Thomas and the Special Letter and Other Stories (Australian VHS)

Thomas and the Special Letter and Other Stories  is an Australian and New Zealand VHS release featuring nine fourth series episodes narrated by Michael Angelis.

The Fat Controller's Letter
My Dear Friends,

When I heard the news that you wanted more stories about Thomas and all my engines, I could not believe my ears. It is most gratifying that our adventures here on the Island of Sodor provide so much enjoyment to you all.

I am sure that you will soon make friends with the engines you will meet in these new stories; Rusty the Diesel, Skarloey, Grandpuff, and the others.

I hope you will go on enjoying all the Thomas stories. My engines still talk about the day the very important visitor came to the island (do you know that story?), and I am afraid James still gets teased about the time he got stung by a bee.

I must get back to my engines, so I will close by sending you my kindest regards.

Yours sincerely, Sir Topham Hatt

P.S. And Thomas asked me to send you a cheery Peep Peep!


 * 'NOTE': The Fat Controller's letter acts as a description for some Australian Thomas videos.

Episodes

 * 1) Four Little Engines - Sir Handel is having trouble with some trucks who are being awkward and rude.
 * 2) Peter Sam and the Refreshment Lady - Peter Sam is very busy on the line and in his haste to meet the connection with Henry the Green Engine, he leaves the refreshment lady behind on the platform.
 * 3) Gallant Old Engine - Duncan is grumbling about passengers not being important, so Skarloey tells him the story about how Rheneas saved the railway from closure by struggling home on one cylinder.
 * 4) Bowled Out - Daisy is feeling unwell and the Diesel comes to stand in for her. He is very rude to the other engines by saying that they are only fit for the scrap heap but they all get the chance to teach him a lesson.
 * 5) Train Stops Play - Stepney watches a cricket match while waiting at a signal. As he set off again, he does not realise that the ball has landed in one of the trucks.
 * 6) Henry and the Elephant - The big engines are grumbling because they are very busy but Percy cheers them up with the news that the circus has come to town.
 * 7) Thomas and the Special Letter - Thomas nearly misses the exciting trip to the big station far away to visit a little girl who has written to the Fat Controller.
 * 8) Bulls Eyes - Daisy soon regrets teasing Toby about his cowcatchers and being afraid of bulls.
 * 9) Mind that Bike - Tom Tipper the postman is always happy to help out loading Thomas and Percy's post trains with sacks of letters and Percy accidentally does Tom a favour.

Trivia

 * The picture on the cover of the New Zealand release is mirrored.
 * It is usually thought that the tape was released six months before the actual date. This is due to an incorrect copyright date of 1995 printed on the back cover.
 * References to the series 3 episodes Buzz Buzz and Gordon and the Famous Visitor are made on The Fat Controller's letter

Goofs

 * In the Fat Controller's letter, Granpuff is incorrectly spelt as "Grandpuff".
 * Additionally The Fat Controller's letter claims the audience will meet Duke but he is not in any episodes in this release.
 * The description of Four Little Engines says Sir Handel has trouble with trucks, when they were actually coaches.
 * On the back cover, the description for Bowled Out is partially inaccurate, because Daisy is not seen or mentioned in the episode at all.
 * On the back cover of the New Zealand release, Bulls Eyes is incorrectly listed as "Bulls Eye".