Thomas and the Firework Display

"The Fat Controller/Sir Topham Hatt chose me because I'm as red as a rocket and twice as grand!"

- James

Thomas and the Firework Display is the eleventh episode of the eighth series.

Plot
Tonight is the Fat Controller's harvest fireworks display, for which he decides to give James the job of collecting the fireworks from the depot. This upsets Thomas because he wanted that job, but James tells him that he was chosen because he is as red as a rocket and twice as grand.

At the Coaling Plant, Thomas is furious about James' job and angrily shunts some trucks around. James arrives at the depot to collect the fireworks and chuffs off to Knapford Station. But along the way, James breaks down and his driver goes to phone for help.

Thomas arrives at Knapford Station, where Gordon is letting off people from all over the island to see the fireworks, and seeing the children happy makes Thomas happy. The Fat Controller gives Thomas the news that James has broken down and that Thomas must push him to the station or the fireworks will be cancelled. Realizing that this would make the children sad, Thomas heads off to find James.

Thomas finds James and calls him busted boiler, teasing him that he does not look really useful now, which makes James cross and embarrassed. Thomas tells James that he must look out for things ahead for him, as he can not see ahead. James forgives Thomas after hearing that the children would be upset if the fireworks do not get to Knapford and they start on their way.

Back at Knapford Station, the Fat Controller sees that it is late and near the children's bedtime, so he decides to cancel the display. While heading towards Knapford, James is confused that a signal they have reached is red. Thomas thinks a passenger train is coming and James realizes that Gordon is taking the children home, so they try blowing their whistles loudly, but it does not work because no one can heard them.

As Gordon is just about to leave, Thomas has an idea to let his driver set off a firework. Gordon and the Fat Controller see it, realizing it is a signal from Thomas and James and that the fireworks display is on again. The signal then turns green and Thomas and James arrive at the station.

At Tidmouth Sheds, Thomas and James watch the fireworks. James tells Thomas that they are both Really Useful Engines and Thomas says that they are most useful when they work together.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * James
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Troublesome Trucks
 * Gordon
 * Stephen Hatt
 * Bridget Hatt
 * Nancy
 * The Mid Sodor Railway Manager
 * Annie and Clarabel
 * Jem Cole
 * Farmer Trotter

Locations

 * Tidmouth Sheds
 * Knapford
 * The Coaling Plant
 * Sodor Fuel Depot
 * The Hay Farm
 * The Watermill

Trivia

 * Going by production order, this is the first episode of the eighth series.
 * This is the only model era episode to celabrate Guy Fawes day.
 * Extended stock footage from the fifth series episode Thomas and the Rumours is used.
 * This episode and Percy Gets it Right share the same opening shot while also being extended stock footage in both episodes.
 * In the All Aboard with the Steam Team and Songs from the Station DVD dubs, the timing of when James asks, "Why would the signal be red?" is a few seconds earlier than in other DVDs with Michael Angelis' dub and the US, UK and Australian television broadcasts.
 * In the US dub, on the Songs from the Station VHS and DVD, the trucks say "Oh" after Thomas biffed them the last time. This is absent on the PBS airing.
 * The ending shot of Thomas and James watching the fireworks at Tidmouth Sheds is similar to the ending shot of the sixth series episode, Scaredy Engines, when Thomas and Percy are also watching fireworks at Tidmouth Sheds. Also, the shot of Thomas puffing across the countryside at sundown is similar to the final shot from Thomas and the Magic Railroad.
 * In the individual version of the episode, the music is omitted at the end of the episode.
 * This episode marks last of three things:
 * Nancy's last appearance, not counting a deleted scene cameo appearance in the ninth series episode, Thomas and the Statue.
 * The last episode where Paul Larson co-writes an episode with another head writer until the seventeenth series episode, Steamie Stafford.
 * The last episode to feature stock footage from episodes produced by Gullane Entertainment under its original name The Britt Allcroft Company.
 * This was the first eighth series episode to air on CiTV, as they were broadcast in production order.
 * Deleted scenes show James and Gordon puffing past the watermill.
 * Deleted scenes show James and Gordon puffing past the watermill.

Goofs

 * When the driver lights the rocket, there is a thin wire used to pull the rocket.
 * In all of the night shots, light can be seen coming from the back of Thomas' headlight.
 * In the closeup shot of Thomas pushing James and the firework train into Knapford station, Thomas is not making any smoke.
 * When Thomas says "And good work, James!" the trucks he is pushing disappear.
 * Because stock footage is used, Annie and Clarabel appear in their old liveries.
 * In the Polish dub, Gordon's English name is used by accident.

Merchandise

 * Books - Thomas and the Firework Display
 * Take Along - Fireworks Car

Home Media Releases
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UK

 * All Aboard with the Steam Team
 * Happy Children's Favourites
 * The Complete Series 8

DVD Boxsets

 * 5 Adventurous DVDs
 * Classic Collection
 * Triple Pack
 * The Ultimate Collection
 * Children's Favourites Triple Pack

AUS

 * All Aboard with the Steam Team
 * The Complete Series 8
 * The Best of Thomas and Friends - Volume 2

DVD Boxsets

 * 60th Anniversary - Limited Edition Boxset
 * Complete Series 1-10
 * The Essential Collection
 * The Great Adventures of Thomas and Friends
 * 3 DVDs
 * Series Seven and Series Eight Double Pack

US

 * Songs from the Station
 * Great Destinations!

CAN

 * Songs from the Station

DVD Packs

 * 4-Disc DVD Box Set
 * 60th Anniversary DVD
 * Train Loads of Stories

ZA

 * Making Tracks with Thomas
 * Truck-loads of Fun

DVD Boxsets

 * 4 Disc Collection
 * 5 DVD Boxset

NOR/SWE/DK

 * Ready to Go!

FIN

 * All Aboard!

ROM

 * Steam Locomotives
 * Thomas and Friends - Vol. 1

DVD Packs

 * Triple Pack 2
 * Six DVD Set

CZ

 * New Stories
 * Rise and Shine

MYS

 * Thomas and the Firework Display and Other Adventures
 * Something Fishy and Other Adventures
 * Magical Collection
 * Season To Cherish Collection

GER

 * Hooray for Thomas!

NL

 * Thomas Saves the Day

POL

 * Fireworks Show

HUN

 * Thomas Saves the Day

DVD Boxsets

 * Thomas the Tank Engine & Gift Keys extension box

IN

 * Thomas and the Firework Display

IDN

 * Thomas and the Firework Display and other stories

JPN

 * Thomas the Tank Engine Series 8 Vol.4

SPN

 * Thomas and Friends - Volume 1

DVD Boxsets

 * First Season

HK

 * Thomas and Friends Volume 19

THA

 * Thomas and Friends - Volume 33

TWN

 * Thomas and Friends Volume 7

KOR
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 * Thomas the Little Engine and Friends Season 3 Vol. 1
 * Character Special Edition Series Vol. 2

Thomas y el Espectáculo de Fuegos Artificiales תומס ומופע הזיקוקים Tomek i Pokaz Sztucznych Ogni Томас и фейерверки