Thomas & Friends series 8

Thomas & Friends Series 8
Thomas & Friends Series 8
Series 8
	DVD cover art
Release
Original network	ITV
Original release	1 August –; ; 24 October 2004
Series chronology
	← Previous; Series 7 (2003) Next →; Series 9 (2005)
	List of episodes

Thomas & Friends (previously known as Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends) is a children's television series about the engines and other characters working on the railways of the Island of Sodor, and is based on The Railway Series books written by the Rev. W. Awdry.

This article lists and details episodes from the eighth season of this series, which was first broadcast in 2004. This season is narrated by Michael Angelis for the UK audiences, although Michael Brandon narrates the episodes for American audiences.

Production

A number of significant changes took place. Britt Allcroft was no longer involved with the product. The series was taken over by HIT Entertainment (the owners of Bob the Builder).

Beginning with this season, the episodes, originally four and a half minutes, were extended to 7 minutes.

The series was produced using digital video camera, which creates a somewhat different look for the show. There was also a subtle shift towards the use of CGI elements, provided by HIT Entertainment's subsidiary HOT Animation,^[1] although filming remained at Shepperton Studios.

Other changes include the additions of CGI sequences in mini-segments between episodes, transition effects, book opening intro section.

30-minute episode version

This is an episode format that includes 2 to 3 mini-episodes, with the 3-episode version including a shorter episode in the middle. In addition, it also includes segments introducing elements of Sodor railways using stock footage or additional songs, and CGI mini-segments.

Episodes

#	Total	UK/US Title (Top) Gaelic Title (Bottom)	Writer(s)	Original airdate	TV order
1	183	"Thomas and the Tuba"	Dave Ingham	August 1, 2004 (2004-08-01)	101a
2	184	"Percy's New Whistle"	James Mason	August 1, 2004 (2004-08-01)	101b
3	185	"Thomas to the Rescue"	Abi Grant and Paul Larson	August 8, 2004 (2004-08-08)	102a
4	186	"Henry and the Wishing Tree"	Abi Grant and Paul Larson	August 8, 2004 (2004-08-08)	102b
5	187	"James Gets a New Coat"	Abi Grant	August 15, 2004 (2004-08-15)	103a
6	188	"Thomas Saves the Day"	James Mason	August 15, 2004 (2004-08-15)	103b
7	189	"Percy's Big Mistake"	Abi Grant	August 22, 2004 (2004-08-22)	104a
8	190	"Thomas, Emily and the Snowplough"	Abi Grant	August 22, 2004 (2004-08-22)	104b
9	191	"Don't Tell Thomas"	Paul Larson	August 29, 2004 (2004-08-29)	105a
10	192	"Emily's New Route"	Paul Larson	August 29, 2004 (2004-08-29)	105b
11	193	"Thomas and the Firework Display"	Paul Larson and Abi Grant	September 5, 2004 (2004-09-05)	106a
12	194	"Gordon Takes Charge"	Paul Larson	September 5, 2004 (2004-09-05)	106b
13	195	"Spic and Span"	Marc Seal	September 12, 2004 (2004-09-12)	107a
14	196	"Edward the Great"	Abi Grant	September 12, 2004 (2004-09-12)	107b
15	197	"Squeak, Rattle and Roll"	Marc Seal	September 19, 2004 (2004-09-19)	108a
16	198	"Thomas and the Circus"	Abi Grant	September 19, 2004 (2004-09-19)	108b
17	199	"Thomas Gets It Right"	Robin Rigby	September 26, 2004 (2004-09-26)	109a
18	200	"As Good As Gordon"	Abi Grant	September 26, 2004 (2004-09-26)	109b
19	201	"Fish"	Paul Larson	October 3, 2004 (2004-10-03)	110a
20	202	"Emily's Adventure"	Paul Larson	October 3, 2004 (2004-10-03)	110b
21	203	"Halloween"	Dave Ingham	October 10, 2004 (2004-10-10)	111a
22	204	"You Can Do It, Toby!"	Paul Larson	October 10, 2004 (2004-10-10)	111b
23	205	"James Goes Too Far"	James Mason	October 17, 2004 (2004-10-17)	112a
24	206	"Chickens to School"	Paul Larson	October 17, 2004 (2004-10-17)	112b
25	207	"Too Hot for Thomas"	Paul Larson	October 24, 2004 (2004-10-24)	113a
26	208	"Percy and the Magic Carpet"	Abi Grant	October 24, 2004 (2004-10-24)	113b

Recurring character cast

References

^ How Thomas the Tank Engine Works

[1] How Thomas the Tank Engine Works

[1]