"New To Me" Thomas & Friends Show on PBS Kids

RaritanRiverRailroadFan4 posted:

Unlike the Bachmann models, Hornby Thomas models are based off the engine prototype. So for instance they modeled Thomas off of a LBS&RC E2 locomotive. Whereas Bachmann models use the TV style. I prefer the prototype honestly.

Well, except for Edward and Emily - for some reason, Hornby chose the completely incorrect basis for both of them.

Most of the earliest tape releases had Ringo's narration, but most of the US VHS' had George's narration - either season 3 and 4, or redubbed season 1 and 2. Carlin for me was the best narrator, since he brought the most enthusiasm and uniqueness depending on the character.

Stoshu posted:

A friend of mine did the DVD menu's and artwork for the first 8 releases. It was an interesting experience.. The original layout was G gauge and was built in an airplane hanger in England.  The film makers seemed to be very serious about the production and the would get angry and start screaming at each other if things didn't quite go right... One of the guy's who did the voices lived in Toronto. Seems this Thomas production was global...

This was most prominent during production of season 4 in 1994, because most of the episodes that season focused on the narrow gauge engines. These were O gauge compared to the G gauge standard gauge locomotives, and they did not work well at all. The drive systems and linkage would frequently jam, as would the radio controlled eye mechanisms. The late director David Mitton said a few times (like here) how important it was to get the shots right.

CNtomato posted:

Mikado 4501 posted:

In the US, Ringo did the first two seasons, and then George did seasons 3 and 4. After that, Alec Baldwin narrated seasons 5 and 6. Michael Brandon narrated after up until season 17 when Mark Moraghan took over to the present.

Actually in the US/Canada Carlin narrated series 1-4. 

Actually, according to Internet Movie Database (IMDb), Ringo Starr played Mr. Conductor for 21 episodes from 1989 to 1991, and George Carlin played Mr. Conductor/Mr. Conductor’s Double for 45 episodes from 1991 to 1993 for “Shining Time Station.”

I remember watching Ringo when the show was gaining in popularity in the U.S. I didn’t realize Carlin was used to redub those first two seasons. Interesting. 

Here's a long explainer on the model days of the show including voice actors...  it was filmed at sheffield/pinewood studios.

http://www.sodor-island.net/behindthescenes.html

Thank you everyone for your interest!  We never bought any of the Shining Time Station episodes on tape or disk, so I was only familiar with what was on Television.  I just knew we saw both Ringo and George Carlin both, but due to the dates given by you, we must have seen some reruns.  

The links for Sodor are great!  I really liked the layout and production of that era.  That is not to take away from today's computer graphics version.  A different era, a different medium.

There are some great resources 'out there' -- I used this site to plot out the layout: http://www.pegnsean.net/~railwayseries/mapsection.htm