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Monday 30 September 2013

Exclusive Interview with...: Marketing Manager of Hornby, Simon Kohler, at the Barrow Hill Roundhouse

With the UK's Hornby Thomas & Friends range in seemingly good stride, 2009 saw a decline in quantity over new products, with the series resurrected in 2011 after a two year hiatus.

2012 however, became the first year in which no new engines from the Thomas franchise were made and only consisted of five pieces of rolling stock and limited models of few select engines, continuing on from the previous year.

To talk more, Hornby's Simon Kohler appeared at the Barrow Hill Roundhouse Chesterfield model rail event on September 29th, where Hawk01 was on hand to question the marketing manager for Roll Along Thomas.
Whose decision is it to produce a sought after character that’s often been suggested or requested?
It’s me really. What we do is if there is a new character, a new film or program, and there is a key character, we may suggest it. But it’s a question of do we have a chassis that will fit or that'll work? Although It’s not always the case.

Part of the problem is, you’ve got to imagine that the chassis for the Q1 is retailed now at over £100, and you’ve got to ask yourself, if we produced a character like Neville, the cost to produce that would result in the cost of the item or loco being £100, now it would be much for what would be considered for a child.

There have been discontinuations of old favourites while some were brought back as limited editions, like the stamped versions of Thomas, Percy and James. Can they and others return as standard editions?
The thing is, you end up with a range that is very popular and to people who will introduce something, you’ll run it for a year or two years and then we’ll give it a rest, but we’ll bring something else back and that’s really how you operate something as popular as the Thomas range.
Over your time at Hornby, who has been your favourite character to produce?
It would actually have to be Thomas because he is the first character. We’ve been producing Thomas for nearly 30 years and for the early years with Britt Allcroft right at the beginning, it was a great and exciting time and we had a lot of respect for Britt for what she did. It was a pleasure to work for her. When the range came out, she was pleased with it plus the entire team at Hornby too. I couldn’t do my work without that team.

The TV series nowadays is produced in CGI and merchandising has followed the show's facelift through the designs of the characters. Would Hornby continue this staple to tie-in with the brand's modern look?
It would depend on what Hit [Entertainment] would ask us to do. We’re in a position where they will dictate on what they would see on the characters but dictate in a nice way seeing as it’s their characters and Hornby, more or less, borrows it from them.

For the range itself, how long is it guaranteed for and is a good future in for it?
Yes, but nothing ever lasts forever. So to say, will it go on forever, I couldn’t possibly answer that, but certainly in the near future.
You appeared in the BBC's James May's Toy Stories episode Hornby and its follow-up The Great Train Race trying to help James build the longest running model railway. What was it like to trying to make this happen?
It was good fun, it was hard work. A lot of people put a lot of effort into it, getting up at the very early hours, on their hands and knees putting the track together. I did indeed fall down a ditch covered in mud, [it was] one of my proudest moments! When it was all done, all the tracks had to be picked up. So the next day, we did it all again only this time picking the track up. Driving the van full of boxes, it was a daunting task but good fun.

Kohler also spoke of the discontinuation of the 2011 standard design buildings confirming that they didn’t live up to what had been previously done with the Great Waterton line.

Wednesday 25 September 2013

'Santa's Little Engine' sneak peek released by amazon

amazon.com has offered viewers a sneak peek at upcoming US DVD, Santa's Little Engine.

The online retailer's Instant Video service integrates a preview of the Season 17 release's main episode of the same name.
It sees The Fat Controller, dressed as Father Christmas, involved in a runaway by Ulfstead Castle while on a sleigh with Thomas chasing him.

The action then shifts to Stephen concerning the missing festive tools to The Earl of Sodor for an imminent celebration.

No Snow for Thomas, Frozen Turntable and The Missing Christmas Decorations are joined by past episode Snow Tracks for the release.

Santa's Little Engine from Lionsgate Entertainment hits US DVD shelves on October 8th.

PRE-ORDER THE 'SANTA'S LITTLE ENGINE' DVD ON AMAZON.COM

Thanks to MrTrainfan1000the2nd and SteamTeam for the alert.

Exclusive: 'The Pack' spinoff originally 26 episodes long

Jack and the Pack was initially perceived to be a full 26 episode series, it has been revealed.

The spinoff series, which entered UK and US DVD releases from 2006 to 2008, ran for 13 stories and continued the Sodor construction team's adventures with new members introduced.

It was subsequently confirmed that more stories were to have been made. Roll Along Thomas can exclusively reveal that the spinoff was intended to run for 26 installments, from information received by a former production member.

Jack and the Pack: Series One was originally meant to be 26 episodes, said the anonymous subject. Meanwhile, the summaries and details of some of the lost scripts have never been publicly released, till now.
Bossy Byron, by Paul Larson: When Kelly is sent for repairs, Byron puts himself in charge and starts to boss all the other machines about. Eventually he learns that if he wants the others to take notice of him, he will have to ask more nicely in the future. Byron is happy when Kelly returns, he was finding it hard to be nice.

Characters include; Byron, Jack, Alfie, Patrick, Miss Jenny, Max and Monty. Kelly does not have a speaking role. In the original draft of the script, Kelly has dialogue and Isobella also appears. The original storyline revolved around the Pack building a playground and Byron complaining about the other machines not taking their work seriously.

At Miss Jenny's request, Byron learns that you can work and have fun at the same time. Working titles included 'All Work, No Play' and 'Seriously, Folks'.
Pop Goes the Diesel, by Paul Larson: Max and Monty tell Isobella that Miss Jenny will soon get rid of the steam-powered vehicles in favour of diesel-powered ones. Isobella tries to ignore Max and Monty but fears there may be some truth in what they are saying. One evening, the fuel man visits the yard with some fresh new fuel.

The fuel makes all of the diesel-powered vehicles backfire which they find fun at first until they break down. Someone needs to fetch more fuel and Isobella agrees to go but not before getting Max and Monty to admit that steam-powered vehicles are the best.

That night, she admits to Max and Monty that steam and diesel vehicles are equals and under their paintworks, they are all trucks after all. Characters include; Isobella, Max, Monty and Jack. Miss Jenny is mentioned a few times. The plot is similar to Mud Glorious Mud and may even have been adapted into that episode.
The Importance of Being Patrick: Patrick feels he is being taken for granted. The band are constructing an ornemantal garden around the famous Sodor bandstand which is set to be opened by the mayor the following day. After work is complete, Miss Jenny gets a frantic phonecall about holes in a concrete path. Patrick remembers an old recipe Miss Jenny's father had told him for quick-drying cement.

Patrick and his driver make up the cement and it is poured into the path. The next day, the oversized mayor arrives to cut the ribbon and as he is about to step on the path everyone gasps wondering if the mayor and his considerable weight will sink.

Luckily, true to Patrick's word, the cement is rock hard. Patrick had saved the day. Characters include; Oliver, Kelly, Jack, Alfie, Patrick, Isobella, Buster, Byron and Miss Jenny. This episode was set in the spring.
Jack and the Quack: The Maithwaite village pond is home to a family of ducks which the children love to feed. The pond is in need of dredging so Jack is assigned to enter the pond and scoop out silt. Jack is over-enthusiastic and damages the bottom of the pond. All of the water drains away and the ducks disappear. Jack is ever so disappointed and asks to stay behind after work to look for the ducks. He looks everywhere and soon falls asleep.

Overnight, a summer storm breaks out. When Jack wakes in the morning, he is surprised to see the family of ducks have found a new home in his rain-filled scoop. Characters include; Jack, Alfie, Isobella, Nelson, Miss Jenny and Patrick.
Alfie Has a Secret: A new school crossing is being built. Jack is surprised to see Alfie at the site, after all, they don't need any trenches dug. Alfie will not tell Jack or Isobella what his job is. As the day progresses, Jack and Isobella watch Alfie drilling and then digging a trench across the road. Alfie then lays a pipe in the trench and puts up a small sign with a picture of a hedgehog on it.

Alfie had been building a crossing for the hedgehogs while Jack and Isobella had made one for the children. Now everyone can cross the road safely. Characters include; Alfie, Jack, Isobella, Kelly and Nelson. Kelly's Heroes: No summary available.
Isobella Gets Steamed: Isobella is jealous of the fun Jack and Alfie have when she is off-site. When it's time for the harvest festival, the vicar's tractor engine breaks down. Who can pull the float with the choir on it now? Isobella can, but she doesn't want to go off-site and miss out on all the fun.

But when she gets to the street and sees all of the people, she realises that she is having fun and that fun is what you make it. Characters include; Jack, Alfie and Isobella. This episode is set in the summer.
Jack and Alfie Swap: On a demolition site, everyone is extremely busy except for Alfie who spends all day digging. He is jealous and asks if he can swap jobs with Jack who spends the day flitting about on the site. The next day Jack spends the day continuously digging and Alfie, now doing Jack's job, clatters from one side of the site to the other all day long. He gets exhausted.

Jack enjoys his break but becomes restless. That night, Jack asks Alfie if they can switch back, but exhausted Alfie is already asleep! Characters include; Jack, Alfie, Oliver, Byron, Ned and Isobella. This episode is set in the summer. Working titles included 'Freaky Friday' and 'The Grass is Greener'.

Thanks to SteamTeam.

Tuesday 24 September 2013

Nitrogen's Greg Tiernan to work on Seth Rogen picture

Nitrogen Studios' Greg Tiernan is to co-direct an upcoming animated film written by Hollywood star, Seth Rogen.

The former Thomas & Friends director has teamed up with Shrek 2Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted visionarist and Dreamworks alumni Conrad Vernon to front Sausage Party.
The adult targeted picture, to be animated by Tiernan's Nitrogen team, is based on a story created by This is the End's Rogen, Jonah Hill and Evan Goldberg, who has penned the screenplay with his collaborator, Rogen.

Backed by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Annapurna Pictures, the film's plot follows the trail of a sausage's true identity.

After falling out of a shopping cart, our hero sausage and his new friends embark on a perilous journey through the supermarket to get back to their aisles before the Fourth of July sale.


Sausage Party is coming soon to cinemas worldwide in 2015.

FULL COVERAGE

Monday 23 September 2013

Exclusive: David Menkin named as US voiceover of Jack

The producer of Thomas & Friends has confirmed the identity of the American voice of Jack.

The front loader of Miss. Jenny's The Pack team returned in the King of the Railway special after his last appearance in the Season 12 episode, Percy and the Bandstand.

In the UK, Steven Kynman voiced the character, but his US counterpart was thought to be provided by Thomas and Diesel current voice actor, Martin T. Sherman.
Roll Along Thomas can exclusively reveal a response from the show's current producer Ian McCue, who reveals that a new cast member has joined the series.

You are [all] correct in assuming Steve Kynman for the UK voice of Jack, but for the US voice it was an actor called David Menkin who does have a similar tone to Martin.

David Menkin is an American actor and voiceover artist based in London who has acted in several stage shows such as The Green Violin and Christmas with the Rat Pack.

He has occasionally played a part in television shows such as the fourth series of Strike Back, Shadow Warfare and voices Scoop in the US version of Bob the Builder: Ready, Steady, Build!.

More recently, Menkin gained opportunities to feature in the Oscar winning film, Zero Dark Thirty and provide several voices for the animated picture, Arthur Christmas

Thanks to Daniel Coffey.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DAVID MENKIN ON IMDB

Thursday 19 September 2013

'The Thomas Way' US DVD cover and content revealed

Upcoming Season 17 US DVD, The Thomas Way has had its cover published by dvdempire.

The release is the third in line to contain stories from the 2013 series after Railway Mischief and October's Santa's Little Engine.

Multiple characters appear on the front cover, with Thomas joined by Percy, Gordon, Caitlin, Duck and Harold hovering overhead.

From the description, the title episode, The Switch, Percy's Lucky Day, Calm Down, Caitlin and The Lost Puff are included on the disc. Luke's New Friend serves as a bonus story alongside Guess Who? and Lift & Load Crane game.
Join Thomas and Friends for five all-new, exciting adventures! When Harold breaks down, Thomas and Duck are asked to take him for repairs but Thomas has something more fun in mind which only leads to trouble.

Luke and Millie switch jobs for a day and quickly learn how much they truly like their own work. Percy is having a bad day and feeling very unlucky but when a friend gives him a lucky charm, he thinks things might turn around.


Caitlin is excited to spend the night on Sodor that she doesn't let the engines get any rest so they find jobs to keep her busy through the night without realizing that she doesn't know much about how things are done on the island.


When playful Paxton convinces Thomas to be silly and drive over some bumpy tracks, he doesn't realize that his actions will make Thomas 'lose his puff' and he scrambles across the island in an attempt to help his friend.


The Thomas Way from Lionsgate Entertainment hits US DVD shelves on December 3rd.

PRE-ORDER 'THE THOMAS WAY' DVD ON WALMART

Thanks to MrTrainfan1000the2nd for the alert.

Return week of Series 17 episodes on Channel 5 named

The next five episodes to form the third week Season 17 in the United Kingdom have been unveiled by digiguide.

The continuation of the latest series is to air on Channel 5 milkshake! after a hiatus of three months and ten episodes.

Earlier this week, the return date was revealed by Freeview with The Lost Puff being the first to air for the end of the month.
The Lost Puff
Thomas accidentally backs into Toby at the water tower and gets his firebox wet, meaning that poor Thomas must wait for his firebox to dry out.

When Paxton overhears Toby saying that Thomas has lost his puff, Paxton the diesel engine misunderstands and heads off across the Island of Sodor to look for it!
Transmits on Channel 5 milkshake! on Monday September 30th at 7:35am.
Also on Channel 5 HD and an hour later at 8:35am on Channel 5 +1.

The Thomas Way
Harold the Helicopter breaks down near Callan Castle, so Duck and Thomas take him to the Sodor Search and Rescue centre for repairs.

Thomas wants to give Harold a tour of the island and show him the sights from an engine's perspective.

But Duck insists that there are only two ways to do things: the Great Western Way and the wrong way. Will they learn to work together?
Transmits on Channel 5 milkshake! on Tuesday October 1st at 7:35am.
Also on Channel 5 HD and an hour later at 8:35am on Channel 5 +1.

The Phantom Express
At Ulfstead Castle, as Stephen reassures Percy that there is no such thing as ghosts, James tries to scare them! Percy and Stephen are so shocked that they end up falling into the moat.

But James does not know where they are and when he hears them whistling, he ends up believing his own story and scaring himself!
Transmits on Channel 5 milkshake! on Wednesday October 2nd at 7:35am.
Also on Channel 5 HD and an hour later at 8:35am on Channel 5 +1.

Percy's Lucky Day
A couple of mishaps involving a torn sack of mail and some cargo on the line make Percy feel that he is unlucky. So Stephen lends Percy a lucky charm to get him back on the right track and it seems to work.

But Percy later realises that he does not have the charm with him and that he does not need it. In fact he is so confident without it he can help pull Bill and Ben back onto the rails without it.
Transmits on Channel 5 milkshake! on Thursday October 3rd at 7:35am.
Also on Channel 5 HD and an hour later at 8:35am on Channel 5 +1.

Bill or Ben?
New engine Connor arrives on Sodor, but when Bill and Ben see him for the first time they decide to play a trick on him by challenging him to a race - but it is really Bill at one end of the track and Ben at the other!

When Connor tries to race them again he nearly has an accident. The Fat Controller is cross and sends Bill to be repainted so that he and Ben do not look the same.

But the cheeky engines still have one last trick up their funnels!
Transmits on Channel 5 milkshake! on Friday October 4th at 7:35am.
Also on Channel 5 HD and an hour later at 8:35am on Channel 5 +1.

Season 17 of Thomas & Friends continues on Channel 5 milkshake! in the UK on September 30th at 7:35am with the episode, The Lost Puff.

Tuesday 17 September 2013

Season 17 official UK return confirmed for Channel 5

The official return date for the 17th Series on British television has been confirmed by Freeview.

The new run of episodes took on a mid-series break on Channel 5 milkshake! in June after a 10 episode stint. King of the Railway's cinema and DVD releases were indicated to be the cause for the move. 

The Thomas & Friends UK facebook page subsequently confirmed details of the series' untimely return.
Continuing the new series is the Paxton fronted story, The Lost Puff, which is to air on the last day of September.

The summary reads; Thomas accidentally backs into Toby at the water tower and gets his firebox wet, meaning that poor Thomas must wait for his firebox to dry out.

When Paxton overhears Toby saying that Thomas has lost his puff, Paxton the diesel engine misunderstands and heads off across the Island of Sodor to look for it!

Season 17 of Thomas & Friends continues on Channel 5 milkshake! in the UK on September 30th at 7:35am with the episode, The Lost Puff.

Monday 16 September 2013

Third Season 17 US DVD release goes 'The Thomas Way'

The third DVD of Season 17 episodes for the US has been named by Walmart for release during the Christmas season.

Due for broadcast on UK, US and Japanese television in October amongst other new stories, The Thomas Way will headline the December disc.

While more details are yet to be confirmed, the main episode itself will see Thomas team-up with Duck and Harold, as PBS' synopsis read in August.
When Harold the Helicopter breaks down near Callan Castle, Duck and Thomas are sent to take him to the Sodor Search and Rescue for repair.

Thomas wants to give Harold a tour of the island along the way and show him the sights from an engine’s perspective.

But Duck insists that there are only two ways to do things: the Great Western Way and the wrong way. Thomas and Duck have to learn to work together to help Harold.

The Thomas Way from Lionsgate Entertainment hits US DVD shelves on December 3rd.
 

'Toy Train in Space' re-do promotes Portuguese Thomas

Popular YouTube video A Toy Train in Space has been remade for Portuguese audiences in a new commercial.

Promoting the country's dubbed version of Thomas & Friends for Canal 5, the TV spot sees a young boy upset at losing his Wooden Railway Thomas after a paper round launches the model from a see-saw to the boy's home roof.

Sharing the child's feelings overnight, the toy eventually lands back on to the ground after a storm looms. Uploaded by the Thomas e Seus Amigos YouTube, the trailer takes inspiration from Ron Fugelseth's A Toy Train in Space video.
Both Ron and his son Jayden along with their Stanley model became stars in the media and on television when the now four million hits viewed clip reached viral status around the world.

Meanwhile, the brand's foray in Mexico has elected Hit Entertainment to bring the show to newer audiences, with actress Galilea Montijo fronting the push.

My son Mateo loves Thomas, and when I was invited to be part of this project, I immediately said yes, she said.

Thomas and Friends is not only about fun but also about its stores that are full of positive messages and values for our kids, like friendship, teamwork and that we are all capable of achieving great things.


Thanks to Hawk01 and SiF for the alerts.

The Grove debuts 'King of the Railway' in LA premiere

King of the Railway made its American debut in Los Angeles last week with a special event held at The Grove.

A Hollywood star of Thomas was mocked up for the blue carpet premiere on September 15th which saw the arrival of several names from television, film and music attending the US launch with their children.
Reality TV stars Kourtney Kardashian and Kendra Wilkinson were among the first to be presented to The Fat Controller followed by brother and sometime drummer of Bruno Mars, Eric Hernandez.

Entertainment Tonight's Brooke Anderson graced the stage alongside Lakers player Nick Young, actress and former Nickelodeon star Tia Mowry and her husband Cory Hardrict of Gran Torino and Battle: Los Angeles fame.

Completing the line-up were author and fitness enthusiast Tracy Anderson, Addison Riecke, soon to make her TV debut in Nickelodeon's The Thundermans, and Home Sweet Hollywood's Bill Horn and Scout Masterson.

King of the Railway: The Movie hits US DVD/Blu-ray shelves tomorrow on September 17th.

Thursday 12 September 2013

Millie clip previewed on 'King of the Railway' minisite

Another clip from the King of the Railway film has been added to the Thomas & Friends website.

The latest preview turns to the attention of Millie, Sodor's first French engine, with her introductory scene set in Ulfstead Castle.
Along with a colouring activity on the aforementioned Explore Sodor location comes a new game called Castle Builder.

The player is tasked to construct part of Ulfstead Castle using brick blocks coming off of Millie's flatbeds.

A variation of the King of the Railway theme serves the game which is heard in the film itself.

MEET MILLIE AND EXPLORE ULFSTEAD CASTLE ON THE 'KING OF THE RAILWAY' MINISITE

Mattel talks 'King' and more with Hollywood Reporter

Mattel's vice president has lent an interview to The Hollywood Reporter about Thomas in an exclusive article.

In the build-up to King of the Railway's US cinema and home video releases, the Vice President of Hit Entertainment for America, Sid Mathur spoke to the corporation about how the movie and its predecessors appeal to audiences.

We pick an attribute [to feature] every single year and try to weave a story around it, which kind of delivers the lesson in a meaningful and entertaining way. That is how we try to differentiate it from the daily and weekly content.
They can interact and meet with all the characters from the brand and have a full day out with them, that's what completes the picture for me.

It’s not just about dealing with the traditional and new mediums of communicating, but also trying to bring your brand to life.

An app based on the film, which will be available to Apple devices, will use elements introduced on the film's minisite. A push in retail and food outlets are to follow from Mattel, increasing the brand's reach to the public.

Mathur went on to explain why the show itself should not deviate from its core of learning abilities; You’re trying to give kids life lessons about socio-emotional upbringing in an entertaining way.

You can’t move away from those roots and say, OK, these are no longer important, because the moment you do it you lose the prime DNA.

Sunday 8 September 2013

'King of the Railway' Los Angeles event date revealed

King of the Railway is to debut in the United States with a celebratory event in Los Angeles.

The eighth movie in the franchise, which has been hailed by UK fans as the best Thomas & Friends film to date, will arrive at The Grove next week for a blue carpet premiere.
The date, first revealed by the Thomas & Friends facebook page, was teased by the brand's Twitter earlier this week, encouraging users to tweet during the event.

PBS Kids is to air the feature-length special in the country in October, coinciding with Season 17's launch on the channel.

King of the Railway: The Movie marks its US premiere at The Grove in Los Angeles on September 15th, with its DVD/Blu-ray released on the 17th.

Thanks to Daniel Coffey for the alert.

NHK picks up Season 17 for Japan October broadcast

Japanese broadcaster NHK is to air the new 17th Series in Japan this October.

The channel has picked up the latest run of episodes for broadcast on midway through airing Season 14.
Steamie Stafford and Gordon Runs Dry will kick off the Japanese premiere followed by another double bill on Sunday mornings.

PBS Kids is to start transmitting the series in the US a day after on October 7th while the UK will resume its run on Channel 5 milkshake! in the same month.

Series 17 of Thomas & Friends marks its Japanese premiere on NHK on October 6th.

Thanks to Puff Puff Thomas for the alert.

Thursday 5 September 2013

Exclusive: Hit confirms 'Big Bang Surprise' DVD episodes

The episodes for the Merry Winter Wish bonus disc have been confirmed for the United Kingdom.

The Christmas release was revealed this week to contain an additional DVD called Big Bang Surprise. Five episodes were teased but not named.
Hit Entertainment's marketing department has spoken to Roll Along Thomas about what stories will feature.

In answer to enquiries, the bonus disc of Merry Christmas Thomas is called Big Bang Surprise. As mentioned, it contains five episodes, and here are the episode titles.

Sodor Surprise Day, Thomas and the Sounds Of Sodor, Percy and the Calliope, Happy Birthday Sir! and Percy and the Monster Of Brendam.


The Christmas Tree Express, Ho Ho Snowman!, Salty's Surprise, Emily's Winter Party Special, Percy the Snowman and Tree Trouble star in the main release itself.


Merry Christmas Thomas!/Big Bang Surprise hits UK DVD shelves on October 28th

Thanks to Daniel Coffey.

Wednesday 4 September 2013

'Big Bang Surprise' joins 'Merry Christmas Thomas' UK

Merry Christmas, Thomas! is to come to UK DVD as a bundle when made available in October.

The British Christmas release is to not only include six episodes from the 15th and 16th Seasons, but will add a bonus disc for increased value.
Big Bang Surprise will hold another five, as of now, unknown episodes, bringing the full release to 138 minutes and 11 stories.

The move, first revealed by amazon.co.uk, suggests a response to fan demands after concerns about the UK DVDs' values were raised following the four episode limit first introduced in 2010's Splish, Splash, Splosh.

The Christmas Tree Express, Ho Ho Snowman!, Salty's Surprise, Emily's Winter Party Special, Percy the Snowman and Tree Trouble are confirmed for the Christmas disc alongside extras Down at the Station and Guess Who?.

Merry Christmas Thomas!/Big Bang Surprise hits UK DVD shelves on October 28th.


Thanks to Hawk01 for the alert.

Smyths brings out festive 'Ultimate Christmas Gift Set'

Smyths have released a specially made Thomas gift set only available through their UK stores.

Ultimate Christmas Gift Set stores two DVDs and two books in one pack exclusively for Smyths customers only.
Made for the oncoming Christmas rush, the Christmas Express and Merry Winter Wish DVDs are packaged together with the Thomas Story Library books The Snowy Surprise and The Snowy Special.

Last year, the children's retailer released an alternate product called Ultimate Movie Box Set which saw the films The Great Discovery, Hero of the Rails, Misty Island Rescue and Day of the Diesels in one collection.

Ultimate Christmas Gift Set is available to buy in the UK in Smyths stores only.

Thanks to Hawk01 for the alert.

'King of the Railway' becomes best seller on Amazon UK

King of the Railway: The Movie has been awarded a top recognition on amazon.co.uk.

The feature-length special has been named the Best Seller in Children's overall by the online retailer, just a day before its DVD hit UK stores.
It fended off other orders such as Despicable Me 2, Monsters University, The Little Mermaid Collection and The Smurfs 2.

Formally 18th, the release also peaked in 11th place on the Best Sellers in Film & TV list, beating the likes of hollywood blockbusters, Pacific Rim, Fast & Furious 6, The World's EndIron Man 3 on Blu-ray 3D and Man of Steel.

King enjoyed a successful extended run in Vue cinemas with a VIP premiere in Leicester Square and peaked at No. 4 on the cinema chain's Top 10 Films last week.

King of the Railway: The Movie is available to buy on UK DVD.

Thanks to Hawk01 for the alert.