Thomas & Friends - Season 4

Based on the story of the same name from Duke the Lost Engine.

Thomas tells the story of Duke, a narrow gauge engine who worked with Stuart, Falcon, and briefly Smudger. All three are happy together. However, when their railway closes due to bankruptcy, the young engines are sold and the old engine is left abandoned in a shed. Duke falls to asleep and everything around him changes.

Based on the story of the same name from Duke the Lost Engine.

Thomas continues his story of Duke. As many years passed, some rescuers begin an adventurous journey to find Duke and reunite him with his old friends Stuart and Falcon. The search grows harder and there is no sign of Duke, but the rescuers were just as determined to find him.

Based on the story of the same name from Duke the Lost Engine.

Falcon is sent to take the Mountain Road with Duke. However, he is impatient and does not pay attention to Duke's advice. He winds up dangling from a cliff. There are more problems, as Duke is out of water. Despite this, he clings on to Falcon like a Bulldog and manages to build up enough steam to save him.

Based on the story of the same name from Duke the Lost Engine.

Holidaymakers to the Island like riding in Duke's special train "The Picnic". One evening though Duke is too ill to manage on his own, so Falcon and Stuart assist him. Stuart teases Duke about this, but Duke gets his own back on Stuart by playing a trick on him and he proves that he still has a lot of life left in him.

Based on the stories, "Skarloey Remembers" and "Old Faithful" from Four Little Engines.

On the Skarloey Railway, Sir Handel (formerly known as Falcon) is pushed off the rails by some angry coaches. Skarloey, an old narrow gauge engine, is the only engine available to pull Sir Handel's train. He itches for a good run, and is determined to get his passengers home, even when one of his front spring breaks.

Based on the story, "Sir Handel" from Four Little Engines.

Skarloey and Rheneas are tired old engines who work very hard on their own line. Sir Handel and Peter Sam (formerly known as Falcon and Stuart) are brought in to help them. But Sir Handel is in a bad mood, he only makes matters worse by deliberately derailing himself to get out of work.

Based on the story of the same name from Four Little Engines.

Sir Topham Hatt has sent Sir Handel to the shed in disgrace, so Peter Sam is now single-handedly running the railway and extremely excited about his new position. One day, Henry threatens to leave without his passengers. In a haste to meet his connection, Peter Sam's eagerness almost leaves the Refreshment Lady behind.

Based on the story of the same name from The Little Old Engine.

Gordon advises Sir Handel to get out of work by pretending to be ill. leaving Peter Sam and Rusty, a new diesel engine, to take over his work. However, some trucks mistake Peter Sam for Sir Handel and crash into him at the incline.

Based on the story of the same name from The Little Old Engine.

Skarloey finally returns home after being repaired and meets Rusty. Peter Sam, still recovering, informs him of the newest arrival a careless and bad-tempered steam engine named Duncan. Soon, Skarloey is sent to Duncan's aid when he is stuck under a decrepit tunnel.

Based on the story of the same name from The Little Old Engine.

Rusty and the workmen have repaired the railway line while Skarloey was away being mended. He is concerned about Duncan, who ignores his warning about a broken section of track. With a tip from James, Duncan is off on his own and he is soon "rocking n' rolling" along the rails. Rusty grudgingly comes to the rescue.

Based on the story of the same name from Gallant Old Engine.

Peter Sam's funnel is in bad condition from his accident. He has been promised a new funnel, but he starts to lose hope in it, especially when his funnel is knocked off by an icicle, and is temporarily replaced by a drainpipe. However, Peter Sam gives the other engines a run for their money once his new funnel arrives.

Based on the story of the same name from Gallant Old Engine.

Sir Handel wants to prove that his special set of wheels make him superior. Skarloey, attempting to bring him down to size, tells him of an anti-railway steamroller named George, whom Sir Handel vows to pay out. But George and Sir Handel are too evenly hot-headed.

Based on the story of the same name from Gallant Old Engine.

Duncan complains about not getting polished while the passengers and other engines get such luxuries. He gets so cross that he decides, "No polish means no passengers." His rudeness reaches its peak when he stops on the viaduct and refuses to move, angering the passengers.

Based on the story of the same name from Gallant Old Engine.

Skarloey wants to talk some sense into Duncan, so he tells him the story of how Rheneas saved the railway from closure. One miserable day in particular, Rheneas was travelling home with a full train, went through a steep hill and crude weather for the sake of his passengers, even after suffering a serious breakdown.

When Rusty hears that an engine is needed to help run the Bluebell Railway, he suggests they search the same spot where Douglas found Oliver -the Other Railway. Only diesels go there now, so Rusty ventures out on his mission and meets a steam engine named Stepney, who is stranded in the scrapyard.

Based on the stories "Bluebells of England" and "Stepney's Special" from Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine.

Stepney is longing for good long run and is delighted to discover that he has been invited to visit the Fat Controller's railway. Thomas is jealous when the visiting engine is talked about more than he is. It does not help his anger when he is shunted on his own branch line for Stepney to pass with a special train that night.

Based on the story of the same name from Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine.

Stepney's driver and fireman watch a game of cricket match while waiting at a signal. As Stepney sets off again, he doesn't realise that the ball has landed in one of his trucks. Caroline, an elderly car, sets off with the players in pursuit of Stepney, the trucks and the cricket ball along the branch line.

Based on the story of the same name from Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine.

Stepney's visit is coming to an end, and a new visitor, a rude and snobbish Diesel, arrives. The stuck-up diesel makes a fool of himself when he sucks an inspector's bowler hat through his air-intake vent just as he is about to take the Express. Duck and Stepney, who has longed for a long run, volunteer in taking the train.

Based on the story of the same name from Troublesome Engines.

The big engines cheer up when a circus comes to Sodor, but it isn't long until Gordon and Henry become cross again as James gets to pull the circus train away. Later that day, Henry and the workmen are called to investigate a blockage in a tunnel, where he unhappily comes across an elephant.

Based on the story of the same name from Oliver the Western Engine.

Oliver is constantly ridiculed by the trucks for his turntable incident prompted by their ringleader, S.C. Ruffey. Toad advises Oliver on how to regain the trucks' respect. Oliver struggles to pull a goods train as S.C. Ruffey and the trucks hold him back, but Oliver is so determined that he accidentally pulls S.C. Ruffey apart.

Based on the story of the same name from Branch Line Engines.

Daisy teases Toby about his cowcatchers and side-plates. Toby tells her they are for stopping him from hurting animals if they stray on the line, but she claims that she would simply have to "toot" to scare them off. However, when she comes across a bull she realises that it will need more than a command to move it away.

Based on the story "The Fat Controller's Engines" from The Eight Famous Engines.

After the Fat Controller reads a letter inviting the engines to visit the mainland, he tells them going that they must show the other engines their tasks. Thomas shows Oliver how to manage the coaches, but recalls the time he beat Bertie in a race and becomes very conceited, putting his big trip in jeopardy.

Based on the story of the same name from Gordon the Big Engine.

It is a proud day for the Fat Controller's railway as the Queen is coming to visit. Henry misses the chance of pulling the Royal train after a paint accident. Gordon and Thomas, having made up for their disgrace, are given a special opportunity.

Based on the story of the same name from Really Useful Engines.

Extra vans are added to the Flying Kipper, and as a result, Henry needs a back engine to help him up Gordon's Hill. Duck offers to help, though Thomas warns him to take care reminding him of his own experience with fish. A badly attached tail lamp causes problems as Duck collides with the fishy train.

Based on the stories "Toby's Seaside Holiday" and "Bulstrode" from Toby, Trucks and Trouble.

Toby is eager to be involved in the seaside festival, but is upset when he realises there is not enough room for him. Meanwhile, Percy is called into the harbour to deal with Bulstrode, a highly disagreeable barge who never stops complaining. Bulstrode makes the trucks more troublesome than usual, though he pays dearly for it.

Based on the story of the same name from Really Useful Engines.

Tom Tipper, a postal-worker, is unhappy when his post van is replaced by a bicycle. Percy manages to help him out, but not in the way he intended, as he inadvertently flattens Tom's bike. In the end, Tom gets a smart new van.