nickjr. to show 'King of the Railway' on UK television

2013 special King of the Railway is set to be broadcast on nickjr. in the United Kingdom.

The movie preceding Tale of the Brave will appear on the digital channel this week for the end of May.

It introduced The Earl with Millie, Stephen and Mainland engines Connor and Caitlin to the series.

New Years Day saw King's terrestrial premiere first seen on Channel 5's milkshake! block.

King of the Railway: The Movie airs on nickjr. in the UK on May 31st at 10am.

Thanks to Hawk01 for the alert.

Exclusive: UK Series 18 air in 2014 and 'Tracks' in 2015

The 18th Season is on course to be broadcast on British television later this year.

Hit Entertainment's tenth series of the show at the helm, heading for the US in the autumn, is set to be on Channel 5 milkshake! sometime in 2014.

The plans were confirmed by the makers to Roll Along Thomas, as was a DVD release for the British version of Trouble on the Tracks.

In the UK, Series 18 will broadcast on Channel 5’s milkshake later on this year with Trouble on the Tracks being released on DVD in 2015.

Mark Moraghan and Teresa Gallagher both tweeted recently about their recording sessions for the run of new episodes.

Thomas & Friends' 18th season marks its network premiere on Channel 5 milkshake! in the UK later this year, with Trouble on the Tracks coming soon to DVD in 2015.

Exclusive: Season 18 to air on US television in autumn

Thomas & Friends' 18th Series is set to air on PBS Kids in the US at autumn time.

The 2014 run and the second to have full CGI from Arc Productions will arrive on the American network in the fourth quarter of the year.  

Hit Entertainment confirmed the plans to Roll Along Thomas, at least reflecting recent DVD Trouble on the Tracks.

Trouble on the Tracks [was released] exclusively at Walmart in the US on April 8th with five never-before-seen episodes. The episodes on this DVD will air on PBS KIDS this autumn in the US.

A spokesperson also revealed why new episodes have been previewed from Walmart.

With the demand for Thomas content at an all-time high, we think this is a great way to give the fans an exclusive first look at new content before it airs on TV.

Thomas & Friends' 18th season marks its network premiere on PBS Kids in the US in the autumn.

Exclusive: Hit talks 'Spills & Thrills' UK television hiatus

The last six episodes of Season 17 are still planned to air on UK television this year.

Spills & Thrills, released in March, premiered the season's yet to air stories only on the DVD.

Involved were Away from the Sea, The Smelly Kipper, No More Mr. Nice Engine, Gone Fishing, Thomas' Shortcut and The Afternoon Tea Express. 

In response to the continuous gap on Channel 5's milkshake! block, Hit Entertainment explained the reason to Roll Along Thomas.

All scheduling decisions are made by the broadcaster, and while we expect the Spills & Thrills episodes to air shortly as part of Season 17, we cannot provide specific dates at this time. 

Last December, the Christmas set No Snow for Thomas, Santa's Little Engine, The Missing Christmas Decorations and Frozen Turntable made their way to the channel.

'King of the Railway' on Channel 5 Easter weekend

Channel 5 is to show King of the Railway: The Movie in the United Kingdom this Easter.

The special marks its second terrestrial broadcast on the channel after its last on New Years Day.

It appears in an hour long slot on the milkshake! show as part of their Easter schedule.

Their summary reads; Sir Robert Norramby comes to the Island of Sodor and asks Thomas and his friends to join French engine Millie and other engines from the Mainland to help rebuild Ulfstead Castle.

They are over the moon about their new job, but when Stephen disappears, they face a race against time to find him.

King of the Railway: The Movie airs on Channel 5 in the UK on Easter Sunday at 7:50am.
 

Thanks to Chris Tomson for the alert.

Final Season 17 episodes confirmed for Australian TV

ABC2 in Australia are to air the final two episodes of Season 17 for this Christmas.

The festive episodes The Missing Christmas Decorations and Santa's Little Engine were held back after the Down Under run ended on November 1st.

The two are to now be broadcast on the same day before Christmas Day. The Missing Christmas Decorations' synopsis reads; No one knows who is taking the Steamies' Christmas decorations from Tidmouth Sheds.

Until Percy discovers Diesel 10 stealing them and chases him back to the Dieselworks, where he also discovers poor forgotten Sidney.

Santa's Little Engine's reads; Thomas is sent to bring a real sleigh for the Fat Controller to ride in when he plays Santa at the Ulfstead Castle Christmas Fair.

When the sleigh slips down the hill with the Fat Controller in it, Thomas has to rescue him!

The final two episodes of Season 17 debut in Australia on ABC2 on Christmas Eve at 3pm and 3:10pm respectively.

Thanks to Thomas Stansfield for the alert.

Season 17 UK festive episodes confirmed for Channel 5

It has been confirmed that Season 17 will return to the UK for a fourth outing on television.

Channel 5 milkshake! is to air the season's festive themed stories during the Christmas season.

No Snow for Thomas, Santa's Little Engine, The Missing Christmas Decorations and Frozen Turntable are all due for broadcast on the week of Christmas Day, with episodes from previous seasons preceding and following.

It now leaves No More Mr Nice Engine, Away from the Sea, Thomas' Shortcut, The Smelly Kipper, Gone Fishing and The Afternoon Tea Express in the wilderness, which are poised for broadcast sometime in early 2014.

Channel 5 milkshake's Thomas & Friends Christmas;

Surprise, Surprise

Monday December 16th at 7:35am.

Percy the Snowman

Tuesday December 17th at 7:35am.

Tree Trouble

Wednesday December 18th at 7:35am.

Henry's Magic Box

Thursday December 19th at 7:35am.

Snow Tracks

Friday December 20th at 7:35am.

No Snow for Thomas

Monday December 23rd at 7:35am.

Santa's Little Engine

Christmas Eve at 7:35am.

The Missing Christmas Decorations

Christmas Day at 6:55am.

Frozen Turntable

Boxing Day at 7:35am.

The Christmas Tree Express

Friday December 27th at 7:35am.

King of the Railway: The Movie

New Years Day at 8:50am.

The lineup will culminate with the terrestrial debut of King of the Railway: The Movie which was revealed earlier today by digiguide, although the listing has since been removed.

Season 17 of Thomas & Friends returns for four days on Channel 5 milkshake! in the UK on December 23rd, with the episode No Snow for Thomas.

'King of the Railway' UK TV debut for New Years Day

King of the Railway: The Movie is to mark its debut on British television in the new year.

The 2013 special is to air on the UK's Channel 5 milkshake! on the first day of 2014 as part of the broadcaster's Christmas lineup.

The special's airing will be preceded by festive episodes from the Animated Series with more to be announced.

milkshake! spoke to Roll Along Thomas in October over the non-consistent airing of the 17th Series and its remainder of episodes.

King of the Railway: The Movie marks its UK TV debut on Channel 5 milkshake! on New Years Day at 8:50am.

Thanks to Daniel Coffey for the alert.

PBS Kids to air 'King of the Railway' movie in November

King of the Railway: The Movie is to debut on US television on PBS Kids in November.

The 2013 special follows the broadcast of Season 17, which was picked up by the network for a new weekday slot back in May.

According to Entertainment Weekly, PBS Kids will air King of the Railway on November 16.

Though the special was played out to British and Australian cinemas, King did not receive an American cinematic run, bar a VIP premiere held at The Grove in Los Angeles.

King of the Railway: The Movie marks its US TV premiere on PBS Kids on November 16th.

Exclusive: Channel 5 milkshake! talks Season 17 hiatus

Channel 5 milkshake! have spoken about their reasoning behind the UK airing of Season 17.

The 2013 series began broadcasting on the channel on June 3rd with ten episodes across two weeks before taking a break on the 17th.

Another five episodes then continued the run from September 30th for one week only after King of the Railway had debuted in Vue cinemas and on DVD.

Speaking to Roll Along Thomas, the milkshake! team revealed why the series didn't enjoy a consistent airing; The new Thomas episodes have not been confirmed in the schedules at milkshake! yet.

You are quite correct there was a hiatus occurrence as we tied the new Thomas episodes in with a [Super Special Thomas] themed week here on milkshake!

Watch this space for more information about new up and coming episodes of Thomas!

The series is scheduled to make a brief return on November 5th with Too Many Fire Engines tie-ing in with Guy Fawkes Night.

Season 17 of Thomas & Friends in the UK returns for one day only on November 5th on Channel 5 milkshake! at 7:35am, with the episode Too Many Fire Engines.

Season 17's 'Too Many Fire Engines' for UK November

Season 17 is to return briefly to British television screens in early November with just one episode.

The 2013 series, which resumed its run with five episodes on September 30th, culminated with Bill or Ben? on October 4th.

According to digiguide, Too Many Fire Engines will reportedly air after the conclusion of a repeat run of Season 13 before a re-run of Season 14.

The summary reads; When inspectors question whether the Fat Controller needs two fire engines, it causes concern for Sodor's fire fighting team, Flynn and Belle.

With another ten episodes remaining for UK broadcast, listings are subject to change.

A break from the series first occurred back in June to make way for King of the Railway's cinema and DVD releases.

Season 17 of Thomas & Friends in the UK returns for one day only on November 5th on Channel 5 milkshake! at 7:35am, with the episode Too Many Fire Engines.

'The Rocket Returns' becomes 'Afternoon Tea Express'

An upcoming story from Season 17 has had its TV series title revealed by ABC Television.

The Rocket Returns was unveiled by amazon.com in May as a tie-in book for an episode from the DVD, Spills & Thrills, coming soon in 2014.

However, it will now be based on The Aftenoon Tea Express. Stephen is to be the main character with The Earl of Sodor and Spencer in co-starring.

The summary reads; Stephen becomes very excited when the Earl gives him the special job of collecting the ingredients for the afternoon teas at the Castle. But Spencer teases him about being too old and slow.

Although being one of the first episodes for 2013 to be revealed, its official title was uncertain at the time.

The season's span of 26 stories will be carried onto the forthcoming 18th Series next year.

Series 17 of Thomas & Friends marks its Australian premiere tomorrow on October 9th on ABC2 at 8am, with the episode Steamie Stafford.

Harvey return in last named 2013 story 'Gone Fishing'

The last unknown episode of the 17th Series has been named online by ABC Television, due for broadcast on October 21st.

Bringing the 2013 season to a full 26 episode stint is Gone Fishing with Harvey to mark his official return to the show, after five years, in a lead role alongside new character Porter.

The summary reads; Bill and Ben see Harvey the Crane Engine at Brendam Docks. They tease him about having a hook and ask "is he going fishing?" Porter helps Harvey see the positive side of being both a crane and an engine.

The network is to also air the newly announced No More Mr. Nice Engine, Away from the Sea, Thomas' Shortcut and The Smelly Kipper which has been adapted for the 2014 Spills & Thrills book.

Too Many Fire Engines, No Snow for Thomas, Frozen Turntable, The Missing Christmas Decorations and Santa's Little Engine were named by PBS in August. The latter four of which are to be in a US DVD Christmas release.

Stephen vehicle The Rocket Returns was revealed in May by amazon.com to be based on an episode from the upcoming DVD release, Spills and Thrills. With its title subject to change, a book tie-in is also scheduled for 2014.

The latest series, currently on repeat, is to return to Channel 5 milkshake! in the United Kingdom later this year with the above mentioned stories lined up for broadcast.

An 18th series has been commissioned by Hit Entertainment for transmission next year while paving the way for the eighth feature-length special, Tale of the Brave.

Series 17 of Thomas & Friends marks its Australian premiere on October 9th on ABC2 at 8am, with the episode Steamie Stafford.

Flying Kipper return for Season 17's 'The Smelly Kipper'

ABC Television have revealed a brand new episode for the 17th Series, due to air in Australia on October 20th.

Following recently announced stories No More Mr. Nice Engine, Away from the Sea and Thomas' Shortcut, James will once again star in a lead role.

The penultimate named story The Smelly Kipper is to challenge the character's cheekiness again after a similar plotline occurred in The Phantom Express.

The Flying Kipper will return for its proper utilisation to the series after being used briefly during the opening of Whiff's Wish and in Calm Down Caitlin.

The summary reads; One evening at Tidmouth Sheds, James is teasing Percy about being scared in the dark, so Henry challenges James to take The Flying Kipper that night for him.

Series 17 of Thomas & Friends marks its Australian premiere on October 9th on ABC2 at 8am, with the episode Steamie Stafford.

Thanks to Thomas Stansfield for the alert.

'Away from the Sea' and 'Thomas' Shortcut' in Series 17

Another two episodes from the 17th Series have been revealed online by ABC Television.

Just a day after it was announced that No More Mr. Nice Engine was to be an episode, sometime after a book 2014 tie-in was due, Salty will receive his own story alongside new character, Porter.

The newbie who was revealed this week by the Thomas & Friends Japanese website blog, is now confirmed make his season debut in Away from the Sea, to be broadcast on Australia's ABC2 on October 18th.

The description reads; When Salty the Dockside Diesel develops engine trouble, he worries he will be sent away from the docks.

And when a new steam engine Porter arrives to help out, Salty becomes convinced that Porter has been sent to replace him.

A day later on October 19th, Thomas' Shortcut brings Thomas and Bertie to the forefront for their latest race since Season Seven's Three Cheers for Thomas.

Thomas and Bertie love racing, but Thomas gets annoyed when Bertie starts winning all the time. When Thomas discovers Bertie's been re-routed and takes a shortcut now, he decides to try to take a shortcut too.

Two more episode titles are to be unveiled in the coming days, bringing the 2013 series to 26 stories.

Series 17 of Thomas & Friends marks its Australian premiere on October 9th on ABC2 at 8am, with the episode Steamie Stafford.

Thanks to SteamTeam for the alert.

Channel 5's milkshake previews 'Bill or Ben?' episode

Channel 5 milkshake! in the United Kingdom have previewed a new episode on their channel.

Sometime after the broadcast of Percy's Lucky Day came a clip from its succeeding episode, Bill or Ben?.

It saw Connor arriving back at Ulfstead Castle Station and becoming embroiled in a case of mistaken identity, confusing Bill for Ben.

The two tank engine twins made their comebacks in the preceding episode and were voiced by Jonathan Broadbent.

Series 17 of Thomas & Friends airs weekdays in the UK on Channel 5 milkshake! at 7:35am.

TAKE A SNEAK PEEK AT 'BILL OR BEN?' ON YOUTUBE

Thanks to SteamTeam for the alert.

Series 17 AU debut and 'No More Mr. Nice Engine' due

Season 17 has been confirmed for its Australian premiere next week by ABC Television.

The latest season is to head Down Under every day of the week in a changed running order, with Steamie Stafford becoming the premiere episode on ABC2 on October 9th.

Following the aforementioned is Gordon Runs Dry, The Lost Puff, Kevin's Cranky Friend, Scruff's Makeover, Too Many Fire Engines, Calm Down Caitlin and Wayward Winston.

The series will break away from the 20 episode format to 26, with No More Mr. Nice Engine finally confirmed as an episode, which is to receive its own tie-in book in 2014.

Coming as the ninth story in Australia, Hiro will serve as the lead character alongside Diesel in a supporting role.

The summary reads; Hiro is one of the strongest engines on Sodor. He is also very polite and gentle. Diesel tells Hiro that the only way to get the trucks to do what you want is to give them a biff and a bash, but Hiro is not convinced.

Series 17 of Thomas & Friends marks its Australian premiere on October 9th on ABC2 at 8am, with the episode Steamie Stafford.

Thanks to Thomas Stansfield for the alert.

'Percy's Lucky Day' episode previewed on UK Channel 5

Channel 5 milkshake! in the United Kingdom have given viewers a glimpse at a Season 17 episode.

A day early from its broadcast, Percy's Lucky Day was previewed on the channel with a minute long teaser almost an hour after The Phantom Express was shown.

It shows Percy mistaking a man's green hankerchief for a signal to leave with the mail run from Wellsworth Station.

The scene makes a reference to Season Two's Wrong Road, recollecting the moment a woman's green hat misleads Gordon to leave with the express.

Bill and Ben are to make their returns in the new installment as evident by one of the twins' whistles being heard briefly at the end.

TAKE A SNEAK PEEK AT 'PERCY'S LUCKY DAY' ON YOUTUBE

Thanks to SteamTeam for the alert.

Return week of Series 17 episodes on Channel 5 named

The next five episodes to form the third week Season 17 in the United Kingdom have been unveiled by digiguide.

The continuation of the latest series is to air on Channel 5 milkshake! after a hiatus of three months and ten episodes.

Earlier this week, the return date was revealed by Freeview with The Lost Puff being the first to air for the end of the month.

The Lost Puff

Thomas accidentally backs into Toby at the water tower and gets his firebox wet, meaning that poor Thomas must wait for his firebox to dry out.

When Paxton overhears Toby saying that Thomas has lost his puff, Paxton the diesel engine misunderstands and heads off across the Island of Sodor to look for it!

Transmits on Channel 5 milkshake! on Monday September 30th at 7:35am.
Also on Channel 5 HD and an hour later at 8:35am on Channel 5 +1.

The Thomas Way

Harold the Helicopter breaks down near Callan Castle, so Duck and Thomas take him to the Sodor Search and Rescue centre for repairs.

Thomas wants to give Harold a tour of the island and show him the sights from an engine's perspective.

But Duck insists that there are only two ways to do things: the Great Western Way and the wrong way. Will they learn to work together?

Transmits on Channel 5 milkshake! on Tuesday October 1st at 7:35am.
Also on Channel 5 HD and an hour later at 8:35am on Channel 5 +1.

The Phantom Express

At Ulfstead Castle, as Stephen reassures Percy that there is no such thing as ghosts, James tries to scare them! Percy and Stephen are so shocked that they end up falling into the moat.

But James does not know where they are and when he hears them whistling, he ends up believing his own story and scaring himself!
Transmits on Channel 5 milkshake! on Wednesday October 2nd at 7:35am.
Also on Channel 5 HD and an hour later at 8:35am on Channel 5 +1.

Percy's Lucky Day

A couple of mishaps involving a torn sack of mail and some cargo on the line make Percy feel that he is unlucky. So Stephen lends Percy a lucky charm to get him back on the right track and it seems to work.

But Percy later realises that he does not have the charm with him and that he does not need it. In fact he is so confident without it he can help pull Bill and Ben back onto the rails without it.
Transmits on Channel 5 milkshake! on Thursday October 3rd at 7:35am.
Also on Channel 5 HD and an hour later at 8:35am on Channel 5 +1.

Bill or Ben?

New engine Connor arrives on Sodor, but when Bill and Ben see him for the first time they decide to play a trick on him by challenging him to a race - but it is really Bill at one end of the track and Ben at the other!

When Connor tries to race them again he nearly has an accident. The Fat Controller is cross and sends Bill to be repainted so that he and Ben do not look the same.

But the cheeky engines still have one last trick up their funnels!
Transmits on Channel 5 milkshake! on Friday October 4th at 7:35am.
Also on Channel 5 HD and an hour later at 8:35am on Channel 5 +1.

Season 17 of Thomas & Friends continues on Channel 5 milkshake! in the UK on September 30th at 7:35am with the episode, The Lost Puff.

Season 17 official UK return confirmed for Channel 5

The official return date for the 17th Series on British television has been confirmed by Freeview.

The new run of episodes took on a mid-series break on Channel 5 milkshake! in June after a 10 episode stint. King of the Railway's cinema and DVD releases were indicated to be the cause for the move. 

The Thomas & Friends UK facebook page subsequently confirmed details of the series' untimely return.

Continuing the new series is the Paxton fronted story, The Lost Puff, which is to air on the last day of September.

The summary reads; Thomas accidentally backs into Toby at the water tower and gets his firebox wet, meaning that poor Thomas must wait for his firebox to dry out.

When Paxton overhears Toby saying that Thomas has lost his puff, Paxton the diesel engine misunderstands and heads off across the Island of Sodor to look for it!

Season 17 of Thomas & Friends continues on Channel 5 milkshake! in the UK on September 30th at 7:35am with the episode, The Lost Puff.