CALLING ALL ENGINES

'''Calling All Engines''' is a full-length feature special based on the TV series ''Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends''. It was released direct to video and DVD and was released in North America on September 6, 2005^[1]. In the UK and Australia, release was in October 2005^[2].
''Calling All Engines'' is about a new airport being built on the Island Of Sodor, and its construction leads to the rivalry between the steam engines and diesel engines reaching boiling point. However, a storm slows work down, and soon the steam engines and diesels have no choice but to work together to complete the airport. Of course, this is not an easy task, and the engines must work hard to fix the many damages caused by the storm, especially at the airport construction site, where the most damage was made.
There is speculation among fans as to whether this film can be considered canonical with the TV series. It was released between seasons 8 and 9 of the TV Series, but few of the events of the film have had any bearing on the TV series. Tidmouth Sheds are rebuilt in this film, to having seven spaces (where there were six previously). The "rebuilt" Tidmouth Sheds were seen in the TV series from Season 9 onwards. The Sodor Airport, constructed in this episode later appeared in Season 10. However, the so-called "return" of characters such as Daisy and Derek does not appear to have had any effect on the TV series, and nor did the treaty between the steam and diesel engines until Season 10.

Contents

Characters of the feature length special

Steamies

Diesels

Other Characters

Rolling Stock

Non Rail Characters

Cameos

People

Notes

Deleted scenes

References

Characters of the feature length special

Steamies

★ Thomas the Tank Engine

★ Lady

★ Edward the Blue Engine

★ Henry the Green Engine

★ Gordon the Big Engine

★ James the Red Engine

★ Percy the Small Engine

★ Toby the Tram Engine (non-speaking role)

★ Emily

★ Harvey the Crane Engine (non-speaking role)

Diesels

★ Diesel

★ Mavis

★ 'Arry and Bert

★ Daisy (cameo and activity role)

★ Diesel 10 (from the ''Magic Railroad'' film)

Other Characters

★ Rusty (non-speaking role)

Rolling Stock

★ Annie and Clarabel

★ Troublesome Trucks

Non Rail Characters

★ Harold the Helicopter

★ George the Steamroller (non-speaking role)

Cameos

★ Bill and Ben (music video cameo)

★ Derek(Music Video cameo)

★ Salty (music video cameo and activity role)

★ Henrietta

★ Bertie the Bus

★ Trevor the Traction Engine

★ Caroline

★ Cranky (leg cameo)

★ Butch

★ Toad (His "Scrap" model from the episode "Escape" is seen in the scrap yard when Diesel Ten is first seen)

People

★ The Fat Controller

★ Workmen

★ The Children

★ Farmer McColl (non speaking role)

★ The Airport Manager

Notes

★ The songs featured are "Busy", "Try To Do Things Better", "Together We Made It Happen", "The Dream Song", and the "New Engine Roll Call".

★ Lady is now a "special engine who works high in the mountains". No magical qualities are mentioned.

★ First appearance of The Sodor Suspension Bridge, The New Tidmouth Sheds, and The Sodor Airport (including Terminal, Tower, and Runway).

★ Despite not speaking, Harvey plays an important role in the film and has numerous 'background' cameos.

★ Despite not speaking, George plays an important role in the film, his first since "Bye George!" in Season 5.

★ Toby is the second engine to go up the tipper's loading ramp. (The first was Percy in "Middle Engine" in Season 6).

★ A seventh space is added to Tidmouth Sheds, for Emily. This set change carries on into Season 9.

★ Even though Lady and Diesel 10 appear in the film, Splatter and Dodge are still absent.

★ This film marks the return appearances^[3] of the small and older model of Rusty (last seen in season 7), Daisy (last seen in season 4), George (last featured in season 8), Lady and Diesel 10, (last seen in Thomas and the Magic Railroad), Derek (last seen in season 5), and Bill and Ben (last seen in season 7).

★ We see Emily eyes-shut face for the first time in this film.

★ Diesel 10 is neither mean nor evil in this movie!

★ Calling All Engines features the last appearance of Daisy.

Deleted scenes

★ Thomas and Percy being bumped by ’Arry and Bert a second time at the airport construction site.

★ Thomas being teased by ’Arry and Bert whilst waiting at a signal with the bridge section.

★ Thomas discovering the damaged windmill in the morning after the storm.

References

1. Calling All Engines!
2. Thomas and Friends: Calling all Engines!
3. Great Seeing So Many of the Old Engines Back