Thomas and Friends - Original Episodes
by Chase the Ferroequinologist is an ongoing fic set within the CGI series of Thomas & Friends (between the 19th and 21st seasons, according to the author.)
Outlined in sets (composed of 26 chapters, similar to a 26-episode TV season), this fanfiction takes inspiration from the television series as well as The Railway Series and focuses on several underutilized characters outside of the Steam Team along with a few OC characters. Like the television series, it also has special-style pieces which vary from being rewrites to completely original. Some of those companion pieces can be found here.
Specials
The series is currently in its third set. It is also connected to Thomas & Friends: Season 21 Redux, a collection of 5 rewritten episodes from the 21st season and a few original ones, which brings it up to 28 altogether.
The series contains examples of:
- Adaptational Backstory Change: In the TV series, Glynn was moved to different sidings for years before being forgotten, accidentally rediscovered by Marion, and returned to service under Sir Robert Norramby's care at Ulfstead Castle. Here, he was purchased by a railway museum on the Mainland and restored by the time Toby and Henrietta came to Sodor, and while he no longer runs, he's still maintained.
- Adaptational Gender Identity: Kelly was male in the television series; here, he's been changed to non-binary and goes by "they/them" pronouns.
- Adapted Out: Buster is not set to make any appearance for the moment, so George replaces him on the Pack whenever a steamroller is needed.
- Ascended Extra: Several characters who were background extras in the television series get to shine here. Characters from The Railway Series are also brought over and given focus. Even Logan, who was only created for merchandising purposes, is given a proper role.
- Following The Great Race, Vinnie becomes a permanent addition to the Sodor Railway.
- Breaking Old Trends: The first two sets were composed of 26 episodes, but Set 3 has 28.
- The Bus Came Back: Several characters who disappeared in the TV series return here, such as Terence, George, Hector, Miss Jenny Packard (who didn't reappear in canon until the 23rd season), Duke and BoCo.
- Butt-Monkey: George tends to get a lot of grief, although he usually has it coming. Same goes for Sir Handel, to a lesser extent.
- Character Development: Expect several Flat Characters from canon to get some here.
- Composite Character: Norman's personality in this series is a combination of his canon one (eager to please despite his constant breaking down) and how he is in Enterprising Engines (eloquent and smart, but rather pompous.)
- Christmas Episode: "A China Clay Christmas" in Set 1, "The Polar Rocket" and "James and the Polar Bear" in Set 2.
- Cute Bookworm: Penelope, who wears glasses and has an immense love for classic literature.
- Cuteness Proximity: Daisy is quick to judge the Blister twins based on their name alone but when she actually meets them, she gushes over them and calls them adorable.
- A Day in the Limelight: Naturally, all the characters who don't get much focus get some.
- The Ditz: Clive, though a hard worker, can get easily distracted due to having a short attention span.
- Extreme Doormat: Molly initially starts out as one, but slowly begins to grow out of this after becoming the Wellsworth Station pilot.
- Girl's Night Out Episode: "Ladies' Night" features Daisy taking Belle, Bonnie and Penelope the Railway Recorder on a trip to the mainland.
- Gratuitous Spanish: Since the 12th series has Hector gain a Spanish accent in the US dub, he becomes prone to saying things in Spanish.
- Green-Eyed Monster: Daisy admits to being jealous of how pretty Penelope is and how she gets much more attention compared to her.
- Halloween Episode: "Thomas and the Were-Engine" for Set 1, "Vampire in the Tunnel" for Set 2 (which was released on Halloween.)
- Immediate Sequel: "Aging with Grace", the first episode of Set 3, takes place after the end of The Great Race: specifically, during the celebration party for Henry for winning the strength competition.
- Manly Facial Hair: Bear grows a beard during the events of "Aging with Grace".
- Mentor Archetype: Glynn acted as Thomas' mentor for years, helping him run the Ffarquhar branch line until he was purchased and moved to the Mainland.
- Once Done, Never Forgotten: Many engines refuse to let Class 40 forget about the time he got a bowler hat stuck in his air intake.
- Pun-Based Title: "Against the Crane", which is taken from the term "against the grain".
- Shout-Out:
- In "The Diesel Divide", Jeb sings part of "You've Got a Friend in Me".
- After Diesel 10's claw "Pinchy" is cleaned up in "The Diesel Divide", he announces "At last, my arm is complete again!"
- The episode title "Saturday Night Clive" is based off of Saturday Night Live.
- Synchronous Episodes:
- "Whaling" focuses on Arthur attempting to uncover a possible whaling operation, which features a (seemingly) shoehorned cameo from Thomas. "Thomas Gets Locked Out" continues from the time of said cameo and the repercussions of Arthur's actions in both episodes.
- "The Polar Rocket" and "James and the Polar Bear" share focus on Bear's hatred of snow and James working during a blizzard.
- "The Horse & Cart" occurs alongside "The Boxing Match" as Rocky is being taken to the Container Yard to help with an accident.
- Token Evil Teammate: Not so much evil as pessimistic, but Class 40 serves as this to the Ulfstead Castle engines.
