Thomas & Friends series 7

Thomas & Friends
Series 7
DVD cover art
No. of episodes	26
Release
Original network	Nick Jr.
Original release	6 October (2003-10-06) – 10 November 2003 (2003-11-10)
Series chronology

Thomas & Friends is a children's television series about the engines and other characters working on the railways of the Island of Sodor, and is based on The Railway Series books written by the Reverend W. Awdry.

This article lists and details episodes from the seventh series of this series, which was first broadcast between 6 October and 10 November 2003. This season was narrated by Michael Angelis for UK audiences, while Michael Brandon narrated the episodes for American audiences.

In the United States, this series first aired in 2004 and 2005 on PBS Kids alongside series 8 and 9. Michael Angelis later re-narrated four episodes for United States audiences.

This was the first series produced by HIT Entertainment and the final series produced by Gullane Entertainment.

Episodes

Main article: List of Thomas & Friends episodes

No. overall	No. in series	UK title (top) Main title (middle) US title (bottom)	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
157	1	"Emily's New Coaches"	David Mitton	Jan Page	6 October 2003 (2003-10-06)
A new emerald tender engine called Emily arrives and mistakes Annie and Clarabel for her coaches. This makes Thomas cross, and he and the other engines make Emily feel rather unwelcome. Thomas is instructed by the Fat Controller to collect new coaches, frustrating him even more. Meanwhile, Oliver sternly tells Emily that Annie and Clarabel are Thomas' coaches, and Emily, realising that this is why everyone was unfriendly to her, goes to apologise to Thomas. Later, Oliver breaks down at a crossing and Thomas nearly crashes into him, but Oliver is rescued by Emily just in time. She is then presented with a new set of coaches.
158	2	"Percy Gets It Right"	David Mitton	Paul Larson	7 October 2003 (2003-10-07)
Percy comes across some unsafe tracks on Toby's branch line and warns the other engines that a landslide might occur, but everyone refuses to listen to him. Thomas is tasked to collect a prize bull from the farm on Toby's line, but ends up getting trapped under a landslide. Percy rescues Thomas, and the Fat Controller apologises to Percy for not listening to him.
159	3	"Bill, Ben and Fergus"	David Mitton	Brian Trueman	8 October 2003 (2003-10-08)
A small railway traction engine called Fergus tries to help Bill and Ben at the quarry, but they find him bossy. They ignore his warning to take care with the noisy rock crusher, which leads to a rockslide.
160	4	"The Old Bridge"	David Mitton	Paul Larson	9 October 2003 (2003-10-09)
		"The Old Iron Bridge"
Skarloey nearly falls off a wooden bridge, scaring him from passing it again. Rheneas takes over Skarloey's jobs to cross the bridge, but Skarloey is forced to conquer his fear when Rheneas breaks down on the bridge.
161	5	"Edward's Brass Band"	David Mitton	Robyn Charteris	10 October 2003 (2003-10-10)
Edward is selected by the Fat Controller to take the brass band to the concert. At the docks, however, a giant crane knocks Edward over with a huge boiler, much to Cranky's amusement. Because Edward cannot get repaired in time for him to take the band, his job is given to Bertie. The next morning, Bertie gets stuck on a muddy road, but Edward gets repaired at the same time, so he ends up taking the band after all.
162	6	"What's the Matter with Henry?"	David Mitton	George Tarry	13 October 2003 (2003-10-13)
Thomas and Percy do not believe that Henry is really feeling ill and give him a whole line of coal trucks to take. Luckily, Emily cares for her friend and helps solve what is hurting him.
163	7	"James and the Queen of Sodor"	David Mitton	Paul Larson	14 October 2003 (2003-10-14)
Gordon gets fed up with James boasting about his paintwork and tricks him into taking the opportunity to be grand by taking a smelly old barge called the "Queen of Sodor" to the smelters for repairs. James worries that he will get dirty when he has an accident with the barge, but he doesn’t and delivers it to the smelters safely. However, James gets quarry dust blown on him by Percy when he arrives back at the sheds.
164	8	"The Refreshment Lady's Tea Shop"	David Mitton	James Mason	15 October 2003 (2003-10-15)
		"The Refreshment Lady's Stand"
Peter Sam is given the assignment of helping the Refreshment Lady choose a new location for a stand of the tea shop of the room. But she only wishes to have a stand in each place.
165	9	"The Spotless Record"	David Mitton	Paul Larson	16 October 2003 (2003-10-16)
		"Spotless Record"
Thomas plays a trick on a big new tank engine called Arthur (who has never been naughty or in an accident) by telling him to keep the troublesome trucks in order while taking some vans of fruit to market. But when Arthur gets fed up with the Troublesome Trucks' singing and orders them to stop, they get him into an accident and ruin his spotless record. When Arthur explains his accident to the Fat Controller, a guilty Thomas fesses up to causing it and the Fat Controller orders him to help clean up the mess. At the washdown later, when Arthur is being cleaned, Thomas apologises for tricking him. Arthur forgives Thomas and they both agree that all spotless records are made to be broken and then mended again, just like friendships.
166	10	"Toby's Windmill"	David Mitton	Jan Page (written) David Mitton (story)	17 October 2003 (2003-10-17)
		"Toby and the Windmill"
Toby accidentally causes trouble at his favourite windmill with some flour trucks. To make matters worse, a storm destroys it. Toby wants to make up for his mistake by fixing it.
167	11	"Bad Day at Castle Loch"	David Mitton	Jenny McDade	20 October 2003 (2003-10-20)
While Donald and Douglas are pleased about Lord Callan's castle reopening, they are not too excited when they encounter something spooky that night during a trip.
168	12	"Rheneas and the Roller Coaster"	David Mitton	James Mason	21 October 2003 (2003-10-21)
Rheneas wants to show the children a really special sight, but does not think anything around is good enough. Meanwhile, he stumbles onto a twisty and unsafe track.
169	13	"Salty's Stormy Tale"	David Mitton	Polly Churchill	22 October 2003 (2003-10-22)
Salty is hurt when he hears Thomas and Percy copying the way he speaks. But during a storm that night, he and Fergus fix a lighthouse and stop what could have been a terrible shipwreck. The next morning, the ship's crew thanks Salty for saving them, and he forgives Thomas and Percy for their teasing.
170	14	"Snow Engine"	David Mitton	Jenny McDade	23 October 2003 (2003-10-23)
		"Oliver the Snow Engine"
It has been snowing on the Island of Sodor and Oliver is complaining about the weather. He sees some children building a giant snowman which gets bigger everytime he passes by and Toad comments that the snow is "magical", much to Oliver's anger. Later, the Fat Controller assigns Oliver to deliver some goods needed for the winter festival, frustrating him even more. However, Oliver skids on the icy tracks and crashes into the snowman, forcing him and Toad to spend the night in the cold weather. The next morning, the children find eyes in their snowman's tummy and observe that it is actually Oliver as a snow engine. Amazed by their happiness, Oliver feels better, but Toad is still feeling cold.
171	15	"Something Fishy"	David Mitton	Paul Larson	24 October 2003 (2003-10-24)
Arthur is disappointed when the new line at the Fishing Village is given to Thomas – who hates fish. But Thomas' attitude leaves him in a mess with the troublesome trucks laughing at him and only Arthur can help with.
172	16	"The Runaway Elephant"	David Mitton	George Tarry	27 October 2003 (2003-10-27)
A new park is being built, and Duncan is determined to finish all of his jobs first. The Fat Controller assigns Duncan to collect an elephant statue and deliver it to the park, and instructs him to go slowly with the statue. Duncan becomes impatient and leaves without the brake van, but the heavy statue soon pulls him along the line, and he soon crashes at the park, sending the statue into the lake. At the grand opening of the park, the Fat Controller tells Duncan that everyone loves the statue in the lake, despite it being an accident.
173	17	"Peace and Quiet"	David Mitton	Paul Larson	28 October 2003 (2003-10-28)
A new mighty tender engine called Murdoch only wants some peace and quiet, which is something that is hard to find on a railway. The next morning, he runs into a flock of noisy sheep on the line. Later that night, he forgives Salty and Harvey for their friendship.
174	18	"Fergus Breaks the Rules"	David Mitton	Jan Page	29 October 2003 (2003-10-29)
		"Thomas and the Search for Fergus"
Diesel is sent to work with Fergus at the cement works, but gets annoyed by his bossiness and tricks Fergus into thinking the Fat Controller wants him to work at the smelter's yard. However, Fergus runs away after 'Arry and Bert scare him, and Thomas is sent to look for him. Thomas brings Fergus back to the smelters, where Fergus explains to the Fat Controller what Diesel told him. The Fat Controller tells Fergus he will send Diesel to work at the smelters, and Fergus can return to the cement works the next day.
175	19	"Bulgy Rides Again"	David Mitton	Brian Trueman	30 October 2003 (2003-10-30)
Bulgy is given a second chance at being a bus, but the hens still want him as their henhouse. They sneak back on board and cause trouble the next morning.
176	20	"Harold and the Flying Horse"	David Mitton	Robin Kingsland	31 October 2003 (2003-10-31)
It is the day of the Vicar's party and the engines are excited to attend it. Harold is sad that he cannot go to the party as he is on patrol. While refueling at his airfield, he meets Pegasus, the horse that will give the children rides at the party. Later, Pegasus gets stuck in a ditch, and Harold rescues him, so he ends up going to the party after all.
177	21	"The Grand Opening"	David Mitton	James Mason	3 November 2003 (2003-11-03)
Skarloey becomes impatient after the Fat Controller scolds him for being late for the announcement about the grand opening of the new line. the Fat Controller and Lady Hatt ride in the hot air balloon to the grand opening, but the balloon runs out of hot air and crash-lands in a tree. Luckily, Skarloey spots them and gives them a ride the rest of the way.
178	22	"Best Dressed Engine"	David Mitton	Polly Churchill	4 November 2003 (2003-11-04)
The engines decorate themselves for May Day and decide to hold a contest for the "Best Dressed Engine". Gordon refuses to participate in the contest, claiming that decorations are an insult to express engines. On his journey, however, a banner gets strung across Gordon's boiler by mistake, leading to him accidentally crashing into a cart of apples. When the other engines see Gordon with the banner, they declare him the winner of the "Best Dressed Engine" contest. Gordon is secretly pleased, but embarrassed to say so.
179	23	"Gordon and Spencer"	David Mitton	Lee Pressman	5 November 2003 (2003-11-05)
Gordon is jealous of Spencer, the world's fastest silver streamlined tender engine. But Spencer runs out of water on Gordon's Hill, making him the one in disgrace.
180	24	"Not So Hasty Puddings"	David Mitton	Robyn Charteris	6 November 2003 (2003-11-06)
		"Not So Hasty Cakes"
		"Thomas and the Avalanche"
Thomas is jealous when Elizabeth is given the task of shipping Christmas puddings. But she slips on the icy roads, so Thomas has to help after all.
181	25	"Trusty Rusty"	David Mitton	James Mason	7 November 2003 (2003-11-07)
Rusty notices cracks in the supports of the old wooden bridge and warns the Fat Controller and the other engines that it might fall. Duncan refuses to listen to Rusty for being "only a diesel", and forgets to wait for his coal. When Duncan realises he needs more coal, he decides to cross the bridge, but he runs out of steam halfway across just as it starts to fall. Luckily, Rusty finds and rescues Duncan just before the bridge collapses completely.
182	26	"Three Cheers for Thomas"	David Mitton	Jan Page	10 November 2003 (2003-11-10)
		"Hooray for Thomas"
To feel important, Thomas agrees to race Bertie. But during his competition, the load of medals for the children's competition needs to be delivered, and Thomas needs to do this job.

Characters

Main article: List of Thomas & Friends characters

Introduced

• Emily
• Fergus
• Arthur
• Murdoch
• Spencer
• Sodor Brass Band
• Lord Callan
• The Duke and Duchess of Boxford (do not speak)
• The Mayor of Sodor (mentioned)

Recurring cast

• Thomas
• Edward
• Henry
• Gordon
• James
• Percy
• Toby
• Duck
• Donald and Douglas
• Oliver
• Bill and Ben
• Harvey
• Diesel
• Mavis
• Salty
• Skarloey
• Rheneas
• Peter Sam
• Duncan
• Rusty
• Annie and Clarabel
• Toad
• Bertie
• Bulgy
• Elizabeth
• Harold
• Cranky
• The Fat Controller
• Lady Hatt
• Stephen Hatt
• Bridget Hatt
• The Refreshment Lady
• 'Arry and Bert (not named)
• Troublesome Trucks (do not speak)
• Terence (does not speak)
• Trevor (does not speak)
• Jem Cole (does not speak)
• The Vicar of Wellsworth (does not speak)
• Farmer Trotter (not named; does not speak)
• Stepney (stock footage appearance, does not speak)
• Henrietta (cameo)
• George (cameo)
• Butch (cameo)
• Tiger Moth (cameo)
• Mrs. Kyndley (cameo)
• Farmer Finney (cameo)
• Nancy (cameo)
• Tom Tipper (cameo)
• Cyril the Fogman (cameo)
• Jenny Packard (cameo)
• Farmer McColl (cameo)
• Duke (stock footage cameo)

Home Video Releases

Series 7 was released on VHS and DVD in the UK by Video Collection International in three volumes.

DVD Title	Release Date	Included Episodes
Happy Little Helpers	6 October 2003	"Three Cheers for Thomas" "Percy Gets it Right" "Edward's Brass Band" "James and the Queen of Sodor" "Toby's Windmill" "Bad Day at Castle Loch" "Snow Engine" "Emily's New Coaches"
Engines to the Rescue	1 March 2004	"Gordon and Spencer" "Harold and the Flying Horse" "The Grand Opening" "It's Only Snow" "The Refreshment Lady's Tea Shop" "Trusty Rusty" "Salty's Stormy Tale" "Something Fishy"
Pulling Together!	2 August 2004	"The Old Bridge" "Bulgy Rides Again" "Bill, Ben and Fergus" "The Spotless Record" "Best Dressed Engine" "Fergus Breaks the Rules" "Peace and Quiet" "The Runaway Elephant"

The three episodes not included in the separate volumes are "What's the Matter with Henry?", "Rheneas and the Roller Coaster", and "Not So Hasty Puddings".

2 Entertain released a complete series DVD volume in January 2008.

Episodes from the series have also made it to various compilation releases with other series.