Thomas and Friends - Season 1

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Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends is a children's television series about the engines and other characters working on the railways of the Island of Sodor, and is based on The Railway Series.

This article lists and details episodes from the first season of this series, which was first broadcast in 1984. Most episodes in this season have two titles; The original titles (also known as "UK titles") are unbracketed, while American-adapted titles (also indicated by " - US") are bracketed. Both titles are considered valid, although the original titles are perhaps more correct than the American-adapted titles.

Season 1 was originally narrated by Ringo Starr, however George Carlin has since re-narrated the episodes for American audiences.

Episodes

1. Thomas and Gordon (Thomas Gets Tricked - US)

Thomas works at the big station, shunting coaches to their proper places. He teases Gordon the Big Engine, and makes him angry. Thomas then helps Gordon pull the Express train, and is coupled onto the back. But Gordon starts so quickly, he pulls Thomas along the line at top speed. Finally, when Gordon stops, Thomas is uncoupled and put into a siding. Thomas was very exhausted, and decided never to be rude to Gordon again.

2. Edward and Gordon (Edward Helps Out - US)

Edward is a little old engine, and will be out working for a while. The other engines didn't tease him, but then he gets chosen to work again, and he was very happy. Then, he goes and helps a great Gordon up a hill with a goods train, but doesn't get a 'thank you' from him. His driver is very pleased, and gives him a new coat of paint as a reward.

Featuring Edward, Gordon
Cameos by Thomas, Henry, and James
This episode is based on the stories Edward's Day Out and Edward and Gordon from The Railway Series

3. The Sad Story of Henry (Come Out Henry! - US)

Henry, the green engine, is afraid of the rain, thinking it will spoil his green paint. One day, he runs into a tunnel and refuses to come out. The driver, fireman, passengers, and The Fat Controller try everything to get Henry out of the tunnel (including getting Thomas to push him out) but Henry doesn't budge. They eventually give up on Henry, and brick him up in the tunnel. A sad and sorry Henry now wishes he hadn't been afraid of the rain.

Featuring Henry, Edward, Gordon
Cameos by Thomas and James
Introducing Henry the Green Engine, The Fat Controller

4. Edward, Gordon and Henry (Henry to the Rescue - US)

Henry has been in the tunnel for a long time now. Edward is kind to him, but Gordon keeps on teasing him. One day, Gordon tries to go fast past Henry, but breaks his safety valve, meaning he can't move. Edward comes to help, but can't haul the heavy Express train. The Fat Controller decides to bring Henry out of the tunnel to help pull the train, and Henry is delighted. He and Edward pull the train on time, and then help Gordon back home. Gordon gets mended, and they are now all friends.

Featuring Henry, Gordon, Edward, and The Fat Controller
Cameo by James

5. Thomas' Train (A Big Day for Thomas - US)

Thomas is getting bored, working at the station shunting coaches all day. He complains about it, and annoys the other engines. But one morning Henry isn't feeling well, and Thomas is the only engine available to pull his train. He is excited, and becomes impatient and ignorant. At the station, Thomas ends up leaving early, and leaving his coaches behind! Soon, a signalman stops him, and Thomas sadly goes back to pick them up properly. But the other engines teased him a lot about it, and he learnt not to be so impatient with coaches.

Featuring Thomas, Edward, and The Fat Controller
Cameos made by James, Henry and Gordon
First time Thomas 'pulls' a train
First sign of Henry's illness

6. Thomas and the Trucks (Trouble for Thomas - US)

Thomas is shunting coaches in the yard, and his complaining annoys the other engines. Edward comes to him and offers to swap jobs with him. Thomas is to take Edward's trucks, and Edward shunts coaches. Thomas is delighted, and biffs the trucks around. Because he doesn't know a lot about trucks, they plan to get him back for bumping them. At the top of Gordon's Hill, they push Thomas along the line out of control. Thomas is terrified, and ends up stopping just before some buffers in the Yard. The Fat Controller is there, and sorts out the problem with Thomas. Thomas learns he has to be careful with trucks, and he has to learn more about them.

Featuring Thomas, Edward, The Fat Controller and Troublesome Trucks.
Cameos made by Henry, James, and Gordon.
Troublesome Trucks are introduced.

7. Thomas and the Breakdown Train (Thomas Saves the Day - US)

Thomas is still busy shunting trucks and coaches around the yard. He sees some new trucks, called the 'Breakdown Train'. He soon gets to use them, when James gets pushed by trucks out of control and into a paddock. Thomas soon rushes to the rescue, and helps James. Because of his helpfulness, the Fat Controller gave him his own branch line, and now he is very happy.

Featuring Thomas, James, Gordon, Troublesome Trucks, and The Fat Controller.
Cameos made by Henry.
Introducing James, The Breakdown Train, and James' Field
Edward is mentioned
This episode features the first accident in the series, although it is off-screen.
This is the first proper appearance of James, despite several cameos prior to the episode.
First appearance of Annie and Clarabel, although they weren't introduced until Thomas and the Guard.

8. James and the Coaches (James Learns a Lesson - US)

James, after having an accident in a paddock on his first day, is now trying to be really useful. He does however cause trouble, when he wets the Fat Controller's new top hat with steam, and then bumping coaches so hard one of their brakes fail, and it has to be fixed with newspaper and a passenger's bootlace. James gets through the problems, but gets scolded by the Fat Controller. James is then disciplined, and hopes he can be trusted again.

Featuring James, Edward, Thomas, and The Fat Controller.
Cameo by Annie and Clarabel.
Gordon is mentioned.
This story is 'James and the Top Hat' and 'James and the Bootlace' from the Railway Series put together.
[Screenshot]
Introducing Dryaw Station

9. Troublesome Trucks (Foolish Freight Cars - US)

James is in trouble with the Fat Controller, and is very sad. He has been confined to the shed for a long time, but is released out to shunt trucks. He works hard, and then takes a goods train up Gordon's Hill. The trucks misbehave, but James doesn't give up. When he climbs the hill, some of his trucks break free and run away. James is cross, but the guard stops the trucks. Edward comes to help, but James declines. He gets the trucks coupled up again, and puffs away. Later, The Fat Controller, who was on Edward's train, comes to see James. He tells him he saw what happened in Edward's train, and is very proud of James for making the troublesome trucks behave. James, now being a useful engine again, is very happy.

Featuring James, Edward, Thomas, Troublesome Trucks and The Fat Controller.

10. James and the Express (A Proud Day for James - US)

James, after proving himself useful, is to shunt coaches in the Yard. Gordon puffs by, boasting about himself as usual, saying he knows the way to take the Express by instinct. James ignores him, and continues working. Later, James see Gordon puff into the station quietly and sadly. He finds out Gordon was switched the wrong way and got lost. Sir Topham Hatt is cross with him, and James teases Gordon. James ends up taking the Express, and is delighted. He has a great time pulling the train, and is allowed to pull the Express sometimes. He meets Gordon afterward, who is shunting trucks. They become friends, and don't tease each other about bootlaces or being stuck on hills ever again!

Featuring James, Gordon, and The Fat Controller
Cameos by Henry and Thomas
First time James pulls the Express

11. Thomas and the Guard (Thomas and the Conductor - US)

Thomas is very busy working on his branch line. But one morning Henry is late, and this makes Thomas cross. When Henry finally arrives, Thomas teases him, and leaves impatiently away. Because he was in such a rush, he leaves the conductor behind! The guard chases Thomas down the line, as Thomas tries to make up for lost time, oblivious of what's happened. Thomas finally stops at a signal, and the guard is able to catch up. When he does, he has a rest and a drink. Thomas apologises, and sets off again. But he now knows that he has to make sure the guard is on, before he leaves the station!

Featuring Thomas, Henry, Annie and Clarabel.
Introducing Annie and Clarabel, Ffarquhar Station, Elsbridge Station, and the Windmill.
First time Annie and Clarabel speak.

12. Thomas Goes Fishing

Thomas loves his branch line. He especially loves it when he travels over the big bridge, where he sees people fishing. Thomas often wants to watch, but his driver doesn't let him. Thomas also wants to fish, but the other engines say he can't. The next day Thomas needs a drink, but the water tower is out of order, so Thomas' crew decides to get water from the river. He enjoys it, but soon gets a big pain in his boiler. He puffs into a siding fit to burst, and his driver calls Sir Topham Hatt and an engine inspector. They soon find out Thomas ended up having fish in his water tanks. Thomas was shocked, and soon Sir Topham Hatt and crew fished out the fish, and ate them. Thomas learned not to 'fish' again.

Featuring Thomas, Annie and Clarabel, James, The Fat Controller.
Introducing the River.
This is the first episode to have the same title both in the UK and US.

13. Thomas, Terence and the Snow (Terence the Tractor - US)

It's autumn on the Island of Sodor. Thomas, pulling Annie and Clarabel, meets Terence the Tractor. Thomas says Terence's wheels are ugly and silly, and then chuffs away. Winter soon arrives, and Thomas has to wear his snowplough. He hates it, so he bangs and clangs it while he's working, and damages it so much, he can't wear it anymore. Thomas is delighted, and sets off the next day without it. But his driver is worried, and soon Thomas ends up stuck in a snowdrift! Luckily, Bertie picks up Thomas' passengers, and Terence is on hand to help out. Terence pulls Thomas out of the snowdrift, and Thomas apologises, and they become friends.

Featuring Thomas, Terence, and Annie and Clarabel.
Cameo by Bertie
Introducing Terence
Thomas' first accident, and first on-screen accident

14. Thomas and Bertie (Thomas & Bertie's Great Race - US)

Thomas is happy on his branch line. One day he stops at a signal near the bus depot, and meets Bertie. Bertie says he helped with Thomas' passengers, and Thomas gets jealous. He challenges Bertie to a race, and when the foreman agrees, they start. Thomas and Bertie race all around the Island, under bridges, through crossings, and into tunnels. Thomas ends up winning the race, with Bertie following closely behind. Both get congratulated, and become best friends. Although Sir Topham Hatt says they can't go fast, they want to have another race (In which they do in Season 7).

Featuring Thomas, Bertie, Annie and Clarabel.
Introducing Bertie, The Bus Depot, The Crossing
[See screenshot]
Terence and The Fat Controller are mentioned

15. Tenders and Turntables

Gordon is chosen to pull a special train, but can't turn around because his weight and the high winds are preventing the yard turntable from spinning properly. He ends up pulling the train backwards, and Thomas and James tease him. James later has to turn around on the turntable. Because he is lighter, he stops in the correct place, but then the high winds spin him around like a top, much to the delight of nearby Gordon. They both are cross, and plan with Henry about striking...

Featuring Gordon, James, Thomas, Henry, and The Fat Controller
Cameos by Annie and Clarabel
Introducing the Yard Turntable

16. Trouble in the Shed

Gordon, Henry and James are causing trouble for the Fat Controller. They are going on strike for being treated unfairly, and refuse to work. The Fat Controller scolds them, and goes to get Thomas so he can work in the yard again. Then the Fat Controller goes and buys another engine from an Engine Workshop. The new engine is called Percy, and is told to shunt trucks in the yard with Edward. Percy is happy and cheeky, and likes to work hard. The Big Engines then feel sorry and silly.

Featuring Percy, Thomas, Edward, Gordon, Henry, James, and The Fat Controller.
Introducing Percy, and the Engine Workshop

17. Percy Runs Away

Percy, the new engine, is working hard. He is however being cheeky, and annoying the big engines. Edward offers to swap jobs with him, and he is delighted. However he ignores Edward's warning about going on the main line, and almost collides with Gordon and the Express. Percy gets so frightened that he runs away backwards down the line. He ends up in a bank of earth in a siding, and Gordon comes and pulls him out. Afterwards, Percy is always very careful when he goes onto the main line.

Featuring: Percy, Gordon, Edward, Thomas James Henry and The Fat Controller

18. Coal (Henry's Special Coal - US)

Henry is not feeling well. His firebox is too small, and he can't make enough steam. Sometimes he doesn't even have enough power to pull a train. Sir Topham Hatt addresses the problem, and comes to a conclusion that Henry needs different coal. Welsh coal is soon available for Henry, and he feels better than ever. Little does Henry know his next incident would change everything...

The story features Henry, Thomas, Edward, James and The Fat Controller.

19. The Flying Kipper

Henry, now having new Welsh Coal and feeling better, is chosen to pull the 'Flying Kipper', a train of fish vans to deliver around Sodor. He is happy, and soon sets off for the snowy countryside in the early morning. He is having a good time, but he misreads a signal that is supposed to say danger, but was forced down by snow. It leads along a siding, where a goods train is waiting, and Henry, unable to stop in time, crashes into it and falls onto the trackside. The breakdown train arrives, as well as the Fat Controller, who explains that it wasn't his fault. He sends Henry to Crewe, a workshop for sick engines, and although doubtful at first, Henry returns with a new shape and bigger firebox, and gains a huge confidence boost.

Featuring Henry, and The Fat Controller.
Cameos by James and Gordon.
Introducing The Flying Kipper, Crewe, and the Big Harbour.
Henry's first accident

20. Whistles and Sneezes

Henry, now having his new shape, tends to whistle loudly and happily. Gordon despises this, and tells him not to whistle so much. Henry is sad, but cheers up one day when Gordon's whistle jams 'on', and won't stop whistling! Soon the problem is fixed, but Gordon was still teased afterward. Later on, Henry experiences troubles of his own, when boys throw stones at him from a bridge, breaking his coaches' windows, and annoying his crew and the passengers. His driver thinks of a plan to stop them, involving Henry sneezing at them!

Featuring Henry, Gordon, Edward, Percy, and The Fat Controller.
This story is 'Gordon's Whistle' and 'Henry's Sneeze' from the Railway Series put together into the one story for the Television Series

21. Toby and the Stout Gentleman (Toby the Tram Engine - US)

Toby is a tram engine who works on a little line in the North of Sodor. He is happy there with his coach Henrietta, but is quickly running out of work, being replaced by lorries and buses. Soon, he is only carrying a few passengers and shunting few trucks. But one day he gets a surprise, when a stout gentleman (The Fat Controller) and his grandchildren visit the old line. Toby is very happy, taking them around the line. After they thank him and leave, Toby keeps running out of work. One day, his line closes down, much to the disappointment of him and Henrietta. They are confined to a small shed, until one day the stout gentleman writes him a letter for a special favour....

Featuring Toby, Henrietta, The Fat Controller and his family (Lady Hatt, Bridget and Stephen).
Introducing Toby, Henrietta, Lady Hatt, Bridget Hatt, and Steven Hatt.

22. Thomas in Trouble (Thomas Breaks the Rules - US)

Every day Thomas travels down a part of his line, that runs beside a road. Usually the friendly policeman at the crossing lets him pass, but a new policeman took over, and was very angry when he found Thomas travelling near the road without cow catchers and side-plates. Thomas tried to explain, but the new policeman booked him. The Fat Controller soon hears about it, and comes to the station to try and reason with him, but the policeman holds firm. The Fat Controller decided to get Thomas the cow-catchers, but Thomas said that if he'd get the covers attached, he'd look like a tram, which gave The Fat Controller an idea. He wrote to Toby's Controller, and soon Toby the Tram Engine arrived with his coach, Henrietta, to run the line instead. At first Thomas was jealous, but they soon became friends, when Toby scared the policeman!

Featuring Thomas, Toby, The Fat Controller, Annie and Clarabel, and Henrietta.
Introducing The Policeman, and the road crossing.

23. Dirty Objects (James in a Mess - US)

Toby is still new to the railway, and gets teased by James about his and Henrietta's appearance. But one day James gets pushed out of control by trucks, and raced into the yard. He ran into two idling tar wagons, smashing them, and derailing himself. He gets covered in tar, and the troublesome trucks are delighted. Percy and Toby soon bring the breakdown train, and help James out of his sticky situation. The Fat Controller then scolds him, and James is embarrassed, when Toby teases James for being dirty himself.

Featuring James, Toby, Percy, Henrietta,The Fat Controller and Troublesome Trucks
Introducing the Tar Tankers
For some books, the title 'James and the Tar Wagons' is used to make the book more appealing by including James' name in the title
James' second accident, first on-screen

24. Off The Rails (Gordon Takes a Dip - US)

Gordon is resting at the big station when he sees Henry is chosen to pull the Express. This makes him cross, as he taunts Henry not to have an accident, saying he has never had one himself. Percy cheekily reminds him though, of his infamous 'burst safety valve' and 'jammed whistle' incidents, and this only makes him more cross, when he finds he has to pull a special goods train. He refuses to go, and Edward has to help him to the turntable. He concocts a scheme of jamming the table for revenge, but it falls through when Gordon misjudges and slides into a muddy ditch. He now realizes his mistake, and is taunted by some schoolboys. The Fat Controller arranges for Edward to take the train, and later that night Henry and James help him back to the shed, and he crawls home a sadder and wiser engine.

Featuring Gordon, Edward, Henry, James, Percy, and The Fat Controller.
Introducing Gordon's Ditch
Gordon's first accident

25. Down the Mine

Thomas is teasing Gordon about the time he fell into a ditch, much to the horror of Annie and Clarabel. Thomas doesn't care, and is then sent to work at the Mines. He notices a danger board near the tracks, and wants to go past it to prove there's no danger. One day Thomas makes a plan, and ends up pushing trucks past the board. He feels the tracks sag, and ends up falling down a mine! His crew however jumped clear. Thomas feels most embarrassed when it is Gordon, using his winch, who pulls Thomas back out. They apologise to each other, and become an alliance.

Featuring Thomas, Gordon, Annie and Clarabel, and The Fat Controller.
Introducing The Mine

[See Screenshot]

26. Thomas' Christmas Party

It's Christmas for the first time ever on the Island of Sodor. All the engines are busy with passengers and parcels, especially Thomas. He likes it when he passes Mrs. Kyndley's house while working, and she always waves to him. Thomas says it wouldn't be Christmas with Mrs. Kyndley, and then goes to the shed to discuss to the other engines about throwing a Christmas party for her. All the engines agree, as does The Fat Controller. While making preparations for the party, they hear that Mrs. Kyndley is snowed up in her house. Thomas and Toby soon come to the rescue, and bring Mrs Kyndley to the party.

Featuring Thomas, Toby, Percy, Gordon, James, Edward, Terence, The Fat Controller, and Mrs. Kyndley.
Cameos by Bertie, Annie and Clarabel, and Sir Topham Hatt's Car.

Notes

This season introduces many of the main locations around Sodor including Knapford (The Big Station), Gordon's Hill (by Wellsworth), and the Harbour.
The characters introduced in this season would become the central characters in seasons to come. In Season 8, the railway engines introduced in this season (Thomas, Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Percy and Toby) are seven of the eight engines who form the "Steam Team".
All episodes (except Thomas' Christmas Party) were originally stories from The Railway Series. The exception, Thomas' Christmas Party, was written by Rev. W. Awdry in conjunction with the Railway Series.

Characters introduced

Note that since this is the first season of the series, all characters featured in the season were introduced.

Thomas the Tank Engine (Thomas and Gordon)
Edward the Blue Engine (Edward and Gordon)
Henry the Green Engine (The Sad Story Of Henry)
Gordon the Big Engine (Thomas and Gordon)
James the Red Engine (Thomas and the Breakdown Train)
Percy the Small Engine (Trouble In The Shed)
Toby the Tram Engine (Toby and the Stout Gentleman)
Bertie the Bus (Thomas and Bertie)
Terence the Tractor (Thomas, Terence and the Snow)
Sir Topham Hatt (The Fat Controller) (The Sad Story Of Henry)
Lady Hatt (Thomas In Trouble)
Stephen Hatt (Toby and the Stout Gentleman)
Bridget Hatt (Toby and the Stout Gentleman)
Mrs. Kyndley (Thomas' Christmas Party)

Rolling Stock Introduced

The Breakdown Train (Thomas and the Breakdown Train)
The Express Coaches (Thomas and Gordon)
Tidmouth Milk Tanker (Edward and Gordon)
Flying Kipper Wagons (Flying Kipper)
Troublesome Trucks (Thomas and the Trucks)
Annie and Clarabel (Thomas and the Guard)
Henrietta the coach (Toby and the Stout Gentleman)
Tar Tanker (Dirty Objects)

Places Introduced

Knapford: The Island's big station seen throughout the series (Thomas and Gordon)
Wellsworth: Also known as Edward's station (Thomas and Gordon)
Maron Station: The station on the other side of Gordon's Hill. James crashes into the tar wagons here (Edward and Gordon)
Ffarquhar: The Station seen in the opening credits. (Thomas and the Guard)
Elsbridge: The junction on Thomas's Branch Line (in the TV version) (Thomas and the Trucks)
Arlesdale: One of the stations on Toby's old line (in the TV version) (Toby and the Stout Gentleman)
Dryaw: The station just next to the airfield (James and the Coaches)
Tidmouth Sheds: The main engine sheds seen throughout the series (Thomas and Gordon)
The goods yard: Just next to Tidmouth Sheds. Edward shunts here in Edward and Gordon (Edward and Gordon)
Bus Depot: Where Thomas meets Bertie (Thomas and Bertie)
The River: Where Thomas takes on water, and gets more than he bargained for just beyond Elsbridge (Thomas Goes Fishing)
Gordon's Hill (Edward and Gordon)
Henry's Tunnel (The Sad Story Of Henry)
Mrs. Kyndley's Cottage (Thomas' Christmas Party)
The harbour: Where Henry collects the Flying Kipper. This harbour looks a lot different from how it does in later series. (The Flying Kipper)
The viaduct: Not far from Wellsworth station. (Thomas and Gordon)
The Works: Where the Fat Controller first finds Percy (Trouble In The Shed)
Lower Suddery station: Where Percy's runaway is halted (Percy Runs Away)
Terence's Field: Field near Ffarquhar where Terence is seen ploughing in Thomas, Terence and the Snow (Thomas, Terence and the Snow)
Vicarstown Sheds (not the official name): The sheds on the other side of the Island. They look fairly similar to Tidmouth, only there's only enough room for five engines. (Thomas and the Breakdown Train)
The Windmill: Seen in the opening credits (Thomas and the Guard)
The mines: Lead mines just near Dryaw. (Down the Mine)

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