Thomas and the Guard

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“Rubbish! You're too fat! You need exercise!”

― Thomas to Henry

Thomas and the Guard, retitled Thomas and the Conductor for American releases, is the eleventh episode of the first season. It aired in the Shining Time Station episodes Faith, Hope and Anxiety and Fortune Teller Schemer.

Plot

Thomas enjoys his new life on his branch line. One day however, Henry arrives late at the junction with Thomas' passengers and Thomas leaves in such a hurry that he forgets his guard. Thomas does not realise until he reaches a signal and is forced to wait for the guard to catch up on foot. Once he arrives, he has a drink and a rest. The signal drops, and Thomas reaches Ffarquhar in record time.

Characters

Locations

Trivia

This episode is based on the story of the same name from The Railway Series book, Tank Engine Thomas Again.
Pre-filmed footage from Thomas and Bertie and Thomas Goes Fishing is used as well as stock footage from Thomas and the Breakdown Train and Thomas' Train. Footage from the former wasn't cut properly, as Bertie can be seen for a split second on the top-left corner after Thomas, Annie, and Clarabel enter the tunnel.
The shots of Thomas passing under the bridge before entering the tunnel and arriving at Ffarquhar station were used for the Classic Series' opening credits.
George Carlin's narration of this episode has been broadcasted on television, but has never been released on VHS, and has not yet been commissioned for a DVD, but for a limited time in 2009, it was released on ITunes.
In Japan this episode is called "The Conductor was Left Behind". In Finland this episode is called "Thomas Locomotive and Guard". The Spanish title is "Thomas and the Conductor". The Croatian title is "Thomas and Brakesman".

Goofs

In the opening shot, studio equipment is visible in the top-left corner.
In many scenes, Clarabel is facing the wrong way.
When Henry puffs into the junction, his brake coach is facing backwards.
In the UK version, the guard says, "It wasn't your fault Thomas", even though the situation wasn't explained. In Tank Engine Thomas Again, the guard accidentally tripped over an old lady's umbrella before Thomas took off. So it really was Thomas' fault in the episode.
When Thomas says "You're too fat! You need exercise!" he lets off steam. The scene then cuts to Henry briefly; but in the next scene the steam has gone and Thomas lets off more.
In the close-up of Thomas leaving the junction, Annie and Clarabel aren't coupled behind him.
In a close-up of Thomas' driver, his cap's brim is broken.
The guard only has his red flag when he is said to have had two flags.
The guard is alternatively bearded and clean-shaven between scenes.
Annie still appears sad when Thomas begins moving again after the signal changes,
At the end of the episode which shows a close-up shot of Thomas, a camera connector is on his front.
When Thomas says "Bother that signal! What's the matter?" the background is different showing buffers in the left corner.

Thomas and the Guard

Contents

Plot

Characters

Locations

Trivia

Goofs

Gallery

Episode

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