Letter.
  • To date, this series introduced the most new characters out of any other series to date.
  • Thomas appears in twenty-three episodes in this series, more than any other series in the Classic Series, but still less than most of the series outside the Classic Series.
  • Oddly, a significant amount of sound effects and music are missing in the US versions of most fourth series episodes, a notable example being Rusty Helps Peter Sam, which misses almost all the music in the first half of the episode. The episode also excludes most of Peter Sam's whistles and adds an unusual high pitched whistle when he cries for help after his accident.
  • This series is unique as the first fifteen episodes focused primarily on the Skarloey Railway engines.
  • All Chinese narrations from this series credit George Carlin as the narrator and all Norwegian/Hindi narrations credit Michael Angelis, even though the episodes were redubbed.
  • In the Ukrainian narration, Michael Angelis' voice can still be heard in the background.

Gallery[]

Opening[]

Opening Titles[]

Early US Opening

AUS/Nick Jr. UK Opening

Story and Song Collection/Playtime Opening

UK/New Zealand Opening

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