This article is about the episode. You may be looking for the UK book, the Home Media release, the US book, the magazine story or the mini book. |
- “Why, 'tis a floatin' basket with folks in it."
"Whatever will they dream up next?” - ― Donald and Douglas
James and the Red Balloon is the fifteenth episode of the sixth series.
Plot
It is summer holiday time on the Island of Sodor and holidaymakers are coming to visit the island. One day, Thomas picks up a special to take to Dryaw Airfield; he tells Percy it is a balloon which Percy thinks it is a party balloon, but Thomas corrects him, saying that it is a special balloon and chuffs away.
Thomas arrives at the airfield and the hot air balloon is being blown up. James arrives and Thomas explains that the balloon is for taking holidaymakers around the island, but James is jealous because taking holidaymakers is a job for engines. He asks what will happen if the balloon takes their passengers and what will become of them. After hearing this, Thomas is not excited about the balloon anymore. The balloon is then seen from everyone on the island.
Later that day, Thomas and James are waiting at Wellsworth Crossing to let George pass through. Whilst there, they are talking about the hot air balloon which ends up falling on top of James after it runs out of hot air. James, petrified, lets off a huge burst of steam, which invariably blows the balloon up again. His driver cheers for him, but Thomas and James are upset that it will eventually take their passengers.
James arrives at Dryaw where a lot of visitors and the Fat Controller are waiting. He praises James who is still upset about how the balloon will take their passengers. The Fat Controller laughs saying that he is right, but also tells him that the holidaymakers will need a ride home in a train. James is relieved, as the engines are now busier than ever taking holidaymakers to and from the airfield for balloon rides. Whenever James sees the red balloon, he whistles hello and sometimes when he is asleep, he wishes he can fly too, just like the red balloon.
Characters
- Thomas
- James
- Percy
- Donald and Douglas
- Sir Topham Hatt
- Duck (does not speak)
- Stepney (does not speak)
- Henry (cameo)
- Annie and Clarabel (cameos)
- Bertie (cameo)
- George (cameo)
- Butch (cameo)
- Tiger Moth (cameo)
- Stephen Hatt (cameo)
- Bridget Hatt (cameo)
- Jem Cole (cameo)
- Farmer Trotter (cameo)
- Nancy (cameo)
- Sir Topham Hatt's Brown-haired Assistant (cameo)
- Mr. Hugh (cameo)
- One Stone-Dropping Boy (cameo)
- Farmer Collett (cameo)
- The Railway Board (cameos)
- Elsbridge Cricket Club Member (cameo)
- The Mid Sodor Railway Manager (cameo)
- The Portly Man (cameo)
- The Storyteller (cameo)
- Cyril the Fogman (cameo)
- The Captain (cameo)
- Big Mickey (faceless, cameo)
- Toad (faceless; deleted scene cameo)
Locations
- Tidmouth Beach
- Callan
- Brendam Docks
- Dryaw
- Maithwaite
- Tidmouth Sheds
- Wellsworth Crossing
- The Viaduct
- Tower Windmill
- The Watermill (deleted scene)
Trivia
- This story may be loosely adapted from the mini book by Christopher Awdry, James and the Balloons, which itself may have been based on the magazine story, The Balloon Race.
- This marks George's only appearance in the sixth series.
- This is the first of the six episodes of the sixth series re-narrated by Michael Brandon in the US and Michael Angelis in the UK with music composed by Robert Hartshorne for the ninth series airings.
- A faceless Toad model can be seen in a rare promotional picture.
- In April 2017, a ride of the same name of this episode was opened up at Drayton Manor Theme Park.
- The events of this episode were referenced by James in the twentieth series episode, Hugo and the Airship.
- Alec Baldwin's US dub marks the last episode where Donald and Douglas speak in American accents in said dub.
- The scene where the balloon lands on James is sped up.
Goofs
- When Percy pulls up next to Thomas, the top of the set can be seen.
- In the widescreen versions of Percy's close ups at the docks, Thomas does not have a face mask.
- The end of the tracks thats leads to bushes are visible at Dryaw, the level crossing and the Tower Windmill.
- In many scenes, James' crew is missing from his cab.
- When the narrator says, "Duck gazed at it for so long," the balloon is static and not moving.
- A crew member's footprint is seen when Duck runs into Stepney.
- In the original version of the:
- US dub, Alec Baldwin does not attempt a Scottish accent for Donald and Douglas' voices. This was later corrected in Michael Brandon's re-dub.
- UK dub, Michael Angelis accidentally uses a Scouse accent for Thomas at the start of the level crossing scene. This was later corrected in his re-dub.
- Douglas' coupling is sticking outward, his eyes are misaligned, and do not quite move at same time.
- Thomas is tilted at the level crossing.
- In a scene when the balloon is falling on James, his cab roof is out of place.
- The footage of the balloon collapsing on top of James is reversed, as the smoke goes inward.
Quotes
- Donald: [about the balloon] Why, it's a floating basket with folks in it!
- Douglas: Whatever will they dream up next?
- James: Passengers should travel on trains, not in silly balloons!
- James: AAAAAAAHHH!! WHAT'S HAPPENING?!
Merchandise
- Books - Thomas, James and the Red Balloon, James and the Red Balloon and Other Thomas the Tank Engine Stories and Thomas, James and the Red Balloon (Germany only)
- Magazine stories - James and the Red Balloon
In Other Languages
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Home Media Releases
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DVD BoxsetsAUS
DVD Boxsets
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