Second week of UK Season Seventeen episodes revealed

The second set of episodes from the new Season Seventeen for the UK have been detailed on digiguide.

The latest series directed by David Baas and animated by Arc Productions, is on course for broadcast on Channel 5 milkshake! on June 3rd.

Stafford stars in a previously seen episode while returnees Hiro, Charlie and Luke each gain their own, the latter serving in two installments.

Steamie Stafford

Stafford, the electric engine, asks Thomas to teach him to make a sound like a proper engine. But when is it useful to be quiet?

Transmits on Channel 5 milkshake! on Monday June 10th 2013 at 7:35am.

Also on Channel 5 HD and an hour later on Channel 5+1.

Henry's Hero

Henry and Hiro take on some of the bad coal and start puffing black smoke. Will Hiro be able to deliver their loads when Henry goes back to the shed?

Transmits on Channel 5 milkshake! on Tuesday June 11th 2013 at 7:35am.

Also on Channel 5 HD and an hour later on Channel 5+1.

Luke's New Friend

Up at the Blue Mountain Quarry, Luke finds a scared young deer, so he tries to get the other engines to work quietly. But that is not an easy thing to do.

Transmits on Channel 5 milkshake! on Wednesday June 12th 2013, 7:35am.

Also on Channel 5 HD and an hour later on Channel 5+1.

The Switch

When Luke is sent to Ulfstead Castle to deliver stone, he meets Millie, the Earl's private narrow gauge engine. They decide to switch jobs for the day.

Transmits on Channel 5 milkshake! on Thursday June 13th 2013 at 7:35am.

Also on Channel 5 HD and an hour later on Channel 5+1.

Not Now, Charlie

Charlie is a small purple engine who likes to tell jokes. One day Charlie discovers an elephant on the line and tries to alert the other engines.

Transmits on Channel 5 milkshake! on Friday June 14th 2013 at 7:35am.

Also on Channel 5 HD and an hour later on Channel 5+1.

The brand new seventeenth series of Thomas & Friends marks its world premiere on Channel 5 milkshake! in the UK on June 3rd 2013 with the episode, Kevin's Cranky Friend.

'King' and 'Best of Friends' set for UK DVD in September

The King of the Railway DVD will arrive in the UK in early September alongside a new boxset.

amazon.co.uk have revealed the first details for a compilation set called, Best of Friends which will run at a staggering 455 minutes in length.
While it is not currently known what DVDs will be encased, its title and run time however suggest that The Best of Thomas, James and Percy may feature.

Arriving simultaneously on the same day as the aforementioned is the much publicised King of the Railway: The Movie DVD.

With extras to be confirmed, a duration of 68 minutes will support the disc. Vue meanwhile are to run the film in their many cinemas on the weekend of August 23rd.

King of the Railway: The Movie and Best of Friends hit UK DVD shelves on September 2nd 2013.

PRE-ORDER THE SEPTEMBER DVDS ON AMAZON.CO.UK

KING OF THE RAILWAY: THE MOVIE

BEST OF FRIENDS

Thanks to SteamTeam for the alert.

'Calm Down Caitlin' screencap and new synopsis issued

A brief still from an episode of the Seventeenth Series has been released on the Thomas & Friends YouTube channel.

Appearing on a new Guess Who?, a screencap from Calm Down Caitlin is revealed at the end. It shows Caitlin gliding through a countryside at sunset.

A Charlie puzzle has also been released with Mark Moraghan's narration, who now replaces both Ben Small as Thomas and Michael Brandon for all future Guess Who's on both sides of the Atlantic.
The Thomas & Friends YouTube meanwhile have teased that more is to come saying; Come back every Thursday for the latest video!

Elsewhere, digiguide have published an extended synopsis for the episode; Caitlin, a big fast passenger engine from the mainland, is forced to stay the night when the Vicarstown Bridge is closed for repairs.

She is so excited that she keeps waking everyone up! But when the bridge is reopened in the morning, it is Caitlin who is the most tired of all!

The brand new seventeenth series of Thomas & Friends marks its world premiere on Channel 5 milkshake! in the UK on June 3rd 2013 at 7:35am with the episode, Kevin's Cranky Friend.

WATCH THE LATEST 'GUESS WHO?' PUZZLES ON YOUTUBE

CAITLIN

CHARLIE

SiF brings Series Four model to Battlefield Line Railway

SiF are to showcase one of the models as seen in the TV series to the general public this bank holiday weekend.

As part of their newly formed Star Tugs Trust company, a Lakerside III paddle steamer will be on display at the Battlefield Line Railway in Shackerstone, England, as part of Vintage Toy Train Weekend.
An ERTL Thomas & Friends display will appear alongside the model. It marks the Trust's first public venture since their acquisition of preserving the original models from TUGS, Thomas' sister series, for safe keeping.

Lakerside III served as background scenery in the Series Four episodes A Bad Day for Sir Handel, Rock 'n' Roll, Fish, Special Attraction and most notably in Peter Sam and the Refreshment Lady.

It served as the basis for the character of OJ in TUGS. Running for only 13 episodes in 1988, TUGS was directed by Thomas series veteran, David Mitton, who died five years ago on May 16th 2008, 20 years after TUGS was made.

Mike O'Donnell and Junior Campbell, two other veterans, composed the score for the show while Robert D. Cardona produced alongside Mitton.

Lakerside III appears at the Battlefield Line Railway on Saturday May 25th to Monday 27th in the UK.

VISIT THE BATTLEFIELD LINE RAILWAY'S WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS

'Kevin's Cranky Friend' to kick off new series in Britain

The first episode in the new Series Seventeen, due to hit British television screens next month, has been named.

Details of the series' world premiere in Britain emerged last week, with press releases and info on the first run of episodes published online.
An error on digiguide's database meant that effectively, the identity of the premiere episode failed to be recognised. Since then, Kevin's Cranky Friend has been named by Freeview to start off the season.

Scruff's Makeover, Wayward Winston, Gordon Runs Dry and Calm Down Caitlin follow to complete the first week of broadcast.

The brand new seventeenth series of Thomas & Friends marks its world premiere on Channel 5 milkshake! in the UK on June 3rd 2013 at 7:35am with the episode, Kevin's Cranky Friend.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FIRST WEEK OF EPISODES

Thanks to The Colonel for the alert.

'King of the Railway' UK cinema weekend date revealed

The date for King of the Railway's weekend at the UK's Vue cinemas has been revealed on facebook.

The confirmation came from the Thomas & Friends UK page in response to a fan's query about the film's cinematic arrival.
King of the Railway will screen across Vue cinemas from Friday 23rd August 2013. Hope to see you there! 

While times are yet to appear, the film's launch foresees a three day weekend. King's first indication of an appearance in August came to light at the tailing end of March.

King of the Railway: The Movie premieres in Vue cinemas nationwide across the UK on the weekend of August 23rd 2013 with its DVD to follow in September.

Thanks to lg77612 for the alert.

First week of UK's Season Seventeen episodes revealed

The first batch of episodes from the new Season Seventeen have been published on Freeview and digiguide.

The latest series is due to commence on the UK's Channel 5 milkshake! on June 3rd, with information by the press released earlier this month also confirming narrator Mark Moraghan's involvement in the show.

Four episodes, as seen on the Railway Mischief US DVD, take over the first few days while a brand new story concludes the premiere week.

Kevin's Cranky Friend

Cranky the crane is snowed under with trains and boats to load and unload. When the Fat Controller sees the carnage, he calls on Kevin to help Cranky. But Cranky is not too pleased to see him.
Transmits on Channel 5 milkshake! on Monday June 3rd 2013 at 7:35am. Also on Channel 5 HD and an hour later on Channel 5+1 at 8:35am.

Scruff's Makeover

The Fat Controller decides it's time for Scruff to be repainted. But Scruff hates being washed, let alone repainted! How will he cope with a makeover?

Transmits on Channel 5 milkshake! on Tuesday June 4th 2013 at 7:35am. Also on Channel 5 HD and an hour later on Channel 5+1 at 8:35am.

Wayward Winston

While keeping an eye on some track repairs, the Fat Controller forgets to put Winston's hand brake on and he rolls off on his own causing mayhem!

Transmits on Channel 5 milkshake! on Wednesday June 5th 2013 at 7:35am. Also on Channel 5 HD and an hour later on Channel 5+1 at 8:35am.

Gordon Runs Dry
When he gets hit by a loose rock that Paxton is carrying back from the quarry, Gordon springs a leak. Will the express be able to keep to the timetable?

Transmits on Channel 5 milkshake! on Thursday June 6th 2013 at 7:35am. Also on Channel 5 HD and an hour later on Channel 5+1 at 8:35am.

Calm Down Caitlin
When the Vicarstown Bridge is closed for repairs Caitlin, a big, fast passenger engine from the mainland, has to spend the night on Sodor.

Transmits on Channel 5 milkshake! on Friday June 7th 2013 at 7:35am. Also on Channel 5 HD and an hour later on Channel 5+1 at 8:35am.

The brand new seventeenth series of Thomas & Friends marks its world premiere on Channel 5 milkshake! in the UK on June 3rd 2013 at 7:35am with the episode, Kevin's Cranky Friend.

'King of the Railway' book enters Augmented Reality

A King of the Railway book due out in September will make use of several Augmented Reality apps.

Simply named after the upcoming special, the title has been given the advantage of interacting with smartphones and tablets.

By using an Apple device or an Android, a virtual reality of events is expanded to the viewer when directing such device on a particular spot. Instructions on how to are available in the book.
The description also tells more on the special; This is a wonderful companion to the new special film King of the Railway.

It features profiles on all the much-loved Thomas and Friends characters - plus all you need to know about the new faces in the new film - Stephen, Millie, Caitlin and Connor and the Earl of Sodor.

You can read up on the most exciting moments from King of the Railway - the arrival of the Earl of Sodor, the race between Gordon and Spencer, the runaway train and when Stephen comes off the track and ends up lost in the old mine.

There are also four amazing Augmented Reality sequences supported by a free app on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Android.

Drive Thomas around your room, help repair Stephen into a bright, new engine, who will win the race - Gordon or Spencer? And help Thomas load the cargo crates.

The King of the Railway Augmented Reality book from Carlton Kids hits UK book shelves on September 12th 2013.

PRE-ORDER THE 'KING OF THE RAILWAY' AUGMENTED REALITY BOOK ON AMAZON.CO.UK

Thanks to SteamTeam for the alert.

New series for June world premiere on UK's Channel 5

The Seventeenth Season has been confirmed to hit TV screens in the UK this June on Channel 5.

The hotly anticipated new series will have its world premiere on the milkshake! slot, with narrator Mark Moraghan's appointment now officially confirmed by the press.

Despite itv revealing the airdate first, Moraghan gave an extended interview with the Liverpool Echo on joining Thomas.
It is fantastic to be associated with such an iconic series and a great legacy for my children and grandchildren. I am very proud to be part of it.

Hit Entertainment's Head of Content and Production at Programme-Making, Michael Carrington talked of what appeals to Mark's narration.

The voices of the series are almost as iconic as the little engine himself and Mark's lyrical, understated storytelling complements the on-screen action beautifully.

Licensing.biz have also reported that there will be some focus on the new faces, Millie, Connor and Caitlin while the episodes will see the engines embark on escapades to ensure the smooth running [on] the tracks of Sodor.

The brand new seventeenth series of Thomas & Friends marks its world premiere on Channel 5 milkshake! in the UK on June 3rd 2013.

FULL COVERAGE

ITV

LIVERPOOL ECHO
YAHOO TV!
THE GUARDIAN
LICENSING.BIZ

'Lift & Haul' mini-game app launched by Funny Garbage

Hit Entertainment have launched another Thomas & Friends app for all Apple's touch screen devices.

Lift & Haul by Funny Garbage is the latest to enter the App Store where a selection of six games are playable at easy and hard difficulty levels.

Keith Wickham resumes narration duties while an assortment of characters feature in the games with Thomas, James, Percy and Blue Mountain's Merrick, Owen and Luke all starring.

The description reads; Your kids will love learning about the daily lives of the engines, how they work together, and make new friends!
Each game focuses on the engines daily activities including lifting and hauling gravel, cutting and sorting stones, playing hide and seek, and readying themselves for another exciting day of work.

Easy and hard modes ensure that kids of every level will enjoy the fun. Help Merrick sort shapes and colors in Quarry Match! See how many shapes you can cut in Stone Shape Cutter!

Patch up James, Percy and Thomas when they bust a gasket in Boiler Spoiler! Service the engines at the depot in Load up, Wash Down!
Help Owen load gravel onto Thomas’ cars in Rock Drop! Find Luke the mystery engine in Hide and Peep!

Little engineers are guaranteed to enjoy hours of fun playing with Thomas & Friends while they test their reflexes, dexterity, and ability to match shapes and colors.

Interestingly is the origins of the games set on the Blue Mountain Quarry which made their first appearances on the Blue Mountain Mystery minisite.

Music from Robert Hartshorne and Sam Blewitt's sing-a-long songs assist the app.

Lift & Haul from Hit Entertainment and Funny Garbage is available to buy on the App Store on iTunes.

UK £1.49

US $1.99

AUSTRALIA $1.99

PBS makes Thomas weekdays for new season and date

PBS has announced that the new series of Thomas & Friends will begin airing in the US this October.

In a press release, the public broadcasting service also revealed details of the show's move from its weekend schedule to a new weekday slot after a surge in ratings.
In addition, the first TV airing of the King of the Railway special will be broadcast at some point in the capacity of Season Seventeen's run. @TrueBlueEngine simultaneously tweeted the news.

PBS' General Manager of Children's Programming, Lesli Rotenberg explained the move.

Thomas will join other PBS Kids favorites including Curious George, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!, Dinosaur Train and Super Why! as part of our children’s programming lineup.
[Its] designed to use the power of media to help kids build key skills for success in school and in life.

Hit Entertainment's Group Director for American Broadcasts, Claudia Scott-Hansen shared a similar response.

The popularity of the Thomas & Friends series is at an all-time high, and we expect this move to continue the momentum of the brand.

The brand new seventeenth series of Thomas & Friends begins airing on PBS Kids on October 7th 2013.

READ PBS' FULL PRESS RELEASE

CHECK YOUR LOCAL PUBLIC STATION FOR LISTINGS

Thanks to MrTrainfan1000 for the alert.

Second new series DVD and Stephen episode confirmed

Another new US DVD of Season Seventeen episodes is on the horizon for release into next year.

Following the success of Walmart's Railway Mischief, Spills & Thrills will be the next DVD to contain more stories from the latest series.
The reveal came from a listing for a forthcoming Step into Reading book called The Rocket Returns.

The book, due to hit US book shelves on January 7th 2014, confirms that Stephen will take centre stage in his own episode.

Thomas the Tank Engine's new friend Stephen used to be known as The Rocket! With Thomas' help, he will again!

Little boys ages 4 to 6 who love trains will dive in to this Step into Reading adventure based on an episode from the newest Thomas & Friends DVD release, Spills and Thrills!

Spills & Thrills is coming soon to US DVD from Lionsgate Entertainment.

PRE-ORDER 'THE ROCKET RETURNS' ON AMAZON.COM

Thanks to SteamTeam for the alert.