Sodor the Modern Years: Fame & Misfortune

[@Terrier55Stepney]

Another fine installment here sir! Its nice seeing the engines being caught up with the technology of the world, including Tornado and real life events! I got to pull Tornado's chime whistle a couple months back, so its really nice to see him play a part in a Thomas series for once! Thanks for making this! :)

[@Enterprisingengine93]

So brilliant. So self-aware. So well-researched. So good! :)

[@davidscholz3041]

I've especially wanted to mention that I personally heard Tornado say that he apparently appeared in just 1 episode of Top Gear when he raced against some road vehicles straight from London to Edinburgh, and especially for another fact is basically that I've especially heard Peter Fairhead personally mention that in 1 of the movies on DVD titled the Best of World Steam in the section about Great Britain!

[@TheFattHatt]

Other than the split-second black screens between shots, I really enjoyed this. A nice homage to Top Gear! :)

[@scodeknight3178]

Tonight, James puffs along the line, Diesel smiles like an old man, And some boys record a talking locomotive

[@JamesFan1991]

I give this episode 10 out of 10 and I like the homage to Top Gear and even KZbin.

[@LouisPhung999]

I second that.

[@djdrago9712]

Love top gear

[@stephenfarthing485]

Never liked the great drip Clarkson! Was robbed of the chance of teaching him a lesson.

[@TobyandMavisforever]

Well, Diesel is the one giving James a lesson. I didn't see that one coming. And, newsflash for all of the engines on Sodor: You are ALL on KZbin!

[@directedbydave9798]

Is true.it's weird to think that drives show engines episodes and TVS

[@directedbydave9798]

They do that in my series

[@directedbydave9798]

Drivers not drives and they have tvs to show the engines that have really long plugs and the drivers show them on their phones and tablets

[@thomaseadbhardmcqueen7511]

I really liked this episode. I'm glad Tornado is becoming a major character.

[@AndrewHager02]

Glad to see James and Tornado working together at the end, WildNorWester.

[@DarthWill3]

Oh, how I love these episodes where James gets publicly humiliated!

[@emfarce]

James' themes are fantastic, and the story was great. That shot where you zoomed in on Diesel and James talking in the harbor was pretty cool!

[@DonaldDouglas2000]

I dig how your incorporating things like the internet and social media into your series. It makes Sodor seem more real and current!

[@Ethan-ey4jx]

James and Tornado would make best appearances on Top Gear. They should really

[@RayMKlll]

5:16 I think what Henry meant was that you're envious.

[@LUCADOLLAR]

Hey! I heard ten cent's whistle at 6:00! Anyways, great episode! And great reference to the show top gear and another awesome reference to the Thomas& friends tv show!

[@thomastrainzfan4444]

at 4:01 even WildNorWester sound annoyed at the late departure of the express

[@SPRINGBONNIE_anim]

I have so many alt accounts that when i re-watch videos i see them. Hello me!

[@22Tesla]

Heh, nice reference of Top Gear. And really nice to see Diesel being mature and acting his age. Not trying to make James madder, but trying to calm him down a little.

[@LegoKid413]

You have no idea how long I wait for these episodes. They're just so AWESOME!!

[@Percyfan1998]

Beautiful episode! Love the various references like Top Gear. Love the scene where James gets stalled on the level crossing, kind of ironic, is that scene a reference of sorts?

[@WildNorWester]

Not really. It was just a way to demonstrate that the train was having trouble.

[@TheBlueE2]

Another well written episode :) It's nice to see more current reality playing a part in Sodor life (James's incident being recorded and uploaded to youtube). I remember seeing Tornado's boiler test video a long time ago, clever way to add that in near the end btw :)

[@MilkDrinker218]

I like that Thomas remix of the top gear intro. Sounds like a Mario kart track more than a Thomas theme, though.

[@jakethedogg5257]

I really like the fact that top gear's theme is Jessica by the allmen brothers band. I like that you put that little tune in the episode.

[@Damocles178]

Very well done. There's one thing in being nostalgic about a tv series from childhood but it's quite another to actually be able to keep older fans interested. Sure older fans can watch the older episodes but if there's any truth in it; they do soon feel as though they've seen it all and naturally that means revisiting for the sake of fond memories and perhaps they long for something new and RWS like. This series seems to fill that role nicely especially with references to Top Gear and KZbin etc. *Note: Yeah I know about the new direction in the CGI series but being honest I don't particularly care if I watch those episodes or not. :)

[@steamdreamproductions503]

Another wonderful episode. It's been one big train day for me. Birthday run at my miniature railway club, visiting an incredible O gauge layout and finally ending it with this. Than WildNorWester you make the day complete.

[@mikeytrains1]

Recently a friend gave me Tornado for trains, as in Wildnorwester, I love it!

[@RoboNinja300]

Brilliant as always love the series and looking forward to the next episode :D

[@SodorRailwaysProductions]

Another job well done. Once again this felt down to earth. With the references to Cancer, Top Gear and KZbin. It's funny watching KZbin on a KZbin video

[@thequietestengine]

At 6:55, did you make that version of James' theme? I really like it, adds to how angry James is ^^

[@WildNorWester]

I can't take credit for that. I don't know much about making music, but I know what I like. The music I use was done by other fans, who are listed in the episode credits.

[@TheBlueSunil]

Very nice! Certainly a good way to incorporate KZbin into Thomas! Overall a great episode, and can't wait for the next one!

[@georgemiser]

This is a nice little homage to Top Gear, especially considering it might not be around much longer, what with what's going on with Jeremy Clarkson around this time. :(

[@WildNorWester]

Unfortunate, yes. But all good things must come to an end. Have you seen the US version? Some people say it's not so good, but I don't mind it.

[@sudrianashnazg7879]

+WildNorWester Richard, James, and Jeremy are going to have there own show on amazon prime

[@WildNorWester]

Sudrian Ash Nazg I heard, and I'm looking forward to seeing it.

[@sudrianashnazg7879]

+WildNorWester I was finally able to see the referenced episode. Hilarious! And the segment with Stig!

[@stephenfarthing485]

I would like to see these stories of Tornado on Sodor in a book!

[@RWSfan2024]

Splendid job with this episode, nice to see Diesel be more of a mentor than the jerk he usually is in the show

[@dragonzilla6482]

I remember when Tornado appeared on Top Gear, I'm not a huge fan but my dad is. but when I heard the Tornado was going to be on it, I had to see.

[@RayMKlll]

10:36 Great, now I wanna see that video! XD

[@russellgxy2905]

I like how the engines are just getting used to modern technology that isn't directly related to the railways. That's something I don't think the show will ever do. Especially seeing as there've been more new steamers than diesels.

[@serif6737]

Excellent Series ever since first episode of the early years. Love it. I'm glad I'm subscribed to your channel.

[@JamesJAKAZeldaboy14]

Forgot to comment after seeing this the other day, loved the episode, especially the KZbin Reference.

[@Talesofsodorproductions]

Wonderful episode, dude. I know it's old but bring me back to 2017 even when I first watched this episode

[@Talex-td6xf]

It's funny, a fictional character complaining about not being famous, while being in one of many fan made films, it's buried in so many layers of ironic, it's incredible!

[@nganson8785]

This is so amazing We’ll Done and good job indeed ❤

[@TailsFan369no2]

May Clams he "arrived 10 minutes behind the train"

[@pepperthekobold]

Aye, but he got to the destination in the city quicker, because Jeremy had to walk from the station to the building where the finish was.

[@TailsFan369no2]

still, at least the train was a Minute ahead of schedule

[@pepperthekobold]

Now there's a thing. Amongst most people the Railway network as a whole has a bad reputation for being late and whatnot. They never notice, see or hear about when it does well, such as being early, dealing with a difficult situation quickly and safely such as an animal on the tracks.

[@TailsFan369no2]

It's a world of controversy

[@THETHOMAS4]

Brilliant episode, mate!

[@WestRail642fan]

did you know that it was going to be flying scotsman racing the car and bike but because of a overhaul, tornado had to be used

[@pepperthekobold]

This episode came out better than I dared hope. I was worried some of the lines might have sounded cheesy with the inflection I put on some of them.

[@kae4466]

thats our james.

[@LouisPhung999]

Finally! Someone mentioned about Tornado in top gear.

[@stevencarbonara4419]

Another great episode, keep up the great work

[@trainmaniacstudios8216]

I love it. especially the conversation on KZbin. By the way when James was talking to diesel he looked constipated :D P.S when are you going to finish the story of Lily

[@nbtycoon2]

another awsome story

[@brentedmiston9325]

Another great job, WildNorWester. I will admit, I don't like seeing Diesel all smiles in this series. Yes, I know he's a better engine now, but I like seeing Diesel with his "devious" faces on, you know, like his signature annoyed face. I'd like to see you use some of Diesel's old personality to teach an engine a lesson if they get "high above their station", if you know what I mean

[@WildNorWester]

I do have something like that in mind.

[@brentedmiston9325]

I bet that will be a good episode to watch. Since you have your own models now, will you consider going back and redoing Sodor: the Early Years to make it closer to the Railway Series or will you keep them as they are?

[@harrisonpenner6614]

I really enjoy work, an excellent job, Well Done.!!

[@Geardproductions]

I love James' theme at 6:57

[@HA1LILPALAZZO]

:-) thinking of Top Gear I remember the TOp Gear episode where they are on the GCR :-) would be funny to hear about Diesel's cousin moaning and complaining about Jeremy travelling on the wrong track lol XD

[@WildNorWester]

That's an amusing mental image :-D. I can just picture Diesel glaring down at Jeremy Clarkson and his 'sports train'. That was the episode with Rowan Atkinson as well - a good star in the reasonably priced car, and a train-based challenge - two reasons why this episode is amongst my favourites.

[@nachojjful]

@@WildNorWester James gets put on KZbin and other stories.😂🤣😅😆👍🚂💻📱📹📸🎥📽

[@ClassyWhale]

This is so meta and I love it so much

[@directedbydave9798]

One part confuses me is how the driver talks to an steam engine,when the steam is so Loud,the driver would be yelling. Nice episode,

[@ehhok5185]

did anyone else hear the tugs horn when James was complaining to diesel

[@WildNorWester]

Have you seen the episode 'Last Straw' in season 2 of STMY?

[@ehhok5185]

WildNorWester yes where atlas tells rusty about ten cents and a tug boat who gave ten cents his work

[@WildNorWester]

Usually it's the harbourmaster.

[@rockyfanatic6846]

WildNorWester who are harbor engines

[@jeremiahsisaias8677]

Tonight on "Sodor The Modern years": Top Gear comes to Sodor, Tornado gets put on TV, and James gets caught in 4k and posted on KZbin. 😂❤

[@stephenfarthing3819]

Ooohh dear! James is going to get a shock!

[@TKSP4449]

Great episode! I like how it mentions how Tornado was on Top Gear, Race to the North. That's one of my favorite episodes of Top Gear. And just to ask, have you seen the episode where they make their own train out of trailers (AKA caravans)?

[@WildNorWester]

Yep, I've got that one on DVD. One of my favourites, with Rowan Atkinson as the star in the reasonably priced car, too.

[@TKSP4449]

***** Yeah, I've seen that part on that episode, too. And my favorite part on that episode is near the end when after May and Hammond's train caught on fire when the "scum class" car was hit by a real train and just blown apart in a million pieces. I mainly like the episodes where Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond do all kinds of crazy challenges such as when they tried to use military vehicles to do demolition, try to find the perfect car for the Albanian mafia, and probably one of my favorites right now, when they tried to find the source of the Nile River; and where they make their own ridiculous vehicles, such as when they tried to build their own homemade motor homes, when they tried to make their own stretch limousines, their own mobility scooters, and even where Jeremy Clarkson made his own miniature car.

[@ProjectHKR]

Greeting from Arkansas in 2025, I literally watched a rerun of that Top Gear episode last night! I love it when two shows exist in the same universe. Maybe if you continue the series, you could make them all have an appearance in Top Gear or something. Now that I think of it, Wildnorwester, were you on a Top Gear kick before making this episode?

[@TobyandMavisforever]

Rewatching this episode, I noticed something: the charity run being used to raise money for research on a cure for cancer and that it's 'close to the fat controller's heart'. Her father had to retire due to illness. Am I correct in saying that Sir Stephen Topham Hatt has cancer? And, if that is right, what type?

[@lisaandethanc4284]

Fun fact the title of this episode is the same as an episode of mlp fim

[@railyardpro.3651]

Wow Henry has amazing eyesight to see the number of views under the video

[@southern207hobbies]

another hit :)

[@directedbydave9798]

Only 2 days until Doncaster drawn.tornado is the main charector

[@joeythecat7482]

Flying Scotsman was originally going to be on Top Gear but couldn't because of a overhaul

[@LBSC70]

11:52 Can someone tell me more about Tornado's boiler test needing the fire department

[@stephenfarthing485]

Oh dear!!!!! Red for embarrassment.

[@nathanfleischman9856]

I am laughing. James gets a video on KZbin of a mishap with some freight cars.

[@TheDefiantPirate]

Great job man very very well done first i would like to ask when filming a scene where the characters face changes do you have to stop the train (if in motion) stop filming delete the character bring in a new one of the same character with a different face or is there some modded interface that lets you switch facial expressions on the fly on a second note I am glad you had Diesel be a big part of this episode because it makes what im about to say all the more relevant...I Love how you have been handling Diesels storyline making him into first an Anti hero then into a hero character was briliant i kinda like the Class 08 they are an interesting design and it bugged me that they have been just bad guys this whole time Thirdly might there be a point which you might bring in Famous american locomotives into the stories i can give you a small list of some locomotives that might make for an interesting appearance and have interesting enough back stories to fill out a characterization anyway again Great job man looking forward to the next episode ;)

[@WildNorWester]

Hi, I do sort of have to switch between sessions to change engines faces - with careful editing, it looks as though they've just changed. Unfortunately, they can't be changed on the fly - that would make things much simpler :-). Also, I don't plan to bring any American engines into the series. What would an American locomotive be doing on Sodor? They would be too big to fit through the platforms, tunnels, etc. for one thing, and there wouldn't be any point to it. Cheers, WildNorWester

[@TheDefiantPirate]

***** well i thought about that i have 4 that would because they are small and really old also as for a point a worlds steam gala a meeting of all the world most famous locomotives i admit the tunnles would be a problem however i dont really see any problem with the platforms...anyway the 4 that would more than likely fit in the tunnles as well as platforms are 4 American Class 4-4-0's ((think wild west locomotives with the big ballon stacks)) they are General Texas Jupiter and 119 Jupiter and 119 were the locomotives at the joining of the transcontinental railroad while General and Texas are famous for a Civil War story where a group of Union spies sneek down to a confederate railroad they steal the General and go racing up the line attempting to rip up track cut telligraph wires and burn bridges behind them while the Generals crew chased first on foot then by hand car then by an Iron works Switcher engine then by a Mainline engine (stopped by ripped up track) finally they chased the General with Texas (at the time pulling a train the other way) they run it back drop the train at a station then continue the chase Texas all the way tender first original Jupiter and 199 were scrapped and we have working replica's now General and Texas IRL are static display only however i still think their stories would be interesting to tell some of the others (though like you said would not fit in the dang tunnels) would be UP 844, 3985 Challenger, 4014 Big Boy (way to big but it would be funny to see the characters reactions to her) SP 4449 (the last Daylight express locomotive) and Grand Canyon Railway number 4960 which is the first locomotive i know to be fired by Used Vegetable oil there are more but this is just what i can remember off hand

[@TheDefiantPirate]

koquicoqui as i responded to Wildnorwester a gathering of the worlds most famous steam locomotives

[@directedbydave9798]

Hey knoe the USA dock tanks,that are Rosie's bases,they came to England in WW2

[@directedbydave9798]

It isn't stupid,it's real,don't insult us Americans I have studied im shure much more than some of you Brits.i like England guys but I still like my country :)

[@Kanjilearner]

Oh man, I know that James can never live the bootlace incident down, but this is worse! It was caught on video, for crying out loud!

[@jacobdragonblood1217]

lol I knew that tornado looked familiar for some reason man I love top gear

[@t.ditsakulofthisaccount1141]

11:07 James has been roast. lol

[@Thekris0927]

Forgive me for asking but where did you find James' theme in orchestra? Its very slowly played and catchy. Cheer mate

[@WildNorWester]

That's a piece by Michael M, called 'James the Red Engine Orchestrated' - James the Red Engine Orchestrated

[@AEM7andthomasfan]

uhhhh, where did Bear go at 5:20

[@whitewolf8051]

What engine type is Eric. I know he is a steam tank engine l, but what model?

[@WildNorWester]

+Blake Busey He's based on an LNER V3 class tank engine.

[@chrislish4786]

the good year of 2014

[@ThomasKinninmonth]

I saw that top gear episode.

[@stephenfarthing3819]

With James to suffer from definite embarrassment.

[@JurassicSteamRacer_13]

Is there any auditions that I can do?

[@matthewcain2192]

2:34 confused by stairs? XD

[@AlexTrain5249]

+matthew cain it's from that little lego video of the stig

[@stephenfarthing3819]

A note to Carson! What about introducing Tornado to Richard?

[@YorkStudiosII]

Awesome!, could I audition for anyone? Also could I write a script idea? Great Idea for East Knapford Station Tornado is very polite and I did feel a bit bad for James even though he was jealous of Tornado until Tornado asked him to do a doubleheader.

[@WildNorWester]

Hi, I'll usually put up a casting call when I need voice actors. As for writing scripts, thank-you for the offer but I only use scripts I've written myself. Regards, WildNorWester

[@rockyfanatic6846]

WildNorWester tornado should visit sodor again

[@stephenfarthing485]

I agree !

[@stephenfarthing485]

Oh dear! He's woefully jealous!

[@nganson8785]

Yes Sometone Said tornado Is the top gear episode of steam engine yes it is him ❤❤❤

[@AlexTrain5249]

HA I SAW THAT EPISODE ON TOP GEAR

[@tomwood555]

wow new red branchline coaches on SI3D and a new episode todays a good day to be a TTTE fan

[@michaelharless6026]

was lily found and can you do an episode where tornado rememberes his old color

[@WildNorWester]

Lily's story will be resolved in a few episodes' time. I said that in the video description for last week's episode. As for Tornado's original colour, the livery he's wearing now is his original colour - aside from works grey, this is the first livery he wore when out on the mainline.

[@casper6890]

One thing. Why was Edward so light in the last shot?

[@WildNorWester]

He's the same colour there that he's always been. The in-game lighting may have made it look a bit lighter.

[@spdaylight1]

on top gear Tornado got robbed on the grounds of a limited speed of 75MPH

[@mikeshearer1250]

Plus also having to slow down due to a water injection problem and slowing for a stopper train

[@stephenfarthing485]

Unlike Gordon but not unlike Scott! Tornado is rather fair! I hope that the three meet. I'd like to see Scott's astonished look when Gordon tells him, that Tornado is a new build!

[@drazencanjuga438]

heck yea, top gear

[@stephenfarthing3819]

Make me 1228 - I am watching it! Sorry James!!!

[@stephenfarthing485]

Oops! That's got him!

[@grungetamu]

Cool youtube on your channel and was top gear in the early years?

[@WildNorWester]

Top Gear's only really mentioned in this episode.

[@NWR1914]

When is the next installment of "The missing engine" because I really want to know what happens next? Not to be rude though, but this is a good episode though.

[@WildNorWester]

It'll be coming out sooner or later. I'd rather not give out spoilers.

[@NWR1914]

ok

[@ismaeltrujillo8904]

I like the models also I have some of them

[@topazproductions9163]

Wait, weird thing I just noticed...Henry and Peter have White running boards, but most of the others have black running boards...not that it's bad, just curious...why is that?

[@stephenfarthing485]

Wildnorwester - what about Gordon, Tornado and Scott together!?

[@jackfletcher8866]

Series 13 episode 1, if anyone was woundering