Mountain Railway Engines

Mountain Railway Engines is a direct-to-video release for the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends series. These thirteen episodes feature the Culdee Fell Railway, their first appearance. It was released in the UK on 10 July, 1996. It was released in the US on 10 September 1996. All are narrated by Michael Angelis in the UK release, while the US release is narreted by George Carlin.

1. Mountain Engine
Sir Handel is feeling surly one evening following lack of co-operation between himself and the coaches. Rheneas then makes mention that Sir Handel should be pleased he's not on a Mountain Railway, and a small argument breaks out over the workings of a Mountain Railway, until Donald arrives with a real Mountain engine, returning from being mended. The engine (Culdee) explains the workings of his railway, and then tells the engines a story about a trip on the Mountain Railway before it opened, and how he had to use his wits and use his automatic brakes to avoid an accident.


 * Introducing Culdee, Ernest, Wilfred, Shane Dooiney, Catherine The Truck, Lord Harry Barrane, Mr. Walter Richards
 * Featuring Skarloey, Rheneas, Sir Handel and Donald
 * Cameos by Alaric (Not yet introduced) and Eric (Not yet introduced)
 * First time we hear Culdee's theme, and Catherine's theme.
 * Culdee's theme sounds like the theme from "Thomas and Percy's Christmas/Mountain Adventure" and Catherine's theme sounds like the theme from "Thomas, Terence and the Snow/Terence the Tractor".
 * Michael Angelis narrates the UK version of this episode on the Mountain Railway Engines UK video & DVD.
 * George Carlin narrates the US version of this episode on the Mountain Railway Engines US video & DVD.

2. Bad Look Out
After Duncan has a near-miss and is accused of keeping a bad look out, Culdee draws on the story of Godred to enlighten Duncan. Godred's conceit got him into trouble, believing he could rely on his automatic brakes for absolutely any purpose, and was generally reckless. Until one day, as he descended from the summit, rolled over and off the track and tumbled down the hill. Afterward, Godred was brought back and since the Railway had no money to mend him, he was used for spare parts instead, until eventually, nothing else was left of him. While this generally frightened the life out of Sir Handel and Duncan, Skarloey and Rheneas weren't keen on telling them that Culdee had made the story up!


 * Introducing Godred
 * Featuring Culdee, Catherine, Lord Harry Barrane, Mr. Walter Richards, Skarloey, Rheneas, Sir Handel and The Fat Controller.
 * Cameos by Alaric (Not yet introduced) and The Truck
 * First time we hear Godred's theme.
 * Godred's theme sounds like Henry's sad theme from Seasons 1-2.
 * Godred's only accident and appearance.
 * Michael Angelis narrates the UK version of this episode on the Mountain Railway Engines UK video & DVD.
 * George Carlin narrates the US version of this episode on the Mountain Railway Engines US video & DVD.

3. Danger Points
Culdee is delivered home again and catches up with his old friends again. But there is discontent in the yard, with the presence of Lord Harry, the new number six. Culdee comments on Harry's recklessness, whilst Harry justifies it with being modern and "up-to-date" and Culdee reckons it's more conceit than just being Harry's "super-heat". He proceeds to ride roughly up the mountain with his coach, which results in an accident where his coach derails at some points and Culdee has to rescue him and his passengers. The manager reprimands Lord Harry and in the end, takes away his name as punishment, as well as taking him off passenger duty until further notice.


 * Introducing Lord Harry, Alaric and Eric
 * Featuring Culdee, Catherine, Ernest, Wilfred, Lord Harry Barrane, Mr. Walter Richards and Donald
 * Cameo by Shane Dooiney
 * First time we hear Ernest's theme, and Wilfred's theme.
 * Wilfred's theme sounds as if happens "You Can't Win" when Duke is leaving the "Picnic" by the style.
 * Lord Harry's first accident.
 * Michael Angelis narrates the UK version of this episode on the Mountain Railway Engines UK video & DVD.
 * George Carlin narrates the US Version of this episode on the Mountain Railway Engiens US video & DVD.
 * Michael Angelis' narration makes Lord Harry sound like Hector the Horrid while George Carlin's narration makes Lord Harry sound like Gordon.

4. Devil's Back
No.6 doesn't take to his new duties of taking "The Truck" to the summit, and complains about it to the others, who remind him of it's importance. And on a windy day, he has to use every ounce of bravery he as to perform a rescue operation and save some climbers from the mountain. He sees it as an opportunity to prove himself to the others and the Manager, and in spite of feeling anxious about it all, he performs the action admirably. So much so that No.6 is honoured by the climbers for being their hero and named after a member of their group who in spite of sustaining injury himself went out of his way to help his friends. The book is concluded with closure on Patrick's reformation, how he is still brave and ready to take risks, but knows only to do it in states of emergency.


 * Featuring No.6 (later Patrick), The Truck, Lord Harry Barrane and Mr. Walter Richards
 * Cameos by Wilfred and Culdee
 * First time we hear Lord Harry's (later Patrick's) theme.
 * Lord Harry's theme sounds like the theme from "Toby and the Flood".
 * Michael Angelis narrates the UK version of this episode on the Mountain Railway Engines UK video & DVD.
 * George Carlin narrates the US version of this episode on the Mountain Railway Engines US video & DVD.