10 Hidden Gems of HiT Era Thomas

[@metalheadrailfan]

To add on your point on locomotives being put in museums being a fate worse that scrap, imagine what it's like for engines put on display in parks and exposed to the elements. Rusting away in place with the threat of vandals or worse.

[@Louie-WanKenobi-og4rk]

It would be better if they were preserved indoors in secure areas and kept in good condition.

[@joshuaW5621]

I don’t see what’s so bad about being put in a museum to be honest. At least you’re still preserved.

[@sword3349]

Being put into a museum isn't so bad. Sure, you might never run again, but if the museum is worth their salt, you'll be preserved as you were like a time capsule of an era long gone by.

[@jmredguppy2799]

Isn’t that what happened to the D5151? A earlier D51 class, Aka Hiro’s class, that was recently scrapped due to problems of being exposed outside.

[@friscothesheriff1994]

@@sword3349It’s like a locomotive coffin.

[@Grenko]

bill and ben delivering hector could also be explained as, "if the biggest trouble makers in the show are afraid of him, he must be bad"

[@Myeongkee9]

This was my thought process as well. Bill and Ben are usually not afraid to tease the bigger engines (Gordon, Boco, etc.), so seeing them be so intimidated by Hector, who isn't even an actual engine, really says something about him.

[@TheNwr1]

They're also foolish enough to mistake one of them shaking as Hector bumping them. More sensible characters like Donald and Douglas would have probably noticed they were bumping Hector between them.

[@robrice7246]

@@TheNwr1 Wasn't there a rewrite that featured Hector & Scottish Twins?

[@Jediah-s6p]

@@robrice7246ya it was by a guy that uses hornby models

[@karenfan010]

I imagine oliver could’ve worked too since he hasn’t had trouble with trucks since the scruffy incident.

[@IsleofPigsStudios]

Can I just say that Brandon nails it in Hector the Horrid? He’s so darn intimidating when he shouts “KEEP AWAY”

[@randomnessetc5600]

Yeah, why not use Michael Brandon? He does a perfect monstrous voice compared to Angelis.

[@Koopalingfan]

He sure does.

[@randomnessetc5600]

@@Koopalingfan So does Brandon's narration count as a hidden gem of the HiT era as a whole?

[@Koopalingfan]

@@randomnessetc5600 Maybe.

[@genesisrailfan1507]

Brandon really killed it with Hector's voice, giving him more of an intimidating, growly-esque voice to reflect his character initially.

[@jonathanadair6847]

Hector the Horrid is definitely one of the best written episodes of the HiT era.

[@miguelangeloaguila4140]

Also who’s the better leader of the trucks? Hector or Scruffy?

[@Louie-WanKenobi-og4rk]

@@miguelangeloaguila4140 Hector

[@kboy1158]

Would have been cool to see Hector interact with scruffy.

[@Normalguy54321]

Agreed

[@toasatoshi]

it is also the ONLY one I can remember that actually had a moral that worked. Hector's bullying and intimidation comes from his own fear and the fact that thomas actually asks why and, rather than simply dismiss it, ACTUALLY TAKES THE TIME TO SHOW HECTOR IT'S NOT SCARY.

[@magnum_pig_2004]

Here's a fun fact: None of the episodes on this list are from Season 12. Nice to know that the eventual Thomas Retrospective episode on that season will be...interesting.

[@s.p.d.magentaranger1822]

Ohhhh noooo....

[@jmredguppy2799]

Why do I feel like either season 12 will be pain, might be combined with The Great Discovery review, or will be skipped over.

[@luckyleonard9359]

@@jmredguppy2799 Tug mentioned that the great discovery would be combined with the season 11 retro

[@keycypress13238]

may God be with us all

[@joshuav875]

Well, there’s James works it out.

[@Louie-WanKenobi-og4rk]

Me: Time to do some homework. Unlucky Tug: Me: I'll do my homework later.

[@Z3pH4x]

Later.....

[@lw7506]

L A T E R

[@dylanlyles9453]

me too

[@user-Unknown781]

Hahahaha nice diesel 10 reference

[@RedVelvete_Cake]

*LATER*

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

23:14 Gordon no matter how bad any era gets, always stay consistent, and I love it

[@vanguardRailgun924]

Gordon is almost always portrayed really well and respectfully whenever he’s the focus it honestly does make sense that he would be as the True Main Character of the Railway Series.

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

@@vanguardRailgun924 really a protagonist more so

[@davydigger708]

The only thing I feel sad about in the later seasons is that they don't really reflect Gordon's character development in the later Railway Series books where he becomes older, wiser, and kinder - he seems to get grumpier instead of nicer.

[@WatchVidsMakeLists]

You know why Gordon had so many good HiT episodes? Because DIRTY OR CLEAN, HE'S A FAMOUS MACHINE

[@rue_studios]

👍

[@ElectricoGamez]

👍

[@jku9936]

👍

[@Gregory_ferrandis]

👍

[@jku9936]

👍

[@brianwelch-qq3ti]

Thank you for saying that Thomas and Rosie are like siblings. I kept trying to explain how I felt they had a big brother little sister relationship, but it's nice to hear someone else validate my claims

[@Nic_2751]

To be fair, it’s far better than the “lovey duvey” or however you say crap that unfortunately manifested

[@thomasnwrengine4936]

I’m not the only one who prefers Thomas and Rosie as brother and sister than....you know.

[@GLee-oe3op]

Them and Percy make a nice trio, like Hajime Chiaki and Nagito in danagnronpa

[@brianwelch-qq3ti]

@@GLee-oe3op I was not a fan of Danganronpa

[@eastlancsesteem]

At least the Thomas X Rosie shippers are far less annoying than the MOFO-ING THOMAS X ASHIMA SHIPPERS!! 🤬🤦🏾‍♂️

[@ryanfuller912]

The good episodes in the HiT Era are the ones that feel like they are pulled straight out of The Classic Series. Especially Gordon and the Engineer, Duncan’s Bluff, James the Second Best, Hector the Horrid, Halloween, Respect for Gordon, etc.

[@giulianodervelociraptorder734]

This video actually shows that every Thomas era after 1-7 has good moments. No matter whether News series/Miller/Brenner/BWBA era. Everyone has their good moments.

[@joshuaW5621]

It’s unfortunate that the good moments in BWBA are kinda slept on because of the biassed hatred towards the era.

[@fairlyoddenginecreations]

​@joshuaW5621 It's not like that hate is unjustified

[@joshuaW5621]

@@fairlyoddenginecreations I’m not denying that, but it’s not like BWBA doesn’t have any good episodes.

[@fairlyoddenginecreations]

@@joshuaW5621 I'm not denying that either, but there's a good reason why that era has more haters than any other

[@joshuaW5621]

@@fairlyoddenginecreations I hate BWBA too, I just think it’s a little overhated by the fandom.

[@fairlyoddenginecreations]

James the Second Best is my favorite episode of the HiT era, really makes me happy seeing more people talk about it!

[@CommunityMember515]

Boo! That is the worst episode and never seen it. Worst episode pick of my choice. Thomas and the treasure and big strong Henry, being 2nd and 3rd.

[@fairlyoddenginecreations]

@@CommunityMember515 how can you say it's the worst and never seen it?

[@CommunityMember515]

@@fairlyoddenginecreations cause of s.s.a. That’s secret service addict for short. And I hate (and that’s a big HATE) his channel so much. That I have to avoid that dude. First, the more viewers watch all of s.s.a.’s cross compilations, the more their stuck remaking that episode or movie. And nobody wants to see my channel. So I listed the reason why I will never watch these titles again, and they’re reason for it and some thoughts of readaptations for them. So here are the things that you should try not to watch. Here are the following in order: 1. “Squeak, rattle and roll” the reason why it it so bad, because one: it had been on a dvd: “steamies vs. diesels”. And 2: because s.s.a. Uploaded the 1st part of it. But I can’t help noticing “he cross af” mean. Heck! Even I made a video of the competitors hooks of things. On the front of the paper it says: “a Grand fantastic video today” but below that, it just shows part one of the cross compilations. 2. thomas and the treasure: same story. 3: “big strong Henry”: same story. But badly enough: I was so bad that anchor bay decided to put 2 bad episodes on a dvd so badly. Yikes! 4 it the worstist episode in the hit era: “James the second best” (yep. James did not have a good year. Did he.) because of the worstist vid that s.s.a. Ever created is part 3 of the series. Definitely not watch this. *chokes* prevagen please. 5. “blue mountain mystery”: in my re-adaptation: diesel had to stay at the diesel works and help the other diesels nearby. Meaning, bear had to to all of diesel’s freight jobs as well as his own. We’ll see this as the same. but with Ryan. 5 and definitely the poopist film yet: “sodor’s legend of the lost treasure” (yep. The 2015 or 2016-ish movie): in my universe, thomas was sent away in an island faraway out of Sodor and locks up in the shed forever and ever, and then Thomas’ real friends: James, Henry, Edward, Toby and Rosie (in her original livery). And all of the g.w.r engines including Marion and jack and the pack spotted thomas and his real friends and then they had to escape the place before it’s too late. 6 being the second poop film: “the great race”: same story. Except the second part of the bad guys thing here. What a shame.

[@coledakers6127]

3:21

[@CommunityMember515]

@@coledakers6127 what do you mean 3:21?

[@roadandrailstudios5216]

3:21 James the Second Best 6:47 Emily and the Special Coaches 9:23 Hector the Horrid 13:00 Cool Truckings 16:46 Toby Feels Left Out 20:38 Gordon and the Engineer 23:20 Mighty Mac 25:53 Duncan’s Bluff 28:57 Squeak, Rattle and Roll 34:38 Thomas and the Statue

[@Z3pH4x]

Wait how did you manage to get all of these? Its been like 35 minutes

[@joshuaW5621]

Thanks for the timestamps.

[@TheAuzzieKid]

​@@Z3pH4x The time bar does allow you to skip ahead

[@Z3pH4x]

@@TheAuzzieKid what i meant was how did he manage to get all the time stampts by using the thing and just sliding ut around for the short attention span kids

[@Z3pH4x]

You know what never mind it probably 2x speed

[@TheStrictController]

The Hector episode needs more respect, it’s the most underrated episodes of the hit era, it’s one of the best in my opinion and the BOOMING voice that Brandon gave him is MORE than amazing in my eyes.

[@lordluffington2351]

Adding on to Gordon and the engineer, token men is an actual practise used on real railways. If the token becomes misplaced or lost someone is chosen to be a tokenman who rides on the footplate with the crew!

[@rustydoggo5050]

Also for James The Second Best. He crashes into the billboard right where Edward’s face is. Seems like a nod to that shot of Edward wearing Jame’s face

[@AnimalsVehiclesAndMore]

The HiT era is what I grew up with in the 2000's. I have a lot of fond memories of it. In fact, I actually prefer the HiT era theme song over the classic era theme song; It's my most favorite Thomas theme song, and it invokes so much childhood nostalgia in me.

[@eastlancsesteem]

“MuH cHiLdHoOd!1 MuH nOsTaLgIa!1” - 🤪🤓 Yeah, that’s not a good reason to have such an insufferable reject-able opinion.

[@Ohtechnik]

​@@eastlancsesteemrespect is nostalgia man

[@eastlancsesteem]

@@Ohtechnik *His. Learn to spell.

[@andya.4253]

​@@eastlancsesteemEveryone has their own opinion, learn to respect one

[@bryceknowles1380]

Childhood memories for me as well.

[@e-122psi3]

One other possibly unintentional fun detail with James the Second Best, after the goof up in Edward and Gordon, we see Edward with James' sad face plastered on again. XD

[@papershadow]

I genuinely wonder if that was a deliberate reference given the staff probably weren't much shared with the old Model era, but at the same time, the James sad-face used is clearly the same expression (even if not the literal same since I assume they remade the props over the years) and it's such a specific overlap of things to have happen given they specifically had James tear through the face (when just ramming the prop probably would have ripped the entire front buffers along with it ordinarily)

[@AndriuV2]

So far we have seen: Season 1 (1984) - *COMPLETE* Season 2 (1986) - *INNOVATIVE* Season 3 (1991) - *BIG* Season 4 (1994) - *COMFY* Season 5 (1998) - *PEAK* Season 6 (2002) - *CUTE* Season 7 (2003) - *EYE OF THE STORM* Jack & the Pack (2003) - *QUAINT* Season 8 (2004) - *MILQUETOAST* Season 9 (2005) - *PEAKS AND VALLEYS* Season 10 (2006) - *DRAWN OUT* Season 11 (2007) - *???*

[@Che3zyGaming]

Season 12 (2008) wtf said Edward

[@WhiffTheRubbishEngine1869]

Season 13 (2009) - *ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS VOICES*

[@mangothemike]

Season 12 (2008) - *THE WORST SEASON*

[@fruitloops2058]

Season 13 (2010) *MOVIE BETTER THAN THE SHOW*

[@alexanderbolton]

Series 12 - dry, dull but enough about Thomas, Gordon takes a shortcut was a 10. (This is a reference to another tv show i love, so its okay if you don't get it)

[@thesudriana016]

Toby Feels Left Out I can probably rewatch on a S9 lookback - I never cared for how Toby is portrayed in this era of course, but I think the museum part is not only in-line by what was a one-off line in Horrid Lorry, but is also another worse fate for an engine that I didn't consider, even if this is part of railway preservation. Funnily enough, there is the part in the NRM where a Merchant Navy Class engine was cut in half to show how a steam engine works (Half-Engine sense?). Duncan's Bluff is my favorite HiT era episode for how it showcases more of Duncan and James' dynamic beautifully and I will never get tired of it! Paul Larson seriously needs to be interviewed about his work on Thomas - only trouble is he isn't anywhere on social media to follow him on.

[@Jedi-ge6lr]

I love how Duncan's Bluff basically plays off a possible character dynamic that was teased at all the way back in season 4 with Rock And Roll.

[@teaoftraffic]

Just wanted to personally thank you, Tug. Your content had helped me get through the high school life I endured since 2020, and now my last day of high school ends with this video. Thank you, dearly. Here’s to your videos getting me through college!

[@inaciosthirdstudio]

I find it amazing how in James the Second Best James suddenly brings respect to Edward. Usually back in seasons 1 or 2, James would treat Edward the same way Ren treats Stimpy.

[@jordandrinkwater1345]

26:55 This scene has a very chilling outtake. When James rolls up and stops close to the camera, his eyes are completely whited out for a solid 5 seconds before his pupils emerge, almost as if he's woken up from a possession.

[@dadocta5168]

Thank you so much Tug! This means the world to me 😭 And thank you for giving us a new perspective on the Hit era!

[@jmredguppy2799]

Feels nice to not only have another installment of the “Hidden Gems” list, but it’s also nice to give the Hit Model seasons some positive respect :) And with only 2 seasons and 1 special left in the model era to review, let’s just hope this era will end good in your thoughts :)

[@Keaness]

19:45 on that point, my home town has an Engine (E - Class, only surviving members from the two built specifically for Tasmania), it just sits there plinthed at the park (a place that often floods). I do want to write my own stories shedding some light about it!

[@IsaacWhittakerDakin]

The Unlucky Tug brightens up my Friday afternoons! Whilst im not completely an expert on the HIT era, they really seeemed to get Gordon right!

[@Z3pH4x]

And my friday nights lol

[@_Mur45ak1_]

I managed to find a few more good Hit-Era episodes that I think you could mention in a future video like this: Duncan and the Old Mine - Duncan is well written and does a subvert on the expectation of a Duncan and Rusty episode. Emily Knows Best - All characters written well, especially Toby who was his old self and not the Hit-Era version. Flour Power - A great Thomas and Diesel episode which is also a callback to Season 2's Ghost Train. Thomas and the Storyteller - A well written story that uses the 3 strikes formula in a good way with Thomas helping out his friends rather than being selfish and focusing on himself. Percy and the Oil Painting - Arguably Percy's best Hit-Era episode which uses the 3 strikes formula very well to progress the story and Angelis voice for the painter. Even Season 12 has a good episode being James Works It Out, which concludes his conflict of not trusting trucks thanks to Hector.

[@Thomasmemoryscentral]

My choices: 1. Edward And The Mail: A channel called ASodorLife shined a spotlight on this and how it guves Edward a more believable flaw. Henry and Emily suggest Edward take over the mail during Percy's trip to the works thinking he knows best and our favourite blue old iron doesnt think to ask help since he thinks he'd look silly since all the engines put so much praise onto his smarts. He accidentally delivers the parcels to the wrong stops and has an accident on his recollection of the parcels but in the end asks Percy at the repair yard for directions and the little green tank engine doesnt find him silly at all. 2. Missing Trucks: If you can get past Skarloeys complaints of overworked, a solid narrow gauge plot. Despite Rheneas barely having any lead roles post classic era, this is default the best one for its more faithful portrayal of the gallant old man. Taking on more trucks to help Skarloeys workload feels so in tune of his character and Peter Sam had a nice side role too! Feels something perhaps in Season 5! 3. Thomas And Skarloeys Big Day Out: A first for the franchise. Thomas taking a narrow gauge engine on a tour of the bigger railway complete with cameo shots of his season 4 model inbetween shots of the wharf scale Thomas. Not a bad way to close put Season 10!

[@LukeLintula]

One thing I will say about Toby Feels Left Out is Topham’s speech at the end. Where he really sounds like a father to his engines. To me it sounds like he’s talking to his child. I find it heartwarming in a way

[@emersoninfinitystone5785]

When it comes to the Hit-Era newbies, Molly in my opinion is defiantly the one who had the most potential to become a standout character and possibly new series main. Being another 4-4-0 Edward would've been perfect to pair her up with. Her already established character ( as far as we've seen ) is that she's young, shy and insecure, so a season long arc that sees Edward as a mentor and teaching her to break free of her shell would be really awesome. Even Emily you could give Molly an arc with that sees them putting differences aside and developing a strong BFF sister dynamic. I really wish they'd brought Molly back and made her & Rosie the two new girls of the Steam Team. 💛💗

[@DavidBContentExtravaganza3967]

And the same development as Fluttershy

[@fanofeverything30465]

They would have been much better than Nia and Rebecca

[@emersoninfinitystone5785]

@@fanofeverything30465 EXACTLY.

[@eastlancsesteem]

1000%!

[@eastlancsesteem]

@@fanofeverything30465 EXACTLY! THANK YOU!

[@Jerzi-j2z]

27:35 I like how Brandon makes James sound like he’s out of breath

[@WTT_321]

For Duncan's Bluff, it's nice that they had James and Duncan interact with each other ever since Season 4's Rock n Roll. That's the one thing I wished they brought more to the table, especially during the CGI series, but nope, the narrow gauge characters got the shaft during Mattel's run of the CGI era....

[@ItsCarlos563]

I agree with all of these, except for Toby Feels Left Out. Big Strong Henry is another hidden gem from this era. Gordon and Henry really shone during Season 10, huh? Michael Brandon's narration, the funny music and the unitentional reference to Cows! are all top-notch.

[@ImTheFigure]

as percy once said, "PLEASE! STOP TALKING ABOUT THE STATUE! NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT IT ANYMORE! NOBODY WANTS TO TALK TO YOU ANYMORE! AND NEITHER DO I!"

[@karenfan010]

that line feels like it came straight from season 5 and that means a lot.

[@CoreytheATSFConnie]

Imagine if your bestie just roasted the crap out of you

[@TracksideManiac]

Looking back on Duncan’s Bluff on my latest rewatch, I find this episode a pretty fun watch. James and Duncan really go hand and hand with each other. I’m honestly surprised the CGI era didn’t play with this dynamic.

[@trainboy678]

I never thought I’d say this, but Tug’s last few retrospectives and this video have put me on a bit of a Hit Era kick! The good episodes from those seasons anyway. It’s like watching some of the episodes for the first time again. Some of them I haven’t seen and some I haven’t seen in 8+ years because it’s an era of the show I hardly ever rewatch. Toby Feels Left Out was such a nice one to watch. I love Toby and it was so nice to see him in an episode in the Hit Era where he’s mostly in character.

[@imrandarr1094]

I don’t think You Can Do It Toby is all bad either. I think it brings out a new side of Toby’s character, one who is willing to go all out to help someone.

[@chuckowiley]

My personal idea of the Toby episode is that Thomas and Percy are the ones that get the idea that Toby is going to be put in a museum, and try to make Toby look better so the Fat Controller wouldn’t put Toby in the museum. But they end up putting Toby in trouble and have to apologize. It’s not a great explanation, but it’s my preferred idea of the episode

[@karenfan010]

but then that wouldn’t be a toby episode that would be a thomas and percy episode and there’s already to much of that.

[@chuckowiley]

@@karenfan010 fair point, it does feel like none of the characters involved would have it make a lot of sense.

[@IsleofPigsStudios]

20:38 Gordon and the *ENGINEER!* (sorry, couldn’t resist shouting Engineer)

[@warhead_75]

POOTIS SPENCER HERE

[@Louie-WanKenobi-og4rk]

Gentlemen, I have reason to believe the Engineer is a Spy!

[@Girl-SuS-3000]

D i s p e n s e r g o i n g u p .

[@olivermensinger6022]

It is GOOD DAY to be not ded!

[@Girl-SuS-3000]

@@olivermensinger6022 ✴️POW✴️ You are dead!

[@ryanfuller912]

In my opinion, Seasons 8-11 knew what it was doing. The awful 3 strikes formula did start to play out in Seasons 10 & 11 but there still some fun things in them. Seasons 12-16 did not know what they were doing, and the formula had reached its annoying level.

[@dadocta5168]

That's because Miller became the head writer from Season 12 and boy does it show.

[@davydigger708]

Honestly, I think the three strikes formula wouldn't be SO bad if it was used very sparingly, like in under 5 episodes a season, or every other season, but it is SOOOOOOOO overused in seasons 12-16 that it has gained a negative reputation.

[@willisskull2676]

I really can't stand the three strikes formula. I mean, it can work if done well. It can slowly build to a crescendo. However, often enough, the repetition doesn't add anything. The character and story are the same after the first as they are the third. I'm glad that later seasons did try to fix some of the weaknesses of some of the mid seasons.

[@davydigger708]

@@willisskull2676 I suppose you do have a point. I find it annoying much of the time, though once in a while it seems to work for a story, or at least the story is decent enough I can overlook it. And I was really bothered by HiT's inconsisetencies with the classic series, as well as the abscence of certain characters - even as a kid - and the Brenner era gave me SUCH a breath of fresh air - even at 9 years old when old characters returned, some characters returned to their roots, and callbacks were made to old episodes! Even Blue Mountain Mystery delighted 8-year old me with the way it did things considering it was released during the Miller era!

[@willisskull2676]

@@davydigger708 I know the formula CAN work. I think of shows like the Simpsons where they do it well. It's just that often when the HIT era did it, it felt like it didn't elevate the plot. Here's how I think it should be done: The engines are talking about pulling a heavy train. James says he's so splendid and doesn't need any help. While pulling the train, one of the couplings break. James is irritated, but they fix it and continue on. Then, there's a stop after coming down a hill, and James overshoots it because he doesn't have any help with the heavy train. He is embarrassed, but things are still alright. Finally, while going up a steep hill, the rails are slippery from rain, and James starts to slide back down. The cars derail, and James finally admits that it's not wrong to have help sometimes. The way the HIT era would have handled it imo, James would have admitted he needed help after the first problem, then still had two more. Brenner really did a service for those later seasons, and Blue Mountain Mystery is such a breath of fresh air having seen the narrow gauge engines either dumbed down or absent.

[@GumRobber]

A few of these I’ll have to rewatch at some point especially when the season 11 retrospective comes out. I like how you ended this with a Thomas episode that’s a nice parallel to the first CGI hidden gems video.

[@mrdoctorgilmore]

Something I've noticed about the best episodes of the hit era, is giving the characters their personalities back, they're so one dimensional most of the time that Percy making a sarcastic joke in Thomas and the Statue is a complete suprise.

[@Thomasmemoryscentral]

Also i think its a case of both narrators bringing their A game: 1.Angelis making Percy sound half awake at night and exploding next day 2. Brandon voices Percy as if he just woke up and then adds a little yawn to emphasize him returning to sleep. Also i live his take on Percys rant because Percy has the vibe of a kid that finally is fed up of say a popular kid bragging of his new toys

[@AceW.Kermitcat]

I never knew that the title of Madge’s episode was “Cool Truckings.” I remember watching it on one of those mini TVs built inside a minivan that one of my Mom’s friends drove us around. She had kids who also liked Thomas the Tank Engine and had a bunch of Wooden Railway, and I vaguely remember watching the episode. But I never found it again, not on KZbin at least, but I got the reference immediately when you said the title, I love Cool Runnings!

[@Koopalingfan]

That was very nice and good point about Toby Feels Left out. A Hit Era episode that I feel that is a hidden gem is Respect For Gordon, which in my opinion is also the best Gordon episode. It’s because it really how hard and stressful pulling the express and why he would feel he would feel he’s needs respect. It’s very unique for a Gordon episode. It’s a very good both sides have a point story and sends two good morals. Respect is earned not given and respect those who deserve it.

[@stevenmosco20]

Hector is underrated and his episode is underrated. I really wish we couldve seen more of him

[@dadocta5168]

Don't you mean "his episodes"? :)

[@buzzytrombone4353]

When I was making a series of videos that were a selection of the episodes from this era, edited down to a four and a half minute run time with the music that Mike O Donnell and Junior Campbell composed for the third series to the seventh series, I got to You Can Do It Toby and I decided that it wouldn't hurt to edit it in conjunction with Toby Feels Left Out where Toby doing, Thomas, Percy and James' jobs along with pushing Gordon up the hill would have added more to him pushing himself.

[@callum110597]

That was a video I did not expect at all, when I was hoping for Thomas Retrospective of season 11. But great work! I'm proud to say there's plenty of episodes I like from the Hit era, even a few that no one bothers to talk about. However, I haven't seen all the episodes, so I need to see "Cool Truckings", "Duncan's Bluff", "Gordon and the Engineer" and "Mighty Mac", but I agree on pretty much every episode here. Okay, I don't care much for "Toby Feels Left Out" and am not into "Thomas and the Statue", but those are some nice points you bring up. People should revisit those plenty of episodes and see what's so good about them. Thanks so much for your hard work, Nic! 👍

[@blueraccoon1088]

32:24 you know it was not the first time Gordan was insecure of his fear. Remember flying scottsman tenders?

[@TheVicarstownSentinel]

One of my personal favorite hidden gems, believe it or not, is Thomas and the Jetplane. To me it feels surprisingly in-character for Thomas and the writing feels reminiscent of Seasons 1-3. Meeting Jeremy is similar to Thomas meeting Terrence, with Jeremy boasting about being able to go anywhere without rails and Thomas feeling slighted by this- well sad actually; it's more dumbed down imo. There's only two strikes and they're very natural railway happenings instead of Thomas messing up many times; waiting for a signal and for cows on the line. Thomas relocating the picnic to the hangar cuz of the storm was also a lovely idea. I actually loved this episode so much I reworked in into a Season 3 ep on Thomas'/branchline, crossing over with a certain smaller blue jetplane whom I feel is the redheaded stepchild of the Thomas fandom- trying to follow in the older kids' tracks but winds up going his own way to do his own things his way, yknow?

[@vanguardRailgun924]

It’s good to see the Community is able to look back at the previous eras of the franchise and find some great content in even the darkest times of the franchise.

[@ThomasAndRandomRobloxGames]

Tug in the "Respect for Gordon" MTAKS: Let's talk about something we don't talk about much on this channel. The HiT era. Tug in this video: We've talked many times on this channel about the HiT era.

[@Purpletisc]

Well well well how the turn tables Pun not intended

[@GLee-oe3op]

You know, watching series 1 and 4 again made me realize the missing link that could have made the Hit seasons so much better: serialization. Imagine how much more epic Squeak Rattle and Roll would be if it was part of a series long story with each episode leading into the other, ending with Gordon’s resolve that if it’s his last trip, it’ll be one to remember

[@UsefulEngine11]

This is a nice little spin off of the top 10 hidden gems of CGI, as there are definitely a lot of gems in the hit era for sure. And these episodes are no exception! Although I'm surprised you didn't put Emily knows best on the list, as I say, that. deserves to be on here a little bit more than Toby feels left out. even though that is a good one as well. The who knows maybe there could be a part two to this and that episode might make the list. Keep up the good work Nic.

[@Mredits-m2012mkkboy]

The coach part in mighty Mac is like when the passages lever Duncan back into the rails in rock n roll

[@Steamteamrailworks88]

19:39 to 19:44 Now that you said that, Mallard has not been running under her own steam since 1988 for only having two years of excursion service before the museum owners of NRM said “Just let her rest for always”. Now with Bittern and eventually Union of South Africa are both placed in static display, it’s only matter of time before Mallard’s 100th birthday in 2038 if they could use both Bittern and Union of South Africa as donor parts to overhaul Mallard.

[@kantegames5492]

Fun fact: there's a fan story by Richard Jordan that's pretty similar to Hector the Horrid: Edward Takes a Stand. They both have a few common plot points: -A truck gives Bill and Ben a hard time -The same truck won't let the main character move him -The main character gets pushed to his breaking point and shoves the truck off the rails Granted the main character and the ending are different in each story, but still, I wonder if Richard Jordan was inspired by Hector the Horrid.

[@LegendaryCaptain]

I think we can agree Gordon James and Duncan were the golden trio of the hit era

[@mairiking8089]

"noone wants to hear about it anymore!" *EXTREMELY LOUD VINE BOOM* "Noone wants to talk to you anymore!" *ANOTHER EXTREMELY LOUD VINE BOOM* "And neither, do i!" *THE VINE BOOM TO END ALL VINE BOOMS*

[@Steamenginesunited3456]

PBS Retro really made me appreciate the hit era a little more. Probably for the nostalgia factor

[@FortheloveofThomas84]

Agreed

[@Mattcai2004]

PBS Retro, what's that?

[@Cassmo46]

@@Mattcai2004It’s a TV channel in the US that airs Thomas episodes

[@stuartbarclay7940]

FINALLY! A video about the HiT-Era that isn't s--ting on it! Personally, being one of those people who likes the HiT-Era (And defenses it), I find it really annoying that to this day people are STILL crapping on it. They're just beating a dead horse. Say what you will about it, at least had it's fair share of great episodes.

[@EternityKingdomsHeadHoncho]

Madge could work as an old friend of Skarloey and Rheneas who they know quite well from the past, and she could be a motherly type to the quartet of Sir Handel, Peter Sam, Duncan and Luke.

[@DavidBContentExtravaganza3967]

That's a great idea for both classic and CGI Brenner eras.

[@karenfan010]

and ivo hugh if he were ever in the tvs.

[@eastlancsesteem]

Nice idea!

[@eastlancsesteem]

@@karenfan010 I would love a purple Ivo Hugh in the TVS.

[@MatthewChenault]

On the topic of “fates worse than scrapping,” I would argue that a locomotive pushing a railway gun into battle might just be such a fate.

[@AbbeyYard]

Or being buried in concrete.

[@NitroIndigo]

@@MatthewChenault Stories of Sodor reference?

[@EBTheOriginalMaster]

I legit thought this was the Season 11 Retrospective because the community post teasing this video showed Cool Truckings.

[@BillandBenProductions6792]

I thought this video was gonna be the season 11 retrospective but it was actually 10 hidden gems of HiT Era Thomas and I like how some of the HiT Era episodes based on morals and valuable lessons like you explained in the video

[@joshuaW5621]

I’m kinda surprised this wasn’t the season 11 retrospective, but it is a welcome surprise indeed.

[@julioalvarenga8608]

@@omarhamzi-fo6mjwhy?

[@Nic_2751]

Seems like it was right that it would be some hit era appreciation given it’s been on the rise, which to be fair is a given now that’s it’s 20 YEARS OLD!

[@bluethebunnylord9274]

At least a museum building has AC and heating, and curators to keep them clean and visitors… At least it’s not like the Allagash ghost Locomotives in the woods if you are interested in reading about their story

[@robbiewalker2831]

4:21: I wonder if it’s HiT’s cheeky reference to the James faced Edward from “Edward & Gordon”. 9:22: If Hector were to have a voice in the CGI Era, the one voice that comes to mind would be Brad Garrett, because he has such a booming voice. He even voiced Obelix in “Asterix and the Vikings”.

[@alexanderbolton]

Cool Truckings is my absolute favourite. I often tv canon it too the equivalent of bad luck out, where duncan gets told a story of an engine falling off a cliff. And here duncan nearly does himself. It also really helped his arc because after this (Duncan does it was produced after) and Duncan became much more interested in trying to please people (like in his book appearance pop special).

[@joshuaW5621]

Wrong era

[@alexanderbolton]

@@joshuaW5621 i meant to put cool trucking's lol

[@DamagedSnowplough]

Duncan and James’ arguing makes an interesting dynamic for them. Glad to see it get expanded upon after S4. Don’t know if that was the intention but I still love this episode

[@ryanfuller912]

You wanna know what’s iconic about season 10? It has the worst and best usage of Edward in the HiT Era.

[@diabeticman2194]

After watching the Thomas Cynic's (remember him?) video on Hector the Horrid, it made me appreciate how well written that episode was. Honestly you could argue it's one of the best episodes in Thomas period

[@iansturkey546]

If I had a nickel for everytime Diesel shook Gordon's confidence, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but its weird that it happened twice.

[@Fandomhopps456]

Does anyone else notice how Thomas' best episodes are usually one of the first placers in these episodes?

[@NintendoGamer2600]

OMG, what Tug said about Donald and Douglas in Gordon and the Engineer was my opinion all together. Thank you Unlucky Tug!

[@pranavrao6370]

Duncan's Bluff is basically The Railcar and the Coaches of the HiT Era.

[@adamtm8255]

That's why I like this era! There are some bad episodes, but, the good ones are really great. I think, in the future, we need a 2nd episode too.

[@upside-downdisney3281]

Thank you for bringing up Gordan and the Engineer! I never have seen until I got done watching the season 10 retrospective and then watched season 11.

[@harrisonallen651]

Hector The Horrid, James The Second Best, Toby Feels Left Out, Duncan’s Bluff, Cool Truckings, Emily And The Special Coaches and Squeak Rattle And Roll are my favourite picks for this video

[@toby.fan9198]

16:11 I feel if Ivo Hugh was introduced into the show during the cgi series. Madge could be a good mentor too him sense he’s supposed too be the youngest of the Skarloey fleet

[@joshuaW5621]

I always thought that the personality they gave Skarloey and Rheneas in this era could work for Ivo Hugh.

[@tudorbrancuturcu5996]

Hector the horrid is one of the first Thomas episodes I ever watched and i’m happy for that! It’s the best HIT episode!

[@user-Unknown781]

Let's be honest: we'd all rather watch even the worst HiT era episodes over any of the AEG crap

[@ThadeasTheQuiet]

I've alway imagined museums as 'railway nursing homes.' The engines just want people to talk to and tell their stories. How much they enjoy it is based on how well the museum maintains things and if people come to visit...much like real nursing homes...for better or worse.

[@ItsMeLance_04]

I grew up with this part of Thomas and I’m glad there are some good episodes as I go back and watch them when I’m in my teens

[@Jude-72]

As someone who has never properly seen the Hit Era I'll definitely be checking out some of these. While nothing tops Series 1 for me they are rather ingesting none the less.

[@ZarcNightstoneDimensionDragonU]

Alright so everyone keep in mind that when the season 11 retrospective comes out, Hector the Horrid, Cool Truckings, and Gordon and the Engineer are probably contenders for the best episode of the season

[@royschemadovits8713]

I wish you used Michael Brandon's narration in Hector the Horrid. He is so good at that, especially as Hector himself, unlike his other roles in the Hit and Miller era.

[@DraconicLeafTalarus]

Duncan’s Bluff was a nice revisit to one of the pairings from the classic series, when Duncan complained to James about Rusty. It would have been nice to see Sir Handle and Gordon, and Peter Sam and Henry paired again.

[@drevianedwardsproductions9244]

Really interesting hidden gems from the Hit Entertainment era of Thomas.

[@themistakeisintentional-dn5df]

I feel like this could be an interesting idea for a video at some point. I haven't really seen anybody discuss any of the inconsistencies when it comes to which locomotives, rolling stock, and vehicles/machinery in the model series are sentient or inanimate, or what makes them sentient or inanimate. A lot of the rolling stock (troublesome trucks) have faces and appear to be sentient, while others have no faces and are basically inanimate... but there's a few which are faceless who are in fact sentient. City of Truro doesn't have a face, but is treated as sentient and can communicate with others. Early seasons, Gordon's coaches appear to be sentient, yet have no faces. The breakdown cranes don't appear to be sentient, meanwhile Rocky has such a similar design and is sentient. Some characters like Annie, Clarabel, Caroline, and the season 1 troublesome trucks have a completely different style of face. A lot of automobiles like Bertie, Clarabel, Bulgy, and lorries are sentient, while others like the fat controller's car and other lorries aren't? Were all of the lifeless husks of trains found as wreckage in scrapyards at some point sentient, or were they always inanimate? What does happen when a sentient piece of railway equipment is destroyed? What becomes of their face, does it just like, disappear, or morph into a normal smoke box? Is it similar to the Magic Railroad where Lady gains sentience, but reversed? Is this how that mess of a movie actually ties into the lore of the model series? Am I looking way too deep into a show about talking trains for children? maybe so, lol.

[@Purpletisc]

This feels like a lost Unlucky Tug script, and you do bring up good points. Points we'll probably never have answers to, sadly.

[@NitroIndigo]

City of Truro never faces the camera. I think he's supposed to diegetically have a face, but they didn't think it was worth making one.

[@AzaleaGP30]

I loved all of these episodes but there’s on that’s so criminally underrated that it’s not even funny. Thomas and The Storyteller is absolutely amazing. Instead of making three mistakes like an idiot, Thomas actually helps three other engines instead of taking the storyteller around, and by the end of the episode he even knows he’s screwed up, but the episode subverts our expectations by way of the storyteller telling the story about their journey, it’s kinda meta in a way when you think about it. Also, REAL RAILWAY PRACTICES! WOW!

[@kylehanna8001]

2:36 But we’re not including those (Seasons 13-16 from The Nitrogen Era) in this video

[@Samtheman412]

Hmmmmmmm this is video is going to make the Season 11 retrospective very interesting since you have presented us with a few candidates for stand out and favorite! Looking forward to it!

[@grahamdamberger7130]

The best comparison to Hector the Horrid I can think of is Hillary from the Bernstein Bears. In the episode The In-Crowd, an older student named Hillary is introduced as "one of those kids who just stands in one spot and listens to music, not giving a care about anything else". She puts down Sister Bear by commenting negatively about pink clothes and saying things like "jump rope is for little cubs", which inspires Sister's friends Lizzy, Millie, and Queenie (who was in Hillary's position in the original book) to start dressing and acting like Hillary. After a failed attempt at doing the same, Sister wins her friends back by jump roping, where Hillary admits that she never jump roped before, ending the episode with her and Sister jump roping together. I wouldn't be surprised if Thomas crew members saw that Bernstein Bears episode and thought "what about with engines and trucks?" Also, isn't that Molly's base at 19:34-19:38?

[@DuckShowStudios]

This video is amazing! It was such a great idea to do a hidden gems on the Hit era! All these episodes deffinitly desereve to be on this list. One thing I didn't know was there was real railway safety in Gordon and the engineeer. Would you ever want to do a hidden gems video on seasons six and seven? Awesome job on this video! Hope you have a great day!

[@SecurityBreachShowFan98]

Well this is close enough to a retrospective to season 11, but I can't wait until it happens, great video Nick.

[@Flyingdurito]

Just want to put it out there for you Tug, if you really like Mighty Mac then there is a trainz story that is based around them called ‘Forget Me Not’ by ilovetrains323 which, to my knowledge, is one of the only original stories based around them

[@Spikethealligator]

36:26 *"D O N ' T C A L L M E D I R T Y P E R C Y"*

[@Apollo_Vanron]

Positivity? In THIS fandom!? Is- is that allowed?

[@T_the_Smeargle]

Apparently so!!!

[@justinkwong8071]

You would think that Gordon and the Engineer would use more visually different engines to do the chain reaction with Gordon, like a green engine Percy and a red engine James instead of 2 engines who look identical for the sake of aiding the young audience's eyes and minds with the concept. Crazy how Donald and Douglas got to be in this.

[@missmanxee]

Great video on the ten hidden gems in Thomas and friends hit era my favorite episodes featured in this are James the second best, Emily and the special Coaches, Toby feels left out, Gordon and the engineer and Thomas and the statue thanks for sharing this Unlucky Tug 👍🚂💙