Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia
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The thirteenth series of Thomas & Friends first premiered on October 2009 Via (Screenopsis). Then theatrically in the US in November 2009. The season made its television premiere in the UK from January to February 2010 and in the US from September to November 2010. From this series to the twenty-fourth series, the entire series had been CGI animated.

Michael Angelis and Michael Brandon narrated all twenty episodes, but, like Hero of the Rails, voice actors provided the voices for the characters. Mark Moraghan later re-narrated only one episode specially for the Santa's Little Engine DVD in 2013.

Production

Production for this series by Nitrogen Studios began in January 2009, running concurrently with that of Hero of the Rails.[1] Every episode has a copyright of 2009.

Development

In order to cut costs and maximise profits (because of taxation/government tax breaks for UK animation in 2007), HiT Entertainment decided to retire the live-action models and figurines in 2009 and started using full CGI animation for the show, a process that would continue until its cancellation in 2021. They enlisted Nitrogen Studios to provide the visuals. Nitrogen had already created CGI elements for the twelfth series. Christopher Skala also added that additionally, it was to add more emotion and flexibility through the stories. Previously Skala claimed that, of his focus group, even those who felt that Thomas, as an institution, should not relinquish modelwork visuals responded positively to the demonstration of the new animation techniques. With the show's entire universe now fully-mobile, restrictions on the use of human characters (due to their previously-limited expressiveness) were finally relaxed, enabling both a greater number of narratives or subplots centring on human characters than before and the reinstating of the engines' drivers and firemen (albeit sparingly) for the first time since the eighth series. This was likewise the first series to feature an extended voice cast, with individual characters now boasting distinct voices instead of being dubbed by the show's narrator (whose role was correspondingly reduced in subsequent seasons).

Reception

Series 13 had proven to be popular around the world with ratings up 86%* in the UK (FIVE Milkshake!), 50%** in the US (PBS Kids) and 47%** in Australia (ABC).

Episodes

(Note: * means an episode was re-narrated by Mark Moraghan)

Screenshot Title Written by Original UK release date Episode number #
CreakyCrankypromo14 Creaky Cranky Sharon Miller 25 January 2010 #01
Cranky teases Thomas about being small, but when he breaks down it is up to Thomas to save him.
TheLionofSodorpromo8 The Lion of Sodor Mark Robertson 26 January 2010 #02
Thomas has to deliver the Lion of Sodor to Knapford, but he thinks that the lion is real and tries to feed it, but this only causes confusion and delay.
TickledPinkpromo Tickled Pink Allan Plenderleith 27 January 2010 #03
James is sent to the Steamworks to be repainted, but he is repainted into a pink livery to keep the water out of his paintwork and the other engines laugh at him.
DoubleTroublepromo Double Trouble Sharon Miller 28 January 2010 #04
Thomas thinks he is taking the Fat Controller to his birthday party, but it turns out he has an identical twin brother named Sir Lowham Hatt.
SlippySodorpromo Slippy Sodor Mark Robertson 29 January 2010 #05
Thomas is teased by the big engines about his "funny funnel" and causes trouble for Mr. Bubbles and the Fat Controller.
TheEarlyBird86 The Early Bird David Richard Fox 1 February 2010 #06
While Percy is at the Steamworks for repairs, Thomas must pull the mail, but he does not want to ask for his advice.
PlayTimepromo2 Play Time Sharon Miller 2 February 2010 #07
Charlie, the new engine, challenges Thomas to race him around the Island, causing Thomas to neglect his jobs.
ThomasandthePigspromo Thomas and the Pigs Allan Plenderleith 3 February 2010 #08
Thomas is to bring straw to Farmer Trotter's Pig Farm for the piglets who are soon to be born, but Thomas thinks they will like other things better.
TimeforaStorypromo3 Time for a Story Miranda Larson 4 February 2010 #09
After ignoring warning signs about track repair, Thomas' trucks of books derail, so he brings the children to the books.
Percy'sParcelpromo4 Percy's Parcel Robyn Charteris 5 February 2010 #10
After Percy ruins Dowager Hatt's birthday parcel, he hides in a siding. When he overhears Mavis, he gets an idea of how to fix his mistake.
Toby'sNewWhistlepromo3 Toby's New Whistle Louise Kramskoy 8 February 2010 #11
Toby's bell needs repairs, so he is given a very loud whistle while it is being mended.
ABloomingMesspromo8 A Blooming Mess Miranda Larson 9 February 2010 #12
Emily thinks that Mavis needs to be cheered up, so she brings her some flowers but winds up causing confusion and delay.
ThomasandtheRunawayKitepromo1 Thomas and the Runaway Kite Louise Kramskoy 10 February 2010 #13
After Stephen and Bridget Hatt's kite flies away, Thomas tries to catch it, but he realises that he needs to ask for help.
SteamySodorpromo Steamy Sodor Sharon Miller 11 February 2010 #14
When Thomas is put in charge of the Steamworks, havoc ensues.
SplishSplashSploshpromo2 Splish Splash Splosh Sharon Miller 12 February 2010 #15
Thomas and Rosie play "Splish, Splash, Splosh". But Thomas must put things right when he accidentally splashes Allicia Botti and the Fat Controller.
TheBiggestPresentofAllpromo6 The Biggest Present of All Sharon Miller 15 February 2010 #16
Hiro is returning to Sodor and the Fat Controller is planning a welcome party for him. Thomas is told to tell the other engines, but looks for a present for Hiro instead.
SnowTrackspromo Snow Tracks * Alan Hescott 16 February 2010 #17
Gordon is told to not go up any hills, but when he does, he creates a giant snowball which crashes into Thomas.
Henry'sGoodDeedspromo2 Henry's Good Deeds Alan Hescott 17 February 2010 #18
Henry attempts to help people but ends up scaring away the Sodor Warbler, a very famous bird.
BuzzyBeespromo6 Buzzy Bees Sharon Miller 18 February 2010 #19
Thomas' special of bees escape when he goes by a flowery meadow. So he takes Hiro's flower truck to try to lure them back to their hive.
HiroHelpsOutpromo4 Hiro Helps Out Sharon Miller 19 February 2010 #20
Hiro gives the engines orders when he thinks the Fat Controller is too busy to do it himself.

Screenshot Title Written by Original US release date Episode number #
CreakyCrankypromo14 Creaky Cranky Sharon Miller 5 September 2010 #01
Cranky teases Thomas about being small, but when he breaks down it is up to Thomas to save him.
DoubleTroublepromo Double Trouble Sharon Miller 5 September 2010 #02
Thomas thinks he is taking Sir Topham Hatt to his birthday party, but it turns out he has an identical twin brother named Sir Lowham Hatt.
TickledPinkpromo Tickled Pink Allan Plenderleith 12 September 2010 #03
James is sent to the Steamworks to be repainted, but he is repainted into a pink livery to keep the water out of his paintwork and the other engines laugh at him.
SlippySodorpromo Slippy Sodor Mark Robertson 12 September 2010 #04
Thomas is teased by the big engines about his "funny funnel" and causes trouble for Mr. Bubbles and Sir Topham Hatt.
PlayTimepromo2 Play Time Sharon Miller 19 September 2010 #05
Charlie, the new engine, challenges Thomas to race him around the Island, causing Thomas to neglect his jobs.
TheEarlyBird86 The Early Bird David Richard Fox 19 September 2010 #06
While Percy is at the Steamworks for repairs, Thomas must pull the mail, but he does not want to ask for his advice.
ThomasandthePigspromo Thomas and the Pigs Allan Plenderleith 26 September 2010 #07
Thomas is to bring straw to Farmer Trotter's Pig Farm for the piglets who are soon to be born, but Thomas thinks they will like other things better.
TheLionofSodorpromo8 The Lion of Sodor Mark Robertson 26 September 2010 #08
Thomas has to deliver the Lion of Sodor to Knapford, but he thinks that the lion is real and tries to feed it, but this only causes confusion and delay.
TimeforaStorypromo3 Time for a Story Miranda Larson 3 October 2010 #09
After ignoring warning signs about track repair, Thomas' freight cars of books derail, so he brings the children to the books.
Percy'sParcelpromo4 Percy's Parcel Robyn Charteris 3 October 2010 #10
After Percy ruins Dowager Hatt's birthday parcel, he hides in a siding. When he overhears Mavis, he gets an idea of how to fix his mistake.
SteamySodorpromo Steamy Sodor Sharon Miller 10 October 2010 #11
When Thomas is put in charge of the Steamworks, havoc ensues.
TheBiggestPresentofAllpromo6 The Biggest Present of All Sharon Miller 10 October 2010 #12
Hiro is returning to Sodor and Sir Topham Hatt is planning a welcome party for him. Thomas is told to tell the other engines, but looks for a present for Hiro instead.
SplishSplashSploshpromo2 Splish Splash Splosh Sharon Miller 17 October 2010 #13
Thomas and Rosie play "Splish, Splash, Splosh". But Thomas must put things right when he accidentally splashes Sir Topham Hatt and Allicia Botti.
SnowTrackspromo Snow Tracks * Alan Hescott 17 October 2010 #14
Gordon is told to not go up any hills, but when he does, he creates a giant snowball which crashes into Thomas.
ABloomingMesspromo8 A Blooming Mess Miranda Larson 24 October 2010 #15
Emily thinks that Mavis needs to be cheered up, so she brings her some flowers but winds up causing confusion and delay.
Henry'sGoodDeedspromo2 Henry's Good Deeds Alan Hescott 24 October 2010 #16
Henry attempts to help people but ends up scaring away the Sodor Warbler, a very famous bird.
ThomasandtheRunawayKitepromo1 Thomas and the Runaway Kite Louise Kramskoy 31 October 2010 #17
After Stephen and Bridget Hatt's kite flies away, Thomas tries to catch it, but realises that he needs to ask for help.
BuzzyBeespromo6 Buzzy Bees Sharon Miller 31 October 2010 #18
Thomas' special of bees escape when he goes by a flowery meadow. So he takes Hiro's flower truck to try to lure them back to their hive.
Toby'sNewWhistlepromo3 Toby's New Whistle Louise Kramskoy 7 November 2010 #19
Toby's bell needs repairs, so he is given a very loud whistle while it is being mended.
HiroHelpsOutpromo4 Hiro Helps Out Sharon Miller 7 November 2010 #20
Hiro gives the engines orders when he thinks Sir Topham Hatt is too busy to do it himself.

Screenshot Title Written by Original JPN release date Episode number #
CreakyCrankypromo14 ガタガタクランキー (Creaky Cranky) Sharon Miller 7 April 2010 #01
Cranky teases Thomas about being small, but when he breaks down it is up to Thomas to save him.
SnowTrackspromo ゆきのひのできごと (Snow Tracks) Alan Hescott 14 April 2010 #02
Gordon is told to not go up any hills, but when he does, he creates a giant snowball which crashes into Thomas.
TheLionofSodorpromo8 ソドーとうのライオン (The Lion of Sodor) Mark Robertson 21 April 2010 #03
Thomas has to deliver the Lion of Sodor to Knapford, but he thinks that the lion is real and tries to feed it, but this only causes confusion and delay.
TickledPinkpromo ピンクのジェームス (Tickled Pink) Allan Plenderleith 28 April 2010 #04
James is sent to the Steamworks to be repainted, but he is repainted into a pink livery to keep the water out of his paintwork and the other engines laugh at him.
DoubleTroublepromo たんじょうびのいたずら (Double Trouble) Sharon Miller 5 May 2010 #05
Thomas thinks he is taking Sir Topham Hatt to his birthday party, but it turns out he has an identical twin brother named Sir Lowham Hatt.
ThomasandthePigspromo トーマスとこぶた (Thomas and the Pigs) Allan Plenderleith 9 May 2010 #06
Thomas is to bring straw to Farmer Trotter's Pig Farm for the piglets who are soon to be born, but Thomas thinks they will like other things better.
SlippySodorpromo スリップにちゅうい (Slippy Sodor) Mark Robertson 12 May 2010 #07
Thomas is teased by the big engines about his "funny funnel" and causes trouble for Mr. Bubbles and Sir Topham Hatt.
TheEarlyBird86 トーマスのはやおき (The Early Bird) David Richard Fox 19 May 2010 #08
While Percy is at the Steamworks for repairs, Thomas must pull the mail, but he does not want to ask for his advice.
PlayTimepromo2 たのしいチャーリー (Play Time) Sharon Miller 26 May 2010 #09
Charlie, the new engine, challenges Thomas to race him around the Island, causing Thomas to neglect his jobs.
TheBiggestPresentofAllpromo6 とくべつなプレゼント (The Biggest Present of All) Sharon Miller 2 June 2010 #10
Hiro is returning to Sodor and Sir Topham Hatt is planning a welcome party for him. Thomas is told to tell the other engines, but looks for a present for Hiro instead.
BuzzyBeespromo6 ミツバチぶんぶん (Buzzy Bees) Sharon Miller 16 June 2010 #11
Thomas' special of bees escape when he goes by a flowery meadow. So he takes Hiro's flower truck to try to lure them back to their hive.
HiroHelpsOutpromo4 ヒロのだいかつやく (Hiro Helps Out) Sharon Miller 23 June 2010 #12
Hiro gives the engines orders when he thinks Sir Topham Hatt is too busy to do it himself.
SplishSplashSploshpromo2 たのしいみずあそび (Splish Splash Splosh) Sharon Miller 30 June 2010 #13
Thomas and Rosie play "Splish, Splash, Splosh". But Thomas must put things right when he accidentally splashes Allicia Botti and Sir Topham Hatt.
Toby'sNewWhistlepromo3 トビーのあたらしいきてき (Toby's New Whistle) Louise Kramskoy 14 July 2010 #14
Toby's bell needs repairs, so he is given a very loud whistle while it is being mended.
ABloomingMesspromo8 エミリーとおはな (A Blooming Mess) Miranda Larson 21 July 2010 #15
Emily thinks that Mavis needs to be cheered up, so she brings her some flowers but winds up causing confusion and delay.
ThomasandtheRunawayKitepromo1 トーマスのだいついせき (Thomas and the Runaway Kite) Louise Kramskoy 28 July 2010 #16
After Stephen and Bridget Hatt's kite flies away, Thomas tries to catch it, but he realises that he needs to ask for help.
Percy'sParcelpromo4 パーシーのじゅうようなにもつ (Percy's Parcel) Robyn Charteris 7 September 2010 #17
After Percy ruins Dowager Hatt's birthday parcel, he hides in a siding. When he overhears Mavis, he gets an idea of how to fix his mistake.
SteamySodorpromo ドタバタせいびこうじょう (Steamy Sodor) Sharon Miller 15 September 2010 #18
When Thomas is put in charge of the Steamworks, havoc ensues.
TimeforaStorypromo3 すてきなおはなしかい (Time for a Story) Miranda Larson 22 September 2010 #19
After ignoring warning signs about track repair, Thomas' trucks of books derail, so he brings the children to the books.
Henry'sGoodDeedspromo2 えらいぞヘンリー (Henry's Good Deeds) Alan Hescott 29 September 2010 #20
Henry attempts to help people but ends up scaring away the Sodor Warbler, a very famous bird.

Songs

Screenshot Title Composers Original release date
HeroOfTheRails587 Engine Roll Call (CGI version) Ed Welch November 7, 2009 (US; Theatrical)
They're two, they're four, they're six, they're eight, Shunting trucks and hauling freight...
DoubleTrouble6 Sounds (CGI version) Ed Welch March 14, 2010 (CAN)
DoubleTrouble63 Thomas, You're the Leader (CGI version; Stanley, The Pack and the Skarloey Railway removed) Pete Woodroffe
Charlie Grant
April 11, 2010 (CAN)
HeroOfTheRails77 Determination (CGI version) Ed Welch April 25, 2010 (CAN)
PlayTime43 Roll Along Robert Hartshorne May 9, 2010 (CAN)
Clicking and a Clacking, Chuffing and a Puffing...

Characters

Returning Characters

Characters Introduced

Locations

Half Hour Format

Each Nick Jr. airing featured two episodes with a song (the song is now used every two airings from the series onwards). However, the PBS airings introduced a Down at the Station segment. On Discovery Kids in Latin America, the Down at the Station segment is no longer used. Select airings from both countries remaster for widescreen the learning segments from the New Series and the morning/night-time sequence from the aforementioned New Series.

Friends and Family

Slips and Trips!

  • Tickled Pink
  • Song: Go, Go Thomas
  • Down at the Station: Morning (US only)
  • Slippy Sodor

Working Well

  • Play Time
  • Song: Sounds (CGI version)
  • Down at the Station: The Railway Line (US only)
  • The Early Bird
  • Guess Who? Puzzle - James

Marvellous Moments!

  • Thomas and the Pigs
  • Song: Sounds (CGI version)
  • Down at the Station: The Steam Engine (US only)
  • The Lion of Sodor
  • Guess Who? Puzzle - Edward

Best Times

  • Time for a Story
  • Song: Thomas, You're the Leader (CGI version)
  • Down at the Station: The Driver (US only)
  • Percy's Parcel
  • Guess Who? Puzzle - Cranky

Giving and Sharing

  • Steamy Sodor
  • Song: Thomas, You're the Leader (CGI version)
  • Down at The Station: Water (US only)
  • The Biggest Present of All

Wild Weather

  • Splish, Splash, Splosh!
  • Song: Determination (CGI version)
  • Down at the Station: The Engine Shed (US only)
  • Snow Tracks

Good Deeds

  • A Blooming Mess
  • Song: Determination (CGI version)
  • Down at the Station: Fireman (US only)
  • Henry's Good Deeds
  • Guess Who? Puzzle - Henry

Out and About

  • Thomas and the Runaway Kite
  • Song: Roll Along
  • Down at the Station: Engines (US only)
  • Buzzy Bees

Helping Hands

  • Toby's New Whistle
  • Song: Roll Along
  • Down at the Station: Water (US only)
  • Hiro Helps Out

Cast

UK

  • Ben Small as Thomas and Toby
  • Keith Wickham as Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Percy, the Fat Controller, Dowager Hatt, Sir Lowham Hatt, the Mayor of Sodor and Mr. Bubbles
  • Teresa Gallagher as Emily, Rosie, Mavis, Lady Hatt, Bridget Hatt, her friends and the Teacher
  • Togo Igawa as Hiro
  • Matt Wilkinson as Spencer, Charlie, Victor, Rocky, Cranky, Kevin, Stephen Hatt, the Knapford Stationmaster, the Maithwaite Stationmaster, Farmer Trotter, the Bird Watcher and Farmer McColl
  • Jules de Jongh as Allicia Botti
  • Kerry Shale as Diesel

US

  • Martin Sherman as Thomas, Percy and the Bird Watcher
  • Kerry Shale as Henry, Gordon, James, Kevin, Sir Topham Hatt, Sir Lowham Hatt, Farmer Trotter, Stephen Hatt and the Maithwaite Stationmaster
  • William Hope as Edward, Toby, Rocky, Farmer McColl, the Maithwaite Stationmaster (Double Trouble only) and the Knapford Stationmaster
  • Glenn Wrage as Spencer, Charlie and Cranky
  • Jules de Jongh as Emily, Rosie, Mavis, Lady Hatt, Bridget Hatt, her friends, Allicia Botti and the Teacher
  • Togo Igawa as Hiro
  • Michael Brandon as Diesel and Mr. Bubbles
  • David Bedella as Victor and the Mayor of Sodor
  • Keith Wickham as Dowager Hatt

Trivia

  • This is the first series for numerous things:
    • The first series animated exclusively in CGI by Nitrogen Studios.
    • The first series to use individual voice actors instead of solely a narrator outside of Italy, France, Poland, Greece, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan and South Korea, as well as Thomas and the Magic Railroad.
    • Sharon Miller's first series as the creative producer.
    • Marion Edwards' first series as executive producer.
    • Greg Tiernan's first series as a director.
    • Nicole Stinn's first series as a producer.
    • The first series in which Thomas appears and speaks in every episode.
    • The first series to have all episodes eight minutes and forty-five seconds long in the television series.
    • The first series where Ben, Harvey, Whiff, Stanley, Hank, Flora, Mighty Mac, Freddie, Hector, Jeremy, Colin and Mr. Percival do not appear since their debuts due to the entire show being switched to CGI while making it hard to make CGI models for every character. Although Mighty Mac and Freddie are indirectly mentioned in one episode.
    • The first series where Duck, Donald, Douglas, Oliver, Stepney, Murdoch, Arthur, Neville, 'Arry, Bert, the Skarloey Railway engines, Toad, Harold, Trevor, Bulgy, the Pack and Jenny Packard do not appear since their returns due to the crew not having enough time to create CGI models for every character. Although Harold and Trevor do appear in the Island of Sodor opening sequence while the other Skarloey railway engines were indirectly mentioned.
    • The first series in which the Sodor Island intro is not used at the start of individual UK broadcasts. However, some broadcasts still used the Sodor Island intro.
    • The first series to use the newly updated Engine Roll Call as the title music in the intro.
    • The first series to have episodes written by Miranda Larson and Louise Kramskoy.
    • The first series released in the 2010s.
    • The first series dubbed in Icelandic since first series.
    • The first series dubbed in Welsh and Slovenian since seventh series.
    • The first series aired by Disney Channel, Disney Junior, KBS 2, Cartoon Network and Boomerang in South Korea.
    • The first series that not released a Korean dub on DVD in South Korea.
    • The first series that not released on DVD by C4U Media in South Korea.
    • The first series that not have two dubs since the eleventh series in South Korea.
    • The first series released on DVD since the seventh series in Italy.
    • The first series aired by MiniMini since the tenth series in Poland.
    • The first series released on DVD since the eleventh series in Nordic countries.
  • This is the only series for numerous things:
    • The only series in which Salty does not appear since his introduction in the sixth series, possibly due to the entire show being switched to CGI making it hard to make CGI models for every character, he would later appear in Misty Island Rescue.
    • The only series with Dave Peacock as voice director.
    • The only series with Jo Jordan as a creative executive.
    • The only series where Mr. Percival was mentioned as "The Thin Controller" in the US dub.
    • The only series to have episodes written by Allen Plenderleith, David Richard Fox and Alan Hescott.
    • The only series since the seventh series to have an episode written by Robyn Charteris.
    • The only series that not completely aired by KBS 2 in South Korea.
    • The only series released on DVD by MNV in South Korea.
    • The only series that not released a Korean dub on DVD in South Korea.
    • The only series to play Calling All Engines! version of the Engine Roll Call song in Sweden.
  • The following episodes were released in US theatres:
    • The episodes, Splish, Splash, Splosh!, Play Time, Slippy Sodor and Snow Tracks were shown in November 2009.
    • Thomas and the Runaway Kite, Buzzy Bees, Toby's New Whistle and The Biggest Present of All were shown in January 2010.
    • The Lion of Sodor, Thomas and the Pigs, Time for a Story and Hiro Helps Out were shown in October 2010.
  • This series was going to air on broadcast in late 2009, but then because of deals, it was pushed to new years of 2010 instead after the big production of the series had ended.
  • This was supposed to be the last series released in the 2000s.
  • The steam engines' whistles now budge up and down every time they blow it.
  • Edward is the only Steam Team member to not get a starring role this series.
  • This is the second series of episodes to have not been released on home media in the Netherlands, since the second series.
  • This is the last series to be released on DVD in South Korea.
  • On the DVD releases, the Korean subtitles were re-translated and made fully including the Roll Call song by MNV but they cannot share the production crew names because it is personal information.
  • In the Korean dub, the original British production crew were never credited.
  • In the Icelandic dub, Wilbert Awdry was never credited.
  • In countries like Japan and Poland, this series premiered before Hero of the Rails, so many of the audience would not know about Hiro, Victor, Kevin or the Sodor Steamworks.

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