Shining Time Station

Shining Time Station was an American spin-off of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends series, although it was co-created by Britt Allcroft and Rick Siggelkow. The series was produced by The Britt Allcroft Company and Quality Family Entertainment in New York. The series aired on PBS from 1989 to 1993, but it was rerun on various networks and returned in specials in 1994 with two spinoffs, Mr. Conductors Stories of Thomas in 1994 to 2000 and as Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales in 1996 and their last appearance was in Thomas and the Magic Railroad in 2000.

The Television Series' Description
Shining Time Station is a fashioned railway station located on the Indian Valley Railroad in the fictional town of Shining Time. The station manager is Stacey Jones whose grandmother Gracie Jones was the station manger when she (Gracie Jones) was around Stacey's age (this is revealed in the Season 3 episode, "How The StatioN Got It's Name" which appears to be around the 1910's at the latest). The station's workshop was first run by the mechanic/railroad engineer, Harry Cupper. At the beginning of the second season, harry was transferred to Fort Farley and the workshop was taken over by Billy Twofetahers.

The kids that usually visit the station are the nieces, grandduaghters, and nephews of Stacey Jones and Harry Cupper. In the first season, the kids Tanya (Harry's first granddaughter) and Matt (Stacey's first nephew) are shown. Thei rlast appearance was in the second season episode "Field Day". After that, the new kids Becky (no one knows what her relationship is to), Kara (Harry's second granddaughter) and Dan (Stacey's second nephew) visit the station.

Schemer (his first name is Horace) is the station's arcade owner and he usually looks for some ways to amke money or protect his arcade. He is the television series' "comic relief". His catch phrases is "Genius time!" "Schemer's System Of Success", and "This place is haunted". Starting in the second season, Schemer usually be helped in his schemes with his nephew, Schemee.

Other people visit the station. Midge Smoot the socialite and gossip lady, Ginny Johnson the farmer, Barton Winslow the general store propietor, Felix Perez the bus driver, and J.B. King - the superitendent of the Indian Valley Railroad. Occiasionally, Mayor Osgood Bob Flopdinger would visit the station. A jukebox is located in Schemer's arcade. The Jukebox Band lives and performs inside the Jukebox. They'd play rock and roll songs or railroading music whenever someone puts some nickels into the Jukebox. The band includes Didi the Drummer, Gracie the bass guiter player, cowboy twin brothers Tex and Rezwho both play the big guitar and Tito Swing, the piano player.

And last but not least, there is Mr. Conductor. He is the eighteen-inched man who lives in the signal-box painting in the station's mural. He is friends with Stacey, Billy, Harry, and the kids and he tells the stories of "Thomas The Tank Engine" to Tanya, Kara, Becky, Matt, and Dan. Ringo Starr (who was Thomas' first narrator) played Mr. Conductor in only the first season. After that, he left the show (as well as the Thomas television series - after the first two seasons) and George Calrin took over the role of Mr. Conductor. Some episodes of "Shining Time Station" have one Thomas story but the rest of the "Shining Time Station" series has two Thomas stories.

The Cast
Season One

Ringo Starr as Mr. Conductor

Didi Conn as Stacey Jones

Leonard Jackson as Harry Cupper

Nicole Leach as Tanya Cupper

Jason Woliner as Matt Jones

Brian O'Connor as Schemer

Seasons Two And Three

George Carlin as Mr. Conductor

Tom Jackson as Billy Twofeathers

Erica Luttrell as Kara Cupper

Danielle Marcot as Becky

Ari Magder as Dan Jones

Matt Hulkswit as J.B. King

Bobo Lewis as Midge Smoot

Barbara Hamilton as Ginny Johnson

Jermone Dempsey as Mayor Osgood Bob Flopdinger

Johnathan Sharpio as Schemee

Gerald Parkes as Barton Winslow

Aurelio Padron as Felix Perez

Christmas Special Episode - "Tis A Gift"

Rachel Miner as Vickie

Judy Marshak as Clarie Ardon Bess as Tucker Cupper Jerome Dempsey as Mayor Of East Shemp

Llyod Bridges as Mr. St. Nicholas

The Jukebox Band  Olga Marin as Didi The Drummer

Alan Semok as Tex

Craig Marin as Rex

Beverly Glenn/Vaneese Thomas as Grace The Bass

Jonathan Freeman as Tito Swing

Thomas The Tank Engine And His Friends Stories - Narrated by George Carlin and Ringo Starr

Series' segments

 * Flexitoons Puppets & Marionettes - Jukebox Band Concert
 * Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends - narrated by Ringo Starr & George Carlin
 * Occasionally an episode might have a cartoon/video (usually accompanied by a song) from the picture machine (an old-fashioned arcade film machine), the Anything Tunnel (a tunnel in the station mural), a magic bubble, or if any adult told a story besides Mr. Conductor

Season 2 was delayed because producers needed to find new kids to continue the show's run. The series was famous in North America.

The show ran from (1989-1993) with four 1-hour specials in 1995.

Note: Ari Magder is often credited as "Ari D. Magder", but this is incorrect. The Ari Magder on Shining Time Station is actually Ari Joseph Magder. Ari D. Magder is a camera operator who is not related to the actor Ari Magder.

VHS

 * Tis a Gift (Christmas Special, - Holiday Special, Ringo Starr Mr. Conductor)
 * Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends (Thomas' Christmas Party)
 * Sweet and Sour
 * Stacy Cleans Up
 * Schemer Alone
 * Bully for Mr. Conductor
 * Becky Makes a Wish
 * Billy's Party
 * Mr. Conductor's Evil Twin
 * Schemer's Special Club
 * Schemer Presents The World According to Me!
 * Jukebox A Day In The Life Of The Jukebox Band
 * Jukebox Lullaby The Jukebox Band

1989-1990

 * Thomas
 * Edward
 * Henry
 * Gordon
 * James
 * Percy
 * Toby
 * Annie and Clarabel
 * The Old Coaches
 * Duck
 * Diesel
 * Troublesome Trucks
 * Milk and Tar Wagons
 * Breakdown Train
 * The Express Coaches

1991-1992

 * Bill
 * Ben
 * Donald
 * Douglas
 * Henrietta
 * Boco
 * Daisy
 * Mavis
 * City Of Truro
 * Oliver
 * Toad
 * Sodor Mail Coaches

1993-1995

 * Sodor Fuel Wagons

G Scale

 * Thomas with Annie and Clarabel
 * James with the Troublesome Trucks

O Scale

 * Thomas the Tank Engine with Annie and Clarabel
 * Percy the Small Engine
 * James the Red Engine
 * Thomas Expansion Pack
 * Sodor Freight Expansion Pack
 * Devious Diesel

United States

 * PBS (1989-1998)
 * Fox Family (1998-2000)
 * Nick Jr. (Nickelodeon) (2000)

Canada

 * YTV (1990-1998/99)
 * TVO (1997-2000)

Ireland

 * TV3 (1999-2003)

Trivia

 * Shining Time is seen in the movie Thomas and the Magic Railroad. Didi Conn plays Stacy again, but Tom Jackson's role as Billy was handed over to Russell Means. The new Mr. Conductor is played by Alec Baldwin.


 * While Shining Time was in production, David Mitton and Robert D. Cardona were working on Thomas's sister series TUGS.


 * In the episode "Washout", when the Thomas story "Bertie's Chase" is shown, the first scene (Edward waiting for Thomas) is omitted. This scene is also omitted from the James In A Mess Random House Read to Me book. But in the Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales episode "Splish, Splash, Splosh" the episode is in full length.
 * All of the Shining Time Station episodes only ever have three sets: the main room of the station, the workshop, and the interior of the station's jukebox, where the Jukebox Band resided. This changed in the specials, in which scenes took place outside, in the signal house, and in a large basement-type room that may or may not be part of the station building.


 * In Mayor Flopdinger's first appearance ("Too Many Cooks") and in the Christmas special, he is the mayor of East Shemp. However, in all subsequent appearances, the writers treated him as the mayor of Shining Time so he could be in more episodes. East Shemp and Shining Time must be two different towns because they needed a train make a delivery to East Shemp


 * Matt and Dan are cousins, as are Tanya and Kara. Therefore, Stacy must have at least two siblings, and Harry must have at least two children.


 * The season 2 episode He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not was the first episode to only have Mr. Conductor tell only one Thomas story as opposed to the usual two stories.


 * Mr. Conductor has a name tag on his uniform in the TV Specials.


 * In the episode "Does it Bite?", Mr. Conductor (Ringo Starr) describes himself to be 18 inches tall, but on screen, he appears to be significantly shorter. In the TV special, he (George Carlin) describes himself to be "about a pencil and a half, in my stocking feet."


 * The train seen in both the opening and closing credits is a real engine known as the Union Pacific 844.


 * In the opening, Shining Time is listed as having a population of "5,006 give or take". Coincidentally, those same words appear on the Shining Time welcome sign in Thomas and the Magic Railroad.


 * Many places on the Indian Valley Railroad besides Shining Time are never seen, but are often mentioned. Snarlyville is Shining Time's biggest rival, and its people are known for not being very nice.


 * Other places on the Railroad include Chubby Corners, Dillylick Station, Pelican Falls, Eggyweg, Lucy's Leap, Leaky Park, Doodle Haven, Cloggyville, Fort Farley, Lucky Lake, Twiddly Junction, East Shemp, Turley, Waddley, Mount Careful, Spotsville, Farmer's Dell, Logan Wash, Butter Town, Indian Valley & Muffle Mountain.


 * Joe Raposo served as music director for Shining Time Station before he died. He was replaced by Steve Horelick, who was also the music director for Reading Rainbow.


 * Beginning in Season 3, Didi Conn had a haircut as Stacy Jones.


 * The "Rainbow Sun" mentioned in the theme song is the name of Billy Twofeathers' train.


 * Every single episode of Thomas and Friends from seasons 1-4 appear at least once during all seasons of Shining Time Station and Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales.


 * Every Thomas story shown in season 1 gets re-narrated at least once by George Carlin over the course of seasons 2-3, the family specials, and Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales with the exception of Terence the Tractor, Thomas' Christmas Party, and Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree


 * When Shining Time Station aired on Nickelodeon, it was aired to promote "Thomas And The Magic Railroad".


 * When Shining Time Station aired on Fox Family, the episodes featured the opening credits used in the family specials, and the episodes were edited so they could fit the time slot.

Ideas

 * Shining Time Station Episode Ideas
 * Shining Time Station episode ideas
 * Shining Time Station Episode Ideas - Featuring Ringo Starr
 * Shining Time Station US DVD ideas
 * Shining Time Station US VHS ideas
 * Shining Time Station Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales ideas
 * Storytime With Thomas Episode Ideas
 * Storytime With Thomas Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales ideas
 * The New Adventures of Shining Time Station
 * The New Adventures of Shining Time Station Episode ideas
 * The New Adventures of Shining Time Station Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales ideas
 * Shining Time Station Special Ideas
 * Shining Time Station UK style
 * Shining Time Station Episode Script Ideas
 * Shining Time Station: The Animated Series
 * Shining Time Station Nameplates ideas
 * Shining Time Station: The Animated Series Episode ideas
 * The New Adventures of Schemer Presents
 * Shining Time Station DVD Trailer Ideas
 * Mr. Conductor's Adventures Movie Ideas
 * Mr. Conductor's Sing Along Songs VHS & DVD ideas
 * Shining Time Station TV Promos Ideas
 * The New Adventures Of Shining Time Station
 * Mr. Conductor's Adventures Movie Script Ideas
 * The New Adventures of Schemer Presents Episode ideas
 * The New Adventures of Schemer Presents Episode Script Ideas
 * Shining Time Station's Brand New Specials Ideas
 * Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales Ideas
 * Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales Ideas - Featuring Ringo Starr
 * Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales Ideas - Featuring Alec Baldwin
 * Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales Ideas - Featuring Ringo Starr, George Carlin and Alec Baldwin
 * Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales Ideas - Featuring George Carlin and Alec Baldwin
 * Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales Ideas - Featuring Ringo Starr, George Carlin, Alec Baldwin and Michael Brandon
 * Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales Ideas - Featuring Ringo Starr and George Carlin
 * Thomas and Friends VHS ideas (with episodes seen on STS)
 * Thomas and Friends VHS ideas (with episodes seen on Fan-Fiction STS)
 * Mr. Conductor's Adventures Series intros
 * Indian Valley Airfield
 * Shining Time Station Sesame Street Style
 * Mr. Conductor's Adventures of Talespin
 * Mr. Conductor's Adventures in Between The Lions
 * Mr. Conductor Visits The Bluffers
 * Mr. Conductor Meets The Simpsons
 * Mr. Conductor Visits The Big Garage
 * Mr. Conductor in The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss
 * Mr. Conductor & the 2 Stupid Dogs
 * Mr. Conductor Meets The TUGS
 * Mr. Conductor & the Tom & Jerry Kids
 * Mr. Conductor & Friends' Adventures in KaBlam!
 * Mr. Conductor & Scooby Doo Where Are You!
 * Mr. Conductor & The Tiny Toons
 * Mr. Conductor's Adventures in the Super Mario Bros. Super Show
 * Mr. Conductor's Adventures in Donkey Kong Country
 * Mr. Conductor & the Samurai Pizza Cats
 * Mr. Conductor Meets Gumby

Parodies

 * 1) Shining Time Station/Thomas
 * 2) Shining Time Station/TUGS
 * 3) Shining Time Station/Theodore Tugboat
 * 4) Shining Time Station/Sonic
 * 5) Shining Time Station/Garfield
 * 6) Shining Time Station/Mr Men
 * 7) Shining Time Station/Disney
 * 8) Shining Time Station/Bob the Builder
 * 9) Shining Time Station/Superted
 * 10) Shining Time Station/The Simpsons
 * 11) Shining Time Station/Family Guy
 * 12) Shining Time Station/South Park
 * 13) Shining Time Station/Dangermouse
 * 14) Shining Time Station/Thomas and the Magic Railroad
 * 15) Shining Time Station/Bananaman
 * 16) Shining Time Station/The BFG
 * 17) Shining Time Station/The Flintstones
 * 18) Shining Time Station/Scooby Doo
 * 19) Shining Time Station/The Little Engine That Could
 * 20) Shining Time Station/Futurama
 * 21) Shining Time Station/Ferry Boat Fred
 * 22) Shining Time Station/SpongeBob
 * 23) Shining Time Station/Victor & Hugo
 * 24) Shining Time Station/King of the Hill
 * 25) Shining Time Station/Budgie the Little Helicopter
 * 26) Shining Time Station/Fireman Sam
 * 27) Shining Time Station/Salty's Lighthouse
 * 28) Shining Time Station/Ernest the Engine & Others
 * 29) Shining Time Station/Mario
 * 30) Shining Time Station/Judge Judy
 * 31) Shining Time Station/Pokemon
 * 32) Shining Time Station/Dennis the Menace
 * 33) Shining Time Station/Horrid Henry
 * 34) Postman Pat/Shining Time Station Schemer Alone
 * 35) Shining Time Station/The Fairly OddParents
 * 36) Shining Time Station/Movies
 * 37) Shining Time Station/Noddy's Toyland Adventures
 * 38) Shining Time Station/Tom and Jerry
 * 39) Shining Time Station/Pingu
 * 40) Shining Time Station/The Mr. Men Show
 * 41) Shining Time Station/Barney
 * 42) Shining Time Station/Thomas Parodies
 * 43) Shining Time Station/The Wiggles
 * 44) Shining Time Station/Robin hood
 * 45) Shining Time Station/Tom and Jerry
 * 46) Shining Time Station/The hunchback of notre dame
 * 47) Shining Time Station/David the Gnome
 * 48) Shining Time Station/Igor
 * 49) Shining Time Station/The Lion King
 * 50) Shining Time Station/WALL-E
 * 51) Shining Time Station/Where is Waldo
 * 52) Shining Time Station/Hero of the Rails
 * 53) Shining Time Station/Muppet Treasure Island
 * 54) Shining Time Station/Muppets' Wizard of Oz