'Day of the Diesels and More! recieves CD release

The Day of the Diesels and More! downloadable album will soon became a proper CD release in the UK.

From the end of March, the same eighteen TV Series songs is to be roll out to shops by Little Demon, the children's equivalent from original developers Demon MUSIC GROUP.

The sporadicated tunes themselves originate from the New Series era sung by children to the Animation side performed by various artists.

amazon.co.uk's price for the title comes in just over £8, whereas hmv and play.com are selling for almost £6 and £5 respectively.

Day of the Diesels and More! hits UK CD shelves on March 26th 2012.

PRE-ORDER THE 'DAY OF THE DIESELS AND MORE!' CD

AMAZON.CO.UK

HMV.COM

PLAY.COM

Thanks to SI3DFilms for the alert.

Very Memorable's online Thomas game appears

The Thomas & Friends Official Websites have added the new online game developed by Very Memorable.

The interactive game called Lift, Load and Haul! gives the player the chance to play as Cranky's arm to pick up a load, choose a suitable rolling stock and finishing off by picking the right track leading to a destination.

Six of Sodor's engines are playable involving three Steam Engines and three Diesel Engines. Depicted are Percy, Thomas and James, and Diesel, Den and Salty.

Rather than the use of the expected cartoonish designs, Lift, Load and Haul! steers away from this and utilizes specially commissioned moving animation stills by TV Series veterans, Nitrogen Studios.

Originally to have launched in late 2011 from its announcement back in October, the game has entered the fray quite late on, unknowingly.

Owing to his dedicational commitments within the TV Series, apps, games and others, recurring voice actor Keith Wickham narrates the interactive story.

Lift, Load & Haul! is now available to play on the Official Thomas & Friends Websites.

PLAY 'LIFT, LOAD & HAUL!'

UK

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AUSTRALIA

Feature: Recap on Episode Fifteen of Season Sixteen

The third quarter of the Sixteenth Thomas & Friends Series finished airing on the UK's Channel 5 milkshake! before proceeding onto the last week of episodes.

Being limited to small roles and cameos in the latest season, James took on the reigns for the lead in Muddy Matters. James' job was to take sheep to a fair but diverted himself to other tracks for avoiding mud and to keep clean.

The red engine teamed up with Farmer McColl, Thomas, The Fat Controller, Emily and The Photographer to speak in the near ten minute show.

Stanley, Charlie, Edward, Henry, Gordon, Rosie and Belle all appeared at the start in silence. The end of the tale set at the fair featured a whole host of some of Sodor's nation.

The episode's reception led to mixed and negative reviewing as dedicaters became unhappy with Max Allen's formulaic script. This also happend with his previous story just one day back.

The simplistic nature of James choosing a route to trek ahead whilst preventing himself from getting dirty made a poor response due to the general idea being used many times.

The missing sections of mud and puddles in places did not tend to appear in most places and instead were presented during the track intervals. Absence of signalmen and boxes decreased realism on the railway expectations.

While Thomas appeared in a cameo, he later recieved a role half way through which brought up the subject of forced in partings, taking in bad fan comments.

James' one van man load differed very much to the beginning of the story after the many engines passing by carrying extra loads of rolling stock.

Positives mentioned involved a humourous exchange between Emily and James, Belle doing railway work, a worker reading The Sodor Times newspaper and James retaining his character throughout, becoming highly praised.

TheTopHatts gives Muddy Matters...

3/10

Season Sixteen of Thomas & Friends will return for one more day in Australia on ABC2 during Christmas 2012 with the episode, The Christmas Express. 

 

Channel 5 in the UK airs the next episode on their milkshake! slot on Monday March 12th 2012 at 7:35am with Whiff's Wish. The Christmas Express will also air in Britain in Christmas 2012.

For a full list of the scheduling, visit the Dieselworks Turntable Roundhouse on the right hand sidebar for more details.
 

WATCH 'MUDDY MATTERS' ON YOUTUBE

 

Thanks to Thomas & Friends Wikia for information and images.

What did you think of this episode? Send your reaction in the comments section just under this post for your verdict.

Feature: Recap on Episode Fourteen of Season Sixteen

Another Season Sixteen episode of Thomas & Friends transmitted in Britain on Channel 5 milkshake!.

Recieving minimal stints in the 2012 Series, Emily at last took the leading role in Emily's Winter Party Special. It saw Emily's mission to pull a Christmas present train after she recovers The Fat Controller's top hat.

Taking on supporting roles beamed in just Thomas, Henry and Victor. Diesel, Edward, Stanley, Percy, Cranky, Butch and The Brass Band all participated in cameos.

The episode resulted in negative reviews from fans who lambasted Max Allen's script after the success he had with Percy and the Calliope.

The plot was considered very poorly written, being a complete mess, forcing out the Christmas term again with Winter holidays and having to work with weak dialogue.

Emily's character in the story had distanced away leading to her taking on the personality of such few engines like Thomas starring in forumlaic and overly repeated storylines.

It was suggested by several individuals that the script sounded like a reenactment of Topped Off Thomas from the Tenth Series, expect the present one was felt to be much worse.

The inclusion of Thomas playing a part did not bode well with viewers by the time it became more domiant half way through the nine minute show.

Little positives drew up mainly consisting of the extended freight trains seen at the beginning, one of the few improvements noted time and time again for this series.

Especially for a winter episode, the CGI of Nitrogen Studios remained a highlight throughout, notably during the colourful light coverings of Emily and Thomas.

TheTopHatts gives Emily's Winter Party Special...

1/10

Season Sixteen of Thomas & Friends will return for one more day in Australia on ABC2 during Christmas 2012 with the episode, The Christmas Express.

Channel 5 in the UK airs the next episode on their milkshake! slot on Friday March 9th 2012 at 7:35am with Muddy Matters. The Christmas Express will also air in Britain in Christmas 2012.

For a full list of the scheduling, visit the Dieselworks Turntable Roundhouse on the right hand sidebar for more details.

WATCH 'EMILY'S WINTER PARTY SPECIAL'
YOUTUBE
DEMAND 5 
 

Thanks to Thomas & Friends Wikia for information and images.

What did you think of this episode? Send your reaction in the comments section just under this post for your verdict.

Feature: Recap on Episode Thirteen of Season Sixteen

Channel 5 milkshake! in the United Kingdom aired the thirteenth episode of the Sixteenth Series from Thomas & Friends.

Bringing in new script writers Jessica Kedward and Kirsty Peart, the duo were responsible for Sodor Surprise Day where Thomas tried several ways to surprise Gordon on the title day.

Both blue engines who starred shared speaking roles with Rosie, Whiff, The Fat Controller, Charlie and Cranky.

Harold in a silent role appeared alongside flybys from Hiro and Mavis, who were seen in a full spacious shot at Callan Castle. The location itself featured at the end of the story.

Also cameoing were the returning Spencer, Percy, Edward, James, Henry, Salty and The Troublesome Trucks.

The episode's public response led to negative reviewing, mainly criticising the storyline's dimness, where fans later felt that a line delivered by Gordon said it all; I told you that Sodor Surprise Day was silly, now I don't like it at all!

The idea of engines like Thomas zooming out to surprise another, more or less, the Surprise Day theme took in large amounts of criticism for being unnecessary, at times random and for being out of touch from railway realism.

One scene involving Cranky dropping a crate full of fireworks before hitting the ground did add entertainment value, but however was found to be very dangerous when the objects came live.

Despite no one getting injured and managing to dodge the fireworks, the script proved to have an absence of health and safety regulations towards the humans or the engines if one or more ended up getting hit.

To a main starting point of the story, a green signal routing to Maithwaite became ignored by Thomas in order to plan his surprising to Gordon. This factor was lamented for the script's idiotic sense of railway research.

Despite all the aboves, Rosie and Whiff's subsidiary roles achieved positive responses for allowing the two to shine more in appearances.

The recurrence of Callan Castle recieved praise, partly thanks to Nitrogen Studios' animation. A wink by a colourfully lit Harold at the end proved to be another visual treat.

TheTopHatts gives Sodor Surprise Day...

3/10

Season Sixteen of Thomas & Friends will return for one more day in Australia on ABC2 during Christmas 2012 with the episode, The Christmas Express.
 

Channel 5 in the UK airs the next episode on their milkshake! slot on Thursday March 8th 2012 at 7:35am with Emily's Winter Party Special. The Christmas Express will also air in Britain in Christmas 2012.

For a full list of the scheduling, visit the Dieselworks Turntable Roundhouse on the right hand sidebar for more details.

WATCH 'SODOR SURPRISE DAY' 
YOUTUBE
DEMAND 5

 

Thanks to Thomas & Friends Wikia for information and images.

What did you think of this episode? Send your reaction in the comments section just under this post for your verdict.

Feature: Recap on Episode Twelve of Season Sixteen

Channel 5 milkshake! and the public witnessed the airing of the twelfth episode of Thomas & Friends' Sixteenth Series.

After not having a story to himself since Season Seven's Salty's Stormy Tale, Salty returned to the forefront in Salty's Surprise.

Sharon Miller's script focused on Edward's journey to go and find a present for Salty after the eponymous Diesel Engine notes that he doesn't have time for any Christmas surprises.

Heard vocally were the duo, Victor, Kevin, Thomas and The Fat Controller. Sighted were Cranky, Stanley, Rosie, Gordon, Emily and Percy.

Although James, Toby, Henry, Rocky, Annie and Clarabel appeared in the opening, they were all reperesented via stock footage.

The episode ranked with mediocre reviews primarily mentioning the three strike formulaic structure taking centre stage, albeit, slowing down the flow of time duration. 

It came under more criticism of not being a creative and constructive story, leading to some fans calling it a remake of The Biggest Present of All. Thomas' appearance again, annoyed several over his forced in minimal role.

Even so, it managed to achieve some good responses, especially the removal of the Winter holidays being replaced with, Christmas holidays. Though holidays staying in, it took positives, sometime after the public furore.

Salty was praised to have been given the leading role but also staying in character and having his kind interactions with Edward.

Despite Edward's supporting role was felt to be in the wrong episode, his character remained and managed consistency throughout. The Fat Controller's Father Christmas outfit at the end provided laughs.

Some continuity made its way into the show such as Thomas' bubble funnel from Slippy Sodor making a comeback aswell as Salty's tell tales even though fake, were agreed to be reminiscent of No Sleep for Cranky.

TheTopHatts gives Salty's Surprise...

5/10

Season Sixteen of Thomas & Friends will return for one more day in Australia on ABC2 during Christmas 2012 with the episode, The Christmas Express.

 

Channel 5 in the UK airs the next episode on their milkshake! slot on Wednesday March 7th 2012 at 7:35am with Sodor Surprise Day. The Christmas Express will also air in Britain in Christmas 2012.

For a full list of the scheduling, visit the Dieselworks Turntable Roundhouse on the right hand sidebar for more details.
 

WATCH 'SALTY'S SURPRISE' 
YOUTUBE
DEMAND 5
 

Thanks to Thomas & Friends Wikia for information and images.

What did you think of this episode? Send your reaction in the comments section just under this post for your verdict.

Exclusive: Channel 5 for December 'Christmas Express'

The eighteenth story in the twenty part Series Sixteen will not be broadcast on Channel 5 milkshake! in the UK until Christmas time.

The milkshake! team have now confirmed to Roll Along Thomas that The Christmas Express is indeed not to be shown for another nine months.

It comes just after ABC's announcement last weekend, who revealed the same treatment to their Australian Thomas viewers about the episode's delay.

milkshake! had this to say over the matter; Do not be concerned at all, we are just saving the Thomas Christmas episode until Christmas. We hope you will thoroughly enjoy watching it then.

For the fourth and last week of the new series, Welcome Stafford will instead be followed by Don't Bother Victor! a day later on Wednesday March 14th 2012.

Season Sixteen of Thomas & Friends concludes its run in Australia on ABC2 on Tuesday March 6th 2012 at 2:55pm until Winter, with the episode, Happy Birthday, Sir!.

Channel 5 in the UK airs the next episode on their milkshake! slot on the same day at 7:35am with Salty's Surprise. The Christmas Express will air during Christmas 2012.

For a full list of the scheduling, visit the Dieselworks Turntable Roundhouse on the right hand sidebar for more details.

Feature: Recap on Episode Eleven of Season Sixteen

The Sixteenth Series of Thomas & Friends returned for a third week run in Britain on Channel 5 milkshake!.

Coming from the same man who brought people the largely underwhelming Percy's New Friends, Thomas and the Sounds of Sodor was written by Gerard Foster. 

The piece had Thomas taking The Great Composer to places around Sodor that would have sounds for the Composer to hear, leading to him creating a tune out of it to show at Town Hall.

The two with The Fat Controller, Percy, Emily, Gordon, Mavis and James all took turns to speak out.

Annie and Clarabel remained silent throughout whilst Toby, Edward, The Troublesome Trucks and many recognisable Sodor residents near the end, cameod.

The episode pulled in negative reviews, mainly criticised for the series' focus back to the quality seen in Season Fifteen, rather than the improvements shown recently from the likes of Percy and the Calliope and others.

A major rule about realism on the railways was abolished when a scene of Gordon and the express arriving at the Whispering Woods was lamented by fans after the big engine gave the reason why he appeared there to Thomas.

What are you doing here Gordon? You should be on the main line. Gordon replied; I thought I'd take the pretty track.

This was also felt to be very unlike of the pompous character to do and the inclusion of stock footage from Toby and the Whistling Woods' riverbank annoyed many.

Other factors taken aback involved the poor explanation of closing the Quarry despite James being there, Thomas stopping at incorrect parts of the rail lines, his ignorance, the three strike formula and the near missed Quarry crash.

Despite this, few commendation emerged of Mavis being given a sizeable role, Robert Hartshorne's ambitious whistle tune seen at the end which entertained and the character of The Great Composer.

Keith Wickham who voiced the new human character was partically praised for the inventive voice and Russian accent he gave him alongside levels of vocal enthusiasm.

TheTopHatts gives Thomas and the Sounds of Sodor...

2/10

Season Sixteen of Thomas & Friends concludes its run in Australia on ABC2 on Tuesday March 6th 2012 at 2:55pm until Winter, with the episode, Happy Birthday, Sir!.

Channel 5 in the UK airs the next episode on their milkshake! slot on the same day at 7:35am with Salty's Surprise.

For a full list of the scheduling, visit the Dieselworks Turntable Roundhouse on the right hand sidebar for more details. 
 

WATCH 'THOMAS AND THE SOUNDS OF SODOR' 
YOUTUBE
DEMAND 5

Thanks to Thomas & Friends Wikia for information and images.

What did you think of this episode? Send your reaction in the comments section just under this post for your verdict.

Feature: Recap on Episode Ten of Season Sixteen

The culmination of the second week of new Thomas & Friends witnessed the airing of the tenth episode of Season Sixteen on Channel 5 milkshake! in Great Britain.

Luring in more positives to the latest season was Percy and the Calliope. The plot saw Percy and Diesel taking scrap to the Smelters Yard where a Calliope is one of them. Percy attempts to save the Calliope from its demise.

Despite a big cast, only four characters spoke which involved both mentioned engines, the Duchess of Boxford and The Fat Controller.

The rest participated as cameos starting with Scruff, Rocky, Thomas, Henry and Cranky joined afterwards by The Troublesome Trucks, Rosie, Whiff and James. The Duke of Boxford, Victor and Kevin followed later.

The Max Allen controlled episode was rewarded with great numbers of positive reviews. Criticising the negatives first found that while the rhymes were absent, alliteration, repetition and triple strikers remained.

Percy's intelligence of himself dropped at some points such as reversing whilst one of his crew watered his tank. This was felt to be dangerous to a human being and idiotic for Percy to try and power up the Calliope, the wrong way.

Another scene presenting Percy's Calliope breaking away and running down a hill did not bode well with viewers saying that the plot hole had been used many times to an extent.

Those aside, major positives connected with the audience, approving the recycled theme of the episode, with some even linking it back to Season Two's Saved from Scrap from 1986.

Percy and Diesel's formation seemed to have worked where whilst the devious engine laughed and thought Percy was pathetic in his ability to work the steam organ, Percy's confidence and goal boosted the story's likeability.

Fans were left disappointed when despite the build up to the end, the Smelters Yard never returned, even in CGI.

Prior to the episode being aired, many fans admitted to not knowing what a Calliope was, leading to a number venturing forth to Wikipedia to research the word.

This was explained in the show by the Duchess of Boxford, proving to be a worthy educational lesson. A Calliope is an organ that played music at summer fairs years ago. 

Even so, pronounciation also proved a problem with some using the wrong; Cal-li-ope. This would then surprise the latters when the audio dialogue gave the correct saying of Ca-ly-o-pee.

Thomas did not take on a role and instead served as a very brief cameo in the second shot at the start. It proved a breath of fresh air to reactions.

One scene saw The Fat Controller having trouble in moving his car on the road. His accomplices were referred to as his helpers. Although a minor, the scene was approved over the rare human activity from Sir Topham's two.

The biggest surprise of the whole episode came the reappearance of part of the original Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends full title theme under a new arrangement by Robert Hartshorne, played twice by the Calliope.

This won critical acclaim from fans who became overjoyed by the discovery, even treating the older and maturer fanbase aswell for revisiting the golden classic years of the TV Series.

It went far to being referenced in the script twice with The Fat Controller directing to Percy; You have saved an important piece of Sodor's history. Narrator Michael Angelis took it another level; It was the sweetest on Sodor.

Because of the theme's inclusion, original series composers Mike O' Donnell and Junior Campbell were credited in the episode's end credits. Current musician Hartshorne was praised for his work in the celebrated tale.

TheTopHatts gives Percy and the Calliope...

8/10

Season Sixteen of Thomas & Friends continues its run in Australia on ABC2 on Saturday March 3rd 2012 at 2:55pm with the episode, Welcome Stafford.

Channel 5 in the UK airs the next episode on their milkshake! slot on Monday March 5th 2012 at 7:35am with Thomas and the Sounds of Sodor.

For a full list of the scheduling, visit the Dieselworks Turntable Roundhouse on the right hand sidebar for more details. 
 

WATCH 'PERCY AND THE CALLIOPE'
YOUTUBE
DEMAND 5
 

Thanks to Thomas & Friends Wikia for information and images.

What did you think of this episode? Send your reaction in the comments section just under this post for your verdict.

Exclusive: 'The Christmas Express' delayed by ABC

Australia's ABC2 channel will not show the new Season Sixteen episode, The Christmas Express until the Winter of 2012.

The eighteenth story from this year's Thomas & Friends series had been planned to transmit on Sunday March 4th but was ultimately pulled from it's position in the ABC schedules shortly after announcing.

It was then revealed that the third episode called Express Coming Through would take its place on the date of transmission in the form of a repeat.

ABC's Audience Liaison Officer, Leonie Cambage had this to say; You are quite correct that Episode 3 of Series 16 of Thomas and Friends, Express Coming Through, is scheduled to be repeated on Sunday 4 March, on ABC2.

ABC Children's Television staff have advised that, in general, children's programs with Christmas themes are reserved for screening during the Christmas period.

Consequently, a programming decision was made to suspend screening of Episode 18, The Christmas Express, until the end of this year.

Season Sixteen of Thomas & Friends continues its run in Australia on ABC2 on Saturday March 3rd 2012 at 2:55pm with the episode, Welcome Stafford.

Channel 5 in the UK airs the next episode on their milkshake! slot on Monday March 5th 2012 at 7:35am with Thomas and the Sounds of Sodor.

For a full list of the scheduling, visit the Dieselworks Turntable Roundhouse on the right hand sidebar for more details. 

VIEW THE ABC SCHEDULE

Thanks to NWR1991.

Preview clippings await for the 'Blue Mountain Mystery'

The Official minisite for the Blue Mountain Mystery special will soon contain clips from the film to be shown online.

Fans found the clips in hidden areas that were due to be unveiled on the site but have since been pulled by Hit Entertainment. They will reveal previews of the 2012 hour-long story at varying points in the build up to it's release.

Without spoiling much of the plot, the first set present brief glimpses of the new characters starting with Luke, as voiced by Michael Legge, who talks about a potential friendship with a notable engine.

Winston's version sees him travelling through the countryside bend. Winston who is voiced by Matt Wilkinson however is not the sort of car that perception may have decieved.

The third snippet involves Merrick the Quarry Crane, again with the vocal cords of Wilkinson. Greeting Ben Small's Rheneas and Steven Kynman's Peter Sam, different types of slate trucks are seen.

Following the above is Owen the Incline Traction Engine helping Rusty and Paxton with their loads. The aforementioned Diesel Engine's voice provided by Kynman can be heard for the first time.

Moving on is the Official Trailer to the British and American versions of the Blue Mountain Mystery.

It unwraps exciting glimpses of the Narrow Gauge Engines working in the Blue Mountain Quarry, the appearance of Luke and the helpings of Merrick and Owen.

A set of action scenes are compiled as are the hearings of Keith Wickham, Ben Small, Matt Wilkinson and Michael Legge voicing Skarloey, Rheneas, Rusty and Luke respectively. Wickham narrates the trail.

Taking up roles and cameos are Sodor's Thomas, Rocky, Paxton, Henry, Emily, Cranky, James, Percy and expectingly, the rest of The Steam Team. Paxton the Young Diesel is even seen on the Blue Moutain Quarry.

Also starring are the locations of Sodor's Bluff's Cove Junction, Tidmouth Sheds, the line to the Vicarstown Dieselworks, the Coal Hopper and Brendam Docks.

Lastly is a brand new song devoted to the adventure called Blue Mountain Quarry and is performed by Sam Blewitt in his fifth Thomas tune. The track calls for a techno pop type of instrumental.

The music video slows down the visual pace to make way for Nitrogen Studios' breathtaking animation also complying with vast angles and camera pans.

Blue Mountain Mystery premieres in UK and US theatres and on DVD/Blu Ray from September 2012.

VISIT THE 'BLUE MOUNTAIN MYSTERY' MINISITE

UK

US

CANADA

Take-n-Play to create 'Blue Mountain Mystery' products

Fisher Price's Thomas & Friends Take-n-Play toy line is to make a reprieve from a break of product making.

The company will be set to produce a new series of characters and sets in coincident with the 2012 Blue Mountain Mystery film, due to premiere in Britain and America from September.

The news was divulged by online and dedicated retailer, Peep Peep Thomas, who mention the update in most of their product pages descriptions for this year's releases.

There will be more Take-N-Play characters released this year for the forthcoming Thomas 2012 Film - Blue Mountain Mystery (possibly Luke, Bertram & Winston).

Luke, Winston and Bertram's apparent possible involvements are however not confirmed to be made into the die-cast model types as of yet.

The Thomas Take-n-Play toy series returns worldwide, linking with the Blue Mountain Mystery later this year.

VIEW THE CONFIRMATION

Thanks to Bass Tbone for the alert.