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This article is about 'the episode'. You may be looking for 'the UK book, the VHS/DVD, The US Book, the magazine story or the mini book'.
“Why, 'tis a floatin' basket with folk in it."
"Whatever will they dream up next?”
― Donald and Douglas

James and the Red Balloon is the fifteenth episode of the sixth season.

Plot

It is summer holiday time on the Island of Sodor and the holidaymakers are coming to visit the Island. Thomas picks up a special to take to Dryaw Airfield, Thomas tells Percy he is taking a balloon, and Percy thinks it is a party balloon, but Thomas corrects him and says that it is a special balloon and chuffs away.

Thomas arrives at the airfield and the hot air balloon is starting to blow. 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 can be seen from everyone on the Island.

Later that day, Thomas and James are waiting at a crossing talking about the hot air balloon, until the hot air balloon falls 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 would eventually take their passengers.

James arrives at Dryaw where a lot of visitors and the Fat Controller are waiting. He praises him, but James tells him that the balloon will take their passengers. The Fat Controller laughs saying that he is right, but also reminds him that the holidaymakers will need a ride home in a train. James is relieved, as the engines are now busier than ever taking vacations 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 could fly too, just like the red balloon.

Characters

Locations

Trivia

Goofs

  • When Percy pulls up next to Thomas, he is pulling trucks. But after that, they disappear. Additionally, the top of the set can be seen.
  • The end of the tracks crossing the level crossing are visible, more so for James' side.
  • The footage of the balloon collapsing on top of James is reversed, as the smoke goes inward.
  • In some shots at Dryaw, the tracks running through lead to bushes at both ends.
  • The tracks under the bridge in the last shot lead to bushes.
  • When Percy asks "What have you got there?" Thomas does not have a face. This is only apparent in the widescreen versions.
  • In the original American narration, Alec Baldwin does not even attempt a Scottish accent for Donald and Douglas' voices. This was later corrected in Micheal Brandon's re-narration.
  • In a scene when the balloon is falling on James, his cab roof is out of place.
  • When the narrator goes, "Duck gazed at it for so long," the balloon is static and not moving.
  • In the original British narration, Michael Angelis accidentally uses a Scouse accent for Thomas at the start of the level crossing scene.
  • Douglas' coupling is sticking outward when he says "Whatever will they dream up next?"

Merchandise

In Other Languages

View content
Language Title
Chinese 詹姆士与红气球
Danish Den Røde Ballon
Dutch James en de Rode Ballon
Hungarian James és a Piros Léggömb
Italian James e il Pallone Rosso
Japanese ジェームスとあかいききゅう
Korean 제임스의 걱정
Norwegian James og den Røde Ballongen
Polish Kuba i Czerwony Balon
Romanian James şi Balonul cel Roşu
Russian Джеймс и красный шарик
Serbian Džejms i Crveni Balon
Slovak Jakub a Červený Balón
Slovenian Jakob in Rdeči Balon
Swedish Den Röda Ballongen
Thai เจมส์อิจฉาบอลลูน
Welsh Mae Balwn ar Gyfer James

Home Media Releases

UK

DVD Packs

WAL

US

DVD Boxsets

AUS

DVD Boxsets

NOR/DK

DK DVD Boxsets

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MYS

JPN

ITA

KOR

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