The All Aboard Live Tour: Revisited

[@steam-powered-cyborg]

I legit was one of the few to see the most documented Live Tour. For such a simple little story they really went all out with making the models big enough to feel real, as opposed to the very much cubeish live props I've seen in some performances overseas.

[@thomasthetankman111]

Yeah I saw the All aboard Live tour. I still have the tour book/poster you could buy at the show. I actually always thought the big live tour and all aboard were the same show and they just switched between stories for different shows. But I was wrong. Maybe why they didn't keep continuing past 2007. Because it wasn't obvious it was a different live show! Great video my friend!

[@TheBlueE2]

Yeah it was madly confusing, I'd always assumed it was down to arena size or something. Overall I think it was budget reasons it stopped. Cheers man, badly need to watch your latest vid too 🔥 I need to catch up ahaha

[@Sudriantank743]

​@TheBlueE2 I owned the thomas Prop between 2018-2021 when I gave him to a prop collector

[@vickycoleman-smith5684]

U had the Thomas prop Whre did u get it from?

[@TheSudrianStoryteller]

It’s a shame how these props have not been given enough respect for what they were used for and what history they left. I myself had not seen it and wish I had in person, but I live in the USA and had only seen it being used to advertise the later “Live! On-Stage” theatre shows, and through the defunct website I rediscovered during the pandemic through deeper research.

[@Evsta101]

Every so often I randomly remember that I have seen both the Big Live Tour and the All Aboard Live Tour and every time I often feel like it's a fever dream (no one else I knew growing up saw either!) So, anytime this has come up in the fandom I feel like my sanity is safe and others share in my nostalgia. Cheers for this, really made my evening! :D

[@TheBlueE2]

Both shows? Ah you lucky duck. Must've been great seeing both in person to compare the differences Good to hear from you also hope you're well 🔥

[@Evsta101]

@@TheBlueE2 My general consensus was that the first show was better - the second show suffered from what I now know to be HiT era influence, therefore wasn't as good IMO. And you good sir, also a pleasure to see one of your videos land in my Sub box!

[@jameslisterthemarthplayer8322]

@@Evsta101 Hmm, yes, I wonder if anyone of your family filmed any footage as I am desperately wanting more footage of The Big Live Tour to resurface.

[@Sudriantank743]

I know where thomas is, and he's not destroyed

[@vickycoleman-smith5684]

@@Sudriantank743 Whre

[@MyHeartIsOpen2You]

The live models are really impressive for what is essentially a show for 5 year olds.

[@mistermadmachine6311]

😢if only the show that came to the US was more like this

[@PlayDontPause]

"Not a useful engine anymore" is a banger, and nobody can tell me otherwise.

[@PostmanDouglas2011]

Too overrated and that is one of the reasons why my favorite song from the live tours is A job for Jack which is underrated sadly.

[@Sudriantank743]

I used to own Thomas’s prop after saving him. Gave him away to a prop collector in 2021 for 1,000 dollars.

[@PLG8gen]

​@@Sudriantank743 cap its been confirmed to be scrapped

[@TracksideProd758]

There is some hilariously cruel irony in the fact that the star of the show, Thomas, was the only one to be scrapped.

[@Sudriantank743]

That is not the case. I saved him. I gave him to a live tour prop collector in 2022

[@StephentrainboyRailfanbrony]

@@Sudriantank743 do you have any proof about it because Thomas’ prop was scrapped in 2018

[@northyw64]

​@@Sudriantank743yeah, sure, we believe you..

[@chazzywaz]

@@Sudriantank743proof?

[@TRAINMASTER321]

The Big Live tour was the one I saw. It was class

[@TheBlueE2]

Jack wasn't in my version because he was just gone for his walk

[@jameslisterthemarthplayer8322]

I wonder if you have any footage, because that would be good to have some more footage of The Big Live Tour online.

[@TheBlueE2]

@@jameslisterthemarthplayer8322 Read the description, links to a Google drive containing footage of the show is there

[@jameslisterthemarthplayer8322]

@@TheBlueE2 I was talking to trainmaster321 if he had any footage that hasn’t been posted online.

[@TheBlueE2]

​@@jameslisterthemarthplayer8322 Ah shoot, my apologies for the confusion

[@TARDIS9]

Huh. So the prop Thomas gets scrapped, like the E2s. And the others are exposed to the elements, awaiting their fates, like most steam engines in the 1960s. Somehow, this thing has gone full circle.

[@TheBlueE2]

Literally 😬 They say apparantly it was too badly damaged, though I think it was just too unfit for sale as the remainders were Ebay'd hence their random scatter across the UK

[@thesudriana016]

5:15 Wonder how James would've reacted to him (well a larger model of himself in the stage tour) being in the Book of Records. I mean, this could work for a potential story idea with him wanting to be in the Guinness World Records after seeing some passengers showing it to their friends. I mean, remember TheBuriedTruck's story called 'Records' which is about album covers or Stanley in Space by NWR1991? This could work.

[@whytheheckarewedoinginhere1886]

Guys, Guys, Good News, Good News, Thomas from Big Live Tours, have been Saved and Found, he is no longer being Scrapped!

[@TheBlueE2]

I think the google earth images with it are from 2018 lad, sorry :( Poor Thomas is definetely long gone sadly

[@whytheheckarewedoinginhere1886]

@TheBlueE2 aww.

[@ryansock8269]

I didnt see this show, but I saw the smaller scale one that was doing the rounds in the mid 2000s (I remember it had Diesel, I think it was A Circus Comes To Town?). We had to get the bus up to Dublin to see it, and as a little kid (I think I was 3) who loved Thomas, but was also autistic and a bit afraid of Thomas too, I remember having my Thomas blanket with me to hide under when it became too much. I think we had to leave before it was over too, to catch the bus home 😅. I wish I'd been able to actually watch it, because these sorts of things are nearly impossible to re-experience after the fact - aside from someone's 2007 handheld digital camera recording. All I remember is the bright lights on the ceiling when it started, and I think the Night Train song? Though they changed the lyrics to be about going into a mine in the live shows Excellent video btw!

[@TheBlueE2]

Ahhh Ryansock good to hear from you again! Cheers also I can defo understand the fear no doubt, I had a small advantage in that I was around 8 or 9 for this

[@LukeOfSodor22]

Fun fact: A few characters are mentioned in both shows Edward was mentioned in the all aboard live tour Henry was mentioned in the big live tour Bertie was mentioned in both shows And Donald and Douglas were mentioned in the big live tour

[@chrismaskell5702]

A moment of silence for the props from Thomas the Tank Engine life tour you all had a good run entertaining children and parents and rest in peace to the big life-size Thomas the Tank Engine prop one day you will get your shining time again soon Thomas you'll be with all your brothers now rest in peace to live size Thomas the Tank Engine you're always a really useful engine and you're always my number one engine

[@TBLTfan]

Awesome video man! - Fun fact, the tour was actually meant to continue past 2006 but was shelved due to HiT taking most the profits the show ever generated while also making the show runners jump threw hurtles just to keep it touring; leaving them to decide it wasn’t really worth doing the show anymore…

[@TheBlueE2]

Yeah I'd seen they even wanted to go to Australia with it. Shame really, there was insane efforts put into it and from the promo reel you can tell the people behind it loved working on the show

[@Sudriantank743]

​@@TheBlueE2 Thomas’s prop is in somebody's collection and isn't in the best condition. I know, I gave him to them

[@TenShine1productions]

I watched the big live tour when I was very young

[@gothnerd887]

1:39 DING DING DING! TOP OF MORNING!

[@JosephRailwayStudios2000]

Wonderful Video

[@IMEEntertainment]

I think with comparison, considering HIT had more control over the Bob the Builder Live show, this is why that had a VHS/DVD release and the Thomas Live Tour didn't, because it was outsourced over to Tell-Tale, and HIT had little control over the production.

[@Whistle17]

Why do people always do great things with props but then the next minute they are forgotten and left for dead just why those props could have had a bright future ahead but no that future was rot away in pain

[@LeodisTrainSpotter]

5:05 james tender is infront of jack and behind harold

[@DavidLawrence1996]

Wow. I guess all of this makes complete sense.

[@gothnerd887]

1:53 I've never related to thomas more in my life

[@Splodge-productions_2010.]

5:29 Thomas Gordon James and Percy are like the banana splits of Sodor like Thomas as fleegle Gordon as bingo James as drooper and Percy as snorky I wish my mum was very rich and she could save those models and I can display them at my house but when my mum was younger she was broke nowadays she can afford anything or not exactly but still

[@jameslisterthemarthplayer8322]

I did really want to try and buy James’ prop from the tire place in Southampton, but the person who my dad spoke to on the phone said he was £10 000, plus they probably weren’t going to sell him along with the two others. So now I want Gordon’s face in my possession.

[@TheBlueE2]

Cheers for the story! Interesting Christ £10,000's a lot for James despite him missing several details Honestly has me curious what the Southhampton lads have in mind for their stock

[@jameslisterthemarthplayer8322]

@@TheBlueE2 Plus James and the two others probably aren’t for sale.

[@GothicSteamEngine96]

Really enjoyed that, good one man! XD

[@TheBlueE2]

Had to include that interaction 😄 cheers mate

[@GothicSteamEngine96]

​@@TheBlueE2 No worries! I will say though Belfast Odyssey looks more well laid out than Wembley was lol.

[@SudrianFirelighter]

0:55 I was at Awdry Extravaganza 2, I remember meeting you! I wasn't there when that video was taken though.

[@TheBlueE2]

Are you going to it this year too? 🔥

[@SudrianFirelighter]

Yep! Hyped for it, I heard Sam's planning on bringing the LS Rheneas to it.

[@TheBlueE2]

@@SudrianFirelighter ahh that'd be good! Fitting given Dolgoch's back in action and well, Skarloey #1 was there last year

[@SudrianFirelighter]

I feel like Duncan will get a new face this year, his current one is.. questionable. Or maybe Rheneas, though this time disguised as 'Smudger'

[@LukeOfSodor22]

Man, i wish i was born in the 2000's

[@TheBlueE2]

Same Being a mid 90's kid loses its charm once you're dangerously approuching 30 and frantically trying to find a way to turn back time

[@victoriamaynard722]

is it just ,me or does that gordon prop look like his pilot model?

[@PostmanDouglas2011]

2:27 That's not right because Act 1 really ends when Percy crashes into the buffers then the interval and Act 2 starts with Thomas getting decorated.

[@TheGreyTurtleEntertainment]

They really don't make live shows like this anymore do they? The newer Thomas live shows are so godawful. Pity this toured at a time when Thomas wasn't airing regularly in the US. Would have loved for it to have done an American tour.

[@TheBlueE2]

The shows following this do look to be much lower in budget and quality for sure. Mad respect that this one embraced the fact the characters are trains and didn't hold back on making a big train set to accomadate it

[@herbiejr-ty8oh]

thomas and friends the big all aboard live tour 20th anniversary

[@TheBlueE2]

Never gonna happen

[@herbiejr-ty8oh]

Well, someone found a picture in testing. 2018 was Thomas a tank engine from the big live tour. 2002 He found him at the dock at the Harbor. He was outside the office How I know it's someone found it on Google map In my video won't be up on KZbin to next month on the September 12 2023

[@bowseythetankengine2445]

5:07 I see Gordon's face!

[@amyrodgers4252]

I am for some reason getting fnaf vibes just from looking at the engine props.

[@JamesQuick-tq2eh]

Thanks for telling me where there 😈

[@harrisonallen651]

I reckon Thomas was thankful being scraped after the tours ended if he were to where the others would end up….. ☢

[@TheBlueE2]

Honestly? I'm amazed they wern't all demolished before 2010

[@overly7997]

saw a version of the show at the Radio City Music Hall in New York, i honestly remember nothing about it, was 2008 I think

[@TheBlueE2]

Really? Was it this style or the Thomas/Percy/Diesel show they began doing though

[@rwsthomasmlp-fan1238]

I Like Thomas & Friends The Big/ All Aboard Live Tour, It Was Really My Childhood.

[@herbiejr-ty8oh]

I've never been there till the UK kingdom Thomas a friend's big live tour I'm being a mile wide so I didn't know hurt cause iPhone the USA so yeah that makes sense But I was memes for a quit week there was be a Thomas or friends 20th live on stage theater It was called Thomas saying today It was It was about how to show Las Vegas It was not playing the show but I decided to cancel it at the last moment I have no idea why I just know that's I just don't know I was in AZ

[@243crissy]

Wait, did you just say that you owned the Percy model?😮 5:40

[@OreothepupfromYTvideos]

1:42 Was someone screaming “SHUT UP!” or is that just me?

[@TheBlueE2]

Yep I added in some audio from Father Ted as it suited the moment haha

[@MSwolfdog158]

in 19 years you went to the show? I saw the the video.

[@TheBlueE2]

19 years ago, saw it on April 18th, 2004 in Belfast

[@AdTheTankEngine13]

5:40 FR!?!?!? DOES ANYONE KNOW THIS GUY'S ADRESS

[@TheBlueE2]

No no just wishful thinking 😄 Percy's just rotting away in a Southhampton recycling plant alongside James and a coach That's why I said "If it was up to me I'd have Percy in my garden," if the fate of the props somehow fell into my responsibility Even if I did it wouldn't be worth it, bit like the guy who owned the Lady prop you'd have to take away so many elements like face, numbers and buffers to avoid being sued by HIT

[@spinballpac-man]

Wait,I haven't seen any of this footage aside from the camcorder recording of the whole thing!! Where were they from?

[@TheBlueE2]

Links are in the description, if you just want to see video footage then the KZbin playlist (esp the first video in it) is your best bet

[@spinballpac-man]

@@TheBlueE2Ok. Thanks. 😊 Great job on the video, but just have to correct you on one thing. It’s a tyre recycling plant in Eastleigh, not Southampton. Turns out that it’s only a 20 min drive from my hometown, Romsey (Which,Fun Fact, is actually where Wilbert Awdry himself was born! 😃). When I had to do an errand in the heart of Eastleigh just yesterday, I just about had some time to drive over to this place and see if I could spot at least one of the props. Nothing prepared me for the huge surprise I got when I drove in! Percy & James are not only still there, THEY’RE RIGHT BY THE FRONT GATE AS YOU COME IN!!! It’s a sight that’s permanently ingrained in my memory!! 🤯🤯 I had no idea what to do next, but the props were just barely beyond my reach, and if anyone who worked there knew why I was there and would supervise me so they were confident I wouldn’t vandalise anything (Not that I’d be willing to, but it’s just to prove the staff there to trust me 😅),then I could hopefully get as close up to the props as humanly possible! I shouted out from the front gate to see anyone was there. Someone’s voice came out of a speaker somewhere and told me to ring the number on the company’s trailer right next to me. Called the number twice and it just went to voice message! So I called out to the guy again and told him that I was interested in looking at the props, to which he told me to check in during the site’s opening hours. As I work 8-5 from Monday-Friday and the site opens 7-5 in the week & Saturday from 7-12,I only had one day to try and make as I’m gonna be busy the next weekends coming. I drove to a local Asda afterwards and thought I’d try to call them one more time! This time, somebody picked up (Not that guy that was on the speaker)! I told them once again about my interest in the probs and if it was possible for me to come in. The guy on the phone said I could do it, just so long as I call them again this Friday coming! So there you have it! I might be seeing these props up close soon! I hope to give whatever videos & pictures I got to Southern Steamer should I get full permission to do so. Let’s all just cross our fingers and see.

[@TheBlueE2]

@@spinballpac-man Ahh nice one man! Cheers for the insight that'll be cool to see. Fair play to them for allowing you to have a look at them soon Cheers for the correction on their location also!

[@micklovin2086]

I like it when there rotten away because i can recycle and reuse them!!!!!!!!!😏😏😏😏😏