Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends - Surprise Adventures is an audiobook cassette released on the 5th of October 1998 by MCI, VCI's musical branch. It features a special story written by Alec Reid and narrated by Michael Angelis, with all 10 songs from the fifth series.
Plot[]
The engines are resting in the sheds after Christmas in the Winter, but there's more work needs to be done. The Fat Controller explains to Thomas that the Christmas mail is delayed and that he and Percy are to take it. However after Percy has a rather silly accident, Thomas is to take all the mail, leaving him puffed out the next morning.
Thomas is ready for work again and on the way explains to Percy that he will soon be rescued. As he is working he discovers Donald's Duck, who is stranded on the ice and can't move due to an injured wing. However, Harold comes to the rescue, and Thomas and his friends look after her, despite her non-stop quacking.
Spring soon arrives, followed by Summer. Thomas is needed to take seven passenger coaches to Gordon, but Thomas needs some help and Bill and Ben are only the twin tank engines left. In the end, the Fat Controller agrees to let Bill and Ben help, too. Not long after that, Thomas, Gordon, Bill and Ben chuff down the track on their way to the seaside.
Songs[]
- It's Great To Be An Engine!
- Sir Topham Hatt
- Accidents Will Happen
- Night Train
- The Snow Song
- Harold the Helicopter
- Donald's Duck
- Percy's Seaside Trip
- Every Cloud Has A Silver Living (Never Lose Hope)
- Come For The Ride!
Trivia[]
- The front cover artwork is recycled from the VHS, Playtime.
- The song list on the inner sleeve features an advertisement for the VHS, Spooks and Surprises.
- Six of the songs on this audiobook were later reused on Thomas' Songs and Roundhouse Rhythms, three on the full release of Thomas' Train Yard Tracks and the last on the sampler version of the latter.
- This was the only Thomas audiobook released by MCI (VCI's music division).
- The episodes, Thomas Comes to Breakfast, Down the Mine and Thomas, Terence and the Snow are referenced.
- The line "Thomas explained the situation to the driver" after Donald's duck calls for help suggests that the engines are able to understand animals, whereas their drivers cannot.
- This audiobook marks Dilly's only speaking role to date. Throughout the story, she is never mentioned by name but is addressed as "Donald's Duck".
- The intro theme was incorrectly mixed and has the main piano, drums and bass tracks almost solely on the right channel while the other instruments retain their original mix.
Goofs[]
- The song list has "Sir Topham Hatt" misspelt as "Sir Topham Hat" on the back cover.
Gallery[]
