S14 confirmed for 'Merry Winter Wish'

My prediction was right! Merry Winter Wish, the upcoming US DVD will feature four Season Fourteen episodes, exclusively.

Andrea Blain Public Relations, Inc. published a press release on the DVD which revealed more on the DVD description and on the episodes featured. Also confirmed is the return of Driver Perkins for more scenes in between the episodes, while Bash, Dash and Ferdinand will recieve their own episode. 

One of the rare occasions when the core 8 characters of the Steam Team pass off an episode or two, giving other characters such as Rosie, Freddie, Madge and Hiro, the limelight.

Episodes and Descriptions on them include:

- Thomas' Merry Winter Wish - Thomas has a special delivery for the season - the Star of Knapford, a festive light that makes wishes come true!

- Thomas and the Snowman Party - The children are excited for the Snowman Party in the Town Square but it’s up to Thomas to find the snowman a special hat before the party can begin.

- Merry Misty Island - Bash, Dash and Ferdinand prepare for the first ever Misty Island Christmas party.

- Henry's Magic Box - Henry helps Sir Topham Hatt prepare a secret holiday surprise for all of Sodor.

Let's just hope that there is less of Thomas, hopefully in the third episode!

Merry Winter Wish hits US DVD shelves on October 12th 2010. 

S13 premiering on OPB TV

Oregon Public Broadcasting will begin airing Season Thirteen episodes every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from September.

Each slot runs at 28 minutes, possibly bringing the return of the 30 minute shows, although it is not known if new interactive interstitals will be featured. Starting off the season is Creaky Cranky under the theme of Friends and Family, although each description on the slot reveals one episode, I think there will be two each slot.

Season Thirteen premiere's on OPB TV starting from September 7th 2010 at 2:30pm, with episodes airing on Tuesday's, Thursday's and Sunday's.

Check you're area on OPB TV here.

MIR on Blu-Ray for Aussies

Fans Down Under will be able to get their hands on Misty Island Rescue, on Blu-Ray/DVD.

Not much info has been revealed, although it is likely to be the same packaging and design as the US bundle pack has. Also, MIR will also be released as a double pack with the previous special, Hero of the Rails on DVD.

Misty Island Rescue hits Australian Blu-Ray/DVD shelves on September 30th 2010 along with the Hero of the Rails double pack.

TheTopHatts attending MIR Leicester Square premiere!!!

I am officially going to the Leicester Square premiere of Misty Island Rescue in London on Saturday October 2nd 2010 at 10:30!!!!

I am ecstatic at the chance of going there, it is just a 1 hour 30 minute drive from my house, which is why my Dad has agreed to come with me!!! I'm not telling you how I got the 2 tickets, I will say that they are 100% official, but I will tell my close friends on YouTube who I trust, like Chris Thomson.

I will be posting a video of it on YouTube, BUT NOT OF THE PREMIERE. Why you may ask, because Vue noted that bag searches are carried, so I can only record on my camera only when I enter the cinema and when I'm done.

...and that's about it, I'M GOING TO THE PREMIERE!!!!!

'Hero of the Rails' game update

GAME have published the finalised cover art for the Hero of the Rails video game on the Nintendo Wii/DS, due for release in the UK.

GAME have also published the description of the game for both platforms while the game has been developed by Barnstorm Games.

Play the games which include detailed 3D versions of your favourite characters including Thomas, Percy and Hiro! Race the engines, toot your whistle and complete activities such as painting Thomas, and sorting parts. Take part in 8 activities and journeys to find parts needed to fix Hiro so he can retun home.

Hero of the Rails will be released on both Nintendo Wii/DS on August 20th 2010 in the UK.

Exclusive: Pics from the Recording Studio

These images here were taken during the voice recording of Hero of the Rails.

Here's Ben Small who voices Thomas, assisted by the Voice Directors:

MORE EXCLUSIVES TO COME!!!

CREDIT THETOPHATTS IF USED!

Previews from US Season Thirteen episodes shown

Although I am from the UK, I was a bit gutted to hear that the US weren't getting the thirteenth series of Thomas until the Autumn, which I felt was wrong as we brits got to see it late January to mid February.

However, toy makers Fisher Price have since created and now updated a Thomas & Friends website, mainly for the US people out there.

The good news for you Americans and Canadians is that preview clips from 16 of the Season Thirteen episodes are available in the Videos section which mainly features the first two minutes from each of the ten featured.

These previews are also in Widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio, rather than the small 4:3 resolution screen size that the Americans always get for the DVD Releases (apart from Hero of the Rails) and TV Broadcasts .

The episode previews featured on the website include the following:

Splish, Splash, Splosh!

The Lion of Sodor

Tickled Pink

Thomas and the Pigs

Percy's Parcel

Snow Tracks

Slippy Sodor

Time for a Story

Play Time

The Early Bird

Steamy Sodor

The Biggest Present of All

A Blooming Mess

Henry's Good Deeds

Toby's New Whistle

Hiro Helps Out

All can be found on the link below:

Preview Clips from the US Version of Season Thirteen

6 disc set for the US

Amazon.com have confirmed that a 6 disc set is coming out in the US for October.

Best Tales on the Tracks has been confirmed as to what DVD's are featured. The set contains the DVD's, Thomas Gets Tricked, Trust Thomas & Other Stories, Sing-Along & Other Stories, It's Great to be an Engine! Thomas' Halloween Adventures and Ultimate Christmas.

The DVD's come in a specially designed box that features a silver background, and engines 1-5. A tagline on the top of the box reads Classic Story Time Collection while the bottom reads Inludes 6 Discs and 50 Stories.

Best Tales from the Tracks hits US DVD shelves on October 19th 2010.

View pictures of the boxset here!

Five pics promoting the CGI series

You might have seen these 5 pics before on the Thomas & Friends website, but these feature no logo and colour alterations. These were found on a Japanese website blog.

Facts and Trivia of the S1-11 boxset

I recieved my boxset of the complete Seasons 1-11 on Friday 23rd July 2010, here are some facts and trivia that reveals mistakes, changes and new additions to the boxset.

1. All 11 DVD's start with the Hit Entertainment ident, then the 65th Anniversary trailer is played out, followed by a title card with a blue background, the Thomas & Friends logo from 2001-2008, below is the Flange BQ font reading THE COMPLETE SERIES (then number), finally reaching the menu that is the same as the S8-10 DVD's with clips played out in the middle for the series described. The episode selection pages remain the same apart from the appropriate series clips played for each episode.
2. On the Series One and Three discs, when you reach the main menu, the clips played out for both series are restored, expect the episodes when viewed aren't.
3. On the Series Two disc, on the main menu, while clips are played, two from the episode Cows are slightly pixilated, although this does not happen when you view the episode.
4. On the Series Four disc, the main menu dosen't play clips from random episodes of the Fourth Series, instead it plays clips from only one episode, Henry and the Elephant.
5. The episodes for the early series (S1-3) are not restored. They are the same prints from the originally released Classic Collection DVD's a few years ago, meaning that the Thomas & Friends logo appears from the Seventh Series DVD and onwards.
6. For the Classic Series (S1-7), the main menu and all the episode selection pages have the original Thomas the Tank Engine title theme from 1984-2003.
7. For the New Series (S8-11), the main menu has the title theme from 2004-2006, but starts with the very whistle that features on almost all of Hit's Thomas DVD's, which started with The Great Discovery.
8. On all of the main menu's, two scenes from Season Eight's Thomas Saves the Day are used. Thomas' whsitle peeping at the beginning then a close-up of Thomas in the countryside with Annie and Clarabel, then the series clips are played.
9. Episodes that were renamed for the original Season Six release a few years back have now been corrected to their original titles. Buffer Bother previously was Bill and Ben's Excellent Adventure, It's Only Snow was Trouble for Thomas and Jack Jumps In had Jack Goes to Work.
10. The DVD cases are half the length of an ordinary DVD case.
11. The duration for all the 11 discs is 2215 minutes approximately.
12. Subtitles are included on all 11 discs.
13. The covers on each of the series go as follows, 

• Series One - Season Eight promo image of Thomas near a station.
• Series Two - Season Nine image of Edward and Thomas at the Docks from Saving Edward. Thomas eyes are altered to look forward, rather than looking at Edward.
• Series Three - Season Eight promo image of Thomas and Henry.
• Series Four - The Great Discovery image of Thomas and Gordon at Bluff's Cove Junction. Thomas face is altered to his happy face, rather than his upset face.
• Series Five - Season Eight promo image of James and Thomas. Thomas' eyes are altered to look forward, rather than looking at James.
• Series Six - Season Seven promo image of Percy and Thomas.
• Series Seven - Season Eight promo image of Thomas and Toby. Thomas' eyes are looking forward, rather than looking at Toby.
• Series Eight - Season Eight promo image of Emily and Thomas under a small bridge, while Bertie is on the bridge, his face cannot be seen.
• Series Nine - Rarely seen Season Eleven promo image of Percy, Thomas and James in an autumn countryside. Their faces have been brightened slightly.
• Series Ten - Season Eleven image of Rosie and Thomas at the coal yards from Hector the Horrid. Thomas' face is altered with his happy face while his eyes are looking at you, rather than his upset face.
• Series Eleven - Season Seven promo image of Thomas and Spencer.

Hit Favourite's goes back to School

The Hit Favourites DVD franchise are making a comeback with a new compilation release called Back to School.

This DVD is similar to the US School Days release as it will once again feature Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder, Barney, Pingu and Fireman Sam. It will run at 1 hour and 30 minutes duration. It is currently not known if the episodes will be the same as the US release  has,although it is possible that Chickens to School will be the Thomas & Friends episode featured, I could be wrong!

The description reads, Score an A+ when you give your child this collection of back-to-school favourites. Join Barney, Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Thomas & Friends and Pingu as they celebrate the fun of learning, meeting new friends, and play hide-and-seek in this School Day extravaganza. See how fun and learning go hand in hand in these tales of discovery and adventure!

Back to School hits UK DVD shelves on August 30th 2010.

Merry Winter Wish - More details

WalMart have released details on the Merry Winter Wish DVD that is possibly going to feature Season Fourteen episodes

Although at 50 minutes (10 minutes shorter than the 60 minute specials), the DVD is specially produced for the winter season but might have new Season Fourteen episodes as the description sounds as if 3 of the stories are featured.

Thomas has a special delivery for the season - the Star of Knapford, a festive light that makes wishes come true! Celebrate the holiday season with Thomas - from building snowmen, preparing holiday surprises, and celebrating a Misty Island Christmas party. The more friends the merrier, so join the fun and see that winter wishes do come true with Thomas & Friends

Extras include a Sir Topham Hatt's Frosty Friend game, English, French and Spanish dubbed audio and is presented in full 4:3 frame.

I think it's from the new series...

Merry Winter Wish hits US DVD shelves on October 12th 2010.

MIR UK DVD content revealed

The bbfc have posted the content that will be available on the UK Misty Island Rescue DVD.

The special runs at 57 minutes duration, lets just hope that us brits might get that very ending if it's not cut! We will also be getting 4 extras added; a third Down at the Station feature focuses on Water, The Search for Thomas game, and the two new songs, Misty Island Rescue and The Fat Controller, which seems to be renamed for UK references, giving a great possibility that the song is brand new.

Here are the durations on each of the content, apart from the game (labelled N/A):

- Misty Island Rescue - 00:57:58:01
- The Search for Thomas-Game - N/A

- Down at the Station-Water - 00:03:32:00 

- Misty Island Rescue-Music Video - 00:02:06:24

- The Fat Controller-Music Video - 00:02:08:00

Misty Island Rescue hits UK DVD shelves on October 11th 2010.

New US DVD - Merry Winter Wish

Lionsgate are to release a new Thomas DVD called Merry Winter Wish, which has proved suspicious.

As of now, no information on the DVD is available other than it runs at 50 minutes duration. Fans have guessed that it is either a new Season Fourteen release, a compilation, or even a new special. I think that it is a mini Christmas special as the artwork on the cover looks specially produced, and that it is not 60 minutes, although I am irked that it might be a compilation of episodes.

I really hope it's a new mini-special, even the return of a character who is ready to cause havoc as revealed as the ending for Misty Island Rescue.

Merry Winter Wish hits US DVD shelves on October 12th 2010.

Pre-order your copy here.

S1-11 boxset - Early series disappointment

I am very sorry to say to every Thomas fan here in the UK that my prediction was wrong.  

Season 1-3 on the 1-11 boxset are NOT restored.

I recieved my boxset in the post on Friday 23rd July 2010 which thankfully did come with the first 3 Railway Series books. I hadn't watched most Season 10 & 11 episodes for years and now I get to see them again in glorious clear DVD quality and in Widescreen!

I am fatefully disappointed that the restored prints of the early series (S1-3) are not featured, nevertheless, I have the first Eleven Series in my house with 288 episodes to enjoy!!!

Hero of the Rails Wii/DS confirmed for UK

Play.com have officially announced the thought to be cancelled Wii game of Hero of the Rails for release in the UK.

There have been rumours in the US that the game was either incomplete, cancelled, or moved to another future date, but it seems that us brits will be getting it! A DS version has also been announced, while the covers for both platforms seem to not be the finalised images.

As you can see on the Wii version, Hiro and Victor's faces are partially covered by the Wii banner while the DS image only is half featured.

Hero of the Rails will be released on both Nintendo Wii/DS on August 20th 2010 in the UK.

MIR US high- res Blu-Ray/DVD covers

Lionsgate Publicity have published both the Blu-Ray and DVD covers of Misty Island Rescue in high-resolution.

The DVD will cost at an SRP of $19.98 while the Blu-Ray combo pack costs at $24.98

Misty Island Rescue hits US DVD/Blu-Ray shelves on September 7th 2010.

Thomas nominated at Licensing awards

Thomas & Friends have been finalised for 4 nominations at this year's Licensing Awards show.

Thomas is up against some stiff competition, from the likes of Wallace & Gromit, The Simpsons, Postman Pat and the Mr. Men, Thomas is also up for the big award, the Best Pre-School Licensed Property, which Thomas has won for 10 years in a row. Let's just hope that the little Tank Engine can pull this through for an 11th year!

The nominations featuring Thomas are as follows:
Best Licensed Written, Listening or Learning Range

- Ben 10 book range from Egmont
- Waybuloo book range from Egmont
- Hello Kitty book range from HarperCollins Children’s Books
- Thomas the Tank Engine manual from Haynes
- Peppa Pig electronic learning range from Inspiration Works
- In The Night Garden range from Vtech

The Innovation Award

- Thomas the Tank Engine musical handwash from Baylis and Harding
- The Gruffalo Trunki from Magmatic
- The Simpsons – Homer Simpson Voice for TomTom Satellite Navigation Systems
- Star Wars Science Darth Vader Robotic Arm from Brainstorm
- Spectacular Spider-Man designer wallpaper mural for kids from Walltastic
- Wallace & Gromit Fetchomatic from Wow Stuff

Best Licensed Marketing Communications Award

- Postman Pat Specsavers 2 for 1 campaign from Classic Media
- Terminator Salvation from Hunger, Pizza Hut Delivery promotion from Sony
- Thomas & Friends National Autistic Society Train Walks initiative from HIT Entertainment
- Wallace & Gromit npower energy efficiency campaign from Aardman Rights
- Wallace & Gromit Turbo-charged Kingsmill campaign from Aardman Rights

Best Pre-School Licensed Property

- The Gruffalo
- In The Night Garden
- Mr Men & Little Miss
- Peppa Pig

- Thomas & Friends
- Waybuloo

The winners will be revealed at this year's Licensing Awards Ball on September 9th 2010.

The Big Issue on Thomas

The Big Issue have published an article on Thomas' 65th year.

The article details on the launch of the Railway Series, the success of the books and the TV series, interviews with people who associate and worked on Thomas and much more. It also tells how many people were sceptic of the CGI change to the TV series, which thankfully payed off.

The article can be viewed here.

Thomas featured in new US Holiday DVD

Thomas & Friends are featured in a new Hit Entertainment compilation DVD from Lionsgate. 

Jolly Holiday features an episode of Thomas from the tenth season is included along with episodes from Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Barney and a bonus from Angelina Ballerina.

DVD Description:

Tis the season for holiday cheer! Ride through a winter wonderland with Thomas on a special Christmas tree delivery. Join Bob the Builder and his Can-Do Crew as they build a sleigh of their own to make it to the school Christmas Carol Concert in time. See Fireman Sam and his friends get into Page 2 of 2 the holiday spirit with the most exciting Christmas lights display. Finally, enjoy the snow fall with Barney as he teaches Baby Bop that winter is a wonderful time for fun even when it's cold outside.

Episodes include:

- Thomas & Friends - Thomas' Tricky Tree

- Bob the Builder - Bob's White Christmas

- Fireman Sam - Santa Overboard

- Barney - Winter

Bonus Episode:

- Angelina Ballerina - Spring Fling

Jolly Holiday hits US DVD shelves on October 12th 2010 and will also be available on Digital Download and On Demand.

Christmas DVD for UK

A new christmas themed DVD will be released in the UK just before December.

Christmas Express will run at 50 minutes duration and will likely have selected episodes set in the winter season, although it is not known if it will include episodes from both the Classic series, the New series and even the CGI series.

A cover and description of the DVD has yet to be made.

Christmas Express will hit UK DVD shelves on November 29th 2010.

MIR Aus Nz premieres and competition

Misty Island Rescue will have it's premiere's in Australia and New Zealand.

Toys R Us are offering tickets for the premiere's in Sydney and Melbourne by entering their competition to win. 1 of 30 exclusive La Premiere VIP invitations as Family Passes for the premiere in Melbourne on August 21st and/or Sydney on August 22nd include seating for 2 adults and 2 children, popcorn and drinks, an entry to a pre-screening party with The Fat Controller and a goodie bag for each child.

The Family pass will not include flights, travel, or accommodation. The promotion closes on July 31st 2010 at 11:59pm AEST time. 

Aussie fans can see Misty Island Rescue at Hoyts, AMC and Grand Cinemas from August 28th with tickets pricing at $6 while the DVD is now confirmed to be released on October 7th 2010.

To enter the competition, click here.

Klausner hints more on 2011 movie

Writer Josh Klausner has reponded to questions on his Twitter, concerning the upcoming 2011 Thomas movie.

When asked by Twitter user ClockWorkMedia (UnknownThomasFan1 on YouTube) if it's true he is writing a Thomas tank film that is set in World War 2?, Klausner replied, there's more to it than that, but at the moment the story does have to do with that time period...

He also asked Klausner if a character named Diesel 10 is involved in the film?, to which Klausner responded by saying, Not at this time... though there are Diesels... 

The rumours continue.....

Season Eleven DVD cover

Play.com have published the DVD cover for the release of the Complete Eleventh Series here in the UK.

Thomas is featured with Spencer on the cover, an image that dates back to the Seventh Series. The 2007 series along with the previous 10 are all being included in a box-set, which Asda have made exclusive for a July 19th release, and I have ordered it days ago!!!

The Complete Eleventh Series hits UK DVD shelves on July 26th 2010.

Larger Misty Island Rescue US poster

I found a larger and alternate version of the Misty Island Rescue poster. 

It is based on the DVD covers although there is less text and Angelina Ballerina is seen on the bottom left advertising showtimes. It is meant to be promoting the US theatres release.

Happy Birthday TheTopHatts!!!

Yes guys it is my birthday today and I am 17 years old!!!

I'm gettin' old! I will be pleased with the birthday messages and most of all, Thomas fans everywhere tuning in and watching my YouTube videos which I work hard on!

I would like to say thank you all for the support and thank you to all who are friends with me and who love my blog.

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!

2011 movie set in WW2!?

The Bitter Script Reader blog recently interviewed Shrek writer Josh Klausner, who revealed a small but startling description to the upcoming Thomas 2011 movie.

Klausner was told if he wanted to write another horror film, leading him to briefly talk about Thomas with this only line; I just finished a live action version of Thomas the Tank Engine set in England during World War 2. Now this is beyond description!

I'm sure that most of us agree that this is a turn of events in the upcoming new stories of Thomas. Things are taking a sinister turn, as it started a few weeks ago when an unexpected ending from the newest special Misty Island Rescue, teased US fans in screenings, with a familar character coming back to the fold of Thomas & Friends. For more information, check my post a few pages down, or click here.

I had the sudden thought that in a way, this revelation could be in the direction that the lost Director's Cut version of Thomas and the Magic Railroad took. Maybe it is Thomas' early days on Sodor or another island, the script might change, we will just have to wait and see, in late 2011....

The Best of Thomas' Tunes - The Commentary

A commentary version of my recent poll video is now available on YouTube.

I talk through the video about behind-the-scenes information, secrets, my reactions towards the votes and reviews on some of the songs. There is also talk on why I decided to use the James Bond gunbarrel.

Thomas & Friends - The Best of Thomas' Tunes - Audio Commentary with TheTopHatts is now available to view on YouTube here.

S1-11 Boxset - Pics and ready for pre-order!

Asda Entertainment have published images and pre-order information on the Season 1-11 boxset.

It was originally slated to be released in November but Asda have made it exclusive for a July 19th release. All covers have been revamped, so my prediction was right! The box has a cartoon image of Thomas while the covers include Thomas with an engine beside him referring to the series number.

Since it is my birthday on Monday, I have already ordered it!

The Season 1-11 boxset is released as an Asda exclusive on July 19th 2010.

Thomas Halloween double DVD for US

Thomas' Halloween Adventures and Percy's Ghostly Trick are both being re-released in the US as a double feature boxset.

Both DVD's altogether run for approximately 97 minutes and will be released before the Halloween season. Hit have made one error, as pointed out by TheKipperRunsAgain (Chris from Sif), the episode Percy's Ghostly Trick (Ghost Train) is on both DVD's! What a waste!

Thomas' Halloween Adventures/Percy's Ghostly Trick - Double Feature hits US DVD shelves on September 21st 2010.

BBC News interviews the Awdry's

Christopher and Hilary Awdry were both interviewed on BBC News on Friday 11th June 2010 to talk about Thomas' 65th anniversary.

BBC presenters Charlie Stayt and Susanna Reid spoke to the Awdry's including details of Thomas' birth and even original hand drawn artwork from the late Rev. W. Awdry was shown.

The Awdry's even spoke about how they feel about the phenomenom and the Television series, as a clip from the Thirteenth Season episode The Lion of Sodor was shown.

The interview can be seen here.

Exclusive: 3 Engines, 4 Season Eight images

Two of these images with Gordon and James travelling across the bridge can be seen in Dean and Son books while the Henry and Gordon scanned picture was found on a merchandised flag.

SPECIAL THANKS TO SI3DFILMS/TENGINE

MORE EXCLUSIVES TO COME!!!

Misty Island Rescue US page available

The US Thomas & Friends have opened the minisite for the special Misty Island Rescue, quite late!

There are hot links to the character profiles for Bash, Dash, Ferdinand, puzzles of the new characters and the US trailer playing automatically. Below are also links of Misty Island Rescue related products including the DVD and Trackmaster sets.

Misty Island Rescue - US Minisite

Thomas' Tunes - Available on YouTube

The Best of Thomas' Tunes can now be seen on YouTube, find out what position your favourite song came at!

THOMAS & FRIENDS - THE BEST OF THOMAS' TUNES

The commentary on the video will be released in a few days.

An unexpected ending for Misty Island Rescue

On July 3rd 2010, my good friend HoorayforOliver went to the premiere of Misty Island Rescue in the US. He revealed to me and some people that there was a very unexpected ending after the song, which shares it's name with the title of the special.

As posted on SI3D Forums, his post reads,

(FOR FANS WHO DON'T WANT TO KNOW, LOOK AWAY NOW!!!)

Peering from atop a hill, over the happy engines at the Search and Rescue Center, is none other, than Diesel 10, promising disaster for the engines to come very soon, while clamping pinchy, with an evil look on his face, and a very evil laugh.

Now I didn't want to to read the full synopsis, but I wanted to know about the additional ending, and when I read it, I gasped and blurted out the inevitible line, Oh my ******* god!!!

That WAS unexpected! Meaning the possibility that the next feature-length special or perhaps the 2011 movie will have the return of the evil Diesel 10! If that happens, here comes Thomas and the Magic Railroad 2!!!

Thomas' Tunes - PLEASE STOP VOTING!!!

I would like to say to the people who have not voted or are still voting, PLEASE STOP!

I am currently making the video and I am half way there to completition, the votes are in so please don't vote and your votes won't count from this point on.

The Best of Thomas' Tunes premieres Tuesday 6th July 2010 on YouTube.

Best of songs - Title, secrets and date revealed!

The new best of songs video is coming to YouTube in less than a week which has now been officially named, Thomas & Friends - The Best of Thomas' Tunes.

The video, as most of you will know on my YouTube, features a Top 20 countdown poll of the best Thomas songs from the series and from some of the specials.

Title card

Things to look out for:

- The title sequence - A homage to a well known series (It is not always TV)

- The changed background colour for intermissions

- Most of the music videos featured have no lyrics

- The No.1 spot

- A new commentary featuring me on more secrets and behind-the-scenes info.

I would like to say to all of you who took part, thank you for voting.

Thomas & Friends - The Best of Thomas' Tunes premiere's Tuesday 6th July 2010 on YouTube.

Thomas trading cards released in US

The Upper Deck Company, in conjunction with HIT Entertainment have just released the a new set of trading cards of Thomas & Friends called, Thomas & Friends' Sodor Adventures Collectipak. 

The 18-card set includes cool stickers, tattoos and pop-up cards of the characters including Thomas, Percy, James, Emily and more. Upper Deck's Thomas & Friends brand manager, Josh Zusman said, Upper Deck is thrilled to be releasing this set of cards featuring Thomas & Friends. It’s our pleasure to join in on all the fun that this No. 1 preschool property brings to the table for youngsters around the globe.

Targeted to kids between the ages of three and six, the premiere installment of Thomas & Friends Collectipak is an easy-to-learn activity based on the travels of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends on the Island of Sodor. In future releases of Thomas & Friends trading cards, Upper Deck will launch additional products including stand-up trading cards and sticker trading cards based on the property which is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year. 

Vice President of US consumer prodcutions for Hit, Gabriela Arenas said, The distinctive engine characters of Thomas & Friends lend themselves perfectly to trading cards, and Upper Deck is the perfect partner to launch this new line. This is a fun way for kids to collect their favorite engine friends, and we look forward to working with Upper Deck to expand the Thomas & Friends world in this category.

Thomas & Friends' Sodor Adventures Collectipak is available in all good retailers in the US while a second Thomas trading card release will hit the market in November 2010.